In this issue...
- CLINKS NEWS: HMPPS Rehabilitation Grants Scheme 2026–29
- MEMBER FOCUS: Behind the Curtain (BTC) CIC
- CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Foward Trust - national reunion 2025
- CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Punished for surviving? Women in the prison system
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: a new play, Lifers
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Speak Out Listen In
- CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Trauma Informed Team Management Programme 2026
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Alarming findings on children in custody
- NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Unseen Stories. Lasting Change
- NON-MEMBERS’ TRAINING: Applied Criminology, Penology and Leadership
- OPPORTUNITY: Men's Commissioned Rehabilitative Services
- CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:
- READS OF THE WEEK:
- EXTRA INFORMATION:
CLINKS NEWS: HMPPS Rehabilitation Grants Scheme 2026–29
Clinks has published a blog about His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Rehabilitation Grants Scheme for the Voluntary Sector, worth [£3 million, running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029]. Grants will be between [£50k–£150k per annum for periods of 6 months to 3 years].
The scheme aims to strengthen voluntary sector support in reducing prison recalls, improving resettlement, and easing demand on probation services. Applications are welcome from individual organisations or consortia, though applicants must show an annual turnover of at least twice the grant value and include evaluation costs.
The Stage 1 (PQQ) [deadline is 6 October 2025]. Further details are available on the Jaggaer platform under PQQ_524 Rehabilitation Grants Scheme 2026–29, or read our Clinks blog.
MEMBER FOCUS: Behind the Curtain (BTC) CIC
Behind the Curtain (BTC) CIC is a Community Interest Company dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community. They focus on emotional well being, personal growth, and fostering meaningful connections.
Their services include one-to-one coaching, group wellness sessions, and accountability coaching that offer individuals the opportunity to explore their identity, heal from past trauma, and build resilience. Through their Inside Out Program, they support LGBTQ+ prisoners by providing accountability coaching and wellness activities. Additionally, they host creative and educational workshops encouraging self-care, personal expression, and community building. Find out more about Behind the Curtain CIC
CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Foward Trust - national reunion 2025
Compelling stories were heard at the Forward Trust's annual National Reunion for 2025. The event was delivered through its Forward Connect peer-led recovery service, where four service users shared powerful video testimonies describing their journeys from addiction, crime, and prison - to recovery, healing, and finding new purpose.
Their stories covered themes like childhood trauma, loss, and the challenges of addiction. The videos, each over 10 minutes, are intended to inspire and raise awareness of the transformative impact of recovery support.
Watch the full testimonies here
CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Punished for surviving? Women in the prison system
Get involved with the latest Transform Justice podcast: Punished for surviving? Women in the prison system
Women are the fastest-growing prison population globally, but most offend to survive or to protect their children. In this episode, the hosts are joined by Dr Sarah Waite, Leeds Beckett University, and Lucy Campbell, founder of Flip of the Coin CIC, to discuss how the prison system is failing women and what could be done to improve how society responds when women are in crisis. Listen here
Dr Sarah Waite: Find our more about Sarah's work and see her latest publications
Lucy Campbell: Learn more about Lucy's arts organisation
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: a new play, Lifers
Synergy Theatre Company is pleased to announce a blistering new play, Evan Placey's "Lifers" [1-25 October, Southwark Play House, London, £22 Standard | £18 Concessions | Previews £16].
Peter Wight leads a powerhouse cast who take us inside HMP Drummond, where Baxter, Norton and Lenny trade stories, jokes and grudges. These are the lifers who never left.
But Lenny’s body is failing. And when young officer Mark steps in, duty turns into something more risky: connection. The kind that cracks open a system designed to punish, not to care.
Dark, funny, and human, Lifers asks: What happens when you grow old behind bars? When the world forgets you? When forgiveness feels out of reach? Get your tickets here
Post Show Events: Post Show events are free to attend with a ticket to that evening’s performance.
Q&A with Synergy Theatre Project cast and creatives [Monday 13 October]
Panel discussion: Can dignity survive a life sentence? [Monday 20 October]
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Speak Out Listen In
BearFace Theatre CIC is proud to share, and invite you to, Winchester Cathedral's Law Week Festival events in October.
Arts & Criminal Justice Research Report launch
BearFace will launch their research report, highlighting the impact of BearFace's Applied Theatre programme for 131 men in HMP Winchester since 2018 [14 October, 14:00 - 16:00, Winchester Cathedral, free] Book your place
Speak Out Listen In: Perspectives on the Criminal Justice System
This event will inclue a performance art piece collaboratively created by the people BearFace works with, in prison and in the community [16 October, 19:30 - 21:00, University of Winchester, £15]. Book your place
CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Trauma Informed Team Management Programme 2026
Applications are now open for One Small Thing's Trauma Informed Team Management Programme 2026 [January - July 2026, in person and online, £800+ VAT]. On the Programme, participants will explore what it means to manage a team of people in a way that aligns with the core values and principles of trauma-informed practice.
The Programme is for managers who have line managerial responsibility for a team who support people who have experienced trauma. The Programme consists of an in-person training day in Oxford (28 January 2026) and six online Action Learning Sets (February – July 2026), providing a unique opportunity to collaborate with peers to help solve challenges faced when leading a team. Applications are open until [31 October 2025]. Read more and apply here
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Alarming findings on children in custody
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons published their report on Children in Custody 2024-25. The report reveals dire conditions for 12 to 18-year-olds in secure centres and young offender institutions.
- 61% reported victimisation, yet only 27% would report it.
- Many spend less than 2 hours out of cell each weekday.
- Education and activities are poor or cancelled.
- Children with disabilities or from minority ethnic groups were more likely to feel unsafe.
- Over half of previous safety concerns remain unaddressed.
The report shows that reducing numbers alone is not enough - urgent action is needed to improve safety, support and opportunities. Read the report
NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Unseen Stories. Lasting Change
Met Theatre in Bury is hosting a unique theatrical experience [24 October, The Met, Bury, 19:00 - 20:00, £5].
A group of local residents who are in recovery from alcohol and/or drug addiction will be performing a selection of recovery-themed sketches, spoken word and songs for a live audience. The program 'Anonymous Drama' (like drama therapy for people who usually have no interest in drama), has been running across the UK since 2016 with over 5000 participants taking part and 250+ of these live events produced. Authentic recovery stories through the voices of real people with lived experience. This isn’t traditional theatre – it’s something completely different and deeply moving. The performance will be followed by 30 min Q&A. Please support and book your tickets here
NON-MEMBERS’ TRAINING: Applied Criminology, Penology and Leadership
Applications are now open for the MSt Applied Criminology, Penology and Leadership at the Institute of Criminology, Cambridge.
The course, which starts in [April 2026] is open to people working in the criminal justice system including those in public and private prisons, probation services, youth justice, the third sector, the magistracy, and international governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The course is designed to be compatible with full-time careers in criminal justice, and aims to produce highly informed and research-literate future leaders. It is taught through a series of residential study blocks in Cambridge, by internationally renowned researchers and guest speakers, with an emphasis on interactive learning between experienced criminal justice professionals and academics.
Follow this link for more information including fees, dates and admission requirements.
If you have questions, please contact mst.administration@crim.cam.ac.uk or the Course Director, Dr. Jake Phillips, on jrp60@cam.ac.uk
OPPORTUNITY: Men's Commissioned Rehabilitative Services
Cranstoun are a national social justice charity. They deliver specialist criminal justice, substance use, housing and domestic abuse services throughout the UK, including a very strong and diverse delivery footprint over the West Midlands region. They are interested in placing bids for the lots in West Midlands region for the forthcoming Men's Commissioned Rehabilitative Services. They are seeking authentic organisations with similar values to partner with, particularly those with local expertise, knowledge and service delivery experience. They would particularly like to hear from organisations with a delivery specialism in ‘Finance, benefit and debt advocacy services (who are FCA accredited)’. Please contact them directly at bdt@cranstoun.org.uk
CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:
Senior Caseworker – County Lines (Ref: CLS-251) with St Giles Trust [£27,000, Cardiff, full time]; Trustee (Voluntary Role) with Shannon Trust [Voluntary, Nationwide, part time]; Business Support Officer with Shannon Trust [£28,000, Remote, part time]; Community Peer Mentor – Wales Accommodation Service – Dyfed-Powys with The Forward Trust [Voluntary, Dyfed Powys, part time]; Community Peer Mentor – Wales Accommodation Service – Gwent with The Forward Trust [Voluntary, Gwent, part time]; Community Peer Mentor – Wales Accommodation Service – South Wales with The Forward Trust [Voluntary, South Wales (M4 Corridor), part time]; Director of Development (maternity cover) with Koestler Arts [£45,000 – £50,000, East Acton, full time]; Support Time & Recovery Navigator with Practice Plus Group [£28,247 – £32,346, West Yorkshire Region, full time]; Support Time & Recovery Navigator with Practice Plus Group [£28,247 – £32,346, Scarborough Police Station, full time]; Interim Policy Manager with Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) [£33,516, London, part time].
For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here
READS OF THE WEEK:
- A Prison Inspector Calls: A unique insight into the many problems facing our prison system
- Hillsborough Law to ensure truth never concealed by state again
- The Guardian view on criminal justice reform: community sentencing can’t be done on the cheap
- Charity staff recruitment is a worldwide challenge, research finds
EXTRA INFORMATION:
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