St Giles welcomed a distinguished delegation from the University of Minnesota Law School this Monday, as part of a UK visit to explore rehabilitation and criminal justice initiatives. Led by Professor JaneAnne Murray, an award-winning former UN advisor on Human Rights, the delegation gained firsthand insight into how St Giles supports individuals in the criminal justice system to break the cycle of reoffending and rebuild their lives.
St Giles representatives Maria McNicholl, Vim Popat, Charlotte Miller, and Brendan Ross provided a comprehensive overview of the charity’s work in providing essential services to ex-offenders. With a strong focus on lived experience, St Giles empowers those with criminal convictions through training, employment support, and mentoring, ensuring they have the tools necessary to reintegrate successfully into society.
The University of Minnesota Law School is internationally recognized for its commitment to justice, advocacy, and legal education. The school’s faculty and students work on real-world legal issues, particularly in the areas of human rights, criminal justice reform, and public interest law. Through clinics, research, and advocacy, the institution plays a key role in shaping policies and supporting efforts to create a fair and effective justice system both in the U.S. and globally.
Brendan Ross, London Skills and Employment Team Leader and a recipient of the Longford Prize for his work in rehabilitation, shared his experiences in supporting ex-offenders into stable employment. Commenting on the importance of this work, he said:
“Employment is one of the most protective factors against re-offending, yet people with criminal convictions face immense barriers to securing work. At St Giles, we offer practical and patient support to help individuals overcome obstacles such as homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges, giving them the best chance of finding stability and a brighter future.”
Professor JaneAnne Murray from the University of Minnesota Law School commented on the visit, stating:
“It has been incredibly valuable to learn about the work of St Giles and how lived experience plays a crucial role in supporting rehabilitation. The insights gained from this visit will help inform our own approaches to justice reform and advocacy.”
The visit highlights the significant role that organisations like St Giles play in reducing reoffending rates and creating safer communities across the UK. By providing people with lived experience the opportunity to support others, the charity is demonstrating the power of second chances in transforming lives.
For more information about the work of St Giles Trust and how to support their mission, please visit St Giles – Turning a past into a future.
For more information about the work of the University of Minnesota Law School, visit Home | University of Minnesota Law School.