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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: In May we are going to have the Yellow Ribbon Run in the Czech Republic. The event is getting mediatized and many questions concerning employment of prisoners after the release from prison have arisen. And also questions how the systems work abroad.
Yes.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?The Albanian General Directorate of Prisons doesn’t have a database on the employment of prisoners after release. The referential mechanism and the after- release program is in its first steps in our country, starting from last year. It mainly focuses on juveniles in conflict with the law.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?The Albanian National Agency on Employment is the main governmental institution involved in the process of employment for all Albanian citizens, ex- prisoners included. However, there is no special program for this category and they have to apply as free citizens. The certificates and the vocational training programs provided by the Albanian General Directorate of Prisons for the people during their sentence does not refer to them as prisoners, which is an advantage for their future jobs and employers.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?No, there is no law provision on this issue; therefore it is not applied in the Albanian penitentiary system.
The law governing disclosure of criminal convictions and when employers are entitiled to require applicants to disclose convictions is the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974. Under the Act, there are certain offencers that can become "spent" after a period of time, cetain convictions will be "unspent" and which convictions applicants would need to declare when applying for jobs or insurance. It also explains where exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act exist, when certain spent cautions or convictions must be disclosed. ..
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?The documents at the link below state that “When asked at interview in the months after release, over one-quarter of prisoners (28%) reported that they were either working or had been in paid work (excluding casual or cash-in-hand work) since leaving prison. This was similar to the proportion who reported having a job to go to on release (29%) [...]around one in five prisoners (21%) were in a job at the point of interview, compared to 32% who had a job shortly before custody.” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prisoners-experience-of-prison-and-outcomes-on-release Note, the data was published in 2014 but the research may have been carried out some time earlier. Additionally, this is self-reported employment rates and as such may not be a totally accurate figure. (The sample size is well over 1000 though.)
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?1. Community Rehabilitation Companies Following the recent ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ reforms, implemented by the previous Coalition Government, rehabilitation services (including employment support) for low and medium risk offenders were opened up to competition from a diverse range of market providers from the private and voluntary sectors. The Transforming Rehabilitation reforms replaced the old structure of 35 Probation Trusts with 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) and a new public sector National Probation Service. The Community Rehabilitation Companies were established to deliver rehabilitation services in England and Wales for low and medium risk offenders, while the National Probation Service manages offenders who are either assessed as being at high risk of serious harm to the public or who have committed the most serious offences. As part of the reforms, legislation was also introduced to extend statutory supervision and rehabilitation to those sentenced to less than 12 months in custody. A nationwide resettlement service known as ‘Through the Gate’ was also put in place, where the vast majority of offenders are given help and support by the same CRC provider in custody and then also in the community to which they return on release. The services that CRCs are contractually obliged to deliver include employment brokerage, finance and debt advice. More information about Transforming Rehabilitation and Community Rehabilitation Companies can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reducing-reoffending-and-improving-rehabilitation/supporting-pages/transforming-rehabilitation 2. Employers’ Forum for Reducing Reoffending Upon the release of prisoners into the community, the Ministry of Justice seeks to ensure that there is a core of employers in place to offer employment opportunities. In particular, this is encouraged through the Employers’ Forum for Reducing Re-offending (EFFRR), a group of businesses committed to employing ex-offenders that includes some of the biggest and best-known companies in the UK. There are a number of networking events designed to raise the profile of the group and to share best practice amongst business members. A key benefit of EFFRR is that it results in businesses talking to businesses, and through mentoring and support it can help additional businesses to join. Information about the forum is available at the following link: http://effrr.co.uk 3. NOMS Co-Financing Organisation The NOMS Co-Financing programme also supports offenders to gain employment. Funded in part by the European Union, the programme works to increase opportunities for offenders in prison and the community to secure employment, education and training. The NOMS Co-Financing Programme targets offenders who would benefit the most from additional assistance to access existing provision. There is a specific focus on offenders sentenced to less than 12 months. There are also targets for women offenders, offenders from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, and offenders with a disability. Services are delivered via contracted prime providers and sub-providers, to improve access to mainstream activity for offenders in the community or reaching the end of a custodial sentence. The focus of the programme is to enhance an offender’s employability and increase opportunities to access mainstream provision, the overall aim being the reduction of re-offending.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?Under Prison Service Instruction 25/2011, all eligible prisoners aged 18 or over who have served more than 14 days in custody after receiving a custodial sentence must be given a Discharge Grant of £46. Prisoners in the following categories are NOT eligible for a Discharge Grant: - Prisoners who are released from court after a period on remand, even if the time on remand was over 14 days (including those sentenced to ‘time served’). Sentenced prisoners who have served 14 days or less in custody since the date of sentence. - Those recalled from licence to prison for a period of 14 days or less - Licence recalls who were on licence for 14 days or less before recall - Those awaiting deportation or removal from the United Kingdom - Those travelling to an address outside the United Kingdom. For the purpose of paying the Discharge Grant, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland are included within the United Kingdom - Those being discharged to a hospital under a Mental Health Act Section Order - Fine defaulters and those held on further remand warrants. - Convicted offenders who have completed their sentence and who qualify for a grant but remain in custody in default of payment of a fine or remanded on further charges, will receive the grant on their final release - Civil prisoners, as defined in PSO 4600 Unconvicted, Unsentenced and Civil Prisoners. - Those aged under 18 at the time of release - Unconvicted prisoners - Sentenced prisoners who are known to have in excess of £16,000 in savings (and would therefore be ineligible for Income Support under the relevant regulations) - Stage 2 resettlement regime prisoners undertaking paid work in the community. This will not apply to those carrying out unpaid community work, those attending education or training or those whose paid employment ceases through no fault of their own 14 days or more prior to discharge.
Within the UK there is legislation which covers this area (The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) this Act places a responsibility on ex offenders to disclose offending to employers. However it also enables some criminal convictions to be ignored after a rehabilitation period (this period is set within the act). Its purpose is that people do not have a lifelong blot on their records because of a relatively minor offence in their past. The rehabilitation period is automatically determined by the sentence, and starts on the day the sentence has been served. After this period, if there has been no further conviction the conviction is "spent" and, with certain exceptions, need not be disclosed by the ex-offender in any context such as when applying for a job. There is also legislation which allows some employers and organisations to apply to Disclosure Scotland (Executive of Scottish Government) for a standard or enhanced disclosure (for specific posts/roles) for potential new employee or individuals seeking volunteering position. The legislation allows certain employers and other organisations to determine what type of disclosure is required for a particular position.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?Prisoners leaving the care of the Scottish Prison Service are not tracked with regards to gaining employment, therefore the Scottish Prison Service does not collect information of the number/percentages of ex-prisoners securing employment when liberated from our care.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?Everyone leaving prison and claiming Job Seekers Allowance is referred on day one to the Government’s Work Programme, where they receive specialist support to obtain employment as quickly as possible. The Department of Work and Pension has placed Job Centre plus staff (Employment Benefit Advisers) in each Scottish prison to support prisoners while in custody. They provide advice and assistance on benefits and employment matters both at induction and prior to release. This could include liaising with an existing employer to try to retain a prisoner’s job, the preparation of CVs, searching for training courses and possible future employment, making advanced claims of Job Seekers Allowance as well as ensuring that they are claiming the correct benefit. These officers work closely with SPS staff and other partner agencies such as Housing providers and (Citizens Advice Bureau) CAB and in some prisons attend multi agency case conferences. When those leaving prison are in receipt of employment benefits they will be expected to take certain steps towards employment. This includes actively looking for work and making themselves available for work, expected to take reasonable steps to prepare for work and attend work focussed interviews. Where someone leaving prison has voluntarily engaged with a SPS Throughcare Support Officer they will be supported and assisted to attend interviews etc. in the community once they have been released. Failure to comply with benefit rules can mean sanctions are imposed such as a reduction in or a loss of benefit which could last up to a maximum of 18 months. In Scotland there are also various community organisations who will offer training and support for prisoners where skills could be lacking and provide a means to gain employment in either a paid or voluntary post.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?The Scottish Prison Service currently provides prisoners with a discharge grant of £72.64 on liberation for those aged 25 and over and £58.03 for those aged between 18 and 24 years old. A higher rate of £147.92 is also available for exceptional circumstances. These grants are intended to pay for the necessary living expenses in the period immediately after release and if unemployed, before receiving benefit. To be eligible a prisoner must be 18 or over on the date of discharge and have served a sentence of 14 days or more immediately prior to liberation. The use of discharge grants is under review at present. Those who are not returning to employment on liberation will need to register with their local DWP office to obtain unemployment benefit/s. Prior to liberation prisoners can also apply to the local authority area to which they plan to return for the Scottish Welfare Fund. The main ways in which offenders or ex-offenders may come in to contact with the fund are: Applying for a Community Care Grant for clothing on release or furniture to set up home in the Community after a period in custody. This can be applied for 8 weeks prior to leaving custody Applying for a Crisis Grant if they fall in to crisis following release. The person they will be living with applies for a Community Care Grant for support while they are staying with them on temporary licence from prison or a youth detention centre. The SWF is a discretionary, cash-limited scheme that prioritises applications based on need. It provides grants that do not have to be repaid. It does not provide loans. Local Authorities (LA) have the discretion to provide support in different ways. Not all grants will be cash payments. They may provide vouchers, a fuel card, or furniture if they think that is the best way to meet the need. Approx. 6 weeks before liberation they will also be able to meet with an employment benefit advisor with regards to claims available on liberation and can also be assisted to make an advance claim for Job Seekers Allowance.
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In general, employers are forbidden to collect and to store the extracts from the judicial record of their employees, except when the profession of these employees falls under a regulation that requires that they have not been convicted or found guilty of any criminal offence (civil servants, military personnel, security guards, lawyers, etc.). In a recommendation the Privacy Commission has issued on its own initiative (No. 8/2002), this Commission has stated that in absence of an adequate regulation, the employer or the temporary employment agency is only allowed to look into the content of the extract, without making notes or keeping any reference to it, with the permission of the person concerned. According to the Commission, the showing and reading of this document fall, in principle, outside the scope of the privacy law.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?We don’t have the information.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison? Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?No.
In the Netherlands people don’t have to present their criminal records extracts. However for some jobs (security – teachers – airport) employers can ask to submit a statement of good behavior. Because most inmates don’t get this statement, due to their detention, it is possible to obtain a description of good behavior during detention. They can use this description when they are applying for a job after detention or to get a statement of good behavior.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?6 months after the release date 20% is employed.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?As mentioned in question number 1 it is possible for inmates to obtain a description of good behavior during their detention. All prisons also have a Reintegration Centre (RIC) that allows inmates to work on their reintegration during detention. The RIC; • is equiped with computers which the inmates can use to find all kind of information that can help them with their reintegration • has all kind of brochures and flyers of institutions which can help, advice and support inmates during and/or after detention • can be used to organise office hours. During these hours people of all kind of organisations and institutions can inform and help inmates. During detention inmates can also attend several schooling programmes that learns them how to write a job application or how the prepare a job interview. Furthermore the government provides subsidy to amoung other things local authority to help inmates with reintegration.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?The inmates do not get money after they are released. During detention they get help, support and advice how to find a job. They also get information that will help them to find out where and how to get welfare. The main goal is always to help inmates with a job after detention.
In the Netherlands people don’t have to present their criminal records extracts. However for some jobs (security – teachers – airport) employers can ask to submit a statement of good behavior. Because most inmates don’t get this statement, due to their detention, it is possible to obtain a description of good behavior during detention. They can use this description when they are applying for a job after detention or to get a statement of good behavior.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?6 months after the release date 20% is employed.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?As mentioned in question number 1 it is possible for inmates to obtain a description of good behavior during their detention. All prisons also have a Reintegration Centre (RIC) that allows inmates to work on their reintegration during detention. The RIC; • is equiped with computers which the inmates can use to find all kind of information that can help them with their reintegration • has all kind of brochures and flyers of institutions which can help, advice and support inmates during and/or after detention • can be used to organise office hours. During these hours people of all kind of organisations and institutions can inform and help inmates. During detention inmates can also attend several schooling programmes that learns them how to write a job application or how the prepare a job interview. Furthermore the government provides subsidy to amoung other things local authority to help inmates with reintegration.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?The inmates do not get money after they are released. During detention they get help, support and advice how to find a job. They also get information that will help them to find out where and how to get welfare. The main goal is always to help inmates with a job after detention.
1. Are employers in your country entitled to require from job applicants to present their criminal records extracts? In Norway, a criminal record certificate is required in many professions. A criminal record certificate contains information about a person's entries in the police records. Criminal record certificates are only issued for the purposes described in laws and regulations and only for specific reasons – not on a general basis. There are different kinds of police certificates. For more information about the different kinds of police certificates: https://www.politi.no/tjenester/politiattest/ulike_typer_politiattester/ (English version at the bottom of the page) For list of situations where a criminal certificate is required: https://www.politi.no/vedlegg/skjema/Vedlegg_3484.pdf
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?2. What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release? A resent survey conducted by Statistics Norway, states that approximately 33 percent are employed after they are released. Most of these 33 percent also had a job when they were admitted to prison. The report from Statistics Norway is available at http://www.ssb.no/sosiale-forhold-og-kriminalitet/artikler-og-publikasjoner/levekarsundersokelse-blant-innsatte-2014 and includes an abstract in English.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?The Norwegian Correctional Service is organized after “the import model'. This means that prisons do not have their own staff delivering for example clerical, medical, educational, employment, social or library services. These services are imported from the local community. For example: Teachers who teach in prisons are paid and hired by the local school authorities, not the correctional service. The responsibility of the Correctional Service in providing these types of services is regulated through the Execution of Sentences Act § 4 (Administrative cooperation). It states that: "Correctional Services shall by engaging in cooperation with other public services arrange for convicted persons and persons in custody on remand to receive the services to which they are statutorily entitled. Such cooperation shall lead to a coordinated effort to supply the needs of convicted persons and persons in custody on remand and to assist them to adjust to society". Based on the import model, the authorities responsible for helping people obtain employment will provide their services inside prisons. When the inmate is released, the responsibility of the Correctional Service is transferred to the municipality in which the person lives. Due to the presence of social authorities inside prisons, contact will al\ready have been established. It is, however, also important to note that the notion of reintegration is present throughout the Correctional Service, and that our highly qualified prison officers, workshop overseers, reintegration coordinators etc. therefore play an important part in the reintegration process. The goal of the Norwegian Correctional Service is that offenders will choose a life free of crime after completing their sentence.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?Based on the import model, the inmate will have established contact with the appropriate authorities during their sentence, and these authorities will provide the released person with the necessary support, included economical when entitled to that. Thus, the correctional service will not assist former inmates with money.
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Regarding criminal records in Denmark a distinction is made between: 1) Criminal records for private use 2) Criminal records for the use of police and public authorities 3) Criminal records for a person's suitability to work with children Upon written consent of the job applicant employers in Denmark are entitled to require the job applicants to obtain and present extracts of their criminal record for private use. Upon written consent employers may also digitally obtain these criminal records themselves. The criminal record for the use of police and other public authorities is not accessible to most public and private employers. It may only be issued from the Central Crime Register of the Danish National Police to employers such as the police, the military, The Prison and Probation Service and other public authorities upon written consent of the job applicant. If the job includes working with children under the age of 15, employers are entitled to request the criminal record for the job applicant´s suitability to work with children to be issued to them upon written consent of the job applicant.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?The rate of individuals having suitable employment upon their release in 2016 is 53 %. Individuals having served more than seven days will upon their release undergo an assessment performed by The Danish Prison and Probation Service. This assessment clarifies their status against a number of different factors, including whether or not they have suitable employment. Suitable employment categories include: ”regular contract work”, “self –employment”, "supported workplaces”, “production schools”, “work rehabilitation”, “inpatient treatment”, “retiree , homemaker", "rehabilitation", "in training" and "unemployment activation".
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?The Danish Prison and Probation Service cooperates with all municipalities in Denmark in order to ensure the best possible circumstances for the individual being released. Among these are finances such as unemployment benefits and housing. This is an official agreement of cooperation between The Danish Prison and Probation Service and the municipalities called ‘Coordinated Release’. Part of this agreement is also to ensure that the individual is registered in The Public Employment Service, a so called ‘Job Centre’ in the municipality, to which the individual is released.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?Regardless of their financial situation, individuals having served more than sixty days will upon their release receive a sum of 495 Danish kroner equivalent to 66 euro. In addition to this, they will be paid any remaining balance of the wages earned during imprisonment.
In some cases an employer has the right to request the person’s criminal records extract, although in most cases only to get information about certain serious or specified crimes. For example is that the case when then person is applying for certain work with children, people with mental disabilities or within compulsory care for persons with problems of substance misuse. However, in addition to that, the employer may ask the job applicant to request a criminal record extract about her- or himself and give it to the employer. If the job applicant refuses or if the record shows that the person has committed a crime the employer may choose another candidate.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?For former inmates, who are registered at the Swedish Employment Service, the following may be applied. Since many years the Swedish Prison and Probation Service have an organized and structured cooperation with the Swedish Employment Service. For example, there are employment officers working towards every prison as well as probation service. Also, just recently, the Swedish Employment Service was authorized to keep a register of clients from the Swedish Prison and Probation Service. This means that in a near future, probably at the end of this year, it will be possible to compile statistics of the rate of inmates who get employed after the release. Unfortunately, there are no statistics like that today.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?There a now specific support given to this target group in the Swedish Employment Service. Although, there is a lot of support given to job seekers that are long term unemployed, job seekers with different kinds of disabilities as well as other disadvantaged groups. The support might be different kinds of wage subsidies, supported employment as a method of supporting job seekers and employers at the work place etc.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?If an inmate upon release have no money he or she may be entitled to financial support to pay for the journey home and for living expenses the first couple of days. Although other social functions, like the social service in the municipality where the person lives, are responsible for economic support after he or she have been released. The inmate may also receive a grant in form of clothes and shoes that are suited for the season if he or she can not arrange that in another way. Financial assistance for living expenses is normally granted at a maximum of SEK 80 per day. Grants for the journey home are normally no higher than the amount for the most economic way of traveling by public transport. When considering whether an inmate are entitled to receive a financial support the Swedish Prison and Probation Service take into account how much funds the inmate has. Besides that, if the inmate has little or no money, there is also taken in to account whether he or she has been using the funds in a reasonable way.
Yes. At a certain point prior to appointment applicants are required to disclose any offences they may have.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?The Northern Ireland Prison Service does not hold statistics relating to employment post-release.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?Normal social benefits: job seekers’ allowance, housing benefit, citizen’s advice. If an offender is on supervised license the Probation Board for Northern Ireland would also provide advice and support.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?Upon release prisoners receive a discharge grant of which there are two rates: Standard Grant and Higher Grant. The Standard Rate is £71.70 and the Higher Grant is £144.74. The Higher Grant is available to any prisoner who needs to seek and pay for accommodation.
Criminal records are not available to employers. Only if authorized by the law, employer can/must ask applicant only for written confirmation that there are no ongoing criminal proceedings against him/her (this authorization refers to public service and not private employers). This confirmation is issued by the municipal court upon request of the applicant.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?Data are not available to the Prison Service.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?Croatian Government grants incentives for employers who employ vulnerable groups of unemployed persons, among which are also persons released from prisons. There's also another governmental program available for treated drug addicts, including those who are released from prisons. This program is consisted of number of different measures including ensuring incentives to employers who are willing to employ this group of citizens.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?No, prison service does not give any money to prisoners when they are released. If prisoner was working in prison, 30% of his/her remuneration was put to a special account as prisoners' savings which he/she gets when released from prison.
According with the Labour Law, job applicants are not directly required to present their criminal records extracts. However, according with Section 33 Part 2 Clause 3, even though in a job interview questions regarding previous conviction should not be asked, they may be asked in cases where this may be of essential importance with respect to the work to be performed. More specialised laws, regulating the functioning of a sector, may ask for such information from the job applicants, e.g. in such sectors as security, work with minors, officers in law enforcement institutions, officials etc.
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?This question is within the State Probation Service competence.
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?This question is within the State Probation Service competence.
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?According with Section 118 of The Sentence Execution Code of Latvia and Section 2 of the Regulations No.351 of the Cabinet of Ministers dated October 12, 1999 “Regulations regarding material assistance to persons who are released from places of imprisonment” the administration of the place of imprisonment upon releasing a person shall cover the minimal travel fare in public transportation or a ticket to the chosen place of residence or work, about which the administration of the place of imprisonment has been previously informed. In addition, clothing and footwear suitable for the season shall be provided for persons who are released from places of imprisonment. According with Section 4 of the amendments of The Sentence Execution Code of Latvia dated December 12, 2007, the judiciary norm stating that one-time material benefit shall be provided to the person being released from a place of imprisonment has been excluded from the Section 118 of the Sentence Execution Code of Latvia. The previously mentioned law took effect on January 12, 2008. In addition, please be informed that to receive material assistance the released person must go to the Social Assistance Service in the municipality where their place of residence was declared before imprisonment.
An employer in Ireland is entitled to ask an employee to declare if they have any previous relevant criminal convictions which might impact of the desirability of them performing a particular task. However, an employer should only be concerned about convictions that relate to the particular job on offer
What is the rate (%) of inmates who get employed after the release?We do not have data on the % of inmates who get employed after release
How does the government support employment of people who have been released from prison?The Irish Prison Service collaborates with the Probation Services, Further Education and with Community-based organisations to support ex-prisoners to access employment post-release
Do the inmates get any money from the prison service upon release (in case they have no money of their own)? If yes, how much?Prisoners have access to any un-spent gratuitoes earned and are funded their transport costs to return home.