UNLOCK, The National Association of Ex-Offenders
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UNLOCK, The National Association of Ex-Offenders, is an independent United Kingdom based charity established in 1999 to campaign for the equality of ex-offenders.
The organisation is funded by voluntary donations from both individuals and member organisations. Major projects are funded by grants from charitable trusts such as the Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust and the Wates Foundation. The organisation does not charge ex-offenders for membership.
The charity was established by a group of ex-offenders who had successfully rebuilt their lives after serving prison sentences. These ex-offenders wanted to use their experience of the great difficulties faced by those coming out of prison, to assist others who genuinely wanted to "go straight". UNLOCK now advises and assists over 10,000 serving and former offenders who demonstrate a genuine commitment to lead a crime-free lifestyle, helping them become productive members of their local communities.
The current President is General The Lord David Ramsbotham GCB CBE, formerly Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons and now a cross-bencher of the House of Lords.
The current Chief Executive is Bobby Cummines FRSA, who served 13 years in prison for serious offences. He is now one of the most widely recognised and passionate advocates of penal reform in the UK, advising Government and the Judiciary and regularly appearing in the national media. In 2004 he was appointed to the public inquiry in the murder of Zahid Mubarek at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution. He is also a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee for disabled prisoners.
