Unlock believes in an ear to the ground, voices at the top approach. We hear directly from people experiencing prejudice, stigma and discrimination because of their criminal record, and then we use our influence to enact change at the highest level.
Latest news & updates from our work to Change the System
View all news and updates
Childhood criminal offences: time for a distinct system
Justice and young people's sector experts gather at Unlock's roundtable to discuss childhood offences
Meet Paula
Twenty years ago, Paula Harriott was in a prison cell, starting an eight-year sentence. Now she's in her third week as Unlock's CEO.
Quashing convictions: Why a quashed conviction doesn’t automatically mean a clear criminal record
If your conviction is overturned, your criminal record may not be automatically cleared. Brendan Shepherd takes a look.
Reform the ROA: Rehabilitation of Offenders Act at 50
Today (31 July) marks exactly 50 years since the act gained royal assent. It's time to reform the ROA.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act at 50: Time for an update
Online searches and news websites mean some criminal convictions may never be forgotten, even when they are spent. Jo Easton takes a look.
Case Studies of what we’ve achieved
Take a look at some key successes we’ve had over the years of fighting against prejudice, stigma and discrimination through our policy and campaigning work.
View all case studies- Abbie – How I challenged an enforced Subject Access Request (SAR) and kept my job
- Alan – Successfully making representation to be placed on a council’s housing register
- Anne – Should a criminal record prevent the award of a PhD?
- Benny – Success with the Scouts
- Brinley – “I successfully challenged an ineligible DBS check and kept my job”
- Our work with other organisations Challenging a Community Rehabilitation Company regarding the failings in their recruitment process
- Charlie – “I disclosed my conviction and still got a job”
- Case Work Clive – A potentially ineligible criminal record check led to the DBS considering barring me from working with children and vulnerable adults
- Support for individuals Dan – theInformationHub site made me realise how little I knew about criminal records
Our latest publications
We produce publications, often in collaboration with other key partners, to lead the way in demanding a fairer system
View all publications- July 2024 Unlock submission to the Times Crime and Justice Commission
- July 2024 Unlock letter to Shabana Mahmood, 9 July 2024
- May 2024 Crossovers for people with criminal records who are also victims of crime
- May 2024 Unlock’s equity, equality, diversity and inclusion strategy 2023-26
Projects & Campaigns
We run standalone projects and campaigns that focus on a particular issue around fairness of the system for people with criminal convictions
View all projects-
Ban the Box
A campaign to convince employers that they should only ask about someone’s criminal record if it’s absolutely necessary
-
#FairChecks
A campaign to launch a major review of the legislation on the disclosure of criminal records.
11 million people have criminal records in the UK. We need your help to help them.
Your donation will help us provide a voice and support for people who are facing stigma and obstacles because of their criminal record – we appreciate every penny.
It’s quick and easy to donate online, please click the button below.
Further reading
Useful links to our more specialised work in Changing the System
We do a great deal of work to improve the system, and enforce laws where they are currently not being enforced.
