INMATES at a young offenders' institution have been given the chance to change their lives for the better as part of a pioneering project involving a group of North-East businesses.

The Chance for Change programme has offered 15 prisoners in Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, at Startforth, Barnard Castle, the opportunity to develop a range of skills prior to their release in a bid to stop them going back to a life of crime.

The inmates have taken part in weekly workshops each led by managers from those businesses taking part in the project.

These have focused on issues such as the skills, attitude and behaviour important in the work place, managing finances and living independently and personal responsibility.

They also took part in mock interviews and were allowed out on temporary licence for work placements.

The project was conceived by the Esh Group after chief executive Brian Manning toured Deerbolt YOI as part of a Seeing is Believing visit.

Mr Manning said: “We were told that 79 per cent of young offenders return to prison within one year of their release – that's a shocking statistic.

“We were also told the annual cost of reoffending is estimated at between £9 and £13 billion.

“It's a waste of money and it's a waste of human potential. Everyone has the opportunity to make a positive contribution to society – young offenders included.

“All we are trying to do is to help the prison service link up with that opportunity.”

Following a successful pilot project last year, a full 16-week programme was organised.

Among the 14 businesses which took part were Barclays, Greggs, Northumbrian Water and the Newcastle United Foundation.

Andrew Dickens, custodial manager of activities at Deerbolt YOI, said Chance for Change had shown inmates that offending did not have to be part of their future.

He said giving them an understanding of a full working day, along with the other aspects of the programme, had proved invaluable to their preparation for release.

“I have noticed how well they interact with the businesses that visit the establishment.

“Giving prisoners guidance and understanding of what different lives they could lead is a massive part of reducing reoffending.”

Deerbolt YOI can house up to 513 inmates aged 18-21 and since the start of 2013, the institution has received 960 prisoners.

The average length of stay is 19 weeks and almost half of all inmates are aged 18 and 19.