Soroptimists from South Lancashire featured at the Prison Reform Trust’s (PRT) ‘Talking Justice’ campaign reception in Manchester Town Hall. President Liz McConnell and colleagues set up a publicity stall, which attracted a large number of visitors and resulted in some effective networking.
The occasion was the PRT’s launch of its two latest publications for the public. In partnership with the University of the Third Age (U3A) and Pact (the Prison Advice and Care Trust) ‘Where Do You Stand’ and ‘What Can I Do?’ are designed to inform debate about the penal system, and to promote a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
Soroptimists in the UK are already working on a campaign with the PRT 
to to put a stop to any unnecessary imprisonment of women. There is considerable evidence about the numbers of vulnerable women ending up in the UK’s prisons despite posing no risk to the public. The United Kingdom Programme Action Committee (UKPAC) and the PRT produced an action pack – ‘Reducing Women’s Imprisonment’ – which provides help and guidance to Soroptimists on initial information-gathering and further involvement.
Margaret Molyneux, South Lancashire’s Programme Action Officer, is also Vice-Chair of UKPAC. She said “This exciting long-term project partnership offers Soroptimists, both locally and nationally, extensive support for focused Programme Action.
“The project has already attracted media attention – Jan Hemlin (Chair, UKPAC), who attended the Manchester event, was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Woman’s Hour’. There has also been a high profile launch at the House of Commons.
This work with the Prison Reform Trust, co-ordinated by UKPAC, gives Soroptimists the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of vulnerable women.”