The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3)

Overview

The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) provides the interface between the voluntary sector and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), to increase mutual understanding and build a strong and effective partnership. Made up of senior leaders from the voluntary sector, the Group meets quarterly to provide guidance and feedback on criminal justice policy developments, at both an official and ministerial level.

The role of the Group is to:

Strengthen the partnership between the Ministry of Justice and the voluntary sector to reduce re-offending
Establish a way in which the relationship between the Ministry of Justice and the voluntary sector might be monitored
Advise on how policies are developed and implemented
Provide advice and feedback on the development of commissioning strategies and practice
Identify gaps in the provision of services and recommend how these might be filled.

What does the RR3 do?

Each year, the RR3 set outs an agreed work plan that outlines the Group’s priority areas, activities, and objectives. 2024/25 priority areas the resourcing of community provision, tackling racial disproportionality, and prison overcrowding.

At each quarterly meeting, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) provide policy updates on relevant operational or legislative developments, followed by a group discussion on a particular emerging topic, relating to the role of the voluntary sector in criminal justice. Meeting notes are published on our website.

The Group members maintain engagement with designated policy leads at the MoJ and HMPPS, to provide ongoing voluntary sector feedback and to receive updates on current and future policy developments.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Additionally, the RR3 convenes time-limited Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to delve deeper into specific issues and are formed in response to sector needs or emerging government policy developments.

Each SIG is sponsored by an RR3 member, with Clinks recruiting additional experts from the voluntary sector to participate. The aim of the SIGs is to gather insights and evidence from the voluntary sector, offering valuable input to help shape MoJ or HMPPS initiatives and drive positive change. These groups may convene for a single meeting or hold a series of sessions, depending on the complexity of the topic.

The SIGs report back to the RR3 group and often produce outputs such as recommendation papers or best practice guides. These resources provide valuable insights and guidance on key issues within the criminal justice system, contributing to ongoing policy development.

Who are the RR3 members?

The Group is chaired by Clinks’ Chief Executive Anne Fox and Clinks’ policy team provides the secretariat. The group has permanent representation from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Third Sector and Grants Programme Team and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).

Each seat on the RR3 is held by a senior leader working in a criminal justice voluntary organisation, and seats are associated with a specific specialism, requiring knowledge in thematic areas such as mental health, substance misuse, or women, as well as a seat representing smaller voluntary sector organisations. Members serve on the Group as representatives of the sector rather than their specific organisations.

Members are recruited through an open process, advertised through Clinks’ newsletters and jobs board. They are appointed based on their individual policy expertise/ experience in service delivery, broad understanding of the challenges facing the voluntary sector in criminal justice and their ability to think strategically about the policy landscape in criminal justice. They are appointed to two-year terms and can apply for a further two-year extension. View the list of current members and their specialisms.

Get involved

Stay engaged and contribute to shaping impactful policy discussions

Read through the meeting minutes - Transparency is a key value of the RR3 and so we publish the minutes of each meeting.

Suggest agenda items - Reach out with any policy developments you would like to hear further discussion on.

Contribute to agenda items - The agenda for quarterly meetings is finalised at least one week before the meeting date, and specific items will be published in Clinks’ monthly Policy briefings and Light Lunch newsletter. Share your thoughts or raise any questions related to relevant policy issues, which will be directed to the Ministry of Justice.

Connect with RR3 members - Members are senior leaders from voluntary organisations, each with expertise in a specific area. If your organisation works in a similar field—whether it be service delivery, advocacy, advice, or guidance—we encourage you to share your insights on policy developments. If there are specific issues you would like raised with a relevant RR3 member, please contact our RR3 secretariat.

Look out for Special Interest Group opportunities- Keep an eye out for opportunities to join RR3 Special Interest Groups. Recruitment information is shared through Clinks’ weekly Light Lunch newsletter and monthly Policy Briefing.