Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 948 | 4 September 2026

Light lunch

 

In this issue...

 

Clinks has launched a new voluntary sector-led manifesto setting out a vision for a more effective and humane criminal justice system. Developed through consultation with the voluntary sector, it brings together policy recommendations across six key areas: investment in community justice, local approaches to probation, reducing remand and recall, community provision, resettlement, and a Whole Systems Approach for women. 

The manifesto draws on the expertise and experience of organisations working across the criminal justice system and sets out practical recommendations for government reform.

Read the manifesto here

The government has announced plans to use existing prison building programme funding to accelerate additional capacity, including £110 million to increase prison capacity and begin work on a new 1,700-place prison in Lancashire. The announcement also includes plans to remove foreign nationals from prisons more quickly, end IPP sentences through legislation by the end of this Parliament, provide £4.5 million for community alternatives for young people, and reduce the number of women in custody.

An additional £18.9 million has been announced for specialist victim support services. The government has also published further information on offences excluded from Sentencing Act measures and estimated release volumes under the Progression Model.

Our Chief Executive, Dr Summer Alston-Smith, has shared her response to the announcement. We will continue to monitor developments and keep the voluntary sector updated as further details emerge. Read her response here

Read the full announcement here

Join us for the launch of 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 [14 September | 11:00 - 12:00 | online | free]. The webinar will explore how ideas about masculinity can influence offending behaviour, vulnerability, mental health and engagement with support services, including the influence of online spaces and harmful gender narratives.

The session will also consider how gender-informed and trauma-informed approaches can strengthen prevention, engagement and rehabilitation, with practical recommendations for policymakers, practitioners and voluntary organisations.

Find out more and book here

At our upcoming RR3 Small Organisations Network meeting, you will hear from Catch22 on the main governance barriers to securing statutory funding and have the opportunity to meet our new RR3 Small Organisations Seat Holders [14 September | 15:30 - 16:45 | online | free].

We are keen to hear from small organisations about examples of best practice, how implementation of the Sentencing Act has affected your organisation, and any challenges you would like our seat holders to raise at the next RR3 Quarterly meeting at the end of September.

Find out more and book here

Join Clinks for an evidence-gathering roundtable to help shape our collective response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on introducing independent statutory regulation for probation practitioners [16 September | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free].

The session will gather voluntary sector views on areas including maintaining registration, professional competence and development, professional standards and a code of ethics, fitness to practise processes and the potential introduction of a protected title.

Find out more and book here

Are you new to working or volunteering in prisons, or looking to increase your understanding of the prison system? Join our three-hour training session for voluntary sector staff and volunteers, covering the prison environment, staffing structures and departments, prison procedures and current challenges [17 September | 10:00 - 13:00 | online | from £95].

The session will also explore how voluntary sector staff can engage meaningfully and professionally with prisons while ensuring safe and responsible ways of working. Places are limited to 20 participants.

Find out more and book here

Join the NCJAA and Royal Literary Fund for a practical workshop with professional writer Heidi Williamson, exploring how to tell the story of your organisation or project’s impact in a compelling, human and structured way [17 September | 10:00 - 12:30 | online | free]. The session will cover defining impact, presenting evidence and turning evaluation data into effective narratives to strengthen funding applications and communications.

The workshop is open to eligible Clinks members working or volunteering in small and specialist organisations across our thematic networks, as well as independent or freelance arts practitioners.

Find out more and book here

Join us for our London Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forum, bringing together voluntary sector organisations working across the criminal justice system [28 September | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. Hear updates on our area engagement and policy work, alongside HMPPS representatives who will share how they work across London in practice.

The forum is an opportunity to discuss local priorities, strengthen engagement between partners and the voluntary sector, share good practice and discuss challenges organisations are facing in delivering criminal justice services.

Find out more and book here

Join the Clinks Families Network for a session exploring the value of shared knowledge, research and lived experience in building better support for children and families affected by the imprisonment of a family member [29 September | 10:00 - 12:00 | online | free]. Professor Kevin Woods and Dr Stephanie Scott will discuss children affected by parental imprisonment, the importance of training prison staff on the impact imprisonment has on families, and new research exploring a whole system approach to support.

The forum is open to Families Network members.

Find out more and book here

MEMBER FOCUS: Hope Housing, Training and Support

Hope Housing, Training and Support Ltd is a Bournemouth-based organisation providing housing, training and tailored support for single homeless adults aged 18–65. The organisation supports around 150 people each year, helping residents address challenges including substance misuse, offending, poverty, mental health and unemployment.

Support includes one-to-one and group sessions, alongside practical help with budgeting, benefits and rebuilding family relationships. Hope also promotes health and wellbeing through initiatives such as its gym and community activities, while working with partner organisations and signposting residents to wider services.

Find out more here

Prison Reform Trust has updated its guide to the Sentencing Act 2026 following changes to release arrangements announced on 1 September. Updates include the delay of the first releases under the new earned progression model from 2 September to 1 October 2026 and new offence-specific exclusions. The guide also covers changes to recall, licence conditions, Home Detention Curfew eligibility, IPP licence termination and the Early Removal Scheme. 

Read here

Prison Reform Trust has responded to the government’s latest criminal justice reforms, warning that increasing prison capacity alone will not address pressures across the prison system. It calls for greater action to reduce unnecessary imprisonment, strengthen community alternatives and invest in services that support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. PRT also welcomed the government’s commitment to review IPP sentences and introduce legislation during this Parliament to bring the sentence to an end. 

Read here

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to government plans to accelerate prison building, including creating new cells by converting unused spaces within existing prisons and purchasing land for new prisons. The charity warns that increasing capacity without addressing longer prison sentences will worsen pressures in the long term, and calls instead for investment in communities, probation, education, mental health and drug support. 

Read here

Drawn from the Heart is a new physical source-art book by Kerry Miles, inspired by his experience of drawing while in prison. With no internet access, Kerry used reference images sent by his sister to create drawings for letters, envelopes and cards, with art providing an important creative outlet during his time in custody.

The book features clear black-outline love and romance drawing ideas that can be copied and personalised, and is designed particularly for people in custody and others with limited internet access. It is the first planned title in a wider collection of accessible source-art and activity books.

Find out more here

One Small Thing has launched a new one-day training course for HR professionals and those with HR responsibilities [11 November | Central London | £200 + VAT]. The course will explore how HR functions can be delivered in ways that are psychologically safe, relational and non-retraumatising, while continuing to meet organisational and legal responsibilities.

Participants will gain practical knowledge, skills and tools to support a trauma-informed approach to people and organisational culture.

Find out more and book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: New adjudication punishments affecting social visits

Changes to adjudication punishments came into effect on [2 September], including new measures affecting social visits for people held under the Prison Rules. For cases of severe and persistent rule-breaking, social visits can now be removed for up to 27 days or restricted to one visit every 28 days for up to 84 days. Visits from a prisoner’s child or children under 18, accompanied by an appropriate adult, are exempt to protect child-parent relationships.

Other changes include increasing the maximum additional days that an independent adjudicator can award for a single offence from 42 to 84 days, and increasing the maximum period for forfeiture of privileges from 42 to 84 days. Prisons should notify their family service provider when a prisoner receives a social visits punishment, and organisations involved in managing visits or supporting prisoners and families are encouraged to review the updated policy frameworks.

Read the updated guidance here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMPPS updates pre-release policy framework

HMPPS has updated its Interim Pre-Release Policy Framework, which sets out how Pre-Release Teams and Commissioned Rehabilitative Services deliver resettlement support in custody. The framework covers identifying people’s needs and priorities on arrival, making referrals to address those needs, and supporting effective release planning. It also sets out how pre-release teams work alongside Offender Management in Custody and commissioned services supporting people leaving prison. 

Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMP Lindholme inspection finds persistent challenges

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published its latest inspection of HMP Lindholme, finding outcomes for prisoners were ‘not sufficiently good’ across safety, respect, purposeful activity and preparation for release. Inspectors highlighted concerns around illicit drug use, health care, access to education and employment, and limited contact with prison offender managers. The report also identified positive practice, including family support, resettlement services and partnership working to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs. 

Read here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Justice Committee Chair nominations open

Nominations have opened for a new Chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee following the appointment of Andy Slaughter MP as Solicitor General. The Committee examines the work of the Ministry of Justice and its associated public bodies, covering areas including prisons, probation, courts, sentencing and youth justice. 

Find out more here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS: Knife Crime Conference

Westminster Insight is hosting a conference exploring the government’s plans to reduce knife crime, with a focus on prevention, early intervention, enforcement and rehabilitation. Sessions will cover evidence-based approaches to reducing violence, Young Futures Hubs, youth justice reform, policing, education and the NHS public health approach, alongside a panel sharing lived experience of knife crime. The event is aimed at professionals across policing, youth justice, criminal justice, health, education and the voluntary sector. The conference will take place in person at the Institution of Structural Engineers in London on [6 October | 09:30]

Find out more and book here

FUNDING: Triangle Trust funding for work with young women in the criminal justice system

The Triangle Trust’s second 2026 funding round will open on [10 September], supporting projects working with young women aged 17-30 who are already in contact with the criminal justice system. Funding is available for holistic support, including help with housing, employment and family relationships, as well as pre-release, through-the-gate support and support for mothers before and after a custodial sentence. Grants of between £50,000 and £100,000 are available for projects lasting 18 months to three years. 

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by [15 October | 14:00]

Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: Charles Hayward Foundation Social & Criminal Justice grants

The Charles Hayward Foundation is accepting applications to its Social & Criminal Justice funding programme, supporting projects that prevent people entering the criminal justice system and help those in contact with it rebuild their lives. Funding priorities include preventative and diversionary work with young people, rehabilitation and resettlement support, maintaining family relationships, mentoring, pathways to employment and alternatives to custody for women and young people. Grants of £15,000 to £25,000 per year are available for projects lasting one to three years. 

UK registered charities with an annual income between £350,000 and £4 million can apply. The next application deadline is [18 September]. 

Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: New economic justice funding for London organisations

City Bridge Foundation is launching its new Communities Building Economic Change fund, offering core and flexible funding of up to £450,000 over five years. The fund is aimed at small and medium-sized, community-rooted organisations with an annual income between £50,000 and £1.5 million, whose work tackles economic injustice and benefits communities in London. Funding priorities include securing access to essentials such as housing, food and decent work, building understanding of economic inequality, and giving communities greater power over decisions that affect them. 

Full funding guidance will be published on [14 September], followed by a webinar [15 September | 12:00 - 13:00 | online] and applications opening on [22 September]. The deadline to apply is [3 November]. 

Find out more here

PUBLICATION: New evidence assessment on safety in prisons

The Ministry of Justice and HMPPS have published a Rapid Evidence Assessment examining factors that contribute to violence in prisons. The research considers violence between people in prison and against staff, and explores the implications of the evidence for staff training, staff-prisoner interactions and wider prison system management. 

Read here

PUBLICATIONS: New inspection approach for education, skills and work in prisons

Ofsted has published new information on how it will inspect education, skills training and work in prisons and young offender institutions from [21 September]. The renewed approach places greater emphasis on leadership, inclusion and the experiences and outcomes of people who face barriers to learning and work, including those with special educational needs, disabilities and neurodivergent needs. Inspections will consider how well people in prison engage, achieve and benefit from the education, skills and work available to them. 

Read here

OPPORTUNITY: Consultation on oversight and funding of youth justice services

The Ministry of Justice is seeking views on proposals to reform the oversight and funding of youth justice services. The proposals include introducing a new national performance and oversight framework from April 2027, followed by changes to how youth justice services are funded from April 2029, with the aim of making funding fairer and more reflective of local need. The consultation is relevant to voluntary organisations, young people, youth justice workers, local authorities and others working across youth justice. 

The consultation closes on [11 September].

Have your say here

Personal Wellbeing Coach ( Ref: PWC-261) with St Giles Trust [£16021, North Wales, Part Time]; Housing Support Worker with Social Interest Group [£28800, HA9 0AB, Full Time]; Recovery Support Worker with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£26296 to £27165, HMP Channings Wood, Full Time]; Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, HMP Erlestoke, Full Time]; Trainer Assessor (Ref: TRA-261) with St Giles Trust [£26703 to £26703, Rhyl or Colwyn Bay, Full Time]; Prison Facilitator - HMP Eastwood Park with Shannon Trust [£29264, HMP Eastwood Park (Gloucestershire), Part Time]; Housing Officer - CAS3 with Alongside [£28935 to £28935, Covering Somerset, B&NES and North Somerset, Full Time]; Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, HMP Portland, Full Time]; Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, HMP Exeter, Full Time]; Prison In-Reach Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, West Midlands, Full Time].

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

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