The Corbett Network

Bridging the gap from custody to community by improving routes to employment.

Who We Are

The Corbett Network for Prisoner Re-Integration is a coalition of charities, social enterprises, CICs, non-profit organisations and businesses with a social mission who work with those in prison and after release.

These decision-makers are dedicated to reducing re-offending by helping people with convictions find and keep a job. Members also offer mentoring, coaching, training, and on-going support.

Our Primary Aims

Engaging with employers from a wide spectrum, many of whom have skill shortages but do not yet consider recruiting people with convictions

Providing support for self-employment options – back office, mentors etc

Providing support for entrepreneurial activity – start up grants, route to market, mentors

Using social networks and media to publicise rehabilitation

“Prison isn’t full of bad people; it’s full of people who’ve done bad things and most need a chance to change.”
Robin Corbett

Support Second Chances

If you believe in second chances, once someone has served their prison sentence, a new start should, and must, be possible. Often, many find an interview form asking for any convictions goes straight into the bin.

Yet many returning citizens are motivated by making up for what they did wrong and often prove to be reliable, hard-working and committed employees. Corbett Network members focus on getting employment for people who have served their time for the crime and now want to change direction. Members also offer mentoring, coaching, training or education.

Giving returning citizens a crime-free future makes economic sense. Countries like Holland are closing prisons, we are building more, costing billions. Taxpayers pay nearly £55,000 to keep one person in prison – every year. And there are nearly 89,000 incarcerated. Do the maths! It makes sense on many levels to give those released the chance to change and not return to prison since we have the highest reoffending rates in Western Europe which costs us £18 billion – every year.

Support Our Work

“I wanted to take a moment on behalf of Coming Home to thank you personally for your continued support and recognition of our work. Being part of the Corbett Network has offered us not only a powerful sense of belonging, but also a shared commitment to changing the narrative and the outcomes for people with convictions.

Your words of encouragement and acknowledgement have meant a great deal to us, especially as a grassroots organisation driven by lived experience. Your work has long inspired our own, and it’s been a privilege to contribute to the growing ecosystem of justice-led change that the Corbett Network fosters so brilliantly.”
Francesca Barker-Mills, Founder Coming Home Project

The Robin Corbett Award

We set up the Robin Corbett Award for Prisoner Re-integration in 2012 to honour Robin Corbett’s legacy in prison reform. Our sponsor is The Hadley Trust, a grant-making charity that focuses on improving the lives of disadvantaged people in the UK.

Every year since 2013 we award a share of £10,000 to three charities who do the most to help and support people with convictions. Out of this work evolved The Corbett Network for Prisoner Reintegration, whose members collaborate to help people with convictions find a sustainable job. Over 50% of those released will re-offend within two years. That figure drops to 19% for those in employment. It’s a far better alternative than a prison cell and a chance to change to a crime-free life.

Learn more about this Award and how you can support our work.

Find Out More

Be Part of The Difference

“After release they need somewhere to live,
something to do and someone who gives a damn.“
Well, Corbett Network members and their partner network,
the Robin Corbett Award, do give a damn! So should you!
Networker, Maggie Walsh,
CEO of A Fairer Chance

Apply To Join Us