ABOUT US
A NEW WAY FORWARD
The criminal justice system isn't working — and a noisy, polarised debate is making things worse.
We’re cutting through with a fresh approach: listening to voters and victims across divides, uncovering shared values and using those insights to spark real change.
Find out what we do and why we’re doing it below.
THE PROBLEM
a system in crisis
The scale of the problem is stark. Reoffending costs the country billions. Public confidence has collapsed. Victims feel let down and voters feel powerless to change anything. This is the context we work in — and why finding common ground matters more than ever.
7 in 10
voters think the police have ‘given up’ solving crimes like shoplifting
£23bn
annual cost of reoffending to the taxpayer
9 in 10
victims don’t have confidence in the justice system
2 in 3
voters want major change in criminal justice
38,000
prisoners released early due to the prisons crisis in 2024-25
1 in 3
prison leavers reoffend within a year of release
WHAT WE DO
OUR APPROACH
Tough vs soft.
Punishment vs rehabilitation.
Most people aren’t represented by this noisy, polarised debate on crime. But they’re being drowned out by the extremes.
We uncover common ground for a criminal justice system that cuts crime and restores trust.
Our work starts with listening – especially to people who don’t feel heard. We then use those insights to drive real change.
01
LISTEN
ACROSS DIVIDES
We conduct pioneering research and local engagement across the UK, listening deeply to voters, victims and communities who don’t feel heard.
→ National polling
→ Focus groups
→ Creative local listening exercises
02
find
common ground
We uncover shared values and ideas on crime that cut across divides – uncovering a new way forward with broad public support.
→ Expert analysis
→ Segmentation models
→ Cross-party events
03
SPARK
BOLD
ACTION
We influence the debate and policymaking towards common ground solutions that cut crime and rebuild trust.
→ Media and digital content
→ Political engagement
→ Partnership building
MISSION 2029
By 2029, we’ll develop and deliver a Common Ground Justice Blueprint for Change:
✓ Clear, compelling principles for popular and effective justice reform
✓ Backed by robust evidence and research
✓ Flagship policies bringing them to life
✓ Cross-party support for implementation
IMPACT
PROGRESS
In our first year since launching, we’ve published groundbreaking research, hosted events across the political spectrum, and shifted the debate in national media and politics.
FEATURED REPORT
COURSE CORRECTION
Our landmark national study with More In Common — 5,010 adults surveyed across the UK — revealed what Britons really want from criminal justice reform, and where common ground exists across divides.
FEATURED CAMPAIGN
RIGHT TO BE HEARD
Our first Common Ground campaign – for victims’ Right To Be Heard – sparked national coverage, cross-party support and government action.
PARTNERS
The Common Ground Justice Project is a non-profit initiative hosted by UK charity, the Centre for Justice Innovation. We are independent of any political party or vested interest — our only agenda is finding common ground.
HOST PARTNER
RESEARCH PARTNERS
