The Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge

The Prison Leavers Project aims to develop innovative new solutions to break the cycle of reoffending. The project has three distinct strands: national, cross-sector teams testing new ways to address the issues that can drive reoffending; a grant fund for local leaders and agencies to test shared approaches to reduce re-offending causing crime locally, and the Innovation Challenge.

This challenge aims to harness innovation from the tech sector to develop new technological solutions to the support available for people leaving prison, reducing the harms associated with crime.

Challenge statements

We use challenge statements to communicate the problems we are asking the market to solve. We frame each problem as an open question or statement in order to attract innovators and a wide range of solutions.

In May, we will release a set of challenge statements that will broadly address four core theme areas, which evidence suggests are key to reducing the risk of reoffending:

1. Community & Relationships
2. Health & Wellbeing
3. Work & Skills
4. Day of Release

Programme phases

The Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge will be run as a two-phased Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition.

Phase 1:

Up to 10 selected companies will receive Government funding of up to £25,000 to prototype their solution, culminating in a closed pitch day.

Phase 2:

Up to 4 selected companies will receive Government funding of up to £350,000, as well as mentorship support, to develop their solution and design a Pilot. Once set up, companies will run their pilots in ‘steady state’ for 1 year.

The specific requirements and more details on the contractual specifications will be available in May. Companies will be asked to submit an expression of interest form and to attend an interview.

Sign up for updates

Sign up to receive updates on the Prison Leavers Innovation Challenge. This form is managed by our delivery partner PUBLIC. Any information collected is used only to update you on the process of the programme and will not be shared or stored by unrelated third parties.

Georgie Morgan

Head of Justice and Emergency Services | Fraud and Economic Crime Lead, techUK

Georgie joined techUK as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager in March 2020, progressing to Head of Programme in January 2022. Her portfolio then expanded in January 2024 where she now leads our work across fraud and economic crime. 

In her current role, Georgie leads techUK’s engagement and initiatives across the blue light and criminal justice sectors. She works closely with industry and stakeholders to drive innovation, address challenges, and anticipate future needs, while showcasing the critical role technology plays in delivering essential public safety and justice services. Through the JES programme, she provides a platform for suppliers, helping them navigate and establish themselves in the blue light and criminal justice markets.

Before joining techUK, Georgie spent four and a half years managing a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) in Westminster. Collaborating with the Metropolitan Police and local councils, she focused on mitigating the impact of crime on the business community. Her efforts spanned addressing low-level street crime and anti-social behavior to managing critical incidents and violent crime.

Email:

[email protected]

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-henley/

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