This week I got the chance to highlight the work of a Brislington company, LettUs Grow, at Justice questions in the Commons.

Working in partnership with HMP Hewell in Worcestershire, St Anne’s-based LettUs Grow is introducing prisoners to indoor farming and helping them train in horticulture, with a brilliant vertical farming pilot.

Secure employment reduces prisoners’ chances of reoffending, but as it stands only 17% of ex-offenders manage to find a job within a year of leaving prison. This project gives give prisoners valuable skills they can use to re-enter the world of work, while they also grow fresh, nutritious food for the prison while they’re inside.

It’s good that the Minister offered to discuss this further with me, as the benefits of this project speak for themselves. I will be encouraging the Government to roll out similar schemes out on a wider scale.

Watch clip here.