Welcome to the October 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 September’s RR3 meeting, the RR3 Specialist Interest Group session on a “Whole Systems Approach” for women in contact with the criminal justice system, a Women’s Network Forum session on recall, our first ever small organisations network roundtable session and the launch of our State of the Sector 2025 research and survey.
- Latest Justice News, including progress on the Criminal Justice Anti-Racism Action Plan for Wales from 2024 to 2025, latest youth custody data from July and August 2025, criminal court statistics quarterly from April to June 2025, Outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals and youth custody data, amongst other news.
- Parliamentary News, including questions for the Lord Chancellor on drug testing and drug use in prisons, prison accommodation, staffing, officer training, protective clothing and security, resources and strategy to combat gender-based violence against men, mental health in prison, knife crime and progress on the Sentencing Bill, amongst other news.
- Sector Insights, including the release of the 37th edition of Probation Quarterly by the Probation Institute, the Alliance for Youth Justice’s report on victims of child criminal exploitation, The Centre for Justice Innovation’s reflections on the Sentencing Bill and the Howard League’s briefing on the Second Reading of the Bill, amongst a range of other sector insights and publications.
At the end of September, we convened the latest RR3 quarterly meeting at which the focus was on the Sentencing Review and Intensive Supervision Courts (ISCs). Seat holders heard presentations on the latest developments with the Sentencing Bill, and on the implementation phase of the non-legislative aspects of the ISR, alongside a presentation on expanded provision of ISCs. Further discussion was held on the impact of the ISR on the Youth Estate, on challenges related to the mobilisation of the new Prison Education Service (PES) contracts, and on the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Expert Panel.
June's quarterly minutes were published, here.
In September, we held a session of the Specialist Interest Group (SIG) on a “Whole Systems Approach” for Women in contact with the criminal justice system. We heard from voluntary organisations delivering WSAs across different regions, explored key elements for success, and gathered sector expertise to inform the final SIG report. This will be shared in due course. Our latest quarterly Women’s Network Forum also took place. The session focused on the increasing numbers of recalls to prison for women and understanding the drivers specific to women.
We held our first Small Organisations Network roundtable, led by our Small Organisations RR3 seat holder, David Dunn. The meeting introduced the RR3, Clinks and the Small Organisations Network, focusing on how small organisations can provide feedback to RR3 and Clinks. Discussions covered area-based engagement, key challenges facing small organisations, and how to reflect their experiences in our State of the Sector 2025 research.
Partnering with NCVO, we launched our State of the Sector 2025 research, and are now calling for submissions to our Survey. Read our launch blog, here!
Don’t miss this opportunity to tell us about the challenges your organisation has faced, how it has been impacted by changes across the criminal justice system, and let us know more about the brilliant work being done by the sector.
The information gathered will contribute to our Final Report and is vital in enabling us to keep advocating with and for the sector, to influence key decision makers and to make sure that our support meets your needs. Make your voice heard!
We also published a blog on HMPPS Rehabilitation Grants Scheme for the Voluntary Sector.
New remote face scanning tech to monitor 'offenders' and cut crime
On Wednesday 10 September, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced that thousands of people who have committed offences could be kept under additional surveillance by new technology to enhance how the Probation Service monitors and cuts crime.
State of Policing: The Annual Assessment of Policing in England and Wales 2024–25
On Wednesday 10 September, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services published their annual assessment of policing in England and Wales for 2024-25.
Use of Force Policy Framework
On Thursday 11 September, the MoJ and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) updated the use of force policy framework.
Criminal Justice Anti-Racism Action Plan for Wales Annual Report 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 11 September, HMPPS published Criminal Justice Anti-Racism Action Plan for Wales Annual Report 2024 to 2025, which outlines progress on the anti-racism plan in the Welsh criminal justice system, highlighting actions, challenges, and commitment to change by 2030.
Criminal Justice Board for Wales Annual Report 2024 to 25
On Thursday 11 September HMPPS published the Criminal Justice Board for Wales Annual Report for 2024 to 2025, which sets out what efforts have been made to deliver a fair, effective and efficient criminal justice system.
Youth custody data (July 2025)
On Friday 12 September, the HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service published statistics for July 2025 on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate.
First Approved Premises report published
On Wednesday 17 September, HM Inspectorate of Probation published their first approved premises report.
Anti-social behaviour powers
On Wednesday 17 September, the Home Office updated guidance on the powers that the police, local authorities and other local agencies can use to tackle antisocial behaviour.
More ‘sex offenders’ given chemical suppressants
On Thursday 18 September, the MoJ announced that hundreds more individuals who have committed sex-related offences could be given chemical suppressants as part of the Government’s latest efforts to crackdown on sex crimes.
Major safety boost for frontline prison staff
On Sunday 21 September, the MoJ announced that thousands of prison staff will be safer thanks to a new £15 million investment in protective body armour and Tasers as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
Children in custody 2024–25
On Tuesday 23 September, HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published its annual Children in custody report, analysing the perceptions of 12–18-year-olds of their experiences in secure training centres and young offender institutions (YOIs).
Responding to the Children in Custody report: how the YJB is supporting change
On Wednesday 24 September, the Stephanie Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board (YJB), published a blog responding to the Children in Custody report.
Prison Education and Accredited Programme Statistics 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 25 September, the MoJ and HMPPS published an overview of accredited programmes in custody and education in prison, covering assessment, participation, achievement and demographics in England for 2024 to 2025.
Criminal court statistics quarterly: April to June 2025
On Thursday 25 September, the MoJ released official statistics which show the type and volume of cases received and processed through the criminal court system of England and Wales, including statistics on case timeliness from April to June 2025.
Welsh Justice Data: Annual Release 2025
On Monday 29 September, the MoJ and HMPPS published Welsh Justice Data for 2025.
Proven reoffending statistics by index disposal ad hoc, Wales
On Tuesday 30 September, the MoJ published statistics on reoffending of individuals who were released from custody, received a non-custodial conviction, or a caution and have a last known address in Wales.
Extra funding for courts to deliver speedier justice for victims
On Wednesday 1 October, the MoJ announced that victims will get faster justice because more trials will be heard as the Deputy Prime Minister has funded an extra 1250 Crown Court sitting days.
Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook
On Tuesday 7 October, the MoJ updated the Justice in Numbers pocketbook.
Outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals
On Wednesday 9 October, the Attorney General’s Office published the most recent sentences under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Youth custody data (August 2025)
On Thursday 10 October, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service published statistics for August 2025 on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate.
‘Just passing time’: A review of work and training provision in adult prisons
On Monday 13 October, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons released a thematic review which highlights that most adult prisons in England and Wales fail to provide meaningful work and training opportunities, leaving prisoners underprepared for employment on release and contributing to persistently high reoffending rates.
Recent business
Parliamentary questions:
- The Lord Chancellor was asked about several key issues, including:
- Medical treatments for sexual offences (here, here, here and here), sexual offences, drugs and drug use in prisons, prison accommodation, staffing (here and here), officer training, protective clothing and security (here and here), resources and strategy to combat gender-based violence against men, supporting HMPPS, prisoners’ mental health, knife crime, prisoners’ drug tests, criminal proceedings for rape (here, here and here), open prisons (here, here, here and here), alternatives to prison for people who reoffend, homelessness, community orders for women, domestic abuse, offences against children and sexual offence trials, travellers’ caravan sites, and probation and youth justice in Wales.
- The Secretary of State for Education was asked about community development for vulnerable children,
- The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government was asked about crime prevention
Bill Updates
Sentencing Bill
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Tuesday 16 September, Second Reading in the House of Commons
Debates
- Monday 15 September, IPP Sentences were debated in the House of Lords
- Monday 15 September, Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Removal of Prisoners for Deportation) Order 2025 was debated in the House of Lords.
- Tuesday 16 September, Crown Court backlogs were debated in the House of Commons
Prisons
In a guest blog for Russell Webster, Natasha Porter, CEO & Founder of Unlocked Graduates, introduced a new book that codifies effective prison officer training based on years of research and practice, aiming to professionalize and improve the relational skills essential for supporting and managing prisoners.
The Probation Institute released their 37th issue of Probation Quarterly, which highlights practitioner perspectives on leadership, pre-sentence reports, and the urgent need to address young people's health and well-being in the criminal justice system to prevent reoffending and early mortality.
Youth
The Alliance for Youth Justice published a report which explores how victims of child criminal exploitation lose vital support when they turn 18 and are often wrongly treated as perpetrators. The report urges a safeguarding-led approach that bridges youth and adult systems to protect exploited young adults.
Victims
In a guest blog for Russell Webster, Chief Executive of the Parole Board, Cecilia French, emphasizes the Board's commitment to increasing transparency and supporting victims throughout the parole process, including through public hearings, victim liaison services, and clearer communication about decisions.
Sentencing
The Centre for Justice Innovation published the reflections of their Director, Phil Bowen, on the Sentencing Bill, which describe that new Sentencing Bill marks a welcome shift in policy to ease pressure on prisons, it alone cannot solve systemic issues without substantial investment in probation services and broader justice system capacity.
The Howard League has published a briefing on the second reading of the Sentencing Bill which warns that while some reforms are welcome, the overall approach risks worsening prison overcrowding and undermining rehabilitation due to its complex and punitive measures.
The Sentencing Academy has published a report, authored by Rory Kelly, Julian V. Roberts, Jonathan Bild and Raphael Freund, that explores public understanding of some key sentencing terminology and tests whether alternatives are more easily understood.
Courts
The Centre for Justice Innovation created a framework designed to help senior decision-makers to develop and implement problem-solving courts within the adult criminal justice system, including guidance on partnerships, processes, and governance.
Probation
Russell Webster published a blog which introduces the COMPASS model, a holistic framework combining compassion-focused therapy, positive psychology, and desistance theory to support people on probation by addressing past trauma, fostering hope, and guiding them toward a pro-social future through tailored, strengths-based interventions.
Women
Collective Voice released a “Womanifesto” with the aim of improving drug and alcohol treatment for women, calling on the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to co-produce a gender-responsive treatment system that reflects the realities of women’s lives. They argue that through dedicated spaces, support for mothers, and co-designed pathways, we can build a system that is safe, inclusive, and effective for all women.
Neurodiversity
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies released their Prison Service Journal 280, focused on how prisons should respond to neurodiversity.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova
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