Reflections from a Trustee: 50 years in the Criminal Justice System

Our longest-standing Trustee, Adrian Turner, reflects on his time working in the criminal justice system and the vital role that Sussex Pathways plays in reform.

I had the privilege recently, at our last AGM, to pay tribute to Pauline Prior on her retirement as the then longest serving trustee on the board of Sussex Pathways (SP).

In the course of researching everything Pauline, one of the four founding members of SP, had done, I was overwhelmed by all she had contributed in so many different and vital roles. I also discovered that, following Pauline's departure, I had become the longest still-serving trustee. I now carry a great burden, but most happily.

In November this year I will complete 50 years of continuous full-time employment, self-employment, and fee-paid work in the criminal justice system. In that time I have held various positions, some paid, some unpaid - too long to list here - but my work with SP has been amongst the most rewarding of these, if not top of the list.

Yet more criminal justice reforms are in the making as the government carries forward the recommendations of the Leveson and Gauke reviews (restructuring the courts and sentencing reform, respectively). But whatever changes come from this, one fundamental challenge will always remain: how to change life after prison for those who leave our jails?

SP's record speaks for itself. Those we mentor are far less likely to return to jail.  

We now work with many different funders and agencies and have many expectations from them to meet. But our core principles will never change. An effective pathway to reform is essential to stop the revolving prison door and to help prisoners and their families (if they have them to return to; sadly, many do not) to become part of normal, law-abiding society. Everybody benefits from this.

I conclude by writing, bless all our volunteers and my fellow trustees. I feel privileged to be in your company.

Adrian Turner, Trustee.

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash