'I used to be a prison governor. Now I support prison leavers become self-employed'

After years in prison, Jay wasn’t sure what came next. He was worried about how his conviction would affect his chances of finding a job. Today, his pet care business employs three full-time staff and offers dog grooming and behavioural classes.

Sam wanted to become a self-employed painter and decorator. He came to RIFT Social Enterprise with three months left to serve. Two years after release, he is still trading, with no further offending reported. His young daughter has seen him build a different future.

We helped both men work out how they could earn a living after prison. They had different ideas and needed different support.

For Jay, an early step was finding a free pet-sitting course. We then helped him develop his business, brand and online presence. His business has grown to the point where he is creating jobs for others.

Sam worked with a RIFT adviser through video sessions before release, developing his business plan. We supported him for 12 months afterwards, helping with digital and social media skills.

I used to be a prison governor. I now run RIFT Social Enterprise. Both jobs have made me question what we expect from someone when they leave prison.

We want them to earn a living, meet their responsibilities and stay out of trouble. Yet someone can leave with skills and a willingness to work, then struggle to find an employer willing to take them on. For some, self-employment could offer an answer. But they need help to find out whether it is a sensible option.

That last point matters. Encouraging someone to start a business simply because it’s hard to find a job can leave them facing more problems. Equipment costs money. Customers take time to find. The bills need paying during a quiet week.

Read more:

• Meet the man whose goal is to fix the UK’s faltering prison system with football
• How the criminal justice system is setting people up to fail
• ‘People in prison need art, music and reading’: Inside the prison libraries that break down walls

Sometimes our job is to challenge an idea. Would anyone pay for the service? Could the person charge enough to cover their costs? Would gaining experience put them in a better position? An honest conversation before release could save difficulties afterwards.

These questions are hard to answer from prison. Someone planning a business cannot freely research local competitors, compare suppliers or check prices. A course can teach business basics, but people need advice about their plans and the area they are returning to.

Over nine years of working in prisons, we have learnt a great deal from prisoners. They helped us create our self-employment workbook, shaping material for other residents.

Our new Self-Employment Champions programme takes that involvement further. Prisoners have paid roles supporting peers and helping them connect with RIFT’s specialist advice. 

What happens after release matters just as much. Finding accommodation, attending appointments and sorting out money can push a business plan aside. Someone may discover that work is harder to secure than expected or that their plans need to change.

Being able to contact a trusted adviser means they can solve the problem without starting again. Sam had that continuity as he began work. I want it to become an ordinary part of how we prepare people for release.

As a Big Issue Invest investee, we know the value of backing people who are trying to earn a living and improve their circumstances.

Self-employment should have a place alongside routes into paid employment when people prepare for release. Both Jay and Sam needed someone to take their idea seriously, ask difficult questions and help them get started. More people leaving prison should have access to that support.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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