Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 912 | 12 December 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

Clinks is convening a SIG to gather the experiences of the voluntary sector working in collaboration with Prisons and Probation, who secure funding from alternative sources (not directly funded by the Ministry of Justice/HMPPS). Organisations regularly share that they have to sign different agreements for different Prisons and Probation areas, which can be challenging for smaller organisations. The aim of the SIG is to establish a process  and agreements which HMPPS could adopt across all areas of England and Wales.

The SIG will be held on [20 January | 14:00 – 16:00 | online]. If you are interested in being involved, please email Natalie.maidment@clinks.org 

Our latest blog reflects on the Chief Medical Officer’s new report, highlighting stark health inequalities in prisons and probation, centres lived experience, and calls for trauma-informed, gender-responsive services, especially for women and older people. Read here 

We were delighted to hold our 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 10 December, and we are pleased to share that it was a great success. We were thrilled to welcome representatives from many organisations across our membership and grateful for their participation in voting on key resolutions, including the election of our trustees and the approval of our 2024/25 annual accounts. Our CEO, Anne Fox, together with the Clinks team, presented our annual report and highlighted the impact of our work over the past year. If you were unable to attend, we encourage you to take a moment to read the full report here. Thank you once again to everyone who joined us and contributed to a successful AGM. See you next year!

Join us for Clinks' Annual Conference [28 January | 09:30 - 16:00 | London | from £60]; our biggest event of the year brings together voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system from across England and Wales. This year's theme, Stronger Together: Celebrating Community, Championing Progress, reflects the heart of our sector and the power of collaboration, connection, and shared purpose. Book now

MEMBER FOCUS: London Plus

London Plus run networks to connect London infrastructure organisations. This includes their Volunteer Centre Network and Councils for Voluntary Services Network. The organisations who make up these networks have far-reaching impact in communities across London. Find out more

The Howard League for Penal Reform's challenge to the government's decision to authorise PAVA spray in prisons holding children is being heard in the High Court. Find out more

Children Heard and Seen released a 12-minute film raising awareness of the impact on children when one parent is imprisoned for killing the other parent, and demonstrates the importance of providing early, trauma-informed support. Watch here

The Centre for justice innovation celebrated 13 years since its founding, while also marking the departure of Director, Phillip Bowen. Find out more

A new blog by West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership highlights Catch22’s prison programme which helps young people at risk of gang involvement build positive futures. Find out more 

Employment 4 All CIC is offering fully funded CSCS card training and testing for young people on probation from Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds in West London. The programme includes guaranteed interviews with employer partners and provides laptops for online learning, helping young people develop skills, access employment, and reduce reoffending. Referrals can be made here

The Women's Centre Cornwall and supporters came together for the 21st annual Reclaim The Night, honouring the lives of 101 women lost to male violence this year. The event featured speeches, poetry, music, dance, and a powerful march in solidarity, celebrating courage, creativity, and community. Find out more

In the Forward Trust's latest episode of Leading Forward, CEO Mike Trace explores the history of drug testing on arrest and efforts to identify people with drug or alcohol problems in police stations, connecting them with appropriate treatment. Listen here

The Clink Bakery at HMP Brixton is selling festive hampers that are proving extremely popular. Shop here

A stellar lineup of comedy and entertainment icons are coming together at the London Palladium for an incredible night of laughter [30 March | London Palladium | from £36] all to raise money for PACT - the Prison Advice and Care Trust. Book here 

Homeless Link's Practice Innovation Forum: the power of peer mentors event [17 December | online | free] will explore ways in which your organisation might successfully work with peer mentors to deliver support and inspire your users. Book here

Throughout December, Safer Wales are hosting various events and training including; Safer Places Training – Coercive Control: A decade of learning [12 December | 12:00-13:00 | online | free], Stori – Stalking in the Modern Day [16 December | 09:30-16:30 | online | free] & National Centre for Suicide and Self-harm Research – Suicide data webinar [16 December | 10:00-11:30 | online | free]. Register here

Join the Forward Trust's annual National Reunion to celebrate positive changes, the power of connection and the strength of their Forward community. Register here

Night Owls and Abstractions is the 18th Koestler Arts exhibition [13 October - 14 December | Southbank Centre | free]. It will feature a selection of music, writing, fine art, craft and design by individuals in prisons, secure hospitals, young offender institutions and immigration removal centres, as well as people on community sentences and probation. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: DPM Response To Review Into Prison Capacity

On Monday 8 December, the Government responded to Dame Anne Owers’ Independent Review of Prison Capacity. 

The Deputy Prime Minister announced the Government's acceptance of the majority of the review’s recommendations, ‘in principle’ and also committed to deepening collaboration with the sector. 

Our CEO, Anne Fox, has responded to the announcement, here.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Rape Victims To Be Protected From ‘Serial Liar’ Trope

Rape victims will no longer be depicted as serial liars in courtrooms in England and Wales as part of the biggest shake-up “in a generation”, the Guardian reveals. Read more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: 245-Place Houseblock Opened

HMP Fosse Way's new 245-place houseblock opened last week. Approximately 5,000 additional places are currently under construction nationwide. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Met Police Budget 

The Metropolitan Police Service has reduced its anticipated £159 million funding gap for 2026-27 to £20 million. The London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee met on Wednesday to scrutinise the draft budget for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and hear from key Met and MOPAC officials. Watch here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS: Opportunity Network

Social Pantry welcomes interest in its network dedicated to creating opportunities for people leaving prison [22 January | London]. By sharing knowledge and collaborating on employment, training, mentoring, and workplace tasters, the network helps reduce reoffending, supporting individuals to build positive futures and contribute to society. Register here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS: Book Launch

Join the launch of Women, Relationships and Criminal Justice: The Personal and Professional - a powerful and thought-provoking collection that brings together research, lived experience and frontline practice to explore the gendered realities of women criminalised by the state [21 January | 12:00-14:00 | online | free]. Register here

FUNDING: Northumbria PCC - Commissioner's Communities Fund 

The PCC has launched the Commissioners Community Fund which will see £100,000 available for grass roots organisations to deliver safer streets and stronger communities.

The fund is there to help grassroots projects and local groups that provide locally led support for vulnerable people, build community cohesion, create positive opportunities for young people, and reduce anti-social behaviour and crime, it also delivers against the promises within the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan for Northumbria.

  • The Commissioner is looking to award funding to projects and initiatives that:
  • Deliver diversionary activities for young people, particularly during school holidays.
  • Reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.
  • Repair the harm caused by offending and improve community cohesion.
  • Support vulnerable people and families.

Grants will be given between [£1,000 - £5,000]. Deadline [7 January]. Find out more and apply here 

PUBLICATION: The Young Review - 10 Years On

Ten years after the landmark Young Review highlighted racial disparities affecting Black and Muslim men in the UK Criminal Justice System, a new report by Action for Race Equality and Clinks reflects on what’s changed and crucially, what hasn’t. Read here

We’re hosting a roundtable on [22 January] to discuss the report’s findings and explore solutions with voluntary sector organisations and government officials. If you’re interested in attending, please contact: sam.julius@clinks.org

PUBLICATION: Public Opinion on Crime

A new evidence review by Dr Thomas McNeil (The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls) captures some of the key lessons from the academic research into public opinion on crime. It summarises aspects of associated disciplines regarding how opinions are formed and theories on punitive sentiment among the public. It also provides recommendations on areas for future research. Stay tuned for details of the next event in the “A Matter of Fact: What the Evidence Tells Us” series. Read here

PUBLICATION: Digital provision and education in prison

Prisoners' Education Trust released a new briefing examining the importance of digital access for learners in prison – both for studying high quality educational content and developing the digital skills needed for release. The briefing brings together PET’s digital expertise and the experiences of prison education providers, prison staff and learners. It acknowledges the recent progress that has been made and looks at how the system can go further to align the opportunities for learners in prison with those in the community. Read here

PUBLICATION: Digital provision and education in prison

A new report by Centre for Mental Health evaluates the impact of PACT's project at HMP Brinsford, which supported young men in prison who have experienced childhood trauma.  The evaluation found that the young men who took part in the project felt more resilient and empowered, were able to cope more effectively with the symptoms of trauma and experienced increased self-esteem. Read here

PUBLICATION: Phoenix Futures Impact Report

Phoenix Futures 2025-26 Impact Report highlights over 17,000 people directly supported by their services. Read here

PUBLICATION: Serious Further Offences Annual Report

HMIP's fourth annual report on Serious Further Offence (SFO) inspections highlights ongoing concerns with the quality of SFO reviews carried out by probation regions. Findings show that reviews are consistently falling short of the required standard, underlining the need for improvement in oversight and practice. Read here

PUBLICATION: New Bridge Service Evaluation

New Bridge's evaluation, conducted by Arden University's School of Criminal Justice, confirmed the rehabilitative potential of befriending and demonstrated 97% of respondents would recommend them to another person in prison. Read here

PUBLICATION: Why Do I Have To Hide Away?

The Angelou Centre developed Stories of Colour in response to the racist, anti-migrant, anti-Muslim and anti-minorities riots that shook the UK in summer 2024. Read here

PUBLICATION: Race Justice Audit 2025

The Funders for Race Equality Alliance (FREA) launched the Racial Justice Audit in 2019 to help funders review and improve their racial justice grantmaking. The sixth cohort, covering 1,857 grants totalling £156.7m from 23 funders, is the largest yet. The analysis provides insights into funding practices and aims to support action to increase sustainable racial justice investment. Read here

OPPORTUNITY: Third Sector Business Charity Awards

Shout about your CSR achievements at the Business Charity Awards. Find out more

Housing Officer – CAS3, Julian House [£28,366, Somerset, full time]; Service Manager, Social Interest Group [£38,700, SE16 2DR, full time]; Support Coach, Social Interest Group [£27,000, SE16, full time]; Night Support Coach, Social Interest Group [£27,000, Bermondsey, full time]; Young Persons' Youth Justice Link Worker, Change Grow Live (CGL) [£27,861–£32,002, Gateshead, full time]; Chair of Trustee, Unlock [voluntary, remote, part time]; Personal Wellbeing Navigator, St Giles Trust [£24,000, York, full time]; Trustee, National Appropriate Adult Network [voluntary, remote, part time]; Recovery & Wellbeing Practitioner, Phoenix Futures [£12,154, PE28 0SR, part time]; Trainer, St Giles Trust [£25,000, York or Scarborough, part time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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