Founder of the Virgin empire, Richard Branson, calls on businesses to provide more job opportunities to ex-felons as they leave prison.
“Business must become a stronger advocate for rehabilitation. It makes perfect sense, as it increases the talent pool, lowers the price tag of re-offending, nurtures entrepreneurial spirit and contributes to safer communities,” Branson said in a June 1 article in HR Grapevine.
Branson noted the success of Virgin Trains hiring former convicts.
“We encourage our businesses to actively work with, and consider applications from, people with prior convictions, and Virgin Trains has been pioneering the hiring of ex-offenders – an approach which could become a model for many of our businesses,” he said.
“The vast majority of the people that we have employed, and therefore provided with the dignity of work, are still working with us and are valued members of our team.
“Ex-prisoners should have the chance to learn from the mistakes of their past and be fully rehabilitated. Businesses must play an important role to make sure they succeed,” concluded Branson.