Monthly summary – April 2018

Welcome to our monthly summary for April 2018.

This provides a summary of:

1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
3. discussions on our online forum
4. other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record

Have you just stumbled across this? You can receive these updates direct to your inbox every month for free by signing up to our mailing list (make sure you choose to receive ‘news for people with convictions’)

Updates to our information site

Here’s a summary of the updates that we’ve made recently to the theInformationHub. There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update. There are also links next to many of the updates, which link to threads on our online forum where you can discuss these with other people with convictions. 

Criminal record checks for employment

• Step-by-step guide to applying for a basic DBS check – We’ve just produced a new step-by-step guide on applying for a basic DBS check using the online DBS self-service tool.
• Standard disclosure – We’ve updated this page to hopefully make it easier to navigate.
• Enhanced disclosure – We’ve added some new links to this page and new headings to make it easier to navigate.

Work and volunteering

• Pub licensee (Personal licence) – We’ve updated this page to include details of the criminal record checks which are required as part of the application process for a personal licence.

theRecord posts

Below are links to recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord. These are often linked to from the practical information that we have, to help give some personal experiences.

Struggles and stigma – I was rejected from university because of my record, now I’m campaigning for fair treatment – “I didn’t really ever class myself as an academic when I was younger. I didn’t engage at school – learning just didn’t seem to be something I was interested in. But when I found myself at Her Majesty’s pleasure aged 21 it was a pivotal point in my life …..”

Success – Being a ‘juvenile delinquent’ enabled me to get a visa to the USA! – “25 years ago my life was very different to how it is now. To say I was a bad lad is a bit of an understatement; I’d received around 10 convictions before the age of 17 and been to a YOI twice …..”

Struggles and stigma – Why can’t our past mistakes be left in the past? The ongoing impact of a criminal record – “Last year I received a conviction for ‘making indecent images of children’. Having gone through the process of going to court, I had very little understanding of the resulting impact the conviction would have on my life …..”

Success – Changing lives for the better through the power of football – “I’d just come out of Lincoln Prison after serving three-months of a six-month sentence. I was 26 years old and had always been trouble free, but I’d got into a relationship which had spiralled out of control – central to that was a custody battle …..” 

Discussions on our online forum

Below are links to recent posts to our online forum. If you’d like to join in the discussion but are not currently a forum member, find out how you can join here.

New job but a moral dilemma  – RunningMan has just been offered an amazing new job. His conviction is spent and legally he had no requirement to disclose it but his employers have asked him to sign a declaration stating that the information in his application form is true and complete. He’s now worried that he didn’t disclose that he was on the Sex Offenders Register. What would you advise him to do?

Mistakes of the past – Derek has written an interesting post with his views on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and how employers and the public at large perceive people with a criminal record, especially those that have spent time in prison. Let us know what you think.

Other news and developments

Below are links to other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record. For more news, check out the news and media section of our main website.

Spring 2018 newsletter – What we’ve been up to

We’ve published our Spring 2018 newsletter which gives an update of the news at Unlock in the last three months.

Unlock comment on High Court judgement on ‘Right to be Forgotten’ and spent convictions case

Christopher Stacey, Unlocks co-director has commented on the High Court ruling on the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ and spent convictions case. You can read his comments and details of each case here.

Job vacancy at Unlock – Policy and practice lead

We’re currently looking for an exceptional individual who has a track record of influencing policy and practice to take on the role of policy and practice lead. Find out more details and how to apply.

Unlock submission on proposals to amend disclosure rules in Scotland

Unlock has made a submission to the Scottish Government in response to their call for views on the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Bill. Download a copy of the submission.