The news that the government will be tabling legislation allowing it to rent prison spaces abroad has caused considerable concern across the voluntary sector. There is widespread disappointment that these proposals are being considered when other measures to reduce the population pressures, such as early release schemes and diversion programmes, are not being considered with the same priority.

This blog outlines discussions held between HMPPS, MoJ and Clinks at June's commissioning engagement forum.

This blog looks at the evidence for social prescribing, the approach being taken to support its growth across prisons and probation, and how you can get involved.

The State of the sector survey 2023 is here! Read why you should make your voice heard.

In this guest blog, Simon Scott, Post Graduate Researcher at Nottingham Trent University, looks at the challenges facing those who have aged considerably in prison.

At Clinks, an important part of our work is the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group. The group is one of the key ways that we support our members to influence officials on prison and probation policy, by providing a forum for senior leaders from the voluntary sector to comment on the Ministry of Justice’s work. The following blog will explain how you can utilise the group to support your advocacy work.

In this guest blog, Andy Keen-Downs, CEO of Pact, highlights the crucial role that family and carers play in supporting people in prison who are suffering from poor mental or physical health. Involving them more proactively in prison healthcare would help to deliver safer prisons, reduce reoffending and save taxpayers’ money.

When we begin the journey of influencing in Parliament, we often think about working with MPs to bring about change. But it is important to remember that the authority to make law in the UK has three parts: the Monarch, the House of Commons, and the House of Lords. The following blog explores the meaningful role the House of Lords can play in your influencing strategy.

This blog outlines developments in the Dynamic Framework simplification process and Clinks' work alongside HMPPS & the MoJ.

Last month Clinks met with representatives from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for the first in person quarterly commissioning engagement forum; a space which was created about two years ago to provide regular discussion and feedback on commissioning rounds that will involve the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. An update on this collaborative work.