Interserve : to provide employment serv...

Interserve, the international support services and construction group, has been named as preferred bidder to run six employment workshops at Wrexham's HMP Berwyn, a large prison under construction on the town's outskirts.

The £212 million Category C men's prison opens in phases during 2017. It will include a range of facilities that replicate a normal working environment where men can improve their skills, employability and qualifications to ensure they are work-ready when they are released.

The workshops will host a range of businesses, each providing opportunities for the men in Berwyn. Up to 520 men will be employed in the complex carrying out duties ranging from recycling to manufacturing. They will follow an attendance pattern that reflects working life outside of prison, gaining skills, qualifications and experience. Work undertaken will be varied, and will reflect the type of opportunities those released from prison may have.

Ian Mulholland, Interserve's director of justice, said:

'I am delighted that we have been selected as preferred bidder and that we will have the opportunity to contribute to the Governor's vision for Berwyn.

Rehabilitation is at the heart of what we do. The men who we will be working with will be acquiring skills to help smooth their transition into paid employment post-release. We will focus on ensuring that the transition from prison to the community for those released is joined up by working closely and collaboratively with our partners in community rehabilitation companies and the National Probation Service.'

Interserve has extensive experience in the justice sector and, as well as providing facilities services to the Ministry of Justice, also runs probation services for low and medium-risk offenders in five areas of England (Cheshire and Greater Manchester; Hampshire and the Isle of Wight; Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire; Merseyside; and West Yorkshire). Working in partnership with the National Probation Service, local charities and social enterprises, the company is responsible for supporting and rehabilitating around 40,000 offenders each year.

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For further information about Interserve, please contact:

Rhys Jones, Group PR manager, Interserve, 01189 60 2285

[e-mail]

About Interserve

Interserve is one of the world's foremost support services and construction companies. Our vision is to redefine the future for people and places. Everything we do is shaped by our core values. We are a successful, growing, international business: a leader in innovative and sustainable outcomes for our clients and a great place to work for our people. We offer advice, design, construction, equipment, facilities management and frontline public services. Headquartered in the UK and FTSE listed, we have gross revenues of £3.6 billion and a workforce of circa 80,000 people worldwide.

Website: www.interserve.com

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