The UK Government is considering plans to put more prisoners to work in meat factories to make up for the shortfall of workers.
Meat industry representatives claim that many prisoners are suitable for employment in the food processing sector as prisons provide lessons on food safety in their employment training courses.
Meetings about solving the shortage of workers have already taken place between the Ministry of Justice and representatives from the meat sector.
One food manufacturer has already organised with a prison to provide post-release training.
Representatives from the meat industry has met with Government about recruiting prisoners who have been granted release on temporary licence (ROTL) who can leave in specific circumstances.
The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) revealed that attempts to recruit ex-armed forces personnel to fill the vacancies had been unsuccessful.
Some AIMS member plants have already reportedly positive results using ROTL workers.
LSL News