‘Project Jailbird’ Takes Flight

According to the Ministry of Justice’s Education and Employment Strategy, ex-offenders in employment are up to 9% less likely to commit further crime. However, in May 2018, it was revealed that only 17% of offenders were found to be in P45 employment a year after release.

Here’s where ‘Project Jailbird’ comes in. In January 2020 we launched the pilot version of our Hen Care and Welfare Course to three UK prisons. Created by us, this course has been designed to aid rehabilitation and help improve the mental health and wellbeing of residents. By giving them the chance to learn transferrable skills during their prison term, we aim to give them a better chance of employment upon release. This will help instil confidence on an individual level, as well as helping Her Majesty’s Prison Service at large, with improvements to resident behaviour, and re-offending rates potentially being reduced in the future. All this whilst giving even more hens a free-range retirement in prisons across the UK.

It may seem counter-intuitive to take hens out of cages and put them behind bars, but they become an integral part of residents’ lives, giving them something to care for and focus on, and ultimately improve mental wellbeing. Those of you who have your own girls will know how easy it is to lose yourself whilst watching them potter about. And these jailbirds are no different as they are given a new lease of life, having lived the first 18 months of their life on a commercial farm, with many feeling the earth beneath their feet for the first time in their new prison homes.

The Hen Care and Welfare course is still in its infancy, but we have big plans for future development. One day, we hope that there will be a happy flock of hens living out their retirement behind bars in every prison. Watch this space...