Clinks Policy Briefing | June 2026

This month, we published the minutes from the March 2026 meeting of the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). The meeting covered a wide range of topics including police governance reform, implementation of the Sentencing Act 2026, probation reform, electronic monitoring, and updates from voluntary sector organisations working across criminal justice.

In partnership with BM4C, we have launched exciting new work as we look to progress on the racial justice agenda. We would welcome the involvement of any organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people. To learn more about how your organisation can get involved in this work, please contact our Director of National Influencing and Networks, Sam Julius

Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the voluntary sector to sit on the RR3 as the seat holder for accommodation. This person will work for a voluntary organisation that supports people involved in the criminal justice system into housing. The deadline for applications is 22 June.

Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the voluntary sector to sit on the RR3 as the seat holder for organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people. This person will be a senior leader at a voluntary organisation that is both led by and supports racially minoritised people involved in the criminal justice system. The deadline for applications is 13 July.

We are inviting voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system in the South West and South Central to join our next Area Engagement Forum on 9 June. These online forums bring together people and organisations from across the region to share experiences, swap ideas and tackle challenges together.

The next Clinks Women’s Network Forum will take place on 16 June at HMP Askham Grange, bringing together professionals, practitioners and people with lived experience to explore health and wellbeing for women in prison.

The next Clinks Families Network Forum will be held on 23 June, focusing on the untapped potential of family contact in prisons, with HM Inspectorate of Prisons presenting the findings and recommendations of their recently published Families Thematic Review, Safety, Well-being and Hope.

HMPPS response to 'Safety, well-being and hope: The untapped potential of family contact in prisons'

On Tuesday 12 May, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) published their response to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) thematic report on the untapped potential of family contact in prisons.

Drug use in ethnic minority groups: a review and recommendations

On Wednesday 13 May, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs published a report reviewing drug use in ethnic minority groups and outlining recommendations for further data collection.

New findings highlight importance of prevention, inclusion and early intervention

On Thursday 14 May, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published their response to the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) 'patterns of education, social care and youth offending' statistics.

Patterns of education, social care and youth offending 

On Thursday 14 May, the MoJ published transparency data on knife offences, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive offences, and offences related to violence against women and girls.

Remand prisoners policy framework

On Thursday 14 May, the MoJ and HMPPS published rules on the particular rights of ‘remand prisoners’ and guidance on how to support their needs.

Civil prisoners policy framework

On Thursday 14 May, the MoJ and HMPPS published rules on the particular rights of ‘civil prisoners’ and guidance on how to support their needs.

A qualitative process evaluation of a pilot of supervision for prison officers

On Thursday 14 May, HMPPS published a research study exploring the findings from a qualitative process evaluation of a pilot of supervision for prison officers.

Treatment of unconvicted, unsentenced and civil prisoners: PSO 4600

On Thursday 14 May, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the policy and guidance on the ‘management and care of unconvicted, unsentenced and civil prisoners’ where it differs from other people in prison.

Co-located mental health support pilot in approved premises

On Thursday 14 May, the MoJ and HMPPS published early process evaluation and research findings on a co-located mental health support pilot in approved premises.

Release on Temporary Licence in Youth Custody (all YCS sites) policy framework

On Thursday 14 May, the MoJ, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service published requirements and guidance on children and young people in custody being released on temporary licence.

Participant views of the Healthy Sex Programme: findings from a qualitative research study

On Thursday 14 May, the MoJ and HMPPS published findings from a study exploring the perceptions and journeys of participants of the Healthy Sex Programme.

Families to be ‘spared time and money during separation’

On Friday 15 May, the MoJ announced that they have extended a scheme offering separating families up to £500 for mediation and introduced new digital tools to help them resolve childcare and financial issues more quickly, cheaply, and without going to court.

Human Learning Systems and Probation Services: Making desistance real

On Friday 15 May, HM Inspector of Probation published a report highlighting the benefits of Human Learning Systems (HLS) as an alternative paradigm for public management and its applicability to the delivery of probation services

Youth Justice overhaul to ‘keep streets safer’

On Monday 18 May, the MoJ and the Youth Custody Service announced that children and young people will get earlier support to steer them away from crime as a result of a major overhaul of the youth justice system.

Cutting youth crime, changing young lives

On Monday 18 May, the MoJ published the youth justice system reform and delivery plan. The Deputy Prime Minister issued an accompanying statement on this plan in the House of Commons.

Process evaluation of Combating Drugs Partnerships

On Wednesday 20 May, the Home Office published findings from a process evaluation of Combating Drugs Partnerships, exploring local delivery of the national drug strategy through a whole system approach.

Foreign Secretary launches new International Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls

On Wednesday 20 May, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Home Office announced that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will lead on a UK-convened international coalition to tackle global emergency of violence against women and girls.

Knife robberies down by more than a fifth

On Wednesday 20 May, the Home Office announced that knife robberies have fallen by 21% since 2024 due to coordinated government and police efforts, with thousands fewer offences and broader declines in knife crime.

Police recorded knife-enabled robbery offences

On Wednesday 20 May, the Home Office published management information on knife-enabled robberies (KER) recorded by the 7 KER Group police forces.

Judicial Workforce

On Thursday 21 May, the Deputy Prime Minister issued a statement on the judicial workforce in the House of Commons.

Bridging the Gap: OMiC delivery in five male open English prisons

On Thursday 21 May, HMPPS published a case study approach examining factors influencing Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) delivery in five male open prisons.

HM Prison & Probation Service workforce quarterly: March 2026

On Thursday 21 May, HMPPS published staffing numbers of directly employed staff of the HM Prison and Probation Service for March 2026.

Expansion of restorative pilot across England and Wales

On Thursday 21 May, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales announced that a national pilot exploring how restorative approaches can be delivered effectively for children across England and Wales is being expanded, due to the agreement of multi-year funding.

First time entrants (FTE) and Offender Histories: 2025

On Thursday 21 May, the MoJ published data tables and pivot tools providing an overview of trends in first time entrants into the Criminal Justice System and offender histories in England and Wales.

The correlation between prison misconduct and reoffending

On Thursday 21 May, the MoJ published research exploring how prison misconduct is associated with reoffending and the links between prison adjudications and proven reoffences within a 2-year follow-up period.

Knife and Offensive Weapon Sentencing Statistics: 2025

On Thursday 21 May, the MoJ published data on trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences for 2025.

Action to drive judge diversity and increase transparency

On Friday 22 May, the MoJ and Judicial Office announced a New Judicial and Legal Diversity Board to help break down barriers and deliver a judiciary that reflects modern Britain.

Youth Intervention Court Pilot: Expression of Interest

On Tuesday 26 May, the MoJ updated the expression of interest guidance and application form for the Youth Intervention Court Pilot with eligible Expression of Interest locations.

YJB statement on sentencing for serious offences

On Tuesday 26 May, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published a news story, acknowledging public concern following Fordingbridge case sentencing.

MOJ’s work on integrated advice hubs

On Tuesday 26 May, the MoJ published an evaluation of MOJ commissioned research into integrated advice hubs, and impact report on its partnership with Citizens Advice Wirral to support delivery, monitoring and evaluation of a community-based hub.

Improving outcomes through legal support grant: interim evaluation report

On Tuesday 26 May, the MoJ published a report evaluating the legal support grant from October 2023 to March 2025.

Evidence on the effectiveness of legal support: literature review

On Tuesday 26 May, the MoJ published external researchers’ literature review of evidence on different models of legal support.

Understanding local authority advice services: funding, provision and outcomes measurement

On Tuesday 26 May, the MoJ published external research examining how local authorities in England and Wales fund, deliver, and assess free advice services.

Children on short-term remand

On Wednesday 27 May, HM Inspector of Prison published a report on children on short-term remand.

Learning from domestic homicide reviews: government response

On Wednesday 27 May, the Home Office published their response to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report on improving the implementation of learning from domestic homicide reviews.

Economic and social costs of crime 2019 to 2020

On Wednesday 27 May, the Home Office published a report updating previous analysis estimating the economic and social costs of different types of crime in England and Wales.

Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook

On Thursday 28 May, the MoJ published the latest edition of the Justice in Numbers Pocketbook.

Impacts of public services being delivered by civil society organisations

On Thursday 28 May, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published a Theory of Change articulating how and why civil society involvement in public service delivery generates value.

Care leavers and ‘ex-offenders’ in the West Midlands helped into jobs through new partnership between government and leading businesses

On Thursday 28 May, the Home Office announced that Greene King, Severn Trent and other leading UK businesses have joined forces with central and local Government to help more care leavers, ‘ex-offenders' and young people with mental health challenges in the West Midlands into quality jobs.

Qualitative research with disadvantaged groups on Universal Credit covering: care experience, ex-offenders, homelessness and substance dependency

On Thursday 28 May, the Department for Work and Pensions published a report containing insights on Universal Credit claimants who have had care experience, have previously committed an offence, experienced homelessness and/or substance dependency.

Turnaround Programme

On Friday 29 May, the MoJ published an update to the Turnaround programme, a youth early intervention programme.

Supervision of indeterminate sentences policy framework

On Monday 1 June, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the policy framework which sets out the mandatory requirements which the Probation Service and Public Protection Group (PPG) must complete with respect to all indeterminate sentenced people on licence.

HMPPS responsibility for access to health and social care policy framework

On Monday 1 June, the MoJ and HMPPS published a policy framework for prisons and probation setting out HMPPS responsibilities for enabling access to healthcare and local authority social care.

Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication, June 2026

On Tuesday 2 June, the MoJ published the latest Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication, covering the use and delivery of electronic devices, including location monitoring devices and alcohol monitoring devices, for England and Wales.

Prison Performance Ratings: 2025 to 2026

On Wednesday 3 June, the MoJ published the annual performance ratings of prison establishments in England and Wales.

Civil justice statistics quarterly: January to March 2026

On Thursday 4 June, the MoJ published the latest volume of civil and judicial review cases dealt with by the courts over time and the overall timeliness of these cases.

A fairer end to relationships

On Friday 5 June, the MoJ published a consultation on reforming financial remedies on divorce and strengthening protections for cohabitants at the end of their relationship.

East Anglian prisons expanded to make streets safer

On Friday 5 June, the MoJ and HMPPS announced that more than 400 additional prison places across HMPs Norwich and Wayland have been completed as part of Government action to ensure there is space to lock up dangerous criminals.

Prisons 

The Nuffield Trust published a press release describing how people in prison face significant barriers to healthcare, with one in ten leaving A&E untreated (twice the rate of the general population), highlighting unmet health needs, inadequate preventive care in prisons, and growing pressure on NHS emergency services.

RAND Europe published a report arguing that reoffending in England and Wales remains high and costly largely because resettlement support is fragmented and under‑resourced, and that providing coordinated, person‑centred support, especially in housing, employment and reintegration, can significantly reduce reoffending and deliver major social and economic benefits.

In a guest post for Russell Webster, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s unit published a blog on their most recent Learning Lessons Bulletin: Fatal Incident Investigations Learning Lessons Bulletin Issue 22: Self-inflicted deaths in reception prisons.

HM Inspectorate of Probation published Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection reports for the East Midlands region and Yorkshire and the Humber region, both dated 14 May. The East Midlands report noted some progress since the last inspection, but found the region still has further to go before public protection is delivered to a consistently good standard. The Yorkshire and Humber report found that longstanding issues with vacancies, sickness and attrition, combined with high levels of practitioner and middle manager inexperience, continued to undermine capacity and confidence.

Spark Inside published a new short film sharing the story of Donell and his coach Jeffrey, who first met through a Spark Inside workshop at a Young Offender Institution. They speak about their relationship, and explore how consistency, support and belief through coaching enabled Donell to build a new life for himself.

StandOut published a new blog sharing some of the ways in which they build trust with those in prison, highlighting the importance of coaching and modelling good communication, believing in people’s capacity for growth, and showing up day after day to build trust with people leaving prison.

Sentencing 

The Prison Reform Trust published an updated guide on terminating IPP and DPP licences. The guide explains when and how a person serving an IPP or DPP sentence can get their licence terminated, reflecting changes from the Sentencing Act 2026 which came into force on 1 June 2026, including the reduction of the “qualifying period” for licence termination from three years to two years for IPP sentences.

Victim Support, Catch 22 and others wrote to the Victims’ Minister calling for the Government to ensure victims’ rights are upheld under the Victims’ Code. The joint letter outlines that, two years on from the landmark Victims and Prisoners Act, key provisions have yet to come into force, meaning many victims continue to be failed by the justice system.

Women   

The Centre for Women’s Justice published a new report containing insights from survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and women’s specialist services about police and prosecution practice when survivors are accused of offending, and recommended reforms.

Women in Prison announced the launch of new housing support services, including a new court-based service to support women who leave court without a home to go to. The organisation highlighted that three out of five women leave prison without somewhere to live, and that some mainstream housing services cannot support women in direct contact with the criminal justice system.

Youth Justice  

In a guest post for Russell Webster, Penelope Gibbs from Transform Justice published a guest blog arguing that England and Wales’ criminal records system is overly punitive, especially for childhood offences, because minor convictions can follow people for life, hindering employment and rehabilitation. The blog calls for reforms to limit long‑term disclosure.

HM Inspectorate of Probation published inspection reports on youth justice work with children and victims in Wandsworth (rated ‘Good’), Bedfordshire (rated ‘Requires improvement’) and Luton (rated ‘Good’), all dated 12 or 19 May. Wandsworth was praised for strong partnership working and restorative practice, while Luton inspectors highlighted skilful work to achieve positive change for children and praised passionate practitioners.

The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies published a working paper comparing policy and practice in the imprisonment of mothers with babies across jurisdictions, highlighting tensions between the transformative potential of Mother and Baby Units, and the call to end the incarceration of pregnant women and children altogether.