What if there was a way to reduce reoffending, ease the construction skills crisis and get more affordable housing built – all at once? Turns out there is, as our new 15-minute video documentary shows.
DragonHeart Homes is a CIOB chartered company in Peterborough, UK that makes volumetric modular units for public-sector housing.
In the last three years, it has employed 41 prisoners from an open men’s prison. They get training and NVQs in construction skills and experience the industry is crying out for.
I went to meet two men who’ve come through the programme and are still working at DragonHeart.
They’re proud of their new skills, proud to be looking after themselves and their families, and they love their jobs.
DragonHeart is the largest employer in a UK government scheme called Prisoners Building Homes, which unlocks public land for modular housing developments and helps prisoners get work with the builders.
Six months after their release, most DragonHeart graduates are in full employment. Almost none have re-offended.
- Want to know more? Listen to the 21CC podcast for the full story.
