Prisoners will begin building new homes

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne with Lucas Shone from Boutique Modern, who will employ the prisoners

Prisoners in Sussex will build homes across the county as part of a deterrent programme.

Inmates from HMP Ford Prison are being offered training before getting out on site, and it is hoped the project will help cut reoffending rates.

The homes will then be offered to those on local housing registers, key workers or vulnerable people, such as women and children who are fleeing domestic abuse.

While the project is still in the early stages in Sussex, it has already proved a success in the South West, with more than 180 houses built by prisoners in the region so far.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne has allocated funding for the scheme and believes it will help rehabilitate offenders.

Reoffending costs the UK more than £18bn each year, police say.

"This programme will also help to address the housing shortages and high rent prices," Ms Bourne added.

The PCC visited Boutique Modern, the contractor and modular manufacturer who will employ the prisoners to build sustainable houses.

The components of the homes are built within the factory and shipped to the construction site for assembly.

The firm already has two prisoners on its books and said it hopes to expand the programme across its factory, sites and wider business if the new project goes well.

Lucas Shone, projects director for Boutique Modern, said: "Giving inmates the opportunity to develop real skills in a real working environment not only supports rehabilitation but also strengthens our industry at its core.

"It's exactly the kind of collaborative, purposeful work that reflects our values as a business."

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