Voluntary Work in Prisons

• In Event: Community Volunteers in Prisons and Jails: Examining the Nature and Context of Service Provision

Abstract

Voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) are well-established service providers in British prisons, with their role rapidly developing due to marketization of criminal justice and the likelihood that reentry services in prisons will be entirely contracted to VCOs and other providers. Drawing on qualitative interviews with offenders, staff and VCOs in eight English prisons, this paper examines their strengths and limitations as service providers in prison, with particular reference to the contribution made by volunteers. We conclude that although offenders greatly appreciate VCOs and the commitment shown by volunteers, the marketization of criminal justice and current penal managerial trends do not value their humanitarian strengths, which risk being eradicated in the criminal justice market.

Authors

• Rosie Meek, Royal Holloway, University of London

• Alice Mills, University of Auckland