Policy & Advocacy in the UK.
Since its founding, RBIJ has worked with business leaders in both the US and the UK to advance criminal justice reform measures that will create real, lasting change. RBIJ is currently working with the #FairChecks campaign (Transform Justice and Unlock) to promote justice reform measures that will expand access to the workforce in the UK, as well as supporting businesses who are looking to expand their Fair Chance Hiring programs. RBIJ has hosted events with business leaders, members of Parliament, and policy experts and advocates to support these efforts. To learn more about how you can work with RBIJ in the UK, email lena@rbij.org.
FairChecks.
In the UK, more than 12 million people have a criminal record, including one in three working-age men. These are mostly for offences that were minor or happened a long time ago. Many of these individuals cannot access stable employment and are prevented from providing for themselves and their families. FairChecks would create a fairer and more proportionate system that allows people to move on, find work and contribute to society. FairChecks would help rebuild workforces, strengthen communities, meet ongoing labour shortages and drive inclusive growth, by:
Eliminating automatic disclosure of cautions,
Wiping the slate clean for childhood offences, and
Excluding short or suspended prison sentences after a certain period.
Activity.
Activity in the UK includes a series of business roundtables hosted by BNP Paribas and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in 2022 and 2023 to discuss the issue of FairChecks. At the roundtable in November 2022, RBIJ launched a statement signed by a number of businesses supporting FairChecks.
In April 2023, Dr. Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick, CBE hosted a Parliamentary reception on behalf of RBIJ; this was the formal launch of RBIJ’s UK engagement and saw politicians, businesses and campaign organisations come together to build support for our UK efforts.