Improving the Parole Board’s diversity

Martin Jones, Chief Executive of the Parole Board, has written a guest blog for Russell Webster on improving the diversity of the Board’s membership as part of its current recruitment drive. He writes “Whilst 14% of the general population and over 25% of people in prison are from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background; […]

Incentives in Prison

The Prison Reform Trust has published a Prisoner Policy Network report entitled What incentives work in prison? The report is the result of a consultation exercise with over 1,250 people with experience of prison. It finds that people in prison need meaningful incentives which both motivate and allow them to take responsibility for their behaviour. […]

An Upside Down Flag – International Women’s Day Challenge 2019 Report

It is widely accepted that an upside down flag represents distress and by all accounts of the word the women were suffering from extreme weather conditions, muscle fatigue, fear and complete exhaustion. We had made it a kilometre from the summit when I called time. I made the decision to abort the mission. The snow had […]

Faith, Family and Crime

The Barrow Cadbury Trust has published an Arooj research project, ‘Faith Family and Crime’. The project set out to investigate the extent to which a family member’s involvement with the criminal justice system affects Muslim families and their social and health needs. Over recent years, there has been little or no research undertaken to assess […]

Domestic abuse consultation results published

The government has published its response to the domestic abuse consultation.. The response recognises the link between domestic abuse and experiences of multiple disadvantage, offending, and drug use; and the need for holistic, wrap-around support to meet women’s needs. It also reiterates the commitments previously made in the Female Offender Strategy, published by the Ministry […]

International Women’s Day Challenge 2019

On Friday 8th March 2019 – International Women’s Day, 7 tenacious and adventurous women will be hiking up Mount Snowdon to raise money for The David Stewart Bursary. Do you want to make a difference this International Women’s Day? Check out our team profiles below and become a sponsor of this worthy cause. You can […]

How protected are people with protected characteristics in prison?

In December 2018, two government reports were published that focussed on the experience of people with protected characteristics in the criminal justice system – the Offender Equalities Annual Report, published by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, and Women and the criminal justice system 2017, published by the Ministry of Justice. Lauren Nickolls, Policy Officer […]

Prisoner arts award open

The 2019 Koestler Awards are open for entries. The annual Koestler Awards offer cash awards, written feedback, certificates, mentoring, publication, exhibition and sale opportunities to people in custody. The Awards can give a creative outlet and recognition for a broad range of creative work. Every entrant to the Awards is in with a chance for […]

Expanding the in-cell phone network

David Gauke MP, Secretary of State for Justice, announced that in-cell phones, currently installed in 20 prisons in England and Wales, will be rolled-out to 50 prisons by March 2020. This represents some progress on a government commitment made in 2018 to extend the provision of in-cell phones across the prison estate. The government has […]

Jobs in HMP Brixton

Pact is hiring a full team for a new project called Routes to Change. These roles are all based in HMP Brixton: Therapeutic Play and Children’s Advocacy Specialist [£26,000, full time]; Family Befriending Coordinator [£25,000, part time]; Family Resettlement Practitioner X two posts [£25,000, full time]; Family Resettlement Team Leader x two posts [£27,000, full […]

The end of short prison sentences?

The Ministry of Justice is considering banning prison sentences of less than six months in England and Wales. Ministers argue that short prison terms are less effective at cutting reoffending than community penalties. Prisons minister Rory Stewart told the Daily Telegraph that such sentences were “long enough to damage you and not long enough to […]

Diverting young people from crime

Revolving Doors Agency is launching a new project working with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to develop practical answers to the impact a combination of adverse childhood experiences, poverty and disadvantage has on young adults. PCCs have convening and commissioning powers to transform criminal justice responses locally. The project will address the combined impact of […]