Monthly summary – September 2018

Welcome to our monthly summary for September 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. 

About criminal records

• Disclosure of police intelligence on enhanced DBS checks – We’ve written an advice post setting out the details of a case heard in the Supreme Court relating to the lawfulness of the disclosure of a rape acquittal on an enhanced criminal record check.

Insurance

• List of commercial insurance brokers – We’ve compiled a new list of insurance brokers who are able to offer commercial insurance policies to people with convictions.

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 – Disclosing to an employer – Some ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ – “My conviction is now quite old and for many years, I’ve been working very successfully in spite of it. In fact, I’d say my criminal record is most definitely in the past and hasn’t bothered me for many years. However, this hasn’t always been the case and I’ve had my fair share of up’s and down’s when applying for jobs …..”

Views and reviews – Honesty was the best policy when dealing with my probation officers – “My offence carries the worst stigma out of most of them because it’s a sexual offence; not contact related but for downloading illegal content which is unfortunately becoming an increasingly common offence these days …..”

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.

Saying hi  – Oldyp has just applied for a new job as a business consultant and knows that his enhanced certificate will disclose some old, minor convictions. How should he go about disclosing these to his potential employer?

ROA … Not applicable to sex offences?  – Following a recent visit from his PPU officer, Thorswrath has been told that the ROA does not apply to sexual offences. Have you been told something similar by a PPU officer?

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.

Unlock speaks on Three Counties Radio regarding magistrates with criminal records

Christopher Stacey, Unlocks co-director spoke to BBC Three Counties radio regarding the suggestion that recruiting more magistrates with criminal records would help increase diversity among the judiciary.

Unlock launches pilot project, supported by the UPP Foundation, to help universities take on students with criminal records

We’ve launched a new pilot project funded by the University Partnership Programme (UPP) working with three universities to support them to implement best practice procedures to prevent talented applicants being held back by their criminal record. Read more about the project here.

Call for evidence: DBS checks which reveal trans/gender history of gender-specific offences committed in the past

The current harsh and disproportionate criminal record disclosure rules mean that old, minor and irrelevant offences continue to be disclosed on standard and enhanced criminal record checks. We’re calling for reforms to the system to include the removal of gender-specific offences. If you are transgender and have a gender-specific criminal record that reveals your previous gender, we’d like to hear from you.