Exploring Work and Wages in Prison

Lilly Lewis, Women’s Involvement Advisor, One Small Thing

In the next in her series of blogs, One Small Thing’s Women’s Involvement Advisor explores the types of work you can get in prison, and the different ways your wages may get spent whilst inside. Earlier this year Nacro released a briefing on work and wages in prison*, highlighting that often wages are too low for people to be able to buy the basics, keep in touch with people on the outside and save for release. In this blog, Lilly shares more about her experience on working in prison, and how better support pre and post release can help women into work on the outside.

When I arrived at HMP Foston Hall, I was allocated a job. There was a printed list on every wing, which had all prisoners’ names, the prison number, and a place of where they would work. On my second day, I was allocated a job in the gardens. It was a frosty February morning and I thought I’d possibly be in a greenhouse. I was placed on a huge amount of mud which actually looked more like clay. I was told to go to stores, I was given some boots and a spade. The boots were too big, and felt horrible - even with socks on. I was also given green trousers, a green sweatshirt and an oversized jacket. I was freezing and I was told to dig. I thought to myself, God I need a machine for this. I complained for around two hours and eventually got a migraine and was sent back to the wing.

The next day I was shipped out, moved prisons to HMP, Newhall. Once at HMP Newhall, when I’d been through their induction program of around 2 1/2 days, I applied for as much education as I could. I also applied for a job in reception. This was as I was paid slightly higher at around £16 per week, and I knew I would enjoy this role as it was myself and another woman who I really liked and got along with. Also, I knew I would enjoy supporting women as they arrived from court. I would be the first person point of contact that the woman would see as she was taken from the prison van. I would ensure that she was offered a hot meal, that she was able to make a phone call and I was able to offer advice and reassurance. Most women were extremely distressed at this point.

In prison, you can buy things from the canteen with your wages, or with money sent to you from family or friends. The canteen is a prison shop which is run by DHL. You would get two sheets of paper with everything on that you could order for example - toiletries, sweets, soft drinks. There was food on that either tinned or fresh fruit and vegetables, however this was overpriced and if family and friends were not sending money into you would have very little available to purchase. I would also always put at least £5 to £10 on my phone so I could speak with my daughter daily.

Considering inequality in employment between men and women, especially women with children, I think more work needs to be done through the last 12 weeks of any sentence to ensure women have the best opportunity to secure work on release.

I also think prison resettlement need to work with agencies such as Working Chance who are dedicated to supporting women with criminal convictions into work. There should also be additional support around free childcare for women involved in the justice system. I know women are allowed 30 free hours childcare after 2024, this should be something women involved in criminal justice system are eligible for from release.

Written by: Lilly Lewis, Women’s Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing

*The Better Futures Project Briefing 1: Work and Wages in Prison: https://www.nacro.org.uk/resource/nacro-justice-exchange-work-and-wages-in-prison/