EMPLOY a woman prisoner - that is the plea to bosses in York and North Yorkshire.

An employer's information day is being staged at Askham Grange open women's prison in Askham Richard on Wednesday, April 21, when resettlement staff will be extolling the virtues of employing prisoners as a way of helping with their rehabilitation.

Fran Burns, head of resettlement at Askham Grange said: "The basic aim of the information day is to get our women employment within local businesses which will help them with their development and prepare them for release.

"Obviously, all the prisoners we put forward for placement have undergone strict risk assessment tests to ensure they are reliable and are suitable to represent the company they may be placed with."

She recognises she has a tough task convincing employers. "One of our main tasks is to dispel any myths that surround the penal system and overcome people's preconceptions about prisoners.

"This system gives companies the chance to put something back into society and help the women integrate into the wider community."

There are 150 women in the prison who have committed crimes ranging from shoplifting to taking cars, and there are 18 women who are coming to the end of life sentences for far worse crimes.

All the women follow the usual application process, and they are all chosen on merit. Each woman earns the same as their colleagues and they are treated in exactly the same way.

Earnings are automatically saved for the day they leave prison to help them in the rehabilitation process - perhaps as deposits on rent for accommodation or to tide them over until they are settled.

Paul Smith, manager of a restaurant on the outskirts of York which employs one of the prisoners, said there were big advantages for employers. "Taking on women from Askham Grange has helped me deal effectively with recruitment problems.

"I've found all the prisoners we've employed to be very keen and hardworking. They have all proved themselves to be valuable members of our team."

Any businesses wishing to attend the event should phone Diane Gardener on 01904 772071.

Updated: 10:52 Monday, March 29, 2004