Prison Reform Trust

Who we are

The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) is an independent UK charity working to create a just, humane and effective penal system.

PRT was founded in 1981 to inform and influence public debate on prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners, amidst concerns about a projected prison population of 48,000 by 1984. With the prison population in England and Wales now exceeding 87,000 and projected to rise to over 100,000 by 2026, the charity remains as important to civic society today as it was then.

We are one of the few organisations willing and equipped to hold the state to account for its treatment of vulnerable people in prison. Our reputation, built on over four decades of knowledgeable, reliable analysis and presentation of the facts, gives us influence behind the scenes that few organisations can match.

Our culture and values

PRT is an independent UK charity that is focussed in its mission to create a fair, humane & effective justice system.

PRT does this by: Working collaboratively, critically and in a solution-oriented way with the system it seeks to influence. It uses evidence generated from diverse sources to provide independent, reliable, and accessible information to both the people working within  the justice system and those impacted by it. PRT will strive to innovate and lead the charity sector by reaching in towards practitioners so that we benefit and grow through knowledge exchange.

Through our behaviour and relationships with each other and our stakeholders, we will enact the values of integrity, courage, curiosity, inclusivity, and tenacity.

We will do this by creating a culture of trust, compassion, and respect within PRT.

Culture of trust: We embrace our differences and assume the best in each other.

Compassion: We are kind, non-judgemental, tolerant and demonstrate humility towards each other.

Respect: We show our respect for each other by being present, responsive, and collegiate. We value each other’s contributions and challenge differences with maturity and empathy. We are reflective and self-aware and encourage this in others.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

PRT is an equal opportunities employer. We also have a fair and inclusive culture and seek to reflect the diversity in prisons and the people we represent. If you meet the person specification, we encourage you to apply, and particularly welcome applications from those with Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority backgrounds, (BAME) as we believe these groups may be underrepresented in prison reform work.

We welcome applications from anyone who may have direct experience of prison.