I’VE long believed that anyone with an interest in society should take an interest in prison policy and how we treat prisoners.

HMP Guys Marsh is in my constituency and I have made many visits meeting staff and inmates – or temporary constituents, if you will – alike.

I recently attended an event focussed on training, education and skills. Everywhere I go in North Dorset local businesses tell me their number one issue is recruitment. So, it was great to meet several businesses working with the Prison Service to recruit people into employment.

Most prisoners, when they have served their sentence, vow never to return and seek a path on the ‘straight and narrow’. Given all the benefits we recognise being in work as having, ex-prisoners make for the most dedicated and motivated workers. Grateful to be given a second chance, determined not to turn backwards.

However, it is impossible to secure a job without some element of literacy and numeracy skills. That’s why it was great to meet several organisations, both within and without the Prison Service, focussed on providing education and training opportunities in order to equip people with the skills they need.

For many prisoners, school and training eluded them. Dysfunctional young home lives, getting in with the wrong crowds means that for many prison is the first time they can begin to close their learning deficit.

To prosper one must also be free of addiction. Huge amounts of work is done on rehabilitation services. I was struck by the obvious pride of the young man, on drugs from the age of 15, now not just clean for 18 months but working as an education ambassador within the prison – urging others to learn and gain new skills.

I said at the beginning that anyone with an interest in our society should be interested in prisoner rehabilitation. To do so is to understand the wider costs that crime has on society and the benefits that reducing re-offending has for us all. Our communities feel safer. We all feel safer.

Given my interest, I was particularly honoured last year to be invited to become a patron of Friends of Guys Marsh Prison (FOGM). This is a group of North Dorset residents who work in rehabilitation, resettlement and education. FOGM raises money and identifies areas where we can help give the prisoner a much stronger change of success.

We also recognise the importance of family – the hope of being reunited and the motivation that being together as a family can provide in reducing re-offending. We work to ensure enjoyable family visits, including from children, helping to keep vital family ties strong. A prisoner returning to Civvy Street has a much better chance if they have a home and family to return to.

If you are interested in learning more about our work or in becoming a Friend please visit www.friendsofguysmarsh.co.uk or email – info@friendsofguysmarsh.co.uk – you could help play a part in making our society better for all.