A Record of our Own: Lockdown Experiences of Ethnic Minority Prisoners
The Zahid Mubarek Trust, in partnership with The Traveller Movement and POPS, undertook a review of the experiences of ethnic minority prisoners, including those from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The report, published in 2021, reveals the impact of the first six months of Covid-19 restrictions on ethnic minority prisoners and their families. These restrictions have effectively reduced the spread of Covid-19 and saved lives, but they have also had profoundly affected prisoners’ mental health.
The Lammy Review: BAME Representation in the Criminal Justice System
In January 2016 David Lammy MP led an independent evidence-based review of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales to consider the treatment of, and outcomes for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals.
POPS, in partnership with CLINKS, contributed to the consultation process, inviting key individuals from voluntary sector and public sector organisations, service users and community members to feed their views, comments and suggestions into the review.
Race & Equality Action Group
As part of the Race & Equality Action Group (REAG) POPS contributed to a scoping study to determine whether the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) should develop a strategy for working with Muslim prisoners and how this might be implemented. REAG developed a strategy that engaged positively with the needs of Muslim prisoners and fifty families were surveyed by POPS to help identify the issues for the families and friends of Muslim prisoners.
As part of the Race & Equality Action Group POPS were partners in the 2008 Race Review, co-chairing the Independent Advisory Group alongside Lord Rosser, to ensure the review was open and transparent. To find out more about the NOMS approach to Equality and Diversity download their Single Equality Scheme 2009–2012 ‘Promoting Equality in Prisons and Probation’.
The Young Review: Improving outcomes for young black and/or Muslim men in the Criminal Justice System
Launched within a climate of significant public sector reform the Young Review explored how the disparity in outcomes experienced by young black and Muslim men in the criminal justice system might be addressed. Chaired by Baroness Young, with the support of the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and Clinks, the final report was launched in 2014 highlighting the need for a collaborative approach to this issue. POPS’ CEO, Diane Curry OBE was a member of the Independent Advisory Group to the Ministry of Justice and NOMS, which supported the government to tackle the disproportionate over-representation of young black and/or Muslim men in the justice system and to embed the recommendations from the final report over a three year period.