Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 943 | 31 July 2026

Light lunch

 

 

In this issue...

 

 

Clinks is delighted to announce Ruth Legge, Head of Criminal Justice Services at St Mungo’s, as the new Accommodation seat holder on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3).

Ruth has over 17 years’ experience working across the criminal justice and homelessness sectors, with a particular focus on housing and accommodation for people leaving prison and those under probation supervision. She has held frontline, management, and strategic roles supporting people experiencing homelessness, multiple disadvantage, and complex needs, and has extensive experience of developing partnerships across probation, prisons, housing providers, local authorities, and the voluntary sector to improve resettlement outcomes. In her current role, Ruth oversees criminal justice accommodation services across London and wider regions, leading service development, recommissioning, and innovation to increase access to safe, stable housing.

Through her position on RR3, Ruth is committed to ensuring that the voices of accommodation providers, people with lived experience, and the voluntary sector are represented in national discussions. She hopes to voice the ideology that you cannot rebuild a life without somewhere to live; housing is the cornerstone of effective resettlement and reducing reoffending.

We look forward to working with Ruth as she champions accommodation in our bid to build a stronger and more effective partnership between the voluntary sector, the Ministry of Justice, and HM Prison and Probation Service.

Read Ruth’s profile here

Clinks and the RJ4All International Institute have published a joint blog exploring the evidence, legal framework, and potential of restorative justice. The blog sets out what restorative justice is, why it matters, and how voluntary sector organisations can work together to improve access, while emphasising that implementation must be safe, properly resourced, victim-led, and grounded in the realities of frontline delivery. It highlights the growing evidence base for restorative justice, including a 23.8% reduction in recidivism achieved through two programmes evaluated by RJ4All, and notes the gap between victims’ legal entitlements under the Victims’ Code and actual access to services. The blog also outlines the collaboration between Clinks and RJ4All to increase awareness, share good practice, and advocate for better implementation across the voluntary sector.

Read the blog here

Earlier this year, the government published prison-by-prison transparency data covering the amount of planned core education hours between April 2025 and March 2027. However, this data is not enough. At a recent Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) Education seat holder meeting, officials shared that they are looking at how they can publish education data more transparently and ensure that what is published reflects the needs of the voluntary sector. In partnership with RR3 Seat Holder for Education Jon Collins (Chief Executive of the Prisoners’ Education Trust), Clinks is inviting voluntary sector organisations to share their experiences of accessing prison education data and identify where important information is missing or difficult to obtain. The survey asks about limitations in current datasets, suggestions for improvements to how data is published and presented, and how better access to education data could support service design, delivery, and evaluation. Clinks will use the feedback to work directly with HMPPS and the MoJ to inform how data outputs and future data-gathering activities are designed and shared. The deadline for responses is Monday 28 September.

Fill in the form here

Clinks is hosting the launch webinar for a new evidence review by Dr Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham, exploring the relationship between masculinity and the criminal justice system. The review examines how ideas about masculinity can influence offending behaviour, vulnerability, mental health, and engagement with support services. It also explores the impact of online spaces, including the manosphere, and considers how gender-informed and trauma-informed approaches can support prevention, rehabilitation, and better outcomes. During the webinar, Dr King-Hill will introduce the review’s key findings and discuss their implications for policymakers, practitioners, and voluntary organisations working across the criminal justice sector. [Monday 14 September 2026 | 11:00 to 12:00 | Online | Free]

Register for the webinar here

Read the evidence review here

The Sentencing Act gained Royal Assent in January 2026 and represents the biggest reform of the justice system in decades, introducing a presumption of suspended sentences for short custodial terms, extending deferred sentencing periods, and updating the purposes and management of sentences. While the Prime Minister’s announcement on 22 July advised a review of the implementation of the Progression Model (causing a delay to planned releases from 2 September), other elements of the Act are progressing. Clinks is hosting a free webinar to provide detail on how the Act will be implemented, what this means for the voluntary sector, and how Clinks can provide ongoing support. The session will be recorded and shared on the Clinks website for anyone unable to attend. [Tuesday 18 August 2026 | 10:00 to 11:30 | Online | Free]

Register here

The Independent Review of the Prison System, led by Amber Rudd, has launched a call for evidence seeking views on the biggest challenges facing prisons in England and Wales and the opportunities to improve outcomes over the next 5 to 15 years. Clinks is hosting two evidence-gathering roundtable discussions to ensure the expertise, evidence, and experiences of voluntary sector organisations working in and around prisons are represented in this important review. Topics will include the purpose and outcomes of the prison system, prison capacity, safety and decency, supporting staff and partnership working with the voluntary sector, rehabilitation and reducing reoffending, the needs of women, older people, and people who are neurodivergent or have mental or physical disabilities, and the role of technology and innovation. Discussions will inform a shared voluntary sector submission to the review. Both sessions cover the same content, so you only need to attend one. The deadline for the call for evidence is 31 August 2026.

[Wednesday 12 August 2026 | 10:00 to 11:30 | Online | Free]

[Monday 24 August 2026 | 14:00 to 15:30 | Online  | Free]

Register here

MEMBER FOCUS: Clear Pathways Project CIC

Clear Pathways Project CIC delivers Structured Intervention Programmes (SIPs) that use physical activity and personal development to strengthen life skills and improve outcomes. The organisation works with individuals facing barriers at different stages of life, including young people, adults, and people in or transitioning from custody. Its programmes aim to build confidence, resilience, and practical skills that support positive progression and reduce the risk of further involvement in the criminal justice system.

Find out more about Clear Pathways Project CIC here

Revolving Doors has published a blog calling on new Justice Secretary Alex Norris to act on Chapter Three of Lord Leveson’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, which focused on diversion and made 10 recommendations to expand its use. The blog argues that out-of-court resolutions (OOCRs), which divert people into interventions addressing the underlying causes of offending such as mental health difficulties, substance use, and housing instability, have received insufficient attention from government. It highlights the Offending 2 Recovery (O2R) programme in the West Midlands as an example of effective practice, and calls on the MoJ and Home Office to work together on implementation. The blog suggests that Norris’s background in health, prevention, and policing makes him well placed to take this forward.

Read the blog here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: “Every person caught in the revolving door has a story”

Revolving Doors has published a blog sharing the views of its members (people with lived experience of the cycle of crisis and crime) on what they want to see from new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Members called for investment in support for young people, better housing for people leaving prison, treatment of addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one, and diversion from the justice system into recovery services. The blog accompanies Revolving Doors’ latest Beyond the Cycle briefing, which sets out the organisation’s asks of the new government.

Read the blog here

Read Beyond the Cycle here

In the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast, Penelope and Rob are joined by Dr Susie Hulley, a research consultant who has led research into child life sentences, and Ryan, who was convicted to serve a minimum of 16 years at the age of 15. The episode explores the experience of life sentences for children, policies supporting ever-longer minimum terms, and whether this extreme sentence is ever appropriate for children.

Listen to the episode here

The Ministry of Justice is hosting a session to introduce the forthcoming Women’s Early Testing: Learning Study, which is being delivered as part of the Community Support Programme. The study responds to feedback from providers and regional teams gathered throughout the CRS contract and market engagement activity, which highlighted ongoing challenges in supporting women released out of area, as well as complexities within the custody model, including prison-based and in-reach delivery, and partnership working across services. The session will introduce the early testing approach and provide an opportunity for discussion and questions. [Monday 11 August 2026 | 10:00 to 11:15 | Online | Free]

Register here

St Giles is hosting the penultimate session in its free online learning series delivered by Dr Junior Smart OBE, FCGI, a renowned expert in child criminal exploitation, county lines, youth violence, and safeguarding. This session focuses on the critical moment when a practitioner first reaches a young person affected by violence, exploitation, or serious harm. Drawing on St Giles’ experience of trusted relationships and crisis intervention, the session will explore what helps young people feel safe enough to engage, why disclosure is rarely straightforward, and how practitioners can use moments of crisis to build trust, reduce harm, and support longer-term change. The session is aimed at professionals working with children, young people, and families across safeguarding, education, health, youth justice, policing, and community settings [Wednesday 5 August 2026 | 10:00 to 11:30 | Online | Free]

Register here

Society Matters CIC is offering a CPD-accredited online course equipping professionals with the knowledge and confidence to support prisoners, prison leavers, and their families with welfare benefits and housing. The course covers the impact of imprisonment on benefit entitlement, Universal Credit claims, conditionality, and sanctions, as well as practical steps for homelessness prevention and reintegration. It also explores specialist benefits for disabled prisoners, older prisoners, and families, and includes real-life case studies and practical checklists. [Wednesday 10 September 2026 | Online | £139.00 + VAT]

Find out more and book here

Society Matters CIC is offering a CPD-accredited online course explaining how homelessness applications work in practice, how local authority duties operate, and how to identify and challenge common issues such as gatekeeping, incorrect priority need assessments, and flawed decision-making. The course covers eligibility, the application and assessment process, and the types of support available. Through practical examples, case studies, and interactive exercises, participants will develop the knowledge and confidence to support clients through the homelessness application process. [Tuesday 16 September 2026 | Online | £139.00 + VAT]

Find out more and book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System - Summer 2026 Newsletter

HMPPS has published the Summer 2026 edition of the Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System (PEDPS) newsletter. The newsletter provides an update on PEDPS activity so far in 2026, including the number of contracts awarded, supplier qualification figures, and information for VCSE organisations about ensuring their registration status is up to date. It also includes details on upcoming market engagement activity and planning for 2027/28. VCSE organisations delivering prison education through the DPS may find the newsletter a useful update.

Read newsletter here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Major MoJ statistics release - 30 July 2026

The Ministry of Justice published a major batch of official statistics on 30 July covering the full range of prison and probation performance data, including safety in custody, prison performance ratings, the prison population, reoffending, accommodation and employment outcomes, and probation performance. The prison population stood at 87,500 on 30 June 2026. The HMPPS Annual Digest 2025 to 2026 was also published; the MoJ has confirmed this will be the final edition.

View all publications here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: End-to-end review of the police accountability system launched

The Home Office and Ministry of Justice have launched an independent review to assess systemic issues in the end-to-end police accountability system. Chaired by Dame Lynne Owens and Jason Beer KC, the review will examine the timeliness, efficiency, and effectiveness of systems for holding police to account. The chairs will submit findings to the Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor within six months, and the Home Secretary has committed to publishing a response.

Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Victims’ Commissioner meets new Lord Chancellor

The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE, met with Lord Chancellor Alex Norris on 28 July to discuss the safeguards needed to protect victims as the Government reviews planned early prison releases under the Sentencing Act. The Commissioner welcomed the acknowledgement that victims had been let down by the way the policy was initially developed and communicated. She called for a ministerial-led national taskforce to provide strategic leadership, oversee implementation, and ensure agencies work to a common plan. She also urged greater transparency, trauma-informed communication with victims, and stronger engagement with victim support organisations.

Read more here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING: Woodhill - Documentary theatre about the crisis facing prisons

Woodhill is a new production by multi-award-winning theatre company LUNG, coming to the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry in September. Pushing the form of documentary theatre and dance, the show tells the true story of three families investigating what happened to their sons at HMP Woodhill, lyrically told in their own words. The production has received five-star reviews from The Guardian, WhatsOnStage, and the Evening Standard, and has been described as “a call to arms about the crisis facing prisons.” A post-show Q&A with the company will take place after the Tuesday 22 September performance. Tickets start from £12, and the Belgrade Theatre is happy to discuss discounted rates for groups where ticket price is a barrier. [Tuesday 22 September 2026 & Wednesday 23 September 2026 | Belgrade Theatre, Coventry | From £12]

Find out more and book tickets here

FUNDING: Bernard Sunley Foundation - Social Welfare Capital Grants

The Bernard Sunley Foundation funds capital projects that support some of the most vulnerable people in society, including addiction recovery and homelessness services, support for ex-offenders, and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Grants are awarded at small, medium, and large levels as one-off capital payments, with trustees deciding the amount to pledge based on the application. Last year the Foundation awarded £756,000 across 71 social welfare grants, and it funds around half of the applications it receives. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Find out more and apply here

Women’s Keyworker – Female with The Nelson Trust [£27000, Pontypridd, with travel to Bridgend, Full Time]; Women’s Keyworker – Female with The Nelson Trust [£27000, Swansea, Full Time]; Specialist Caseworker - Emergency Department with St Giles Trust [£29703, Newham University Hospital, Full Time]; Women’s Keyworker – Female with The Nelson Trust [£27000, Pontypridd (with travel to Bridgend), Full Time]; Policy and Communications Officer with Criminal Justice Alliance [£30000, London, Full Time]; Employment Adviser with St Giles Trust [£29703, Barnsley, Full Time]; Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£29703, London Borough of Brent, with main office in Camberwell, London, Full Time]; Café Operations Assistant with Back on Track [£24909, 20 Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JW, Full Time]; Prison Support Worker with Imago Dei Prison Ministry [£27000, Surrey, Kent, Part Time]; Support Worker / Group Facilitator (Men’s Service) with The Nelson Trust [£27000 to £28500, Stroud, Full Time].

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

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