Welcome to the August 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 establishing a number of avenues for the voluntary sector to share their input on the Independent Review of the Prison System, the consultation on the Independent Statutory Regulation of Probation Practitioners, and the Sentencing Act, as well as the publication of a series of blogs, covering planned core education data delivery volumes and guest blogs by the Bell Foundation and Restorative Justice for All.
- Latest Justice News, including the call for evidence for the Independent Review of the Prison System, the consultation on the independent statutory regulation of probation practitioners, the women in the criminal justice system policy statement, prison safety and performance statistics, and the HMPPS Business Strategy 2026 to 2029.
- Parliamentary News, including questions for the Deputy Prime Minister on courts, prisons, sentencing, victims, youth justice, and wider justice issues including vetting, legal representation, neurodiversity records, violence against emergency services, electronic tagging, cybersecurity, crime prevention, AI, rehabilitation, the Courts and Tribunals Bill, and probate standards.
- Sector Insights, including Working Chance’s blog on Housing Benefit reforms, Revolving Doors’ roadmap on repeat justice-system contact, the Centre for Justice Innovation’s briefing on Family Drug and Alcohol Courts, Recoop’s discussion paper on older people in prison, Catch22’s paper on age-responsive justice, and the Prisoners’ Advice and Care Trust’s blog on recalls.
This month, we have facilitated a wide range of opportunities for the sector to share their input on the Independent Review of the Prison System’s call for evidence, the consultation on the Independent Statutory Regulation of Probation Practitioners, and the Sentencing Act.
If you are keen to share your views, there are still spaces available at our two online roundtables gathering evidence for the Independent Review of the Prison System. These identical sessions will take place on Wednesday 12 August (10:00am-11:30am) and Monday 24 August (2:00 pm-3:30pm).
You can also register for our evidence-gathering roundtable on the consultation on the independent statutory regulation of probation practitioners, which will take place on Wednesday 16 September (10:00am-11:30am).
We will also be hosting a webinar on the Sentencing Act on Tuesday 18 August (10:00am-11:30am). The session will cover the context of the Act, its implementation phases, the implications of the review of the Act, and next steps for the voluntary sector.
We published a blog raising concerns about the latest Ministry of Justice data showing a significant reduction in planned prison education hours under the new Prison Education Service, including a call for evidence, asking organisations to share their experiences of accessing prison education data and suggest improvements to inform future HMPPS and MoJ data collection and publication.
We also published two guest blogs from the Bell Foundation. The first covered Suffolk Law Centre’s work with Roma-led charity Union Romani Voice to improve Roma communities’ access to legal advice in Suffolk, highlighting how partnership working is helping to address barriers such as discrimination, language challenges and limited awareness of legal rights. The second explored the barriers faced by people in prison who use English as an additional language, including isolation, reduced access to services and difficulties engaging with rehabilitation and legal processes. It also promotes a new free training course for prison staff on communicating effectively with people who have limited English proficiency.
We published a joint blog with Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) International Institute, covering what restorative justice is, why it matters, where the law currently stands, and how access can be improved.
Modernising the Disclosure Regime
On Tuesday 14 July, the Home Office published updates on the work and progress of part 1 of the ‘criminal’ disclosure regime.
The Parole Board for England & Wales Annual Report 2025/26
On Tuesday 14 July, the Parole Board for England and Wales published their Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26.
Ofsted corporate annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026
On Tuesday 14 July, Ofsted published their annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2026.
AI to speed up justice under major disclosure reforms
On Tuesday 14 July, the Home Office announced the overhaul of disclosure rules in an effort to free up officer time.
Independent review of the prison system in England and Wales
On Thursday 16 July, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) published an open call for evidence to support the work of the Independent Review of the Prison System.
Independent statutory regulation of probation practitioners
On Thursday 16 July, the MoJ published their consultation exploring options to introduce independent regulation of probation practitioners.
Employment on release policy framework
On Thursday 16 July, the MoJ and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) updated the employment on release policy framework.
Future of the Undercover Policing Inquiry
On Thursday 16 July, the Home Office published a consultation seeking views on the future structure, scope and format of the Undercover Policing Inquiry, alongside an accompanying statement in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Most Similar Forces
On Thursday 16 July, the Home Office published updated data on the Most Similar Forces tool, which groups police force areas using socio-economic data to benchmark crime rates and improve comparative analysis.
The predictors of police demand: A rapid evidence review
On Thursday 16 July, the Home Office published a review which contains insight to inform decisions within crime and policing.
Ministry of Justice evaluation and prototyping strategy
On Thursday 16 July, the MoJ published their strategy explaining how the Ministry of Justice will embed evaluation and prototyping throughout policy development and delivery, helping them test ideas early and improve outcomes.
Standards for stalking and domestic abuse perpetrator interventions
On Friday 17 July, the Home Office published overarching principles and practice guidelines for commissioning and delivering interventions for perpetrators of stalking and domestic abuse.
Women in the criminal justice system: policy statement
On Friday 17 July, the MoJ published their policy statement on women in the criminal justice system.
Oversight and funding of youth justice services
On Friday 17 July, the MoJ published their consultation on proposals for a new performance and oversight framework for youth justice services, and reforms to how they are funded.
MOJ climate resilience plan 2025 to 2027
On Friday 17 July, the MoJ published their climate resilience plan for 2025-2027.
Review of youth justice service grant funding formula
On Friday 17 July, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published the review commissioned by Economics by Design (EbD) to develop a revised funding formula for youth justice grants, recognising the current model had not kept pace with population changes and local needs.
HMPPS Business Strategy 2026 to 2029
On Friday 17 July, HMPPS published their business strategy which outlines how they will improve performance, reduce reoffending, and protect the public through safer, more effective and resilient services.
Serious Further Offence reviews: Promoting a culture of learning in probation
On Friday 17 July, the HM Inspectorate of Probation published a report examining how the probation service learns from serious further offences (SFOs).
Chief Inspector of Probation restates calls for ‘urgent and focused action’ as HM Inspectorate of Probation publishes first combined Annual Report
On Monday 20 July, HM Chief Inspectorate of Probation published its 2025-2026 Annual Report, covering all Inspectorate programmes, including probation, youth justice, and national and area inspections, as well as organisational development, research, and impact.
Ministry of Justice Witness Intermediary Scheme
On Tuesday 21 July, the MoJ published the Witness Intermediary Scheme Annual Report 2025.
Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication, June 2026
On Thursday 23 July, the MoJ published statistics covering the use and delivery of electronic devices, including location monitoring devices and alcohol monitoring devices, for England and Wales.
Crime outcomes in England and Wales 2025 to 2026
On Thursday 23 July, the Home Office published outcomes assigned to offences recorded to March 2025 and the total number of outcomes recorded, by outcome type and offence type.
‘Offender’ management statistics quarterly: January to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published detailed quarterly statistics on people in custody (including offence groups, sentence lengths and nationalities), and quarterly statistics on prison receptions, prison releases, adjudications, licence recalls and people under probation supervision.
Safety in custody: quarterly update to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published a quarterly update on deaths, self-harm and assaults in prison custody in England and Wales.
Proven reoffending statistics: July to September 2024
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published statistics on the reoffending of people who were released from custody, received a non-custodial conviction, or a caution.
Community Performance Annual, update to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published an annual release of performance statistics for the Probation Service, incorporating Probation Service and Commissioned Rehabilitative Services performance.
Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly: March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published statistics containing an overview of trends in the use of out of court disposals, defendants prosecuted, people convicted, remand and sentencing decisions in England and Wales.
Supervision of indeterminate sentences policy framework
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published the updated framework for the mandatory requirements which the Probation Service and Public Protection Group (PPG) must complete with respect to all indeterminately sentenced people on licence.
HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2025 to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published a range of detailed statistics and measures for prisons and probation for their Annual Digest.
Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate: Update to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published Safety in the Children and Young People Secure Estate statistics covering assaults, self-harm, separations, uses of force and deaths in the Children and Young People Secure Estate in England and Wales.
Prison retail service policy framework
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published Rules and guidance for prison staff on retail, canteen and special orders for people in prison.
Prison Performance Ratings: 2025 to 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published annual performance ratings of prison establishments in England and Wales.
‘Offender’ employment outcomes, update to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published their annual release on employment status of people post release from custody or on community sentences, covering employment rates, and those who are unable to work.
‘Offender’ accommodation outcomes, update to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published their annual release on the accommodation status of people after release from custody and community disposal, covering those who are housed, homeless or rough sleeping.
Police misconduct processes to be reviewed
On Thursday 30 July, the Home Office announced that oversight of misconduct procedures will be reviewed as part of an overhaul of policing standards.
Probation Reset implementation evaluation
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ and HMPPS published their findings from an MOJ implementation evaluation and statistical analysis of Probation Reset which was introduced from April 2024 to reduce demand on probation staff.
Standard Determinate Sentence (SDS40) release data: January 2025 to March 2026
On Thursday 30 July, the MoJ published detailed statistics on people released under Standard Determinate Sentence 40 (SDS40).
New evidence highlights benefits of targeted prevention and diversion
On Thursday 30 July, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published the latest Targeted Prevention and Diversion Evidence Pack.
Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook
On Friday 31 July, the MoJ published a summary of the latest information presented in Justice in Numbers.
Knife and weapons surrender arrangements 2026
On Monday 3 August, the Home Office published guidance for the Knife and Weapons Surrender Arrangements scheme running from 3 August 2026 to 31 August 2026.
Rape, serious child sex and grooming offences barred from sentencing changes
On Tuesday 4 August, the Prime Minister’s Office and the MoJ announced that rape, serious child sex and other grooming offences will be barred from upcoming changes to prison sentences.
Sentencing Act offence exclusions
On Tuesday 4 August, the MoJ published a list of offences excluded from the Sentencing Act progression model.
Knife crime homicides fall to 35-year low
On Wednesday 5 August, the Home Office announced that there was a drop in the rate of knife-related homicides, with more than 15,000 knives and offensive weapons removed from the streets.
Chief inspector calls for assessments in police custody to prevent seriously mentally ill people ending up in prison
On Wednesday 5 August, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons published a press notice calling for mental health assessments to be carried out in police custody before people are sent to court, highlighting the risks posed by placing acutely unwell individuals in prisons that are not equipped to provide the specialist care they need.
Major expansion of community mental health support across England
On Wednesday 5 August, the Department of Health and Social Care announced a £343 million plan which will open 159 NHS mental health centres in England, giving people earlier local support and specialist crisis care outside A&E.
Welsh Justice Data: Annual Release 2026
On Thursday 6 August, HMPPS published annual statistics covering prison population counts by prison, Welsh local authority origin, sex and religion, split by Welsh and English origin addresses.
Temporary Presumptive Re-categorisation Scheme guidance
On Thursday 6 August, the MoJ and HMPPS published guidance containing eligibility criteria, exclusions and process for moving people into open conditions under TPRS36.
Guidance for charities affected by the Beacon cyber security incident
On Friday 7 August, the Charities Commission published advice to organisations affected by the security incident involving Beacon’s Customer Relationship Management service.
A guide for victims about the changes to prison release arrangements
On Monday 10 August, the MoJ published a guide for victims to explain what is changing with the new progression model, how victims can be informed and what support is available.
Justice Transcribe
On Monday 10 August, the MoJ published updated transparency data on the use of Justice Transcribe.
Interception, monitoring and security of prisoner communications policy framework
On Tuesday 11 August, the MoJ and HMPPS published rules and guidance for HMPPS staff performing duties relating to the interception and monitoring of the communications of people in prison, and communication systems security.
Authorised communications controls and interception policy framework
On Tuesday 11 August, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the rules and guidance for prison staff to manage communications controls and interception across prisons and Young Offenders Institutions.
Prison public protection policy framework
On Tuesday 11 August, the MoJ and HMPPS published policy and guidance for staff on how HMPPS deliver its responsibility to implement controls and restrictions to protect the public during the custodial term of a person’s sentence and through to release into the community.
Communications policy: PSI 49/2011
On Tuesday 11 August, the MoJ and HMPPS updated rules and guidance for prison staff on how to help people stay in touch with family members, friends, legal professionals and support services.
Secure social video calling policy framework
On Tuesday 11 August, the MoJ and HMPPS updated policy guidance for prison staff on secure social video calls introduced to help maintain family contact as a supplement to existing communications through letters, phone calls and social visits.
Use of drug trace detection equipment in prisons policy framework
On Tuesday 11 August, the MoJ and HMPPS updated rules and guidance for prison staff using trace detection equipment to detect illicit substances.
Recent business
Parliamentary Questions:
- The Deputy Prime Minister was asked about several key issues, including topics related to:
- Courts: expanding property courts, Crown Court backlogs, digital technology, criminal proceedings in the Crown Court, criminal proceedings for cases of rape, Crown Court trials and juries (here, here and here).
- Prison: accommodation, staff (here, here and here), people in prison, prison overcrowding, prison construction, drug use and treatment, the release of people from prison (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here), education and training provision, open prisons, fire prevention, men’s talking groups, databases of people in prison, limiting prison escapes and releases in error, religions in prison, prison sentences, fires in prisons, electronic cigarettes in prisons, the Independent Review of the Prison System and women’s prisons.
- Sentencing: homicide sentencing and sentencing sexual offences.
- Victims: improving support for victims and witnesses and the Victims’ Code.
- Youth Justice: youth custody staff, implementation plans for the Trowler Review’s recommendations, crimes of violence and sexual offences.
- He was also asked about: vetting (here, here, here and here), legal representation for people with mental illnesses, neurodiversity records, crimes of violence against emergency services, electronic tagging, cybersecurity in courts and prisons, crime prevention, the use of AI, rehabilitation (here and here), the Courts and Tribunals Bill and probate standards..
- The Home Secretary was asked about criminal proceedings for gender-based violence, anti-social behaviour and police use of lie detectors.
- The Secretary of State for Education was asked about supporting children with a parent in prison and the impact of exclusion.
Bill Updates
Social Housing Bill [HL]
- Monday 20 July, First Sitting in the Report Stage in the House of Lords
Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill [HL]
- Friday 17 July, Second Reading in the House of Lords
Debates
- Tuesday 14 July, Violence Against Retail Workers, debated in the House of Lords
- Tuesday 14 July, Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Temporary Class Drug) Order 2026, debated in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 15 July, Court Transparency Measures, debated in the House of Commons
- Thursday 16 July, Early Release Prisoners: Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, debated in the House of Lords.
- Thursday 16 July, Imprisonment for Public Protection, debated in the House of Lords
- Thursday 23 July, ‘Prisoner’ Early Release Scheme, debated in the House of Lords
Accommodation
Homeless Link published a guest blog by Mark Handford, chief writer of the Frontline Housing Insight blog, arguing that ending homelessness will require greater investment in safe, good-quality supported housing, better support for frontline staff, and improved move-on housing options. The blog emphasises that national ambitions to end homelessness must be informed by the realities of frontline delivery and the lived experiences of people using services.
Working Chance published a blog, welcoming forthcoming changes to Housing Benefit rules that will allow people in supported housing and temporary accommodation to keep more of their earnings when they enter work or increase their hours. The blog argues that the reforms will remove a longstanding financial disincentive to employment, helping women with convictions pursue work without risking their housing stability.
Criminal Justice System
Revolving Doors published an updated roadmap for government that builds on its earlier recommendations to reduce repeat offending driven by unmet health and social needs. The report argues that recent progress should be translated into a coordinated, cross-government, prevention-first approach focused on people caught in the “revolving door” of repeated contact with the justice system and calls on the new government to deliver lasting systemic change with greater urgency and discipline.
The Institute for Government published an explainer on the prison early release reforms introduced by the Sentencing Act 2026 and subsequent changes made by the government.
Families
The Centre for Justice Innovation has published a briefing arguing that Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDACs) should be recognised as a key part of children’s social care reform and the Families First Partnership programme. The briefing emphasises that FDACs and Family Help are complementary rather than competing approaches, and calls for the Government to protect FDACs’ specialist, multidisciplinary model, ensure sustainable funding, and strengthen support for families before, during and after care proceedings.
Lived Experience
Revolving Doors and the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR) at Birkbeck, University of London published a report which found that many court users felt court proceedings worsened existing trauma, damaged their mental health, and left them with deep mistrust of the justice system due to delays, poor communication and perceived unfairness. The report recommends more person-centred, problem-solving approaches, clearer language and better support before, during and after hearings to improve trust and access to justice.
Older People
Recoop published a discussion paper examining how ageing, disability, mental health issues, social care needs, family relationships and resettlement challenges intersect to shape the experiences of older people in prison. The report argues that these overlapping disadvantages should be understood through an intersectional lens and highlights the need for better multi-agency working, earlier identification of needs and stronger through-the-gate support to improve rehabilitation and resettlement outcomes for an ageing prison population.
Catch22 published a paper examining how younger and older people are treated differently within the prison and probation system. The paper argues that the criminal justice system is not age-neutral and that standardised approaches can fail to meet the distinct health, wellbeing and rehabilitative needs of both younger and older defendants, calling for more tailored, age-responsive support to reduce harm and improve outcomes.
Prisons
The Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) published a blog highlighting concerns about the impact of increasingly frequent heatwaves on people living and working in prisons. The blog argues that extreme heat can pose serious risks to people in prison, particularly older people and those with health conditions, and calls for greater attention to prison conditions and more consistent measures to help people cope with high temperatures across the prison estate.
Recall
The Prisoners’ Advice and Care Trust (PACT) published a blog highlighting new Ministry of Justice data showing that more people were recalled to prison than were released between January and March 2026, with recalls now exceeding 100% of releases. The blog argues that most recalls are for licence condition breaches rather than new offences and warns that rising recalls are worsening prison overcrowding and undermining efforts to ease pressure on the prison system.
Victims
Victim Support published a blog which argues that the Sentencing Act 2026 risks undermining victims’ confidence in the justice system by allowing some people to be released earlier than victims expected, following often lengthy and traumatic journeys through the courts. The blog calls for victims to be kept fully informed about how sentencing changes affect their cases, warning that many may feel unsafe, confused and let down unless the government provides clear information, accessible support and a stronger focus on victims’ needs during the rollout of the reforms.
Women
The Prison Reform Trust published a policy and practice review which argues that the continued overuse of remand, short prison sentences and recalls, alongside inadequate funding for women’s services, poor housing provision and weak cross-government coordination, are driving unnecessary imprisonment. The report ultimately calls for a well-funded whole-system approach focused on early intervention, community alternatives and gender-responsive support.
In a blog for Women in Prison, Jo Wells, CEO of the Firebird Foundation, highlighted the creation of the Remand Collective, a partnership of charities, funders and women with lived experience working to reduce the number of women held on remand. The blog argues that the growing use of remand for women is unjust and harmful, and calls for greater collaboration, investment and lived experience leadership to drive systemic change and reduce the unnecessary imprisonment of women awaiting trial or sentencing.
Adfam published a blog which argues that England’s Women’s Health Strategy overlooks women affected by drug and alcohol problems, despite their disproportionately high levels of trauma, poor health, and barriers to accessing support. It calls on the Government to recognise women experiencing substance use, as well as family members and kinship carers affected by addiction, as a priority group within women’s health policy and service design.
Agenda Alliance and the Centre for Young Lives have published a briefing calling for Young Futures Hubs to be designed and delivered in ways that meet the specific needs of young women and girls. The report highlights the gendered nature of violence, exploitation, poor mental health and educational disengagement, and recommends that hubs adopt trauma-informed, gender-responsive approaches, work closely with specialist girls’ services, and create safe, accessible spaces tailored to girls’ experiences.
Advance has published a blog setting out its priorities for the new government, calling for a whole-system approach to tackling violence against women and girls, sustained funding for specialist women’s services, and greater focus on prevention and early intervention. The blog also urges the Government to prioritise women’s experiences within homelessness and criminal justice reform, including reducing women’s imprisonment through trauma-informed, gender-responsive approaches.
Youth Justice
Transition to Adulthood (T2A) published their response to the government's Independent Review of the Prison System, arguing that young adults face particularly high levels of violence, self-harm and poor outcomes in custody, and that their needs must be a central focus of prison reform.
The University of Nottingham, with funding from the Nuffield Foundation, published the most comprehensive study to date of children’s experiences of policing and police custody, finding that children, particularly those with mental health needs, care experience and other vulnerabilities, are too often unnecessarily drawn into police custody, where experiences can be confusing, distressing and harmful.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova
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