Welcome to the November 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 our briefing on the Sentencing Bill, the publication of a letter from Phil Copple on updates to vetting processes, launching a blog on our new research initiative aimed to prevent self-harm among women in contact with the justice system, and announcing our upcoming Annual Conference and our latest Evidence Library webinar.
- Latest Justice News, including the rapid deployment cells process evaluation, Wales Probation Service action plan and response letters, the government’s response to the police accountability rapid review, the probation service’s Community Performance annual report and the National Audit’s Office report on building an effective and resilient probation service, amongst other news.
- Parliamentary News, including questions for the Deputy Prime Minister on rehabilitation, vetting, the release of people from prison, prison accommodation and housing procurement, prison education and victims, amongst other news.
- Sector Insights, including Hibiscus launching their new Reclaiming Resistance six-part podcast, Justice Futures’s report on reforming prison and probation education, JUSTICE’s new a report on reforming remand and the Howard League’s response to the Sentencing Bill’s progression model, amongst a range of other sector insights and publications.
This month, we have been closely monitoring the progress of the Sentencing Bill in Parliament and have published a briefing which outlines several key clauses of the Bill and our thoughts on them, backed by the sector’s advocacy. We will be supporting the sector in further advocacy efforts as the Bill reaches the House of Lords.
We published a letter from Phil Copple which provides an update on vetting processes, including the introduction of the Lived Experience Appointment Pathway, a case-by-case risk assessment approach when no excluded offence is present, removing the fixed timeframe since offending, and details on the appeals process. We continue to meet regularly with HMPPS’s Security Directorate regarding the vetting process.
We have also published a blog where we highlight our new research initiative, as part of our work with the Health and Wellbeing Alliance, aimed at understanding and preventing self-harm among women in contact with the criminal justice system.
We also have opened bookings for a number of our upcoming events.
Our latest Evidence Library review, Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller Communities and the Criminal Justice System, written by Grace Preston from the Traveller Movement, will be published imminently. In partnership with Russell Webster, we will be hosting a webinar to discuss the latest evidence on the outcomes of people in these communities across a range of indicators, including health, education, employment, and criminal justice. Book your place here.
Additionally, we have announced 28 January 2026 as the date for our next Annual Conference, with the theme: “Stronger Together: Celebrating Community, Championing Progress.” Book your place now and enjoy our early bird rate until 28 November for voluntary sector members.
Partnering with NCVO, we launched our State of the Sector 2025 research last month. We have now extended the deadline for submissions to our Survey to Friday, 14 November. To learn more, please read our launch blog, here!
This is your last opportunity to contribute to our research and make your voice heard! Don’t miss this chance to tell us about the challenges your organisation has faced in the past year, how it has been impacted by changes across the criminal justice system, and let us know more about some of the amazing work being done by the sector.
Your contributions will allow us to continue to advocate with and for the sector continued advocacy for the sector to influence key decision makers and to make sure that our support meets your needs.
The effectiveness of diverting children from the criminal justice system: meeting needs, ensuring safety, and preventing reoffending
On Wednesday 15 October, HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services published a report on youth out-of-court disposals (OoCDs).
Youth Justice Board Annual Report and Accounts, 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 16 October, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published a review of their work over the year, with performance data and financial information.
Use of X-ray body scanners (adult male prisons) Policy Framework
On Thursday 16 October, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the policy framework outlining instructions and guidance on the operation of X-Ray body scanners within prisons.
Power to detain dangerous standard determinate sentence prisoners: Policy Framework
On Thursday 16 October, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the policy framework outlining rules and guidance for HMPPS staff on the Power to Detain Dangerous Prisoners serving a Standard Determinate Sentence.
Rapid deployment cells process evaluation
On Thursday 16 October, the MoJ published their findings from a process evaluation of early delivery in tranches 1 and 2 of the Rapid Deployment Cells Programme.
Electronic Monitoring Statistics, England and Wales: September 2025
On Thursday 16 October, the MoJ published statistics on the use and delivery of electronic monitoring in England and Wales.
What happens to prisoners on a Friday?
On Friday 17 October, HM Inspector of Prisons published a blog which reveals that most prisons in England and Wales treat Friday as an unofficial start to the weekend, with limited education and activities, early lock-up, and many prisoners left bored and confined to their cells for extended periods.
Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook
On Monday 20 October, the MoJ published their latest edition of the Justice in Numbers Pocketbook.
Thousands of children protected from abuse under victim reforms
On Monday 20 October, the MoJ announced that amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill that will automatically restrict parental responsibility for individuals convicted of rape resulting in a child or serious sexual offences against any child, aiming to protect vulnerable children and restore faith in the justice system.
Wales Probation Service action plan and response letters
On Tuesday 21 October, HMPPS and MoJ published HMPPS action plans and response letters for Wales Probation Service, in response to HM Inspectorate of Probation’s (HMIP’s) inspections.
Independent Restraint Review Panel (IRRP) - reports
On Tuesday 21 October, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service published their IRRP report which helps assess the safety of the use of restraint in secure training centres and young offender institutions (YOIs).
Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: June 2025
On Thursday 23 October, the MoJ published an overview of trends in the use of out of court disposals, defendants prosecuted, convicted, remand and sentencing decisions in England and Wales.
Crime outcomes year to June 2025: data tables
On Thursday 23 October, the Home Office released data tables on the outcomes assigned to offences recorded to June 2025 and the total number of outcomes recorded, by outcome type and offence type.
Police accountability: rapid review
On Thursday 23 October, the Home Office and MoJ published an independent report on whether there is a case to make changes to legal tests on the use of force and unlawful killing conclusions at inquests.
Government response to the police accountability rapid review
On Thursday 23 October, the Home Office and MoJ published their response to the police accountability rapid review.
Rule change to support police facing dangerous situations
On Friday 24 October, the Home Office announced that the legal test for the use of force in police misconduct cases will be returned to the criminal law test to build officer and public trust in policing.
Building an effective and resilient Probation Service
On Friday 24 October, the National Audit Office (NAO) published a report which found that despite efforts to reform and unify the Probation Service, it remains under severe strain due to staffing shortfalls, underestimated workloads, and rising demands.
Community Performance Annual, update to March 2025
On Friday 24 October, the MoJ published performance statistics for the Probation Service, incorporating Probation Service and Commissioned Rehabilitative Services performance up to March 2025.
Embracing the views and perspectives of those with lived experience
On Friday 24 October, HM Inspectorate of Probation published a report which emphasizes the vital role of individuals with lived experience in shaping probation and criminal justice services, highlighting the transformative potential and the structural challenges faced by people who have previously been involved in the justice system and then became academics in contributing to research, teaching, and policy reform.
Independent investigation and immediate reforms to prevent future releases in error
On Monday 27 October, MoJ and HMPPS announced that Dame Lynne Owens will lead the independent investigation on the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford.
Better protection for victims at risk of violence as fee scrapped
On Monday 27 October, MoJ announced that from November, survivors of violence and domestic abuse will no longer have to pay over £300 to ensure their abuser cannot track them down via public records.
Outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals
On Wednesday 29 October, the MoJ published the latest data on recent sentences examined by the Attorney General’s Office under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Safety in Custody Statistics, England and Wales: Deaths in Prison Custody to September 2025 Assaults and Self-harm to June 2025
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ published their latest safety in custody statistics for the 12 months to June 2025 on rates of deaths, assaults, and self-harm incidents in prisons across England and Wales.
Deaths of people on community sentences, annual update to March 2025
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ published their annual statistics on the number of deaths of people serving sentences in the community in England and Wales.
Offender management statistics quarterly: April to June 2025
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ and HMPPS published quarterly statistics on people in custody, and quarterly statistics on prison receptions, prison releases, adjudications, licence recalls and people under probation supervision.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) annual report: 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 30 October, HMPPS published annual data on MAPPA-eligible individuals in England and Wales, with summaries from area MAPPA reports.
Alcohol monitoring on licence: process and interim impact evaluation
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ published data on the process and interim impact evaluation of the alcohol monitoring on licence tagging scheme across England and Wales.
Safeguarding and child protection in the children and young people secure estate policy framework
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service updated the policy framework which sets out statutory safeguarding duties for secure settings and escort providers in the Youth Custody Service (YCS).
Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate: Update to June 2025
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ and HMPPS published statistics on assaults, self-harm, separations, use of force and deaths in the Children and Young People Secure Estate in England and Wales.
Record number of knives taken off streets as knife murders plummet
On Thursday 30 October, the Home Office announced that an unprecedented number of deadly knives have been taken off the streets, which has plummeted the number of knife murders after the government’s first year in office.
Proven reoffending statistics: October to December 2023
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ published statistics on reoffending patterns of people who were released from custody, received a non-custodial conviction, or a caution.
Standard Determinate Sentence (SDS40) release data
On Thursday 30 October, the MoJ and HMPPS published updated statistics on people released under Standard Determinate Sentence 40 (SDS40) scheme.
Tackling the drugs crisis in our prisons
On Thursday 30 October, the Justice Committee in the House of Commons published their report on tackling the drug crisis in prisons.
Survey of disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ‘ex-offenders,’ homelessness and substance dependency
On Thursday 30 October, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published a report on their insights on four groups of Universal Credit claimants who face additional barriers accessing the labour market.
Police productivity
On Monday 3 November, the NAO and the Home Office published a report on police productivity, examining the financial pressures facing policing, the Home Office’s approach to improving the financial sustainability of policing, and what is needed to achieve lasting improvements in police productivity.
Probation Service being set up to fail with tagging expansion, says Lords committee
On Wednesday 5 November, the Justice and Home Affairs Committee issued a policy letter on their concerns about resourcing and a lack of new Electronic Monitoring (EM) technology to the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending and the Minister for Border Security and Asylum.
Appointment of Dame Lynne Owens as independent reviewer
On Wednesday 5 November, the MoJ announced the appointment of Dame Lynne Owens to lead the Independent Review into Releases in Error.
The health of people in prison, on probation and in the secure NHS estate in England
On Thursday 6 November, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and MoJ published a report which identifies areas of good practice and areas of risk and recommends actions to improve health outcomes.
So called 'honour-based' abuse offences, year ending March 2025
On Thursday 6 November, the Home Office released statistics on so called ‘honour-based’ abuse offences recorded by the police to the year ending March 2025.
Stop and search, arrests, and mental health detentions, March 2025
On Thursday 6 November, the Home Office released statistics on stop and search, arrests for notifiable offences and detentions under Section 135 and Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
Unpaid work management information, update to June 2025
On Thursday 6 November, the MoJ published management information for unpaid work, including starts, delivery, caseload, terminations and Project Clean Streets, for the period from April 2022 to June 2025.
Recent business
Parliamentary questions:
- The Lord Chancellor was asked about several key issues, including: rehabilitation (here, here, here, here and here), vetting (here and here), parole (here, here, here, here, here, and here), reoffending (here and here), victims, victim support schemes and sentencing for sexual offence cases, juries for theft, rape (here and here) and prosecutions for rape, victims of rape and domestic abuse (here and here), domestic abuse prosecutions, magistrate training, rehabilitation for younger persons, prison accommodation and housing procurement, assistance animals in prison, prison officers’ body armour, education in prisons (here, here, here and here) and criminal records.
- He was asked about prisoners’ releases (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here) and criminal behaviour orders (here, here, here, here, here, here and here).
- He was also asked about safeguarding children in cases of domestic abuse, homicide offences (here, here, and here), rehabilitation for sexual offences, sexual offences against women and girls, victims in criminal proceedings, pepper spray use and special education needs in young offender institutions, male victims of domestic abuse, youth committing sexual offences, crimes of violence and homicide (here and here), sentencing for offences against children, victims of offences against children and convictions (here, here and here), housing, open prisons,
- The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions was asked about the impact of people's early release on Job Centre operations.
- The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was asked about mental health services for prisons and young offender institutions
- The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government was asked about the Inter-Ministerial Group on Tackling Homelessness and Rough Sleeping.
Bill Updates
Sentencing Bill
- Tuesday 21 October, First Sitting in the Committee Stage in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 28 October, Third Reading in the House of Commons, and First Sitting in the Report Stage
- Thursday 30 October, First Reading in House of Lords
- Wednesday 12 November, Second Reading scheduled in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 3 December, Third Reading scheduled in the House of Lords
Mental Health Bill
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Tuesday 14 October, Third Reading in the House of Commons, and entered the Report Stage
Crime and Policing Bill
- Thursday 16 October, Second Reading in the House of Lords
- Monday 10 November, entered the Committee Stage
Victims and Courts Bill
- Monday 27 October, Third Reading in the House of Commons, and entered the Report Stage
- Tuesday 28 October, First Reading in the House of Lords
Debates
- Wednesday 15 October, work for serving prisoners, debated in the House of Commons
- Wednesday 15 October, knife crime, debated in the House of Commons
- Thursday 16 October, youth unemployment, debated in the House of Lords
- Tuesday 21 October, education in prison, debated in the House of Lords
- Tuesday 21 October, ending homelessness, debated in the House of Commons
- Monday 27 October, prisoner release checks, debated in the House of Commons
- Monday 3 November, Support for Young People in the Adult Prison Estate, debated in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 5 November, insourcing prison services, debated in the House of Lords
Prison
Revolving Doors published a report which demonstrates that a small group of individuals repeatedly cycling through the criminal justice system due to unmet health and social needs costs the UK billions annually, and recommends a coordinated, trauma-informed, data-driven, and person-centred approach to break this cycle and deliver better outcomes for individuals, communities, and public services.
Women
Hibiscus launched their new Reclaiming Resistance six-part podcast which centres the voices and experiences of Black and minoritised migrant women affected by trafficking, VAWG and exploitation at the intersection of the UK’s immigration and criminal justice systems.
Probation
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) have released a statement urging the government to scrap Clause 35 of the Sentencing Bill on capturing the names and images of those on community payback schemes, given its potential to expose children and young people to bullying, emotional and psychological harm, and threats of violence or vigilantism.
Remand
JUSTICE have released a report which presents a comprehensive set of recommendations to reform remand decision-making in English and Welsh Magistrates’ Courts, aiming to reduce unnecessary pre-trial detention, improve legal compliance and fairness, address systemic biases and vulnerabilities, and promote alternatives to custodial remand through structural, cultural, and procedural changes.
Education
Justice Futures, in partnership with UCL’s Centre for Education and Criminal Justice, published a report which presents a collaborative vision for reforming prison and probation education by integrating further education colleges into justice pathways, emphasizing personalized support, inclusive policies, and partnerships with arts, sports, and digital industries to better serve individuals facing systemic barriers and inequalities.
Criminal Justice System
The Institute for Government released their 2025 Performance Tracker Report which illustrates that the criminal justice system is under severe strain, with rising backlogs, staffing shortages, and interdependent service failures across policing, courts, prisons, and probation, and despite the release of promising reforms, success depends on urgent investment and a coordinated, system-wide strategy.
The Howard League have published a briefing on the Sentencing Bill which warns that the UK government's proposed prison reforms, centred on an "earned progression" model, could worsen overcrowding and public safety by relying on a flawed punishment system that increases additional imprisonment days without proper supervision or fairness.
Wales
Robert Jones and Gregory Davis published a report in the Howard Journal of Crime and Justice which reveals that Welsh-speaking prisoners at HMP Berwyn face systemic neglect and active interference with their language rights, exposing the gap between official policy and lived experience and highlighting the broader failure of prison reform promises.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova
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