In this issue...
- CLINKS NEWS: The Effective Implementation of the Sentencing Act – Report 1: Resettlement
- CLINKS NEWS: RR3 Quarterly Meeting - June 2026
- CLINKS EVENT: Criminal Justice Forum South West and South Central
- CLINKS EVENT: Navigating the criminal justice system training
- CLINKS EVENT: North West Criminal Justice Forum
- MEMBER FOCUS: Care Zone
- CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Restart Enterprise CIC founder wins Offender Support Award
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Embedding restorative approaches in schools
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Rebuilding communities through Restorative Justice
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: £6 ticket offer for Clean Break’s Baby
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Twenty Years of SOS
- CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Universal Credit Conditionality Groups Explained
- CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Identify, Support and Advocate
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Tougher licence restrictions come into force
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Inspectors warn over expansion of electronic monitoring
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Ministry of Justice updates local accommodation outcomes data
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: New measures to tackle prison drugs, drones and boost employment
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: £4.4 million for victim services in Cambridgeshire
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Crime and Policing Act 2026: management of offenders
- NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING: Prison Awareness Course
- FUNDING: Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund
- FUNDING: Closing soon - Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
- FUNDING: Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027
- PUBLICATION: New briefing calls for women’s centres to be embedded in early intervention
- PUBLICATION: Beyond the Streets publishes new analysis of domestic abuse related deaths
- PUBLICATION: Ministry of Justice updates Justice in Numbers
- OPPORTUNITY: Closing soon - Have your say on independent statutory regulation of probation practitioners
- CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:
- READS OF THE WEEK:
- EXTRA INFORMATION:
CLINKS NEWS: The Effective Implementation of the Sentencing Act – Report 1: Resettlement
Clinks has published the first report from the RR3 Special Interest Group on the Effective Implementation of the Sentencing Act, exploring what is needed to support effective resettlement as the Act is implemented.
The report highlights the importance of pre-release planning, through-the-gate support, access to essential services, partnership working and sustainable voluntary sector provision.
CLINKS NEWS: RR3 Quarterly Meeting - June 2026
Clinks has published the minutes from the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) quarterly meeting held in June 2026.
The minutes provide an update on the group’s discussions, including key issues affecting the voluntary sector and its work with government to inform criminal justice policy and practice.
CLINKS EVENT: Criminal Justice Forum South West and South Central
Join Clinks’ South West and South Central Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forum [13 October | 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. The forum brings together voluntary and community sector organisations and wider partners working across the criminal justice system to share experiences, discuss challenges and solutions, offer peer support and explore new ways of working. It is open to organisations working with, or alongside, people affected by the criminal justice system across South West and South Central England.
CLINKS EVENT: Navigating the criminal justice system training
Are you new to working or volunteering in the criminal justice system, or looking to increase your understanding of how it works? Join Clinks for this three-hour online workshop [15 October | 09:30 - 12:30 | online | from £75].
The training will explore how the criminal justice system is organised, covering the journey from arrest to conviction, prisons and probation, local and regional structures, inspectorates and regulators, and the role of the voluntary sector. Places are limited to 20 participants.
CLINKS EVENT: North West Criminal Justice Forum
Join Clinks’ North West Area Engagement Criminal Justice Forum [20 October | 14:00 - 15:30 | online | free]. The forum brings together voluntary and community sector organisations and wider partners working across the criminal justice system to share experiences, discuss challenges and solutions, offer peer support and explore new ways of working. It is open to organisations working with, or alongside, people affected by the criminal justice system across the North West of England.
MEMBER FOCUS: Care Zone
Care Zone is a furniture bank helping to alleviate furniture poverty for households on low incomes. It provides access to high-quality essential furniture and household items donated by the public.
Alongside meeting immediate practical needs, Care Zone offers volunteering placements and work experience opportunities, helping people develop employability skills, build confidence and make a positive contribution to their community.
CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Restart Enterprise CIC founder wins Offender Support Award
Pauline Miller-Brown, Founder and Director of Clinks member Restart Enterprise CIC, has won the Offender Support Award at the 14th Annual Community Inspiration Awards 2026.The award recognises outstanding contributions to supporting people in their rehabilitation and helping them reintegrate into society through dedicated guidance, mentorship and advocacy.
Congratulations to Pauline and the Restart Enterprise CIC team on the recognition!
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Embedding restorative approaches in schools
Why me? is hosting a panel discussion exploring how restorative and trauma-informed approaches can be embedded in schools and alternative provision [8 October 2026 | 12:00–13:00 | Online | Free]. The session will share learning from a project at Rowhill School, exploring the impact of restorative approaches on staff, students and the wider school community.
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Rebuilding communities through Restorative Justice
Why me? is hosting an event for Restorative Justice Week exploring this year’s theme, Rebuilding communities through Restorative Justice [19 November 2026 | 14:00–15:30 | Online | Free]. The session will bring together people with experience of restorative processes and practitioners to explore how restorative approaches can repair harm, rebuild relationships and strengthen communities.
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: £6 ticket offer for Clean Break’s Baby
Clean Break is offering £6 tickets for its new play Baby to staff and volunteers in the criminal justice voluntary sector [13 October 2026 | Brixton House, London | £6 with code CLINK6]. Starring Pearl Mackie, the one-woman show explores inequality, childhood neglect and abuse, poverty, relationships, the criminal justice system and child separation.
Use the code CLINK6 when booking for the 13 October performance.
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Twenty Years of SOS
St Giles’ Dr Junior Smart OBE is leading the final session in the Hidden Harm. Trusted Adults. Better Responses. series [5 October 2026 | 12:00 - 14:00 | Online | Free]. Drawing on 20 years of SOS, the session will explore lessons around youth violence, exploitation, trust and lived experience, and how practitioners can improve safeguarding and engagement with young people.
CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Universal Credit Conditionality Groups Explained
This free webinar will explain the main Universal Credit work-related requirement groups and what they mean in practice [15 October 2026 | Online | Free]. The session will explore how conditionality applies to people balancing work, health conditions, caring responsibilities or changing circumstances, as well as how it links to employment support.
CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Identify, Support and Advocate
Offploy is running a free course for anyone new to the criminal justice sector or looking for a refresher [13 October 2026 | Online | Free]. The session will explore how to identify when someone has a criminal record, the specialist support available, and how to effectively support and advocate for people with convictions.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Tougher licence restrictions come into force
New powers to restrict the movements of people leaving prison came into force on 1 October, alongside the implementation of the earned progression model. The measures include geographical restriction zones for some people convicted of serious sexual and violent offences, alongside powers to ban people from locations including pubs, clubs, football matches and other public events.
The Government is also expanding the use of electronic monitoring as part of the changes.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Inspectors warn over expansion of electronic monitoring
An early briefing from HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has raised concerns about the rapid expansion of electronic monitoring.
Inspectors found that systems, processes and frontline practice have not kept pace with its expansion. Chief Inspector of Probation Martin Jones warned that electronic monitoring could create a “false sense of assurance” if technology is not matched by effective professional practice. The full inspection report is due on 26 October.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Ministry of Justice updates local accommodation outcomes data
The Ministry of Justice has updated its offender accommodation outcomes statistics, including local-level information on accommodation following release from custody.
The statistics cover the year to March 2026 and include data on people who were housed, homeless or rough sleeping, providing information relevant to organisations working on housing and resettlement.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: New measures to tackle prison drugs, drones and boost employment
The Government has announced new measures covering prison security, drug use, employment and resettlement.
The measures include further development of counter-drone technology, expansion of Incentivised Substance-Free Living units, construction employment pathways and a new digital service designed to help people leaving prison access stable accommodation. The Government also plans to prioritise visible Community Payback projects nominated by local communities.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: £4.4 million for victim services in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire will receive £4.4 million over two years to support services providing practical, emotional and therapeutic support to victims.
More than £2.4 million is ringfenced for domestic and sexual abuse services, including more than £180,000 for Peterborough Women’s Aid.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Crime and Policing Act 2026: management of people convicted of offences in the community
Updated Government guidance explains measures in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 relating to the management of people convicted of offences in the community.
The measures include strengthened notification requirements for registered sex offenders, new provisions relating to name changes and additional notification requirements for people serving community, suspended and relevant youth sentences.
NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING: Prison Awareness Course
The Welcome Directory is running a three-part Prison Awareness Course exploring how faith and belief communities can welcome and support people leaving prison [6, 13 and 20 October | 19:30 - 21:00 | online].
The course covers lived experience, safeguarding, signposting and support, with contributions from people who have left prison and prison chaplains.
FUNDING: Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund
The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund supports registered charities and CIOs working with people with convictions and people involved in the criminal justice system.
Current priorities include supporting people with convictions into sustainable employment and projects working with young people aged 16-25 who are already involved in the criminal justice system. Small grants of up to £5,000 are available, alongside Main Grants with no set maximum. Applications close [12 November].
FUNDING: Closing soon - Triangle Trust 1949 Fund
The current Triangle Trust 1949 Fund round is for organisations working with young women aged 17-30 who are already in contact with the criminal justice system.
Grants of up to £100,000 are available over 18, 24, 30 or 36 months, with organisations able to request a maximum of £50,000 per year. Expressions of interest close [15 October | 14:00].
FUNDING: Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027
VCSE organisations in England can apply for capital funding through the Common Ground Award to support facilities, spaces and equipment that bring people from different backgrounds together and strengthen community cohesion [Deadline 12 October 2026]. Individual organisations can apply for £20,000 to £50,000, with larger awards considered in exceptional cases, while consortiums can apply for between £100,000 and £250,000.
PUBLICATION: New briefing calls for women’s centres to be embedded in early intervention
The National Women’s Justice Coalition (NWJC), Centre for Young Lives and JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls have published a new briefing, Women’s Centres: An Essential Part of the Government’s Early Intervention Infrastructure.
The briefing calls for women’s centres to be recognised as a core part of early intervention infrastructure, alongside their role in preventing and reducing women’s contact with the criminal justice system. Recommendations include sustainable funding, stronger local partnerships and embedding women’s centres within wider public service reforms.
PUBLICATION: Beyond the Streets publishes new analysis of domestic abuse related deaths
Beyond the Streets has published Lessons Lost? A Further Analysis of Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews Involving Those Selling and/or Exchanging Sex, drawing on 44 Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews.
The report identifies gaps in safeguarding and information sharing, and explores how assumptions about women involved in the sex industry can obscure experiences of domestic abuse and exploitation. Specialist organisations were involved in only 14% of the reviews, while in almost a third, involvement in the sex industry was not identified.
PUBLICATION: Ministry of Justice updates Justice in Numbers
The Ministry of Justice has updated Justice in Numbers, bringing together headline statistics from across the justice system in a single reference publication.
The latest Pocketbook and accompanying summary tables provide statistics across areas including prisons, probation, courts, legal aid and victims.
OPPORTUNITY: Closing soon - Have your say on independent statutory regulation of probation practitioners
The Government is consulting on proposals to establish independent statutory regulation of probation practitioners in England and Wales.
The consultation seeks views on the functions and scope of regulation and the type of organisation that should regulate the profession. The Government’s preferred approach is currently to establish a new non-departmental public body. Responses are invited by [8 October].
CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:
Peer Mentor Coordinator (Female) with The Nelson Trust [£27000 to £28000, Gloucester, Part Time]; Weekend Support Worker with The Nelson Trust [£25000 to £26500, Stroud, Part Time]; Family Liaison Worker with Social Interest Group [£26200, L9 7LH, Full Time]; Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, HMP Bickershaw, Wigan, Full Time]; Assertive Outreach Recovery Coordinator with Change, grow, live (CGL) [£28557 to £32802, West Kent Prisons Cluster, Full Time]; Women & Families Team Lead (Female Only) with The Nelson Trust [£31000 to £34000, Gloucester, Full Time]; Night Concierge with Social Interest Group [£28800 to £28800, W13 9NG, Full Time]; Recovery Worker with Social Interest Group [£28800 to £28800, W13 9NG, Full Time]; Reader in Residence - Criminal Justice Group Lead (Kent) with The Reader [£24380, Kent, Part Time]; Support Mentor with Social Interest Group [£26200, LU1 2UA, Part Time].
For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here
READS OF THE WEEK:
- Concerns over accommodation and support as prison releases begin
- Releasing prisoners won’t solve the crisis in English and Welsh jails. Here’s what will
- Government needs a national strategy for long-term prisoners
- A change in prison culture is vital – as is more money to reduce overcrowding
EXTRA INFORMATION:
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