The Griffins Society is committed to promoting and enabling information sharing between individuals and organisations working for female offenders. As part of this, we continually update our directory of interesting and informative criminal justice resources, projects and organisations. Please email us with the contact details and a brief description of any resources that you have found useful and think should be included here. We will create links for projects and organisations that do not have their own website but would like their contact details and information about their work on-line.

View the Directory by category:

Courts and the law - information on the court system and the law, and legal organisations

Criminology - organisations and courses

Government - UK government departments and agencies

Grants and Funding - sources of funds for female offenders and individuals and organisations working with them

Health - physical and mental health resources and information

Housing - research, reference and organisations that can help women find safe and secure accommodation

Information - general information about other organisations

Juvenile Justice - information on juvenile offenders and offending

Police - police information and organisations

Prisons - prisons information and organisations

Probation - probation information and organisations

Substance misuse - substance misuse and rehabilitation information and organisations

Support and advice for women and their families - organisations and resources

Victims - information and support for victims of crime including domestic violence

Courts and the law

The Court Service
Her Majesty's Courts Service brings together the Magistrates' Courts Service and Court Service in one single organisation. Our purpose is to deliver justice effectively and efficiently to the public. We are responsible for the administration of the civil, family and criminal courts in England and Wales. Within this site, you will find a wide range of information covering: details on all our courts and how to find them, hearing lists for the Supreme Court offices and some Crown Courts, information on procedures and processes, forms and guidance to help you when using the courts, and annual reports and business plans

Criminal Cases Review Commission
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is an independent body responsible for investigating suspected miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The site contains press releases, recent case data, application forms and advice on making applications.

Fair Trials Abroad
The Fair Trials Abroad Trust stands up for the rights of European Union citizens to due administration of justice outside their native lands, throughout the world.

Judicial Studies Board
The Judicial Studies Board provides training and instruction for all full-time and part-time judges in the skills necessary to a judge. It details the work of JSB's committees - civil, magisterial, criminal, family, tribunals, and equal treatment.

Law Commission
The Law Commission is the independent body set up by Parliament in 1965 (along with a similar Commission for Scotland) to keep the law of England and Wales under review and to recommend reform when it is needed.

Magistrates' Association
As an association the organisation aims to represent the views of its members when developing policy or reponding to consultation documents. An informative site which has a wide range of content from the history of the magistracy and the structure of courts through to news and training updates.

HM Inspectorate of Court Administration
The aim of this site is to give you information about the Inspectorate and their work in courts in England and Wales.

Sentencing Advisory Panel
This website represents the work of two closely-related independent bodies: the Sentencing Advisory Panel and the Sentencing Guidelines Council. They work together to ensure that sentencing guidelines are produced which encourage consistency in sentencing throughout the courts of England and Wales and support sentencers in their decision making.

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Criminology

British Society of Criminology
The BSC is Britain's major criminological society. It aims to further the interests and knowledge, both academic and professional, of persons engaged in any aspect of teaching and research, or in the promotion and dissemination of knowledge, about crime and criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice systems in the United Kingdom. The site gives details of BSC conferences, branch meetings, publications and has a news page.

Criminology Courses
A list of criminology courses in the UK, maintained by the British Society of Criminology.

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Government

The Court Service
The Court Service site contains Appeal Court and High Court judgements and Practice Directions as well as the Daily Lists for a number of High Court Divisions and the Crown Court. Many interactive court forms may be filled in on screen and there are some useful information leaflets, strategy documents and reports.

Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service
Scottish criminal prosecution agencies.

Crown Prosection Service
The CPS is the Government Department which prosecutes people in England and Wales who have been charged by the police with a criminal offence. The site explains the Crown Prosecution Service's role and structure. It includes a brief history, a summary of the activities of organisations within the criminal justice system, and a list of publications.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)
HM Inspectors of Constabulary (HMIs) have been charged with examining and improving the efficiency of the Police Service in England and Wales. The site contains Force inspections and performance reports.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP)
HM Inspectorate of Probation is part of the Home Office reporting independently to Ministers.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP)
HM Inspectorate of Probation is an independent Inspectorate, funded by the Home Office and reporting directly to the Home Secretary. Our purpose is to Inspect the work and performance of National Probation Service and of Youth Offending Teams.

Home Office
A government department site which carries recent publications and information issued by the Home Office on Community Policy, Crime Reduction, Criminal Justice, Drug Prevention, Immigration and Nationality, Passports, Race Equality and Diversity, and Research and Statistics. The site also contains ministers' biographies, the structure of the department, and contact names.

Home Office - Publications
Home Office Publications

Home Office - Research Development Statistics
The RDS site contains the Home Office research programme, research publications and statistical data.

Department for Constitutional Affairs
We are responsible in government for upholding justice, rights and democracy. Justice - responsibilities include running the courts, and improving the justice system. Rights - responsibilities include human rights and information rights law. Democracy - responsibilities include law and policy on running elections and modernising the constitution

National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
NOMS was created in 2004. As a new single service, NOMS, brings together the work of correctional services. It ensures that court sentences are effectively implemented across organisational boundaries and that the focus is on end to end management of the offender. NOMS will also be responsible for designing interventions and services for offenders that are designed to reduce reoffending and reconviction and protect the public.

Serious Fraud Office
The Serious Fraud Office is a government department and is part of the UK criminal justice system. Its aim is to investigate and prosecute serious and complex fraud and so deter fraud and maintain confidence in the probity of business and financial services in the United Kingdom. The site details the role of the SFO and includes publications and careers opportunities.


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Grants and Funding

Griffins Society Visiting Research Fellowship Programme
The Society awards up to four annual Research Fellowship Awards in conjunction with the London School of Economics for practitioners who are seeking to develop and enhance community based provision for women offenders.

National Lottery
This Good Causes section of the site contains information on how to apply for funding.

ONEstop Funding Advice Service
Contained on DrugScope's website, the Funding Advice Service is working to increase the range and amount of funding for drug interventions in England. It provides information and advice to organisations working in the drugs and related fields on potential funding sources and how to develop their fundraising capacity. It also promotes the work of drug services amongst potential funders.

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Health

Centre for Evidence Based Mental Health
The CEBMH website aims to support all mental health professionals in their everyday practice; providing a portal to high quality evidence based mental health information, as well as a range of teaching materials. The website also seeks to destigmatise mental health through the dissemination of user-friendly evidence based patient information.

Institute of Mental Health Law
The Institute of Mental Health Law specialises in all aspects of the Mental Health Act 1983 and allied legislation. The site is no longer updated but still contains information about IMHL courses.

Mental Health Promotion in YOIs
Information on mental health issues that young people in Young Offenders Institutions may face along with advice on the promotion and well being in Young Offenders Institutions for all who work in prisons. Contains links to a number of sites providing further information about mental health organisations.

Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation is one of the leading UK charity working in mental health and learning disabilities. With research and community projects they aim to improve the support available for people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. The site includes information about mental health and learning diabilities, conferences and projects.

MIND
Mind is one of the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. The site includes news, publications, policy and local organisations.

National Electronic Library for Health
The National electronic Library for Health is an initiative announced in the Government's Information for Health strategy. The site contains a number of 'branch libraries' on particular health issues, e.g. mental health.

National Electronic Library for Mental Health
The NeLMH is one of the first virtual branch libraries of the National electronic Library for Health. The site was created and maintained by the Centre for Evidence Based Mental Health, Oxford, UK

Revolving Doors Agency
Revolving Doors Agency is the UK’s only charity dedicated to improving the lives of people who are caught up in a damaging cycle of crisis, crime and mental illness. We have over 10 years experience of working innovatively with this client group.

Women's Health
Women's Health is a national voluntary organisation and is independent of the NHS and private companies. It provides health information on gynaecological health issues. Services include a helpline and enquiry service, newsletter and a series of health information leaflets, a reference library and a self help support network. They support and promote every woman's right to make her own informed choices about her health.

World Health Organization - Health in Prisons Project
This site describes a developing health-promoting network for the European region of the WHO.

The Hypnotherapy Directory

A web site that enables you to search for a qualified registered hypnotherapist in your area

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Housing

Centrepoint
A charity that exists to benefit young people and communities (especially the most excluded, disadvantaged, and marginalised), and does so by being a creative community of staff, volunteers, supporters, clients, donors and partners focused upon the value we create for them.

Crisis
In addition to running a number of projects and services (eg Crisis at Christmas), Crisis also campaigns, and develops policy and research on homelessness.

The Big Issue Magazine
We work with hundreds of vendors, supporting them with a diverse program of opportunities either delivered through our own services or in partnership with specialist agencies.

The Big Issue in the North
The Big Issue in the North is sold by homeless people in the North of England

The Big Issue Foundation
The charity behind the Big Issue magazine.

Get Connected
Get Connected is a free, UK wide, email and telephone helpline that finds young people the best help whatever the problem. The helpline workers listen to what you need to sort out, explain the options you have, and then make suggestions of services where you can get the best help. Get Connected has access to information on thousands of services, both locally and nationally.

Groundswell
Groundswell UK is a national charity that supports a network of people and projects who are committed to inclusive approaches to tackling homelessness. Groundswell promotes practical solutions, that involve homeless people, to tackling homelessness and social exclusion. Groundswell's work is about helping people to make informed choices about their lives and find solutions to their own problems. Homelessness can only be tackled by involving homeless people and by helping people to take control of their own lives.

Homeless Pages
Homeless Pages is a comprehensive guide to information about homelessness. More than a bibliography, it provides an introduction to homelessness, plus a database of resources, including research reports, directories, training courses and websites. Search under relevant keywords to find specialised housing advice and information.

HousingNet
Housingnet is a Social Housing data collection and distribution web site and software. This website contains general information, contact data & housing stock figures for every RSL (Housing Association) and Local Authority in the UK.

Inside Housing
For over two decades Inside Housing magazine has been bringing you news, views and jobs each Friday. Now we bring you Inside Housing Online - a daily service that keeps you informed, on track and in control of your career. We will put the essentials at your fingertips.

The London Connection
The Connection at St Martins helps homeless people 7 days a week in our day centres, on the street, in hostels and in the community

Homeless Link
Homeless Link is the national membership body for organisations supporting homeless people and working to end homelessness across England and Wales. It provides a strong voice to influence government policy and public opinion and provides members with advice, guidance and training

National Housing Federation
The National Housing Federation represents 1,400 independent, not-for-profit housing associations in England and is the voice of affordable housing. Our members provide over 2 million homes for 4 million people.

Revolving Doors Agency
Revolving Doors Agency is the UK’s only charity dedicated to improving the lives of people who are caught up in a damaging cycle of crisis, crime and mental illness. We have over 10 years experience of working innovatively with this client group.

Shelter
Our policy and research work, the campaigns we run and our work with the housing sector in promoting good practice all play a part in exposing and tackling Britain's housing crisis.

Women's Link
A charity providing advice and information to women in London who are homeless or in housing need. Runs a specialist service for women ex-offenders and a register of social housing vacancies. Publishes leaflets, booklets and directories on accommodation and other services for women.

St Mungo's
St Mungo’s provides services in London for people who are homeless and vulnerable. They do outreach work and run hostels for rough sleepers and a number of other housing projects.


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Information

UK Guidestar
A web site containing information about charities in the UK and their work.

Juvenile Justice

Centre for Adolescent Rehabilitation
We provide intensive programmes of rehabilitation and support for young adult persistent offenders within the South West. We have been operational since June 2000 and the programme has gone from strength to strength with many former trainees now forging new lives.

Crime Concern
Provides advice and help to a wide range of professional and voluntary agencies to support their work in reducing crime and the fear of crime within local communities. The also run over 60 projects across England and Wales, many of which are youth and neighbourhood-focused. The site contains information and briefing papers on restorative justice and advice on how to get involved in volunteer work.

Mental Health Promotion in YOIs
Information on mental health issues that young people in Young Offenders Institutions may face along with advice on the promotion and well being in Young Offenders Institutions for all who work in prisons. Contains links to a number of sites providing further information about mental health organisations.

National Association for Youth Justice (UK)
The National Association for Youth Justice was established in Britain in 1994 and exists to promote responses to young people within the criminal justice system, which encourage them to take responsibility for their actions while remaining in the community. This site gives a brief overview of the association’s work, membership information and details of its annual conference.

Prison. Me. No Way!!!
Prison. Me. No Way!!! (PMNW) is aimed at educating young people away from crime. It works in secondary schools, Disaffected Units, Behavioural Units, Youth Offending Teams and Secure Units.

Restorative Justice
Youth Justice Board practitioner portal site on restorative justice.

Youth Justice Board
The Youth Justice Board monitors the Youth Justice system, advises on changes and identifies good practice. The site contains a wealth of information about the Youth Justice system and the work of the Board.

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 The Prisons Handbook

Police

Association of Police Authorities
The Association of Police Authorities was set up on 1st April 1997 to represent police authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, both on the national stage and locally.  It influences policy on policing and it supports local police authorities in their important role.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)
HM Inspectors of Constabulary (HMIs) have been charged with examining and improving the efficiency of the Police Service in England and Wales. The site contains Force inspections and performance reports.

Gay Police Association
The GPA was formed in 1990. Over 15 years it has grown into a formally recognised and respected staff association with members in all 52 UK police forces. The GPA is the only national organisation that specifically represents the needs and interests of gay police staff in the United Kingdom. In addition to our work to support gay staff we also work to educate the police service and central government on all issues connected with sexual orientation and policing. This includes policy development, the investigation of homophobic hate crime, victim care, family and community liaison.

Police UK
A portal site with information on and links to police services in England and Wales

Independent Police Complaints Commission
The IPCC began work on 1 April 2004 with a wide range of new, stronger powers to radically change the way complaints against the police are handled in England and Wales.

Police Federation
The Police Federation of England and Wales is the representative body to which all police officers up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector belong.

Police Foundation
Founded to undertake and promote study and research into the methods, organisation and effectiveness of the police and the training of police officers, and to publish useful results of such study and research.

Special Constabulary
Special Constabularies are a force of volunteers who receive training from their local police force to work with and offer support to regular police officers.

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Prisons

Indpendent Monitoring Board
IMB members are independent and unpaid, appointed by Home Office Ministers to monitor the day-to-day life in their local prison or removal centre and ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained.

Prison Governors' Association

Prison Service
On this site you can find out about the work carried out in prisons throughout England and Wales.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons
To provide independent scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees; promoting the concept of ‘healthy prisons’ in which staff work effectively to support prisoners and detainees to reduce reoffending or achieve other agreed outcomes.

The Prisons Handbook
Welcome to prisons.org.uk the official web site of The Prisons Handbook and The Institute of Prison Law. Here you will find almost everything you want to know about prisons in England and Wales.

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Probation

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP)
HM Inspectorate of Probation is an independent Inspectorate, funded by the Home Office and reporting directly to the Home Secretary. Our purpose is to Inspect the work and performance of National Probation Service and of Youth Offending Teams.

National Probation Service
This website is designed to provide access to information about the service, its work and its effectiveness and to act as a reference point for further information.

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Support and advice for women and their families

Creative And Support Trust (CAST)
CAST is a London-based education and training project for women when they leave prison, drug and alcohol rehabilitation or psychiatric care.

Crime Concern
Provides advice and help to a wide range of professional and voluntary agencies to support their work in reducing crime and the fear of crime within local communities. The also run over 60 projects across England and Wales, many of which are youth and neighbourhood-focused. The site contains information and briefing papers on restorative justice and advice on how to get involved in volunteer work.

Action for Prisoners Families
The national federation of services supporting families of prisoners

Partners of Prisoners
This is the web site for the charity Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group

Prisoners' Families Helpline
The Prisoners' Families Helpline is a free and confidential service for anyone who is affected by the imprisonment of a close family member or friend. The Helpline is a consortium of 3 organisations and co-ordinated by Action for Prisoners' Families.

HM Prison Service A-Z of Support Groups
A comprehensive list of support groups organised by category.

Howard League for Penal Reform
The Howard League for Penal Reform is an independent charity which researches and campaigns for penal reform. The site includes publications, campaign information, and events.

INQUEST
Inquest provides free legal and advice service to bereaved families and friends on the inquest system.

Inside-Out
The Inside Out Trust develops prison projects based on restorative justice principles. Prisoners learn new skills which they willingly use to provide goods and services to disadvantaged people all over the world; new skills which improve their own employment prospects after release. Prisoners learn about the needs of other people and their ability to help them.

IQRA Trust Prisoners Welfare
The IQRA Trust Prisoners Welfare works to promote a better understanding of the needs of Muslim inmates in British prisons.

Community Legal Service Direct
If you live in England or Wales and want free high-quality legal information to help you deal with your legal problems, Community Legal Service Direct (CLS Direct) can help.

Justice
Justice is one of the UK's leading legal and human rights organisations.

Liberty
Liberty is an independent human rights organisation which works to defend and extend rights and freedoms in England and Wales.

Member of Parliament
Find out who your MP is and how to contact them.

NACRO
NACRO is an independent voluntary organisation working to prevent crime, by developing and implementing effective approaches to tackling crime, and dealing constructively with offenders. It works in many areas including housing, training and education both in and outside prison.

Justice for Women
Justice for Women was set up to monitor and raise awareness around the responce of the criminal justice system, to male violence. They publicise and challenge the outcome of specific cases, where women and children who have suffered male violence have been unfairly treated. They campaign for changes in the law, so that it recognises and takes seriously women's experience of male violence, and suggest a new defence which will fully recognise the context of domestic violence.

Prison Fellowship
Prison Fellowship (PF) is a Christian ministry responding to the needs of prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims and those affected by crime. PF International (PFI) is the global association of national PF organisations.

Prison Reform Trust
The Prison Reform Trust is a charity concerned with improving prison conditions through research, information and education.

Prisoners' Advice Service
The Prisoner's Advice Service provides free legal advice, information and representation to all prisoners in England and Wales regarding their rights, particularly concerning the application of the Prison Rules and the conditions of their imprisonment.

Prisoners' Education Trust
Prisoners' Education offers men and women a chance to change through education.

Women in Prison
Women in Prison (WIP) was established in 1983 as a support and campaigning group for women prisoners. It aims to gather information directly from prisoners and ex-prisoners, and by making their experiences known, to change attitudes towards imprisonment. WIP continues to pursue its policy of employing ex-prisoners within the organisation. This site gives an overview of their work, and details of other parts of the organisation.

UNLOCK
UNLOCK is the National Association of ex-offenders which aims to work in partnership with both statutory and voluntary agencies in the criminal justice system in an effort to reduce crime.

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Victims

Harassment Law UK
This web site has been designed to provide practical information and relevant web links for anyone who is the victim of harassment or who is has been wrongly accused of harassment.

Refuge
Support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

National Domestic Violence Helpline
24 hour freephone help and advice

Home Office Victim of Crime pages
Information from the Home Office on victims of crime

Victim Support
Victim Support is the independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. They provide free and confidential support and information to help you deal with your experience. They also aim to promote and advance the rights of victims and witnesses in all aspects of criminal justice and social policy.

Women's Aid
National domestic violence charity.

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