Full Breakdown
Unlocking Future Connections: Roadwork Training for Scottish Prisoners
5/28/2026, 12:09:55 PM
Program Overview
Unlocking Future Connections, a partnership between the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and firm Amey, trains inmates in roadwork tasks. After a pilot at HMP Inverness, the scheme expands to 15 prisons, including HMP Barlinnie, where participants set up traffic lights, lay cones and install signs.
Context & Rationale
Scotland’s prisons hold 8,587 people in facilities built for 7,805, a high, while the roads and construction sectors face a skills gap from an ageing workforce and a shortage of ticket-qualified staff. The scheme provides recognised qualifications to improve post-release employment and lower re-offending, a priority for Justice Secretary Neil Gray.
Stakeholders
Participants include Justice Secretary Neil Gray, the Scottish Prison Service, Amey’s social-value manager Katy Bald, SPS learning-skills manager Lynsey Weston, and inmate John Gilchrist. Partners include Speedy Hire, Hatton Traffic Management and Breedon.
Data & Outcomes
The prison system’s capacity is 7,805, yet it holds 8,587 inmates. Over the past six months, over 600 prisoners were released early. The pilot produced two full-time hires, and the programme targets 15 prisons.
Impact
The training offers inmates a route to skilled work linked to lower recidivism, supplies qualified workers to the construction sector easing its skills shortage, and may improve safety by reducing re-offending.
Responses
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said the programme gives inmates tools to build a better future and break re-offending. Lynsey Weston said making custodial time purposeful can create citizens. Katy Bald said the training supplies ticket-qualified workers to roads and infrastructure sector. Inmate John Gilchrist described the training as more than skill acquisition, saying it builds confidence and offers hope for a life beyond the ‘revolving door’ of incarceration.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's not just about the skills, it's about the confidence to be able to go and achieve something,” — John Gilchrist, inmate, HMP Barlinnie
- “My hope for the future is to move onto the next part of my life, that I can be able to go out and get employment and enjoy life outside with my friends and family - rather than just being a revolving door and coming back to prison.” — John Gilchrist
- “The aim is to encourage people into the roads and infrastructure business," she added.” — Katy Bald, senior social value manager, Amey
- “If we can invest in them whilst they are in custody and make that time purposeful and give them access to greater opportunities, then it will hopefully then make them better citizens when they go out into the community,” — Lynsey Weston, learning skills and employability manager, SPS
- “By giving people in custody the tools they need to build a better future, we can help break the cycle of reoffending and support safer communities,” — Neil Gray, Justice Secretary, Scotland
