Employees from global language solutions provider, thebigword, have visited HMP Wealstun Prison in Wetherby to explore a potential collaboration with The New Futures Network.
HMP Wealstun is a Category C prison based in Wetherby, West Yorkshire. It is a correctional facility for males serving medium to long sentences. The New Futures Network is a specialist part of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). They work with employers and support them to work with prisoners in England and Wales. They also assist prisons to cultivate the infrastructure that aids in reformed prisoners securing employment.
Chris Whiting, Kerry Mahon and Monaei Deviana-Horne of the People and Talent team, as well as Lucy Thornton from Translation division attended HMP Wealstun to gain further understanding of New Future’s work with HMP Wealstun and offer thebigword’s support.
Accompanied by Stephen Shakleton from The New Futures Network and Jess Tile, the Prison Employment Lead, the day commenced with an insightful conversation around Category C prisons and their role in rehabilitating and reintegrating reformed offenders into society.
thebigword’s mission statement of eradicating global communication barriers was also discussed in the context of HMP Wealstun, with potential collaborations to provide employability opportunities for inmates. A tour of the prison followed, including various wings and workshops. The experience offered a holistic understanding of how Category C prisons operate and the opportunities available to inmates as part of their rehabilitation.
The outcome of the visit was overwhelmingly positive, identifying several areas for further exploration. These included: training opportunities for inmates aimed at fostering their potential to become linguists; employability sessions to demonstrate thebigword’s work opportunities, and specific roles that align with the established workshops at HMP Wealstun and thebigword.
Those with convictions can join the freelance linguist population following proper training and certifications, however thebigword would first undertake an assessment to discuss the convictions and assess which clients they would be able to work with due to relevant clearances.
Chris Whiting, Global Head of People and Talent of thebigword said: “We had the pleasure of meeting Jess and Stephen at HMP Wealstun on Thursday. After an insightful conversation with them about the role of Category C prisons in rehabilitating and reintegrating offenders into society, we presented thebigword’s mission to eliminate global communication barriers and mind mapped potential collaborations to provide employability opportunities for inmates. Following this, we toured the prison, visiting various wings and workshops.
This experience offered a profound understanding of how Category C prisons operate and the opportunities available to inmates as part of their rehabilitation. We look forward to growing our partnership with HMP Wealstun and the New Futures Network.”
