This specialist quarterly ebulletin keeps you updated on relevant developments for organisations working to support women in contact with the criminal justice system. Please contact Jackie Lowthian at Jackie.lowthian@clinks.org if there is anything you would like to raise or to include items in the next ebulletin. Find out more about our work with women here.
In this edition...
Clinks news: CEO appointment – Dr Summer Alston-Smith
After a decade of service as Clinks CEO, Anne Fox is moving on. She will be hugely missed, for her tireless support of our members and the influencing activity she has undertaken to drive improved justice policy for women. We wish her well. Taking over the reins at the end of March, but joining us to work alongside Anne on 16 March, we are delighted to welcome Dr Summer Alston-Smith as our new CEO. She joins with over two decades of experience in the criminal justice and voluntary sectors. Summer is currently the Director of Development and Insights at Advance, where she shaped strategic direction for services supporting over 5,000 women annually across domestic abuse and criminal justice pathways. As an active member of the Clinks women’s network, we look forward to Summer’s leadership and continued focus on developing high-value partnership models, influencing commissioning and policy, and driving innovative, whole-system approaches for women affected by the criminal justice system. Find out more here
Clinks news: Annual conference
Clinks’ Annual Conference brought together the sector to celebrate the work of the past year. Highlights from the day included an emotive performance by Dance United Yorkshire and an insightful conversation between Paula Harriott, Phil Maguire, Anne Fox and Lord Timpson for Prison Radio's Secret Life of Prisons podcast.
The day was capped off with a heartfelt farewell to our outgoing CEO, Anne Fox, and a warm welcome to Dr Summer Alston-Smith, who takes up the role in March. Please look out for future editions of Light Lunch for further takeaways from the conference.
Criminal justice news: the Sentencing Act passes into law
The Sentencing Act received Royal Assent on 22 January, legislating to implement many of the measures included in last year’s final Sentencing Review report. For those working within the system, there will be no obvious, immediate changes as a result of the Act. This is as the key components of the Act – such as the earned release model that will see the majority of those serving standard determinate sentences released at 33% of their sentence – will not take effect immediately. This is to allow the probation service and victims support groups more time to prepare for the changes. It is expected that the earned release model will be rolled out in the Autumn of this year.
The other sections of the Act with a definite implementation date include the measures to increase the period within which a sentence can be deferred, the increase in the length of suspended sentence orders and the provisions to significantly curtail short custodial sentences (the presumption of suspended sentences for sentences of 12 months or less). These will all take effect in two months’ time. We note that the Act has amended the Bail Act 1976 to ensure that courts now have a legal duty to factor in pregnancy and whether someone is a primary carer when making the decision whether to grant bail or remand someone in prison before their trial or sentence.
Please keep an eye out on our communications as we will be updating the sector on next steps. See the legislation here
Criminal justice news: new Intensive Supervision Courts
The Ministry of Justice has completed its Expression of Interest process to grow the Intensive Supervision Court (ISC) pilot, creating more opportunities for women to access tailored, rehabilitative support. The recent process evaluation conducted by CFE Research and Revolving Doors, found that:
- Birmingham’s Women’s ISC developed a trauma-informed model and deeper understanding of women’s offending.
- Participants reported increased feelings of self-worth, a desire to stop offending, improved family relationships, and reduced substance misuse.
- Compliance was good. At the end of March 2025, 194 people had received an ISC sentence, and 78% were either ongoing or successfully completed.
Building on this success, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a new women’s ISC at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, to start delivery later this year, signalling a strong commitment to helping women rebuild their lives, break the cycle of reoffending, and achieve lasting change. See the full evaluation report here: Process evaluation of the intensive supervision courts pilot: final report - GOV.UK
Policy news: Homelessness & Social Allocations Bill (Wales)
The Bill significantly reforms homelessness law in Wales by abolishing priority need and intentional homelessness, expanding prevention duties, and strengthening entitlements to accommodation and ongoing support. Key changes include:
- A simplified and consistent referral system between England and Wales, removing priority need and intentionality as conditions for cross-border referrals.
- A new local connection test to determine entitlement to Wales’ main housing duty (section 75), while still providing interim accommodation where needed.
- The removal of owing someone in custody a homelessness duty prior to 6 months from release date.
- An extended definition of being “threatened with homelessness” (from 56 days to six months).
- Stronger duties on Welsh local authorities to provide advice, information and assistance, explicitly including people in prison or youth detention.
- New duties to maintain contact and support people after accommodation is secured, to reduce repeat homelessness.
There will be impacts on Welsh women, and consideration needs to be given to how parity and clear communication can be achieved across borders. See the Bill here
Clinks influence: RR3 SIG on a ‘Whole Systems Approach’ for Women
Last year, the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) convened a Special Interest Group (SIG) to review how a ‘Whole Systems Approach’ to supporting women in contact with the criminal justice system was being delivered. The group explored how multi-agency collaboration, women’s centres, diversion pathways, and lived experience expertise was being used in localities to prevent reoffending and tackle the social, health, and economic challenges women face. Clinks has published a report setting out findings and making recommendations. We will be discussing the recommendations with officials in the Ministry of Justice and others to explore opportunities for action in the coming weeks. Read the report here
Clinks influence: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy
The Government’s new Freedom from Violence and Abuse Strategy, published in December 2025, acknowledges the scale and severity of violence against women and girls (VAWG), committing to a 50% reduction over the next decade. Our latest blog by Elizaveta Strelnikova explores what the strategy gets right, where the gaps remain, and what must happen next to ensure meaningful change for women and girls. Read here
Clinks networks: Women’s Networking Forum
The latest Clinks Women’s Networking Forum took place on 20th January. Over 70 members joined the session which included updates from the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) and from Anne Fox, Clinks CEO in her role as a member of the Women’s Justice Board. Network member, Hibiscus Initiatives led a discussion following a presentation on Black and minoritised migrant women in the Criminal Justice System; Katie Weir, a researcher from Sheffield University spoke about a new research project exploring gendered experiences of police custody; and members watched a short animation about the need for a women’s space on the site of the former HMP Holloway. View the film here and read the Women's Justice Reimagined partnership briefing on work to end disproportionality.
Clinks members news: challenging proposed changes to immigration policy
Clinks Women’s Network member, Hibiscus have called on the criminal justice sector to stand in solidarity with Black and minoritised migrant women in the criminal justice system (CJS). In a recent blog, they examine the impact of immigration legislation on the persistent racial disproportionality experienced by Black and minoritised migrant women within the CJS and consider the devastating likely impact of the changes to immigration policy proposed by the government. They make the case for the need for solidarity between all those who face marginalisation, and who all those who fight for their rights. Finally, they set out what we can all do to stand in solidarity with the Black and minoritised migrant women who will be most impacted by the proposed changes in immigration policy. Read the blog here
Clinks members news: The Ripple Effect
Clinks Women’s Network member, Advance has highlighted the disproportionate and far-reaching impact of women’s imprisonment, particularly for survivors of domestic abuse. Dali Kaur, Director of Criminal Justice Services at Advance, has emphasised how imprisoning women creates a harmful ripple effect on families and children, with most children of imprisoned mothers removed from their homes and facing long-term trauma and instability. Find out more
Clinks members news: New Domestic Abuse Support in North Tyneside
From January 2026, Changing Lives will deliver North Tyneside’s Integrated Domestic Abuse Support Service, supporting adults, children, and young people. In partnership with Acorns and Cranstoun, the service offers refuge, outreach, IDVA support, counselling, group work, and specialist behaviour-change interventions. Find out more
Women’s Resource Centre: Feminist Leadership Training Programme: Spring 2026
This training investigates and explores what makes a successful leader and a feminist leader of social change. It provides theoretical and practical skills in feminist leadership that participants can apply in practice in a range of settings within organisations and communities. The programme is for women staff members or volunteers at women’s voluntary and community organisations in the UK. All women are welcome to apply but priority will be given to Black and minoritised women and emerging rather than established leaders/those with little or no experience of leadership. Running between 23 April and 5 June, this fully funded training programme offers both online and in-person options. Deadline for applications: [22 February 2026]. Find out more and apply here
Women’s Resource Centre offer a range of other training opportunities. Find details here
For My Future: course for young women
Step Together are running ‘For My Future’, a 6-week personal development course for young women aged 16–25 who have experienced the criminal justice system [starting 2026 | Bristol | free]. The course helps participants increase confidence, plan their futures, overcome barriers, and connect with other young women, with optional one-to-one support available. The programme is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Find out more
Member event: Conference, Amplifying Voices, Driving Impact
Advance are holding their annual conference with engaging content, keynote speakers, panel discussions and collaborative working. They are focused on amplifying voices and building a safer, violence free and more equal world for women and girls. Save the Date: [25 March | 10:00 | Venue to be announced]. For more information, contact Marketing@advancecharity.org.uk
Member event: International Women’s Day
Black Country Women’s Aid is celebrating 40 years of providing safety and support with a special International Women’s Day event [7 March | 10:00 – 16:00 | West Bromwich Albion Football Club | £50]. The event will reflect on the organisation’s impact, celebrate progress, and highlight the power of collective action in supporting women and communities. Find out more here
Built to Harm: how women's prisons take lives
Inquest's latest report examines the circumstances of seven recent deaths in women’s prisons and situates them within decades of systemic failure. It exposes how the women’s prison estate continues to harm and fail those it imprisons, despite years of calls for change. Find out more and read the report
New report on Women’s Centres from Advance
Published in December 2025, this new report demonstrates the life-changing support Women’s Centres provide. Written by Advance Data Analyst Rebekah Chant, the report highlights the vital, often under-recognised work of Women’s Centres, which are not always fully understood or resourced. This report is timely, as the debate continues over whether women convicted of non-violent offences should be sent to prison and how to address a crumbling criminal justice system. The report explores how Women’s Centres can support justice-involved women across their multiple, often complex needs in a safe and welcoming space. Read the report here
New book: 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. Edited by: Sarah Waite and Natalie Rutter. Find out more here
The Effective Women’s Centres Partnership
In December, the JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls shared an update on the Effective Women’s Centres Partnership, outlining progress on the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) Expansion Programme. This programme aims to roll out the WRNA and the associated Themis Case Management System (CMS) to Women’s Centres and women’s specialist services across England and Wales. Together, these tools are designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of services by improving how needs are assessed and how impact is evidenced across a broad range of wellbeing outcomes. By generating robust data, the systems help organisations clearly demonstrate “what works” to policymakers at a time of increasing financial and political pressure. Successful applicants will receive a package of funding, training and ongoing support to help them adopt and embed the WRNA and Themis CMS. A full Information Pack and Expression of Interest application will be launched in February 2026, inviting organisations to outline their suitability and how the systems will support impact and influence change. Find out more here
Girls and Young Women Local Groups Fund: *closes 6th February*
A new funding initiative for London-based organisations working with women and girls impacted by violence and exploitation has been launched by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) in London. The Girls and Young Women Local Groups Fund, overseen by Social Finance in partnership with specialist organisations Abianda and Agenda Alliance, aims to strengthen both direct support and the evidence base on what works, by offering grants to London-based organisations and community groups working with women and girls impacted by violence and exploitation. The fund opened for applications on 2 January 2026 and will close on 6 February. For more information and to watch recordings of the two previous market engagement webinars, please visit Social Finance's website here.
Proposed changes to immigration: guide for ‘Earned Settlement’ consultation response
Last year, the government announced proposals to reform the immigration system by introducing so called ‘earned settlement’ criteria. As set out in a joint statement on the proposals, implementation will have a devastating impact on Black and minoritised migrant women. Of particular concern is the likely impact on victim/survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and exploitation, and those criminalised because of their own exploitation. Hibiscus are calling for responses to the Home Office’s Earned Settlement consultation and oppose the proposed changes to immigration rules. Along with Southall Black Sisters, EVAW and LAWRs, they have produced a guide to help organisations with their responses. It is essential that VAWG and criminal justice sectors mobilise in solidarity with migrant victims/survivors. Access the guide here
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