Source link : https://london-news.net/empowering-change-innovative-bike-and-barber-programs-slash-reoffending-rates-among-ex-prisoners/
The creator of a charity dedicated to equipping former inmates with job-ready skills remarked that their initiative has notably lowered recidivism rates and helped individuals reintegrate into society.
“Most individuals in prison aren’t inherently bad; they’ve just made poor choices. I’ve made those choices too—many of us have,” explained Stef Jones.
The projects under Onwards and Upwards include XO Bikes and XO Barbers, which provide training for aspiring bicycle mechanics and barbers, respectively.
Jones noted, “We’ve trained 186 individuals as bike mechanics, and considering a 55% recidivism rate, 102 of them would typically expect to return to prison. However, only four have reoffended. This results in a striking 2% recidivism rate compared to the average of 55%.”
In the year preceding March 2024, only 17% of people leaving prisons in London found employment within six weeks, which is slightly lower than the national average.
A survey conducted last year revealed that one in five employers in the UK would immediately dismiss a job applicant with a criminal record.
Jones criticized employers who refuse to recruit individuals with criminal histories as “misguided.”
Rather than attempting to persuade businesses to reconsider their stance, he opted to demonstrate that hiring former inmates can yield positive outcomes.
XO Bikes trains individuals to become certified bicycle mechanics by restoring donated bicycles, while XO Barbers provides training to…
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Author : rimmaruslan98@gmail.com
Publish date : 2026-01-31 13:38:00
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