The Message Trust has been working in prisons since 2014 running extensive programmes with juvenile offenders.
Sadly, according to national statistics eight out of ten ex-offenders reoffend and return to prison. Most leave prison with a desire to never go back but with South Africa having the highest youth unemployment rate in the world it is extremely difficult to find employment. Add a criminal record to the mix and it is virtually impossible for an ex-offender to gain employment.
No meaningful support or work opportunities contributes to ex-offenders feeling isolated, outcasts and with no meaningful opportunity for change.
Through our training programme we not only provide ex-offenders with a skill as barista’s but also on the job training in our Gangstar Cafes. Each ex-offender also receives one on one social work and pastoral care whilst in training.
Through our training interventions with ex-offenders who have completed our programmes we have seen only a 7% reoffending rate with over 38% finding meaningful employment.
