‘The cycle of reoffending’: Shop setup to employ ex-offenders helps fight bike theft
XO Bikes, a bike shop that was created to provide jobs for ex-offenders leaving prison, has now become a safe haven for people to park their bikes in Wandsworth Town.
Four years ago, Stef Jones, the founder of XO Bikes, began volunteering in HMP Brixton Chaplaincy. He soon began to see released men reappear, having sworn blind that they were done with crime and prison. Their stories all had one thing in common; they’d been unable to find jobs on the outside. Either no one would give them a chance, or worse still, they didn’t believe they were worthy of a chance.
“Ex-offenders are obliged to declare [to employers] they have been to prison and because of harsh policies from the across the political parties who want to be tough on crime there is no investment in rehabilitation, just punishment,” says Stef..
“The only education they receive is how to commit crime. they’re left with no hope and no belief. But if you give them a chance they will show you that they are hard-working, brilliant and loyal staff.”
Having witnessed first-hand the talent and potential on the wings that just needed releasing, Stef made a decision: If no one else was going to give them a job, he would
“I don’t want to be Halfords,” says Stef. “I just want a loud brand that can be built on the shoulders of guys in prison and to hopefully change the behaviour of other employers.”
The shop gets unclaimed bikes from the police and donations from the public, which Stef says they always need more of. They fix up the bikes and sell them on to help pay the wages of staff and to train more ex-offenders.
Trevelyan Shonubi, 24, from east London is one of the mechanics at the bike store and said it was “a relief” knowing he had a job lined up when he left prison.
“I was only in for 14 or 15 months but it’s a worry when you come out because of how employers view people in prison.
“I was approached by an organisation four or five weeks before my release who told me about XO Bikes – I worked as a mechanic before I went to prison – and I thought ‘yeah, that’s me’.
“It was a relief, it was ideal. What I’m doing right now is my passion.”
Now XO Bikes is helping combat bike thefts, joining the community of bike shops that provide secure bike parking across London on the Hudjo App.
You'll find XO Bikes conveniently located next to the Southside Shopping Centre, so if you're heading into Wandsworth Town, why not come on your bike, and safely park it with the team at XO Bikes.
Location: 6 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4FT
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10.30 - 18:00
Wednesday: 12:00 - 18:00
Sunday: Closed
