Barclays launch bank accounts for prisoners programme

Barclays, in partnership with UNLOCK, has today furthered its commitment to long-term

financially excluded people by offering its market-leading basic bank account to prisoners nearing the end of a their sentence, giving them the opportunity to reintegrate into society.

Barclays and UNLOCK, the National Association of Reformed Offenders, have been working together as part of the associations' "Unlocking Banking" campaign, since 2007.

The scheme has been set up to help people that are nearing the end of a prison sentence to be given the chance to open basic bank accounts to improve their money management skills, to eventually overcome social and financial exclusion. A basic level of financial training and help filling out the application forms is also provided by charity staff.

The programme has already been launched in three prisons in the UK but will be rolling out to a further 14 prisons today covering the entire prison region in the east of England.

Mark Parsons, managing director of current account, savings accounts and mortgages, said: "Access to finance is a key strand of Barclays Money Skills, our UK community investment programme. The long-term financially excluded, such as prisoners, are amongst the hardest to reach in society. Quite often they have poor financial literacy skills and don't have the confidence to walk into a bank. So by partnering with charitable organisations that spend time in working with these groups will make it easier for prisoners to rebuild their lives. We are pleased to be working with UNLOCK in this way."

Chris Bath, Director of Projects at UNLOCK said: "Having a bank account is not a luxury, it's a necessity for modern life".

"Having a bank account provides a crucial foundation upon which people leaving prison can rebuild their lives. It helps them to secure a job and somewhere to live, the two most important factors in successfully reintegrating into society. Barclays' leadership on this issue is appreciated by everyone with an interest in the successful resettlement of people in prison, including the Prison Service, charities and most importantly, the people themselves".

Barclays launch bank accounts for prisoners programme

By: Sam Gooch

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