Prisoners in Perth are to take part in a pilot scheme designed to help offenders get a job and claim benefits.
The pilot scheme, aimed at offenders who are nearing their release date, will be offered work coaches to help them get a job when they leave prison.
They will also be allowed to apply for benefits before they leave, meaning they will be able to collect universal credit payments on the day they get out of jail.
It is hoped the scheme, which is also being trialled at HMP Cornton Vale in Stirling, will reduce re-offending rates.
Currently, one in four ex-offenders end up being reconvicted within 12 months of release
Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd, launched the pilot scheme on Thursday, June 27 and said: “Getting ex-offenders back into work benefits the person, the economy and our wider society.
“And the earlier we get people speaking to job centre staff and supporting themselves back into work, the better.”
Currently, prisoners are unable to start a universal credit claim until they are released from prison.
Under this new scheme, prisoners from HMP Perth will be able to apply for the benefits before they are released, meaning they can start collecting their payments from the day they leave prison.
Dedicated work coaches will visit the prison to help the prisoners fill out various forms through supervised access to computers, and help them set up a job centre interview on the day they are released.
They can also help prisoners tackle other barriers to work, such as getting them ID, preparing CVs and finding them training, work experience and employment support.
