Monthly summary – September 2017

Welcome to our monthly summary for September 2017.

This provides a summary of:

1. the latest updates to our self-help information site for people with convictions
2. recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord
3. discussions on our online forum
4. other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record

Have you just stumbled across this? You can receive these updates direct to your inbox every month for free by signing up to our mailing list (make sure you choose to receive ‘news for people with convictions’)

Updates to our information site

Here’s a summary of the updates that we’ve made recently to the theInformationHub. There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update. There are also links next to many of the updates, which link to threads on our online forum where you can discuss these with other people with convictions. 

About criminal records

• What’s new from ACRO Criminal Records Office – We’ve written an advice post relating to the 2016/17 annual report of the ACRO Criminal Records Office. There’s some interesting information relating to how convictions received overseas are shared with the UK and also figures around the number of occasions that criminal record information has been deleted from the Police National Computer.

Work and volunteering

• Applying for a taxi licence – We’ve produced some new information setting out how a criminal record may affect your chances of success in being granted a taxi licence from your local council.
• Challenging an ineligible check – We’ve updated this page highlighting what information you need to include when contacting the Disclosure and Barring Service to challenge the eligibility of a DBS check.

theRecord posts

Below are links to recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord. These are often linked to from the practical information that we have, to help give some personal experiences.

Success – I couldn’t let a caution for ABH hold me back – Getting a job in the NHS – ‘I can’t help feeling that I’m a victim of ‘the system’. In 2008, after enduring more than a year of emotional abuse from my partner, the police came knocking at my door …..’

Success – Thanks to the police I’m able to pick my grandson up from school – Getting my SOPO discharged – ‘In 2010 I was convicted of a number of sexual offences and received a three year community order and an indefinite SOPO. With everything that was going on in court, I didn’t give too much thought to the term ‘indefinite’ and it was only later that I realised the significance of this …..’

Struggles and stigma – Employment embargo – Why does the prison think employers are ‘unsuitable’ and refuse to let me work? – ‘During the time I’ve spent in prison, I’ve had a variety of ‘jobs’ – sorting rubbish, working in the print shop, even packing headphones. The worst part of being in prison is the boredom so being out of your cell and working helps to break up the day …..’

Discussions on our online forum

Below are links to recent posts to our online forum. If you’d like to join in the discussion but are not currently a forum member, find out how you can join here.

Travelling abroad under probation – Nestor has been told by his probation officer that whilst he is on licence he won’t be allowed to travel to the EU. He wants some advice about the consequences of travelling without seeking permission from his probation officer. Can you help?

Police disclosure of criminal record – Normallife is on the SOR and plays football for a five-a-side team on a pitch owned by a school. Although he only plays outside school hours, the police are threatening to disclose his offence to the school. Has anybody had any experience of this?

Other news and developments

Below are links to other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record. For more news, check out the news and media section of our main website.

Unlock comment – The Lammy review

Christopher Stacey commented on David Lammy’s recommendations for reform of the criminal record disclosure regime. Read his comments and his blog in which he explains why ‘sealing’ criminal records is a good idea and how it could work.

Insurance companies are breaking the law by taking into account old criminal records

We’ve published new research which highlights major problems in the way that insurance companies deal with the criminal records of people applying for home insurance. You can download the research here.

As a result of the research, Unlock was invited onto Radio 4’s Money Box programme. You can listen to the programme here.