As a former barrister, Justice is an issue in which I take a keen interest.  One of my passions is prisons reform, and ensuring that everyone upon release from prison has the opportunity to rebuild their lives, seek employment, a stable home and stop future offending.  This is an area where the Government is being active and there will be a Prisons Bill in the New Year.  I intend to play my full part in helping to shape this new legislation, and that has already started by meeting with the Secretary of State and with Ministers from the Justice Department to discuss this very issue.

Over the last few years I have met and worked with two key charities in our area: Footprints and Clean Sheet.  Both help ex offenders and both have a strong presence in Dorset.