This week, when Americans head to the polls on Election Day, many of those who have been impacted by our justice system will be denied the right to vote — simply because they have a criminal record. 

In November 2024, RBIJ brought its annual Workforce & Justice Summit to the U.K. for the first time, convening more than 100 business leaders, policy experts, and justice advocates for a day of exploring how corporate action on criminal justice reform can strengthen the U.K. economy. 

RBIJ’s Deputy CEO Lena Patel shares her thoughts on the appointment of James Timpson OBE to Minister for Prisons, Parole, and Probation following the U.K. election.

In honor of Second Chance Month, here are eight compelling reasons, offered by employers who’ve found success through Second Chance Hiring, for why you should start welcoming individuals with criminal records into your workforce.

The Conservative landslide has caused grave concern in the British criminal justice community. Over the past 18 months Home Secretary Priti Patel has doubled down on the party’s “tough on crime” reputation, promising to make criminals “feel terror”. This accompanies proposals for tougher sentencing, greater police stop-and-search powers, and an end to early release.