Vacancy – Global Group of Experts by Experience members (volunteer)
May 2025
PRI is looking for new members for our Global Group of Experts by Experience (GG EbE) that can bring in personal and practical lived experience of criminal justice systems.
We are interested in people that have themselves been in prison, have experience with probation or diversion measures and therefore have so called ‘lived experience’ with the criminal justice system. PRI highly values lived experience as input to improve our work in reforming criminal justice systems worldwide.
Profile:
- We are looking for 5 new members with a special interest in people coming from North America, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and South Caucasus.
- We are striving for a diverse group in terms of gender, age and ethnicity,
- Experience with the child/ youth justice system (preferred, not mandatory),
- Experience working in the criminal justice system after release (preferred, not mandatory).
How would you contribute?
Depending on your availability and interest we would ask you to:
- Provide your perspective on various subjects such as how to support people in contact with criminal justice systems
- Share the priorities for better criminal justice systems from your perspective
- Provide your reflections on specific documents or activities: for example new strategies or policy positions for PRI
- Speak at an events or training with an international audience
What we ask from you:
- Be available around 4-5 times a year for general update sessions online. Each session taking between 1 and 3 hours,
- We ask for your voluntary (non-paid) commitment to these general sessions. For involvement in additional request or projects we commit to proving a financial payment,
- Feedback session might have the shape of an online meeting or might involve written feedback,
- That you are able to speak and write in English.
What you can gain:
- Have an opportunity to join a safe space with likeminded people where you can test ideas, share worries and challenges,
- Learn from passionate and professional peers, working for criminal justice reform from around the globe with an opportunity to enlarge your network and spark new project idea’s and collaboration.
Interested?
Provide a brief motivation and CV to Raoul Nolen via rnolen@penalreform.org before 16 June 2025. Online interviews are planned for 23 and 24 June.
Background GG EbE
The GG EbE was established by PRI in 2023 to enhance the quality of criminal justice reform through advocacy, research, and practical programs. The GG EbE aims to complement the existing PRI Advisory Council by incorporating lived experience alongside theoretical knowledge.
The GG EbE operates under a Charter that outlines its functioning and safeguarding ground rules. This Charter is a continuously evolving document, reflecting PRI’s commitment to creating a safe and nurturing space for meaningful interaction. It ensures that all members agree to the Charter and express mutual commitment by signing it. The Charter was developed using valuable resources and studies from various organizations and projects working with people with lived experience.
Since its inception, the GG EbE has grown to include members from diverse regions, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the US. See this link for profiles of some of its members. The group officially commenced its activities in September 2023. Members contribute by providing perspectives on criminal justice systems, sharing priorities for improvement, reflecting on specific documents or activities, and speaking at events or training sessions. The GG strives for diversity and inclusion, recognizing the unique contributions of individuals from different backgrounds.