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Since 1981 the Prison Reform Trust has supported those locked into our prison system – prisoners and their families – to ensure that those without a voice get heard.

The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) is an independent UK charity working to create a just, humane and effective penal system.

We were founded in 1981 to inform and influence public debate on prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners, amidst concerns about a projected prison population of 48,000 by 1984. The charity remains as important to civic society today as it was then.

We are one of the few organisations willing and equipped to hold the state to account for its treatment of vulnerable people in prison. Our reputation, built on over four decades of knowledgeable, reliable analysis and presentation of the facts, gives us influence behind the scenes that few organisations can match.

Our main objectives

  1. reducing unnecessary imprisonment and promoting community solutions to crime;
  2. improving treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families; and
  3. promoting equality and human rights in the justice system.

We do this by inquiring into the workings of the system; informing prisoners, staff and the wider public; and by influencing Parliament, government and officials towards reform.

Whilst often working alongside the prison service and maintaining close links with government departments including the Ministry of Justice, HM Treasury, and the Home Office, to retain its independence PRT does not seek or accept Government funding. The structure and rigour of programmes are agreed with those trusts and foundations that generously fund our work.

Our culture and values

PRT is an independent UK charity that is focused on its mission to create a fair, humane & effective justice system. PRT does this by working collaboratively, critically and in a solution-oriented way with the system it seeks to influence. It uses evidence generated from diverse sources to provide independent, reliable and accessible information to both the people working within the justice system and those impacted by it. PRT will strive to innovate and lead the charity sector by engaging with practitioners so that we benefit and grow through knowledge exchange.

Through our behaviour and relationships with each other and our stakeholders, we will enact the values of integrity, courage, curiosity, inclusivity and tenacity. We will do this by creating a culture of trust, compassion and respect within PRT:

  • Culture of trust — We embrace our differences and assume the best of each other.
  • Compassion — We are kind, non-judgemental, tolerant and demonstrate humility towards each other.
  • Respect — We show our respect for each other by being present, responsive and collegiate. We value each other’s contributions and challenge differences with maturity and empathy. We are reflective and self-aware and encourage this in others.

PRT is proud to be an inclusive organisation where everyone can contribute, feel valued, and thrive. We believe that people come into our organisation with a unique set of skills, experiences and potential, and we are committed to giving these equal value in everything we do. We strive to create a culture of trust, compassion and respect and hold ourselves to account for the enactment of our values.

We recognise the unique insight and expertise that people with lived experience of the justice system bring to our work. A criminal conviction is not considered a barrier to employment or involvement with PRT. Instead, we actively value lived experience as a strength that enriches our organisation and supports more effective and compassionate reform.

Our accounts and strategic plan

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  • August 2024 Prison Reform Trust Strategic Plan 2024–2029 The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) has an ambitious Strategic Plan for 2024–2029, under the leadership ... Prison Reform Trust Strategic Plan 2024–2029
  • November 2025 Report and accounts 2024–25 The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the Priso... Report and accounts 2024–25