The Butler Trust

The Butler Trust is best known for its awards programmes designed to celebrate and promote the best in UK prisons, probation and youth practice and its Hidden Heroes Day, an annual tribute to everyone working in UK prisons, IRCs, probation, escorts, and youth justice services. It is now becoming increasingly known for the resources on the Knowledge Exchange.

How to use the site

The site has been designed to be simple to use. The front page includes both featured entries and recent additions but the two most useful ways of finding what you are looking for are the search box at the top of the page or the ability to browse by source, sector (custodial, probation or youth justice) or theme. 

Recent additions

To give you a flavour of the resources are on offer, I am including links to some of the more recent additions on a wide range of topics.

Prisons

There is increasing concern about the welfare of everyone in our overcrowded and understaffed prisons – both those imprisoned and the staff looking after them. 

A recent special edition of the Prison Service Journal focused on the Heath and Wellbeing of Prison Staff.

In similar vein, the Butler Trust itself published a guide for Governing Governors on a range of ways to boost staff morale and retain the experienced officers so badly required.

Probation

Recent additions to the Knowledge Exchange from the probation sector include the Inspectorate’s guide to Frontline leadership. Also featured was an example of best practice in supporting the resettlement of women leaving prison – the Departure Lounge outside HMP New Hall offers a comfortable and welcoming environment to newly released women, where they can get a warm drink and snacks, use a phone and charge their own, plan their onward journey, and get information and guidance from the centre’s staff.

Youth Justice

Recent additions in this area include a very useful summary of the evidence base in relation to adversity and trauma, as it relates to youth justice settings from HM Inspectorate of Probation. In addition to a concise summary of the evidence base there is a helpful link to guidance around trauma-informed practice.

Another very accessible resource added last month was a Youth Justice Board podcast on the Child First Framework in Practice featuring Prof Neal Hazel and Child First expert, Michael O’Connor.

Send in your suggestions

Finally, there is also an option for practitioners to suggest their own additions to the resource. Next time you are looking for the latest information on a work topic, don’t forget to check the Knowledge Exchange.