The Innovation, Justice and Youth programme is developing innovative solutions to the challenges facing Britain's overstretched criminal justice system. The work brings together research and analysis of existing data and knowledge of current practice in the field; identifies examples of good practice and innovations that provide an alternative to prison; and is developing policies, proposals and options for practical action as well as engaging with public opinion. Particular areas of activity are listed below.

• Public Opinion - a crucial component of the Young Foundation's work is exploring how best to engage with public opinion to ensure that there is support for innovative, progressive approaches to reducing offending. The Young Foundation is seeking to provide Third Sector organisations (both delivery and campaigning) with a platform to improve their efforts to engage with public opinion.Different models for working with public opinion are currently being explored, including setting up an independent Centre for Crime, Media and Public Opinion, with unassailable credibility and a strong connection with channels of communicating ideas.

• UK Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) - we are developing a new body to incubate and promote justice innovation in the UK is being developed in partnership with the New York Center for Court Innovation (NYCCI) which functions as the State court system's independent research and development arm creating dozens of pilot projects. The UK CJI will have strong links with the criminal justice system, academic institutions and professional organisations giving it political and professional credibility. It will initially work on a number of demonstration projects, designing them in such a way that they could potentially be replicated - piloting them, evaluating them and then ensuring that they can be developed further. More information is contained in this briefing.

• Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) are a financial tool being developed by the Young Foundation, Social Finance and others to provide a new way to invest money in social outcomes. Their key innovation is to link three elements: investments (by commercial investors or foundations); a programme of actions to improve the prospects of a specific group (for example first time entrants into the criminal justice system or children leaving care); and commitments by national government to make payments linked to outcomes achieved in improving the lives of the group. The first pilots are on track for launch during 2010, with strong backing from leading figures in both government and opposition. A working paper about implementing SIBs can be accessed here.

• Employment 'Deployers' for Former Offenders - despite overwhelming evidence that employment reduces reoffending rates by as much as 50%, three quarters of prisoners leave prison without a job to go to. With the incoming coalition administration, there is an opportunity for a reconsideration of the policy framework surrounding offender employment. Our aim is to identify what works and what doesn't, and use that to highlight a range of potential solutions - from building on existing arrangements to developing new initiatives. For more information click here.

The Innovation, Justice and Youth programme is managed by Anton Shelupanov, Programme Leader and overseen by Rushanara Ali, Associate Director. The team at the Young Foundation is supported by an Advisory Board.

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Publications

"Turning the Corner: Beyond incarceration and re-offending". Click here to download in PDF format.

"Escape from the Titanic" looks at the critical role innovation can play in dramatically reducing offending among young people in Britain. Click here to download in PDF format.

"Financing social value: implementing Social Impact Bonds" establishes the parameters for the creation of Social Impact Bonds (SIBs). Click here to download in PDF format.