Between 2001 and 2004 Rethinking Crime & Punishment supported more than 50 projects working to increase public understanding of, and involvement in criminal justice. We also aimed to produce fresh thinking into the debate and set up a major independent Inquiry into Alternatives to Prison.

The first phase of the programme has now closed. But we will continue to promote a wide-ranging debate about the role and impact of imprisonment and other forms of punishment, among the public, the media and policy-makers. We hope this will contribute to more rational and evidence based policy-making.

In December 2005 a focused programme looking to implement some of RCP's findings was launched. The programme aims to increase public and judicial engagement with community based sentences in order to promote confidence in their use as an alternative to prison. The programme will not be open to grant applications.

Published July 2008
RCP - The Manifesto (PDF - 976k).

Published January 2008
A report of the first 18 months of the programme (PDF - 312k).

Published July 2007
RCP2 report on a programme of work with Magistrates (PDF - 204k).

Published January 2007
RCP2 report on a programme of work with Crown Court Judges (PDF - 144k)

Published December 2005
Read the press release about the launch of the programme (Word document - 40k)

Last updated: 4 July 2008

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