Time Well Spent: A practical guide to active citizenship and volunteering in prison

Authors: Edgar, Kimmett; Jacobson, Jessica; Biggar, Kathy
Publisher: Prison Reform Trust

Summary: 
Reports on the huge scope for prisoners to take on responsibility, engage in constructive work and contribute to the life of the prison community. These roles are described as active citizenship and the five types of active citizenship roles in prisons are:

• Peer support schemes, whereby prisoners help and support their fellow prisoners
• Community support schemes involving work with or on behalf of people outside the prison
• Restorative justice programmes whereby prisioners are encouarged to acknowledge the harm they have caused and to make amends
• Democratic participation in prison life e.g., membership of prison councils or other forums
• Arts and media projects e.g., prison-based radio stations, newspapers or performing arts programmes

This report is based on evidence from a survey of prisons and interviews with prisoners and staff involved in active citizenship schemes and includes examples of a range of mentoring interventions including quotes from peer mentors such as the following:

“Most people in prison don’t want responsibility, because they are stuck in a frame of mind that says they’ve been stuck here. They need another prisoner to show them how to take responsibility. Then they start to see the possibility that things can change for them.”
(Peer mentor)

Includes a range of useful recommendations for Government, HM Prison Service, Prisons and Active Citizenship Schemes.

Download report: www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Time%20Well%20Spent%20report%20lo.pdf

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