OUR PURPOSE

User Voice exists to reduce the harm caused by crime and punishment. We bring people impacted by the justice system together with those who deliver its services to create much needed transformative change. 

WE DO THIS BY

Working with people with convictions to provide opportunities and support, and to develop their confidence, skills and mindsets. They then collaborate with many more people impacted by the Criminal Justice System to deliver our projects.

Our projects include:

Peer research and consultations that amplify lived experience insights

Supporting people with experience of the justice system to lead change in prisons and probation, while transforming their own lives.

Improving the criminal justice system through influencing policy and practice to create a safer society.

We currently work in 40 prisons across the Midlands, London, the North and East regions engaging with around 1,000 people a month. 

ABOUT US

75% of our staff have convictions, meaning we’ve been there – in court, in prison, or on probation – we own our own pasts, so we understand the challenges first hand and use our own lived expertise to inform everything we do.

We currently work in 40 prisons across the Midlands, London, the North and East regions engaging with around 1,000 people a month. 

The content of our work includes

6 Prison Councils and regular consultations and focus groups in Sodexo run prisons

Peer Research contracts with the NHS England Health and Justice stream supporting the drive for improved healthcare across prisons and probation

Insights work with young people in a London Youth to Adult Transitions Hub funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime

A range of Probation Inspectorate thematics looking at areas including Out of Court Disposals for children and young people, vulnerable adults, women on probation and racial disparities.

Work with NHS England on the use of the drug Spice and on Neurodiversity in prisons

A partnership with the University of Kent and the National Police Chief’s Council on Police Drug Diversion Schemes

A partnership with the Centre for Justice Innovation on exploring court fines as an element of Out of Court Disposals

A partnership with Sheffield Hallam University on the voice of people with experience of remote and in-person parole hearings

A research project on Children in Police Custody, looking at a Child First approach alongside Nottingham University and Kings College London

Our 2025 - 2028 Strategy

Read Here

Our 2024 Impact Report

Read Here

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Our tESTIMONALS

"I don't feel like my only options are dealing again or selling myself or being homeless. I can do more than I though I was capable of."

"I really see the difference it makes to prisoners when they get the opportunity to be part of the solution, I am noticing people speak out that probably would not have before."