Monthly summary – June 2017

Welcome to our monthly summary for June 2017.

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. 

About criminal records

• Applying to a court to end a court order – We’ve produced some new information which sets out the impact of having a court order (for example a restraining order or sexual offences prevention order) and how you can apply to have it varied or discharged.

Criminal record checks for employment

• When would you need to disclose your spent conviction to an employer – We’ve written an advice post which provides examples of some jobs which appear on the DBS exemptions list and which would usually require you to disclose a spent conviction.

Universities and colleges

• Applying to university – We’ve updated this page to provide some additional information on disclosure and the different types of criminal record checks that universities can do as well as advice on appealing a university’s decision if you are refused a place as a result of your criminal record.

Insurance

• List of insurance brokers – We’ve just updated our list and added a further two brokers who can assist people with convictions to get insurance.

Financial issues

• Getting a mortgage – We’ve just updated this page to provide an example of the wording that banks/building societies can use when asking about criminal convictions on their application forms.

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.

Success – From prison to probation officer – securing a job as a probation officer with a criminal record – ‘Back in 2005 when I was about 16 years old my mum made the brave decision to move me and my younger brother from London to Wales. Although I’d never got into any serious trouble, I’d been hanging around with the ‘wrong crowd’ and had started to get more and more involved in the whole gang scene …..’

Struggles and stigma – Historic convictions – I’m letting them stop me from working because I’m too ashamed to disclose them – ‘I don’t want to tell you what you already know, but young people do stupid things. You know what they say “Your convictions will always follow you around”, “You’ll never get a good job” …..’

Success – Timpson’s gave me the key to unlock my future – ‘My name is Michaela and I’m an ex-offender. When I was 21 years old I was convicted of a drunken violent offence, which happened whilst I was a teenager. In a second, a mindless act changed so many lives. My actions were out of character however I knew I had caused another person serious harm and for that I was sorry and I knew I had to be punished …..’

News – Writing competition open to former prisoners – ‘The Prison Reform Trust have just launched their 2017 writing competition. The competition is open to prisoners, prisoners’ families and friends and former prisoners …..’

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.

An ex-employer has disclosed my ‘spent’ conviction – MrsB1981 is looking for some advice after her previous employer disclosed her spent conviction in a reference. Do you have any advice you can offer her?

Library assistant job – Davinci1 is looking to apply for a library assistant job in a university but is worried about the type of criminal record check the university will do. Have you had any experience of this type of university job?

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.

Has a criminal record in early adulthood held you back? We want to hear from you?

We’re looking to collect evidence that will help us to better understand the structural barriers that people face in dealing with a criminal record they got as a young adult. Find out how you can take part in our online survey.

‘Criminal record disclosure’ workshop – book now for our workshop on 4th October

As experts on criminal record disclosure, we provide high-quality training to front line practitioners to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date knowledge and skills when advising people with convictions. Find out how you can book your place.