In this corner, Rocky Anderson -- scrappy civil-rights attorney turned Salt Lake City mayor and outspoken critic of the Iraq war and the Bush administration. And in this corner, Sean Hannity -- a former construction worker and bartender who is now a controversial conservative radio and television pundit.
Around seven inmates take part on each course, which runs every six weeks in a specially-designed block used for learning and education."Helping people get jobs before they get out is for everyone's benefit. If someone can't get a job then they will turn to crime. Now I just want to do right by my daughter. There comes a time when you have to sort your life out."E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com"Anytime we can get people talking about the issues other than Britney Spears ...we need to do that," Jowers said.The team work with offenders who have been locked away for crimes from anything from dangerous driving to rape. Whatever they are, the team try to find them work to stop them reoffending and returning for another stint in jail.On Friday they travelled to a glitzy ceremony in London to come second in the Criminal Justice award. But there's no glitz and glamour in their daily work.Jones said Wednesday afternoon that he had no idea whom he might choose. He said it would be someone "kind of nonpartisan, maybe a retired judge.""I'm pleased to be back in the environment, " said the 27-year- old.The grey tracksuits are actually worn by men on a pre-release course at HMP Acklington, home to more than 800 convicted criminals.Another inmate looking for work is convicted drug dealer Kane Bainbridge, 30. Kane is half-way through a three-and-a-half-year sentence. Like the other prisoners, he says he wants to get out of a life of crime and drugs. But this isn't easy when everything he has known for the past six years has been just that.In July 2005, he finished an eight-year sentence for selling heroin and is now back inside after being found guilty of assault more than a year after his release.Both Verdoia and Jowers said they would accept if invited -- adding that they're not angling for the position. But when discussing what would make someone a good moderator, Verdoia said it should be someone "who does not have a horse in this race" -- a trait he attributed to himself.At first glance it resembles a sixth-form classroom. Posters adorn the walls and there's a television and video player in the corner. A projector screen stands tall at the front and the desks are scattered with papers and books."I'm going to stay away from drugs and put all my energies into my baby. My first pay cheque is definitely for the baby.""Because I know you both, I think it would be a good idea to have another moderator," Wright said.The course is accredited by Newcastle College, who employ the lecturers, and aims to give everyone an up-to-date CV to take away with them on their release.And the posters aren't the usual map-of-the-world sort, they're a list of the prisoners' fears after being released ( relapse, coming back inside, being accepted back into the community, making own decisions, finding work and somewhere to live.On the six-week course, the men get help with their CVs, have access to a Job Point machine run by Jobcentre Plus, access to telephones to call potential employers, get advice and information on setting up business and becoming self-employed, and contact with citizen's advice.
E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com
Author: Doug Smeath Deseret Morning News
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