Wales

Overview

Clinks supports voluntary organisations working in Wales to reduce reoffending and support people in contact with the criminal justice system. Navigating both devolved and non-devolved powers, organisations in Wales operate within a unique context that includes distinct policy frameworks around health, housing, and social care. While criminal justice remains under UK Government control, there is strong partnership working across Welsh Government and justice agencies. The voluntary sector in Wales delivers vital services and plays a leading role in shaping justice reform through forums such as the Criminal Justice Board for Wales and the Women’s Justice Blueprint.

Probation

1 Regional Probation Directors
6 Probation Delivery Units

Wales

Cardiff & Vale
Cwm Taf Morgannwg
Dyfed Powys
Gwent
North Wales
Swansea, Neath Port Talbot

Prisons

1 Prison Group Director
5 Prisons

Wales

HMP Berwyn
HMP & YOI Cardiff
HMP & YOI Swansea
HMP Usk & HMP & YOI Prescoed
HMP & YOI Park (YP) (Contracted)

Specialist Estates and Directorates

The following prisons are managed nationally by Specialist Estates and Directorates, rather than by local Prison Group Directors. They are included here for reference. Find out more in the One HMPPS Area Model Overview (PDF).

Youth Custody Service

HMP & YOI Park Youth (Contracted)

Our work

Keeping the voluntary sector informed

We are committed to keeping voluntary sector organisations informed by regularly sharing criminal justice updates and commissioning news through sector-wide mailings and newsletters. These communications ensure that our members and others in the sector are up to date with the latest developments and opportunities.

To help organisations working across Wales stay connected and informed, we provide additional updates through regular forums and events, and regularly email updates. These communications cover policy developments, opportunities for commissioning and grant funding, training, events, valuable resources, publications, and campaigns.

Enhancing sustainability

Our Senior Engagement and Development Officer (Wales) works directly with network members to understand their sustainability challenges and gather insights that we share in commissioning forums. We connect members with relevant grant funding opportunities and support them to engage with public procurement processes, providing sharing information on competitive tendering and commissioned contracts where appropriate. We feed back our members' experiences to commissioners to help improve commissioning processes.

Listening and acting on the experiences and views of the voluntary sector

We actively gather intelligence from voluntary organisations in Wales on emerging topics and key policy development through:

Email call-outs for information
Small group discussions at Wales Criminal Justice forums
Specific focus groups

The information gathered is then collated and shared to inform our representative work officials in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and other stakeholders, ensuring that the voices and insights of our members are considered in national and local policy decisions.

Promoting the expertise of the voluntary sector

Clinks represents the voluntary sector in Wales through a variety of strategic boards, including:

The Criminal Justice Board for Wales
Wales Women in Justice Board
HMPPS Wales Commissioning & Collaboration Forum
Regional Homelessness Prevention Taskforce meetings
Criminal Justice in Wales Race & Justice Delivery Group
Women's Blueprint Research & Evaluation Work Stream
Women's Blueprint Comms Working Group
Women's Blueprint Resettlement Work Stream
North Wales Justice Board
Dyfed Powys Local Criminal Justice Board

Our involvement ensures the sector's views, experiences, and expertise are considered in decision making processes, and that proven and innovative approaches to improve outcomes for people in contact with the criminal justice system are promoted.

Championing the voluntary sector at the highest levels

We play an important role in championing the women's specialist voluntary sector at the highest levels through the Wales Seat on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RRS). Chaired by Clinks, this influential group of senior voluntary sector leaders amplifies the voices, concerns, and vital work of organisations supporting people in contact with the criminal justice system.

Facilitating networks and collaboration

We have an extensive network in Wales, connecting Clinks members, the wider voluntary sector, and key statutory bodies, including Welsh Government and HMPPS and MoJ officials.

Our Senior Engagement and Development Officer (Wales) can help you connect with these networks and provides valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration. This support is provided through one-to-one assistance, online forums, in person events, and regular mailings.

Get involved

We're always keen to hear from voluntary organisations working in criminal justice across Wales.

Whether you're interested in connecting with others, staying informed, sharing your experiences, or shaping future activity in the region, we'd love to stay in touch.

Please complete this short form to register your interest, tell us a bit about your work, or let us know if you'd like to contribute to future events, discussions or updates.

You can also get in touch directly at support@clinks.org