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The programme is based on research which shows a link between unemployment and reoffending. By helping prisoners increase their skills and employability it is contributing to an overall crime reduction strategy.

Jobtrack is delivered right across Northern Ireland. It is primarily based on the needs of the individual, and uses a structured programme of assessment and individual action planning, advice, training, and work sampling opportunities.

An external evaluation of Jobtrack in Spring 2006 showed that:

• almost 80% of Jobtrack clients are long-term unemployed;
• more than 50% unemployed for more than two years and 46% for over three years;
• most have been given a non-custodial sentence
• 82% are assessed as at medium or high risk of re-offending;
• they are likely to be single or separated;
• over 600 people were referred to the project in 2005.

The evaluation shows that Jobtrack is working with one of the most socially excluded groups and that outcomes are more than comparable with the mainstream New Deal programme which “works with a client group with considerably fewer difficulties than most Jobtrack clients”.

Jobtrack is funded under the EU’s Building Sustainable Prosperity measure and is also supported by the Probation Service.