Koestler Arts Competitors

The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) is an independent UK charity working to create a just, humane and effective penal system. We were founded in 1981 to inform and influence public debate on prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners, amidst concerns about a projected prison population of 48,000 by 1984. The charity remains as important to civic society today as it was then. PRT's main objectives are: 1.reducing unnecessary imprisonment and promoting community solutions to crime 2.improving treatment and conditions for prisoners and their families 3.promoting equality and human rights in the justice system. We do this by inquiring into the workings of the system; informing prisoners, staff and the wider public; and by influencing Parliament, government and officials towards reform. While often working alongside the prison service to effect reform and maintaining close links with departments including the Ministry of Justice, Treasury, Home Office, Cabinet Office, Department of Health and Department of Children, Schools and Families, to retain its independence PRT does not seek or accept government funding. The structure and rigour of programmes are agreed with those trusts and foundations that generously fund the work. PRT has a strong track record of effecting change in policy and practice.

Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop builds community to foster personal development and systems change for justice-involved youth and adults through the literary arts, workforce development, trauma healing, peace-building, and member-led advocacy.

Inspire Arts & Music (IAM) is a not-for-profit organization whose programs seek to develop and ‘inspire’ young adults via both scholastic and non-scholastic activities. The vehicle we use to do this is a portfolio of performing arts programs, and our mission is to help them develop and demonstrate the qualities needed to achieve excellence in both their program and their personal lives. IAM member programs are generally related to performing arts with a current focus on music, dance and marching arts. We have both competitive and non-competitive programs, and each program has its own performance venues and schedule. Inspire programs utilize trained music & movement educators as well as a youth/peer leaders to deliver both music and arts instruction, and to instill the qualities we seek to teach and instill in our young adults: -Integrity, confidence and motivation -Teamwork and communication -Commitment to excellence, and the work ethic required to reach it -Discipline and personal accountability -Resilience and the ability to work through and overcome adversity