Menu
08/08/2012
Prisoners Paid £3-Per-Day To Work In Call Centre
A call centre in Wales is bussing prisoners 21 miles to work in the private business for £3 a day, the Guardian has reported.
Dozens of prisoners from Prescoed open prison in Monmouthshire, south Wales, have been doing "work experience" for at least two months at a rate of 40p an hour in the private company's telephone sales division in Cardiff, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed.
According to the Guardian, roofing and environmental refitting company Becoming Green established an arrangement with minimum security HMP Prescoed late last year, and have taken on a staff of 23 prisoners.
12 are currently being paid just 6% of the minimum wage.
The newspaper also added that when they contacted the company last month, that figure was 17 – 15% of the company's call centre staff.
The company went on to confirm that since it had started to use prisoners, other workers had been fired, with ex-staff putting this number at 17 since December 2011.
However, the firm said firings were part of the "normal call centre environment" and it had hired other staff in a recent expansion.
Reportedly the category D prison had allowed Becoming Green to pay prisoners just £3 a day for at least 40 working days, but added that they could continue to pay at that level for much longer if it wanted.
A company spokesman could not say how long any one prisoner had been employed on this token wage, adding that the company had an agreement to take a maximum of 20% of its work force from the prison, the Guardian reported.
At the start of the year, the justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke, announced an expansion of mainly manufacturing work inside prisons. But against a background of disquiet from unions, he has continued to stress that prisoners would not be putting other people out of work. Clarke said last month that such a development would be a "a very serious downside" to the policy.
People working in the prisons sector described the scheme as "disgusting" and a "worrying development".
(H)
Dozens of prisoners from Prescoed open prison in Monmouthshire, south Wales, have been doing "work experience" for at least two months at a rate of 40p an hour in the private company's telephone sales division in Cardiff, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed.
According to the Guardian, roofing and environmental refitting company Becoming Green established an arrangement with minimum security HMP Prescoed late last year, and have taken on a staff of 23 prisoners.
12 are currently being paid just 6% of the minimum wage.
The newspaper also added that when they contacted the company last month, that figure was 17 – 15% of the company's call centre staff.
The company went on to confirm that since it had started to use prisoners, other workers had been fired, with ex-staff putting this number at 17 since December 2011.
However, the firm said firings were part of the "normal call centre environment" and it had hired other staff in a recent expansion.
Reportedly the category D prison had allowed Becoming Green to pay prisoners just £3 a day for at least 40 working days, but added that they could continue to pay at that level for much longer if it wanted.
A company spokesman could not say how long any one prisoner had been employed on this token wage, adding that the company had an agreement to take a maximum of 20% of its work force from the prison, the Guardian reported.
At the start of the year, the justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke, announced an expansion of mainly manufacturing work inside prisons. But against a background of disquiet from unions, he has continued to stress that prisoners would not be putting other people out of work. Clarke said last month that such a development would be a "a very serious downside" to the policy.
People working in the prisons sector described the scheme as "disgusting" and a "worrying development".
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
25 April 2006
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
30 April 2013
Prisoners' Privileges Shake-Up Announced
The Ministry of Justice has announced a major shake-up to the rights of prisoners to receive privileges, to be introduced before the end of the year. Under the new rules, prisoners in England and Wales will have to "work towards their own rehabilitation and help others" in order to earn privileges.
Prisoners' Privileges Shake-Up Announced
The Ministry of Justice has announced a major shake-up to the rights of prisoners to receive privileges, to be introduced before the end of the year. Under the new rules, prisoners in England and Wales will have to "work towards their own rehabilitation and help others" in order to earn privileges.
04 July 2013
Inmates To Be Moved Closer To Home Before Release
New plans announced by the Ministry of Justice will see prisoners in England and Wales moved closer to where they live ahead of their release. Around 70 so-called resettlement jails are planned, with a trial of the system due to begin in north-west England this year.
Inmates To Be Moved Closer To Home Before Release
New plans announced by the Ministry of Justice will see prisoners in England and Wales moved closer to where they live ahead of their release. Around 70 so-called resettlement jails are planned, with a trial of the system due to begin in north-west England this year.
06 March 2012
Ex-Prisoner To Be Referred Direct To Work Programme
Prisoners who claim jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) once they leave prison will be immediately referred to the Work Experience scheme, losing their entitlement if they refuse to take part. Employment minister Chris Grayling has claimed it is an effort to reduce reoffending.
Ex-Prisoner To Be Referred Direct To Work Programme
Prisoners who claim jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) once they leave prison will be immediately referred to the Work Experience scheme, losing their entitlement if they refuse to take part. Employment minister Chris Grayling has claimed it is an effort to reduce reoffending.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
