GETTING into employment can be difficult, and even more so for people who have been in prison.

Melanie (not her real name) was convicted of tax fraud in 2007 and given a prison sentence. The final two years of her sentence were spent at Askham Grange, an open prison in York, where she was supported to find voluntary work and finally paid work.

Melanie joined Horton Housing in Bradford as a support worker while still on day release. Every day she would come to work then return to the prison at the end of the working day.

As part of her sentence, Melanie needed to pay back the proceeds of her crime. Although she managed to pay back more than £80,000 she was unable to pay the full amount and was sentenced to a further six months in prison. Horton Housing held open her job so that she could return to work after completing her sentence.

“I have always been career minded,” said Melanie. “I had three businesses and a nice life - then I went to prison and lost everything. I lost my self-confidence, I had to sell everything I owned and I didn’t think anyone would ever employ me again. I thought I'd be on the dole for the rest of my life.

“I was so grateful that Horton held open my job. Not many companies would do that.”

Now Melanie has been promoted to manage a team.

“Going to prison gives me more insight into some of my clients’ problems, particularly around substance misuse and mental health. It made me more open minded," she said. "Everybody deserves a second chance. People change, situations change.

“I made the wrong choice in life. This will be on my record forever and I will be paying for this for the rest of my life. I’m hard working and I have proved I can be trusted. While at Horton, my integrity has never been questioned.”

Horton Housing is one of 25 organisations in the UK to sign up to a pledge giving opportunities for people with convictions.

Called Unlock Your Future, the new initiative involves using a key symbol on job adverts indicating that an employer will consider all applications on their merit, not their past.

Set up by social enterprise No Offence, the scheme aims to break down employment barriers for people with convictions.

Horton Housing has a long history of employing people with convictions as both employees and volunteers. The housing association, which delivers support, training and housing services in Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale and North Yorkshire, recognises that employment is a significant opportunity for people to break the cycle of reoffending.

Next month services director Linda McGowan will be speaking at a conference at a prison in Wolverhampton about Horton’s experience of employing staff and volunteers with convictions.

“Getting a job can be particularly difficult for people who have been in prison or have convictions," she said. “Often it is very hard to even get an interview, let alone a job, even though people may have the right skills.

“We judge people on merit, not their past experiences, and give people chance to turn their lives around. It takes a great deal of strength and resilience to break the pattern of re-offending and we recognise that people who have been through this experience often have a lot to offer in the workplace.”

Horton Housing takes steps to ensure that ex-offenders don't present any risk to clients or service users, and that they are not put in a position where they may be put at risk because of their previous experience.

Richard Rowley, Operations Director of No Offence, said: “Unlock Your Future is a simple concept with a powerful message from employers; that they will give people with convictions the same opportunities as other candidates.

“The key can be placed discreetly on a job advertisement, sending a clear message to applicants that this employer is willing to give them an opportunity.

“Breaking the cycle of re-offending is a real challenge, with employment being a key factor in making it a success. No Offence is giving employers the opportunity to recruit in a non-judgemental way and increase their pool of potential candidates.

“Horton Housing is a welcome addition to our network of employers alongside Virgin Management Ltd, Home Group, Shaw Trust, Amey and many more. Together they are all breaking down barriers to employment for people with convictions.”

* For more about No Offence and the Unlock Your Future initiative visit no-offence.org