On 14 November 2024, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) opened a call for evidence as part of the Independent Sentencing Review, which aims to assess and recommend improvements to sentencing practices across England and Wales. The call invites input from stakeholders across the justice sector.  

Clinks is committed to ensuring that the voices of voluntary organisations working with people in the criminal justice system are heard during this review. Sentencing law and policy have far-reaching consequences, not just for those directly impacted but also for their families, communities, and the wider public. The voluntary sector provides a wide range of services and support to people at all stages of their sentence, and can provide insight and innovation at a time when criminal justice needs it most. That’s why Clinks will be responding to the call for evidence—and we need your help to shape our response. 

We want to ensure your experiences and perspectives inform our submission.  The call is open until 9 January 2025 so we need to move quickly to gather your input. We have launched a survey, which will remain open until 6 pm on 6 January. The survey is an opportunity for you to share insights on your work with people in prisons and in the community, innovative practice and your recommendations. The survey also includes space for you to share publications or other evidence of effective practice from your own work, or from others in the sector. You might want to share case studies, evidence of impact on reducing  

Additionally, we will host a series of focus groups over the next ten days to explore critical themes in greater depth. These will cover: 

• Community sentences: Exploring how they are used, their impact, and ways to improve them and increase sentencer confidence. 

• Long sentences and progression: Looking at the activities available to people serving long sentences and opportunities for better rehabilitation pathways. 

• Racial disparities: Investigating how sentencing practices and administration affect different groups and identifying strategies for fairer outcomes. 

• Innovation and technology: Assessing new approaches from the sector to improve sentencing processes and outcomes, as well as rehabilitative activity. 

• Specific cohorts: Understanding the needs and experiences of women, young adults, older people, and neurodivergent people. 

Your input is vital to ensuring that the Independent Sentencing Review leads to meaningful and effective change. Your participation in our survey and focus groups will help highlight the challenges and solutions that matter most to the voluntary sector and the people it supports. 

Together, we can work towards a fairer, more effective justice system. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your say—join us in shaping the future of sentencing. 

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