Boats not Bars is an in-prison and post-release rowing program, aimed at reducing reoffending through the power of sport. Boats Not Bars contributes to making prison a one-time punishment for a crime, rather than the initiation of an endless cycle of offending and imprisonment. With prisons at capacity and millions of pounds allocated to increasing prison spaces, this simple yet effective intervention offers a viable way to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

The Government’s own assessment of the prison system is that it “fails to rehabilitate or make sure criminals are prevented from offending again”, with reoffending costing the taxpayer £18.1billion per year. However, research commissioned by the Ministry of Justice states that “participation [in sport] can not only improve health and behaviour but can directly contribute to efforts to reduce reoffending“.

Given the majority of those currently incarcerated will be released at some point, it is essential that whilst in prison, individuals are in conditions that will make them less likely to offend, rather than more likely. As one HMP Wandsworth participant stated, “I’ve been here two years, and this is the only worthwhile thing that I’ve done. Otherwise, I get up, I have a shower, sit in my cell, wander around the wing. I know way more criminals now than I did before I came here.”

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