Site by The Scarlet Paw Print

FINAL REPORT PUBLISHED 12 SEPT 2011

Click here for
a copy

In the last ten years prison numbers in Britain have risen at an unprecedented rate. We have the highest prison population in Western Europe. More and more people, who 12 years ago would have served non-custodial sentences, are being locked up. 65% of prisoners are serving less than 12 months. If imprisonment continues at the same rate, the cost to the taxpayer to cover more prison places could be upwards of £3 billion.

Within this context, Make Justice Work commissioned a National Enquiry to investigate and compare the value and efficacy of short-term prison sentences and community based alternatives to custody.
 

Starting in July 2010, the Enquiry held four in-depth investigatory meetings around the country. The first was looking at an Intensive Alternative to Custody programme in Manchester, the second was held in Bradford focusing on the Together Women Project and the third was held in Leicester looking at the Criminal Justice Drugs Team (CJDT) and the final session was held in London and looked at Together’s Forensic Mental Health Practitioner Service. At all these meetings, experts and the public had the opportunity to give evidence and opinions to the panel about relevant local practices.

In September 2011, we produced a comprehensive report which outlines its findings and put forward a set of recommendations for national policy makers that also speaks directly to the public and aid the process of developing a more informed public debate on this subject.  

Our relationship with Make Justice Work

Make Justice Work (MJW) is a dynamic national campaign aimed at reforming the way the criminal justice system deals with low-level offenders. The goal of the campaign is to inform policy makers about the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of robust alternatives to short-term prison sentences.

Since its launch in summer 2009, MJW has received widespread media coverage across the mainstream media and trade press. The campaign has over 150 public figures signed up as ambassadors and has consulted with cabinet level and shadow cabinet level politicians as well as senior civil servants.

While commissioned and supported by Make Justice Work, the National Enquiry is an objective and independent body. The results of the enquiry are in no way predetermined and the final report will be overseen by the panel Chair.    

FINAL REPORT PUBLISHED 12 SEPT 2011

Click here for
 a copy