Iceland hiring ex-prisoners in stores in recruitment drive ‘good for society’

Iceland, who employ former offender turned priest Paul Cowley as its director of rehabilitation, have committed to employing ex-offenders at its 1,000 stores and food warehouses

Frozen food chain Iceland is hiring former prisoners in a new ‘going straight’ scheme.

The supermarket chain has signed an agreement with jail bosses after appointing former offender turned priest Paul Cowley as its director of rehabilitation last month.

Rev Cowley was jailed at HMP Risley in Cheshire for six months when he was 17 for theft offences.

Now in his mid-60s he has visited inmates at prisons in Onley in Warwickshire, Berwyn in Wrexham, Ranby in Notts, and women’s jail Styal in Cheshire to interview lags due for release.