Prisons
Dear prisons minister James Timpson… Every prisoner should have the opportunity to be creative
![Charity Untold empowers young men in prison to reclaim their story](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Untold-3.jpg?w=768)
Dear prisons minister James Timpson… Every prisoner should have the opportunity to be creative
Dr Lorraine Gamman, professor of design at Central Saint Martins, explains why every prison should be a creative hub
'It was a long, dark night of the soul': What the first 24 hours in prison is really like
![prison leavers](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pexels-rodnae-productions-6065080.jpg?w=768)
'It was a long, dark night of the soul': What the first 24 hours in prison is really like
Prison crisis: Early release scheme could see hundreds of prisoners released into homelessness
![Barbed wire on a wall at a prison](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/larry-farr-S21QE4s1vWU-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
Prison crisis: Early release scheme could see hundreds of prisoners released into homelessness
'People in prison need art, music and reading': Inside the prison libraries that break down walls
'People in prison need art, music and reading': Inside the prison libraries that break down walls
Feeling like change in the UK isn't possible? Let these 28 purposeful campaigns prove otherwise
Feeling like change in the UK isn't possible? Let these 28 purposeful campaigns prove otherwise
Prisoners could be released 60 days early to ease prison overcrowding
![prison population](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/pexels-ron-lach-10475037.jpg?w=768)
Prisoners could be released 60 days early to ease prison overcrowding
Fixing prison overcrowding may not be a vote-winner – but it's essential to keep people safe
![prison overcrowding](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/andrea-cappiello-8nb6mlDXhwg-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
Fixing prison overcrowding may not be a vote-winner – but it's essential to keep people safe
How a groundbreaking theatre project is teaching prisoners there's more to life than crime
![Perth Prison: Inmates taking part in Beside Me](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1592_Arts_Perth-Prisons-theatre_Unknown.jpeg?w=768)
How a groundbreaking theatre project is teaching prisoners there's more to life than crime
Yes, some prisoners will be released early before Christmas – but it can actually make victims safer
![Prison is no picnic - but for some rough sleepers, it at least provides a 'safe' place to stay. Image credit: Piqsels](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/prison.png?w=768)
Yes, some prisoners will be released early before Christmas – but it can actually make victims safer
Time star Jodie Whittaker slams prison service for failing women: 'Surely there's a better system'
![Jodie Whittaker stars in BBC1's Time](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Time-HERO.jpg?w=768)
Time star Jodie Whittaker slams prison service for failing women: 'Surely there's a better system'
I spent 10 years working as a prison officer. The impact of staff cuts and reduced funding has been devastating
![Alex South portrait, brown hair black top](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1575_Prisons_ALEX-SOUTH-main-author-photo-credit-Suzie-Howell.jpg?w=768)
I spent 10 years working as a prison officer. The impact of staff cuts and reduced funding has been devastating
From prison cell to homeless, how a new law will give former convicts a better chance at turning their lives around
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/52579122267_e213d07907_o.jpg?w=768)
From prison cell to homeless, how a new law will give former convicts a better chance at turning their lives around
This small change in the law will give prisoners the best chance to rebuild their lives
![prisoners sleeping rough](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/52580095353_f606a660e2_c-e1688035195386.jpg?w=768)
This small change in the law will give prisoners the best chance to rebuild their lives
End Friday releases for prisoners so they can access housing and health services, Big Issue founder tells Lords
![Illustration of a person bending bars](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MicrosoftTeams-image5e029be34925b426596b2f9c5cc97110b188d7534f756d72bfdb17e67655ae5f.png?w=768)
End Friday releases for prisoners so they can access housing and health services, Big Issue founder tells Lords
John McAvoy was one of Britain's most wanted criminals. Now he's an athlete changing the lives of vulnerable young people
![John McAvoy/ young people](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/John-McAvoy.jpeg?w=768)
John McAvoy was one of Britain's most wanted criminals. Now he's an athlete changing the lives of vulnerable young people
I've spent Christmas in prison and on the street - finding recovery saved my life
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/PeterdaSilva-scaled-e1670318411331.jpg?w=768)
I've spent Christmas in prison and on the street - finding recovery saved my life
Scotland has the perfect antidote to ex-prisoners' reoffending rates
![Edinburgh at Christmas](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1542_JB_shutterstock_1493485760.jpg?w=768)
Scotland has the perfect antidote to ex-prisoners' reoffending rates
Top 5 books about the prison system, chosen by Andy West
![Razor wire](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/razor-wire-1571389.gif?w=768)
Top 5 books about the prison system, chosen by Andy West
If we're going to reform prisons, we should start with the prisoners
![Razor wire at sunset](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ehmitrich-WcG7DOyrSoM-unsplash.gif?w=768)
If we're going to reform prisons, we should start with the prisoners
Prison performs U-turn on banning handwritten cards for inmates after public outcry
![Prison](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HMP-The-Mount-Google.png?w=768)
Prison performs U-turn on banning handwritten cards for inmates after public outcry
Homelessness is holding back prison leavers when they get a second chance
![prison leavers](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pexels-rodnae-productions-6065080.jpg?w=768)
Homelessness is holding back prison leavers when they get a second chance
Women are asking to stay in prison beyond their sentence because they don't have a home to go to
![prison](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/niu-niu-5HzOtV-FSlw-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
Women are asking to stay in prison beyond their sentence because they don't have a home to go to
Stephen Fry to feature in play telling lockdown stories of prisoners and homeless people
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Paperchains.jpg?w=768)