StandOut win the 2021 Robin Corbett Award for Prisoner Reintegration
The winner of this year’s prestigious Robin Corbett Award (RCA) is leading prisoner reintegration charity, StandOut. StandOut have been recognised by the RCA judging panel who were impressed by the way they see potential in those they work with and support returning citizens into employment.
Lady Val Corbett, Founder of the Robin Corbett Award for Prisoner Reintegration, says: “We’re so thrilled StandOut are this year’s RCA winners, they work tirelessly to transform the lives of people leaving prison with on-going support to motivate them to get life on track.” Adding: “Despite the lockdown and problems faced by many charities within the prison reform sector, judges were impressed with the inspirational work being done to up-skill people from prison for jobs after release or improve self-confidence through mentoring, coaching or training.”StandOut combines practical support with long-term strengths-focussed coaching on both sides of the prison gates so that people are empowered to transform their own lives.
Penny Parker, founder of StandOut says: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Robin Corbett Award. It recognises StandOut’s unique model of working with people inside prison and after release, for as long as it takes to support people to transform their lives. Since the day we started StandOut four years ago our coaches have been struck by the determination and motivation of our trainees to get life back on track.”
Adding: “We are also encouraged that the importance of this work is recognised by the employers who work with us to offer opportunities for people leaving prison. This prestigious award comes at an important time as we emerge from the pandemic, and is an endorsement of StandOut’s approach which will allow us to capitalise on what we have achieved so far.”
As this year’s winner, StandOut will receive £5000 and a glass plaque donated by Timpsons and a book “A Life Well Lived”, about her husband, written by Lady Corbett.
The Robin Corbett Award has two other categories voted on by the judging panel: The Highly Commended, won by Open The Gate/Fine Cell Work receive £3000. They train prisoners in high-quality needlework undertaken in their cells so when leaving prison they have work skills, money earned and saved, plus the self-belief to not re-offend.
Commended won by Offploy who receive £1000. They focus on employment as one of the most effective ways to reduce reoffending. Formed by an ex-prisoner, 80% of the team have experienced the criminal justice system first hand.
About the Robin Corbett Award
The Robin Corbett Award rewards the best in prisoner reintegration. We believe that returning citizens deserve the very best chance for a fresh start after they have served the time for their crime. The Robin Corbett Award for Prisoner Re-Integration was established by members of Lord Corbett’s family in conjunction with the Prison Reform Trust. It is now administered by The Corbett Foundation, a not-for-profit social enterprise.
Peter Dawson, Director of the Prison Reform Trust is a member of the award’s judging panel.
