Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 926 | 2 April 2026

Light lunch

 

 

 

In this issue...

 

 

We were delighted to welcome over 100 people to our State of the Sector launch webinar on 31 March. We have now published the full State of the Sector 2025 report alongside a financial analysis, both of which are available to read on our website. These publications provide an essential overview of the voluntary sector working in criminal justice, and we hope they will be a valuable resource for members and the wider sector.

Read the State of the Sector 2025 here

Read the Financial Analysis here

Clinks’ 2026 membership renewal process is currently underway, and we are still awaiting responses from a number of organisations. Whether you are planning to renew or otherwise, a quick response helps us keep our records accurate and ensures we can continue to support the sector effectively. It only takes a few minutes to let us know either way. Find out more here

Clinks is hosting an online session with HMPPS on the recently published Risk Assessed Access for Personnel with Lived Experience of the Criminal Justice System Policy Framework [21 April | 14:00 | online | free]. The session will provide an overview of the framework, including the Lived Experience Appointment Pathway and how vetting decisions are made in practice. It will explore what this means for organisations working with people with lived experience, with time for discussion and an opportunity to ask questions. Find out more and book here

MEMBER FOCUS: Community Chaplaincy Norfolk

Community Chaplaincy Norfolk (CCN) is a Christian charity based in Norwich that trains and supports volunteer mentors to walk alongside people leaving prison as they rebuild their lives. Working with anyone aged 18 and over who is leaving prison to live anywhere in Norfolk, CCN offers practical, emotional and spiritual support, welcoming people of all faiths and none. On the day of release, CCN can meet clients at the gate and accompany them to appointments, with mentors going on to provide ongoing support with benefits, housing, health, employment and more. Find out more here

The Welcome Directory, a multi-faith charity supporting the resettlement of people leaving prison, has launched an updated version of their map in collaboration with the Developer Society. The map makes it easier for chaplains and organisations to connect people leaving prison with a local faith or belief community equipped to offer resettlement support. The map is now fully searchable by faith or belief and by postcode or area, and users can create and print a list of communities that meet their criteria. Access the map here

Following the announcement of up to £31.6 million investment over three years for women’s community services, the Ministry of Justice is hosting a virtual Market Engagement session covering the upcoming grant competition for the new Women’s Diversion Fund. The session will take place on [21 April | 10:00 - 11:30 | Online via Teams | Free]. To register, apply via the portal using reference PQQ_570. If you do not already have access to the portal, contact 0845 0100 132 or email esourcing@justice.gov.uk. Register Now

Transform Justice is hosting a webinar to share findings from the second round of CourtWatch London, which saw 174 volunteer courtwatchers observe and report on more than 2,300 hearings across all London magistrates courts between February and July 2025. The session will hear directly from Court Watchers about their experiences and explore what the findings reveal about how justice is being delivered. The session will take place on [14 April | 13:00 - 14:00 | Online | Free]. Book here

HMPPS, in partnership with Open Clasp Theatre Company, is hosting an online screening of Rupture followed by a panel discussion exploring the impact of maternal imprisonment [20 April | 11:00 - 13:00 | online | free]. The session will bring together academics, practitioners, and policy professionals to reflect on themes of motherhood, separation, and resilience, and to consider how services can better respond to the needs of women and families affected. The event will also include an audience Q&A, offering an opportunity to engage directly with speakers. Book here

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is offering a free online information session for charities and volunteer groups supporting people with convictions [29 April | 11:30 | online | free]. The session will explain how the CCRC investigates potential miscarriages of justice, particularly in cases from magistrates’ and youth courts, and how organisations can support people who may have been wrongly convicted or sentenced. It will also provide an opportunity to ask questions and better understand when to signpost to the CCRC. Get in touch to register here

One Small Thing is running a half-day online training session to support organisations to review and develop trauma-informed policies. The session will help participants understand what is already in place, identify gaps, and consider how to embed trauma-informed approaches across their organisation [7 May | 09:30 - 13:00 | online | £95 + VAT]. It will be relevant for those looking to strengthen policy and practice through a trauma-informed lens. Find out more and book here

Offploy are offering a free online course for those who are new to the criminal justice sector, or who would like a refresher on how to identify, support and advocate for people with criminal records. Clinks members are often on the frontline of mentoring socially excluded people, many of whom may have a conviction, and this course will help you to understand the specialist support available to them. The session will take place on [14 April | 09:15 | Online | Free]. Book here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Core Education Planned Delivery Volumes

The MoJ and HMPPS published a report outlining the core education planned delivery volumes for the period between April 2025 and March 2027. The report highlights that planned core prison education hours fell by 21% overall between the final six months of the Prisoner Education Framework and the first six months of the Prisoner Education Service, with a median prison-level drop of 22% and wide variation between establishments. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Implementing Community Interventions

HM Prison and Probation Service have published a new report exploring the factors that help, and hinder, the implementation of interventions within the community. The report finds that local probation culture, travel and location barriers, and wider organisational change can all affect delivery, recommending that interventions should be adapted to community settings rather than replicated directly from custodial settings. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Hardly Working Out

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published a new findings paper revealing that men and women in prison have limited access to physical activity. The report, published on 31 March 2026, found that 18% of men and 28% of women were unable to use the gym or play sport in their prison, with weekend access particularly poor. Fewer than half of all people in prison were able to take part in exercise activities at weekends. Read the full press release here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Too Little Support for Remand Prisoners

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published a findings paper on the experiences of people held on remand, revealing that those awaiting trial or sentencing have poorer outcomes than those serving a sentence. Despite making up around a fifth of the prison population, too few prisons have developed a strategy to manage this group, increasing their vulnerability and leaving many unable to access vital support. The report was published on 27 March 2026. Read the full press release here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: PPO to Investigate use of Restraints on Pregnant Women in Prison

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has announced a special investigation into the use of restraints on pregnant women in prison during pregnancy-related hospital escorts. The investigation was commissioned by the Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending following allegations that HMPPS policy was breached at one or more women’s prisons. The announcement was made on 30 March 2026. Read the full announcement here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Enhanced Parole Provisions for National Security Offenders

The Ministry of Justice and Home Office have announced that enhanced parole provisions for national security offenders came into force on 22 March 2026 under the Sentencing Act 2026. People convicted of espionage, sabotage or foreign interference must now serve at least two-thirds of their custodial term before becoming eligible for a Parole Board assessment. Read the LexisNexis summary here

FUNDING: Our Work Towards Racial Justice

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has published a blog sharing their progress towards racial justice following a review of their approach last year. The blog outlines how they are embedding racial justice across their strategy and sets out specific actions they have committed to for 2026. Read the blog here

OPPORTUNITY: 2026 Frontline Worker Survey

St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity has launched their 2026 Frontline Worker Survey for frontline workers across the homelessness sector and criminal justice system. The survey is an opportunity to share what you are seeing on the ground, including pressures, gaps in support and what needs to change. Survey findings are used to influence policy and practice, including engagement with policymakers, decision makers and the government. Responses also shape their funding, training and support for frontline services. The survey closes on 17 April. Take part here

Therapeutic Recovery Worker with Phoenix Futures [£28,298, OX5 1PB, full time]; Senior Enhancement Worker with Brighton Women's Centre [£30,224, Maidstone, part time]; Senior Advocate (Domestic Abuse) with Women in Prison [£34,691, HMP Bronzefield, full time]; Project Worker (WomenMATTA) with Women in Prison [£26,650, Manchester and Trafford, full time]; Floating Support Caseworker (Ref: LSC-261) with St Giles Trust [£27,000, Camberwell, full time]; Support Mentor with Social Interest Group [£27,000, W10 6RF, full time]; Housing Support Worker – Newcastle with Nacro [£27,807, Newcastle, full time]; Housing Support Worker – Teeside with Nacro [£27,807, Middlesbrough, full time]; Void Management Officer with Nacro [£26,807, London, part time]; Property Maintenance Helpdesk Supervisor with Nacro [£31,982, Derby, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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