User Voice - Only Offenders Can Stop Re-Offending

READ NEW Service User response to Probation Review



Click here to read the User Voice response INVISIBLE INPUT: What Service Users think about 'Transforming Rehabilitation'.

The response uses feedback from focus groups held with 41 service users to draft recommendations for the Government to consider when finalising changes to community based rehabilitation services.

The proposed changes are outlined in the Ministry of Justice consultation paper, which you can read more about here.


NEW FILM: Interview with Paula Harriott of User Voice on Channel 4 News

Click below to watch User Voice's Head of Programmes Paula Harriott talk to Jon Snow on Channel 4 News on Monday 11th March.

Paula gives insightful reflections on her personal experience of first entering prison and on what Vicky Pryce may be going through whilst beginning her own eight month sentence.


WATCH User Voice founder Mark Johnson give evidence to Irish Justice Committee

Click below to watch User Voice founder Mark Johnson give evidence to the Irish Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality at the Houses of the Oireachtas on 27 February.

Mark outlined his vision for penal reform and presented the successful work of User Voice to date, discussing possibilities of User Voice expanding its work within the Criminal Justice System to Ireland.



Committee Chairman David Stanton, TD, said: “Today we had a very positive and enlightening meeting with Mark Johnson, founder of User Voice...

“...he provided us with a comprehensive and in-depth presentation on his experiences of crime and the penal system and outlined his vision for penal reform and a criminal justice system that would see offenders as key to their own rehabilitation, key to improving the system and instrumental in reducing offending."

You can now view the report of the sub-committee on penal reform in Ireland, released in April 2013 following public hearings, invited submissions and fact-finding trips to Irish prisons as well as abroad to observe the penal estate in Finland.

The report proposes a comprehensive 'decarceration' strategy, to be implemented and to effect a real improvement within a time-frame of 10 years. User Voice are mentioned on page 18. 





NEW VOLUNTEER ROLES: Peer Mentoring Programme (Essex) and Community Council Volunteer (Cumbria)


Volunteer Roles


Role Title
Peer Mentoring Programme Volunteer (Essex)

Purpose of the role
To support User Voice staff in the completion of service user questionnaires, the recruitment of Mentors and Mentees for the programme and to assist the Programme Manager with administrative tasks during training sessions. The work is in various locations in Essex.

Time Commitment
2 - 3 days per week (not exceeding 16 hours)

Duration
4 weeks in addition to a period of training

Responsibilities & Duties
Assist the Programme Manager to:
  - Raise awareness of the Peer Mentoring Programme with service users
  - Facilitate the completion of service user questionnaires
  - Administrative duties during training sessions


Skills & Experience
 - Excellent communication skills.
 - Some knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, particularly Probation. First-hand experience is desirable. 
 - Experience of supporting trainers in teaching environments is desirable.

Personal Qualities
 - A non-judgemental attitude.
 - Good time keeping and punctuality.
 - Ability to keep information confidential.
 - Enthusiasm for User Voice’s mission and aims.
 - Ability to work well with others, as well as individually.

Benefits
 - An invaluable experience working on a high profile project.
 - An opportunity to contribute to an innovative programme.
 - A chance to develop existing skills and gain new ones.
 - Work experience to add to your CV.
 - Support from User Voice staff including a personal development plan.
 - Reimbursement of travel and lunch costs.

Training
You will be provided with full training necessary for you to perform the role.

CRB Check
Yes, CRB checks are done at the earliest possible stage. However your CRB is not a barrier to this work and each case will be reviewed on its merits.

Reference/Interview
Yes, this is a standard requirement for all volunteers.

How to Apply
If you are interested please complete the volunteer registration form indicating the role you are interested in or email volunteer@uservoice.org or call 020 3137 7471.


Volunteer Role

Role Title
Community Council Volunteer (Cumbria)

Purpose of the role
To support User Voice staff in the completion of service user questionnaires and the recruitment of service users for the Community Council project. 

Time Commitment
1-2 days per week 

Duration
4 weeks in addition to a period of training. 

Responsibilities & Duties
Assist the Programme Manager to:
  - Promote User Voice and the Community Council project to service users
  - Facilitate the completion of service user questionnaires

Skills & Experience
Excellent communication skills
Some knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, particularly Probation. First-hand experience is desirable. 

Personal Qualities
A non-judgemental attitude
Good time keeping and punctuality
Ability to keep information confidential
Enthusiasm for User Voice’s mission and aims
Ability to work well with others as well as individually

Benefits
An invaluable experience working on a high profile project
An opportunity to contribute to real positive change
A chance to develop existing skills and gain new ones
Work experience to add to your CV
Support from User Voice staff including a personal development plan
Reimbursement of travel and lunch costs

Training
You will be provided with full training necessary for you to perform the role.

CRB Check
Yes, CRB checks are done at the earliest possible stage. However your CRB is not a barrier to this work and each case will be reviewed on its merits.

Reference/Interview
Yes, this is a standard requirement for all volunteers.

How to Apply
If you are interested please complete the volunteer registration form indicating which role you are interested in or email volunteer@uservoice.org or call 020 3137 7471.


NEW FILM from London Probation Trust

"Why Probation ask personal information about you in our Equalities Questionnaire"

User Voice collaborated with London Probation Trust (LPT) to produce the following short film, in which ex-offenders explain to service users the importance of filling out their equal opportunities forms.

The film will be played across London Probation reception areas in order to raise awareness of the issue and to encourage all users to complete the form.

User Voice organised a workshop for contributors on the day of filming in November 2012, to relax contributors and encourage discussion of issues at hand.

The film was created by London-based freelance filmmaker Julian Langham.
View the video full-size at

Vimeo.