Welcome to the September 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 the launch of Clinks’ Manifesto, the opportunity to contribute to our collective response to the consultation on the independent statutory regulation of probation officers, the re-establishment of our Small Organisations Network, alongside blogs on the implementation of the Sentencing Act, wider probation reforms, and the importance of investing in women’s centres and specialist voluntary sector services as part of efforts to reduce women’s imprisonment.
- Latest Justice News, including updates to licence conditions and pre-release policy frameworks, the publication of the Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions and estimated progression model release volumes, the government’s criminal justice reform announcements, new investment in rough sleeping services and prison expansion, responses to prison capacity plans from youth justice and inspection bodies, amongst other news.
- Parliamentary News, including questions for the Lord Chancellor on the release of people from prison, prison accommodation and religion in prisons, probate standards and staffing, youth custody and crime prevention.
- Sector Insights, including Homeless Link’s response to the government’s rough sleeping commitments, the Prison Reform Trust’s guidance on the Sentencing Act 2026 and commentary on prison overcrowding, Nacro’s report on recall, the Centre for Justice Innovation’s publications on Family Drug and Alcohol Courts and youth diversion, amongst a range of other sector insights and publications.
This month, we launched our new voluntary sector-led manifesto for criminal justice reform, setting out six key asks for government developed in consultation with the voluntary sector. This manifesto highlights practical recommendations to strengthen community justice, improve resettlement, reduce remand and recall, and improve outcomes for women in the criminal justice system.
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. We have now submitted our response.
We have announced an opportunity to contribute to our collective response to the consultation on the independent statutory regulation of probation officers. You can register for our evidence-gathering roundtable which will take place online, on Wednesday 16 September (10:00am-11:30am).
We have re-established our Small Organisations Network to support smaller voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system. The first Network meeting, taking place on Monday 14 September (3:30pm-4:45pm), will offer attendees the opportunity to meet the new RR3 small organisations seat holders, share challenges and good practice with peers, and take part in a practical workshop led by Catch22, exploring the main governance barriers to securing statutory funding and how to overcome them.
We published a letter from the Chief Probation Officer outlining the implementation of the Sentencing Act 2026 and wider probation reforms from October 2026, highlighting key changes to the Progression Model and their implications for voluntary sector partners, alongside an accompanying blog, providing a summary of key changes.
We have also published a blog setting out why reductions in women’s imprisonment should be accompanied by sustained investment in women’s centres and specialist voluntary sector services, ensuring that community provision can provide a credible alternative to custody.
FOI responses published by the Youth Justice Board: July 2026
On Tuesday 11 August, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from July 2026.
Identifying potential high security people in prison: PSI 09/2015
On Wednesday 12 August, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) updated guidance for prisons on identifying and managing potential category A and restricted status (high security) people in prison.
Evaluation of the Changing Futures programme
On Wednesday 12 August, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities published further information to the evaluation of the Changing Futures programme.
Police recorded knife-enabled robbery offences: Pre-release access
On Thursday 13 August, the Home Office published the pre-release access list for the publication of transparency data on 'Police recorded knife-enabled robbery offences'.
Tables on homelessness
On Thursday 13 August, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities published The latest data tables on homelessness.
Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection in Wales
On Thursday 13 August, HM Inspectorate of Probation published the Chief Inspector’s judgement of public protection in Wales.
Youth custody data
On Friday 14 August, HMPPS and the Youth Custody Service published monthly statistics on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate for June 2026.
Announcements from the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
On Friday 14 August, the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee and MoJ published details of the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2026, coming into effect 5 October 2026.
New AI call-routing tool to reduce 101 wait times and free vital police time
On Tuesday 18 August, the Home Office announced a new AI call-routing system for 101 to help get callers to the right service faster, while freeing up police time.
Charity Sector Risk Assessment 2026
On Tuesday 18 August, the Charity Commission published their 2026 Risk Assessment tool to provide an overview of potential risks to the sector, and to support trustees and charity leaders in their decision making, published alongside a press release.
Police funding for England and Wales 2015 to 2027
On Wednesday 19 August, the Home Office published police funding figures for the years ending 31 March 2016 to 31 March 2027.
Financial resilience in policing
On Wednesday 19 August, the Home Office published Details of the framework they use to assess police financial resilience.
Workforce management information: MOJ
On Wednesday 19 August, the MoJ published updated information on the Ministry of Justice, its agencies and executive non-departmental public bodies’ paybills.
Licence conditions policy framework
On Thursday 20 August, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the policy framework which sets out actions for prison and probation staff in the application of the different types of licence conditions where releasing and/or managing individuals on licence.
Knife and Offensive Weapon Sentencing Statistics: January to March 2026
On Thursday 20 August, the MoJ published the latest trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences from January to March 2026.
HM Prison & Probation Service workforce quarterly: June 2026
On Thursday 20 August, HMPPS published latest staffing numbers of directly employed staff of the Prison and Probation Service.
The cost of caring: compassion fatigue in probation practice
On Friday 21 August, HM Inspectorate of Probation published an Academic Insights report examining compassion fatigue in probation practice, highlighting how high caseloads, emotional labour and organisational pressures can harm practitioners’ wellbeing and performance, and recommending greater awareness, reflective supervision and psychological support to improve staff resilience and retention
Victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse to be supported
On Friday 21 August, the MoJ announced that Rape Crisis England & Wales awarded £8.7m government funding to provide round-the-clock confidential support for survivors and victims of sexual violence.
Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook
On Friday 21 August, the MoJ published a summary of the latest information presented in Justice in Numbers.
Review of early deaths of care leavers
On Tuesday 25 August, the Department for Education published a report of the independent review of deaths among care-experienced young adults in England.
New plans to restrict the freedoms of people in the criminal justice system
On Wednesday 26 August, HMPPS announced that people with serious sexual and violent offence convictions will be confined to small areas after leaving prison under the new restriction zone scheme, launching in October.
‘Accelerated’ roll out of police rape and sexual offence teams
On Friday 28 August, the Home Office announced the 'accelerated' roll out of specialist police rape and sexual offence teams across all forces in England and Wales by December 2027, alongside new investment in protection order teams and perpetrator management programmes aimed at improving support for victims and reducing violence against women and girls.
Sentencing Act 2026 offence exclusions
On Sunday 30 August, the MoJ published an updated list of exempted offences from the Sentencing Act progression model, including rape, serious child sex offences, grooming offences, offences related to unlawful killing, and the offence of indecent assault.
Estimated progression model tranche release volumes
On Sunday 30 August, the MoJ published estimated progression model tranche release volumes under the Sentencing Act.
‘Accelerated’ funding for the Prison Building Programme
On Tuesday 1 September, the MoJ announced the ‘acceleration’ of the prison building programme through a £110m investment.
Keeping children safe in education
On Tuesday 1 September, the Department for Education updated statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.
Criminal Justice Reform
On Tuesday 1 September, the Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris, issued a statement in the House of Commons on criminal justice reform, alongside an accompanying statement made on Wednesday 2 September in the House of Lords.
Rough Sleeping
On Tuesday 1 September, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a statement in the House of Commons, announcing a new £442 million Rough Sleeping Programme and expanding long-term housing and support services to help people with complex needs secure stable accommodation and move away from rough sleeping permanently.
Criminal justice system: data standards forum guidance
On Tuesday 1 September, the MoJ updated guidance on how to use the common data standards for the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
Government, police and music industry unite to tackle VAWG
On Tuesday 1 September, the Home Office announced that the flagship ENOUGH campaign will be headed to Reading and Leeds Festivals, as part of major partnership with Festival Republic.
YJB response to the Government’s prison capacity plans
On Wednesday 2 September, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published their response to the Government’s announcement that it will increase the number of 18-years-olds in the secure estate for children.
Discipline procedures (adjudications) policy framework for people in prison
On Wednesday 2 September, the MoJ and HMPPS published an updated policy framework for any adjudications begun on or after 31 May 2024, including rules and guidance for prison staff on how to carry out a disciplinary hearing when a person is alleged to have broken prison rules.
Management of security at visits Policy Framework: Open estate
On Wednesday 2 September, the MoJ and HMPPS published updated rules and guidance for prison staff on the management and security of social and official visits.
Management of security at visits Policy Framework: Closed estate
On Wednesday 2 September, the MoJ and HMPPS published updated rules and guidance for prison staff on the management and security of social and official visits.
Children's perceptions of crime and online safety in England and Wales: year ending February 2026
On Wednesday 2 September, the Office for National Statistics published estimates of children’s experiences and perceptions of safety online and in their daily lives, using data from the redesigned Children’s Crime Survey for England and Wales, an online survey of children aged 10 to 15 years.
HMPPS Interim Pre-Release Policy Framework
On Thursday 3 September, the MoJ and HMPPS published an updated document identifying the role of pre-release teams and the Commissioned Rehabilitative Services as they deliver the in-custody element of resettlement.
YJB response to the PAVA rollout extension
On Thursday 3 September, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published their response to the Ministry of Justice's announcement that the rollout of PAVA at Young Offender Institutions that hold children has been extended, alongside accompanying statements made in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Specialist Sexual Violence Support Measures: a qualitative assessment
On Thursday 3 September, the MoJ published a qualitative assessment of a set of specialist sexual violence support (SSVS) measures that were introduced in Leeds, Newcastle and Snaresbrook Crown Courts.
Rapid evidence assessment of safety in prison
On Thursday 3 September, the MoJ and HMPPS published a Rapid Evidence Assessment exploring the impact of specific factors on prison violence and the implications for staff training, staff interactions with people in prison, and prison system management.
HMI Prisons responds to plans to increase prison spaces
On Friday 4 September, HM Inspectorate of Prisons published their response to the government’s plans to increase the number of spaces available in prisons.
Recent business
Parliamentary Questions:
- The Lord Chancellor was asked about several key issues, including topics related to:
- Courts: family courts and compensation for juries.
- Prison: the release of people from prison (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here), prison accommodation and the religion of people in prison.
- Probate: Standards (here, here, here, here, here and here) and staff (here and here).
- Youth Justice: youth custody and crime prevention.
- The Home Secretary was asked about radicalism (here and here).
- The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was asked about mental health services for men and health services for people with addictions.
Bill Updates
Social Housing Bill [HL]
- Tuesday 1 September, Third Sitting in the Report Stage in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 2 September, First Reading in the House of Commons
- Thursday 10 September, Second Reading expected in the House of Commons
Debates
- Thursday 3 September, Young Offender Institutions: Authorisation of PAVA Use, debated in the House of Commons
- Monday 7 September, Hate Crime Law: Misogyny, debated in the House of Commons
Accommodation
Homeless Link published a blog by its Director of Social Change, Fiona Colley, welcoming the government’s pledge to offer everyone sleeping rough a route off the streets this winter, while arguing that emergency accommodation must be accompanied by long-term solutions including increased affordable and supported housing, wider use of Housing First, cross-government collaboration, improved health and social care support, and sustainable funding focused on preventing homelessness rather than managing crises.
Criminal Justice System
The Prison Reform Trust published an updated guidance document on the Sentencing Act 2026, outlining recent changes to release arrangements including the delayed introduction of the earned progression model and new offence-specific exclusions, and explaining the implications for people in prison and on licence, including reforms to release, recall, licence conditions, Home Detention Curfew eligibility, IPP licence termination and the Early Removal Scheme.
Families
Adfam published a blog highlighting evidence that while families and carers affected by a loved one’s substance use disorder need support in their own right, they also play a crucial role in recovery through providing social support, encouraging treatment and helping prevent relapse, and argues that services should better recognise, support and involve families as both beneficiaries of support and key partners in recovery.
The Centre for Justice Innovation published an FDAC quarterly report presenting data from 13 Family Drug and Alcohol Courts in England between April and June 2026, providing a snapshot of the challenges facing families involved in proceedings, the support delivered by FDAC services, and the outcomes achieved for children and families.
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) published a blog for Family and Relationships Week arguing that strong family and social relationships are central to rehabilitation, prison safety and wellbeing, highlighting the role of partnership working between HMPPS and the voluntary sector, and showcasing services that help people in prison maintain family connections and prepare for a positive future after release.
Lived Experience
The Prison Phoenix Trust published a blog by a lived experience ambassador reflecting on a House of Lords event about prison reform, highlighting how yoga, meditation, mentoring and compassionate support helped her rebuild dignity, self-belief and hope, while arguing that effective rehabilitation is rooted in kindness, human connection and recognising people’s potential beyond their offending history.
Prisons
Novus published a statistical review of UK prison data, highlighting record prison population levels, overcrowding, rising remand and ageing prison populations, while emphasising evidence that participation in prison education is associated with lower reoffending rates and better outcomes after release.
The Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) published a blog by a family support worker describing how attending one of its Educational Forums and visiting a prison improved her understanding of the challenges faced by children with a parent in prison, highlighting the lack of routine information-sharing with schools, the importance of maintaining family relationships, and the need for schools to be better equipped to identify and support affected children.
The Prison Reform Trust published a blog by Chief Executive Pia Sinha arguing that prison overcrowding is undermining rehabilitation, safety and public protection, warning that restricting early release without investing in probation, treatment and community services will worsen pressures on an already overstretched prison system, and calling for greater emphasis on prevention, effective rehabilitation and alternatives to custody.
Hibiscus published a blog arguing that the prison capacity crisis cannot be solved by weakening human rights protections, highlighting chronic prison overcrowding, the growth in the prison population, and the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Black and minoritised people, while calling for greater attention to racial disparities in sentencing and systemic bias as underlying drivers of prison population pressures.
The Howard League published a response to the government’s plans to accelerate prison building, arguing that creating additional prison capacity through new construction and repurposing existing prison spaces will not solve the overcrowding crisis unless sentence inflation is addressed, and calling instead for investment in probation, education, mental health, drug treatment and community services to reduce crime and improve public safety
Recall
Nacro published a report arguing for a more proportionate recall system, finding that prison recalls have risen sharply in recent years, largely for licence breaches rather than further offending, and recommending reforms to improve support for people leaving prison and ensure recall is used as a last resort.
Restorative Justice
Why me? published a blog announcing new teaching resources based on its Damage and Repair project, providing teacher packs, student packs and presentation slides that use real restorative justice stories and audio clips to help young people explore restorative justice, oral history and the wider justice system through structured classroom activities and discussions.
Women
Agenda Alliance published a blog highlighting evidence from its Young Women’s Justice Project showing that young women aged 17-25 are an overlooked group within the criminal justice system who experience distinct and disproportionate harms, calling for a national Young Women’s Strategy, better data collection, and targeted support for groups facing multiple disadvantages, including Black and minoritised, faith-based and care-experienced young women.
Youth Justice
The National Association for Youth Justice (NAYJ) published a blog by youth justice practitioner Joe Allen-Fellows arguing that while artificial intelligence could reduce administrative burdens in youth justice, there is a risk that AI-driven assessments and decision-making could undermine child-centred, relational practice by reducing children to data profiles and reinforcing existing biases.
The Centre for Justice Innovation published a briefing reflecting on a decade of progress in youth diversion, highlighting how diversion has become more embedded in youth justice policy and practice while setting out priorities for future reform to improve consistency, tackle inequalities and strengthen evidence on what works for children.
The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) published a comment piece highlighting their concern around plans to hold 18-year-olds in the children’s secure estate for longer to ease pressure on adult prisons, arguing that treating youth custody as an overflow for the adult prison system risks undermining the distinct needs of children and young adults and reinforces concerns about the adultification of youth justice.
The Centre for Justice Innovation published a briefing reflecting on a decade of progress in youth diversion, highlighting how diversion has become more embedded within child-first youth justice policy and practice, while calling for the next phase of reform to focus on improving consistency of access, tackling inequalities, strengthening accountability and evidence, and ensuring diversion delivers fairer outcomes for all children.
The Centre for Justice Innovation also published a ministerial summary of a roundtable with Scottish justice leaders exploring Scotland’s success in reducing children’s involvement in custody, including the removal of children from Young Offender Institutions, and highlighting lessons that could inform youth justice reform in England and Wales.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Chandler
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