Prisoners could be employed as construction workers on the Battersea Power Station project as part of a plan to rehabilitate offenders and address the industry’s labour shortage

The move forms part of an initiative between Wandsworth Prison, John Laing Training and Jobcentre Plus to train prisoners in construction trades.

After receiving training in purpose-built prison workshops, prisoners will be offered site jobs on their release. But serving inmates may also be able to work on projects on a day-release basis.

John Laing Training offers Wandsworth inmates training in bricklaying, and will help to place trainees on construction sites once their time is served.

JLT managing director Mark Lunn confirmed that the organisation was working with Jobcentre Plus to secure work for its trainees on the £600m redevelopment of the former power station in south London, which is project-managed by Bovis Lend Lease.

Lunn is also identifying other sites where ex-prisoners could be employed. “We are also going out to other areas of London, driving around and looking for sites that may need workers. It’s an important initiative from an employers’ perspective, as it builds the number of workers in the industry,” he said.

Although the primary focus is finding work for prisoners after release, Dave Asker, head of activities at Wandsworth, said that there were also moves to allow day-release prisoners to work on the Battersea site.

The prisoners would be paid a reduced wage, enabling them to begin saving up in preparation for their release.

Asker said: “It’s a way for the inmates to put something back into the community, and it doesn’t cost companies anything.”