State of the Sector 2025

Our annual State of the Sector survey is now open. This is your opportunity to share how your organisation is doing, the challenges you’re facing, and the successes you’re achieving.

Clinks is the national infrastructure charity dedicated to supporting voluntary organisations working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. We support, promote, and advocate for our members and the wider voluntary sector across England and Wales.

Clinks news: the latest views, debate and discussion

Women, Self-Harm, and the Justice Pathway: Why We Must Look Beyond Prison Walls

Self-harm among women in prison remains alarmingly high, yet little is known about what happens before custody, when many women’s distress begins to build. Our new research project seeks to close this evidence gap by exploring how self-harm manifests across the justice pathway and identifying earlier opportunities for compassionate intervention.

State of the Sector 2025 - Make Your Voice Heard:

This blog, from Clinks' CEO, Anne Fox, launches this year's State of the Sector research, explains how organisations can get involved, and sets out how the project will run.

HMPPS Rehabilitation Grants Scheme for the Voluntary Sector

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) have launched the Rehabilitation Grants Scheme, a £3 million initiative running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.

The Sentencing Bill

We set out the key clauses within the Sentencing Bill, laid before Parliament on 2 September. These include a new progression model, a presumption against short sentences and changes to community orders.

Browse all of our blogs

Publications: delve into the detail

Research and analysis on issues facing the sector. Guides and briefings to support our members. Responses to government consultations. Case studies of good practice.

Clinks strategy to 2030 - Leading for change

Voluntary Sector-Led Framework on Social Prescribing in Criminal Justice

This joint briefing from Clinks and the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance lays out the evidence, and provides recommendations for, a proposed justice-specific model of social prescribing.

State of the Sector 2024 | Executive Summary

The voice of the voluntary sector working in criminal justice.

Browse all of our publications

Events and training: get involved, improve your skills

22 October, 10:00 to 22 October, 13:00

Online

Working and volunteering in prisons training

5 November, 10:30 to 5 November, 12:00

Online

Evidencing Women’s Centres Work

See all of our events and training

Our work: our latest projects and activities

What Clinks is doing to support, promote and represent the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system.

Midlands

Women

Find out more about our work with women in the CJS and how to get involved with our women's network.

Wales

Discover all of our areas of work

Join Clinks: be heard, informed, and supported

Are you a voluntary organisation supporting people in the criminal justice system? Join our network of over 500 members. Clinks membership offers you:

A voice to influence change
Practical assistance to be effective and resilient
Support from a community of like-minded professionals.

Join Clinks today

Subscribe to our ebulletins

Clinks sends out regular ebulletins containing news and opportunities for people working in, or with an interest in, the voluntary sector in the criminal justice system.