St Giles Trust’s work with Peterborough Prison gets underway

St Giles Trust has started work an exciting new project at Peterborough Prison which aims to cut re-offending amongst prisoners by offering intensive support on release. 

We are one of the key delivery partners in the project, offering ‘through the gates’ support to male prisoners serving less than 12 months.  Caseworkers will focus on accommodation and support into education and training, all factors that are known to cut re-offending rates. 

St Giles Trust has received some initial funding to cover start up costs and will receive future payments by results which will involve successfully reducing re-offending amongst clients.

The programme was announced in March this year as part of a funding initiative by Social Finance who will use a new funding arrangement known as Social Impact Bonds to finance the programme. Under the programme, investors will see a return on their investment against a 7.5% reduction in re-offending amongst the people we support.

Rob Owen, Chief Executive of St Giles Trust, said:

“I am fully confident that we can have a huge impact on re-offending rates in the area through our involvement with this programme.  I know my staff will give 100% and will go the extra mile for every client.

He continued:

“St Giles Trust has a proven track record in reducing re-offending amongst prison leavers.  An independent evaluation of our work earlier in the year proved that we reduced re-offending by an additional 40% and saved the taxpayer £10 for every £1 invested in the service.   This was working with the clients who posed medium to high risk of re-offending.”