The Second Chance Partnership

A partnership, not a programme.

A growing UK coalition of employers offering guaranteed jobs to people leaving prison, with preparation inside the gate and mentorship on the other side. Founded in 2025 by Paul Cowley MBE.

Employing prison leavers isn't charity — it's good business.
— Paul Cowley MBE  ·  FOUNDER
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How it works

Three steps. One letter.

  1. 01

    Interview inside

    SCP meets candidates inside prison in the final six months of their sentence. Paul and his team run face-to-face interviews in partnership with each prison's Employment Lead. Eligibility is strict: no sex offences, no arson, no terrorism, no active drug dependency, no life sentences.

  2. 02

    The letter

    Successful candidates receive a letter in prison guaranteeing them a job on release. If no vacancy is ready, the employer sponsors the position for the first twelve weeks. On the day they walk out, there is work waiting.

  3. 03

    The first twelve weeks

    SCP works with a specialist mentorship partner through the first twelve weeks of employment. Paul's team stays reachable to both the new employee and their employer, for as long as the placement needs it.

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Employer partners

A growing coalition.

SCP works with employers that can offer prison leavers a guaranteed job on release. Three national partners are on board; others are in discussion.

  • Iceland Foods

    UK frozen food retailer. More than 1,000 stores, 30,000+ employees across Iceland and The Food Warehouse.

    Founding partner

  • GXO

    The UK's largest contract logistics provider. More than 40,000 UK employees across 42 UK sites.

    Partner, 2025

  • 2 Sisters Food Group

    UK food manufacturer. 17,000+ staff.

    Partner, 2025
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Partnerships and referrals

The operational side.

If you'd like to learn more about the Second Chance Partnership — the model, the employer partners, the process inside prisons, and the early results — it has its own home on the web, with far more detail than would fit on this page. Whether you're an employer weighing up the coalition, a prison chaplain or resettlement officer thinking about a referral, or simply someone who wants to follow the work as it grows, that's where to go.

Visit scpartnership.org.uk →

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If you give people coming out of prison a proper job, then it reduces reoffending. That's the bit we can do constantly.
— PAUL COWLEY MBE