Resource Summary

This report from Friends, Families & Travellers, funded by Barrow Cadbury Trust, explores how Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) young adults experience the criminal justice system. Drawing on surveys, interviews and 19 prison focus groups, it highlights systemic discrimination, over‑policing, lack of culturally competent support, poor access to education, mental health inequalities, and inconsistent equalities provision across prisons. Young people described lifelong mistrust of police, traumatic childhood experiences, and normalisation of imprisonment. As one participant said, “you try and book a table… as soon as they hear your accent you’re not welcome.” The report calls for culturally responsive, community‑led reform.

Resource Information

Format:report or research
Author:Sam Worrall, Criminal Justice Policy Officer, FFT
Organisation:Friends, Families & Travellers
Themes:criminal justice, education, training and employment, mental health, multiple disadvantage, partnership working, peer support, racial disparities, women centres & women's specialist services
Funder(s):Barrow Cadbury Trust
Published:February 2025

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