2025-03-31-accounts

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Company number: 2906362 Charity number: 1035525

Prison Reform Trust

Report and financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025

Prison Reform Trust

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative information ..................................................................................... 1 Trustees’ annual report ................................................................................................................. 3 Independent auditor’s report ...................................................................................................... 19 Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) ................... 23 Balance sheet .............................................................................................................................. 24 Statement of cash flows ............................................................................................................... 25 Notes to the financial statements ................................................................................................ 26

Prison Reform Trust

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Company number	2906362
Charity number	1035525
Registered office and	15 Northburgh Street
operational address	LONDON
	EC1V 0JR
Company Secretary	Pia Sinha
Country of	England & Wales
Registration
Country of	United Kingdom
incorporation
Honorary Positions	The Right Honourable the Lord Hurd of Westwell CH, CBE: President
	The Right Honourable the Lord Woolf of Barnes CH: Honorary President
Trustees	Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during
	the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
	Nicholas Stace OBE: (Chair) Appointed 5th July 2024
	Julia Killick CBE: (Chair of Staffing & General Purposes Sub-Committee)
	Muhammed Maqsood Ahmed OBE: (Member of Staffing & General Purposes
	Sub-Committee)
	Nigel Newcomen CBE: (Member of Staffing & General Purposes Sub-
	Committee)
	Louise Spencer: (Member of Staffing & General Purposes Sub-Committee
	and Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee)
	Emma Wilson: (Member of Staffing & General Purposes Sub-Committee and
	Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee) Appointed 10th December 2024
	Lorna Maden: (Treasurer, Chair of Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee)
	Appointed 30th July 2025
	Dr. Hindpal Bhui: (Member of Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee)
	Appointed 10th December 2024
	Maya Foa: Appointed 30th July 2025

Prison Reform Trust

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Lord of Haslemere Harold Carter Professor Dr. Benjamin Crewe Osmond Junior Smart OBE Neil Yazdani: (Treasurer, Chair of Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee) Resigned 30th July 2025

The Right Honourable the Lord Edward Garnier QC: Resigned 10th December 2024 Dale Simon CBE: Resigned 10th December 2024 Rebecca Page: (Member of Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee) Resigned 10th December 2024 The Right Honourable David Gauke: Resigned 21st October 2024 James Timpson, OBE: (Chair) Resigned 5th July 2024 Key management Pia Sinha (CEO) and Company Secretary Bankers Lloyds Bank plc 30-34 Moorgate LONDON, EC2R 6DN Solicitors Bates Wells & Braithwaite Cheapside House 138 Cheapside LONDON, EC2V 6BB Auditor Sayer Vincent LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor Invicta House 108-114 Golden Lane LONDON, EC1Y 0TL

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Reference and administrative information set out on pages 1 and 2 form part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice — Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

Purposes and aims

The objects of the charity are; for the public benefit to further and promote improvements in the penal system in the United Kingdom and the prevention of crime. This report provides an explanation of how the Prison Reform Trust’s significant activities fulfil the aims of the charity for the public benefit.

The strategies employed to achieve the charity’s objectives, and so create a just, humane and effective penal system, are to inquire into the workings of the system; inform prisoners, staff and the wider public; and influence Parliament, Government and officials towards reform. To do this the Prison Reform Trust combines public education and work through the media with applied research, advocating for change, advice and information and parliamentary work, including provision of the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Penal Affairs Group. Its four major programmes of work during this period were: reducing unnecessary imprisonment; improving prison conditions; promoting equality and human rights; and challenging prejudice against people in prison.

The trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

Our vision

A fair, humane and effective justice system.

Our mission

To achieve positive change for people in prison and the wider criminal justice system.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Our aims

reduce the unnecessary use of prison.
improve conditions for prisoners.
promote equality and human rights in the justice system.

Overview of the year

This is the second reporting year of PRT’s CEO Pia Sinha. During the year, and following the election of a new Labour government in July 2024, PRT published its ambitious Strategic Plan for 2024–2029. This marks a pivotal moment for PRT, signalling a fresh approach towards achieving the organisation’s vision of a fair, humane, and effective justice system.

The strategic plan is structured around two key lanes: the foundation lane , focusing on strengthening core activities like our advice and information service, prisoner engagement, and policy advocacy; and the innovation lane , aimed at developing new projects to impact policy and practice on the operational front-line.

PRT’s strategic plan is underpinned by core enablers, including its proven track record of influencing policy and practice; its dedicated team who embody the values of integrity and inclusivity; and a robust governance and financial structure. The organisation’s history of effecting change in policy and practice, including reforms to the IPP licence and the reversal of eligibility restrictions for open prison conditions, serves as a strong foundation for the goals outlined in the new strategic plan. By leveraging its existing strengths and networks, PRT aims to make a tangible impact on the lives of individuals in prison and drive systemic change within the criminal justice system.

In this reporting year, in line with its strategic plan and with a focus on innovation and collaboration, PRT launched major initiatives including the Next Generation Leadership Programme; Resetting the Approach to Women’s Imprisonment; the Hope and Fulfilment Awards; and began work on revised prisoner pay policies to enhance safety and security within prisons. PRT’s National Lottery-funded Building Futures programme had a productive year with the launch of several major consultations including on older prisoners and family contact. PRT’s advice and information service responded to 11,000 inquiries from people in prison and their families and made 300 safeguarding referrals to prisons relating to risk of self-harm, threats and wellbeing during this reporting period.

PRT’s policy and advocacy team successfully negotiated the challenges and opportunities of a momentous year in prison reform. The appointment of PRT’s former chair James Timpson as prisons minister, and the launch of an independent sentencing review, chaired by the former justice secretary and PRT trustee David Gauke, provided important opportunities for PRT to advance its aims. As we outline below, many of PRT’s recommendations to the review to promote community alternatives, curb the use of imprisonment and improve sentence progression have

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

been accepted by the government. During this period, PRT also helped to secure improvements to the statutory framework for people with mental health needs in the criminal justice system. Important changes to the statutory framework for the review and termination of IPP licences, which PRT was instrumental in advocating for, also came into effect.

In a bid to ensure positive change for people within the criminal justice system, PRT’s priorities are centred on reducing unnecessary imprisonment; improving prison conditions; promoting equality and human rights; and challenging prejudice against people in prison. Below we track our performance in 2024/2025 against these objectives.

Reducing unnecessary imprisonment; change who goes to prison and for how

long

End the imprisonment of people serving Sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) and abolish the lifelong IPP licence

PRT’s research and advocacy on IPP recalls contributed to the introduction of improved arrangements for the review and termination of an IPP licence in the Victims and Courts Act 2024. Following amendments drafted by PRT and tabled at the House of Lords committee stage, the government introduced further provisions to:

Establish a new power for the executive release of recalled IPP prisoners;
Enable the government to dismiss an IPP recall in line with the new IPP licence termination arrangements introduced;
Require an annual report to Parliament on actions taken to support the release and licence termination of people serving IPPs.

PRT’s deputy director Mark Day is a member of the Ministry of Justice’s expert challenge group on the IPP sentence. As a member of the group, PRT has advocated for improvements to the government’s IPP action plan, contributed to monitoring local implementation, and supported policy development on the IPP recall process.

Challenge sentence inflation and reduce barriers to sentence progression

PRT provided detailed written evidence to the Independent Sentencing Review, which included recommendations to curb sentence inflation and improve sentence progression. Many of PRT's recommendations to the review have been accepted in part or full. These include a presumption against short prison sentences; increased used of suspended and deferred sentencing; standardised release points for determinate sentences; greater use of the open prison estate, the establishment of an expert advisory body on sentencing; and a statutory annual report to parliament on prison capacity.

PRT’s Building Futures programme has several consultations in progress to support the development of policy on sentence progression. Programmed for release? Doing offending behaviour programmes on an indefinite prison sentence, explores the perspectives of long-term

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

prisoners and their participation in offending behaviour programmes. No more sticking plasters: A review of prison release policy and practice in England and Wales, explores how men and women with first-hand experience of indeterminate and long determinate prison sentences think about prison release. It examines what release means to them, their understanding of current laws, policies and procedures, and their confidence in navigating the system.

The Building Futures Rye Hill working group, in collaboration with the Parole Board, are creating a film on preparing for parole for men convicted of sex offences. A workshop was held in December 2024 with the BBC’s producers of the Parole series and Rob McKeon (author of the high impact book ‘Parole’). The Building Futures Frankland working group are preparing a report Understanding and improving the Category A review process, which will be published shortly.

Ensure a fair and efficient parole system

PRT’s advocacy on the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 contributed to two key government changes:

The proposed power to refuse a parole board decision was revised to allow referral to a court for reconsideration.
The proposed power to allow the secretary of state to dismiss the Parole Board chair on the grounds of public confidence was removed.

PRT’s advice and information service has responded to over 350 enquiries relating to parole. PRT’s head of advice and information Ryan Harman wrote an article for Inside Time about how the Parole Board consider cases where people are maintaining innocence.

Reduce the imprisonment of women

PRT chief executive Pia Sinha is member of the government’s Women's Justice Board (WJB), which aims to reduce the number of women in custody. PRT has developed 'Resetting the approach to women in the justice system', a solution focused programme to provide tools for probation practitioners working with women. PRT also submitted detailed recommendations to the sentencing review to reduce women’s imprisonment — many of which are reflected in the review's proposals and, if implemented, would significantly reduce the women's prison population.

Divert people from prison who don’t need, or are not well enough, to be there

PRT drafted amendments to the Mental Health Bill aimed at strengthening oversight of proposals to end the use of prison being used as a place of safety and to enforce a 28-day transfer limit from prison to secure hospitals. These amendments led to commitments by the government to ensure greater accountability for delivery against the 28-day transfer limit. PRT’s annual local area data on women’s justice has contributed to recommendations in the sentencing review for the government to review the impact of the 'assault of emergency workers' legislation.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reduce the recall and remand populations

PRT provided detailed written evidence to the Independent Sentencing Review, including recommendations to abolish fixed term recall and provide judicial oversight of standard recall. The review's proposals advocated for a tighter threshold for recall and the abolition of standard recall for standard determinate sentenced prisoners. It proposed the introduction of a new fixed term recall period of 56 days with the possibility for this to be extended in exceptional circumstances.

Promote non-custodial alternatives

PRT chief executive Pia Sinha joined the Bishop of Gloucester and the Times journalist Rachel Sylvester on a fact-finding visit to the Netherlands to explore the country’s use of non-custodial alternatives. Insights from the visit were shared at a roundtable chaired by the Bishop. PRT's evidence to the sentencing review called for greater use of community-based alternatives, backed by sufficient investment in probation. These proposals were reflected in the review's recommendations, including increased funding for community sentence treatment requirements, liaison and diversion services, and the expansion of intensive supervision courts.

Improve life in prison

Reduce demand on prison and levels of overcrowding

PRT provided detailed written evidence to the Independent Sentencing Review, including recommendations to reduce demand on prison places and curb overcrowding. Many of these recommendations have been accepted and the review's proposal would, if implemented, reduce the prison population by 9,500 according to the review's own assessment. The review also accepted PRT's recommendations to establish an expert advisory panel on sentencing and a statutory annual report to parliament on prison capacity.

Work to achieve prison regimes which are safe, decent, fair and purposeful

PRT’s advice and information service made 300 safeguarding referrals to prisons relating to risk of self-harm, threats and wellbeing during this reporting period, and plans to share collated information about these with the prison service. The service continued to inform prisoners about recent updates to prison safety policy via Ryan Harman’s monthly Inside Time article.

Provide accurate and up to date advice and information to people in prison

PRT’s advice and information service responded to over 11,000 enquiries from people in prison and their families, providing advice across a wide range of prison policies and processes. The service has maintained a comprehensive selection of information sheets and booklets about prison, which are available to people contacting the service and to the public through our website. Ryan Harman has written monthly articles in Inside Time about key policy changes and issues affecting people who call the service. The service has liaised with HMPPS departments about how best to communicate changes with prisoners.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Provide prisoners with opportunities to shape the policies they are subject to

PRT’s Building Futures programme, through its programme of working groups in prisons and its wider network of people with lived experience, provided substantive opportunities for prisoners to shape prison policy. The programme currently has 92 working group members and 902 network members. PRT staff co-facilitated 103 working group sessions and an additional 10 engagement groups during this reporting period. This engagement programme enabled prisoner contributions of to several Building Futures consultations, including reports on ageing in prison and family contact. The working group at Rye Hill published its own report on ageing in prison. The programme also facilitated meetings between prisoners and key officials, including HMPPS Director General Chief Executive Phil Copple at Frankland, and the Governing Governor at Send prison.

Encourage innovation and the sharing of best practice in how prisons are run

PRT’s Next Generation Leaders programme seeks to influence senior leaders to focus on improved outcomes for prisoners. The improvement projects, which are part of course requirements, will introduce 19 new innovative projects within prisons. An evaluation of the programme led by PRT’s research manager Sophie Ellis is currently in progress.

The Hope and Fulfilment awards is our new scheme to recognise and reward the achievements of people in prison, where prisoners can nominate their fellow prisoners for an award and a prize. Staff and volunteers can also nominate people who are currently in custody. It is an open competition to encourage as much participation as possible, with the proviso that each nomination form is endorsed by a governor or director. The awards are open for nominations from 01 March to 31 May 2025. During June and July our judging panel of experts by experience will look at a short list of nominations and choose 10 winners and 10 commendees.

Ensure better access to in cell technology and the internet

PRT published "Update and restart: Post-pandemic prison digitialisation in England and Wales". The report reviews digitalisation in five key areas of prison life, and reports on the crucial role of culture in expanding secure digital access in prisons. It calls on the government to take decisive steps and recommends the digitialisation of resettlement services; as well as the piloting of secure and limited internet access in all resettlement prisons, and an open prison to risk-assessed prisoners, to support rehabilitation and resettlement in the community.

PRT has secured funding to develop secure versions of our advice web pages for in cell laptops. Start on this work has been delayed due to changes at HMPPS but we hope to commence on the project at the beginning of 2026.

Increase access to home detention curfew and release on temporary licence

PRT’s advice and information service responded to 154 enquiries about HDC and 44 on ROTL. PRT engaged with HMPPS ROTL policy leads, contributing previous advocacy work to inform the ROTL policy review. PRT also made representations to the sentencing review to increase the use of HDC.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

However, the review has proposed replacing HDC with an earlier release point combined with an earned release scheme.

Challenge prejudice against, and promote knowledge and understanding of, people in prison

Give prisoners a chance to speak for themselves and share their insights

Since October 2024, Building Futures working groups have informed the policy work of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group. The group is convened by Clinks and provides advice to ministers and officials on reducing reoffending. There is a ‘long-term prisoner seat’ within this group, largely because of the efforts of Building Futures. The programme lead, David Maguire, holds this seat and draws on the network and groups to influence focus and feed into current priorities. The working groups have also shared insights on prison education and meaningful activity. As a result, the HMPPS Head of Prison Policy agreed to meet with one of the groups to discuss potential policy recommendations.

Building Futures has produced a bespoke prisoner survey that draws on Measuring Quality of Prison Life dimensions to capture themes relevant to ‘hope’ and ‘fulfilment’ among the long-term prisoner cohort. The survey has been distributed with the Building Futures Network and we have received 200 completed surveys to date. Building Futures has recruited a consultant to support with analysis and writing-up, with a draft scheduled for later this year.

Highlight the facts about prisons and promote evidence-based policy

PRT has continued to highlight the facts about prisons and promote evidence-based policy. Key publications included the Bromley Briefings and "Resetting the Approach to Women’s Imprisonment". PRT provided an analysis of the changing prison population for the Independent Sentencing Review, which adopted several of our recommendations, and responded to various policy consultations, including the 2025 Spending Review. Additionally, PRT engaged with the Justice Committee inquiry into rehabilitation and resettlement, and contributed to the Scottish Government consultation on the long-term prisoner release process.

PRT has had a particularly successful year in building the evidence base of firsthand prisoner accounts of their experiences. PRT published six consultations conducted with prisoners on issues that matter to them. The third briefing in the Invisible Women series highlighted the issues long sentenced women face in sentence progression. "Race to the top", a Prisoner Policy Network consultation collated the experiences of 661 prisoners on the role of race and ethnicity in their prison sentences. "Growing old and dying inside" described the difficult experience of ageing in prison, and "A long stretch" described how a long sentence affects relationships. These were accompanied by a prisoner-led and authored consultation by the Building Futures network group at HMP Rye Hill. Finally, former CEO Peter Dawson led "Potential unlocked: building a sustainable prison workforce", consulting prisoners on what makes a good prison officer. This was accompanied by a review of the literature focused on areas of prisoner and staff consensus about what being a good officer looks like.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Provide the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Penal Affairs

The APPG has been successfully re-established. Pam Cox MP was elected as chair and Lord Garnier, Tessa Munt MP and Baroness Prashar were elected as officers. The group has been registered with the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. It is in the process of planning its work programme for the coming year.

Publish the Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile

PRT published its flagship Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile in February 2025. This edition focused on the growing number of people being recalled back to custody following release, a significant challenge as HMPPS faces acute press on prison places. In this edition, PRT included a new section on the prison capacity crisis facing England and Wales, with details of the emergency measures introduced to prevent the system running out of places; prison building commitments and delivery; and refurbishment. An online version of the shorter Prison: the facts is also currently in development, and will launch in summer 2025.

Promote equality and human rights in the justice system

Secure a statutory framework of minimum standards of imprisonment

PRT has reestablished regular quarterly meetings with the MOJ operational policy team to increase opportunities to input into policies under review and has already been invited to contribute to a review of segregation policy as a result. PRT’s evidence to the sentencing review included recommendations to introduce minimum standards for people held in prison and create statutory definition of the purposes of prison.

Reduce racial disproportionality, including the disproportionate use of force

PRT published “Race to the top” a national consultation to share the perspectives of current serving prisoners and former prisoners and their families on race and ethnicity. The report explores how ethnicity shaped their experience of prison, and discrimination in the system, with the aim of stimulating positive action with clear recommendations for change.

PRT continues to work collaboratively with allied organisations to advocate for a fairer criminal justice system for Black, Asian, Mixed heritage and Muslim people in the UK, including through our membership of the Action for Race Equality National Independent Advisory Group. This work has included challenging the government’s emergency legislation on pre-sentence reports.

PRT holds HMPPS to account through its membership of several scrutiny panels, including the External Advice and Scrutiny Panel and Use of Force External Advisory Panel.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Ensure the distinct needs of women, children and young adults in the justice system are met

PRT chief executive Pia Sinha is member of the Women's Justice Board. PRT is a member of the T2A Alliance and is a longstanding member of T2A's campaign management group. A research proposal examining the treatment of young adults in custody is in prospect.

PRT associate Sarah Beresford has continued to develop and pilot the use of 'Child Impact Assessments’ with practitioners. This model ensures that children who are impacted by a family member's incarceration feel listened to and included in decision-making about their needs and support.

Achieve better outcomes for vulnerable groups, including people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and neurodiverse conditions

PRT drafted amendments to the Mental Health Bill to further improve the statutory framework for people with mental health needs in prison and the wider justice system. PRT associate Nick Hamilton is working in HMPs Isis and Belmarsh to design and deliver a neuroinclusive regimes. PRT are a member of the Expert Advisory Panel for the use of force, where they seek to challenge the disproportionate use of force amongst minoritised groups within HMPPS. PRT’s advice service has responded to over 432 enquires about mental health in this period, with 59 relating to neurodiversity. PRT has advocated directly with prison and healthcare services for assurances around support in some of these cases.

Ensure the health and social care needs of an aging prison population are met

PRT published Growing Old and Dying Inside, a report authored by Dr Jane Price in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust’s Building Futures Programme. The report recommends the introduction of a national strategy on older prisoners and provides insights into the age-specific experiences of men and women aged 50 and over who are serving prison sentences of 10 years or more. Based on consultation with 121 men and women in 39 prisons in the UK, it aims to influence positive changes that would provide a more humane prison experience that recognises the distinct needs of this group.

The Building Futures programme also published A Long Stretch: The challenge of maintaining relationships for people serving long prison sentences. The report is based on a consultation with 133 men and women between the age of 18 and 75, serving long prison sentences in 38 prisons in the UK. The report explores the impact that a range of relationships (and their absence) have on the lives of people serving long sentences. Both reports were commended by the prisons minister and shared with the Ministerial Board on Deaths in Custody.

Building Futures has also established a forum at HMP Usk with a significant ageing prison population.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, governance, and management

Governing document

The company is established under a memorandum of association, which sets out its objects and powers as a charitable company and is governed under its articles of association. In this year, a new strategic plan was agreed by the Board for the period 2024-2029.

The trustees

The trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are listed on page one. Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees on 31 March 2025 was 11, (31 March 2024:13).

Organisation

The Prison Reform Trust is a small organisation with clear objectives, a high national profile and a strong track record of achieving policy and practice change. It is governed by an experienced and knowledgeable Board of Trustees which meets four times a year. It operates within an equal opportunities policy the implementation of which is kept under review. Oversight of personnel matters and risk management is maintained by its Staffing and General Purposes sub-committee. Oversight of money is overseen by the Finance and Fundraising sub-committee. Management and development of the charitable company is delegated to its director, Pia Sinha, who is accountable to the Chair. Reports are submitted as required to Companies House and the Charity Commission by the company secretary. Systems for line management, appraisal, staff development and supervision are in place together with grievance and complaints procedures.

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 3 March 1994 and registered as a charity on 23 March 1994.

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 6 to the accounts.

Remuneration policy

The Prison Reform Trust aims to pay salaries which are fair, competitive with the charity sector and proportionate to the complexity of each role. In determining the right level of pay PRT uses the National Joint Council for Local Government Services pay scales and job evaluations as guidance. All staff are entitled to 7% of their gross salary as a non-contributory pension payment. The Prison Reform Trust ensures all staff are paid above the living wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation, as well as paying above the London Living Wage.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Trustee induction and training

Nick Stace OBE was appointed as Chair of Trustees on the 5 July, following James Timpson OBE being appointment as Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice.

The Rt. Hon David Gauke retired as a trustee following his appointment as Chair to the Independent Sentencing Review commissioned by the Ministry of Justice in October 2024.

Following a process by which the Staffing and General Purposes Sub-Committee considers the board’s needs in terms of its overall experience and skills, and the diversity of its membership, new trustees are invited to join the board.

Opportunities to visit prisons alongside Prison Reform Trust staff are made available to those who wish to take them up. As far as possible, NCVO guidelines are followed regarding induction and training. Outside of the formal meetings structure there is a good level of trustee involvement in steering major programmes and project advisory work.

Fraud

Through the vigilance of our staff, we were extremely sad and disappointed to discover a sizeable systemic fraud carried out by a former employee, in a position of trust and authority, which dates back to 2016.

Everyone has responded to this discovery in a prompt and professional manner. Management and the board took immediate action instigating an investigation by external forensic specialists. Legal advice was also taken early and continued. The Charity Commission were also updated promptly as required under the serious incident reporting regime. As a consequence of the investigation, a private prosecution was initiated during the financial year and concluded in the summer of 2025. This resulted in a conviction. Since then steps have been successfully taken to recover costs from Central Funds via the Criminal Cases Unit. More information on the costs and recovery is included in note 4 to the financial statements. Prompt action was taken soon after the discovery of the suspected fraud to share the situation with funders to provide them with reassurance on actions being taken by PRT.

Learning from this event started immediately on discovery and we continue to implement additional safeguards which will ensure that all our income is protected; our significant reserves were untouched. A lessons learned report has been prepared and shared with the board to improve our internal financial controls from the detailed day to day to the governance and culture of the charity. Money intended to be spent on charitable activities was stolen from PRT, and therefore could not be used for its intended purpose in support of our beneficiaries. However, because of the specific nature of this fraud there were no significant and immediate impacts upon our delivery of any specific streams of work.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Financial review

In the financial year 2024/25 overall expenditure exceeded income by £229,040 (2023: income exceeded expenditure by £33,153). Total incoming resources for the year to 31 March 2025, including legacies, grants, and donations, were £1,964,302, compared to £1,929,784 in 2024.

There was an increase in single donations over the year but this was offset by a reduction in legacy income.

Unrestricted grant, donation, subscriptions, and legacy income show an increase of approximately 26% (£219,676) from £852,409 in 2023 to £1,072,084 in 2024, (note 2). This increase was mainly due to a single donation of £200,000 by Nia and Michael Taylor.

‘Other trading activities’ in the Statement of Financial Activities refers to fee income of £49,985 in 2024. This is an increase of £27,344 compared to 2023. This increase was mainly due to a reimbursement of £30,000 from the University of Leicester for the evaluation of Reconnect services.

Overall unrestricted income was £1,099,687 an increase of £219,297 (25%) from 2023 when unrestricted overall income was £880,391.

The Prison Reform Trust received significant donations and grants towards core costs from the John Armitage Charitable Trust; the Bernard Lewis Charitable Trust; the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation; the AB Charitable Trust; the Hadley Trust; the JLeon Charitable Fund; the Highway One Trust; the 29th of May 1961 Charitable Trust; the PR & SH Southall Charitable Trust and the Jolanta & Max Neufield Trust.

The Alchemy Foundation granted a sum restricted for use towards the fundraising costs and salary. This has been included in unrestricted totals.

Legacies derived from the estates of John Moore, Edward Agar, Sheila Haigh, and Marian Millington (note 2).

Restricted income shows approximately 18% decrease of £184,778, from £1,049,393 (2024) to £864,615 (2025). This is mainly due to a reduction of £164,000 in grants towards our Prisoner Engagement programme.

Further details of funders who generously provided support for restricted funding programmes during the year are shown in note 3. This includes The Hadley Trust that continues to support our Advice and Information service.

Total resources expended in the year amounted to £2,193,342, compared to £1,896,631 in the previous financial year, an increase of approximately 16% and amounting to £296,711. Net assets at the year-end totalled £1,407,221 (2023: £1,636,261) of which approximately 5% were

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

represented by fixed assets, (2023:4%). The charity’s net liquid assets at the year-end covered approximately 8 months’ total operating costs, (2023:10).

In the 2024/25 financial year £62,902 unrestricted reserves were transferred to restricted funds by the Prison Reform Trust to support Prisoner Engagement (£51,163) and other core programmes (2024: £10,000).

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Trust’s risk register is considered at bi-monthly senior management team meetings and forms part of the director’s report to quarterly board meetings. It is also considered periodically by both finance and general purposes sub committees.

The SMT underwent a risk refresh exercise in July 2025. There were no risks that were considered high. The risk register was reviewed by Trustees and these were the two highest scoring risks:

● Governance

The charity continues to prioritise strong governance practices to ensure effective oversight and strategic direction. Risks identified over the past year include gaps in trustee skills, potential conflicts of interest, and the need for robust risk management. Mitigation measures have been actively pursued, including an enhanced recruitment process for Trustees with clearer role descriptions. Oversight is maintained through finance and fundraising, and general purposes subcommittees, senior management team engagement, and quarterly Board meetings. Annual audits and transparent reporting mechanisms further strengthen accountability, ensuring the charity remains resilient and aligned with its mission.

● Reputational

Our reputation is vital to influencing policy, securing access to prisons, and maintaining donor confidence. Maintaining public trust and credibility remains a core focus for the Prison Reform Trust. Key reputational risks include adverse publicity, restricted access to prisons or policymakers, and potential disruption to funded work with beneficiaries. To mitigate these risks, we have strengthened internal policies and improved strategic planning. Efforts are ongoing to strengthen stakeholder relationships—including with media, supporters, and beneficiaries—and a crisis management strategy is being developed to ensure the charity is prepared for any future challenges.

The board’s structure of quarterly meetings with a finance sub-committee and a general purposes sub-committee working to it works well, and the process of the board tenure procedures continues.

In 2024-25 six staff left the charity including the Head of Finance and the Head of Prisoner Engagement. Our ability to attract candidates of quality when posts fall vacant continues to be high, with seven appointments during the year including our new Head of Finance; Head of

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Operations; and Head of Development. We continue to look for a diverse and talented workforce and encourage applications from those with lived experience of prison.

Reserves policy and going concern

Although the Prison Reform Trust is fortunate in the breadth of its donor base, the trustees believe that in the absence of endowments, and with few guaranteed recurrent grants, the charity should aim to maintain liquid reserves sufficient to cover at least three months’ total anticipated expenditure. At least one-third (or one month) should be held as unrestricted, free liquid reserves.

Free reserves, which are unrestricted funds not designated or held as fixed assets, total £630,700 (2023: £597,954) for the financial year (3 months total expenditure on 2024-25 results). (2023: nearly 4). Restricted funds total £709,071 (2023: £967,307), 4 months total expenditure. (2023: 6 months). Together, amounting to £1,339,772 and 7 months (2023: £1,565,261, 10 months).

Designated funds consist of a lease with a value of £67,450.

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. The trustees and the management team have reviewed all expected income and expenditure projections and have concluded that, together with the reserves, there is a reasonable expectation that the Prison Reform Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Prison Reform Trust, therefore, continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Fundraising

The Prison Reform Trust has the benefit of a small fundraising team which comprises a full-time Head of Development (generously part-funded by The Alchemy Foundation), a full-time Trusts and Foundations Officer, and a part-time Development Officer. The Prison Reform Trust is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and the Information Commissioner's Office.

Most of our funding across restricted and unrestricted areas comes from grants awarded upon application, from charitable trusts and foundations.

We also receive money from individual donors, corporations, legacies, and members of our Friends scheme, (subscriptions).

We do not use direct marketing, telemarketing, street collections, sponsorships, or any other form of fundraising, other than that stated above. The Prison Reform Trust complies fully with fundraising regulations and codes and has not received any complaints with regards to its fundraising activities. The Prison Reform Trust considers if people may be vulnerable or be in

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

vulnerable circumstances-if we have reasonable grounds for believing that a potential donor lacks the capacity to decide to support us, then a donation will not be taken. If a donation has already been made, and at the time of donating the individual lacked capacity (and we receive evidence of this) then we will return that donation.

We do not use professional fundraisers or commercial participators, or any third parties.

Volunteers and gifts in kind

The Prison Reform Trust benefits from the input of volunteers across the organisation, in particular to support our Advice and Information Service for people in prison and work on our Building Futures Programme. Their time, skills (including lived experience) and dedication enhance service delivery, improve efficiency and increase our capacity, and strengthen community engagement. While volunteer contributions are not reflected in the financial statements, they represent significant value and impact, which are acknowledged here as part of our annual report.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Prison Reform Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the situation of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Prison Reform Trust

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

In so far as the trustees are aware:

There is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware.
The trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees on 31 March 2025 was 11 (2024: 13). The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Auditor

Sayer Vincent LLP was re-appointed as the charitable company's auditor during the year. Sayer Vincent have been our auditors for 10 years now therefore a tender process will begin in 2025 for new auditors.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 5[th] November 2025 and signed on their behalf by

Nicholas Stace OBE Chair

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

Prison Reform Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the Prison Reform Trust (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:
Give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended
Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice
Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Prison Reform Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

Prison Reform Trust

Other Information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

The information given in the trustees’ annual report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
The trustees’ annual report, has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ annual report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
The financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
Certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
The directors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the trustees’ annual report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees’ responsibilities set out in the trustees’ annual report, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

Prison Reform Trust

satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

We enquired of management, which included obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation, concerning the charity’s policies and procedures relating to:
Identifying, evaluating, and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud;
The internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.
We inspected the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a material effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the charity from our professional and sector experience.

Independent auditor’s report

To the members of

Prison Reform Trust

We communicated applicable laws and regulations throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We reviewed any reports made to regulators.
We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and tested these to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.
In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments, assessed whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias and tested significant transactions that are unusual or those outside the normal course of business.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Judith Miller (Senior statutory auditor) 18 November 2025

for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor 110 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y 0TG

Prison Reform Trust

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted £ 1,072,084 - - - - 10,600 17,003	Restricted £ 70,000 365,018 303,212 - 87,000 39,385 -	2025 Total £ 1,142,084 365,018 303,212 - 87,000 49,985 17,003	Unrestricted £ 852,409 - - - - 3,185 24,797	Restricted £ 450 384,867 566,120 - 78,500 19,456 -	2024 Total £ 852,859 384,867 566,120 - 78,500 22,641 24,797
1,099,687	864,615	1,964,302	880,391	1,049,393	1,929,784
119,965 434,936 275,164 62,134 115,391	- 496,089 497,662 93,724 98,278	119,965 931,025 772,826 155,858 213,669	59,965 347,802 220,038 49,686 92,274	- 390,512 498,751 143,329 94,274	59,965 738,314 718,789 193,015 186,548
1,007,589 92,098 (62,902)	1,185,753 (321,138) 62,902	2,193,342 769,765 (229,040) 110,626 - (10,000)		1,126,866 (77,473) 10,000	1,896,631 33,153 -
29,196 668,954	(258,236) 967,307	(229,040) 100,626 1,636,261 568,328		(67,473) 1,034,780	33,153 1,603,108
698,150	709,071	1,407,221	668,954	967,307	1,636,261

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 14 to the financial statements.

Prison Reform Trust

Balance sheet

Company no. 2906362

As at 31 March 2025

2025 £ £ 67,450 1,473,096 - 58,290 1,531,386 (191,615) 1,339,771 1,407,221 709,071 630,700 67,450 698,150 1,407,221	2025 £ £ 67,450 1,473,096 - 58,290 1,531,386 (191,615) 1,339,771 1,407,221 709,071 630,700 67,450 698,150 1,407,221	£ 1,571,736 - 24,736	2024 £ 71,000 1,565,261
		1,596,472 (31,211)
630,700 67,450		597,954 71,000
	1,407,221		1,636,261
	709,071 698,150		967,307 668,954

	1,407,221		1,636,261

Approved by the trustees on 5th November 2025 and signed on their behalf by

Nicholas Stace OBE Chair

Prison Reform Trust

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income for the reporting period Interest income Purchase of fixed assets Cash flows from investing activities: Interest income Net cash from/(used in) operating activities Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year (as per the statement of financial activities) Net cash used in investing activities Depreciation charges Increase in debtors Increase in creditors Net cash from/(used in) operating activities	2025 2024 £ £ (229,040) 33,153 17,047 12,709 (17,003) (24,797) (33,554) 31,881 160,404 (18,715) (102,146) 34,231 £ £ £ £ (102,146) 34,231 17,003 24,797 (13,497) (9,159) 3,506 15,638 (98,640) 49,869 1,571,736 1,521,867 1,473,096 1,571,736 2024 2025	2025 2024 £ £ (229,040) 33,153 17,047 12,709 (17,003) (24,797) (33,554) 31,881 160,404 (18,715) (102,146) 34,231 £ £ £ £ (102,146) 34,231 17,003 24,797 (13,497) (9,159) 3,506 15,638 (98,640) 49,869 1,571,736 1,521,867 1,473,096 1,571,736 2024 2025

		49,869 1,521,867
		1,571,736

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

a) Statutory information

Prison Reform Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom.

The registered office address is 15 Northburgh Street, London, EC1V 0JR.

b) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

c) Public benefit entity

The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

d) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern.

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

e) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

f) Legacies

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

g) Donations of gifts, services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item or received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), volunteer time is not recognised so refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated gifts, professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

h) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

i) Fund accounting

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

j) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charitable company in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs, and
� Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

k) Allocation of support costs

Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost of overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the salary and overhead costs of the central function, is apportioned on the following basis which are an estimate, based on staff time, of the amount attributable to each activity.

Where information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is provided to potential beneficiaries, the costs associated with this publicity are allocated to charitable expenditure.

Where such information about the aims, objectives and projects of the charity is also provided to potential donors, activity costs are apportioned

between fundraising and charitable activities on the basis of area of literature occupied by each activity.

Reducing unnecessary imprisonment 43%
� Improving treatment & conditions for prisoners & their families 28% � Promoting equality & human rights in the justice system 6% � Informing the public, parliament in the justice system 12% � Support costs 5% � Governance costs 6%

Support and governance costs are re-allocated to each of the activities on the following basis which is an estimate, based on staff time, of the amount attributable to each activity.

Reducing unnecessary imprisonment 49%
� Improving treatment & conditions for prisoners & their families 31% � Promoting equality & human rights in the justice system 7% � Informing the public, parliament in the justice system 13%

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity. These costs are associated with constitutional and statutory requirements and include any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities.

l) Operating leases

Service charges are charged quarterly over the term of the lease.

m) Tangible fixed assets

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Leasehold property 2%
� Computer equipment 100% � Fixtures & fittings 25%

n) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

o) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. Long term deposits refer to maturity of one year from opening.

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

p) Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

q) Pensions

The Prison Reform Trust contributes towards employees' personal pension plans with costs being charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they fall due. The Prison Reform Trust contributes to staff pensions at the rate of 7% on gross salaries. Pensions can be taken out by all staff on all contracts.

2 Income from charitable activities (unrestricted)

Income from charitable activities (unrestricted)
Unrestricted charitable activity-Grants Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Hadley Trust J Leon Charitable Fund Alchemy Foundation AB Charitable Trust Emmanuel Kaye Foundation Porticus UK 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust John Armitage Charitable Trust Bernard Lewis Charitable Trust Highway One Trust SR & PH Southall Trust Jolanta and Max Neufeld Trust Other Legacies Total unrestricted income from charitable activities Grants (see below for list of funders) Other Gifts & donations	Unrestricted £ 439,251 506,597 126,236 27,603	£ 755,230 70,000 - 39,385 Restricted	2025 Total £ 1,194,481 576,597 126,236 66,988	Unrestricted £ 266,000 261,622 324,786 27,982	£ 1,029,487 450 - 19,456 Restricted	2024 Total £ 1,295,487 262,072 324,786 47,438
	1,099,687	864,615	1,964,302	880,391	1,049,393	1,929,784
	60,000 50,000 15,000 17,250 50,000 - - 12,000 110,000 75,000 15,000 10,000 10,000 15,001	- - - - - - - - - - - - - -	60,000 50,000 15,000 17,250 50,000 - - 12,000 110,000 75,000 15,000 10,000 10,000 15,001	60,000 50,000 15,000 15,000 44,000 15,000 15,000 12,000 - - 10,000 10,000 - 20,000	- - - - - - - - - - - - - -	60,000 50,000 15,000 15,000 44,000 15,000 15,000 12,000 - - 10,000 10,000 - 20,000
	439,251	-	439,251	266,000	-	266,000

Legacies derived from the estates of: John Moore (£40,000), Edward Agar (£31,661), Sheila Haigh (£18,000) and Marian Millington (£10,000).

The value of services provided by advisors and volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements. Acknowledgement of their contribution can be found in the Report of the Trustees.

3 Income from charitable activities (restricted)

Income from charitable activities (restricted)
			2025			2024
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Reducing unnecessary imprisonment
National Lottery	-	344,868	344,868	-	344,867	344,867
The Triangle Trust		20,150	20,150	-	-	-
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation	-	-	-	-	20,000	20,000
The Jabbs Foundation	-	-	-	-	20,000	20,000
Sub-total for reducing unnecessary imprisonment
	-	365,018	365,018	-	384,867	384,867

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

3 Income from charitable activities (restricted) continued

Income from charitable activities (restricted) continued	ed
Unrestricted £ Hadley Trust - Dawes Trust - Dulverton Trust - Porticus UK Foundation - Goldsmiths' Company - Blagrave Trust - Lankelly Chase Foundation - Bernard Lewis Family Trust - Garfield Weston - Hadley Trust - J Leon Charitable Fund - Wills General Fund - Simon Gibson CT - PF Charitable Trust - Montier Charitable Trust - GC Gibson - BPL Global - Albert Hunt Trust - Wilmington Trust - The Dulverton Trust - Firebird Foundation - Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust - - The Open Society Foundation - - The Bromley Trust - Barrow Cadbury Trust - - - Promoting equality & human rights in the justice system Sub-total for informing the public, Parliament & policy development Sub-total for improving treatment & conditions for prisoners & their families Total restricted income from charitable activities Informing the public, Parliament & policy development Sub-total for promoting equality & human rights in the justice system Improving treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families	Unrestricted £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	£ 150,000 - - - - - 4,212 30,000 - - - 2,000 20,000 3,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 25,000 2,000 25,000 10,000 2,000 Restricted	2025 Total £ 150,000 - - - - - 4,212 30,000 - - - 2,000 20,000 3,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 25,000 2,000 25,000 10,000 2,000	Unrestricted £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	£ 150,000 100,000 15,000 65,000 30,000 33,000 40,000 50,000 50,000 23,120 10,000 - - - - - - - - - - - Restricted	2024 Total £ 150,000 100,000 15,000 65,000 30,000 33,000 40,000 50,000 50,000 23,120 10,000 - - - - - - - - - - -
	-	303,212	303,212	-	566,120	566,120
	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-
		50,000 37,000 87,000	50,000 37,000 87,000	- - -	40,000 38,500 78,500	40,000 38,500 78,500
	-	755,230	755,230	-	1,029,487	1,029,487

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

4a Analysis of expenditure (current year)

Cost of raising funds £ 106,289 286 420 1,651 - - 504 - - - 10,815		Charitable activities	Charitable activities		Governance costs £ - 554 - - - - - - - - 746	Support costs £ 487,625 13,671 66,620 247,723 22,392 25,983 9,935 - (166,935) 17,047 162,263	2025 Total £ 1,272,753 64,442 249,210 264,026 22,392 25,983 33,351 11,643 - 17,047 232,495	2024 Total £ 1,259,188 67,279 203,834 21,341 23,842 24,869 18,158 8,309 - 12,709 257,101
	Reducing unneccessary imprisonment £ 249,535 40,079 86,965 1,386 - - 7,801 4,460 103,800 - 2,063	Improving treatment & conditions for prisoners & their families £ 345,902 8,788 57,904 8,140 - - 10,615 7,183 49,120 - 10,010	Promoting equality & human rights in the justice system £ 15,461 997 31,251 - - - - - 11,015 - 35,000	Informing the public, Parliament, and policy development £ 67,941 67 6,050 5,126 - - 4,496 - 3,000 - 11,598
119,965 - -	496,089 434,299 637	497,662 274,761 403	93,724 62,043 91	98,278 115,222 169	1,300 - (1,300)	886,324 (886,324) -	2,193,342 - -	1,896,631 - -
119,965	931,025	772,826	155,858	213,669	-	-	2,193,342	1,896,631
59,965	738,314	718,788	193,015	186,548	-	-

During the year, a fraud was discovered that was carried out between August 2016 and Oct 2023. An independent investigation was instigated and legal advice taken. The value of the fraud in 2025 was £Nil and the value of the fraud in 2024 was £43,464. The total value of the fraud over the time period was £307,414. Included within expenditure in 2024/25 are Forensic Accountants fees of £96,908 and Legal advice fees of £63,222, this includes the cost of the prosecution which had commenced at the year end and continued into the summer of 2025. The charity's expenditure is considered materially complete. Post year end the charity was able to make claims from Central Funds through the Criminal Cases Unit. 93% of costs were recovered post year end and will be recognised as income in 2025/26.

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

4b Analysis of expenditure (prior year)

Cost of raising funds £ 51,850 1,287 - - - - - - - - 6,828		Charitable activities	Charitable activities		Governance costs £ - 559 - - - 870 - - - - 103	Support costs £ 498,229 11,473 47,792 17,303 23,842 23,999 6,192 125 (119,723) 12,709 186,325	2024 Total £ 1,259,188 67,279 203,834 21,341 23,842 24,869 18,158 8,309 - 12,709 257,101
	Reducing unneccessary imprisonment £ 190,910 17,502 67,079 75 - - 8,179 1,025 100,723 - 5,020	Improving treatment & conditions for prisoners & their families £ 402,104 29,703 25,274 3,725 - - 1,998 7,159 5,000 - 23,787	Promoting equality & human rights in the justice system £ 35,887 6,744 61,919 - - - - - 11,000 - 27,779	Informing the public, Parliament, and policy development £ 80,208 10 1,770 238 - - 1,789 - 3,000 - 7,259
59,965 - -	390,512 347,051 750	498,751 219,563 475	143,329 49,579 107	94,274 92,075 199	1,532 - (1,532)	708,268 (708,268) -	1,896,631 - -
59,965	738,314	718,788	193,015	186,548	-	-	1,896,631

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

5 Net income / (expenditure) for the year

This is stated after charging / (crediting):

This is stated after charging / (crediting):
	2025	2024
	£	£
Depreciation	17,047	12,709
Auditor's remuneration (including VAT):
Audit	14,160	13,500
Trustee's indemnity insurance	1,015	870

There were no fees for non-audit services.

6 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

Staff costs were as follows:

Staff costs were as follows:
Employer’s contribution to defined contribution pension schemes Salaries and wages Social security costs Redundancy and termination costs Employer's contribution to personal pension schemes	2025 £ 1,037,953 13,705 113,796 64,276 7,323	2024 £ 1,009,948 63,242 113,527 63,648 8,824
	1,237,053	1,259,188

The following number of employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs and national insurance) during the year between:

		2025	2024
		No.	No.
£60,000	- £69,999	1	2
£70,000	- £79,999	-	1
£80,000	- £89,999	-	1
£90,000	- £99,999	1	-

The total employee benefits (including pension contributions and national insurance) of the key management personnel were £107,808 (2024: £105,248).

The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £nil).

Trustees' expenses represents the payment or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs totalling £671 (2024: £558) incurred by 4 (2024: 4) members relating to attendance at meetings and planning awaydays of the trustees. Training expenses were £nil (2024: £nil). Hospitality and refreshments totalled £445, and insurance £1,015.

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

7 Staff numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number staff employed) during the year was 24 (2024: 24).

Staff deployment

Staff deployment
Improving treatment & conditions for prisoners & their families Support Reducing unnecessary imprisonment Promoting equality & human rights in the justice system Informing the public, parliament in the justice system	2025 Approx. head count 4.7 8 .6 3.1 7.6	2024 Approx. head count 4.5 9 1.5 4 4
	24.0	23

8 Related party transactions

No grants were received from any organisation for whom a PRT trustee, is also a trustee (2024:nil). Aggregate donations from related parties were £230 (2024: £81,701).

9 Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

10 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Cost or valuation Depreciation At the end of the year At the start of the year Charge for the year At the start of the year Additions in year At the end of the year At the end of the year At the start of the year Net book value	Leasehold property £ 177,500 -	Computer equipment £ - 13,497	Total £ 177,500 13,497
	177,500	13,497	190,997
	106,500 3,550	- 13,497	106,500 17,047
	110,050	13,497	123,547
	67,450 67,450	- -	67,450 67,450
	71,000	-	71,000

All of the above assets are used for charitable purposes.

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

11 Accrued income Other debtors Prepayments Debtors	2025 £ 4,328 22,582 31,380	2024 £ 121 21,215 3,400
	58,290	24,736

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Taxation, social security, pensions Charge card Accruals & deferred income (note 13) Trade creditors	2025 £ 36,849 1,272 3,229 150,265	2024 £ 15,108 1,571 5,112 9,420
	191,615	31,211

13 Deferred income

General unrestricted £ - 630,700	£ 67,450 - Designated	2025 £ - - 6,000	2024 £ 30,000 (30,000) -
		6,000	-
		Restricted £ - 709,071	Total funds £ 67,450 1,339,771
630,700	67,450	709,071	1,407,221

14a Analysis of net assets between funds (current year)

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

At the start of the year £ 425,296 40,000 49,002 44,447 - 33,120 - 100,000 - 15,000 258,029 5,002 (7,425) 4,836	General unrestricted £ - 597,954	£ 71,000 - Designated	Restricted £ - 967,307	Total funds £ 71,000 1,565,261
	597,954	71,000	967,307	1,636,261
	Income & gains £ 344,868 20,150 195,000 43,597 - - 110,000 - 27,000 37,000 - 18,500 50,000 18,500	Expenditure & losses £ 466,201	Transfers £ - - 2,010 51,163 - - - - - - 2,705 7,024	At the end of the year £ 303,963 30,262 0 - - 22,878 53,760 79,040 22,454 31,545 164,305 864 (0) 0
		29,888 246,012 139,207 - 10,242 56,240 20,960 4,546 20,455 93,724 22,638 45,280 30,360
967,307	864,615	1,185,753	62,902	709,071
71,000	-		-	67,450
		3,550
71,000	-	3,550	-	67,450
597,954 668,954	1,099,687 1,099,687	1,004,039 1,007,589	(62,902) (62,902)	630,700 698,150
1,636,261	1,964,302	2,193,342	-	1,407,221

The narrative to explain the purpose of each fund is given at the foot of the note below.

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

At the start of the year £ 535,941 - 30,149 20,822 28,322 - - - 401,358 6,781 - 11,407	Income & gains £ 344,867 40,000 250,000 187,906 - 33,120 100,000 15,000 - 19,250 40,000 19,250	Expenditure & losses £ 390,512 - 231,147 267,603 - - - - 143,329 21,029 47,425 25,821	Transfers £ (65,000) - - 103,322 (28,322) - - - - - - -	At the end of the year £ 425,296 40,000 49,002 44,447 - 33,120 100,000 15,000 258,029 5,002 (7,425) 4,836
1,034,780	1,049,393	1,126,866	10,000	967,307
74,550	-	3,550	-	71,000
74,550	-	3,550	-	71,000
493,778 568,328	880,391 880,391	766,215 769,765	(10,000) (10,000)	597,954 668,954
1,603,108	1,929,784	1,896,631	-	1,636,261

Prison Reform Trust

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

15 Purposes of restricted funds

In the financial year ended 31 March 2025, the Prison Reform Trust operated the following programmes through restricted funding:

Reducing unnecessary imprisonment

Building Futures: Funded by the National Lottery, this is a five-year programme focusing on how long sentences impact prisoners, their families and wider communities.

Resetting the approach to women in the justice system: Funded by the The Jabbs Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn, Triangle Trust. A solutions focused piece of work looking at the barriers and challenges to significantly reducing the women’s prison population. The work will be collaborative, include data gathering and use of case study material to highlight good practice. Ultimately to suggest a blueprint for change.

Improving treatment & conditions for prisoners and their families

Advice & Information Service: Funded by the Hadley Trust, and the Bernard Lewis Family Trust, the Prison Reform Trust’s advice and information service responds to thousands of queries a year from prisoners, their friends and families, and from people working with prisoners.

Prisoner engagement: Funded by Llankelly Chase, University of Leicester and Lloyds Bank Foundation, the prisoner engagement programme involves and seeks views from those affected by the criminal justice system.

Next Generation Leadership: Funded by the Hadley Trust, J Leon. Supporting the next generation of prison service leaders to improve life in prison for all that live and work there.

Neuroinclusive Regimes: Funded by Albert Hunt Trust; Hamilton R&L; Simon Gibson CT; Montier CT; BPL Global and GC Gibson CT. This is to pilot a prison regime that would be more likely to help prisoners with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions to progress through their prison sentence, limiting the obstacles along the way.

Parole Success-Data First: The Dawes Trust supports this work. In partnership with researchers, Dr Tim McSweeney and Russell

Webster, PRT is harnessing the opportunity offered by Data First to conduct research on the risk and protective factors associated with post release rates of recall to custody, any custodial reconviction and any custodial reconviction for a further serious offence for parolees in England and Wales

Child Impact Assessments: The Dulverton Trust, Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust and Firebird Foundation supports this work focusing on disseminating information about, and implementing the use of, Child Impact Assessments.

Promoting equality & human rights in the justice system

Disability in prisons, global: This work is funded by the Open Society Foundation. This foundation gave funding in a previous financial year to expend over future financial years.

Informing the public, Parliament & policy development

All Party Parliamentary Penal Group: The Prison Reform Trust is funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust to organise and provide the secretariat to meetings.

Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile: The Bromley Trust funds towards the bi-annual compilation, publication and dissemination of Prison: the Facts.

Communications & policy: The Barrow Cadbury Trust supports the communication and policy function.

Transfers

The reason for transfers at the Prison Reform Trust is to apply cash from unrestricted funds to finance a deficit on restricted funds. The total amount transferred from unrestricted funds to finance deficits in restricted programmes totals £62,902 for the financial year (2024: £10,000).

Purposes of designated funds

Designated funds consist of: a single fixed asset fund, representing the lease at 15 Northburgh Street. There remains 20 years at the current rate of amortisation.

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

16 Legal status of the charity

Prison Reform Trust

Contents

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reference and administrative information

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and activities

Purposes and aims

Our vision

Our mission

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Our aims

Overview of the year

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reducing unnecessary imprisonment; change who goes to prison and for how

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Ensure a fair and efficient parole system

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Promote non-custodial alternatives

Improve life in prison

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Trustees’ annual report

Challenge prejudice against, and promote knowledge and understanding of, people in prison

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Promote equality and human rights in the justice system

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Structure, governance, and management

Governing document

The trustees

Organisation

Remuneration policy

Trustees’ annual report

Trustee induction and training

Fraud

Trustees’ annual report

Financial review

Trustees’ annual report

Principal risks and uncertainties

● Governance

● Reputational

Trustees’ annual report

Reserves policy and going concern

Fundraising

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Volunteers and gifts in kind

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Auditor

To the members of

Prison Reform Trust

Opinion

Basis for opinion

Conclusions relating to going concern

Prison Reform Trust

Other Information

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Responsibilities of trustees

Prison Reform Trust

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities

To the members of

Prison Reform Trust

Use of our report

As at 31 March 2025

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash flow from operating activities

1 Accounting policies

a) Statutory information