Author and Job Role: George Bell, Criminal Justice Policy & Commissioning Officer
Protective Marking: Official
Executive Summary:
For 2025/26, the Police and Crime Commissioner has made available £270,000.00 of funding to reduce reoffending in Surrey.
Application for Standard Grant Award above £5,000 – Reducing Reoffending Fund
Liberty Choir – Liberty Choir Surrey – Ginny Dougary
Brief overview of service/decision – To complete the award of £90,000 (over three years – £30,000 per annum) to Liberty Choir Surrey. Liberty Choir exists to break the cycle of re-offending for prisoners with life-long experiences of abandonment, disadvantage & social exclusion, using the proven social, educational & wellbeing benefits of group singing. Once released, inmates access support through their local network of community choirs & gateway support service partners.
Reason for funding – 1) The reduction of re-offending – By delivering weekly choir sessions in prisons which partner inmates with community singers in an environment of trust, support & mutual learning. These sessions foster creativity, re-engage prisoners with educational & learning pathways, improve mental wellbeing, build positive social connections & reduce re-offending.
2) To protect people from harm in Surrey – Liberty Choir aims to break the cycle of reoffending & contribute to higher levels of public safety. They establish choirs which enable prisoners to participate in musical activity that improves mental health, delivers creative life skills & builds social bonds.
Recommendation
That the Commissioner supports this standard grant application to the Reducing Reoffending Fund and awards to the following;
- £30,000 to Liberty Choir
Police and Crime Commissioner Approval
I approve the recommendation(s):
Signature: PCC Lisa Townsend (wet signed copy held in Office)
Date: 15th December 2025
All decisions must be added to the decision register.
Areas of consideration
Consultation
Consultation has taken place with appropriate lead officers depending on the application. All applications have been asked to supply evidence of any consultation and community engagement.
Financial implications
All applications have been asked to confirm the organisation hold accurate financial information. They are also asked to include the total costs of the project with breakdown where the money will be spent; any additional funding secured or applied for and plans for on-going funding. The Reducing Reoffending Fund Decision Panel/Criminal Justice policy officers considers the financial risks and opportunities when looking at each application.
Legal
Legal advice is taken on an application-by-application basis.
Risks
The Reducing reoffending Fund Decision Panel and Criminal Justice policy officers considers any risks in the allocation of funding. It is also part of the process to consider when refusing an application, the service delivery risks if appropriate.
Equality and diversity
Each application will be requested to supply appropriate equality and diversity information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Equality Act 2010
Risks to human rights
Each application will be requested to supply appropriate human rights information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Human Rights Act.