A pilot project to train prisoners to retrofit homes is getting underway at two prisons across the country.
The programme is being run at the Midlands and Wheatfield Prisons for people who are close to the end of their prison term.
They will be given training on how to retrofit houses that they can use as a skill when they leave prison.
Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director Saoirse Brady told Newstalk Breakfast giving people opportunities is key.
"We know that giving people opportunities when they've come out of prison is key to ensuring that they're less likely to reoffend, and that results in safer communities," she said.
"The other piece is we know there are a lot of people who are entering prison from homelessness and exiting prison into homelessness.
"While employment is key we need to have a holistic approach to this, and ensure that all the supports are put in place for people leaving prison".
'One piece of the puzzle'
Ms Brady said a recent study found employers were looking for more information and support.
"Nine out of 10 employers said they would consider hiring someone with a past conviction, but they wanted the practical knowhow to know how to support that person back into employment," she said.
"We would have recommended that supports like an information hub, an information line where an employer could phone to see what the law says, what supports they need to put in place, what policies they need to put in place about when a person discloses a conviction.
"That was really positive but this is just one piece of the puzzle".
'Trust the employer'
Asked if somebody who was in prison for burglary would be vetted for retrofitting homes, Ms Brady said the employer should be trusted.
"Somebody has served their sentence; there will be risk assessments done," she said.
"You have to trust the employer that they've hired somebody; they've gone through a recruitment process.
"I don't necessarily think that people need to Garda vet somebody coming into their home, we do it all the time.
"There are social enterprises who are hiring people with past convictions or who have addiction issues, I've had them in my home and I wouldn't think twice about it," she added.
Ms Brady said you 'have to believe' people will move away from offending if they are given the proper supports after their sentence.
