A word from our director

Inside Out was founded in 1994. Its underlying philosophy is that to achieve success, each one of us needs strong relationships with other people and with the community in which we live. Respect for the individual underpins everything that we do, and people who are in prison are no exception to this. For them in fact it is even more important, as they spend their time in 'internal exile', away from activities that the rest of us take for granted.

We believe that prison should be imposed as a last resort only, when there is no other possible sentence. And then it should be used as an opportunity to tackle the causes of antisocial and offending behaviour. In this way we can try to put right some of the wrongs committed by the offender to society, and also to the offender by society. The aim is to protect the community by reducing the chance of further offending; and also to help the individual lead a positive and useful life after leaving prison.

We also believe deeply that a punitive approach to offenders does nothing to address the reasons for such behaviour, but that the 'restorative' approach does. Everything we do is teamwork between a great many people, trustees, staff, volunteers, people in prisons - both staff and prisoners, partner and beneficiary organisations and the many funders who make it all possible.

We are exceedingly grateful to you all. Together we make things happen.

Tim Moulds, Director