Welcome to the August 2025 edition of the Clinks Policy Briefing. Please let us know if you have any thoughts on this newsletter or any of the things it has covered by contacting the Policy team.
This month:
- Our Policy Work, including continued engagement with the Independent Sentencing Review (ISR), responses to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Annual Report, the 10-Year Health Plan, the Independent Prison Capacity Review, and the London Assembly Economy Culture and Skills Committee’s call for evidence on finding employment after prison, and publishing blogs on our Families’ Network and in Civil Society’s Governance & Leadership Magazine.
- Latest Justice News, including the publication of the Civil Society Covenant, a report on the lived experience of disabled people in the UK, Crime outcomes in England and Wales 2024 to 2025, Prison Performance Ratings: 2024 to 2025 and the AI Action Plan, amongst other news.
- Parliamentary News, including the latest edition of justice questions, covering topics including crown court backlogs and pre-trial waiting times, knife-crime and prisoner education, and written questions on increasing prison capacity and improving security, women-only probation services, alternatives to prison for women, and victim support schemes, amongst other news.
- Sector Insights, including the Centre for Justice Innovation’s concerns about aspects of the Crime and Policing Bill, their financial analysis of women’s problem-solving courts, Prison Advice and Care Trust’s report on the mental health crisis in prisons, and the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies’ report on young adults facing increasingly harsher outcomes despite fewer coming into the prison, amongst a range of other sector insights and publications.
Throughout July, we continued to support voluntary sector engagement with officials on the recommendations of the ISR. This took the form of two roundtable events – the first on drug, alcohol and mental health-related ISR recommendations, and the second on recommendations related to older people in prison. The first roundtable also covered the ongoing work of the RR3 Community Provision Special Interest Group (SIG) and the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Expert Panel (DAREP). There will be continued engagement opportunities for the sector on the ISR, which will be communicated across our digital channels.
We held a third roundtable in July, on the Victims' Code and delivery of rights for people in prison under the code. The session also looked at the barriers to support, and what can be done to achieve equivalence with victims in the community.
We launched a series of responses to significant justice-related publications, including blog posts on the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Annual Report, the omission of justice in the 10-year Health Plan and the Independent Prison Capacity Review. We had our response to the Independent Sentencing Review published in the Governance and Leadership Magazine run by the Civil Society. We published our response to the Civil Society Covenant. We also submitted a response to the London Assembly Economy Culture and Skills Committee’s call for evidence regarding finding employment after prison and will be publishing this in due course.
We published a further series of blogs: on the story of our Families’ Network so far, from the Bell Foundation on language support for victims of crime; from the Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) on getting ‘earned progression’ right and from Penned Up on co-curation in prisons.
Finally, we published a letter from Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, responding to questions submitted by members of Clinks' Women's Network Forum to the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group.
Sir Brian Leveson's Independent Review of the Criminal Courts
On Wednesday 9 July, the Independent Review of Criminal Courts published the first part of its report. It was commissioned to address major pressures and backlogs in the Crown Court system in England and Wales.
Crown Court Open Caseload Projections: 2025 to 2029
On Wednesday 9 July, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) published its internal planning projections for Crown open caseload from 2025 to 2029 in place at March 2025.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman annual report: 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 10 July, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) released its annual report for 2024 to 2025, which highlights significant internal changes, increased demand for probation services, and efforts to improve investigation timeliness and efficiency, while addressing systemic issues and enhancing stakeholder collaboration.
Families First for Children Pathfinder
On Thursday 10 July, the Department for Education released the Families First for Children Pathfinder (FFCP) report, which highlights early success in improving child protection and family support through integrated multi-agency collaboration, earlier intervention, and family-led decision-making.
Progression of cases submitted to the CPS for charging decisions
On Thursday 10 July, the Home Office published research which explores factors influencing the progression of cases sent by police to the CPS for a charging decision.
Prison population: monthly prison figures 2025
On Friday 11 July, the MoJ published its monthly prison figures for June 2025.
Youth custody data: May 2025 and June 2025
On Friday 11 July, HMPPS published monthly statistics for May 2025 on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate, and on August 8 for June 2025.
Greater compensation for victims of Miscarriages of Justice
On Tuesday 15 July, the MoJ published a press release, detailing that victims of miscarriages of justice will be eligible for greater compensation to rebuild their lives following a proposed increase in the compensation cap.
A Thematic Rape Inspection Report
On Tuesday 15 July, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) published a report identifying the need for CPS to improve its handling of adult rape cases at the early advice and pre-charge review stage.
Young Futures Hubs
On Tuesday 15 July, the Prime Minister announced that Young Futures Hubs, to support vulnerable young people who are at risk of being drawn into gangs, violence or knife crime, will be operational at the end of this year.
Better Prisons: Less Crime
On Wednesday 16 July, the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee published a report examining the purpose, leadership, and oversight of prisons in England and Wales, staffing issues and barriers to providing purposeful activity. Our response to the initial inquiry can be found, here.
Progression Panels for Indeterminate Sentences Policy Framework
On Thursday 17 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published policy guidance which sets out the mandatory requirements for progression panels in prisons and in the community for individuals serving indeterminate sentences.
Civil Society Covenant
On Thursday 17 July, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport released a new principles-based arrangement for re-setting the relationship between UK Government and civil society.
What works to support disadvantaged groups towards employment?
On Thursday 17 July, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published a report on its findings from a systematic review on what works to support disadvantaged groups move towards and into employment.
HMPPS annual report on the IPP sentence 2024 to 25
On Thursday 17 July, HMPPS and the MoJ published their second annual report on the imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence, including a refreshed action plan.
The Parole Board for England & Wales Annual Report 2024/25
On Thursday 17 July, the Parole Board published its 2024-25 Annual Report & accounts.
The lived experience of disabled people in the UK
On Thursday 17 July, the Disability Unity and Office for Equality and Opportunity published its findings from a review of evidence on the lived experience of disabled people in the UK published between 2010 and 2021. This included their experience in the justice sector, from barriers to accessing justice, experiences of victimisation, experiences in safeguarding contexts, to experiences serving sentences and in prison.
Knowledge partnerships in youth justice
On Friday 18 July, HMIP published a report which calls for sustained collaboration between researchers and youth justice professionals to embed evidence-based, child-focused practices in the justice system.
Accredited Programme Sentences and Starts Ad Hoc
On Tuesday 22 July, the MoJ published ad hoc data on accredited programme sentences and starts.
Parole Board Strategy 2025-28
On Wednesday 23 July, the Parole Board released a report of plans for the next 3 years.
Four years on: Neurodiversity in prisons
On Wednesday 23 July, HMIP published a blog which reflects on progress since a 2021 review of evidence of ‘Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System’, as part of the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection (CJJI) with HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
Crime outcomes in England and Wales 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 24 July, the Home Office published statistics on outcomes assigned to offences recorded to March 2025 and the total number of outcomes recorded.
Crime cutting courts to target prolific offending hotspots
On Friday 25 July, the MoJ announced that communities home to persons with prolific offending behaviours will be better protected as part of an expansion of revolutionary new courts aimed at cutting less serious crime.
Address Checks (Post Custody) Policy Framework
On Monday 28 July, the MoJ and HMPPS updated their policy framework which sets out the actions for the Probation Service in reviewing appropriate residential addresses for those under their supervision after release from prison.
Prisons Taser trial to protect staff and tackle violence
On Monday 28 July, the MoJ announced they will clamp down on violence, with specially trained staff to be issued Tasers in a new trial launched by the Lord Chancellor.
Updated Guidance and Frameworks
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ and HMPPS updated numerous frameworks: Prison Public Protection Policy Framework, Parole Board oral hearing administration and attendance policy framework, Information Sharing Policy Framework, Intelligence collection and analysis policy framework, Authorised communications controls and interception policy framework and Management and Handling of Evidence Policy Framework.
Offender management statistics quarterly: January to March 2025
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published quarterly statistics on people in custody, and quarterly statistics on prison receptions, prison releases, adjudications, licence recalls and those under probation supervision.
Proven reoffending statistics: July and September 2023
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ published statistics on reoffending of those released from custody, received a non-custodial conviction, or a caution.
Prison Performance Ratings: 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ published statistics on the annual performance ratings of prison establishments in England and Wales.
Recall, review and re-release of recalled prisoners: Update
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the mandatory requirements and guidance for staff involved in the recall, review and re-release of recalled prisoners.
Community Performance Annual, update to March 2025
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ published their annual release of performance statistics for the Probation Service, incorporating Probation Service and Commissioned Rehabilitative Services performance.
Offender accommodation outcomes, update to March 2025
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ published performance statistics on housing and accommodation outcomes for people supervised by the Probation Service.
HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2024 to March 2025
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published the Annual Digest, which features a range of detailed statistics and measures for prisons and probation.
Safety in custody: quarterly update to March 2025
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published a quarterly update on deaths, self-harm and assaults in prison custody in England and Wales, and annual detailed data on assaults and self-harm in prison custody.
Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate: Update to March 2025
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service (YCS) published Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate statistics which cover assaults, self-harm, separations, use of force and deaths in the Children and Young People Secure Estate in England and Wales.
AI Action Plan
On Thursday 31 July, the MoJ published the AI Action Plan for Justice sets the strategic direction for responsible AI use across the Ministry of Justice over the next three years.
Independent Prison Capacity Review
On Tuesday 5 August, Dame Anne Owers, on behalf of the MoJ, published a review which examines the prison capacity crisis and offers recommendations to help future governments avoid recurring crises.
Outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals
On Wednesday 6 August, the Attorney General’s Office published transparency data on recent sentences that they examined under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Voluntary, community and social enterprises action plan
On Wednesday 6 August, the Home Office released an action plan which outlines how the Home Office is supporting voluntary, community and social enterprises (VSCEs).
New ‘restriction zones’ to boost protection for victims
On Friday 8 August, the MoJ announced that new restriction zones will curb the freedoms of the people who commit the most serious sexual and violent offences by ‘locking’ them into specific areas where necessary.
Recent business
Parliamentary questions:
- In the latest session of Justice Questions, the Lord Chancellor responded to questions on: reducing the crown court backlog and pre-trial waiting times, accountability of private contractors, legal aid in rural areas and digital services, prison officers' terms and conditions and pension age, and supporting victims of violence against women and grooming gangs. She was also asked about increasing prison capacity and whether it has been affected by deporting foreign persons who offend, improving prison security, supporting probation officers, parole board decisions about ‘serious offenders’, knife crime and prison education.
- Further questions covered: imprisoned mothers with babies, violence against women and children and the adequacy of surrounding legislation, violence against and attacks on prison officers, community orders, probation staffing, release of those who commit violent offences and people who re-offend, community-based rehabilitation and gambling in prison. She was also asked about foreign nationals on remand, women-only probation services, alternatives to prison for women, mother and baby prison units, women’s centres, parole boards, curfews for people released from prison, juries, victims of people released on the early release scheme, people on probation without electronic tags, and victim support schemes.
- In the latest edition of Home Office Questions, the Home Secretary answered questions on Neighbourhood policing and improving its effectiveness.
Debates:
- On Wednesday 9 July, the long-term impact of early release schemes on public confidence in the justice system was debated in the House of Lords.
- On Wednesday 9 July, proposed restrictions to trial by jury were debated in the House of Commons. They were debated on Monday 14 July in the House of Lords.
- On Thursday 24 July, Young Futures Hubs were debated in the House of Lords
Accommodation
Homeless Link published its 2024 Review of Services Addressing Single Homelessness in England, which highlights that addressing homelessness through support services can reduce criminal behaviour, aid in the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals, and prevent the criminalisation of homelessness, ultimately improving public safety and requiring coordinated policy and funding efforts.
Prison
Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) published their annual report for 2024, which highlights a year of growth and innovation, including expanded distance learning for prisoners, enhanced digital access to education, targeted support in underrepresented regions, and influential policy advocacy to improve prison education across England and Wales.
Religion
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) published a report which outlines how Christian churches, charities, and volunteers have taken on roles once delivered by public services, supporting both victims of crime and those caught up in the justice system. The report acknowledges that the government has inherited a system in crisis and calls on ministers to invest in what works to make communities safer.
Policing
The Centre for Justice Innovation published a briefing on their concerns about aspects of the Crime and Policing Bill currently passing through Parliament. It outlines the evidence that strongly suggests that Respect Orders, a new civil order to tackle anti-social behaviour, will have a range of back-fire effects and outlines the evidence on different measures the Government could take to reduce anti-social behaviour instead, such as through new community justice provision.
Women
The Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) presents the accounts of seven victims of coercive control who were unfairly criminalised as a result of their own experience of abuse and recommends reforms in law, policy and practice. The research illustrates how the criminal justice system in England and Wales routinely fails victims of coercive control by prosecuting them for offences committed under duress or in the context of abuse, often ignoring critical evidence of their victimisation.
The Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) published a financial analysis of women’s problem-solving courts, which found that the average annual cost of a women’s problem solving court placement is less than that for a six-month custodial sentence, as well as a briefing on evidence and best practice related to these courts. They also published a briefing on Improving the criminal court experience for women which highlights the need to improve the criminal court experience for women, whether as defendants, victims, or witnesses, by removing participation barriers, enhancing access to support, and preventing re-traumatisation.
Mental Health
PACT published a report which highlights the severe mental health crisis in UK prisons, where nine out of ten inmates have at least one mental health or substance use issue, and services are overstretched, under-resourced, and often fail to meet urgent needs. It urges the government to shift investment from prison expansion to community-based mental health interventions, improve timely hospital transfers, and involve families more in care, aligning with NHS and justice reform goals for a more humane and effective system.
Sentencing
The CJI posted an article which critiques the implementation of Behavioural Control Orders (BCOs), arguing that while they are introduced with good intentions to reduce crime and social harm, they often fail due to poor planning, lack of resources, and inconsistent local practices. It urges the government to shift focus from creating new legislation like Respect Orders to investing in proven, evidence-based interventions and frontline services.
Transform Justice published a report which examines the Single Justice Procedure (SJP), highlighting its efficiency in processing low-level offences but exposing serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and accessibility, particularly for vulnerable defendants. It calls for urgent reforms to ensure procedural justice, better scrutiny of private prosecutors, and safeguards against wrongful convictions.
Young Adults
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies published a report which highlights that although fewer young adults (aged 18–24) are entering the criminal justice system, those who do are facing increasingly harsher outcomes, including higher rates of remand and longer prison sentences. The Youth Endowment fund published a report which shows that the core indicators of violence and violent victimisation affecting children have also risen.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova
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