The Bishop of Gloucester has launched an online survey for young people to hear what they think about the prison system and what would make society a better place.

The survey, which can be found on the Diocese of Gloucester’s website, is aimed at 13-18 year olds across the region.

Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, who is herself keen for an overhaul of the prison system, said earlier this year that “neither victims or offenders (and many people are both) are being served well by our current criminal justice system".

She added: "While crime should never be condoned, prison is rarely the only answer to the problem and I believe with the right vision, we could be more courageous in establishing alternatives to the revolving door of prison.”

She said the current prison population in England and Wales of 87,000 is “underpinned by a common misconception that ‘being tough on crime’, locking more people up and for longer will result in stronger and safer communities. The evidence does not support this and rates of reoffending are prolific.”

Bishop Rachel, who is the lead Church of England bishop for prisons, said: “I go into lots of prisons and speak to Ministers in Parliament. We hear a lot about what would make society better and thinking about how our criminal justice system fits in is crucial.

“I’m taking time this year to listen to young people about what they think. They are the future and it’s important we include their voices in policy-making. As well as this online survey, I’m speaking to groups of young people and holding a one day conference in the autumn where I want to hear all their original thoughts and opinions.”

The findings of the survey will inform Bishop Rachel’s work in the House of Lords:

“My hope is that we will learn more about how their alternatives to prison can inspire and inform change to our systems," she said.