Ex-prisoners welcome second chance at jobs fair
Frazer Trought, who is on licence after serving 10 years in prison for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, said he was offered a job after a previous event.
He said: "They empowered me to prove my worth by giving me responsibility and allowing me to work hard and prove myself as a reliable employee."
BBC South East was given exclusive access to the HMP Lewes Careers Day, organised by Balfour Beatty, where businesses offer career mentoring as part of wider efforts to reduce re-offending.
Mr Trought said: "When I was in prison, I had a lot of time to think about my actions and the repercussions were catastrophic for my family, friends and society."
He said the support he received from a previous Balfour Beatty jobs fair helped him turn his life around and secured a job with Triplex.
John Burton was previously jailed for drug importation, tax evasion and money laundering, and released in 2017.
He said: "Crime doesn't pay, you will get caught. While I was in prison I said to myself I must get rehabilitated because I wanted to support myself and my family."
He has a company, Inside Connections, which is now managed by his children.
Mr Burton said his family had never been involved in crime and he was determined to turn his life around for them.
Imogen Emmerson, who is a prison employment lead for HM Prison and Probation Service, said jobs were "key to rehabilitation".
"We see most offenders who go into work within the first six months don't re-offend," she added.
Ms Emmerson said while there is still stigma attached to former offenders, but some employers are prepared to take the initial risk and give them a chance.
"A lot of prisoners are keen to work and they are doing it for reasons other than earning a pay cheque," she added.
"They want to show they have the motivation to turn their lives around. We see stable employment as a game-changer for their confidence."
Ms Emmerson said there had been more than 100 job offers via career fairs.
Ceri Turner, the social impact manager for Balfour Beatty Living Places, said it was beneficial for businesses to employ former prisoners as the country has an ageing workforce.
"We recognise people deserve a second chance and there is commercial value in having a diverse team in the company," she added.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
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