For people with criminal records
The news that prospective Coventry Blaze ice hockey team player Mike Denton has been refused a visa to enter the country because of his criminal conviction, sparks the debate of whether reformed offenders should be given a second chance.
We contribute to a discussion on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. You can listen to the interview below.
Prisoners who take jobs outside jail have launched a High Court challenge to keep a great share of their wages, claiming too much goes to victim support.
We’re featured in the article as we’re supporting the case. Read the article here.
We’ve taken part in a Radio 4 discussion about insurance and convictions. The piece can be listened to below. There is also a link to more information about the piece here.
We’ve taken part in a radio discussion on BBC West Midlands to discuss a local council with a proposed policy of carrying out police checks on potential council tenants. This is available to listen to below (in two parts)
Unlock has today won the Guardian Charity Award for its work tackling the economic and social exclusion of reformed offenders. The charity was selected as one of five winners from almost 1,000 entries, the largest number ever received in the history of the awards.
The charity focuses on the ongoing discrimination which can prevent reformed offenders from contributing positively to society throughout their entire lives. unlock.devchd.com has become the leading source of information for law-abiding people with a criminal record, attracting 130,000 unique visitors a year.
The charity employs only five staff but works with volunteers to develop and deliver innovative projects, products and services, as well as campaigning for legal changes that would allow many reformed offenders to get off benefits and into employment.
The judges said Unlock was a “brilliant, very positive story” that was “tackling controversial issues”, “offering the long-term support needed” and that its use of online and media “shows huge potential”.
The charity will receive £6,000 prize money, one year free membership to NCVO, a tailored package from the FSI that includes mentoring, expert advice and training and a media package, including support from their community of journalists, from Media Trust.
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Notes to editors
1. The awards highlight the work of UK based, small to medium sized charities that focus on social welfare and have been operating for two or more years with an annual income of between £5,000 and £1.5million.
2. The judging panel included: David Brindle, The Guardian (chair); Jane Asher, president of the National Autistic Society; Lynne Berry OBE, associate of Civil Exchange, Caroline Diehl, chief executive of Media Trust; Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO); Emma Harrison, chairman of trustees, the Foundation for Social Improvement; Baroness Howarth OBE, and Dame Suzi Leather, chair, Charity Commission.
3. The judges made the following comments: –
Baroness Howarth: “Brilliant, very positive story”
Jane Asher: “Remarkable and inspiring story of the chief executive turning their life around”
Pauline Broomhead: “Offering the long-term support needed after prison”
Caroline Diehl: “Use of online and media is great – shows huge potential”
Judges agreed that it is a positive story tackling controversial issues.
We are proud to announce that we have been chosen as a winner at the Guardian Charity Awards 2011
Pictured (from left to right): Jane Asher (President, Arthritis Care, Parkinson’s UK and the National Autistic Society); Christopher Stacey, Julie Harmsworth and Chris Bath from Unlock; and Jonathan Pryce (Actor and Patron of Friendship Works).
“Remarkable and inspiring story of the chief executive turning their life around” – Jane Asher
“Brilliant, very positive story” – Baroness Howarth
“Offering the long-term support needed after prison” – Pauline Broomhead
“Use of online and media is great – shows huge potential” – Caroline Diehl MBE
“A positive story tackling controversial issues” – Judges summary
Find out more about the judges and the awards.
The video below was filmed as part of the Guardian Charity Award
The Sunday Times have featured in their Money section a letter from somebody whose son is experiencing difficulties getting insurance. We spoke with the journalist last week, and provided her with some advice, which led to the person eventually finding some cover, and we’re featured in the published response (see below).
We’re featured in an article in the Mail on Sunday, which covers some recent work we’ve done with Halifax bank to extend the number of prisons that they open basic bank accounts for. The article is available to read here.
The Observer picked up on our launch of the Disclosure Calculator and featured this as an article, looking at how it will help people when applying for insurance. You can read the article below.
We’ve contributed to an article in ProgressOnline, alongside the Criminal Justice Alliance, which looks at the issues surrounding life after prison. The article is available to read here.
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