SWANSEA, U.K.–Prisoners in Swansea are being offered an option to save money through a new credit union program. The Credit Union Prisoners Project encourages inmates to save with LASA (Loans and Savings Abertawe) Credit Union so they are more financially secure when they leave prison.
According to the credit union, upon release prisoners who are part of the program are given a prepaid VISA debit card which they can use alongside their credit union savings account. The aim is to offer an alternative to former prisoners who can struggle to open an account with a commercial bank.
Nearly 600 existing and former prisoners are now signed up with LASA through the popular scheme, which is delivered by Wales Community Rehabilitation Company and Working Links through the St Giles Trust. Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, visited the prison yesterday to see how the project was working.
Denis Greenall, Manager of LASA Credit Union said: "We know that this project keeps families together, helping prisoners save so they can support their families during their sentences and after release.
"We also know that giving prisoners a better sense of control over their money can make them less vulnerable to bullying and exploitation.