Newsletter – 22 APRIL 2026

TWO NEW MEMBERS SEEK COLLABORATION

From Gabriella Ellison CEO Rebuilding Futures Alliance CIC. We are a national not-for-profit organisation established to create national opportunities for employers, delivering real scale in placing people with past convictions into full-time, meaningful careers. This initiative brings together a powerful alliance of credible charities, each with a strong track record and an established national network of experienced providers. We joined to seek partnerships with fellow members. gabby@rebuildingfuturesalliance.com

From: James Levy Director Socrates Software: Based in Cambridge, we have offices in the USA and provide digital solutions primarily for prisons and probation services, to support rehabilitation and reintegration. Our key product, Socrates 360, is a platform accessed via secure tablets or smartphones, offering education, training, and communication tools for users and staff, with over 18,000 users across five countries. This secure, “mobile mentor” solution operates both online and offline, facilitating education, vocational training, and staff-to-service user communication and helps with inmate re-integration into society by offering tools on, or off, secure tablets. We help over 10,000 prisoners and probations every year and joined the Network because we love what it does and seek collaboration with fellow members. james.levy@socrates-software.com

LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP

From David Parks OBE, Founder Skill Mill: Almost a third of young people in England and Wales who offend go on to do so again. Behind that statistic sit young lives pushed further from the future they could have had, communities carrying the cost, and a justice system under growing strain. Today, we’re proud to announce a national Social Outcomes Partnership between The Skill Mill, Youth Endowment Fund and Bridges Outcomes Partnerships to help change that trajectory – at scale. The partnership will support up to 352 young people across up to 22 local authorities with paid work on environmental projects in their own communities, alongside personalised training and support. It’s the UK’s largest social outcomes partnership by number of delivery areas. Over the past decade, we have helped hundreds of young people move on from offending. Through a combination of paid outdoor work and personalised support these have results in improving young people’s prospects and their local environment at the same time. david.parks@theskillmill.org

STORIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN

From Sharon Berry OBE Founder Storybook Dads: As I look back over the past year, I’m proud and grateful for all we’ve achieved. We’ve provided an editing and production service for 108 prisons producing 3,768 stories while add-on projects were popular, with 1,697 project resources sent and over 300 resources sent for family visits reaching about 16,395 beneficiaries. People have been patiently waiting for our App to be released, so families can stream their stories instead of receiving discs and we have finally completed the MoJ assurance process so will be rolling the App out throughout 2026. Hooray! At our heart, we exist to help parents in prison stay connected with their children through something as simple and powerful as a bedtime story; a child’s happiness when they hear a familiar voice, a parent’s pride in being able to give something meaningful. info@storybookdads.org.uk

2026 FUNDING OPEN

The Triangle Trust is now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for its first 2026 funding round, focusing on young women and girls (ages 11–18). We are seeking projects informed by lived experience that aim to reduce convictions and reoffending. We are prioritizing those working with girls who are: Careexperienced. Involved with gangs or County Lines. Excluded (or at risk of exclusion) from education. Involved in (or at risk of) the Criminal Justice System. Note: A second round for young women aged 17–30 will open in September. Submit an EOI: Complete the short form by 23:59 on 20 May 2026. Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Full details & eligibility: www.triangletrust.org.uk

PITCHING FOR A START-UP

From Aisha Washington, COO Team, system and infrastructure builder: Seven returning citizens walked into a Project ReMAKE Dragon’s Den last week and pitched me their business ideas. An office cleaning business. Furniture made of memories. A design and decorating service creating inclusive spaces for people with neurodivergence. And my personal favourite: a fleet of food trucks that could be rented to build a profitable food business, with no massive upfront capital needed. Warren King had really thought about how the system locks people out and tried to solve for the structural failure. Project ReMAKE has had over 100 graduates since launching, with a re-offending rate of just 9%. In a system where meaningful employment after incarceration is genuinely hard to find, that’s not a small thing. Huge credit to Corbett Network member Kameel Khan for bringing the programme to the UK. kameel.khan@remake365.COM

LEGAL JARGON EXPLAINED

Defendants won’t always understand the complex legal jargon that feels second nature to court professionals. Here Professor Jessica Jacobson touches on the barriers to making sure defendants can understand and effectively participate in their hearings, based on her research observing courts in Southern England. Listen to the full CourtWatch podcast episode of CN member Transform Justice: https://pod.fo/e/3ecb82 Read their latest report on defendant treatment and participation: https://lnkd.in/epesM37F

WORKING TOWARDS REAL JOBS

From Andy Gullick, CEO RIFT SE: Day 3 of our two week of our course for people with convictions in association with Places for London. The intent behind this pilot course is simple: Support people with convictions into real jobs in construction with wraparound support. Our Lead Trainer Rhys delivered the self-employment element of the course today using our “Self Employment for Construction Workers” workbook. Next week the men on the course will be interviewed for live construction roles! Giving people the confidence, knowledge and a genuine opportunity at stepping into the construction industry without all the stigma is the strength behind this pilot. RJ THREE

PRIORITIES

From Sara Dowling, CEO Why-Me?: The Government has recently reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to Restorative Justice (RJ) in both Houses of Parliament. To support them in turning these promises into real change and have three priorities we hope will be implemented: 1) Create a clear Right to Explore Restorative Justice in the Victims’ Code We want a dedicated RJ section in the new Victims’ Code, giving victims the right to information and a referral to explore R, backed by proper enforcement and training for agencies. 2) Rethink the future of Re:Hub which has caused delays, reducing approved cases. We’re urging the Government to pause decisions and work with practitioners and survivors to ensure case-by-case assessment rather than blanket bans. 3) Reinstate a national Restorative Justice Action Plan Since the last plan expired in 2018, a new cross-government Action Plan is needed—co-produced with victims and the sector—would create consistency in funding, referrals, data, and standards. This must include clarity on which minister holds responsibility for RJ to ensure national leadership and accountability. info@why-me.org

DELIBERATE FIRE SUMMIT

From Emma Potts, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service: Our ‘Deliberate Fires Summit’ takes place on 28th and 29th May 2026 at Bury Training and Safety Centre. It will bring together professionals from fire and rescue services, policing, HMPPS, local authorities, health, education, academia and community safety to share learning and strengthen collaboration. The event will: Share current research and evidence-based practice in deliberate fire prevention; Explore the links between firesetting, vulnerability, anti-social behaviour and offending; Showcase practical interventions and prevention tools; Support multi-agency collaboration and early-intervention approaches. The summit is designed to be practical and action-focused, supporting the development of shared understanding and actionable outcomes that can be applied locally and nationally. Further details and tickets can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e3VXEA-E

OUR CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY

In partnership with fellow member Key4Life and their YOUNITED flag, awarded to firms who employ returning citizens

OUR VENUE: Leathersellers Hall in City of London, 7 St Helen’s Pl, London EC3A 6AB

Closest Tube stations: Bank and Liverpool Street, easily accessible by walking from these nearby stations, served by multiple lines and National Rail services.

REGISTRATION FROM 11 AM (try not to be late)

Sandwich lunch/networking (see attached)

12.15 pm Horses and flag awards to recipients of YOUNITED flag with two horses, Cruising and Carlos who have helped rehabilitate thousands of returning citizens – (Outside hall)

12.50 pm Conference starts

1.00 -1.40 pm speedy networking (change after 10 mins) Four changes

1.45– 2.20 pm fellow member Eva Hamilton CEO Key4Life introduces panel of employers. Facilitated by David Apparicio CEO Corbett Network

2.25 -3.10 pm Launching CN Recruitment Agency: John Burton,(CEO Inside Connections), Rik Willis (Offploy) and David Apparicio (CEO CN)

3.15 – 4.00 pm Open Mic – your turn to talk/networking over biscuits/tea

4.30 conference ends

Note: Phones on silent and in pockets/handbags please.

If you are with a colleague, please do not sit together.

Sandwiches (& fruit) at Conference:

Buffalo Mozzarella, Romesco & Basil Cress, Country House Rolls

Egg & Spring Onion Mayo, Mustard Frill, White Bread

Avocado, Pesto & Roasted Pepper, Brown Bread (vegan)

Roast Cauliflower, Smoked Paprika Humous, Pickled Carrot & Spinach Wrap (vegan)

Pineapple, Watermelon & Berry Kebabs (vegan)