charities and campaigns Flashcards
what are charities and campaigns?
Both charities and pressure groups play an important role in the criminal justice system.
They are not government funded and as such can bring an independent and challenging function to the justice system.
Charities and voluntary agencies exist to support and defend the interests of their beneficiaries. They are non-profit making organisations and often enjoy some tax advantages from the government.
what is the Howard League for penal reform?
This is the oldest penal reform charity in the UK, having been established in 1866. It is named after John Howard, one of the first prison reformers.
It aims for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison, and seeks to transform prisons for those behind bars.
It works with parliament, the media, numerous agencies in the criminal justice system and members of the public to attain these aims.
what has the howard leaguemanaged to do and how is it controlled?
The Howard League for Penal Reform is entirely independent of the government and is funded by voluntary donations and membership subscription.
It has run many successful campaigns, such as the ‘Books for Prisoners’ campaign, which won a charity award in 2015, and a campaign to reduce the criminalisation of children by working closely with police forces in England and Wales.
This resulted in the number of child arrests falling by 58% between 2010 and 2015.
Its Citizenship and Crime project in primary and secondary schools has reached over 22,000 children aged from 10 to 16.
what is the prison reform trust?
The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) is a charity, established in 1981, which works to create a just, humane and effective penal system. According to its website, it aims to:
“Improve prison regimes and conditions, defend and promote prisoners’ human rights, address the needs of prisoners’ families, and promote alternatives to custody.”
what are the aims of the prison reform trust?
The Prison Reform Trust’s main objectives are:
Reducing unnecessary imprisonment and promoting community solutions to crime
Improving treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families
Promoting equality and human rights in the justice system.
The charity carries out research on many aspects of prison life and on the composition of prisoners both within prison and life before being sent into custody.
It provides advice and information to not only prisoners and their families but also to other agencies in the criminal justice system such as students, the legal profession and members of the public.
It organises lectures and conferences to help promote its work.
Campaigns to improve the penal system form a main part of their work. For instance, the ‘Out of Trouble’ campaign, which is seeking to reduce the number of children and young people in prison. Alternatively, the ‘Out for Good — Lessons for the Future’ campaign, a project to secure employment for prisoners on release.
The PRT does not receive any funding from the government and is entirely dependent on voluntary donations to carry out its work.
