Back to Work After Prison: A Returning Citizen’s Guide

Trooth Careers
Oct 8
3 min read

Coming home from prison can feel like stepping into another planet. The world has moved on, but so have you. You’ve done your time — now it’s about building a future. Work is one of the most powerful ways to do that.

But let’s be real: it’s not easy. Stigma, gaps on your CV, low confidence, and old barriers can stand in the way. The good news? There are ways through. Employers are slowly waking up to the fact that returning citizens bring grit, loyalty, and perspective that no textbook can teach.

Here’s a guide to the barriers, the stats, the support, and — most importantly — the steps you can take to rebuild your working life.

The Reality Check: Employment After Prison in the UK

Only 17% of people are in work within a year of release. (Prison Reform Trust)
A third of employers admit they would automatically reject someone with a criminal record — but many are changing their stance. (Unlock)
Stable work reduces reoffending by up to 50%. (Ministry of Justice)
Thousands of UK companies have signed the Ban the Box pledge — removing the “tick box” that asks about convictions at the start of job applications. (bitc.org.uk)

So while the barriers are real, the opportunities are growing.

🚧 Barriers You’ll Face (and How to Overcome Them)

Barrier	Why It Happens	What You Can Do
Stigma from employers	Fear, lack of understanding about criminal records	Apply to “Ban the Box” employers. Use platforms like Bridge of Hope Careers. Prepare a short, positive disclosure statement.
CV gaps	Prison time isn’t “employment”	Highlight courses, qualifications, voluntary work, responsibilities (mentoring, peer support) from prison.
Low confidence	Rejection and stigma can knock you back	Practice interviews with mentors. Remember: your resilience is a skill.
Housing/finance instability	Without stability, jobs are harder to keep	Link with charities for housing, grants, essentials before applying.
Disclosure worries	Unsure what you legally need to tell employers	Use Unlock for guidance on disclosure, spent convictions, and your rights.

🧰 Steps to Get Back Into Employment

Start with Stability
- Housing, ID, bank account — get these sorted first. Charities like Nacro and St Giles Trust can help.
Use What You Achieved Inside
- Did you take a training course? Mentor others? Work in prison industries? These count as skills. Don’t undersell them.
Target the Right Employers
- Look for those signed up to Ban the Box. Many big companies (Timpson, Greggs, Co-op, Virgin, etc.) openly hire returning citizens.
Get Support from Specialist Organisations
- You don’t have to do this alone. (See resources below.)
Tell Your Story the Right Way
- Don’t dwell on your past. Focus on what you’ve learned, how you’ve changed, and what you can offer now.
Think Broadly: Employment, Self-Employment, Training
- Self-employment or learning a trade can be a great route. Thousands of returning citizens have built small businesses using skills gained inside.

🏛️ UK Support for Returning Citizens

Here are some of the top organisations and platforms that exist to help you:

Nacro – Housing, employment support, training. 👉 nacro.org.uk
St Giles Trust – “Through the Gate” mentoring, employment training, and peer support. 👉 stgilestrust.org.uk
Unlock – Advice on disclosure, criminal records, and employment rights.
👉 unlock.org.uk
Prisoners’ Education Trust – Courses and education while in and after prison.
👉 prisonerseducation.org.uk
Bounce Back Project – Training in construction, painting, decorating for ex-offenders. 👉 bouncebackproject.com
The Forward Trust – Addiction recovery, training, employment support.
👉 forwardtrust.org.uk
Bridge of Hope Careers – Jobs from inclusive employers committed to hiring returning citizens. 👉 bridgeofhopecareers.com

💡 Why You’re an Asset to Employers

Employers might not see it straight away, but here’s what you bring:

Resilience – You’ve been tested in ways most employees haven’t.
Loyalty – Given a chance, returning citizens often stay longer and work harder.
Problem-Solving – Adapting to tough environments builds creative thinking.
Determination – Many want to prove themselves and build a better future.

Hiring managers are starting to understand this: you’re not a risk, you’re an opportunity.

🌟 Final Word

Your past doesn’t define your future. Yes, the barriers are real — but so is your strength. With the right support, the right employers, and the right framing of your story, you can step back into work with pride.

You’ve already proven resilience. Now it’s about turning that resilience into opportunity.