Reforming the criminal records disclosure regime – Have you a sentence of over 4 years in prison?
Wednesday, 22 July 2020
We’ve published an updated briefing on reforming the criminal records disclosure regime and we want to hear from you if you have a conviction that can never become spent. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) means that most convictions can become spent after a period of years. Changes implemented in 2014 (through focused mainly on
- Published in Campaigns, Employment, Get involved, Latest, News & Media, Way ROA works
Government responds to Supreme Court ruling with plans to change criminal records disclosure regime
Thursday, 09 July 2020
Responding to government plans to change the criminal records disclosure regime to address the Supreme Court judgment in the case of P and Others v SSHD & SSJ (the ruling on the filtering system and the disclosure of criminal records), Christopher Stacey said: “We welcome the government’s intention to fully comply with the Supreme Court ruling on filtering. Unlock intervened in that vital case because we
Unlock cautiously welcomes incentives for employers who take on young adults
Thursday, 09 July 2020
Unlock welcomes the Chancellor’s summer statement, in particular, incentivising employers to create training placements and apprenticeships for young adults. This age group has been significantly affected by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic – by mid-June, around a third of 18-24 year olds had been furloughed or made redundant. The ‘Kickstart’ scheme means 16-24 year
- Published in Childhood criminal records, financial incentives, Latest, What DBS disclose
MP puts #FairChecks on Boris Johnson’s radar
Friday, 03 July 2020
Boris Johnson was called out this week for “dithering” in sorting out our “damaging and discriminatory” criminal records system. At Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, John Spellar MP, who represents Warley constituency, called for Boris Johnson to “sort out this scandal now”. The Prime Minister conceded there are issues with the system that need looking at
- Published in Campaigns, Childhood criminal records, Latest, News & Media, News on policy issues, What DBS disclose
What’s your experience of ban the box?
Saturday, 20 June 2020
As part of our fair access to employment project, we are gathering evidence of employers’ approaches to people with criminal records. We work with employers to develop fair policies and practices and highlight good practice. Ban the box is a key part of helping people with convictions get back into the workplace, and we have
- Published in Ban the box, Get involved, News & Media
May 2020 update on research understanding the influence of an early life criminal record on adult life courses
Saturday, 30 May 2020
Nicola Collett, a PhD student at Keele University, is currently researching the potential influence of a criminal record acquired between the ages of 10-25, later on in adulthood. Following on from her last update in September 2019, Nicola writes here about how her research is progressing. I am delighted to be sharing another update on
- Published in Childhood criminal records, Latest, News & Media, Research
Unlock speaks to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about the launch of it’s #Fairchecks campaign
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
Together with the charity Transform Justice, Unlock has launched the #FairChecks movement to help push for a fresh start for the criminal records system. In this programme, Woman’s Hour’s Jenni Murray, talks to two women who have experienced problems with having to disclose their criminal records and to Unlock’s Policy & Practice Lead, Rachel Tynan.
- Published in Campaigns, News @ Unlock, News & Media, News on policy issues, Unlock in the media
Blog – Join the #FairChecks movement to help get a fresh start for the criminal records system
Thursday, 16 January 2020
In the 1960s, when Richard was 16, he was found in possession of a small amount of cannabis. He was prosecuted for possession and given a one-year conditional discharge. As a student a few years later, Richard got into trouble again and was convicted of taking an item of food from a warehouse where he
Launch of #FairChecks – A fresh start for the criminal records system
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
Together with the charity Transform Justice, Unlock has launched the #FairChecks movement to help push for a fresh start for the criminal records system. Our outdated criminal records regime is holding hundreds of thousands of people back from participating fully in society. Even a minor criminal history can produce lifelong barriers to employment, volunteering, housing
Blog – Government publishes summary of responses to call for evidence on the employment of people with convictions
Thursday, 17 October 2019
Last week, more than a year since the consultation closed, the Cabinet Office published a summary of responses to their Call for Evidence (CfE) on employing people with convictions. But what does this summary of responses mean for the future? This blog looks at some of the promising signs, some areas for improvement, and questions
- Published in Ban the box, Employment, Employment discrimination, Latest, News & Media
Update on research – The right to a fair future: understanding the influence of an early life criminal record on adult life courses
Friday, 06 September 2019
Nicola Collett, a PhD student at Keele University, is currently researching the potential influence of a criminal record acquired between the ages of 10-25, later on in adulthood. Following a request for participants in February of this year, Nicola writes here about how her research is progressing. I would first like to thank everyone who has
- Published in Childhood criminal records, Latest, News & Media, Research
Unlock comment: Ministry of Justice plans on criminal record reform
Monday, 15 July 2019
Commenting on today’s announcement (15 July) by the Ministry of Justice on plans to make changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, Christopher Stacey, co-director of Unlock, said: “Unlock very much welcomes and supports today’s announcement by the Justice Secretary. If his commitment proceeds to statute, it will mean more people with criminal records