Prisons

Our children are in prison for murders they did not commit. We’re fighting to change the law
Criminal justice

Our children are in prison for murders they did not commit. We’re fighting to change the law

The Big Issue has spoken to six mothers of children jailed for murder under the joint enterprise act, as well as a lawyer and a Labour MP, about why they believe that the law should be changed so that people are convicted for the crimes they committed – not ones to which they were merely bystanders

Poet laureate Simon Armitage on his years as a probation officer – and the redemptive power of poetry
Probation service

Poet laureate Simon Armitage on his years as a probation officer – and the redemptive power of poetry

Poet laureate and former probation officer Simon Armitage has published an ode to probation work – ‘A Life in the Day Of.’

It wasn’t until I went to prison that I realised how important reading was – it became a lifeline
World Book Day

It wasn’t until I went to prison that I realised how important reading was – it became a lifeline

Prison Reading Group promotes reading for pleasure in prisons and provides support and funding for those who run them

Our prisons are so broken that we can’t carry on – we must seize the opportunity to fix them
Andrea Coomber

Our prisons are so broken that we can’t carry on – we must seize the opportunity to fix them

Prisons minister James Timpson: ‘We inherited a justice system in crisis – but it’s stabilising’
My Big Year

Prisons minister James Timpson: ‘We inherited a justice system in crisis – but it’s stabilising’

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Last Christmas I was in prison. This year I’m working in a London fine-dining restaurant
Christmas

Last Christmas I was in prison. This year I’m working in a London fine-dining restaurant

‘No two prisoners are the same’: 6 ways we can break the UK prison system’s cycle of failure
Sid Madge

‘No two prisoners are the same’: 6 ways we can break the UK prison system’s cycle of failure

‘It’s like a death sentence when I’m not guilty’: How the UK is failing women in prison with cancer
Prisons

‘It’s like a death sentence when I’m not guilty’: How the UK is failing women in prison with cancer

How Putin’s war in Ukraine has pushed millions into homelessness: ‘We must tackle this crisis’
Homelessness

How Putin’s war in Ukraine has pushed millions into homelessness: ‘We must tackle this crisis’

Art the hard way: The role of art in liberation and the transforming power of creation
John Bird

Art the hard way: The role of art in liberation and the transforming power of creation

Prisoners are teaching each other to read. Here’s how it’s changing life behind bars amid a crisis
Prisons

Prisoners are teaching each other to read. Here’s how it’s changing life behind bars amid a crisis

Everything Labour must do to fix broken prison system as early release scheme gets underway
Prisons

Everything Labour must do to fix broken prison system as early release scheme gets underway

Rise in prison leaver homelessness should be a clear warning to the new government
Campbell Robb

Rise in prison leaver homelessness should be a clear warning to the new government

Labour must act quickly on ‘monumental challenge’ of tackling homelessness crisis
Paula Barker

Labour must act quickly on ‘monumental challenge’ of tackling homelessness crisis

I’m a housing adviser for a homelessness charity. People contact us in tears almost daily
Alex Szorad

I’m a housing adviser for a homelessness charity. People contact us in tears almost daily

Dear prisons minister James Timpson… Every prisoner should have the opportunity to be creative
Dr Lorraine Gamman

Dear prisons minister James Timpson… Every prisoner should have the opportunity to be creative

‘It was a long, dark night of the soul’: What the first 24 hours in prison is really like
Gary Crooks

‘It was a long, dark night of the soul’: What the first 24 hours in prison is really like

Prison crisis: Early release scheme could see hundreds of prisoners released into homelessness
Prisons

Prison crisis: Early release scheme could see hundreds of prisoners released into homelessness

‘People in prison need art, music and reading’: Inside the prison libraries that break down walls
Prisons

‘People in prison need art, music and reading’: Inside the prison libraries that break down walls

Feeling like change in the UK isn’t possible? Let these 28 purposeful campaigns prove otherwise
Activism

Feeling like change in the UK isn’t possible? Let these 28 purposeful campaigns prove otherwise

Prisoners could be released 60 days early to ease prison overcrowding
Prisons

Prisoners could be released 60 days early to ease prison overcrowding

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How a groundbreaking theatre project is teaching prisoners there’s more to life than crime
prisons

How a groundbreaking theatre project is teaching prisoners there’s more to life than crime

Yes, some prisoners will be released early before Christmas – but it can actually make victims safer
Prisons

Yes, some prisoners will be released early before Christmas – but it can actually make victims safer

Time star Jodie Whittaker slams prison service for failing women: ‘Surely there’s a better system’
Interview

Time star Jodie Whittaker slams prison service for failing women: ‘Surely there’s a better system’

I spent 10 years working as a prison officer. The impact of staff cuts and reduced funding has been devastating
Alex South

I spent 10 years working as a prison officer. The impact of staff cuts and reduced funding has been devastating