Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 928 | 16 April 2026

Light lunch

 

 

In this issue...

 

 

Clinks has published a new blog highlighting the growing crisis facing people held on remand. With the remand population reaching its highest level in at least 50 years, the post argues that people on remand are paying a disproportionate price for a system under strain, and calls for urgent action to tackle court backlogs, reduce the unnecessary use of remand, and guarantee equitable access to support and services in custody. Read the blog here

Clinks’ 2026 membership renewal process is currently underway, and we are still awaiting responses from a number of organisations. Whether you are planning to renew or otherwise, a quick response helps us keep our records accurate and ensures we can continue to support the sector effectively. It only takes a few minutes to let us know either way. Find out more here

Clinks is hosting an online session with HMPPS on the recently published Risk Assessed Access for Personnel with Lived Experience of the Criminal Justice System Policy Framework [21 April | 14:00 | online | free]. The session will provide an overview of the framework, including the Lived Experience Appointment Pathway and how vetting decisions are made in practice. It will explore what this means for organisations working with people with lived experience, with time for discussion and an opportunity to ask questions. Find out more and book here

MEMBER FOCUS: Servol Community Services

Servol Community Services is a Birmingham-based charity providing safe homes and person-centred support for adults living with serious mental illness. Established in 1979, the organisation was originally founded to promote a better understanding of the cultural and social issues affecting the mental wellbeing of Black and minority ethnic communities, and to challenge negative perceptions of mental ill health. Today, Servol offers individualised care and support for anyone diagnosed with a mental illness, regardless of their ethnicity or background.

Servol provides 24-hour staffed, non-restrictive and flexible living environments across the West Midlands and London, with a focus on empowering people to live as independently as possible. Their services include specialist supported accommodation, person-centred care and support, and pathways towards independent living. Find out more here

Birth Companions has welcomed the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s landmark investigation into the use of restraints on women during pregnancy and birth, but warns that in its current form the investigation falls short of the requirements of an effective Article 3 inquiry. The organisation maintains that the prison service should also be doing far more to proactively identify and reach out to women who may have been affected. Women who were restrained while pregnant during hospital visits between [1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025] can submit evidence to the PPO via their online form here until [5 June 2026]. Read Birth Companions’ full position statement here

Naomi Delap, CEO of Birth Companions, has published a blog reflecting on the recommendations of the Women’s Justice Board and what they could mean for women in the criminal justice system, particularly those who are pregnant or mothers. The piece acknowledges the significance of the moment while being clear-eyed about the work still to be done. Naomi argues that the recommendations represent a genuine opportunity for change, but that translating them into practice will require sustained commitment, investment in specialist services, and a willingness to challenge the conditions that bring women into contact with the justice system in the first place. Read more here

One Small Thing has launched a new podcast series, Shifting the Dial on Women’s Justice, exploring how to challenge harmful narratives, shift public attitudes and strengthen the case for community-based alternatives for women in contact with the justice system and their children. In the first episode, Chair and Founder Edwina Grosvenor is joined by Dr Thomas McNeil, CEO of The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls, to discuss how public attitudes to crime and justice are shaped by media coverage, political messaging and emotion, and what it would take to foster a higher-quality public debate on these issues. Upcoming guests include Naz Shah MP, Dame Vera Baird and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green. Listen here

Nacro’s Chief Executive Enver Solomon has published a blog sharing his reflections after visiting the organisation’s services across the country in his first weeks in post. He describes meeting people at different stages of their journey, from those in custody to those rebuilding their lives in the community, and reflects on the complexity of the challenges they face. The blog emphasises the importance of relational, person-centred work and the need to create genuine opportunities for people who have been left behind by the system. It is a thoughtful and personal introduction to his leadership of the organisation. Read more here

Revolving Doors has published a blog exploring the vital importance of family ties for people in prison, drawing on the findings of a recent HMIP report on family contact. The piece argues that maintaining meaningful relationships with family members is one of the most powerful factors in supporting hope, wellbeing and successful resettlement, yet the prison system continues to place unnecessary barriers in the way of family contact. The blog calls for a more deliberate and compassionate approach to supporting family relationships as a core part of rehabilitation. Read more here

Penelope Gibbs from Transform Justice has published a piece drawing on the findings of the latest CourtWatch London report, which observed more than 2,300 hearings across all London magistrates courts. The piece explores the significant variability in how defendants are treated by judges and court staff, and asks whether kindness and basic human consideration should be seen as optional extras or as fundamental to a fair justice process. The findings raise important questions about consistency, culture and accountability within the magistrates’ court system. Read more here

Catch22 has released a new episode of their Experts by Experience podcast, focusing on parenting programmes in prison. The episode features people with lived experience of the justice system who share their perspectives on the value of these programmes in supporting family relationships and helping people in custody maintain meaningful connections with their children. The discussion highlights both the positive impact of well-delivered parenting support and the gaps that remain in provision across the prison estate. Listen here

Revolving Doors is hosting an online fact-finding session for organisations working with people who have been convicted of assaulting an emergency worker. The session is for those concerned about how this offence is being applied in practice and the impact it may be having on people experiencing multiple disadvantage, mental ill health or trauma. Together, participants will share experiences, identify common patterns and gather insights to inform future engagement with policymakers including the CPS and government. The session will take place on [28 April | 12:00 - 13:00 | Online | Free]. RSVP here

MEAM is hosting the National Multiple Disadvantage Summit 2026, bringing together a broad multidisciplinary group working in services, commissioning and policy across homelessness, substance use, mental health, criminal justice and related sectors. This year’s theme is “Learning Curves: The Path to Systems Change”, with the day focused on deepening collaboration, exploring good practice, engaging meaningfully with people with lived experience and strengthening personal networks. The summit will take place on [12 May | 10:00 - 16:30 | Birmingham | £175]. Book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Digital Overhaul of the Prison System

The government has announced an £82 million package to digitalise the prison system, with the aim of reducing mistaken releases. Central to the reforms is a new Justice ID system, which will provide a single digital identity for every person entering the prison system. For the first time, biometric technology including fingerprints and facial scans will be used to verify identities at key points, including release. The announcement follows an independent review by Dame Lynne Owens into releases in error. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Major Magistrate Recruitment Drive

A new national taskforce has been established to oversee local recruitment committees across England and Wales, with the aim of recruiting and training thousands of new magistrates in under half the time it currently takes. The government aims to increase the number of magistrates to 21,000 by March 2029, an increase of 6,000 on current numbers, as part of wider efforts to cut the Crown Court backlog and deliver faster justice. Read more here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Urgent Action to Improve HMP Woodhill

The government has launched a comprehensive action plan to address serious failings at HMP Woodhill, following an Urgent Notification issued by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in March. The plan includes deploying specialist staff, installing new physical barriers to stop drones delivering illicit items, and introducing a new living unit where people in prison are incentivised to keep off substances. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMP Manchester Remains in a Precarious State

Fifteen months after the Chief Inspector of Prisons invoked the Urgent Notification process at HMP Manchester, inspectors returning to the prison found it remained in a precarious state. A failure to prevent drones delivering large quantities of drugs continued to affect stability and contribute to serious violence, with the rate of positive mandatory drug test results at 38%, one of the highest in prisons in England and Wales. Read more here

PUBLICATION: Public Perspectives on Children in the Justice System

Co-op Foundation has published new research, conducted with More in Common, exploring UK public perspectives on children in the justice system and the use of prison. The research forms part of the foundation’s campaign work with Alliance for Youth Justice and Transform Justice to end the unnecessary imprisonment of children in England and Wales, and is intended to help the sector understand what UK adults currently think about children, safety and justice. Read the findings here

PUBLICATION: New Research on the Impact of Imprisonment on Children and Families

Two new papers from the Divided Households project have been published, exploring the experiences of children and families affected by imprisonment. The first examines how families maintain contact with a family member in prison and proposes a child-centred framework for change. Read the paper here

The second paper explores the impact of having a family member in prison on children and young people’s health and emotional wellbeing, drawing on a qualitative longitudinal study. The research has also informed an ESRC-funded Impact Accelerator Award, developed in partnership with Clinks, HMPPS, Nepacs and Durham University, focused on co-creating training with prison staff on family ties and relationships. Read the paper here 

OPPORTUNITY: Last chance: 2026 Frontline Worker Survey 

There is still time to complete St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity’s 2026 Frontline Worker Survey, but it closes on 17 April. The survey is open to frontline workers across the homelessness sector and criminal justice system, and findings are shared with policymakers, funders and sector leaders to influence policy and practice. If you have not yet taken part, please do so before the deadline. Take part here

Project Manager - Lived Experience Health Programmes with User Voice [£40000, London, full time]; Family Engagement Manager with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£29452, HMP Isis, part time]; Family Engagement Manager with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£29452, HMP Wormwood Scrubs, full time]; Head of Regional Operations - London and South East with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£47149, London and South East, full time]; Family Support Worker with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£24570, HMP Lewes, part time]; Family Engagement Worker (16 hrs) with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£26239, HMP Stoke Heath, part time]; Programmes and Learning Officer with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£32130, HMP Styal, full time]; IT Project Manager with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£750, National, part time]; Programme Manager with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£35343, London and South East, full time]; Head of Operations, Governance and Programme Support with Unlock - for people with criminal records [£35000 to £37999, Remote, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

Keywords for google: justice, criminal justice, prisons, voluntary sector, courts, crime

Other websites to check: insidetime, russel webster, howard league, prison reform trust

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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