Building Futures
Building Futures is our project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to explore the experiences of people who will spend 10 or more years in custody.
About the project
Building Futures focuses on how long sentences impact prisoners, their families and wider communities. Working collaboratively with prisoners, prison staff and others, the programme aims to provide solutions and shape a prison environment that is safe, humane, encourages accountability and fosters hope. It places a strong emphasis on promoting prisoner leadership and self-advocacy and the creation of inter-prisoner support networks.
What's the issue
In the last twenty years, the prison population has changed hugely.
- Sentences for more serious crimes have become longer.
- At least 11% of the prison population is now serving some type of indeterminate sentence.
- Far more people will now spend 10 or more years in prison.
- The average tariff length for murder has increased from 13 years in 2000 to 20 years in 2020.
- Meeting the challenges of this change will shape the prison landscape for the foreseeable future.
Latest news & updates: Building Futures
View all news and updates
Building Futures: Giving a voice to long-term prisoners
New short film and final evaluation report launched
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Government needs a national strategy for long-term prisoners
Report calls for 10-year strategy to meet the needs of the growing numbers serving long sentences
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Indeterminate sentences for 18-20-year-olds nearly double in a decade
Report reveals urgent need for age-appropriate support for young adults serving long sentences
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New report reveals why hope and meaning are vital for people serving long sentences
Report calls for reforms to help long-term prisoners maintain hope and purpose during their sentence
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New reports reveal the hidden toll of long-term prison sentences on families
The reports highlight the emotional and financial strain on families of long-term prisoners
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Building Futures showcase: voices of leadership and hope from inside
Celebrating lived experience and reform of long-term imprisonment at the University of Manchester
Building Futures publications
View all- October 2026 Building Futures: Project Evaluation 2020–2026 This final evaluation report provides a comprehensive overview of the Building Futures programme—a... Building Futures: Project Evaluation 2020–2026
- September 2026 ‘It’s About Time’ The need for a national strategy for long-term prisoners This report is the final output of PRT’s Building Futures programme. Since 2020, Building Futures ... ‘It’s About Time’ The need for a national strategy for long-term prisoners
- July 2026 Rebuilding trust: key working, progression and policy in prisons in England and Wales This report has been produced by the HMP Coldingley Building Futures Working Group. The report exami... Rebuilding trust: key working, progression and policy in prisons in England and Wales
- June 2026 The Hope and Fulfilment Survey This report presents the Hope and Fulfilment Survey (HAFS), developed as part of the Prison Reform T... The Hope and Fulfilment Survey
