Welcome to the Month Year edition of the Clinks Policy Briefing. Let us know your thoughts about this newsletter, or any of the things it has covered by emailing the Policy team.
This month:
- Our Policy Work, including our response to the Independent Sentencing Review’s final report, our blog on the amended prison recall policy, our work with MOPAC, the latest evidence library review, our framework on social prescribing, and a series of committee responses and reports.
- Latest Justice News, including the MOJ’s announcement on changes to the recall process, an evaluation of TSP, the release of a range of statistics from the MOJ, the Homelessness and Social Allocation Housing (Wales) Bill, the final report of the Independent Sentencing Review, and an update to the Supervision of Indeterminate Sentences Policy Framework, amongst other news.
- Parliamentary News, including latest updates to the Crime and Policing Bill, the Mental Health Bill, Victims and Courts Bill, the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill, debate on the challenges facing police, prison, and probation officers, the Lord Chancellor’s statements on the Independent Sentencing Review’s final report, questions on knife crime, amongst other news.
- Sector Insights, including the National Women’s Justice Coalition and the Women’s Budget Group report on the financial case for investing in women’s centres, the Parental Imprisonment Collective’s report on the challenges faced by children whose parents are imprisoned, the Howard League’s legal challenge against introduction of PAVA to prisons holding children, Switchback’s Prison Recall Report, amongst a range of other sector insights and publications.
- Get Involved, including our NCJAA Writing Development Workshops, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies’ echoes of tomorrow event, Offploy’s one-stop-shop disclosure toolkit launch, Mentoring with PwC.
Throughout May, we continued to promote the findings of our State of the Sector 2024 report to Clinks’ area-based Criminal Justice Forums. Our Director of National Influencing & Networks then presented the report to the latest meeting of the Third Sector Strategic Partnership Board.
May also saw the publication of the Independent Sentencing Review’s final report, which we have covered in more detail further down this briefing. We set out a detailed response to the report, analysing its core recommendations and what needs to be done to make a success of the proposed reforms, including the voluntary sector’s role in the implementation process.
Additionally, we worked with officials to communicate the latest reform to prison recall policy, informing the sector of the change via this blog. The change will enable the greater use of Fixed-Term Recalls (over Standard Recalls) and will be phased in from early September.
Our Women’s Network Coordinator attended the refreshed London Women’s Blueprint Delivery Group (MOPAC), and Clinks will now play a coordinating role between MOPAC and the voluntary sector. This forms part of our role representing the sector across a range of forums and includes continued representation on the CRS Stakeholder Advisory Forum and its accompanying Women’s Stakeholder Advisory Forum.
We published the latest Evidence Library review – Working with neurodivergent people in contact with the criminal justice system. We also published our Voluntary Sector-led Framework for Social Prescribing as part of our work with the Department for Health and Social Care.
Finally, we published a range of committee responses to: the Welsh Affairs Committee inquiry into prisons, probation and rehabilitation in Wales; the Justice Committee inquiry on tackling drugs in prison; the Justice and Home Affairs Committee inquiry into prison culture: governance, leadership and staffing. We also published the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) Reference Group report on tackling racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Announcement on a change to the recall process
On Wednesday 14 May, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced a change to the recall process. Legislation will be brought forward that will enable the greater use of Fixed-Term Recalls. People with a sentence of between 12 and under 48 months, who are recalled, will be subject to a Fixed-Term Recall of 28 days and cannot be subjected to a standard recall. This replaces the current process whereby people serving a sentence between 12 and under 48 months could be subjected to a Standard Recall. Implementation will be phased from early September to early November for those already currently in prison on recall.
Progressive desistance practice in youth justice
On Thursday 15 May, HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) published a report on progressive desistance practice in youth justice, which explores the application of desistance theory to youth justice. The report calls for a child-focused approach, advocating for progressive desistance practice that supports children's overall well-being and development.
A multi-site qualitative evaluation of the Accredited Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
On Thursday 15 May, the MoJ released a multi-site qualitative evaluation of the TSP. The evaluation revealed that the programme effectively helps participants develop cognitive-behavioural skills to reduce reoffending. Key findings include the importance of internal motivation and readiness for change, the critical role of genuine and supportive relationships with facilitators, and the positive impact of structured exercises on participants' perspectives and goal setting. However, it was noted that the prison environment and lack of post-programme support can hinder progress.
Quarterly criminal justice statistics: December 2024
On Thursday 15 May, the MoJ released the quarterly criminal justice statistics for December 2024. Key statistics include: prosecutions for indictable offences rose by 16%, reaching their highest level since 2016, while convictions for these offences increased by 12%; the average custodial sentence length for all offences decreased slightly to 22.0 months; there was a 5% increase in the use of out of court disposals, with community resolutions rising by 11%; and the number of defendants remanded in custody at Crown Court increased to 53%, up from 52% in 2023.
HMPPS – Workforce Quarterly: March 2025
On Thursday 15 May, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) published its Workforce Quarterly statistics for March 2025. It shows a slight overall decrease in staff numbers, with 64,769 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, down by 248 FTE from March 2024. Public Sector Prisons saw a 2.0% decrease in staff, while the Probation Service experienced a 3.0% increase. The number of band 3-5 prison officers decreased by 3.7%, and band 2 operational support staff decreased by 2.1%. Conversely, band 4 probation officers increased by 6.0%. The overall leaving rate across HMPPS decreased to 10.5%, with a notable reduction in the leaving rate for band 3-5 prison officers and probation officers.
The Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill
On Monday 19 May, the Welsh Government released its Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill. This Bill builds on the 2023 White Paper on Ending Homelessness in Wales and incorporates recommendations from stakeholders including Clinks and those with lived experience of homelessness. Clinks submitted evidence to the initial consultation on the Bill, focusing on the clauses relating to intentionality and priority need, and will be giving evidence to the Local Government and Housing Committee. The aim of the Bill is to change Wales’s approach to homelessness by emphasising prevention, removing barriers to assistance, strengthening public service cooperation, and improving access to suitable social housing for those most in need.
Final Report of the Independent Sentencing Review
On Thursday 22 May, the final report of the Independent Sentencing Review, was released.
The report calls for increased funding for the voluntary sector to support the Probation Service in its management of people in the community, as well as to enable increased commissioning of local organisations. It has also called for an expansion in the use of the voluntary sector to support people on community sentences and on license.
Further recommendations include: reducing the reliance on short custodial sentences, using them only in exceptional circumstances, and expanding the use of community sentences and suspended sentence orders; implementing an "earned progression" model for standard and extended determinate sentences to incentivise good behaviour in prison (the Government has rejected the recommendation to include people serving Extended Determinate Sentences within the earned progression model); and expanded provision of Intensive Supervision Courts, as well as more sustainable, long-term funding for women’s centres.
Clinks have published a detailed response to the report. Many sector organisations, including Clinks members have also published responses to the report, and we have listed a selection of these, below:
- Agenda Alliance
- Alliance for Youth Justice
- Centre for Justice Innovation
- Centre for Women’s Justice
- Collective Voice
- Cranstoun
- Criminal Justice Alliance
- End Violence Against Women
- Hibiscus Initiatives
- Howard League
- Magistrates Association
- National Women’s Justice Coalition
- Prison Advice and Care Trust
- Prison Reform Trust
- Revolving Doors
- Russell Webster has provided a multi-part, detailed response to each of the nine chapters in the Sentencing Review, summarising key points and features of the report and their significance
- Sentencing Academy.
Supervision of Indeterminate Sentences Policy Framework
On Monday 2 June, the MoJ released an update to its Supervision of Indeterminate Sentences Policy Framework to allow the Parole Board to consider both licence termination and supervision suspension simultaneously during statutory reviews for IPP and DPP offenders.
Recent business
On Thursday 8 and on Tuesday 13 May, the Crime and Policing Bill was debated at its Public Bill Committee stage. Information can be found here, here and here. More information on the Bill can be found, here.
On Monday 12 May, Sir Nic Dakin MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, responded to a question regarding progress on implementation of the Corston Report’s recommendations. He also responded to a question on the steps being taken to reduce the number of women in prison.
On the same day, in the House of Lords, Lord Timpson responded to a question about how long the trial of the provision of tasers to prison officers will last, in which prison it will take place, and how many prison officers will be armed with tasers during the trial.
On Tuesday 13 May, in response to an urgent question on the protection of prison staff, the House of Lords spoke about concerns about the safety of prison staff following recent violent assaults at HMP Belmarsh and HMP Frankland.
On the same day, the House of Lords concerned to debate on the challenges facing police, prison, and probation officers in the UK.
On Wednesday 14 May, the Lord Chancellor issued a statement on prison capacity in the House of Commons.
On Monday 19 May, the Mental Health Bill was in its Second Sitting in the House of Commons and had a Programme Motion, Money Resolution. On Thursday 22 May, the Bill underwent legislative scrutiny in the House of Commons. On Tuesday 3 June, the Bill debated proposed amendments while in its Committee Stage.
On the same day, the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill began its Committee Stage. On Wednesday 4 June, the Bill entered the Report Stage. On Tuesday 10 June, the Bill had its Third Reading.
On the same day, the House of Lords debated on sentencing limits for people recalled to prison.
On Tuesday 20 May, the Victims and Courts Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons, its Money Resolution and its Programme Motion.
On Thursday 22 May, the Lord Chancellor responded to the Independent Sentencing Review in the House of Commons. She announced that the Government will follow most of the key recommendations from the Independent Sentencing Review, such as implementing the earned progression model and increasing funding for probation services. However, the Lord Chancellor clarified that the Government will not follow recommendations to allow earlier release for people serving extended determinate sentences or for those serving sentences for terror offences.
On Monday 2 June, the House of Commons debated the Independent Sentencing Review.
On the same day, Government Whip and Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury, Nicholas Dakin, answered questions on the Department’s Prison Capacity Strategy, and set out how it was supporting individuals with unspent convictions seeking employment.
Dakin also answered the question posed by Katie White regarding reoffenders and what steps she is taking to mitigate the potential impact of fixed term recalls of 28 days on levels of violence against women and children.
On the same day, the House of Commons debated on knife crime, focusing on tackling knife crime through government bans on dangerous knives, increased funding for patrols, community initiatives like the Young Futures Programme, and enhanced policing strategies, including hotspot and neighbourhood policing.
The Solicitor General also provided a written response to the question of what recent steps she has taken to help increase prosecution rates for knife crime.
On the same day, the House of Commons debated on the topic of violence against women and girls. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Jess Phillips, highlighted ongoing efforts, including domestic abuse protection orders and a £20 million investment in specialist services. She also mentioned the upcoming cross-government strategy to address the issue.
On Tuesday 3 June, the House of Commons had its latest justice questions. The Lord Chancellor was asked about reducing the number of young people who reoffend, victims of domestic abuse and violence, reoffending on probation, adequate monitoring of the community accommodation service tier 3, the early release of violent offenders, high street crime, victims of sexual abuse, and sentencing peaceful protestors.
Upcoming business
The Committee Stage for the Mental Health Bill will take place on Tuesday 10 June and Thursday 12 June.
The Chancellor will report the outcome of the 2025 Spending Review on Wednesday 11 June 2025.
The Second Reading in the House of Commons of the Anonymity of Suspects Bill will take place on Friday 13 June.
The Report Stage of the Crime and Policing Bill will have additional sittings on Tuesday 17 June and Wednesday 18 June.
Women
Level Up, alongside Women in Prison and Birth Companions, called for an urgent amendment to the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-Sentence Reports) Bill to protect pregnant women and mothers of young children. Level Up’s proposed amendment would ensure pregnancy and maternity remain grounds for PSRs.
The National Women’s Justice Coalition and the Women’s Budget Group published a report on the financial case for investing in women’s centres. It argues that women’s centres are a cost-effective alternative to prison and save significant amounts of money in the long term, as well as reducing reoffending rates significantly, whilst providing holistic, tailored support for women’s needs.
Families
Parental Imprisonment Collective published a report on the challenges faced by children whose parents are imprisoned. The report highlights the significant adverse impacts on children due to parental imprisonment and explores the increased risks of poor health, educational disruptions, poverty, and stigma these children face. The report also challenges the narrative that these children are predisposed to criminal behaviour, arguing that such labelling is harmful and contravenes their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It calls for policy changes to provide better support and understanding for these children, emphasising the need for a compassionate, person-centred approach to mitigate the long-term effects of parental imprisonment.
The Prison Advice and Care Trust released an article on equipping teachers to support children with parents in prison. The article discusses the challenges faced by children with parents in prison and the efforts by Pact to support them. Around 200,000 children in the UK experience parental imprisonment annually, which can lead to adverse effects like poverty, social isolation, and mental health issues.
The Prison Reform Trust released a blog on children and young people’s experiences of their parents or guardians on probation. The blog discusses the importance of the "Think Child" approach in probation services, inspired by a conversation with children who found probation workers intimidating.
Youth justice
The Howard League launched a legal challenge against introduction of PAVA to prisons holding children. The Howard League argues that its use in young offender institutions represents an escalation in force, potentially worsening conditions for children and disproportionately affecting vulnerable and minority groups.
Accommodation
London Assembly Housing Committee has published its findings following its inquiry into housing for women leaving prison in London, which includes contributions from Clinks’ Director of National Influencing & Networks. The report highlights the urgent need for safe and stable housing for women leaving prison. It reveals that many women face homelessness or unsafe living conditions upon release, which exacerbates their vulnerabilities and increases the risk of reoffending. The report calls for coordinated support from local authorities, probation services, and non-profit organisations, emphasising a gender-informed approach. Key recommendations include training programs for agencies, promoting the Women's Release Practice Briefing, reviewing the Community Accommodation Service Tier-3 scheme, and increasing supported housing units specifically for women leaving prison.
Criminal justice system
More in Common released a report which highlights the public's dissatisfaction with the UK's criminal justice system, emphasising its perceived ineffectiveness in reducing crime and protecting the public. It identifies three main public priorities: punishment, accountability, and proportionality. The report reveals a strong demand for change, with a significant portion of the public favouring community sentences over prison for certain offenders, provided these alternatives are well-resourced and include a prison backstop for non-compliance. The findings suggest that reforms focusing on accountability, contribution to society, and proportionality could gain broad public support and address the current system's shortcomings.
Resettlement
Switchback released its Prison Recall Report 2025 in collaboration with their Experts by Experience Board. It examines the impact of prison recall on resettlement and reducing the prison population. The research highlights inconsistencies in probation officers' behaviour, the lack of support for neurodiverse individuals, and the negative effects of recall on confidence and rehabilitation. The report calls for urgent reforms, including external decision-makers for recall decisions, improved data quality, and better communication tools. It emphasises the need for relational support and a national resettlement framework to provide holistic support for prison leavers.
Clinks Events
Small Charity Week - platform your organisation
- With Small Charity Week around the corner, we would love to take this opportunity to platform and celebrate our valued Clinks members. We are seeking to spotlight organisations throughout the week (23-30 June 2025) via Light Lunch, our website and our social media channels. If you work for a small organisation, with an income of 500k or less, and are a Clinks member, we would love to hear from you! Contact Jason Watt, our Specialist Communications Officer to register your interest.
NCJAA Writing Development Workshops
- The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) and the Royal Literary Fund (RLF) have partnered to deliver our capacity-building writing programme. The training is designed for individuals and organisations delivering services and projects in the criminal justice system. Workshops will cover vital writing development skills for reflective writing, case studies and demonstrating your impact. We are currently taking booking for the following workshops:
- NCJAA & Royal Literary Fund Workshop: Reflective Writing [24 June 2025, 10:00-12:30, online, free]. Register here.
- NCJAA & Royal Literary Fund Workshop: Case Studies [8 July 2025, 10:00-12:30, online, free]. Register here.
Wider Sector Events
Clean Break: Lollipop - exclusive screening
- Clean Break is delighted to invite you to an exclusive screening of Lollipop. Directed by Daisy-May Hudson and starring Clean Break Member artists, Lollipop [19 June, 19:00-21:30, Charlotte Street Hotel, London, £32.68] is a life affirming and timely story - check out the trailer here. When young mum Molly (Posy Sterling) is released from prison after serving four months, she assumes it will be a matter of hours before she can pick up her children from foster care. Instead, Molly finds herself in the mother of all catch-22s: she can’t get housing because she doesn’t have her kids living with her; but she can’t get them back without a roof over her head. When Molly reconnects with her childhood friend, and fellow single mother, Amina (Idil Ahmed), the two women join forces and take destiny into their own hands. Book your tickets here
Rosa’s Rise Fund 2025
- Rosa UK's Rosa’s Rise Fund invests in organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised women and girls - organisations that provide essential support for individuals and communities. Yet many are on teetering on the brink of survival because of chronic underfunding. Rise offers two-year organisational development grants of up to £40,000 to organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised women and girls. Applications close [23 June, 16:00].
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies: Echoes of tomorrow
- The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies is hosting an event titled "Echoes of Tomorrow." The event will explore the influence of past decisions on current criminal justice policies, the impact of today's decisions on future generations, and how future expectations shape present-day crime and justice. Notable speakers include Michael Fiddler, Travis Linnemann, and Theo Kindynis, who co-authored the award-winning article "Ghost Criminology." [In-person and online via Zoom 24 June 2025, 18:00 - 19:00] Register here.
Offploy: One-stop-shop disclosure toolkit launch
- Clinks members are on the frontline of mentoring socially excluded people, many of whom will have a criminal record. Offploy has created a one-stop-shop Disclosure Toolkit with a new up-to-date disclosure calculator, advice pages, and...coming soon...an AI powered tool to create an application ready disclosure statement [26 June, 09:15, online, free].
Mentoring With PwC
- 13 prison leaders are currently paired with 13 Senior Partners from PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in a unique reciprocal mentoring model arranged by Andy Mouncey of Run For Your Life CIC. A celebration event for all involved will be held on [15 July], as well as an invitation to guests at the end of the first year of this project at PwC London Offices. If you or your organisation would like to find out more and be considered for the 2025-26 intake, please email andy@andymouncey.com for an invite to the July 15 celebration event.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova
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