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- Our Case for Change
Our Case for Change
In the run up to the general election in May 2010, we wrote to all parliamentary candidates, asking for their support in our call to action as set out in our Case for Change. You can read the letter we sent to candidates below.
Read the full Case for Change
Watch videos made by our members of our service user forum.
Dear candidate,
As you make your case across the constituency you want to represent in the next Parliament you will be well aware of people’s priorities and what they will expect from you as their MP.
Clearly a top concern is the economy and you will have to make some tough choices on public spending. You’ll certainly also be asked what you can do about crime and antisocial behaviour. These issues are closely connected.
Because, while crime overall has reduced, the prison population in this country has doubled since the early 1990s. And while rates of reoffending overall have started to come down, for people serving short prison sentences – a majority of those sent to prison each year – the proportion reconvicted within two years is still two thirds. The cost to the public purse is enormous. And the damage to victims and communities is incalculable.
Working together we can stop this revolving door of crisis and crime.
We are a charity focused on changing systems and improving services for people with multiple problems including poor mental health who are in contact with the criminal justice system. For 16 years we have gathered evidence that shows how the interplay of people’s multiple problems and the failure of public services to respond effectively can lead to crisis, chaos and crime. We have also demonstrated through our partnership projects across the country that the right sort of help can transform lives, reduce crime and make our communities safer. And can save money.
With the input of ordinary people who have been through the system, and are now members of our national service user forum we want to help reduce the deficit while transforming the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. You can read and hear about some of these people in this pamphlet, and on our website.
We need your help to ensure that the next government will:
- Make consulting on a new national strategy to support people with multiple needs an urgent priority
- Incentivise local services to work together to effectively support people within communities
- Ensure that the criminal justice system and other vital public services work together.
Read the rest of our Case For Change on the website here. Or download the PDF.
Please get in touch with us and we look forward to meeting you in Parliament after the election.
Best wishes,
Dominic Williamson
Chief Executive
Listen to Dominic talking about the work of Revolving Doors here.
