Offenders - agencies and communities
Agencies and communities provide a rich source of information and insight into the lives and welfare of vulnerable groups.
The websites below were last accessed on 12 March 2013.
Apex Trust
Apex Charitable Trust seeks to help people with criminal records to obtain appropriate jobs or self-employment by providing them with the skills they need in the labour market and by working with employers to break down the barriers to their employment.
Butler Trust
The Butler Trust is an independent charity that recognises commitment, hard work and the innovation of those working in UK prisons, and encourage effective care for offenders through its annual award scheme and development programme.
Clinks
Clinks was established to strengthen and develop the partnerships between voluntary and community-based organisations and the Prison and Probation Services in England and Wales. The organisation is also involved in national policy development. The website describes the different services Clinks offers. Publications can be downloaded and newsletters focussing on particular topics and a regular ebulletin are available.
Criminal Justice Alliance
The Alliance is a coalition of 67 organisations committed to improving the criminal justice system and campaigns for a fairer and more effective criminal justice system. It “provides the focal point of a network for its members, and disseminates information, organises meetings, and supports its members to work together”. The Alliance publishes reports and essays, for example on government policy on reducing the number of women going to prison, and what can be learned from practices in Europe about the reduction in use of imprisonment. The reports can be downloaded from the publications section.
Howard League for Penal Reform
The Howard League for Penal Reform is an independent charity which works to reform the criminal justice and penal system. Resources include those developed for campaigns run by the League. The website also has a membership area and there is a separate website for the Howard League Scotland.
Jan-net Ltd: UK Forensic and Criminal Justice System and learning disability network
Jan-net Ltd hosts this network which is aimed at "practitioners and people with an interest in people with a learning disability in secure settings, in or at risk of contact with the Criminal Justice System". The Jan-net Ltd website provides information on the network's activities and how to join. Membership is free.
NACRO
NACRO is a charitable organisation aimed at crime reduction. It provides resources and guidance for staff as well as some services such as resettlement and education for offenders.
Offender Health Research Network
The Offender Health Research Network is funded by Offender Health at the Department of Health, and is a collaboration between several universities. The Network aims to develop a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency network focused on offender health care innovation, evaluation and knowledge dissemination. The resources section of the website is designed to provide staff, researchers and students working within offender health with information, advice and assistance on important aspects of offender health research. It also includes a research library listing research papers across a range of workstreams.
Offenders' Families Helpline
The Offenders' Families Helpline is a free and confidential service for anyone who is affected by the imprisonment of a close family member or friend. The website also provides frequently asked questions and a range of information sheets offering guidance about aspects of the prison services and related issues in England and Wales.
PrisonReform.org
PrisonReform.org lists government sites, campaign groups, support groups, charities and other organisations related to prison, prison reform and penal reform (mainly within the United Kingdom).
Prison Reform Trust
The Prison Reform Trust works to ensure that prisons are just, humane and effective. The Trust provides a wide range of publications including information booklets for prisoners and the Bromley Briefings prison factfiles.
The trust is running a campaign, callled Out of Trouble, which is working to change things at national and local level to reduce the number of children and young people who are imprisoned in the UK by collecting evidence, raising awareness and seeking to influence government and the youth justice system.
PrisonerActionNet
PrisonerActionNet is aimed at prison officers, probation officers, voluntary and community agencies and housing officers. Registration, which is free, is required in order to access guidance and resources and participate in the discussion forum.
Prisoners' Advice Service
The Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS) is an independent registered charity which provides legal advice and information to prisoners in England and Wales regarding their rights, particularly the application of the Prison Rules and conditions of imprisonment.
Prisoners' Education Trust
The primary focus of the Prisoners' Education Trust's is the provision of funding for distance learning courses for prisoners and also peer mentoring for learning. The Trust is also involved in a number of programmes and projects such as the Youth Education Project offering men in Young Offender Institutions the opportunity to gain skills and qualifications.
Revolving Doors Agency
Revolving Doors is a charity working across England to change systems and improve services for people with multiple problems, including poor mental health, who are in contact with the criminal justice system. Their vision is that "by 2025 there is an end to the revolving door of crisis and crime, when anyone facing multiple problems and poor mental health is supported to reach their potential, with fewer victims and safer communities as a result". The website describes how the organisation is working across England and Wales through different partnerships and provides publications, news and blogs. A national service user forum and a young peoples' forum encourage involvement to influence policy and design and improve services.
Royal College of Nursing: Nursing in Criminal Justice Services community
This RCN community is for all nurses working in the criminal justice services. The community pages provide an area for news, features, events and other resources and a discussion forum available to members.
SmartJustice
SmartJustice provides information about best practice government and voluntary sector initiatives that provide interventions in the community that tackle the causes of crime. These include initiatives for young people, women, adult offenders and those with drug, alcohol and mental health problems. The work of SmartJustice is currently being taken forward by the Prison Reform Trust.
T2A: Transition to Adulthood
The T2A Alliance is a broad coalition of organisations and individuals which identifies and promotes "the need for a distinct and radically different approach to young adults in the criminal justice system; an approach that is proportionate to their maturity and responsive to their specific needs". Members include leading criminal justice, health and youth organisations. The Alliance was convened by Barrow Cadbury in 2008 and, building on the work of the 2005 Barrow Cadbury Commission on Young Adults and the Criminal Justice System, has developed a series of policy proposals to create a more effective criminal justice system for the young adult age-group. T2A is involved in a number of projects testing different approaches to improving services and has produced a range of publications and reports.
User Voice
User Voice is a charity led and delivered by ex-offenders who foster dialogue between users and providers of services within the criminal justice system. Its mission is to engage those who have experience of the criminal justice in bringing about its reform and to reduce offending.
Women in Prison (WIP)
Women in Prison (WIP) is a charity working with women at risk of going to prison, in prison and after release to promote their resettlement, personal development, education and training. WIP also aims to educate the public and policy makers about women in the criminal justice system and to promote alternatives to custody.