Policy & Research
At POPS, we are not only dedicated to providing direct support to families affected by the criminal justice system, but we also strive to drive systemic change through policy, research and advocacy.
POPS believes that by influencing policy and advocating for reform, we can help create a more fair and supportive system for individuals and families impacted by criminal justice involvement.
We are deeply committed to being a strong voice for families who are often overlooked in the criminal justice process as well as giving families confidence and support to advocate for themselves in the arenas where POPS has influence. Through our advocacy efforts, we work with policymakers, government officials, and key stakeholders to raise awareness about the challenges families face and push for changes that will improve their lives. Our approach is evidence-based, family-centred, and rooted in our own experience as a user-led charity.
What We Advocate For
We focus our efforts on key areas where families affected by the criminal justice system need support, fair treatment, and reform. Some of the areas we advocate for include:
- Better Support for Families of Prisoners
Families often experience stigma, isolation, and emotional distress when a loved one is incarcerated. We campaign for improved support services, including health care, peer support, and practical assistance for families during their loved ones’ imprisonment. - Eradicating the Stigma of Criminal Justice Involvement
We aim to challenge and eradicate the stigma associated with having a relative in prison. Through speaking engagements, training provision and collaboration with other organisations, we seek to promote greater understanding in communities. - Prison and Rehabilitative Reform
We advocate for prison reform that prioritises family connections and rehabilitation and to promote policies that prioritise support for families in their own right, in addition to the vital role family support plays in sentence progression, rehabilitation and the reintegration of prisoners into society post-release. - Rights and Representation for Families in the Criminal Justice System
Families should be treated with respect and have a voice in the criminal justice process. We advocate for greater family involvement in legal proceedings and policies that affect their loved ones, ensuring they are properly informed and supported throughout the process. - Improved Policy on Children with a Parent in Prison
Children of prisoners often face unique challenges, including trauma, disruption, and stigma. We advocate for policies that protect children from the negative effects of parental imprisonment and ensure that they have access to appropriate mental health support, education, and community services.
Our Impact
Through our advocacy efforts, POPS has made a real difference in shaping policy and practice at local, national, and even international levels. Some of the key outcomes of our work include:
- Influencing National Policy: We have contributed the family perspective to key government reports and inquiries, such as the Farmer Review 2016 and the 2008 Race Review.
- Contributing to Prison Reform: We’ve been part of conversations that led to more family-friendly policies within prisons, including improving visiting conditions and the family role in resettlement.
- Campaigning for Public Awareness: Our engagement with the media, training programmes and commitment to family-focused research have raised awareness about the challenges faced by families and helped reduce the stigma associated with having a loved one in prison.
Find out more about the reports, enquiries and research POPS has instigated, co-created and contributed to since our inception.
The Long Stretch (2024)
Report led by the Prison Reform Trust (Building Futures Project) looking at the impact of longer term prison sentences on those in prison and their families and the considerations for positive resettlement.
Get it off your chest (2021)
Report summarising feedback from the ‘Get it off your Chest’ campaign launched during the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of highlighting issues arising from the pandemic for prisoners and their families. Following publication of the report families were invited to participate in a forum with the Director General of HMPPS, Phil Copple.
A Record of our Own: Lockdown Experiences of Ethnic Minority Prisoners (2020)
Review of the experiences of ethnic minority prisoners, including those from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities, during the COVID-19 lockdown. By the Zahid Mubarek Trust, in partnership with The Traveller Movement and POPS. The report reveals the impact of the first six months of Covid-19 restrictions on ethnic minority prisoners and their families.
Time to Change (2019)
Independent evaluation by Dr Patrick Williams of POPS Re Connect Project that considered the benefits of one-to-one peer mentoring, empowerment retreats and practical assistance upon release after a long sentence.
The Farmer Review (2017)
Independent review into the importance of strengthening prisoners’ family ties to prevent reoffending and reduce intergenerational crime. Led by Lord Farmer, supported by Clinks and the nominated advisory group, including POPS’ CEO Diane Curry. Lord Farmer was also asked to review what works to help those men who do not have any family connections.
The Lammy Review: BAME Representation in the Criminal Justice System (2017)
Independent review of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales considering the treatment of, and outcomes for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals led by David Lammy MP. POPS, in partnership with CLINKS, contributed to the consultation process including voluntary and public sector organisations, service users and community members.
Relative Justice (2015)
Relative Justice, a report by the Prison Reform Trust (PRT) and POPS, highlights the vital role of families in supporting vulnerable people within the criminal justice system, emphasizing the need for better support and accessible information for these families.
The Young Review (2014)
Review exploring 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. POPS’ CEO, Diane Curry OBE was a member of the Independent Advisory Group.
COPING: Children of Prisoners, Interventions & Mitigations to Strengthen Mental Health (2013)
Child-centred pan-European research study identifying the needs of children with imprisoned parents, mental health challenges and resilience factors. Led by the University of Huddersfield with POPS as the UK partner. POPS developed the ‘COPING Briefings’, summarising how the COPING research and recommendations apply to different areas of the criminal justice system and beyond. Download the ‘COPING Briefings’ here.
Court in Time (2010)
Evaluation of DFE-funded court project delivered by POPS. Volunteer led support service based at local courts, offering advice & information to families at the time of sentencing.
HMPPS Race Review (2008)
A comprehensive review into race equality in prisons. Supported by an Independent Advisory Group co-Chaired by Lord Richard Rosser and Farida Anderson MBE, POPS’ CEO. Included a scoping study, contributed to by POPS (members of the Race, Equality and Action Group), to determine whether the National Offender Management Service should develop a strategy for working with Muslim prisoners.
UCLAN Mental Health of Black Offenders (2007-8)
Peer research project funded by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and the National Institute of Mental Health in England (NIMHE). Delivered by POPS with the aim of finding out whether or not Black men in prison felt that their Mental Health needs were being appropriately diagnosed, included supporting and training young people at HMYOI Hindley to become peer researchers.
Exploring Positive partnerships: Appreciative Inquiry into partnership working; GONW (2007)
An appreciative inquiry by POPS to engaging with partner agency groups to understand the basis of positive partnerships.
Improving Race Relations in prisons: What works? (2004)
Report by Tom Ellis, Diane Curry, and Catherine Tedstone, focuseing on strategies for addressing and improving race relations within prisons. The report highlights the need for cultural awareness training, incorporating BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) staff perspectives, and ensuring basic race equality practices are prioritized.
Just Visiting? A review of the role of prison visitors’ centres (2002)
Research study of prison visitors’ centres led by the Prison Reform Trust and working in partnership with the Federation of Prisoners’ Families Support Groups (including POPS). Funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation the research highlighted examples of good practice, examined the funding and benefits of visitor centres.
The Woolf Report (1991)
Report commissioned in the aftermath of the disturbances that took place at HMP Strangeways (now HMP Manchester) in April 1990. The Strangeways disturbances were the longest in UK penal history and sparked riots in other institutions across England. POPS were invited to contribute the family perspective to the report.
We are also represented on the following boards, roundtables and strategy groups:
BME Roundtable
The BME Roundtable was established in 2012 and involves a coalition of predominantly Manchester based organisations, including campaigning charities, voluntary sector service providers, research institutions and staff associations. It provides a platform for individuals and organisations with an interest in the issues for people from BME cultural backgrounds to contribute to the reduction of inequality, injustice, oppression and discrimination and the manifestation of racism generally. Current membership includes: Community on Solid Ground, Factory Youth Zone, Community Change Foundation, Patrick Williams (MMU), Hideaway Youth Project, ME1.
Clinks Members Advisory Forum
Support and capacity building for new and smaller third sector organizations to participate in commissioning and partnership opportunities in the justice sector
Family Policy (Collective Voice)
POPS is a founder member of the CLINKS led collective voice forum for organisations that support families of prisoners. This forum aims to:
- Influence policy and practice development through strengthening the evidence base for investing in good quality family support.
- Showcase good and innovative practice both inside of prisons and in the community.
- Improve the awareness and knowledge of organisations outside of the Criminal Justice System of the needs of the families of prisoners.
Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel
Diane Curry OBE, POPS CEO, is a member of Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel. The panel is part of the new arrangements for developing accountability of policing and partnership working on crime and community safety. The Police and Crime Commissioner works with the Panel to shape the strategic thinking and direction on police and crime issues. Diane is also a strategic member of the AGMA Executive Board and Police and Crime Steering Group which brings together Local Authority Leaders to consider key decisions made across the region that impact upon its communities..
GMWSA
Greater Manchester Women’s Support Alliance (GMWSA) together provide services to women involved in, or are risk of being involved in the criminal justice system across the whole of Greater Manchester.
HMIP Thematic Review Board
Advisory member to support HMIP in the development of a new inspection framework for the children and family pathway in prisons.
HMPPS National Family Service Data Evidence Group
Collating evidence and data to measure and demonstrate impact and effectiveness of Family Support Services in prisons.
Network COPE (Children of Prisoners Europe)
The Children of Prisoners Europe Network is a group of organisations and individuals working on behalf of children of prisoners across the globe. Each member brings a level of expertise and practical information from their own professional and cultural context to the network, resulting in a diverse range of shared knowledge regarding the various situations relating to children of prisoners across the globe.
The Young Review Independent Advisory Group
The purpose of the Young Review Advisory Group is to look at how to implement the recommendations that came out of The Young Review: improving outcomes for young Black and/or Muslim men in the Criminal Justice System. Members of the group reflect a wide range of skills and experience but critically have a strong desire and the knowledge, skills and experience to make a real difference.
How You Can Help
Our advocacy work is supported by individuals, organisations, and communities who share our commitment to social justice and family wellbeing. If you want to get involved in advocating for change, there are several ways you can help:
- Sign Up to our Family Information Network: We actively involve families in all areas of our work including the design of services, the development of policy and in our public facing advocacy work. We also receive invitations from external agencies looking for families to participate in research, events and media engagements. If you are interested in finding out more about these opportunities sign up to our Family Information Network to receive updates and lend your voice to these efforts.
- Share Your Story: By sharing your experience with us, you can help put a human face on the issues we fight for. Your story could inspire change and make a difference in how policymakers approach these issues. Get in touch by emailing us.
- Get Involved in a Family Forum: Across our project sites we run family forums enabling families to have their say about the services provided, connect with prison and probation representatives and meet other families. You can find out more about individual family forums by visiting the Family Services section of our website.
