Lottery funded project

Criminal justice organisation Next Chapter Scotland has launched a major survey to understand the impact criminal convictions have on people.

The survey will also look at those with a close relative who has a criminal record.

It is part of the charity’s Amplifying Voices project, a year-long National Lottery-funded initiative to uncover the hidden effects of criminal justice involvement on individuals and families and provide a strong evidence base for policy change.

This work will culminate in a comprehensive report to be published later in 2025, which will shine a light on the challenges faced by people with criminal justice system experience and make actionable recommendations for decision-makers, with the aim of driving meaningful reforms.

Charity founder, Eppie Sprung, said: “We know that people face stigma and discrimination every day as a result of their criminal record and we want to be able to tackle those challenges head on.

However, given that one in three men and one in 10 women in Scotland have a criminal record, we need to hear the experiences of as many people as possible to be sure that we’re taking on the challenges that most affect people.

“This survey will help us to understand the experiences of people right across Scotland, identify the most prevalent challenges and advocate for meaningful change.”

The survey is open to anyone in Scotland who has a criminal conviction or a close family member with one.

It is anonymous, takes only a few minutes to complete, and aims to capture as a diverse a range of experiences as possible.

The survey can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/oCrkRFJ5QBtmqGsq8