Welcome to the December 2025 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 publication of our response to the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee’s call for evidence on employment after prison, our latest Evidence Library Review and webinar on Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller Communities and the Criminal Justice System, and a reminder to book tickets for our Annual Conference.
- Latest Justice News, including the Government’s response to the independent review on delivering the best for girls in custody, the scrapping of police and crime commissioners, a report on the criminalisation of children in custody, Police use of force statistics from April 2024 to March 2025 and a report on the identification and support for ex-service personnel in the community, amongst other news.
- Parliamentary News, including questions for the Deputy Prime Minister on prison escapes, health services in prisons and young offender institutions, mental health services in prisons, the release of people from prison, criminal proceedings for veterans, victims of crime, life imprisonment and neurodiversity, updates on the Sentencing Bill and Crime and Policing Bill, amongst other news.
- Sector Insights, including Centre for Justice Innovation’s comprehensive overview of police protection and their report on how fines and financial orders in magistrates’ courts disproportionately harms low-income individuals, and a report by Marion Vannier, Helen Gair and Vlad-George Zaha, on behalf of the University of Manchester, on meaningful activities for older people in prison in England and Wales, amongst a range of other sector insights and publications.
This month, we have continued to closely monitor the progress of the Sentencing Bill in Parliament and have issued a document covering the key asks of the voluntary sector to a number of peers ahead to the Bill’s Committee Stage in the House of Lords.
Following our submission in July, our response to the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee’s call for evidence on employment for people leaving prison was published. Our response leveraged the expertise of many of our members - StandOut, Bounce Back, Prisoners’ Education Trust, Working Chace, Trailblazers, Catch22, Action West London, Switchback, Clean Sheet and Beating Time.
We have published our latest Evidence Library review, Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller Communities and the Criminal Justice System, written by Grace Preston from the Traveller Movement. In partnership with Russell Webster, we hosted a webinar to discuss the latest evidence on the outcomes of people in these communities across a range of indicators, including health, education, employment, and criminal justice. We have published a recording of the event, here.
We have also published our response to the Chief Medical Officer’s report, the health of people in prison, on probation and in the secure NHS estate in England. We welcome this report as a landmark, lived‑experience‑led call to tackle entrenched health inequalities for people in prison, on probation and in secure NHS settings.
Previously, we have announced 28 January 2026 as the date for our next Annual Conference, with the theme: “Stronger Together: Celebrating Community, Championing Progress.” This is a reminder to book your place now.
Releases in Error from 1 April 2025 to 31 October 2025
On Tuesday 11 November, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) released an ad hoc publication presenting more recent information on releases in error in England and Wales.
“A production line of pointlessness”: Children on custodial remand
On Tuesday 11 November, the Children’s Commissioner published a report which highlights the traumatic and lasting impact of putting a child in prison.
The Quality of Education in Young Offender Institutions: action plan
On Tuesday 11 November, HMPPS published its response to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) thematic report on the quality of education in young offender institutions.
Government response to the independent review: Delivering the Best for Girls in Custody.
On Tuesday 11 November, the MoJ, Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Youth Custody Service (YCS) published their response to the Susannah Hancock’s independent review on delivering the best for girls in custody. On 19 November, the MoJ deposited this response in the House of Commons and House of Lords, where they outlined several actions they have taken and will be taking following this independent review, including a Girls Justice Strategic Board to oversee the development and delivery of a strategy for girls across the youth justice system, including girls in the community and in the secure estate.
Football-related arrests, banning orders: 2024/25 football season (update)
On Thursday 13 November, the Home Office published official statistics on football-related arrests, football banning orders, reported incidents at football matches and online hate crime connected to football.
Police and crime commissioner review public survey 2020
On Thursday 13 November, the Home Office published the findings of a survey of the public covering attitudes to police and crime commissioners and local police governance.
Police and crime commissioners to be scrapped
On Thursday 13 November, the Home Office announced that Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be abolished, saving at least £100 million and helping to fund frontline officers to cut crime.
Ending the cycle of reoffending – part one: rehabilitation in prisons
On Friday 14 November, the Justice Committee published the first part of its report on ending the cycle of reoffending.
Youth custody data
On Friday 14 November, HMPPS and YCS published monthly statistics on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate for September 2025.
Crime-cutting jobs plan sees hundreds of firms join hiring drive
On Sunday 16 November, the MoJ announced that over 300 UK businesses have joined a government initiative to employ prison leavers, aiming to cut crime, reduce reoffending, and fill labour shortages as part of the “Plan for Change.”
The criminalisation of children in care
On Monday 17 November, the Children’s Commissioner published a report which outlines that children in care are often criminalised for behaviour that would not involve police in a family setting, exposing systemic failures and the need for urgent reform.
Children in care protected from falling into justice system
On Tuesday 18 November, the MoJ, Department for Education and Home Office announced that there will be a new review to strengthen 'National Protocol' guidelines for children in care and care leavers.
Law Enforcement Data Service: equality impact assessment 2025
On Wednesday 19 November, the Home Office published an equality impact assessment which considers the equality implications for the introduction of the Law Enforcement Data Service.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2025
On Thursday 20 November, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2025 was laid before the House of Commons and House of Lords, and is expected to come into force 21 January, 2026.
Knife and Offensive Weapon Sentencing Statistics: April to June 2025
On Thursday 20 November, the MoJ published date on trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences.
Learning from the 2024 disturbances: Insights from youth justice services
On Thursday 20 November, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published a report that analyses the survey data and interview findings from youth justice services (YJSs).
Main findings: further education and skills inspections and outcomes as at 31 August 2025
On Thursday 20 November, Ofsted published data for inspections and outcomes as at 31 August 2025 including data for inspections conducted between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2025.
Police use of force statistics, April 2024 to March 2025
On Thursday 20 November, the Home Office published statistics on incidents where police officers use force; including type of force, reason, outcome, injuries, and a person’s details (such as age, gender).
Knife and Offensive Weapon Sentencing Statistics: April to June 2025
On Thursday 20 November, the MoJ published statistics on the trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences for the period between April and June 2025.
HM Prison and Probation Service workforce statistics: September 2025
On Thursday 20 November, the MoJ and HMPPS published their latest quarterly publication covering information on staffing numbers of directly employed staff of HMPPS and formerly the National Offender Management Service.
Process evaluation of the intensive supervision courts pilot: final report
On Thursday 20 November, the MoJ published the final report providing findings of a process evaluation of the intensive supervision courts pilot.
Police Activity Survey
On Monday 24 November, the Home Office published analysis from the Police Activity Survey, including how police spend their time across different activities, as well as new police response costs.
Management of security at visits Policy Framework: Open estate and Closed estate
On Monday 24 November, the MoJ and HMPPS published updated rules and guidance for prison staff on the management and security of social and official visits in the Open estate and Closed estate.
Fatal Incident Investigations Learning Lessons Bulletin Issue 20: Epilepsy
On Monday 24 November, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) released a report on investigations from the past ten years where a prisoner’s death was caused by epilepsy or the prisoner was diagnosed with epilepsy.
Victims protected through game changing domestic abuse orders
On Tuesday 25 November, the Home Office and MoJ announced that more than 1,000 victims have been protected through first-of-its-kind domestic abuse protection orders since their roll out in November 2024.
HMPPS Prison and Probation and Offender Equalities Annual Reports 2024 to 2025
On Thursday 27 November, the MoJ and HMPPS published their annual report containing statistics on people in prison and their protected characteristics and their annual report on Prison and Probation staff numbers and processes split by protected characteristics, for England and Wales.
Ethnicity and the Criminal Justice System 2024
On Thursday 27 November, the MoJ published a compilation of statistics from data sources across the Criminal Justice System, to provide a combined perspective on the typical experiences of different ethnic groups in England and Wales.
Employment on release policy framework
On Thursday 27 November, the MoJ and HMPPS updated the policy framework which sets out the mandatory requirements for the effective implementation, and continued operation of prison employment initiatives.
Statutory homelessness in England: financial year 2024-25
On Thursday 27 November, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published their annual accredited official statistics on statutory homelessness applications, duties, and outcomes for local authorities in England.
Public Procurement through VCSEs FY19/20 – FY23/24
On Friday 28 November, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published an analysis of public sector procurement with voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises (VCSEs), covering the period April 2019 to March 2024.
Identification and support for ex-service personnel in the community
On Friday 28 November, HM Inspectorate of Probation published a report which highlights the unique challenges of identifying and supporting ex-service personnel within the criminal justice system, especially those in the community.
Clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment
On Friday 28 November, the Department of Health published UK clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment, recommending interventions for people with harmful patterns of drinking and alcohol dependence, supporting and promoting good practice.
Ministry of Justice 2024-25
On Tuesday 2 December, the National Audit Office (NAO) published a departmental overview of the Ministry of Justice for the 2024-25 year, describing factors including its expenditure and three priority outcomes: punishment that cuts crime, swifter justice for victims and being a beacon for justice and the rule of law.
Parole referral power guidance
On Tuesday 2 December, the MoJ published their parole referral power guidance, outlining the new Secretary of State power in an effort to strengthen public confidence in the parole system.
The annual report of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2024/25
On Tuesday 2 December, Ofsted published their annual report, presenting findings for the areas they inspect under early years childcare, schools, further education and skills and children's social care.
HMPPS response: A review of work and training provision in adult prisons - HMIP thematic inspection
On Tuesday 2 December, HMPPS published their response to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) thematic report on a review of work and training provision in adult prisons.
'Swift and fair' plan to get justice for victims
On Tuesday 2 December, the MoJ announced that victims will be put first under plans to modernise the criminal courts and cut delays.
Angiolini Inquiry part 2 first report
On Tuesday 2 December, the Home Office published a report on the extent to which existing measures prevent sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces.
Outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals
On Wednesday 3 December, the Attorney General’s Office published their most recent data covering sentences they have examined under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Crucial reforms to give rape victims a fairer trial
On Wednesday 3 December, the MoJ announced that rape victims will receive better support and fairer trials under new government reforms to stamp out rape myths and restore faith in the justice system.
Safer Streets Summer Initiative data
On Wednesday 3 December, the Home Office published an update on the results of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative which took place in over 640 town centres between 30 June and 30 September 2025.
Winter of Action to crack down on town centre crime
On Wednesday 3 December, the Home Office announced that they will be undertaking a nationwide crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour this winter.
HMPPS response: Safeguarding adults at risk of harm supervised by the Probation Service in England - HMIP thematic inspection
On Wednesday 3 December, HMPPS and the MoJ published their response to HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) thematic report on safeguarding adults at risk of harm supervised by the Probation Service in England.
Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2024 to 2025: report
On Thursday 4 December, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published their report covering trends and statistics in adult substance misuse treatment.
Prison Population Projections: 2025 to 2030
On Thursday 4 December, the MoJ published their five-year projection for the population in English and Welsh prisons.
Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook
On Friday 5 December, the MoJ published their latest edition of the Justice in Numbers Pocketbook.
Recent business
Parliamentary questions:
- The Lord Chancellor was asked about several key issues, including: protecting children from domestic abuse, child victims and victim support schemes for children, rape, domestic homicide (here, here and here), domestic abuse and sexual offences (here and here), prison accommodation (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here) and prison construction (here, here, and here), prison security, driving under the influence, people in prison (here and here), prison sentences, prison escapes, health services in prisons and young offender institutions, crimes of violence in prisons, gender-based violence, “offenders” and young “offenders" and medical treatments for sexual offences.
- He was also asked about stop-and-searches, rehabilitation for people in prison and on remand, people who reoffend (here, here and here) sentencing (here and here) and criminal proceedings for veterans, victims of crime, life imprisonment, neurodiversity, homicide and rape cases in the Crown Court, literacy in prisons, juries and the children of people in prison.
- The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was asked about mental health services in prisons, the timeline for implementing recommendations in the Chief Medical Officer’s report, drug and alcohol treatments and medical treatments for people in prison.
Bill Updates
Sentencing Bill
- Wednesday 12 November, Second Reading in the House of Lords
- Wednesday 26 November, First Sitting in the Committee Stage in the House of Lords
- Monday 1 December, Second Sitting in the Committee Stage
- Wednesday 3 December, Third Sitting in the Committee Stage
Mental Health Bill
- Monday 24 November, consideration of amendments made in the House of Commons
- Monday 8 December, Programme Motion and Consideration of Lords Message
Crime and Policing Bill
- Monday 10 November, First Sitting in the Committee Stage in the House of Lords
- Monday 17 November, Second Sitting in the Committee Stage
- Wednesday 19 November, Third Sitting in the Committee Stage
- Thursday 27 November, Fourth Sitting in the Committee Stage
- Tuesday 9 December, Fifth Sitting scheduled in the Committee Stage
Victims and Courts Bill
- Tuesday 16 December, Second Sitting scheduled in the House of Lords
Debates
- Tuesday 11 November, prisoner releases in error, debated in the House of Commons
- Thursday 13 November, prisoner releases in error, debated in the House of Lords
- Tuesday 18 November, police reform, debated in the House of Lords
- Thursday 20 November, reoffending and rehabilitation in prisons, debated in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 25 November, Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) in London, debated in the House of Commons
- Wednesday 26 November, emergency accommodation for cases of domestic abuse, debated in the House of Lords
- Thursday 27 November, the right to trial by jury, debated in the House of Commons
- Monday 1 December, efficiency and resilience of the Probation Service, oral evidence given in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 2 December, funding to support homeless people, debated in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 2 December, criminal court reform, debated in the House of Commons
- Tuesday 2 December, criminal court reform, debated in the House of Lords
- Tuesday 2 December, Angiolini Inquiry, debated in the House of Commons
- Thursday 4 December, Domestic Violence: Support for Victims’ Families, debated in the House of Commons
- Thursday 4 December, Autumn 2025 budget, debated in the House of Lords
- Thursday 4 December, acquired brain injury action plan, debated in the House of Commons
- Monday 8 December, restriction of Jury Trials, debated in House of Commons
Police
The Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) published a comprehensive overview of police protection, covering its legal basis, the practical guidance for its implementation, a summary of existing research, the issues it poses to agencies and children, and the findings of their scoping work.
Probation
Nacro, along with the Nacro Justice ExChange, published a report which explores the experiences of people who have been subject to electronic monitoring, commonly referred to as ‘tagging,’ and seeks to offer practical recommendations to improve its use to ensure that it supports people to turn their back on crime and helps create safer communities.
In an academic article, Harry Annison et al. analysed the renationalization of probation services in England and Wales, concluding that structural reforms like insourcing drain organizational energy, unfold at uneven speeds, and often fail to resolve legitimacy and performance challenges, highlighting the need to prioritize practitioner autonomy and craft over top-down bureaucratic change.
The Probation Institute released their 38th issue of Probation Quarterly, which included segments on Brainkind and the Brain Injury Linkworker Service, the role of harmful terminology in perpetuating toxic masculinity and on untangling partnership governance.
Sentencing
The CJI published a report which argues that the current system of fines and financial orders in magistrates’ courts disproportionately harms low-income individuals and is inefficient, recommending six key reforms, including better financial data collection, real-time income verification, clear alternatives to fines for those unable to pay, and a user-friendly online system, to create a fairer, more effective process.
Victims
Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) published a report which highlights that survivors of rape and other sexual offences are increasingly likely to face longer waiting times and last-minute delays before their case is heard in court.
Older people
Marion Vannier, Helen Gair and Vlad-George Zaha, on behalf of the University of Manchester, published their report on finding meaningful activities for older people in prison in England and Wales. The report argues that older people are largely excluded from meaningful activities essential for wellbeing and recommends a national strategy and practical R3S2 framework (Recognition, Responsibility, Recreation, Stimulation, Staying in the Game) to embed age-appropriate, dignity-focused engagement into prison regimes.
Substance Misuse
Collective Voice published their response to the latest statistics on treatment for alcohol and other drug issues, noting that charities have achieved record progress in drug and alcohol treatment, with the highest number of adults in treatment since reporting began, demonstrating strong returns on investment and life-saving impact. However, these gains are at risk because the government has frozen funding, prompting urgent calls to restart the recommended investment plan to address rising drug-related deaths and systemic pressures.
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This month's edition was written by...
Clinks Specialist Policy and Communications Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova
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