Welcome to the July 2026 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 Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions on the successful implementation of the Sentencing Act, welcoming Ruth Legge as the new seat holder for accommodation on the RR3, alongside the publication of a series of blogs on our priorities as an organisation following on from our State of the Sector 2025 research, key measures of the Progression Model within the Sentencing Act and a response to the Independent Monitoring Boards’ National Annual Report.
- Latest Justice News, including HM Prison and Probation Service’s response to HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on building trust in young offender institutions, new evidence on online harms affecting children, the repeal of the Vagrancy Act, the announcement on the review into safety and security of prisons and the publication of the accompanying terms of reference for the review, and HM Chief Inspector of Prisons annual report for 2025 to 2026, amongst other news.
- Parliamentary News, including questions for the Deputy Prime Minister on levels of housing and homelessness upon release from prison, prison accommodation, prison construction, sentencing gender-based violence, sentencing sexual offences and rape, updating sentencing guidelines, people who have received “two strike” sentences, community orders and the impact of short custodial sentences on reoffending, amongst other news.
- Sector Insights, including Offploy’s 2026 Impact Report, The Magistrates Association’s report on open data in courts in England and Wales, The Prisoners’ Education Trust report on distance learning as a vital route to higher-level education, The Probation Institute’s publication of the 40th edition of Probation Quarterly and the Alliance for Youth Justice’s response to the College of Policing’s consultation on the updated Authorised Professional Practice for Stop and Search, amongst a range of other sector insights and publications.
This month, as a part of our Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) Special Interest Group (SIG) on the successful implementation of the Sentencing Act, we held a series of sessions focusing specifically on lived experience, families, drug and alcohol support, and resettlement, more broadly. We are now in the processes of drafting a series of reports from these sessions, which we will publish in due course.
We have welcomed Ruth Legge, Head of Criminal Justice Services at St. Mungo’s, as our new RR3 seat holder for accommodation. We look forward to working with her to strengthen the focus on the role of voluntary sector organisations in delivering effective accommodation provision, and to ensure the experiences and needs of the sector are reflected in ongoing policy discussions on resettlement and reducing reoffending.
We are still 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 has now been extended to Monday August 3rd.
Following on from the publication of our 2025 State of the Sector research, we have published a blog outlining our key priorities as an organisation for the 2026-27 year. These priorities build on what our research showed, as well as the feedback we received from organisations subsequently.
We published a blog outlining key measures of the Progression Model within the Sentencing Act, launching on 2 September 2026, which will release most people serving standard determinate sentences after one-third of their sentence and shift more of the sentence into community supervision and licence periods, alongside new probation risk tiers and expanded electronic monitoring arrangements.
We also published a blog in response to the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) National Annual Report, which reveals a growing gap between policy ambitions for rehabilitation and the reality of an overcrowded, under-resourced prison system that prioritises containment over meaningful rehabilitation, placing increasing pressure on the voluntary sector to fill the gaps.
AI tech ambition to deliver smarter justice for victims
On Tuesday 9 June, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), HM Courts and Tribunals Service and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) announced that thousands of victims could see justice delivered more quickly as the Government pilots the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Crown Court.
HMPPS response: Thematic report on building trust in young offender institutions
On Tuesday 9 June, HMPPS published their response to HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) thematic report on the importance of positive relationships in young offender institutions, one year later.
Jagged Justice: Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales
On Tuesday 9 June, the Welsh Affairs Committee within the House of Commons published a report arguing that Wales’ justice system is under severe pressure, calling for better partnership working, investment, and rehabilitation-focused reforms to improve outcomes.
PoliceAI to speed up investigations and fight crime
On Wednesday 10 June, the Home Office announced the launch of PoliceAI – a new national centre dedicated to the responsible development, piloting and scaling of artificial intelligence in policing. Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, has separately commented on its launch, here.
Tribunals statistics quarterly: January to March 2026
On Thursday 11 June, the MoJ published statistics for January to March 2026 covering the type and volume of tribunals cases received, disposed of or outstanding, including statistics on the Gender Recognition Certificate applied for and granted by HMCTS Gender Recognition Panel.
£35 million government funding boost to stop drones smuggling contraband into prisons
On Thursday 11 June, the MoJ announced that up to 13,000 prison cell windows across England and Wales will be fitted with heavy-duty steel grilles to stop drones smuggling drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails.
MOJ public appointments diversity and outreach strategy
On Thursday 11 June, the MoJ published a corporate report outlining a new strategy for improving diversity, fairness and transparency in public appointments through strengthened outreach, recruitment processes and data-driven decision making.
Expansion of Intensive Supervision Courts
On Friday 12 June, the MoJ announced a £9 million funding boost to more than double the number of Intensive Supervision Courts, an innovative approach to sentencing which aims to cut reoffending by tackling the root causes of crime.
Government welcomes hospitality and tourism sector plans to further strengthen its safety standards to prevent violence against women and girls
On Friday 12 June, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Home Office, MoJ and Department for Business and Trade welcomed new hospitality and tourism sector commitments to strengthen guest safety standards, staff training and partnerships with specialist organisations to help prevent violence against women and girls, as part of a wider effort to halve such violence within a decade.
Youth custody data
On Friday 12 June, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service published the latest monthly statistics on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate.
New police data-sharing to target organised crime
On Monday 15 June, the Home Office announced UK police will now be able to access European vehicle data in seconds, accelerating organised crime investigations.
Changes to the definition of deprivation of liberty
On Monday 15 June, the Department of Health and Social Care published updated guidance following the Supreme Court judgment on 2 June 2026 clarifying the definition of the deprivation of liberty.
FOI responses published by the Youth Justice Board: March 2026
On Monday 15 June, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) in March 2026.
FOI responses published by the Youth Justice Board: April 2026
On Monday 15 June, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) in April 2026.
FOI responses published by the Youth Justice Board: May 2026
On Monday 15 June, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) in May 2026.
Criminal justice system: data standards forum guidance
On Tuesday 16 June, the MoJ published the CJS Offence Index for June 2026.
Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework
On Tuesday 16 June, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the rules and guidance on the handling of personal belongings that people in prison are allowed so that they are managed safely and effectively.
Expanded drug rehabilitation requirement drug testing: Process evaluation
On Thursday 18 June, the MoJ and HMPPS published a report presenting the findings of the process evaluation of expanded probation-led drug testing for drug rehabilitation requirements.
The use of diversionary outcomes in England and Wales 2025
On Thursday 18 June, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published Official Statistics in Development on diversionary outcomes with youth justice service (YJS) involvement in England and Wales for the year ending December 2025 and related press release. Phil Bowen, Interim Chair of the Youth Justice Board, published an accompanying blog to this report.
Court and tribunal fees: updates from July 2026
On Friday 19 June, the MoJ and HM Courts and Tribunals Service announced plans to make a series of changes to court and tribunal fees.
Contemporary leadership evidence for probation and youth justice services
On Friday 19 June, HM Inspectorate for Probation published a new report arguing that probation and youth justice services can improve staff retention, wellbeing and performance by investing in transformational leadership.
Housing conditions in temporary accommodation: government response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report
On Monday 22 June, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the government response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report on housing conditions in temporary accommodation.
Independent Public Advocate annual report 2025
On Thursday 25 June, the MoJ published the first annual report from the IPA which sets out the establishment of the role and its early work supporting victims, survivors and bereaved families following major incidents.
Family Court Statistics Quarterly: January to March 2026
On Thursday 25 June, the MoJ published official statistics on the volume of cases dealt with by family courts over time, with statistics also broken down for the main types of case involved.
Criminal court statistics quarterly: January to March 2026
On Thursday 25 June, the MoJ published data on the type and volume of cases received and processed through the criminal court system of England and Wales, including statistics on case timeliness for the period between January and March 2026.
New evidence on online harms affecting children
On Thursday 25 June, The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published a comprehensive new Evidence and Insights Pack on Online Harms Affecting Children.
Rough sleeping no longer a crime as Vagrancy Act repealed
On Sunday 28 June, the MHCLG announced that the government will repeal the Vagrancy Act on Monday 29 June 2026, ending nearly two centuries of legislation that has criminalised rough sleeping and begging.
Justice for victims as ‘domestic killers’ to face longer behind bars
On Monday 29 June, the MoJ announced that people who kill their partner, or ex, to face a 25-year sentencing start point.
Parole Board launches new video and leaflet for victims
On Monday 29 June, the Parole Board announced the launch of additional resources for those victims engaged in the parole process.
Outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals
On Monday 29 June, the Attorney General's Office published details on the recent sentences they have examined under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme
‘Victims’ rights are gathering dust’: Commissioner calls for urgent action to deliver reforms championed by Baroness Newlove
On Tuesday 30 June, the Victims Commissioner published their 2024/25 Annual Report.
Amber Rudd to lead review into safety and security of prisons
On Wednesday 1 July, the MoJ announced that former Home Secretary Amber Rudd will lead a major review to make prisons safer, tackle crime and deliver long-term reform that protects the public, and featured a quote from Clinks’ CEO, Summer Alston-Smith. This was accompanied by a further announcement made by the Deputy Prime Minister in the House of Commons and an announcement by the Minister of State for Justice in the House of Lords.
Independent review of the prison system: terms of reference
On Wednesday 1 July, the MoJ published the terms of reference for the new independent review of the prison system, which will provide a strategic, risk-based assessment of the current, emerging and future risks and opportunities facing the prison system.
Electronic monitoring of domestic abuse perpetrators on licence: process and interim impact evaluation
On Thursday 2 July, the MoJ published a report which presents the process and interim impact evaluation of the domestic abuse perpetrators on licence pilot tagging scheme live in eight probation regions.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Our 2030 Strategic Plan
On Thursday 2 July, HM Inspectorate of Prisons published their 2030 Strategic Plan, which sets out a five‑year vision to maximise the impact, reach and legitimacy of its inspections, using evidence‑based scrutiny to drive improvements in probation and youth justice services and achieve better outcomes for people, communities and public safety.
Police use of firearms statistics, April 2025 to March 2026
On Thursday 2 July, the Home Office published statistics on police use of firearms in England and Wales for the year ending March 2026.
Early evidence suggests the LAP is steering children away from custody
On Thursday 2 July, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales announced that a new independent evaluation report found promising early evidence that the London Accommodation Pathfinder (LAP) has a lower recorded reoffending rate compared to the national average for children leaving custody.
Solicitor General announces national rollout of Early Victims’ Right to Review scheme
On Monday 6 July, the Attorney General’s Office and the Crown Prosecution Service announced that following a successful pilot, rape and sexual assault survivors across all of England and Wales will have the right to ask for their cases to be reviewed before a final decision to offer no evidence is made.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons annual report: 2025 to 2026
On Tuesday 7 July, HM Inspectorate of Prisons published the annual report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Better protections for children in custody
On Tuesday 7 July, the MoJ announced that children in youth custody will be ‘better protected’ through stronger safeguarding, dedicated social workers, tougher vetting and independent oversight.
Trowler review into youth custody safeguarding
On Tuesday 7 July, the MoJ published its response to the Isabelle Trowler review of safeguarding in youth custody, alongside an accompanying announcement in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
HMIP thematic review of children on short-term remands: government response
On Tuesday 7 July, the MoJ published an action plan in response to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons thematic review of children on short-term remand.
FOI responses published by the Youth Justice Board: June 2026
On Wednesday 8 July, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from the Youth Justice Board (YJB) in June 2026.
Government action so children do not pay for a parent’s crime
On Wednesday 8 July, the MoJ and Department for Education announced that children with a parent in prison will be recognised earlier and connected to support under a new government pilot to help them thrive, featuring a quote from Clinks’ Families Network Coordinator, Diane Curry OBE.
Young Futures Hubs and Transformation Programme
On Wednesday 8 July, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, published Information about the Young Futures Hubs and Transformation Programme.
Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales: Overcrowded prisons and workforce pressures undermining safety and rehabilitation, MPs warn
On Thursday 9 July, the Welsh Affairs Committee published their inquiry report into prisons, probation and rehabilitation in Wales.
Impact of drug and alcohol treatment on reoffending
On Thursday 9 July, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an analysis of offending and reoffending by people in community drug and alcohol treatment in England, using linked NDTMS and Police National Computer data.
HMPPS annual report on the IPP sentence 2025 to 26
On Thursday 9 July, HMPPS and the MoJ published their third annual report on the imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence which includes a refreshed action plan, alongside an accompanying statement by the Minister of State for Justice in the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook
On Thursday 9 July, the MoJ published a summary of the latest information presented in Justice in Numbers.
Ad-Hoc Electronic Monitoring Status, March 2026
On Thursday 9 July, the MoJ published an ad hoc which reports the number of individuals who were subject to an electronic monitoring order but did not have equipment installed as at 31 March 2026.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman: Annual Report 2025 to 2026
On Thursday 9 July, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman published their 2025-26 Annual Report, which summarises the changes and collective achievements made by the PPO, including detailed statistics on complaints and fatal incident investigations.
Justice data lab statistics: July 2026
On Thursday 9 July, the MoJ published a series of tailored reports assessing the impact of rehabilitation programmes on reoffending behaviour analysed within the previous quarter, and summary of results to date.
Electronic monitoring: improving resilience to meet increasing demand
On Friday 10 July, the National Audit Office published a report highlighting that the current Electronic Monitoring system is not operating effectively, with significant performance, governance and public protection risks that must be addressed before further large-scale expansion.
Youth custody data
On Friday 10 July, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service published monthly statistics on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate for May 2026.
County lines – record year for ‘gang busts’ and knife seizures
On Friday 10 July, the Home Office announced that the largest ever numbers of drug lines have been closed, gang leaders have been arrested and dangerous weapons seized through county line operations.
Enhanced support for police in traumatic and dangerous environments
On Friday 10 July, the Home Office announced that police officers will get access to expanded crucial services to help them deal with the demands of working in dangerous and traumatic environments.
The Legal Services Board: independent public bodies review
On Monday 13 July, the MoJ published an independent public body review of the Legal Services Board.
Prison health and safety workplace inspection arrangements: PSI 36/2015
On Monday 13 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published guidance and rules on the minimum requirements for routine inspections of the workplace to provide a safe working environment.
Health and safety management of violence and aggression: PI 12/2015
On Monday 13 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published guidance on effective risk assessment and implementation of reasonably practicable control measures to minimise risk of violence at work.
Prison health and safety arrangements for risk assessment: PSI 37/2015
On Monday 13 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published guidance and legal duties for carrying out risk assessments to comply with The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Recent business
Parliamentary Questions:
- The Deputy Prime Minister was asked about several key issues, including topics related to:
- Courts: reducing waiting times for jurors, reducing court backlogs, judicial training, reducing delays in criminal cases, decisions to recall people and place people under intensive supervision based on breaches to licenses, reasons for delays, delays in magistrate courts, standards in criminal cases, trial effectiveness, trials for people who are neurodivergent, the Single Justice Procedure, plans to ensure that criminal trials proceed as planned, oral hearings, Crown Court standards, days with no sittings in Crown Courts, impacts of court expenditures, jury reform, creating specialist courts for cases of rape, trials for people with mental disorders, court standards, impact of delays and postponed hearings.
- Probate: standards for probate and processing times.
- Probation: training probation officers, standards for probation and electronic tagging and monitoring.
- Prison: levels of housing and homelessness upon release, prison accommodation (here, here, here, here and here) and prison construction, the release of people from prison (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here), people who reoffend after release from prison, vetting for prison officers, heating and electricity in prisons, prison transfers for people who have committed a sexual offence or are serving an IPP sentence, breaches of Public Sector Equality Duty and improving the equality of people in prison, phones in prison, costs per call, transgender people in prison, older people, smuggling drones (here, here, here and here), employment and education schemes and employment following release, dedicated wings for people with autism, psychologists working in prisons, education budgets, new prison place creation for women, prison staff, prison research and publications, prison governors’ working hours, the right to strike for prison and custody officers, prison escapes, radicalism and terrorism, the adequacy of available interventions, mental health, people on recall, recommendations of Local Advisory Pannels, palliative care in prisons, body armour and stun guns for prison officers, libraries and religion.
- Sentencing: sentencing gender-based violence, sentencing sexual offences and rape, updating sentencing guidelines, people who have received “two strike” sentences, community orders, the impact of short custodial sentences on reoffending, decreasing short sentences, fairness and consistency in sentencing decisions and convictions for homicide and rape.
- Victims: victim support schemes, victim support schemes for people with disabilities, victims of sexual offences, victims of fraud, funding for victim support schemes and victim support schemes for domestic abuse cases, plans to update the Victims’ Code and using AI to deliver justice for victims.
- Youth Justice: trials for rape in youth courts, resourcing and capacity of youth justice services, trends in regional disparities, sentencing young people and children, impacts of the Turnaround programme, sentencing for sexual offences, preventing the criminalisation of children in care, Appropriate Adults services and raising the age of criminal responsibility.
- He was also asked about: costs of prosecution, the use of AI in the Ministry of Justice, women on remand in custody, criminal proceedings for domestic abuse, the advisory board for female 'offenders,' crimes of violence using knives, knife crime, crimes of violence against emergency services, offences against children, administration of justice for crimes against women, trials for gender-based violence, age assurance, multi-agency information sharing, the Women’s Justice Board, Independent Monitoring Boards, cybersecurity, Ministry of Justice training offers, vetting for HMPPS staff, people with mental disorders, Approved Premises, rehabilitation, and costs of parole board hearings.
- The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was asked about mental health services for people in prison, disability aids in prison, health services for people in prison, the misuse of drugs and contraception in prisons.
- The Home Secretary was asked about drug misuse, anti-social drug-taking, cannabis misuse, knives, hate crime, crimes committed by children, domestic abuse and stalking register, gender-based violence, police reform, the Misuse of Drugs Ministerial Group and crime statistics,
- The Solicitor General was asked about crimes of violence against emergency services.
Bill Updates
Social Housing Bill [HL]
- Monday 15 June, First Sitting in the Committee Stage in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 17 June, Second Sitting in the Committee Stage
- Monday 20 July, the Bill is expected to enter the Report Stage in the House of Lords
Debates
- Wednesday 10 June, New Autism Strategy (Autism Act 2009 Committee Report), debated in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 10 June, Best Start Family Hubs, debated in the House of Lords
- Thursday 18 June, Courts and Tribunals Bill, debated in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 23 June, Prison Safety, debated in the House of Commons
- Monday 29 June, Home Office and Ministry of Justice, debated in the House of Commons
- Monday 29 June, Prisoner Early Release, debated in the House of Commons
- Wednesday 1 July, Prisoner Early Release, debated in the House of Lords
- Monday 6 July, Imprisonment for Public Protection Prisoners, debated in the House of Lords
- Monday 6 July, Early Victims’ Right to Review: Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, announced in the House of Commons
- Monday 6 July, Police Leadership Commission Report, debated in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 7 July, Early Release of Prisoners, debated in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 7 July, Drugging and Sexual Assault of Women, debated in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 8 July, National Youth Strategy, debated in the House of Commons
Accommodation
Homeless Link published their 2025 Annual Review which found that homelessness services are facing rising demand, increasingly complex needs, and severe funding pressures. Their report argued that only sustained, long-term investment and systemic reform across housing, welfare, health, and social care can effectively reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in England
Criminal Justice System
Russell Webster published a new report examining how the Dawes Trust invested more than £28 million in criminal justice research, policy and practice between 2011 and 2026. The report concludes that its flexible, impact-focused funding model played a significant role in developing influential organisations, shaping legislation and policy, and supporting innovative work that was often overlooked by other funders.
Offploy published their 2026 Impact Report, which shows their progress in reducing reoffending and improving employment, wellbeing and stability for people with convictions. The report highlights that they were able to support1,265 candidates in 2025 and generate £16.1 million in social value through their mentoring, employer engagement and training programmes.
The Magistrates Association published a report on open data in courts in England and Wales, arguing that embracing an open data approach will enhance and improve data publication, and is a natural next step in achieving a vision of more open justice. Drawing from recent examples and a literature review, the report illustrates the benefits and barriers to open data in justice and proposes an alternative approach to justice data, offering eight recommendations for action.
Education
The Prisoners’ Education Trust published a report which argues that distance learning is a vital route to higher-level education, employability and reduced reoffending for people in prison. However, the report warns that funding cuts and systemic barriers are undermining access, calling for stronger prison support and government action to protect and expand provision.
Families
Children Heard and Seen published their 2025–26 Impact Report which highlights how the charity supported 686 children and families affected by parental imprisonment through tailored emotional, practical and advocacy services, while successfully raising national awareness and influencing policy change to ensure these often-overlooked children are recognised and supported.
The Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) published a briefing which sets out their policy position on the role of Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs) within current children’s social care and family justice reform. The briefing focused on the relationship between FDAC and the Family Help within the Families First Partnership programme and identifies seven policy priorities that will enable these to work effectively alongside each other.
Lived Experience
User Voice published their 2025 Impact Report, which outlines how the charity used the lived experience of people affected by the criminal justice system to influence policy, improve prisons, probation, healthcare and diversion services, and engage over 8,600 people in driving meaningful system change across England and Wales.
Policing
The Police Foundation published a report arguing that reducing modern offending behaviours requires moving beyond reactive policing and punishment to a coordinated, evidence-based prevention system built around four approaches: making crime harder to commit, strengthening deterrence, reducing crime-prone risk factors, and increasing social connection and inclusion.
Prisons
The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) published a report on their Hope and Fulfilment Survey, which found that people who are in prison for a longer term are more likely to maintain hope, purpose and wellbeing when they have strong family and supportive relationships, meaningful opportunities for personal development, fair treatment and clear progression. Conversely, isolation, uncertainty and limited opportunities undermine these outcomes.
Nacro published their Reducing Deaths Among Prison Leavers report, which found that mortality after release from prison has risen sharply since the pandemic, with more than one person dying every day, often from preventable drug-related causes. The report calls for better housing, healthcare and substance misuse support to reduce these avoidable deaths.
Maslaha published their third briefing in their series on the Hidden Lives of Muslims in Prison, arguing that Muslim people in prison experience disproportionately harsh and discriminatory treatment, including stricter use of adjudication procedures, reduced access to jobs and education opportunities, and a greater likelihood of receiving additional days on their sentences compared to non-Muslim people in prison.
Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) published their 2025 National Annual Report, covering adult prisons, young offender institutions and immigration detention. The report found that overcrowding, failing infrastructure, inadequate healthcare and safeguarding, excessive use of force, and poor communication across prisons, youth custody and immigration detention are causing widespread harm to detained people, with vulnerable individuals too often left unsafe, unsupported and uncertain about their future.
Probation
The Probation Institute published the 40th edition of Probation Quarterly, which explores how probation services are navigating major challenges, including artificial intelligence, workforce burnout, risk-focused practice, community rehabilitation, and leadership development.
Restorative Justice
The Mint House published their 2025 Impact Report which highlights how they are expanding restorative practice across communities, education, criminal justice, homelessness, mental health and environmental work, reaching hundreds of people through training, events and partnerships to help build understanding, repair relationships and reduce social division.
Sentencing
The Sentencing Council launched their consultation on the imposition of community and custodial sentences guideline amendments as a result of the 2026 Sentencing Act.
Women
Women in Prison published a blog which welcomed the government's £9 million expansion of problem-solving courts, arguing that women-focused intensive supervision courts tackle the underlying causes of offending, such as poverty, domestic abuse, mental ill-health and homelessness, and provide a more effective alternative to prison.
Agenda Alliance published their response to the Department for Education’ most recent data regarding children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in education, arguing that girls with special educational needs are being overlooked in education policy and data collection, masking disproportionately high rates of exclusion, absence, and unmet mental health needs. The response calls for better gender- and ethnicity-disaggregated data alongside more targeted, gender-responsive support.
Agenda Alliance also published their response to the Department for Education’s data release on exclusions and suspensions from schools in England, arguing that it is a positive indication that overall rates are moving in the right direction.
Youth Justice
The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) published their response to the College of Policing’s consultation on the updated Authorised Professional Practice (APP) for Stop and Search. Their response raised serious concerns about the continued harm children experience during stop and search encounters and the lack of clear, child‑specific safeguards in the draft guidance.
The AYJ also published their response to the Trowler Review and the Government’s acceptance of all 34 safeguarding recommendations, particularly granting looked-after status to all children in custody, and urging swift implementation through stronger safeguarding, closure of large YOIs, and investment in smaller, community-based, trauma-informed alternatives.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova
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