Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 924 | 20 March 2026

Light lunch

 

In this issue...

In the final blog in Clinks’ State of the Sector 2025 preview series, we look at the financial reality for voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. The picture is challenging: in 2023, 42% of organisations reported securing half or more of the grants they applied for; this year, that figure has dropped to 26%. The blog explores the impact of National Insurance rises, a lack of full cost recovery on contracts, and short-term funding cycles, and shares a first look at Clinks’ recommendations for both statutory and charitable funders. Read the blog here

Join us for the State of the Sector launch webinar to hear more [31 March | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. Book here

The latest HMIP thematic review on family contact in prisons is a powerful reminder that family relationships are central to safety, wellbeing and rehabilitation. But as Clinks’ latest blog reflects, a persistent gap remains between evidence and practice. Too often, family support is still treated as a “nice to have” rather than a core part of how prisons operate. The blog asks why basic barriers to family contact are still not being addressed, why families are so rarely involved in safety and care processes, and what it would mean to truly treat family relationships as part of the fabric of the system. Read the blog here 

Clinks has published a blog responding to the Women’s Justice Board report, highlighting the opportunity to reduce women’s imprisonment through sustained, cross-government action. Read Clinks’ blog here

Alongside this, the Board’s statement sets out the case for whole system reform, including stronger investment in women’s specialist services, diversion, and community support. Together, they emphasise the need for long-term funding, coordination, and a more effective approach to supporting women in contact with the criminal justice system. Read the Women’s Justice Board statement here

Lord Timpson has announced a range of measures relating to the expansion of electronic monitoring and reforms to the delivery of probation supervision, as part of the ongoing implementation of the Sentencing Act. Clinks has published a blog outlining the changes and their potential implications for the voluntary sector, with further analysis to follow in the coming days. Read our blog here

Read the ministerial statement here 

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Anne Peaker 2026

The NCJAA is excited to invite you to their annual Anne Peaker lecture [25 March | 16:30 - 19:00 | London and online | free]. At this year’s event, they are delighted to be joined by keynote speaker Professor Shadd Maruna, who will present a lecture entitled: What Happens if the Art Stops? Why sustained access to creativity is a matter of justice. In-person places are now sold out, but you can still join online. Book here. 

You can also view the full programme here

Clinks is running a training session on working and volunteering in prisons, providing an introduction to the prison system and practical guidance for those looking to deliver services or volunteer in custodial settings [26 March | 10:00 - 13:00 | online | from £95]. Book here

Clinks is hosting its South East and East Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forum, bringing together voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system across the region to share experiences, swap ideas, and tackle challenges together [24 March | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. Register here

MEMBER FOCUS: Unseen Victims CIC

Unseen Victims CIC supports families affected by the justice system, providing support, advocacy, and safe spaces where families can feel heard, understood, and supported at every stage of the process. From the moment of arrest, families are often left navigating complex systems, emotional strain, and social stigma, frequently without the support they need, and Unseen Victims exists to ensure no family faces that journey alone.

The organisation has recently been recognised by the High Sheriff of Cumbria for their work supporting families. Founder Emma Wells, who accepted the award on behalf of Unseen Victims, said: “It means a great deal to have the High Sheriff recognise the often-overlooked impact that crime has on indirect victims, and the importance of supporting those whose lives are affected beyond the immediate incident.” Find out more here

Nacro is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, marking six decades of helping people build brighter futures. The charity currently supports 33,000 people across its services each year, houses and supports 2,400 people every night, and achieves a 91% pass rate for students studying GCSE Maths and English. Throughout the year, Nacro will be sharing 60 stories from staff, people they support, volunteers and students, reflecting on the real change the organisation has made over the past six decades. Find out more here

Women in Prison have published a new briefing exploring women’s experiences of electronic monitoring, drawing on insights shared during a recent webinar. It highlights key issues including the impact on women’s physical and mental health, the risks posed by system faults, and concerns around safety for survivors of abuse. The briefing also recognises the role electronic monitoring can play as an alternative to custody, while emphasising the need for a more gender- and trauma-informed approach as its use expands. You can sign up to their mailing list to keep up to date with future briefings, events, and campaigns. Join the mailing list here

Pact has been awarded the contract by HMPPS to continue delivering the Prisoners’ Families Helpline, which provides information and support to people affected by arrest, imprisonment, and release. The service is available Monday to Friday [09:00 - 20:00] and weekends and bank holidays [10:00 - 15:00], and now includes a 24/7 online chatbot for quick access to information. The Helpline website also hosts resources such as Prison Life videos and a Safer Custody portal, enabling families to raise concerns directly with prisons. Find out more

Revolving Doors has responded to a recent government announcement aimed at reducing the cycle of crisis and crime for women. Their response highlights the need for long-term investment in community-based support, early intervention, and trauma-informed services to address the root causes of women’s involvement in the criminal justice system. It also emphasises the importance of coordinated, cross-government action to deliver meaningful and sustained change. Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Family Contact in Prisons

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published a new thematic review on family contact in prisons, finding that too many prisons are failing to get the basics right. Families face difficulties booking visits, getting to establishments, and accessing financial support, while it takes too long for families to find out where a person is held when they first arrive in prison. The review also found that prisons rarely involved families in supporting people at risk of self-harm or violence, and that family provision was too often seen as a “nice to have” rather than an essential part of a person’s journey through custody and towards resettlement. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Reducing Women’s Imprisonment

The Women’s Justice Board has published its recommendations to the Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor for reducing women’s imprisonment. The report sets out steps to return to and build on the Corston vision, calling for early intervention, prevention and diversion, community solutions, an anti-racist and intersectional approach to addressing disparities, and specific action for pregnant women, mothers, and young adult women. The government has set a goal of reducing the women’s prison population sufficiently to close a women’s prison, equating to around 400 fewer women in prison at any one time. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Appointments offered to people on probation

The Ministry of Justice has published new statistics on appointments offered to people on probation between 2023 and 2025. The data provides insight into access to key services and support, including trends in appointment availability and uptake. It will be of interest to organisations working with people on probation and those seeking to understand service delivery across the system. Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Family support in prisons a missed opportunity

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has highlighted the failure to fully draw on family support as a missed opportunity within prisons. The findings emphasise the important role that family relationships can play in supporting wellbeing, reducing harm, and aiding rehabilitation, while noting that more could be done to strengthen this area of practice. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Amendments to the Bail Act 1976

The Ministry of Justice has published a circular outlining amendments to the Bail Act 1976 introduced through the Sentencing Act 2026. The changes update the bail framework and provide guidance for practitioners on how the revised provisions should be applied in practice. The circular will be of interest to those working across the criminal justice system. Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Child-focused courts to be rolled out nationally in Wales

The Welsh Government has announced the national rollout of child-focused courts across Wales. The approach aims to create a more supportive and trauma-informed environment for children involved in the justice system, helping them to better engage with proceedings and improve outcomes. The rollout forms part of wider efforts to make the justice system more responsive to children’s needs. Read here

PUBLICATION: The System and the Cell

The average age of death in custody is 56. Outside prison, it is 81. That single statistic sits at the heart of a new report from the Social Market Foundation on health in prison, which makes the case that prison health is not separate from the health of our communities. The report argues that the current system is paying the price for fragmented governance, understaffed services and environments that compound rather than address health inequalities, and sets out what sustainable investment and a genuinely joined-up approach across health and justice could achieve. Read the report here

PUBLICATION: RR3 Quarterly December 2025 Minutes

The minutes from the December 2025 quarterly meeting of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) are now available to download. The session covered key probation-related clauses in the Sentencing Bill, an introduction to the Our Future Probation Service programme, and an introductory session with HMPPS CEO James McEwen. View the minutes here

OPPORTUNITY: Campaign: Holloway Women’s Centre

Level Up, Treasures Foundation, Community Plan 4 Holloway and Holloway documentary filmmakers are calling on Islington Council to honour its promise to deliver a women’s centre on the site of the former HMP Holloway. Nearly ten years after the prison closed, the centre has still not opened, despite commitments from Islington Council and developer Peabody. The campaign argues that a dedicated women’s centre would provide vital support for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, poverty, trauma, addiction and homelessness, helping women access services before reaching crisis point. Sign the petition here

Elizabeth Fry Charity is seeking a self-motivated and compassionate individual to join our team. [£32,624 - £36,155, Part time, Reading]. In this role you will play a vital role in supporting our residents through one‑to‑one sessions and structured groupwork. You’ll bring compassion and resilience to helping women move forward positively with their lives. You’ll work closely with a small, dedicated staff team to manage risk effectively while encouraging women to address the difficult areas in their lives and build towards a more stable future. Please note: this role is open to female applicants only, as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, due to the nature of the work. Find out more and apply here by [16 April 2026]

Head of Training and Impact with The Clink Charity [£50000–£55000, London, Full Time]; Project Manager - Lived Experience Health Programmes with User Voice [£35000–£40000, London, Full Time]; Night Support Coach with Social Interest Group [£27000, London, Full Time]; Substance Use Practitioner with Phoenix Futures [£24637, NR1 4LU, Full Time]; Essex Liaison and Diversion Service Manager with Phoenix Futures [£30500, CM2 0HX, Full Time]; Team Leader with Achieve [£31018–£33958, HMP Nottingham, Full Time]; Activities Coordinator with Social Interest Group [£30400, London, Full Time]; Placement Supervisor with Elizabeth Fry Charity [£32624–£36155, Reading, Part Time]; Learning Coordinator with Back on Track [£29759–£34184, Manchester, Full Time]; Lived Experience Consultant with User Voice [£25000–£30000, London, Part Time].

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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