Monthly update – January 2016

Welcome to our monthly update for January 2016.

This update 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. 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 Information Hub. There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update on our Hub. 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 members of the forum.

About criminal records

• Convictions for sexual offences – We’ve updated our information on sexual offences to reflect the changes to the provisions which deal with behaviour orders for example the replacement of Sexual Offence Prevention Orders with Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.
• European criminal record checks – We’ve produced an advice post about a pilot being run by the Disclosure and Barring Service to test access to criminal record information from the European Union and also proposals to upgrade the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) to facilitate the exchange of criminal records of non-EU citizens. To find out more about the pilot see here. 

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 disclosed, I was employed, then I was sacked! – ‘I was convicted of assisting another person in claiming housing benefit. I admitted the charge at the first opportunity and took full responsibility for my actions. I received a suspended sentence. Although this has resulted in a life changing turn of events, I have tried to stay positive……’

Successes – Barriers to education – see the person, not the offence – ‘My name is Kim. I am a student studying for an HNC working with communities. Part of my course is to do a 200 hour work placement. I found my own placement and submitted my PVG. I was as honest as I could be and my PVG came back with no restrictions and I wasn’t barred from working with anyone but, my previous convictions where on it……’

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.

Why employers need to change! Three short digital stories from people with convictions

As part of our employment project, we’ve produced some short stories based on the experience of people with convictions finding work. Watch Steve, Ricky and Sean’s stories here.

Some examples of people we’ve helped

We’ve written up some examples of the people we’ve helped. We think these show how people with convictions are able to overcome some of the barriers that have been put in their way due to their criminal record. Click here to read their stories.

Winter 2015/2016 Newsletter

Our quarterly newsletter provides an update of the news at Unlock and is a useful way of keeping up to date with what we’ve been up to.

Parliament Committee agrees to further restrictions on people with convictions becoming trustees and senior managers of charities

The House of Commons Public Bill Committee discussed the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill on 6th January 2016. A number of the concerns we raised with the Committee were brought up and you can read more about it here.

Disproportionate criminal records disclosure scheme declared unlawful by the High Court

On the 22nd January 2016, the High Court declared the Government’s criminal record disclosure scheme incompatible with Article 8 of the Human Rights Act. The Judgement relates to the rule that anyone who has more than one conviction on their criminal record is required to disclose them forever when applying for certain jobs that involve standard or enhanced checks. Unlocks press release can be found here.