Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 947 | 28 August 2026

Light lunch

 

 

In this issue...

 

Clinks has shared further information on Restriction Zones being introduced as part of the Sentencing Act. People on licence could be subject to GPS monitoring and confined to a defined area, as well as being restricted from specific locations, with breaches potentially resulting in recall. Restriction Zones can remain in place for as long as needed to manage risk, with reviews taking place at least every three months.

We have updated our Sentencing Act blog with the latest information and will continue to monitor implementation and keep the voluntary sector informed of developments relevant to its work.

Read the latest update here

In our latest blog, Natalie Maidment reflects on 13 years at Clinks, after originally joining on what was meant to be a two-year secondment. Natalie looks back at what has changed across the criminal justice system, the challenges that remain, and what she has learnt from working alongside voluntary organisations throughout that time. She reflects on the power of connection, the importance of strong local relationships, and why ensuring voluntary sector voices reach decision-makers remains so important. 

Read here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Koestler Arts presents Rock, Paper, Scissors

Koestler Arts will present Rock, Paper, Scissors, a free exhibition showcasing work entered into the 2026 Koestler Awards by people in criminal justice settings. Five members of the Parental Imprisonment Collective, supported by Pact Young Ambassadors, selected around 200 works from more than 7,500 entries. The exhibition explores themes including childhood, family, decisions and chance, and free guided tours will also be available.

[16 October to 29 November 2026 | Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 20:00 | Southbank Centre, London | Free]

Find out more about the exhibition here

Are you a leader of a Greater Manchester VCSFE organisation supporting prison and probation experienced people? Are you interested in collaborating with other leaders to connect, influence and improve outcomes and impact? We are hosting a pilot influencing group to gauge interest and explore the potential aims and outcomes of the group. This idea came about from a project with prison experienced adults, that highlighted systemic challenges, and lack of connectivity between sector organisations. The group is administratively supported by Clinks, with space kindly provided by Co-operative Bank. 

[28 September | 10:00 - 12:00 | Co-operative Bank, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester | free]  

For more information contact Rebecca Friel, rebecca@oddarts.co.uk or Dave Maguire dave@backontrackmanchester.org.uk; to reserve a place email support@clinks.org.

Clinks has re-established its Small Organisations Network following the appointment of new Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group small organisation seat holders, Patsy Joyce and Dion Lee. This first meeting is open to members and non-members as a one-off taster session, providing an opportunity to meet the new seat holders, share challenges and discuss good practice. Matt Randle, Justice Director at Catch22, will also lead a session on the main governance barriers to securing statutory funding and how small organisations can overcome them.

[Monday 14 September 2026 | 15:30 to 16:45 | Online | Free]

Register here

Clinks, in partnership with Agenda Alliance, is hosting its quarterly Women’s Network Forum for people working with women in contact with the criminal justice system. The session will explore international evidence on alternatives to arrest and effective community approaches for women, alongside policy updates, member activity and opportunities for discussion. Attendees will also be invited to contribute evidence to the Independent Review of the Prison System. This event is open to members of the Clinks Women’s Network.

[Tuesday 15 September 2026 | 10:00 to 12:00 | Online | Free]

Register here

The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation exploring options for the independent statutory regulation of probation practitioners. Clinks is preparing a collective voluntary sector response and is hosting a roundtable to gather evidence and views. The session will cover registration requirements, continuing professional development, professional standards and ethics, fitness to practise processes and the potential introduction of a protected title.

[Wednesday 16 September 2026 | 10:00 to 11:30 | Online | Free]

Register here

Clinks, in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and the Royal Literary Fund, is hosting a free online workshop on demonstrating impact, led by professional writer Heidi Williamson. The session will explore what impact means, how to identify and present evaluation evidence and how to develop clear narratives for bids, communications and funding applications. It is open to Clinks members who work or volunteer for a small and specialist organisation within the Arts, Families, Race and Justice or Women thematic networks, as well as independent and freelance arts practitioners.

[Thursday 17 September 2026 | 10:00 to 12:30 | Online | Free]

Register here

Clinks is hosting a three-hour online training session for voluntary sector staff and volunteers who are new to working in prisons or want to strengthen their understanding of the environment. The training will cover staffing structures and departments, prison procedures, current challenges and the role of the voluntary sector. It will also explore how to build meaningful and professional working relationships with prisons while prioritising safe and responsible ways of working.

[Thursday 17 September 2026 | 10:00 to 13:00 | Online | £95 members / £150 non-members]

Find out more and book here

Clinks is inviting voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber to join its Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forum. The session will include updates on Clinks’ area engagement and policy work, and provide an opportunity to share good practice and discuss challenges. Commissioning and Partnership Managers from the North East and Yorkshire and Humber Probation Service will share local priorities and support discussion about improving engagement between HMPPS and the voluntary sector.

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

Register here

Clinks is inviting voluntary sector organisations and wider partners working in the criminal justice system in North West England to join its Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forum. The forum will provide a space to share experiences, discuss barriers, exchange practical ideas, offer peer support and explore new partnerships. Clinks members and partners are also welcome to showcase their work at a future forum.

[Tuesday 20 October 2026 | 14:00 to 15:30 | Online | Free]

Register here

MEMBER FOCUS: Sole Survivor PTSD Support CIC

Sole Survivor PTSD Support CIC provides trauma-informed, peer-led support for people affected by trauma, adversity and contact with the criminal justice system. Informed by lived experience, its services include PTSD and ADHD peer support, one-to-one post-traumatic growth coaching, active listening, structured recovery programmes and trauma-informed training and consultancy. The organisation works with people who may face barriers to accessing mainstream support, including people affected by addiction, homelessness and adverse childhood experiences. Its recovery-based approach aims to reduce isolation, support stabilisation and build resilience for life in the community.

Find out more about Sole Survivor PTSD Support CIC here

The latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast explores how police custody affects people with mental health conditions and people who are neurodivergent. Hosts Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen are joined by Dr Roxanna Dehaghani of Cardiff University and Rhona Friedman of Commons Legal to discuss whether vulnerabilities are recognised in custody, how the experience can cause or worsen harm, and what needs to change to make the process fairer and safer.

Listen here

The RJ4All International Institute is hosting the opening conference for Restorative Justice - The Evidence, a Youth Endowment Fund-funded pilot building the evidence base for restorative justice in the youth justice system in England and Wales. The event will bring together participating Youth Justice Services and sector partners to launch a Shared Practice Model for delivering restorative justice safely and consistently with children aged 10 to 17. It will also introduce a CPD-certified online course and include workshops, presentations and discussions with participating practitioners and stakeholders. Attendance is limited to 100 people and registration closes on 8 September 2026.

[Tuesday 15 September 2026 | 09:30 to 17:30 | London | Free]

Register here

Offploy is hosting a free webinar for frontline advisers and mentors supporting socially excluded people, including people with convictions. A person’s conviction may not always be apparent, which can make it harder to identify the specialist support available to them. Designed for people who are new to the criminal justice sector or would benefit from a refresher, the session will explore how to identify, support and advocate for people with convictions.

[Tuesday 8 September 2026 | 09:15 to 10:00 | Online | Free]

Register here

Offploy has received a Princess Royal Training Award 2026 for its R3 Certificate in Reintegration and Reducing Reoffending. The three-part online course is designed for frontline advisers supporting people with convictions and covers how to identify needs, provide practical support and advocate effectively. The course is CPD certified, City & Guilds Assured and endorsed by the Institute of Employability Professionals.

[Online | £180 including VAT for all three units]

Find out more and enrol here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Domestic abuse specialists call for safeguards before the Early Release Scheme proceeds

Women’s Aid and more than 100 organisations working with and for victims have called on the Prime Minister to stop the Early Release Scheme in its current form. The organisations are seeking greater transparency about who may be released, increased probation capacity, specialist input into risk assessments, emergency funding for support services and at least three months’ trauma-informed notice for victims. They have also called for implementation to be paused until HM Inspectorate of Probation has independently assessed the scheme as safe.

Read the statement here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Proposed changes to Youth Justice Board powers 

The House of Lords Library has published a briefing on the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (Restoration of Powers and Responsibilities) Bill. The private member’s bill would make the Youth Justice Board primarily responsible for several statutory functions it currently shares with the Secretary of State, give the Welsh Government a formal role in some decisions and restrict changes to the Board’s functions through secondary legislation. Its second reading is scheduled for 11 September 2026.

Read the briefing here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Court of Appeal calls for action to identify potentially unlawful IPP and DPP sentences

The Court of Appeal has quashed an unlawful imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence in Niki Dean Haycock v R. The court also identified a clear and urgent need for a system to find people who remain subject to IPP or detention for public protection (DPP) sentences and have never appealed, and to make them aware that advice is available. The judgment does not mean that every historic IPP or DPP sentence is unlawful, and people seeking advice should be directed to an appropriately qualified legal adviser.

Read the judgment here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMP Risley inspection identifies gaps in purposeful activity and resettlement

HM Inspectorate of Prisons found HMP Risley to be a generally stable prison, with safety rated good and respect reasonably good. However, purposeful activity and preparation for release were not sufficiently good, with too few activity places and accredited programmes, inconsistent sentence planning and weaknesses in support for protected groups. Inspectors also found that too many men were released without accommodation or employment.

Read the inspection report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMP/YOI Moorland monitors call for improvements to education and resettlement support

The Independent Monitoring Board’s 2025-26 annual report for HMP/YOI Moorland raises concerns about self-harm, healthcare, missed appointments, restricted regimes and the continued use of some single cells for two people. The Board found that face-to-face teaching had fallen following budget changes and art classes had ended. It has called for education and training funding to be restored, more planned accommodation on release and specialised resettlement support for people serving IPP sentences who are disengaged or poorly motivated.

Read the annual report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Derbyshire prioritises outcomes for women and girls

Derbyshire Criminal Justice Board has made improving outcomes for women and girls in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system its strategic priority for the coming year. The Board highlighted the importance of prevention, early intervention and coordinated support across the criminal justice system. The priority may shape future local partnership activity, referral routes and commissioning.

Read more here

PUBLICATION: Nacro calls for a more proportionate recall system

Nacro has published a report calling for recall to be used as a last resort for minor licence breaches. Its analysis found that recalls increased by 136% between 2016-17 and 2025-26, while four in five recalls in 2025-26 did not involve a person facing a further charge. Recommendations include earlier referrals to relevant services, action to reduce homelessness among people leaving prison, tailored support for people at higher risk of recall and clearer decision-making guidance for probation practitioners.

Read the report here

PUBLICATION: New paper examines compassion fatigue in probation practice

HM Inspectorate of Probation has published an Academic Insights paper by Dr Anton Roberts examining compassion fatigue as a form of vicarious harm experienced by probation practitioners. The paper considers how emotional labour, high workloads, limited resources and organisational pressure can affect wellbeing, empathy, performance and retention. It highlights the importance of awareness, monitoring, reflective supervision, supportive workplace cultures and strengths-based practice.

Read the paper here

PUBLICATION: Case study explores Family Hub support for mothers and babies after prison

The Local Government Association has published a case study examining the support provided by Mother and Baby Units in prison and the potential role of Family Hubs after release. It highlights challenges including housing, travel, limited support networks, outdated local information and the stigma some women may experience. The case study suggests that earlier links with Family Hubs and a named local contact could provide continuity between prison and community services for mothers and their children.

Read the case study here

PUBLICATION: ADR UK funds new justice research fellowships

Administrative Data Research UK has funded 17 new research fellowships using linked administrative data to address public policy questions. The 18-month fellowships are worth up to £200,000 each, with justice-related projects covering Home Detention Curfew and reoffending, people who perpetrate violence against women and girls, childhood disadvantage and later contact with the criminal justice system, and the effects of early years and youth service investment. The awards are not an open funding opportunity, but the projects may provide useful evidence for future policy and service development.

Read more about the fellowships here

PUBLICATION: Prison Reform Trust examines difficult choices on prison capacity

Prison Reform Trust has published a blog examining options being discussed in response to pressure on prison capacity. It considers reducing women’s imprisonment, earlier removal of eligible people in prison with foreign nationality and further action for people serving IPP sentences, while outlining the legal, practical and social limits of each approach. The blog also identifies recall and remand as areas where more sustainable action could reduce pressure.

Read the blog here

PUBLICATION: Pact highlights family support across 62 prisons

Pact has published an article for HMPPS Family and Relationships Week highlighting how family support extends beyond prison visits. Pact reports working in 62 prisons and welcoming more than 522,000 visits through its family and visitors’ centres in the previous year. The article shares examples including support in courts and schools, the Visiting Mum service and work with healthcare providers through the Listen to Families initiative.

Read Pact’s article here

OPPORTUNITY: Agenda Alliance seeks participants for young women’s justice roundtables

Agenda Alliance is inviting voluntary and statutory practitioners to take part in roundtables exploring the needs of girls and young women aged 17 to 25 who are at risk of contact with the criminal justice system. The sessions will take place in London on 9 September 2026 and the North East on 18 October 2026, and will inform Agenda Alliance’s Young Women’s Justice Project and wider call for a national Young Women’s Strategy. Practitioners, researchers and academics with relevant experience or evidence can express an interest by emailing tara@agendaalliance.org 

Read more here

Co-production Coordinator with Women in Prison [£35902, Across Lambeth and Hybrid, Part Time]; Project Manager/Course Tutor - 'For My Future', Youth Justice Programme, Bristol with Step Together Volunteering [£26265, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, Part Time]; Lived Experience Consultant - Full Time (North-West England) with User Voice [£27000 to £29995, North-West, Full Time]; Lived Experience Consultant - Full Time (Cambridgeshire) with User Voice [£27000 to £29998, Cambridgeshire, Full Time]; Recovery Worker with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, Rochester, Kent ME1, Full Time]; Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, Pendlebury, Manchester, Full Time]; Programmes Facilitator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, Erlestoke, Devizes, Full Time]; Support Worker with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£26296 to £27165, Erlestoke, Devizes, Full Time]; Assertive Outreach Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, HMP Wandsworth, Greater London, Full Time]; Assertive Outreach Worker with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, HMP Swaleside, Isle of Sheppey, Full Time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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