Greene King hires 250th prison leaver

Launched in May 2019​, the Releasing Potential programme aims to support those leaving prison to find employment within the business following their release.

Greene King works with more than 65 prisons nationwide, offering information and support for prisoners to develop their skills in a range of areas.

These include food preparation, customer service, barista training and housekeeping in a bid to prepare them to work in Greene King pubs and hotels upon their release from prison.

The company works in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, the Scottish Prison Service, New Futures Network and Novus and has invested in two training kitchens within prisons at HMP Thameside and HMP Grampian.

Company commitment

Each site emulates a Greene King kitchen and delivers bespoke training programmes, aiming to help build confidence and teach prisoners the skills required to cook popular dishes from pub menus.

The business is looking to hire 400 prison leavers through the Releasing Potential scheme​ by 2025.

As part of this commitment, Greene King became one of the first UK employers to participate in a pilot programme, offering apprenticeships to prisoners in open prisons in October 2022.

Earlier this year, its first apprentice, who started the programme while in custody, became a full-time kitchen team member.

Furthermore, Greene King also works closely with charities such as Only A Pavement Away​ and The Recruitment Junction as part of the Releasing Potential scheme to help with wraparound support for prison leavers to help ensure they have the best chance of sustaining employment and reducing reoffending.

Community hearts

Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie said: “We are committed to championing social mobility through providing everybody, regardless of their background, with the chance to pursue a long-term career in the hospitality industry.

“With pubs at the heart of local communities across the country, our Releasing Potential scheme supports prison leavers nationwide on their journey to successful rehabilitation.

“We are proud to have offered a second chance to 250 individuals and look forward to welcoming many more successful applicants in the months and years ahead.”

Partnerships such as the one with Greene King can help recruitment, rehabilitation and the economy, according to prisons, parole and probation minister James Timpson.

He added: “The criminal justice system exists to keep our streets safe but employers can play their part too by helping offenders turn their back on crime through the stability of a secure job.

“We can’t ignore nearly 80% of offenders are re-offenders. Partnerships like our one with Greene King help tackle this by tapping into a disregarded talent pool, helping to rehabilitate prison leavers, cut crime and grow our economy.”