Harrowells helps women prisoners learn about employment rights as part of rehabilitation

Women prisoners had a chance to learn about their employment rights when they return to work, thanks to voluntary community work led by Harrowells employment law partner, Marie Horner. Around 17 inmates at HM Prison Askham Grange, Askham Richard, attended a talk and questions and answers session earlier this month.

Employment issues discussed at the women’s open prison ranged across the right to receive a statement of employment terms, paid holidays, discrimination rights and flexible working applications. The talk, arranged through homeless charity, Shelter, was Marie Horner’s second voluntary advice session in York. Earlier this year she spoke to York Hospital Patients about their rights to expect reasonable adjustments at work to help them cope with long-term medical conditions.

Marie commented: "Some of the residents at Askham Grange were already in paid work as part of their rehabilitation and had questions about their arrangements while others hope to return to work when they leave and it became a highly-engaged, very enjoyable discussion. As with the York Hospital visit, my Askham Grange discussion was voluntary to give something back to local people. I found both visits very interesting from both a personal and professional perspective and hope that they were useful to those who attended."

Lydia Leather, Shelter, says: "Visits of this kind are very useful in helping residents return to life in the community and we are very grateful to Marie for her time and expertise."