The values that underpin the Prison Reform Trust's work are:

    • Prison should be reserved for those whose offending is so serious that
      they cannot serve their sentence in the community.

    • Prisoners and their families should be treated with humanity and
      respect and have access to clear information and the opportunity to
      represent themselves and have their views taken into account.

    • The Prison Service should provide constructive regimes in decent, safe
      conditions that ensure the well-being of prisoners and prepare them for
      resettlement in the community.

    • The public, parliament and those responsible for incarcerating offenders
      should be fully informed about the state and effectiveness of our
      criminal justice system.

    • As the most severe punishment in this country, imprisonment should
      remain the ultimate responsibility of the state, in order to safeguard
      prisoners’ human rights.