The Human Rights Focus aims to empower BAME young ex-offenders through developing their skills and providing opportunities. They involve youth in decision making and discuss issues like overrepresentation of minorities in the criminal justice system. Activities have included discussions at a young offenders institution to promote hope, and events on topics like identity, citizenship, and knife crime. Participants create campaigns to address local challenges in their communities. The organization learns from other countries and focuses on empowering youth by and for youth through an approach of mutual support and second chances.

1. Turning Point:
Inclusion of BAME
Young Ex-offenders’

2. Who We Are & What We Do
The Human Rights Focus aims to ensure equal opportunities for BAME young
people by developing their aspirations, empowering with key competencies and
providing opportunities for positive choices in life.
• “You understand where I'm coming from..you've been there and you know how it
feels. I know you won't judge me..." (Josh, 15, participant)
• "I feel better about myself..I think I can make it work by myself.." (Hakeem, 20,
participant)
• "What we will do for the next year depends on the ideas and suggestions coming
from our participants..we also try to reflect the reality around us and what our
young people think is the real concern for them.." (Ruksana, Youth Worker).

3. The Turning Point: Inclusion of BAME Young Ex-Offenders
"I don't think you will ever find any
black, Asian and minority ethnic
young person who does not know at
least one individual who has been
through the system and hasn’t been
negatively affected in some way. It is
sad but there is something to be
learnt by everyone in these statistics."
(Clarice, 23, participant)

4. The Project Objectives:
✘ Empower participants with key competences.
✘ Involve participants in the decision-making process
around issues that affect their lives.
✘ Provide the participants with opportunities to make
positive change through active citizenship.
✘ Develop best practice in engaging BAME young people
with lived experience of the CJS in the UK and abroad.
✘ Learn from the successful experiences of other EU
countries.

5. Project Activities:
“Raising Aspirations: Look
Beyond Bars” to give hope to
BAME prisoners at an Young
Offenders Institution.
Attended by over 70 young
people who were fully
engaged in debate and
discussion with invited
experts.
“Over-representation of Muslim
young people in the CJS” to
explore the reality behind the
data that Muslims account for
15% of Britain’s prisoners – a 50%
increase since ten years ago –
despite making up less than 5%
of general population.
“Identity and Citizenship
among BAME Young
People” to understand
citizenship, identity and
belonging among BAME
young people and how
these issues affect their
wider inclusion and
integration.

6. Project Activities:
Trapped in the System - does
ethnicity affect our chance of
a good life? to introduce the
concept of 'citizenship' and
'active participation' to
young people through a form
of street poetry - spoken
word. Guest speakers and
role models presented their
life stories to inspire and
empower participants.
Knife Crime: Emotional and
Mental Outlook event presented
and discussed 'learnt' negative
behaviour affecting young
people. If violence is learnt it
means it can be unlearnt,
through early intervention and
developing positive habits.
"My Script: Does My Voice
Matter?" which debated
and discussed how best to
contribute to ongoing work
which affects BAME young
people. Participants
created local campaign
ideas to address local
challenges by utilising their
creativity and innovation

7. Learning
No, We’ve not re-invented the bicycle but have learnt different ways to ride it!

8. Our Principles and Approaches
'For young people by young people'
‘Together Forever”
“We rise by lifting others”

9. “You always have a second chance
not to disappoint...
You just need to find that stance,
your Turning Point...“
Michael, 18, participant