Tap Social Movement, an innovative brewery, bakery and hospitality chain based in Botley, Oxford, has found success by employing prisoners and prison leavers. The company ensures that a third of its workforce consists of individuals who are currently incarcerated or have recently been released from prison. This approach not only aids rehabilitation but has also proven profitable, with the brewery supplying craft beers to Waitrose on a national level.
From Prison to Craft Beer
Kane Byrne, a former drug dealer, is one of Tap Social's success stories. He has been working as a drayman—a driver who delivers kegs—for just under a year. He describes landing the job two months after his release as "life changing." Byrne praises the company's strategic leader, Will Rooney, for giving him the opportunity. "When you come out of prison, it can feel like a bit of a lonely place," Byrne says. "I was starting over again and Will Rooney gave me that opportunity."
Byrne admits it was "tough" to adjust when he first got out of prison, but thanks to his work, it has become "quite easy." He adds, "My frame of mind when I came out and to where I am now—I'm like a completely different person." He contrasts his prison life, which he describes as a "community centre which you can't leave," with the structured environment at Tap Social. He no longer locks himself in his room at 6pm, a habit he developed inside, and appreciates the quality of the food compared to prison meals, which he calls "pure slop."
How the Programme Works
Will Rooney explains that the probation service recommends candidates to the brewery and its associated cafe and bars. However, the company does not treat them differently. "We run them through the same employment processes," Rooney says. "They have to do a normal interview process and we make sure they actually want to do the work."
Rooney admits he has undergone a "massive mindset shift" on employing criminals. In previous jobs, he would put CVs with convictions on a certain "pile," while those without were "prioritised." He now sees the benefit of prioritising those with criminal convictions to give them a second chance and break the cycle of re-offending. "It is horrendous for the economy. It costs a fortune to put people back in prison instead of giving them an opportunity to start afresh," he says. "I haven't got a single bad word to say about any of the lads who came from the programme."
Business Growth and Beer Production
Tap Social Movement started as a brewery in 2016 and has since expanded to include a bakery, cafe, and two bars. The team brews a range of beers with prison-themed names such as Home Economy, False Economy, and Inside Out. Their best-seller, Time Better Spent, takes about a week to brew. In 2024, they sold 195,000 litres of beer, and they aim to increase production to 300,000 litres in 2025. Head brewer Ben Addison notes that while some beers can take longer, the production schedule is efficient.
The company currently employs around 12 individuals who arrived via the probation service. Rooney challenges visitors to guess which staff members have served time, noting that it is impossible to tell. The brewery's commitment to rehabilitation has not hindered its commercial success; its craft beers are now available in Waitrose stores nationwide.
A Taste of Success
The brewery's gluten-free lager, Major Figures, is served straight from the tank, offering a crisp and refreshing taste. For employees like Kane Byrne, the job provides more than just a paycheck—it offers a new start. "Serving pints instead of serving time? I'll certainly drink to that," Byrne says, encapsulating the transformative power of second chances.
