Active Citizens
The Prison Reform Trust launched the active citizens programme in 2015. It aims to encourage the improvement of conditions by drawing on the perspectives and insights of people in prison to provide practical solutions to a particular challenge that their prison is facing.
What is Active Citizens?
The Prison Reform Trust has facilitated active citizens panels since 2015. Panels bring together groups of prisoners (and sometimes staff) to study a specific problem and propose solutions for the governor to consider. The aims of the programme are to:
- Draw on the perspectives of people in prison on selected themes.
- Give residents a chance to exercise responsibility inside prison.
- Provide suggestions to governors/directors for making improvements in prisons.
Active Citizens forums have been held in a number of prisons, tackling a broad range of topics. This includes preventing fights, keeping the environment clean, treating prisoners as adults, and preparing for release. The forums allow governors to see problems from the prisoners’ point of view and consider their solutions.
Our publications
View all- August 2019 Prisoners reforming prisons This report is the second published as part of PRT’s active citizenship programme, and focuses on ... Prisoners reforming prisons
- December 2017 A Different Lens: Report on a pilot programme of active citizen forums in prison This report contains the findings from the active citizens programme launched by the Prison Reform T... A Different Lens: Report on a pilot programme of active citizen forums in prison
- December 2012 Time Well Spent: A practical guide to active citizenship and volunteering in prison This Prison Reform Trust report demonstrates that encouraging active citizenship in prisons should p... Time Well Spent: A practical guide to active citizenship and volunteering in prison
- January 2004 Having their say: the work of prisoner councils The report, Having Their Say, is the first in-depth study of consultative forums for prisoners, kno... Having their say: the work of prisoner councils
Latest news & updates: Active Citizens
View all news and updates
Prisoners should take responsibility for reforming our beleaguered jails
A new report published today (8 August) by the Prison Reform Trust demonstrates the benefits when pr...
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Taking responsibility behind bars
Enabling people in prison to take responsibility for day to day life behind bars encourages a greate...
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More prisoners could stay out for good
Enabling prisoners to take responsibility for their own resettlement is key to helping them address ...
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Build the Big Society behind bars, says charity
Opportunities for prisoners to take responsibility and volunteer to help others improves wellbeing a...
