‘In my time at White Light we successfully employed ex-offenders who became valuable members of the team. On all those occasions our faith in them was repaid many times over.’

At the end of 2024, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre, the members body for West End and regional theatre, conducted a survey which reported a shortfall in staff to fill backstage jobs across all theatres, and skills shortages found across most technical roles. Their report is included HERE.

Research into opportunities being offered to prison leavers as part of their rehabilitation were found to be limited, but with support from the Department of Justice and some prison Governors and their employment bureaus, we have explored a way of transferring existing skills or training prisoners for new ones, which would be welcomed within an industry that has social care at its very heart.

Documented success from other industries suggests that engagement, training and employment with those leaving the criminal justice system results in an engaged, diverse and successful workforce, as well as reducing re-offending rates substantially.  Inspiration has come from the companies Timpsons, Balfour Beatty, and Greene King who have already proven success in recruiting prison-leavers.

Following conversations with venues, theatre professionals and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Services (HMPPS), we concluded that the theatre industry and its backstage job opportunities could provide a conducive and stimulating environment for those leaving prison, if we engage with them as part of their rehabilitation journey in prison, support them as they leave and help them negotiate the complexities of employment as prison leavers.

Second Stage’s work will be measured for efficacy by the Department of Psychology and Human Development at the University of East London. They will undertake qualitative research interviewing prison-leavers after their involvement in the programme and provide an independent report.