A series of career expos held in prisons this year is set to assist prisoners into employment and to decrease their likelihood of reoffending, says Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis.

Kelvin spoke at the Second Chance Career Expos at Auckland Region Women's and Spring Hill corrections facilities yesterday, and he says the expos will help prisoners to develop a career path, gain skills and qualifications, as well as work experience to help secure a better future.

'Our Government is committed to reducing crime, and we know helping prisoners into employment decreases their likelihood of re-offending on release. Providing this support now can benefit everyone in the long-run,” Kelvin says.

'We're doing things differently to reduce re-offending, and for the first time corrections career expos will also include a speed-recruiting session.”

The speed-recruiting sessions involved ten employers visiting the two prisons, holding quick meet and greet interviews with prisoners.

The prisoners chosen for speed-recruiting are nearing the end of their sentence, and they are work ready and actively seeking employment for when they are released.

Kelvin says the expos are about showing prisoners that there are employers out there willing to hire someone with previous criminal convictions and give them a second chance.

'By making the most of the opportunities available to them, these men and women can get themselves on a decent career path while in prison.

'This gives them a much better chance of securing employment and safely transitioning back into their communities,” Kelvin says.