Unlock - for people with criminal records

20/05/2026

This week has felt like a big week for childhood criminal records reform.

We have long campaigned for a fairer childhood criminal records system as part of the FairChecks campaign in partnership with Transform Justice.

The government published their Youth Justice White Paper this week which sets out their plans for reform of the youth justice system. Included in this is a commitment to consulting on reform to childhood criminal records this year.

We welcome this commitment and look forward to working with the government on these changes.

Read our response:

The government have this week published their Youth Justice White Paper which sets out their plans for reform of the […]

20/03/2026

We are delighted to announce that Anne Fox has been appointed as Unlock's new Chair of the Board.

Bringing a wealth of experience of leadership in the voluntary sector, for the last ten years Anne was CEO of Clinks, the national infrastructure charity supporting voluntary organisations working with people in the criminal justice system in England and Wales, including Unlock.

On Anne's appointment, Unlock's CEO Paula Harriott said:

"Anne Fox’s appointment as Chair of Unlock marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation. With over a decade of leadership as CEO of Clinks, she brings deep expertise, credibility, and a strong commitment to strengthening the voluntary sector and amplifying lived experience. Her track record of championing collaboration and influencing system change positions Unlock well to grow its impact and continue driving forward fairer opportunities for people with criminal records."

Read more:

Anne Fox has been announced as Unlock’s new Chair of Trustees. Anne succeeds Faye Goldman who served as Chair and […]

20/03/2026

We were deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of one of our founders, Bobby Cummines OBE.

A real pioneer of lived experience leadership, Bobby believed that people should not be determined forever by their past.

It is through our work each day that we will honour Bobby's legacy, standing alongside people with criminal records and working towards a fairer, more compassionate society.

We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of one of Unlock’s founders, Bobby Cummins OBE. Paula Harriott, Unlock’s […]

09/03/2026

We are delighted to be partnering with The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls to work on reform of women's criminal records.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to move forward and contribute fully to society. Yet too often, outdated or minor records become unnecessary barriers to employment, security, and stability.

Read more 👇

Everyone deserves the chance to move on.

The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls Foundation for Women and Girls is partnering with Unlock - for people with criminal records and Paula Harriott to support their work advocating for reforms that remove barriers to employment and opportunity for women. 🙌

For many women, a criminal record creates ongoing barriers to employment, education, housing, and financial stability, often long after their sentence has been served or even for very minor offences.

📢 Research shows employment can increase levels of self-belief and self-worth for women, which reduces the risk of re-offending and supports them to thrive.

Women should not be defined forever by their past - and a fairer system benefits us all. ✨

Read more about this new funding on our website – link in the comments! ⬇️

09/03/2026

Everyone deserves the chance to move on.

The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls Foundation for Women and Girls is partnering with Unlock - for people with criminal records and Paula Harriott to support their work advocating for reforms that remove barriers to employment and opportunity for women. 🙌

For many women, a criminal record creates ongoing barriers to employment, education, housing, and financial stability, often long after their sentence has been served or even for very minor offences.

📢 Research shows employment can increase levels of self-belief and self-worth for women, which reduces the risk of re-offending and supports them to thrive.

Women should not be defined forever by their past - and a fairer system benefits us all. ✨

Read more about this new funding on our website – link in the comments! ⬇️

30/01/2026

Are you signed up to our monthly newsletter?

This month it has all you need to know about changes to DBS checks for self-employed people, updates on our campaigns, research and job opportunities, and much more!

Read January's newsletter 👇
https://mailchi.mp/unlock/unlocks-new-newsletter-6250632

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28/01/2026

Thanks to Clinks for hosting an inspiring annual conference today.

In a live version of their podcast, Phil Maguire from Prison Radio Association and our CEO, Paula Harriott spoke to Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson and Clinks CEO, Anne Fox about the implications of the Sentencing Act and the importance of the voluntary sector.

16/01/2026

Big campaign win! The Government have announced they will be removing Clause 35 from the Sentencing Bill—a huge victory for the campaign against harmful “naming and shaming” measures.

Under Clause 35 the Government were proposing to publicly 'name and shame' those doing unpaid work as part of a community sentence.

Back in October we signed a joint letter to ministers warning of the harm that this would do to the children and families of those doing unpaid work and that, far from supporting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending, this would make it harder for people to move on.

We are glad that the Government have listened to Unlock, others in the sector, and those with lived experience of community sentences.

Thank you to everyone who supported this effort. Together, we’re making a real difference. You can read more here:

Our priorities, How we work, what we do and our approach to centering the voices of people with criminal records in everything we do

06/01/2026

Proud to see our CEO, Paula Harriot, included in Zetteler's 26 for 2026! The list includes the 26 creatives and activists they think will shake up the year ahead.

Stay tuned to hear more about our exciting campaigns for 2026...

Driving positive change to build a better world.

05/01/2026

Our recent report on the Right to be Forgotten has been covered by the excellent Russell Webster blog today.

Reform is needed to stop rehabilitation being undermined in the digital age. You can read the blog here 👇

Unlock report shows how digital search is undermining the rehabilitation of offenders