Quakers in Criminal Justice

Autumn 2019 Newsletter Download PDF

Editorial

Welcome to our Autumn 2019 edition. In the month before going to press the public were presented with a statement from Boris Johnston advising that he felt that the solution for crime was to increase stop and search powers and add an additional 10,000 new prison spaces in UK prisons. We are fortunate to have a support community within QICJ to help us challenge views like this and to offer us guidance and understanding as we attempt to navigate an ever changing criminal justice system.

In this mid period between our annual conferences the newsletter is our key way to stay in touch with other QICJ members. So it's important that this publication includes the voices of as many members as possible. To this end we hope that you will all consider drafting an article for inclusion in a future edition. Articles don't have to be lengthy or have a particular format. Mark Humphries has helpfully drafted a number of the articles in this edition of the newsletter, but it shouldn't have to fall on his shoulders.

We do however have some great articles in this edition covering everything from managing life in prison as an LGBT prisoner, through to coping with the challenges faced by, and motivations for being a prison chaplain. There is poetry from the prisoners in HMP Magilligan and a number of updates on recent changes.

Excitingly we have an announcement on the theme for next year's conference... but you'll have to reach the near end of the newsletter for that :-)

Jonathan Lamb
Co-Editor

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