Full Breakdown
Pratik Doshi: From Convict to IT Trainer
By Drooid · · How we work
Personal Journey
Pratik Doshi, now 30, spent two years in prison after a 2016 conviction for conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis. The conviction ended his degree program at the University of Plymouth. While incarcerated, Doshi says the shame of being labeled “an embarrassment” in his Indian community was overwhelming, prompting him to pretend to his relatives that he was still studying accountancy. He describes the experience as a catalyst for change, noting that the same rebellious drive that led to his offence now fuels his efforts to overcome that stigma.
Breakthrough Social Enterprise
After his release, Doshi joined Breakthrough Social Enterprise, a government-funded organisation that delivers IT and artificial-technology workshops for former convicts across England, including sites in Suffolk and Norfolk. In his role, he helps participants acquire digital skills aimed at improving their employability. Doshi emphasizes that the programme’s practical focus offers a constructive outlet for the “rebellious nature” that once got him into trouble.
Employment Outcomes for Ex-Offenders
National data show that, in the year to March, roughly 20 % of released offenders secured employment within six weeks of release, according to the Ministry of Justice. This figure highlights the broader challenge of reintegrating former prisoners into the labour market and underscores the relevance of initiatives like Breakthrough’s workshops.
Official Statements & Responses
The Ministry of Justice’s employment statistic reflects ongoing governmental monitoring of post-release outcomes. While the ministry has not issued a specific comment on Doshi’s programme, the data serve as an official benchmark for assessing the impact of re-entry services.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's a double-edged sword, the same rebellious nature that got me in trouble, is the same rebellious nature that helps me get through the shame,” — Doshi