Excellence in partnership was the theme of the night at the 2024 annual PFM Awards, with the Ministry of Justice and Amey recognised for their drive to improve outcomes for prison leavers.
The Clean, Rehabilitative, Enabling, Decent (CRED) programme sees prisoners work with Amey employees to gain hands-on employability skills while improving their living conditions.
Judges highlighted the transformative impact of the programme on prisoners’ lives, as they awarded the scheme the Partners in Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Award, as well as Overall Winner on the night.
Working alongside the Amey team, prisoners gain painting and decorating and maintenance skills, and health and safety training, alongside qualifications to help them secure work post release with Amey or its supply chain.
“CRED not only supports with employability and skills development, but also seeks to enhance the prison environments, making them safer and more secure, and to foster a sense of pride and achievement among participants,” explains Guy Grant, Justice Solutions Manager at Amey.
Over 10,000 prisoners have taken part in CRED since it launched in 2018. It has delivered £101m* in social value and almost 2m purposeful hours of activity.
“We see how CRED transforms lives every day. The programme is a holistic approach to delivering better outcomes for prison leavers, aiding rehabilitation through their environment, giving them purpose, skills and support as they prepare for release,” says Amey’s Business Director for Justice, Peter Mathieson.
“In 2018 we saw an opportunity to improve prisoners’ employability and living conditions, and to date we have supported prisoners to refurbish 8,700 cells, with 389 prisoners working with our teams every month,” Peter adds.
CRED was designed alongside the Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, prison governors and other stakeholders. Amey is also partnering with the Duke of Edinburgh Award to help anyone on the CRED Programme to gain a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award alongside their work experience.
The PFM Partnership Awards celebrate exceptional partnerships in facilities management. Now into their 31st year, the awards are respected throughout the industry for their independent judging process.
Amey oversees the facilities and estate management for more than 61 prisons across the UK on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. Explore Amey’s approach to facilities management in the justice sector here.
*Social value is calculated using THRIVE metrics.