Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 868 | 14 February 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Art of the Matter

For 2025 the Clinks Family Network and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) Anne Peaker Lecture are joining forces to bring you an in person event: Art of the Matter - If family relationships are the golden thread to supporting children affected by parental imprisonment, what role can the arts play in this? [19 March, London, free].

This event will celebrate the work of the voluntary sector working to support children and families of those in the criminal justice system by creating opportunities to share learning and good practice, network and consider future opportunities. Book your ticket here

MEMBER FOCUS: Re-formed Development CIC

Reformed Development C.I.C was established in 2009 to promote positive behaviours and encourage positive change, initially providing services to deter young people from a life of crime and prevent negative social outcomes. They work with people with convictions to encourage them to make positive changes in their lives and deter further re-offending. They are passionate about what they do and believe people should be guided in the right direction and made aware of the consequences of negative actions and influences. Find out more 

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: a sharp increase in prison recalls

The Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile 2025 was published this week by the Prison Reform Trust. As well as containing all the latest information on prisons, it warns that a sharp increase in prison recalls is worsening overcrowding. Over 32,500 individuals were recalled in the past year—a 27% rise, with short-term recalls surging 51%. Recalls now account for 18% of sentenced prisoners, mostly for non-compliance rather than new crimes.

The Trust urges reforms, including:

  • Ending short fixed-term recalls (28 days or less)
  • Removing post-sentence supervision for short sentences
  • Expanding community support to prevent reoffending.

Chief Executive Pia Sinha stresses that excessive recalls hinder rehabilitation and contradict efforts to ease prison pressures. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: The Complexity of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 

In the 50th anniversary year of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA), Unlock has released a new briefing highlighting the associated complexity and inconsistencies. The report outlines how the current system creates confusion for individuals with criminal records, employers, and criminal justice practitioners. Key concerns include:

  • Inconsistent disclosure periods leading to misunderstandings
  • Disproportionate impact on employment opportunities
  • Lack of public awareness of when convictions become ‘spent’.

Unlock is calling for clearer guidance, legislative reform, and better support to ensure fairer rehabilitation opportunities. Read the full briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Fixed Term Recall failing rehabilitation

A new Insights Paper by Catch 22 highlights the failures of Fixed Term Recalls (FTRs), arguing that they are costly, ineffective, and disrupt rehabilitation efforts for prison leavers.

  • In 2023, over 6,600 people were recalled to prison on an FTR—enough to fill an entire prison for a year.
  • Most FTRs are issued for minor breaches, like missed appointments, rather than new offences.
  • Many prison leavers face homelessness or addiction issues, which FTR does not address.

Catch22 Calls for Change:

  • More community-based support as an alternative to FTR
  • Exempting homeless prison leavers from FTR
  • Greater transparency on FTR data and costs.

Matt Randle, Director of Justice at Catch22, said: " Fixed term recalls represent a missed opportunity for rehabilitation…We need a system that prioritises support and reintegration over custody." Read the Insights Paper here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: a new film advocating for change

RIFT Social Enterprise, in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Alliance and Media Trust, has created a short campaign film advocating for systemic change to improve self-employment opportunities for women in prison.

The film challenges existing perceptions of women leaving prison and their potential for self-employment. Its message is simple but powerful: Women leaving prison deserve opportunities - believe in them.

Clink this link to watch the film

To learn more about what RIFT Social Enterprise is doing to make self-employment more accessible across the criminal justice estate, visit the RIFT website or contact them at contact@riftse.co.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Collateral damage? The families fragmented by imprisonment

In the latest Podcast by Transform Justice, they look at the impact of imprisonment on families. "Prison is meant to punish wrongdoing, but it's not just the person on the inside who's punished, it's their family too". Join Josie Cole, author of the Prison Bag blog, and Dr Lorna Brookes, founder of Time Matters, as they discuss the impact of imprisonment on children and families. Listen here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Restorative talks

Listen to Why me?'s new 'Restorative Talks' podcast series as they explore how Restorative Justice transforms the lives of people who take part. Season 2 shares the stories of three victims of serious crimes; they speak to someone who's son was killed by a distracted driver, a man held at knifepoint by a young person, and someone who was tortured and left for dead in a case of mistaken identity. They all went on to meet the person who harmed them and have a face to face conversation about what happened, changing each of their lives. Listen here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: vision for the future of Probation

This week the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, outlined her vision for reforming the Probation Service, aiming to cut crime by focusing on higher-risk offenders while reducing administrative burdens on staff. The key reforms announced were:

  • 1,300 more probation officers recruited by March 2026, following 1,000 officers already set to be recruited by this March.
  • A shift in case management - low-risk individuals will be supervised differently, allowing officers to focus on higher-risk offenders.
  • Accredited Programmes prioritisation process - ensuring rehabilitation programmes are completed before the sentence ends.
  • New digital tools to cut down administrative work.
  • A new risk assessment system to enhance decision-making.
  • AI technology trials-exploring how AI can record and transcribe supervision conversations, reducing staff admin time.

These reforms are aimed at enhancing public safety, reducing reoffending, and improving support for probation officers. Read the full announcement

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Professional Standards External Advisory Board (PSEAB)

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is seeking a Co-Chair and up to seven members for its newly established Professional Standards External Advisory Board (PSEAB). The Board's mission is to uphold professional standards, address discrimination, and reduce disparities among prisoners, probationers, children in custody, and HMPPS staff. Applicants from diverse backgrounds in academia, private, public, and third sectors are encouraged to apply. The application deadline for the Co-Chair position is 11:00 on 24 February, and for Board members, 11am on 28 February. Details of these opportunities are included below:

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMPPS Small Grants Scheme 

HMPPS is piloting a Small Grants Scheme for awarding individual grants (under £10k) to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations operating and registered in the UK.

Currently new opportunities are for a voluntary organisation to deliver rowing, cooking and football workshops at HMP Bullingdon. The application process is open from 17 February to 2 March, but deadlines vary.

Find more and apply here search under “HMPPS Small Grants Scheme”.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: public procurement

The Government has released a statement setting out its strategic priorities for public procurement.

The National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) sets the Government's strategic priorities for public procurement in support of the Government’s missions. This includes driving economic growth and strengthening supply chains by giving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) a fair chance at public contracts. Alongside the statement, the Government has published SME and VCSE procurement spend targets. To enable implementation of the NPPS, and take forward commitments in the Plan for Small Business, all central government departments (including executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) must set a three year target for direct spend with SMEs (from 1 April 2025) and a two year target for direct spend with VCSEs (from 1 April 2026) and report results annually.

PUBLICATION: Justice spending in England and Wales

A new report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) examines justice spending in England and Wales, revealing long-term trends and funding challenges. Key findings include:

  • Prison and probation spending has increased, but funding for courts and legal aid remains constrained
  • Court backlogs remain high, impacting access to timely justice
  • Prison overcrowding is a growing issue, with capacity pressures worsening
  • Real-terms cuts over the past decade have shaped current justice system challenges.

The IFS calls for sustained investment and strategic reforms to improve justice system efficiency and outcomes. Read the full IFS Justice Spending Report here

PUBLICATION: The Law Society is reframing justice

The Law Society has launched the Reframing Justice campaign to challenge negative perceptions of the criminal justice system and highlight its importance in upholding fairness and safety for all.

Through research, storytelling, and public engagement, the campaign aims to reshape the narrative, demonstrating why a well-functioning justice system matters to society. Find out more about Reframing Justice

OPPORTUNITY: Support for Entrepreneurs with Criminal Records

Are you interested in starting your own business but need some support?

Forward Enterprise Services is launching a new project to support budding entrepreneurs in London who have a criminal record. This initiative offers free placements in an intensive support programme, providing a unique blend of face-to-face and digital support services to help you turn your start-up dream into reality.

If you're based in London and want to discuss your business idea, get in touch stephen.anderson@forwardtrust.org.uk
or call 07854 908 346

OPPORTUNITY: Prison sewing project

A unique project is being established in Pentonville where volunteer sewing teachers and MA design students from Central Saint Martins will be helping inmates learn both sewing and design skills. Surplus fabric from the textile trade, which would otherwise end up in landfill, will be upcycled in a supportive and creative space in which input from the prisoners will be strongly encouraged. The goal is for learners to feel proud of their achievements and take new-found skills and belief with upon release. An ideal long-term aim is to establish a brand of prison-produced goods, well-designed and made, that the public will appreciate and support. E-mail prisonsewingproject@gmail.com to learn more or to get involved.

FEATURED VACANCY: Director of Communications

Revolving Doors Agency are recruiting a Director of Communications to join their team [£60,000, full time, London/Hybrid]. In this pivotal role, you will integrate their policy, public affairs, and communications functions to deliver a consistent, impactful message. You will work with their research and advocacy teams to transform evidence and real-life experience into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. This is an opportunity to shape Revolving Door's future, creating the conditions for systemic change. You will play a key role in amplifying their voice, engaging with high-profile stakeholders and securing vital funding. Your work will directly contribute to making the revolving door avoidable and escapable for those most in need. Find out more and apply by 3 March here

FEATURED VACANCY: Team Leader  

Ormiston Families is seeking a responsible individual to join their team [£24,103, part time, Norfolk]. As a Team Leader based at the visitors’ centre at HMP Wayland, you will be responsible for ensuring prisoners and their families have a valuable visiting experience. You will oversee a team of Family Support Workers/Volunteers and assist in providing effective and efficient running of the Visitor Centre, Play Area and to assist on Family Days. You will be able to demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills sometimes under challenging circumstances whilst embracing a non-judgemental and empathetic work ethic. Experience of providing or helping to provide play activities for children of a range of ages is essential. Find out more and apply by 3 March here

FEATURED VACANCY: Young People's Circles Co-ordinator

Circles South West is seeking a suitably qualified person with experience of working with young people with harmful sexual behaviour to join their team as Dorset Young People's Circles Co-ordinator [£32,000-£38,640 pro rata, part time]. Working with public protection, social care and education partners, you will coordinate Circles of Support and Accountability, and provide one-to-one interventions for young people, enabling young people to make safe choices; better understand and take responsibility for their behaviour, engage in positive activities, improve social connections, and enhance their self-worth. You will recruit, train and supervise small groups of volunteers and co-deliver training around working with people who have harmed sexually. Flexible working is required Find out more and apply by 7 March here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Personal Wellbeing Team Leader with St Giles Trust [£29,500 - £36,000, based in Wrexham with frequent travel across Wales, full time]; Support Worker with The Growth Company [£27,500, Blackpool, full time]; Service Delivery Manager with Spark Inside [£33,437, East Midlands, full time]; Family Support Worker with Ormiston Families [£21,840 FTE, HMP Chelmsford, part time]; Team Leader with Inspire North [£29,538 - £32,882, Leeds, full time]; Floating Support Worker with Imagine Independence [£22,372, Sefton, full time]; Assistant Key Worker with Alana House, Parents and Children Together [£23,088 - £26,658, Reading, full time]; Key Worker with Alana House, Parents and Children Together [£24,745 - £30,243, Reading, full time]; Volunteer Teacher with Prison Sewing Project [voluntary, HMP Pentonville, part time]; Recruitment Manager (hybrid) with Phoenix Futures [£35,500 - £38,585, London, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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