Last month Clinks met with representatives from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for the quarterly commissioning engagement forum; a space which was created to provide regular discussion and feedback on commissioning rounds that will involve the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. See our earlier blog for more details on the purpose of these forums and how you can feed into them in the future.

Following an unstable period in leadership in Westminster, there have been further changes to the ministerial line-up at the Ministry of Justice. This blog post provides information about the new ministerial team, explains what steps Clinks has taken to reach out to the new Prisons Minister, and suggests how voluntary organisations can build relationships with decision makers. 

Organisations working in the criminal justice system can apply to receive free specialist coaching to improve their communications. This flexible and tailored coaching and peer support will be provided by communications specialist Gemma Buckland.

This guest blog summarises an evaluation of a relationship skills training model based on restorative practice principles that has been piloted at HMP Warren Hill.

Emma Kidger, Clinks Sector Support, Members and Networks Manager, reflects on the progress of a commissioning forum that Clinks established in partnership with MoJ and HMPPS in late 2021.

Christopher Stacey, Clinks Director of Support and Development, summarises which organisations will be providing prison family services across England and Wales from October this year.

Olivia Dehnavi, Clinks Senior Policy Officer, outlines how women's voluntary sector organisations can apply for grants for women's services as part of the Ministry of Justice's £24 million investment to support women in or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system.

We are excited to be launching phase three of the Stronger Voice training programme, ‘Strengthening your voice’.

Natalie Maidment, Clinks Development Officer, summarises the development of the newly launched probation grants process, and the opportunities for voluntary organisations to register and apply for upcoming grants.

The state of the sector survey 2022 is your opportunity to share your experiences and help us to influence decision makers on your behalf. Each and every response to this survey will form the basis of an in-depth report, published at the end of the year, helping us to understand the experiences, opportunities, and challenges for organisations working to support people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. This is a blog to share why it is important to contribute.