Clinks Policy Briefing | March 2026

This month, we held our final State of the Sector 2025 focus group in partnership with Black Men 4 Change (BM4C) and NCVO, focusing on the experiences of organisations run by and for people from racially minoritised backgrounds, exploring themes of money, justice and repair. You can watch a recording of the event, here.  

This year's State of the Sector 2025 report will be launched (online) on Tuesday March 31st (10:00AM-11:30AM). Register for the Launch Webinar, here!  

Ahead of the webinar, we published the first blog in our series previewing our findings from the report, outlining the political context within which the sector is operating.   

Serious Further Offence Annual Report 2024 to 25: HMPPS action plan 

On Tuesday 10 February, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) published their action plan in response to HM Inspectorate of Probation annual report on serious further offences 2024 to 2025. 

Probation national inspection response 

On Tuesday 10 February, HMPPS published their response to the HM Inspectorate of Probation’s (HMIP’s) national inspection of probation. 

Internet access for detainees 

On Wednesday 11 February, the Home Office and Immigration Enforcement updated the detention services order on internet access for people who are detained in prisons. 

Every child caught with a knife to get tailored support 

On Wednesday 11 February, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Home Office announced that ‘every child caught carrying a knife in England and Wales will be given a mandatory targeted plan to stop them reoffending and protect the public.’ 

Commissioned Rehabilitative Services evaluation 

On Thursday 12 February, the MoJ published a social research report on the findings of a process evaluation into Commissioned Rehabilitative Services. 

Youth Justice Board Review 

On Thursday 12 February, the MoJ published an independent public body review of the Youth Justice Board. 

Turnaround Programme independent process and implementation evaluation: final report 

On Thursday 12 February, the MoJ published the final report of the process and implementation evaluation of the Turnaround Programme. 

A Modern Youth Justice Service: Foundations Fit for The Future 

On Thursday 12 February, the MoJ published a policy paper which sets out its reforms and plans to modernise the youth justice system. 

Child knife possession offences 

On Thursday 12 February, the Home Office and MoJ published guidance issued to support police, Youth Justice Services and other agencies in dealing with children caught in possession of a knife. 

YJB response to the Government's youth justice reforms 

On Thursday 12 February, the Youth Justice Board (YJB) published their response to the government’s youth justice reforms announced on 11 February 2026. 

Announcements from the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee 

On Thursday 12 February, the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee and MoJ published changes to the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2026. 

Seizures of drugs in England and Wales statistics 

On Thursday 12 February, the Home Office published latest figures of the seizures of drugs made by local police forces and the UK Border Force. 

Youth Custody Data 

On Friday 13 February, the Youth Custody Service published monthly statistics on the population in custody of children and young people within the secure estate for December 2025. 

Funding boost for young people’s mental health services 

On Friday 13 February, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced that early support hubs across England will receive a £7 million funding boost to ‘bolster services for young people.’ 

New technology and medicines to combat drug and alcohol addiction 

On Monday 16 February, the DHSC announced that innovators across the UK are being offered £20 million in grants for technology designed to reduce harm and death from drug and alcohol addiction. 

UK’s largest tribunals centre opens in London to speed up delays 

On Monday 16 February, the MoJ and HM Courts and Tribunals Service announced the opening of the UK’s largest dedicated tribunal centre in London to help tackle delays. 

Government Guidance for Child Knife Possession Offences 

On Monday 16 February, HM Government published their latest guidance for Child Knife Possession Offences. 

HM Prison & Probation Service workforce quarterly: December 2025 

On Thursday 19 February, HMPPS published staffing numbers of directly employed staff of the HM Prison and Probation Service. 

Probation Service public protection inspection action plans 

On Thursday 19 February, HMPPS published their action plans in response to HM Inspectorate of Probation’s (HMIP’s) inspections of public protection in the Probation Service. 

Knife and Offensive Weapon Sentencing Statistics: July to September 2025 

On Thursday 19 February, the MoJ published statistics for the period between July and September 2025 containing trends in cautioning and sentencing of knife and offensive weapon offences. 

Acquired Brain Injury: An invisible consequence of domestic abuse for women in the justice system 

On Friday 20 February, HM Inspectorate of Prisons published a report on acquired brain injury, calling for routine screening, gender‑responsive and trauma‑informed practice, and improved support to prevent misinterpretation of neurological symptoms as non‑compliance within the criminal justice system. 

Mapping the homelessness workforce: Exploring the profile and experiences of the homelessness sector 

On Monday 23 February, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a report exploring the profile and experiences of the homelessness sector. 

Deputy Prime Minister sets out vision for the justice system 

On Tuesday 24 February, the MoJ and HM Courts and Tribunals Service announced that victims will benefit from a ‘transformed’ justice system.  

Court Modernisation 

On Tuesday 24 February, the Deputy Prime Minister issued a statement on court modernisation in the House of Commons. The MoJ also published an infographic illustrating the scope of the current issues in the criminal court system. 

Highest ever courts funding deal agreed to 'deliver faster, fairer justice for victims' 

On Tuesday 24 February, the MoJ and HM Courts and Tribunals Service announced that Criminal Crown Courts in England and Wales will be funded to hear as many cases as possible next year to deliver faster and fairer justice for victims. 

Time to care – one year on 

On Wednesday 25 February, HM Inspectorate of Prisons published a report covering the progress made since the publication of their ‘Time to care’ thematic report, which highlighted inadequate support to help women cope in prison. 

Landmark bill to deliver swifter justice for victims 

On Wednesday 25 February, the MoJ and HM Courts and Tribunals Service announced the release of the new Courts and Tribunals Bill, promising ‘faster and fairer justice for victims.’ 

New laws to protect victims of ‘honour’- based abuse 

On Wednesday 25 February, the Home Office announced that they will be taking ‘decisive action by rapidly introducing a new legal definition for ‘honour’- based abuse’ in the Crime and Policing Bill. 

Tackling the youth justice system’s persistent challenges 

On Thursday 26 February, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published a news story, announcing that Phil Bowen, new Youth Justice Board (YJB) Interim Chair, has said that children with complex needs face a postcode lottery, explaining that evidence-led decisions are key to closing the gap and fairness. 

Over £50 million pumped into the fight to tackle homelessness 

On Thursday 26 February, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced that there will be two new funds to tackle homelessness head-on and help deliver on the national target to halve long‑term rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament. 

Bridging custody and community: The role of Approved Premises in successful reintegration 

On Friday 27 February, HM Inspectorate of Probation published a report outlining the Approved Premises environment, and the barriers and enablers to the safe integration of residents from Approved Premises into local communities 

New register for people convicted of child cruelty offences 

On Monday 2 March, the MoJ and Home Office announced the child cruelty convictions such as neglect and abandonment will face the same police notification requirements as people with sex-related convictions. 

Preventative Analytics for Youth Justice Advisory Panel: Terms of Reference 

On Monday 2 March, the MoJ published the terms of reference for the Preventative Analytics for Youth Justice Advisory Panel, which will suggest and review proposals for utilising machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics, providing an additional layer of accountability and scrutiny. They also launched an invitation to apply to join the panel.  

HMPPS risk assessed access for personnel with lived experience of the criminal justice system policy framework 

On Thursday 5 March, the MoJ and HMPPS published guidance and requirements for employing people with lived experience in HMPPS when standard vetting cannot be granted. 

Justice in Numbers Summary Tables and Pocketbook 

On Thursday 5 March, the MoJ published the latest edition of the Justice in Numbers Pocketbook. 

Government moves to protect children from abusive parents through new Courts and Tribunals Bill 

On Saturday 7 March, the MoJ announced that children ‘will be better protected from abusive parents as the Government moves to abolish the presumption of parental involvement in the new Courts and Tribunal Bill.’ 

Understanding harmful sexual behaviour, violence and misogyny by children – what the evidence shows 

On Sunday 8 March, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales published a new Evidence and Insights Pack examining harmful sexual behaviour, misogyny and violence carried out by children. 

Government launches new national Legal Advisors service for rape victims and expands Operation Soteria into the courtroom 

On Tuesday 10 March, the MoJ announced that ‘rape victims will have access to dedicated legal advice throughout the criminal justice process,’ while the new Sorteria project ‘will look at shifting the focus of rape court cases from the victim to the perpetrator.’ 

Courts and Tribunals Bill 

• Wednesday 25 February, First Sitting in the House of Commons 

Crime and Policing Bill 

• Wednesday 25 February, First Sitting in the Report Stage in the House of Lords
• Monday 2 March, Second Sitting in the House of Lords
• Wednesday 4 March, Third Sitting in the House of Lords
• Monday 9 March, Fourth Sitting in the House of Lords 

Victims and Courts Bill 

• Monday 9 February, First Sitting in the Committee Stage in the House of Lords
• Wednesday 11 February, Second Sitting in the House of Lords 

Accommodation

Homeless Link published their response to the Casey Commission, explaining that it offers an opportunity to think about where they fit in the social care landscape, how they can collaborate with others, and what is best for the people they work with. 

They have also responded to the government’s new Homelessness Strategy, explaining that it falls short on addressing deep homelessness and health links to preventing homelessness. 

Education 

The Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) published their 2025 Impact Report, highlighting their continued support to people in prison to access distance learning, strengthened and expanded services, and their efforts to create improvements in prison education policy. 

Prisons 

The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies published the 282nd edition of the Prison Service Journal, featuring articles which examine the realities of racial inequality across prison systems in England, Spain, and Italy, and from the perspectives of those most often overlooked. 

The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies also published a response to Part II of Sir Brian Leveson’s Independent Review of Criminal Courts, arguing that the crisis in the criminal courts is not primarily an administrative failure. Instead, the justice system has become a clearing house for unresolved social harm. 

The Social Market Foundation (SMF) published a briefing on the health of people in prison, arguing that having good health is a moral issue and can also deliver wider benefits, including improved public health and reduced reoffending.   

Small Organisations 

Civil Society published an article by the Centre for Social Justice Foundation, explaining why they champion small charities and why the government should do more to boost philanthropy.