The company says the scheme reduced reoffending rates amongst the inmates involved to less than five per cent.
It claims that of 96 men and women released from the HMP Academies in 2017/18, 96% did not reoffend and 84% moved straight into work.
Alasdair Jackson, chief executive of the social enterprise, said: “Using recycling we’re able to really change lives.
“The men and women in our HMP Academies are undertaking important work, ensuring millions of waste items are fully recycled.
“But more importantly, they’re ensuring they’re properly equipped to leave prison and never reoffend.
“We’re proud to have helped our men and women and delivered unrivalled results once again.”
The figures released by Recycling Lives compare favourably with national averages, which suggest up to two-thirds of prison leavers reoffend each year, while the Prison Reform Trust says only 17% of all offenders move into work on release.
Employment
The HMP Academies employ both men and women, paying an enhanced wage and supporting participants to work on their plans for release and to secure work and housing.
Recycling Lives claims it is the fourth year the organisation has reduced reoffending rates to less than five per cent.
Janet, one of the women involved in the scheme, said: “Recycling Lives saved me. Getting up and having a job gave me the confidence to go back out into the real world.”
She says she now works as a supervisor in a factory.
Charity programmes
Recycling Lives collects, processes and recycles all waste streams.
It says it uses its commercial operations in recycling and waste management to support and sustain charity programmes for offender rehabilitation, residential support and food redistribution.
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