Alex visited HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk to discuss plans with the Governor on getting offenders into key shortage occupations.
Following Alex's visit, the Government met with meat industry leaders to hold talks on how businesses can link up with prisons to fill vacancies.
Abattoirs, butchers and meat processors have since announced plans to to link up with prisons that contain prisoners who are part of the Release On Temporary Licence (ROTL) programme to fill the 14,000 job vacancies.
Research shows that prisoners with a job on release are far less likely to reoffend.
Alex said: "Really valuable visit to HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk. I strongly support plans from the dynamic new Governor to get more offenders into key shortage occupations, from haulage to hospitality. The need is great - no time to waste!"
