A Sporting Chance: An Independent Review Into the Role of Sport in the Justice System

An independent review into the role of sport in the justice system which highlights the role that sport and physical activity can play in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending, identifies best practice from across the custodial estate and makes recommendations for enhancing provision.

Working with people in prison and tackling reoffending is one of the biggest challenges our society faces, and one in which sport has a unique and important role to play. In prison, just as in our communities, the impact of sport can be far-reaching. Participation can not only improve health and behaviour but can directly contribute to efforts to reduce reoffending, particularly by providing a route into education and employment. Recognising this, clubs and organisations representing football (including Cheslea, Everton and Fulham), rugby (including Saracens, Northampton and Leeds Rhinos) and beyond (including parkrun, the English Chess Federation and Brighton Table Tennis club) are collaborating with prisons in developing programmes that promote activity and tackle reoffending.