This specialist quarterly ebulletin keeps you updated on relevant developments for organisations working to support women in contact with the criminal justice system. Please contact Jackie Lowthian at Jackie.lowthian@clinks.org if there is anything you would like to raise or to include items in the next ebulletin. Find out more about our work with women here.
In this edition...
Criminal Justice: 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
- End Violence Against Women
- Hibiscus Initiatives
- 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.
Reflections on the Sentencing Review: we cannot miss this opportunity for women
Writing in The Big Issue, Sonya Ruparel, CEO of Women in Prison, urged the Government not to waste its chance to stop setting women in contact with the justice system up to fail. With a historic opportunity to address the harms of prison and invest in proven community alternatives, this is a crucial moment for transformative change. Read the article here.
Clinks influence: Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Board (RR3)
The RR3 Special Interest Group on Community Provision has now published two separate reports looking at – drug and alcohol services, and mental health support for people in contact with the criminal justice system. Both reports set out recommendations designed to ensure greater numbers of people can be supported to address need in the community.
The RR3 Reference Group on tackling racial disparities in the criminal justice system published its report, in partnership with Black Men 4 Change (BM4C), into racial disparities in sentencing. The work is continuing to inform engagement with Sentencing Review officials.
The minutes from March’s RR3 meeting can be found, here. The meeting covered Dame Anne Owers’ review into the handling of prison capacity, the review of the Youth Justice Board, the Sentencing Review, the Spending Review and the Women’s Justice Board.
At June’s meeting, the RR3 heard from Lord Timpson following the publication of the Independent Sentencing Review’s final report. There was a discussion with the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) Remand and Bail Policy Team about proposed reforms to bail processes. Seat holders were also updated on the Rademaker Review, which reported on bullying, harassment and discrimination within HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
Clinks influence: representing the women’s sector
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 Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) Stakeholder Advisory Forum and its accompanying Women’s Stakeholder Advisory Forum.
Women and Justice – A New Direction: Weavers grant award
Following a successful summit in January, the Worshipful Company of Weavers announced the design phase of a major sector-identified proof-of-concept intervention to tackle the challenges of women and criminal justice and reduce the use of custody. The design of the initiative (to be implemented later) will be supported by an expert advisory group. After a fiercely competitive process with some extremely high-quality bids, the grant award has been offered to a consortium of women’s specialist organisations and experts, named Her Insights Collective.
Clinks networks: Women’s Networking Forum
The latest Clinks Women’s Networking Forum took place on 3 June. There were updates from Clinks on the RR3, with an opportunity for members to pose questions that could be put to Minister for Prisons and Probation, James Timpson at an RR3 meeting he is attending on 24 June. Clinks CEO, Anne Fox, and Katy Swaine Williams, independent criminal justice expert, gave an overview of their work as members of the Women’s Justice Board. The forum included sessions on improving bail outcomes for women to reduce the use of custodial remand and on the Agenda Alliance’s work on young women’s pathway into the criminal justice system. We also heard about some of the key findings from the Clinks State of the Sector research.
Award-winning feature documentary: HOLLOWAY
The documentary, HOLLOWAY, follows six women - Mandy Ogumokun, Lady Unchained, Aliyah Ali, Gerrah, Sarah Cassidy and Tamar Mujanay - as they return to the abandoned building of Holloway Prison to take part in a women’s circle. Sharing some of the most intimate experiences of their lives, they unravel what led each of them to prison, building an eye-opening portrait of failing systems, trauma and discovering their extraordinary capacity to heal through sisterhood. Catch the film at a cinema near you this summer: hollowayfilm.com and see trailer here.
NCJAA & Royal Literary Fund Workshop: Case Studies
8 July, online, free
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) is working in partnership with the Royal Literary Fund to deliver free writing development training for individuals and organisations delivering services and projects in the criminal justice system. This workshop will use a case study approach to exploring ideas, explaining situations, demonstrating learning, reporting progress or celebrating your organisation’s success and the benefits for individuals, communities and other stakeholders. Case studies can also be useful for marketing and research. Find out more and book your place here
Celebrating 10 years of pioneering VAWG services
Advance is proud to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Angelou Partnership this June. The partnership of ten specialist Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) services work together, recognising that each survivor’s experience of abuse will be different, and therefore will need a different approach through specialist intervention.
Join in and mark ten years of this pioneering partnership through a webinar series where partners will share insights, impact, and best practice in ending VAWG. Click the webinar title to book your place for that specific event.
- A Coordinated Approach to Tackling VAWG - 3 July, 14:00, online, free
- Safeguarding at the Centre of a Survivor-Led Approach - 8 July, 14:00, online, free
- Supporting Survivors through Specialist Support - 10 July, 14:00, online, free
The partnership is especially proud to have been shortlisted for the award for a national Charity Award, in the Social Care, Advice & Support category.
University of Birmingham research into women’s centres as alternative to custody
Research undertaken by the Women, Crime and Justice Research Group at the University of Birmingham, with support from The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls, seeks to further the case for women’s centres as a viable alternative to custody for women. The research team works in close partnership with several women’s centres nationally who are committed to being involved in the research and developing the evidence base around their centres. This work continues to be developed through the JABBS-funded Effective Women’s Centre Partnership, aiming to evidence the effectiveness of women’s centres in holistically addressing the needs of criminal justice-involved women. Read a high-level summary of various research outputs so far, showcasing methods, key findings and conclusions. Read research summaries and access papers here.
Women facing multiple disadvantage: new resources from Agenda Alliance
In March, Agenda Alliance released a short film, highlighting the silencing and barriers women experiencing multiple unmet needs face when trying to access support. They have now shared two free-to-download toolkits, one for policy and decision-makers, the other for frontline professionals, to encourage reflection on the film’s content and spur viewers to action. They hope the film and toolkits could be shared within partnership networks, in meetings with stakeholders, and at events, to increase awareness of the needs and experiences of women facing multiple forms of disadvantage. Find out more and access the toolkits here.
Marking 40 years of Women in Prison: new digital timeline
To mark its 40th anniversary, Women in Prison has launched a dynamic digital timeline showcasing four decades of radical campaigning and frontline support for women affected by the criminal justice system. This interactive resource features powerful archive material and oral histories from key figures who shaped the movement. Discover the milestones, voices, and stories that define our work for better women’s justice and trace the radical roots of Women in Prison. See the timeline here.
Cherie Blair on women's justice in Secret Life of Prisons
In a powerful recent episode of The Secret Life of Prisons podcast, Cherie Blair and Kate Morrissey reflect on their personal and professional journeys in women’s justice. They discuss the urgent need for change across the system, the role of the Women’s Justice Board, and why change for women must be a priority. Listen here.
Probation Journal: 2027 Special Issue - Where are the Women and Girls? Call for papers
This special issue of Probation Journal – which will be published twenty years after Baroness Coston (2007) undertook her landmark review into the way the criminal justice system works with women – will focus on centralising and developing a better understanding of the experiences, histories and voices of women and girls. The issue will take stock, assess progress, and provide a platform for activism and change to work towards equity and wider social justice in the field of probation and criminal justice. Submissions from people with lived experience and those affected by intersectionality or race, age and gender are particularly welcome. The deadline for abstracts of no more than 300 words is 8 September 2025, with notification by 29 September 2025. Find out more here.
Receiving the Clinks women’s network ebulletin
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