PRISON REFORM TRUST

Job Title:

Head of Practitioner and Prisoner Engagement

Reports to:

CEO

Location:

London / Hybrid (two days a week in office – EC1V 0JR)

Hours:

Full time (35hrs)

Contract:

12 months fixed term contract (extension subject to funding)

Salary:

£58,009 - NJC SCP 43 (band 43-48 - inc. London Weighting)

Annual leave:

25 days (+ 2 additional days + birthday leave + office closure between
Christmas and New Year, in addition to public bank holidays.

Other benefits:

7% employer pension contribution, cycle to work scheme, annual
wellbeing budget and employee wellbeing assistance programme.

Introduction

Prison Reform Trust was founded in 1981 to inform public debate and improve prison
conditions and the treatment of prisoners, amidst concerns about a projected prison
population of 48,000 by 1984. Fast forward to today, the prison population in England and
Wales stands at around 86,000. We overuse prison for non-violent and persistent crime, and
we choose to send people to prison for a long time, and it continues to grow.

Our mission is clear. We are working to create a just, humane and effective prison system by
influencing decision-makers opinion formers and the public to 1) reduce the use of prison; 2)
Improve conditions for prisoners and, 3) promote equality and human rights in the criminal
justice system.

Job purpose

PRT is seeking an exceptional candidate for the newly created role of Head of Practitioner and
Prisoner Engagement, to be our senior strategic lead for bringing the experiences of those
working and living in our prisons to promote a better understanding of the merits of their
collaboration, to enhance their network of criminal justice partners, to bring greater innovation
into prisons and to share good practice.

Responsibilities:

•  To lead on engagement with prisoners and practitioners working in UK prisons
•  To support the CEO in the delivery and project management of the annual Next

Generation Leadership scheme run by PRT for future prison leaders

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•  To oversee the annual Hope & Fulfilment Awards scheme to recognise the

achievements of prisoners

•  To maintain a network of prisoner engagement through planned communications and

engagement activities

•  To identify priority issues and good practice from prisoners and practitioners and bring
them to attention within PRT and through PRT to the relevant individuals and agencies

•  To represent PRT in the media and in policy and cross-sector forums
•  Liaise and work with PRT departments as required, such as the Policy, Communications
& Research team, advice and information, and with other commissioned researchers.

•  To contribute to the management and strategic direction of PRT as a member of its

senior management team

•  To draft articles and other publications as required
•  To contribute to funding proposals, reports and liaison with funders in coordination with

PRT’s Head of Development

Person specification

Essential

Desirable

Experience
and
qualifications

•  Experience working with

•  Personal experience of

practitioners in the criminal
justice system

imprisonment

•  Experience of working with grant

funders, with a view to making the
programme a success and building
on it

•  Experience of speaking to a variety

of media

•  Experience of facilitating
engagement with service
users

•  Project management
experience, including
budget oversight

•  An ability to manage
effective working
relationships with
colleagues and external
stakeholders

•  Proven ability to write
clearly and simply –
including policy reports/
briefings

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Knowledge

•  Understanding of the

•  Knowledge of the voluntary sector

•  Understanding of the wider criminal

justice sector

•  Ability to use data and other

evidence to inform decision-making
and communications with a range of
audiences

•  Experience of working with

CRMs/Databases and maintaining
accurate records

impact of imprisonment

•  Understanding of the

importance of prisoner and
practitioner engagement in
PRT’s wider work

•  Excellent communication
skills, both verbal and
written.

•  Ability to work

independently, identify
opportunities and plan to
deliver strategic objectives

•  Ability to work within a

team and contribute to an
organisation’s senior
management.

•  A genuine and enthusiastic
commitment to the Values,
Vision and Goals of the
Prison Reform Trust

Skills

Personality
style and
behaviour

Equality and diversity

PRT is an equal opportunities employer. We have a fair and inclusive culture and seek to reflect
the diversity in prisons and the people we represent. If you meet the person specification, we
encourage you to apply, and particularly welcome applications from those with Black, Asian,
and Ethnic Minority backgrounds, (BAME) as we believe these groups may be
underrepresented in prison reform work.  PRT welcomes applications from individuals with
lived experience of the criminal justice system and actively seeks to create an inclusive
environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully.

Safer Recruitment

PRT is committed to open and fair recruitment. We do not ask for disclosure of criminal
convictions as part of our application and interview process. Upon offer of employment,
following a successful interview, we will request self-disclosure. A DBS check and/or prison

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security vetting will then take place for this role and a risk assessment will be carried out to
determine suitability for the role.

How to apply

To apply please send your CV and covering letter (no longer than 2 sides of A4) addressing how
you meet the above criteria to alex.guthrie@prisonreformtrust.org.uk by 5pm on 20th
January 2026. Please also include our completed recruitment monitoring form which will be
processed separately.

We must receive all 3 documents in order to process your application, and we will request any
documents not received.

Interviews will be held at our offices at 15 Northburgh Street, London EC1V 0JR on the 26th and
29th January 2026.

Thank you for your interest in working for the Prison Reform Trust.

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