Housebuilder Keepmoat has partnered with construction and property recruitment firm, RG Setsquare, to launch a prison reform programme across Yorkshire.

The “Restart Programme” has been designed by the duo of businesses to deliver practical sessions across Yorkshire prisons, to equip inmates with the knowledge and skills required to find construction-based work once they have completed their sentence.

Spearheaded by Keepmoat’s Social Values Manager, Shellie Hope, the initiative provides career advice and bespoke workshops across CV writing, interview skills and digital literacy.

In its first phase, the programme has been rolled out across HMP Moorlands, HMP New Hall, HMP Wealstun and HMP Armley, with the launch successfully implementing employment workshops at already established construction workshops or hubs in the prisons.

John Cornwall, Workshop Instructor at HMP Moorlands, commented: “The session delivered by Keepmoat and RG Setsquare was one of the strongest presentations we have seen delivered at the bricklaying workshop to date.

“Everyone was engaged throughout, asking questions and actively participating, and there was a real sense of energy and optimism in the room as people began to see that employment opportunities on release are genuinely achievable.

“The response from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many speaking about feeling motivated, feeling supported and leaving with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Initiatives like this play a vital role in building confidence, creating pathways into employment and supporting successful rehabilitation.

“We are already seeing positive outcomes from the session, with interviews secured for individuals approaching release, demonstrating the tangible difference employer engagement can make in helping people build positive futures beyond prison.”

As a result of the programme, Keepmoat has offered employment to a 26-year-old man following his release from HMP Wealstun.

The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous as he builds a new life following his release, secured an interview for a labourer role and was subsequently offered the position after impressing during the interview process.

Warren Thompson, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire West added: “At Keepmoat, we take pride in collaborating with local partners to benefit communities, and our unique partnership with RG Setsquare highlights this commitment.

“The Restart Programme is a fantastic way of providing valuable information and allows prisoners to gain knowledge of the skills they need to secure employment in today's construction landscape in a supportive environment.

“We believe in potential, not past mistakes. By giving prisoners the opportunity to build construction skills, we reduce their chances of reoffending and create a local pipeline for industry talent amidst a skills shortage.”

According to Ministry of Justice research, offenders are significantly less likely to reoffend if they secure stable employment after leaving prison. The new programme forms part of wider efforts to provide meaningful rehabilitation opportunities that support long-term outcomes and safer communities.

Michelle Smith, Executive Consultant at RG Setsquare said, “I have worked in construction recruitment for three decades and I can honestly say this is the most rewarding role I have done. Social Values are prevalent today and to be able to help to rehabilitate people and enable them to forge better lives and prevent them from reoffending is brilliant for everyone concerned.”