§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Paymaster General what services are offered by the Manpower Services Commission to prisoners before, on and after their release from prison; and what links there are concerning such services between the Manpower Services Commission and the probation service.
§ Mr. LangThe Manpower Services Commission (MSC) offers a wide range of assistance to prisoners principally through its jobcentres. This includes providing information about jobs available locally and in other districts; advice on employment matters and MSC schemes; advice on and assistance with training and retraining; and normal job placing services. As a means of helping long-term prisoners to resettle on release, the probation service arranges, in conjunction with prison authorities and the MSC, for selected prisoners to be placed in work outside the prison during the last months of their sentences.