We campaign alongside the people we support to create meaningful change on the issues which matter to them. Our campaigns are informed by their experiences, as well as by the expertise of our frontline staff supporting thousands of people across the country.
We are ambitious and independent, developing evidence-based policy solutions designed to overcome barriers across justice, housing, health and further education policy. We collaborate with others to create change and to help build a fairer society.
The discharge grant (or subsistence payment) is a one-off payment given to people when they leave prison. We campaigned for an increase in this payment which is critical for people to buy the basics in the first few days after release. In May 2021 the Government increased the Discharge Grant from £46 to £76 – the first time the payment had increased since 1996. Following the commitment to increase this in line with inflation the discharge grant now stands at £82.39 in 2022.
Following our campaign, which highlights the challenges of Friday releases for people leaving prison, the Government announced in June 2022 they would legislate to end Friday releases for those with high resettlement needs. On the 2nd of December 2022, legislation was introduced to Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill.
Currently, hundreds of people are released from prison homeless every month. Following our campaigning, the Government have committed to ensuring twelve weeks of transitional accommodation for all prison leavers at risk of homelessness. This aims to ensure that no one leaves prison homeless.
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