giving young women a voice

Girls and young women are being asked to write about their major concerns and the issues that could prevent them achieving their potential - which may result in action to improve the lives of millions of people.

The influential National Council of Women is holding a national competition asking women under 30: If you could influence Government to take some action to improve the lives of women, what would it be?

Click here to find out more

community justice for women

Thousands of vulnerable women who have committed non-violent offences are unnecessarily sent to prison each year in England and Wales. Just before Christmas, the House of Lords amended the Crime and Courts Bill to ensure that appropriate community-based options for women should be provided across England and Wales. Unfortunately, the amendment was struck out in the House of Commons, on 5 February.

Listen to PRT's director, Juliet Lyon and Joy Doal of the Anawim women's centre, talking on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour about the vital role community sentences have in reducing women's reoffending.

Prison and disability

Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, was a guest on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme on Monday 20 August talking about the treatment of people with disabilities and social care needs in prison. Listen to the programme by clicking this link.

People want offenders to make amends, poll reveals

ICM survey results offer massive vote of support for community payback and restorative justice.

The results of an ICM telephone poll of 1,000 members of the public, conducted one month after the riots in England, show overwhelming popular support for constructive ways in which offenders can make amends to victims for the harm they have caused.

Read more and by clicking this link

smartjustice for women

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Soroptimists call for renewed efforts to reduce the unnecessary imprisonment of Welsh women

3 days ago

Soroptimist (UK), in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust, will today (Wednesday 15th May 2013) launch an action pack at a reception at the Pierhead in Cardiff to support their initiative to reduce women’s imprisonment across the UK.

More than eight out of ten of sentenced women entering prison have been convicted of non-violent offences. Many have young children. Many have themselves been the victims of serious crime, including domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape.

Community sentences better at reducing reoffending than short spell behind bars

09/05/2013 10:20:00

Commenting on the government’s plans announced in the Queen’s Speech to extend probation supervision to short sentenced prisoners, Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said:

“According to government figures, community sentences are better at cutting reoffending than a short spell behind bars. So, rather than use prison as a gateway to rehabilitation for over 50,000 petty offenders, the Justice Secretary should ensure that cost effective, robust community penalties are available to all courts in England and Wales.

“For those whose offending is so serious to warrant up to a year in custody, then supervision, support and drug treatment on release make some sense. There is a downside: a year of demands and an inflexible approach to breach of license conditions could refill our prisons and spin people through the revolving door of prison and crime.”

“Payment by results is untried and untested in the criminal justice system. Reform should be properly thought through and based on evidence of what works. The government should build on best practice rather than risk fragmenting the probation service and undermining the vital role played by small voluntary organisations in the delivery of services for vulnerable offenders. Is it wise to widen the ambit of the criminal justice industry when many of the solutions to crime lie in prevention, housing, employment, mental health and social care and treatment for addictions?”

Click read more to read our submissions to the Transforming Rehabilitation consultation.

Prison Reform Trust response to government proposals on incentives and earned privileges

30/04/2013 12:25:00

Commenting on the government’s proposed reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme, Juliet Lyon, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, said:

“Tough political talk, budget cuts and reduced staffing levels are all piling pressure on prisons and prisoners. However new proposals to focus on the first two weeks in custody, the riskiest time for vulnerable people, present an opportunity to ensure proper induction and enable prisoners to make best use of their time behind bars.

Click read more to see the full comment.

Click here to read the Prison Reform Trust submission to the review

Soroptimists call on MPs and Peers to reduce women’s imprisonment

25/04/2013 07:16:00

Soroptimist (UK), in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust, will today (Thursday 25 April 2013) launch an action pack at a reception in the House of Commons to support the Soroptimists’ initiative to reduce women’s imprisonment in the UK.

Click this link to find out more and download the pack

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featured publication

Prepared by Jenny Talbot for frontline staff in the criminal justice system and the NHS, Fair Access to Justice? explains how people with a learning disability who have to appear in court are given extra support or 'special measures' to help them understand and cope with the process. The briefing states that vulnerable defendants should be legally entitled to the same support, in order to ensure they get a fair trial.

Talking Justice

Care not Custody

Turning Young Lives Around