Radio Kent – Changes to criminal record disclosures

Following the Government’s newly announced sentencing white paper, Christopher Stacey, Co-director of Unlock, speaks to Radio Kent about the proposed changes to criminal record disclosures. In the programme, he highlights the importance of allowing people to move on from their past. Listen here (around 3h 8m) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08q8bv0 …

The Law Society Gazette – White paper promises ‘smarter’ sentencing to cut crime

In this article regarding  the Government’s newly announced sentencing white paper, Christopher Stacey, Co-director of Unlock, welcomed the proposals to reduce disclosure periods but highlighted the fact that  around two-thirds of the 8,000 people every year who receive sentences of over four years would be excluded from the proposals. Christopher said: ‘The risk of reoffending

Prison philanthropist Edwina Grosvenor talks to Unlock’s co-director Christopher Stacey

Prison philanthropist and prison reformer Edwina Grosvenor talks to Christopher Stacey, Co-director of Unlock as part of  her Justice podcast series. They discuss how people often face stigma and obstacles because of their criminal record – long after they have served their sentence. Chris explains that in the UK, I in 6 people have criminal

Unlock raises concerns as Charity Commission grants just six criminal conviction waivers

The Charity Commission has refused more than half of the applications it has received from people with criminal convictions who wish to serve as trustees or senior managers, prompting Unlock to call for a review. In an article published on the Civil Society website, Christopher Stacey, co-director of Unlock, said he was concerned about the

Unlock speaks to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour about the launch of it’s #Fairchecks campaign

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.

New proposals for taxi drivers

Christopher Stacey speaks to Radio 5 Live about the proposed new guidance from the Department of Transport on the regulation of taxi drivers. You can listen to the program here. More information about the consultation can be found here. The consultation closes on the 22nd April. You can respond to the consultation. We will be
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Press and media coverage of the Supreme Court judgment

  There has been a significant amount of press and media attention on the judgment of the Supreme Court which ruled that the criminal records disclosure scheme as it applies to multiple convictions and childhood warnings/reprimands was found to be disproportionate. Our co-director, Christopher Stacey, gave interviews on the day of the judgment which were featured

Unlock speaks to Radio 4’s Law in Action – Should having a past block a child’s future?

Unlock’s Christopher Stacey talks to Joshua Rozenberg about the issues affecting those who receive criminal convictions in childhood. They also discuss the impending result of the Government’s appeal to the Supreme Court against a Court of Appeal decision which ruled that the current system of people having to declare old and minor records is unnecessary, disproportionate and

Unlock speaks to Radio Sussex about the findings of it’s new report and how some employers may potentially be breaking the law

Following the publication of Unlock’s  A question of fairness report, Co-director Christopher Stacey speaks to Radio Sussex’s Danny Pike. The report finds that the vast majority of national companies continue to have criminal record declarations as a core part of their initial job application forms. By doing so, employers are not only potentially acting unlawfully but are also missing
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Unlock speaks on Three Counties Radio regarding magistrates with criminal records

Unlock’s Christopher Stacey speaks to BBC Three Counties radio regarding the suggestion by the chairman of the Magistrates Association, that more magistrates with criminal records would help increase diversity among the judiciary. You can listen to the programme here (16 mins-22secs in)

Criminal record requests on application forms could be breaching GDPR

People Management has published an article that looks at a briefing recently published by Nacro that looks at data protection and the use of criminal offence data for employment and education purposes. We very much welcome the briefing by Nacro, which raises some important issues for employers.  Speaking to People Management, Christopher Stacey, Co-director of Unlock,
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Almost three-quarters of applications for waivers from charity trustees or senior managers who face possible disqualification, have not yet been dealt with by the Charity Commission

New rules that disqualify people from being senior managers or trustees of charities if they have committed certain offences, will come into force on 1 August. In an article published in Third Sector, Christopher Stacey comments on how Unlock, along with the criminal justice charities Clinks and the Prison Reform Trust, wrote to the Charity Commission in May
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