Caroline Voaden MP for South Devon used a question in the House of Commons to request that Ministers visit the LandWorks charity in South Devon and draw on its experience to reduce high levels of reoffending and help address the prisons crisis.

Speaking during a statement on Criminal Justice Reform on Tuesday, Caroline Voaden asked the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Alex Norris MP, to use the example set by LandWorks to help break the “revolving door of prisons”.

She asked that the new Prisons Minister visits LandWorks and that Ministers roll out the LandWorks model across the country.

In reply, the Lord Chancellor said that the Prisons Minister would be looking forward to visiting the charity.

Caroline Voaden MP’s question on Tuesday 1st September in full: “Prison Governors talk about the revolving door of prisoners, almost half reoffend.

“Those who go through the LandWorks rehabilitation project reoffend at a rate of 5 per cent and 90 per cent of them go into employment and back into the community.

“It’s proven, it’s a success, it works.

“Please will the new Prisons Minister come to South Devon, come and see LandWorks - it’s magic.

“See what they do. It’s cheaper than prison, it works and we need to roll this out across the country.”

In reply, the Secretary of State said the Prisons Minister is very much looking forward to doing so.

Chris Parsons, LandWorks Founder and Director said: “We are very grateful to Caroline Voaden MP for raising LandWorks in the House of Commons.

“We absolutely agree that more needs to be done to address the cycle of offending and reoffending and to help people coming out of prison to turn their lives around - otherwise people just end up back inside.

“We believe we have built a model at LandWorks that could be used more widely and we would love to share our experience with Ministers. We would be delighted if the new Prisons Minister would like to visit.”

Established in 2013, LandWorks provides a supported route back into employment and the community for people in the criminal justice system.

Its placements, typically lasting between six and twelve months, combine real work experience and training with comprehensive practical support to aid rehabilitation and resettlement.

After placements end, the charity provides a range of ongoing support.

LandWorks has consistently recorded very low reoffending rates and high employment rates for former participants who are available to work.

The charity was awarded the Overall Award for Excellence at the Charity Awards 2024.

LandWorks provides trainees with vocational and work experience across a range of enterprises on its site.

These include a sustainably operated market garden, a woodwork shop, and a pottery studio.

All offer produce for sale to the local community.

Participation in these enterprises builds social skills, increases self-worth, and encourages self-responsibility.

Alongside this core training, LandWorks provides practical resettlement support and counselling to ensure a holistic response to the needs and challenges faced by ex-offenders.

For more information visit: https://www.landworks.org.uk/