Resetting the approach to women’s imprisonment @prtuk.bsky.social report makes the case for resetting the approach to women's imprisonment www.russellwebster.com/resetting-th...

Prisoner voices Professor Nick Hardwick guest blogs on the research potential of 25 years of @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social prisoner surveys. www.russellwebster.com/prisoner-voi...

There are 86,037 people in prison today, an increase of 197 on last week.

HMP Featherstone review of progress Violence and self harm improved but poor living conditions and the continued availability of illicit drugs remained concerns. via @HMIPrisonsnews hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

Electronic monitoring expanding but still not working properly The National Audit Office finds that the electric monitoring system is not working as intended, despite a huge increase in the numbers being monitored. www.russellwebster.com/electronic-m...

PPO calls for independent body to scrutinise staff conduct Adrian Usher, the Prisons & Probation Ombudsman , has used the publication of his annual report to call for an independent body to scrutinise staff conduct. www.russellwebster.com/ppo-calls-fo...

Justice data needs to be more accessible and useable The @magsassoc.bsky.social joins the call to make justice data more accessible and useable. www.russellwebster.com/justice-data...

Chief Inspector calls for an increase in the "woeful levels of activity in prison" Charlie Taylor describes how long lock up times and poor regimes are causing frustration, boredom and despair. via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social www.russellwebster.com/chief-inspec...

There are 85,840 people in prison today, an increase of 79 on last week.

Whistleblower ‘terrified’ as Rochdale grooming gang leader released Release is “really scary” for women and girls because of failings in a “weak” probation service, a whistleblower who exposed the paedophile ring has said. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

The Government has announced an independent review of the prison system to be led by Amber Rudd - full details and terms of reference www.russellwebster.com/independent-...

Strengthening distance learning in prisons - @prisonersed.bsky.social blogs on the importance of distance learning in prisons www.russellwebster.com/strengthenin...

HMP Isle of Wight inspection Levels of self-harm were high, and drug use, violence and use of force against prisoners had all increased. Also concerns about aging infrastructure. via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

HMP Liverpool review of progress by @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social Good progress but concerns about drugs & time out of cell. hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

Women's driving offences often linked to domestic abuse New Australian research finds that women's driving offences are often linked to family violence. www.russellwebster.com/womens-drivi...

Leadership for probation and youth justice Sean Brophy writes on contemporary leadership evidence for probation and youth justice for @hmiprobation.bsky.social . www.russellwebster.com/leadership-f...

Although there are problems with the SDS40 early release scheme, it has succeeded in getting the prison population under control. See my chart coverin gthe last 6 years public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...

Charitable Trust funding in the justice sector A review of the funding experiences of the Dawes Trust makes for interesting reading for both charitable trusts and grant seekers. www.russellwebster.com/funding-the-...

Drug Consumption Room Proposal: Could Edinburgh Follow Glasgow in Saving Lives? @Talkingdrugs www.talkingdrugs.org/drug-consump...

HMP Lowdham Grange Review of Progress Improvements were encouraging, the longstanding problems at Lowdham Grange will take time to resolve via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

Concerns over therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison Prison officers’ union calls for immediate end to practice at HMYOI Wetherby over fears for child and animal welfare www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Prison rules applied more harshly against Muslims - New research from Maslaha www.russellwebster.com/prison-rules...

There are 85,848 people in prison today, a fall of 88 on last week.

Prison system stuck in decline IMB national annual report says the prison system is stuck in decline with same fundamental concerns and no evidence of change www.russellwebster.com/prison-syste...

The new edition of Probation Quarterly from Probation Institute looks at AI & Probation, risk & community payback as well as much, much more static1.squarespace.com/static/5ec3c...

HMP Woodhill inspection Full report which led to (another) UN for this prison with "Deeply concerning levels of violence, self-harm and drug use" via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

HMP Wakefield inspection Safety improved after two recent murders Education & work improved but men still spent too long locked, health services had deteriorated and key areas in need of urgent repair via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

Ketamine Helpful, concise House of Commons Library briefing on trends in #Ketamine use & related deaths commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...

Prisoners' experiences of A&E Latest @nuffieldtrust.org.uk research finds distinct patterns in prisoners' A&E use which point to gaps in prison healthcare www.russellwebster.com/prisoners-ex...

Reforming youth custody The fifth post in my short series summarising the Government's White Paper for reforming youth justice, focuses on plans for youth custody www.russellwebster.com/reforming-yo...

Recognising excellence in the criminal justice system Admire someone's commitment and skills? Then why not nominate them for a Butler Trust award? www.russellwebster.com/recognising-...

There are 85,920 people in prison today, a fall of 72 on two weeks ago (there were no figures published last Monday because it was a Bank Holiday). www.russellwebster.com/prison-popul...

Integrating tobacco harm reduction into drug treatment and harm reduction services ideas for drug treatment and harm reduction services keen to help people reduce smoking and tobacco-related from GSTHR gsthr.org/resources/br...

HMP Long Lartin inspection Good progress but concerns over high levels of violence via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

HMP & YOI Stoke Heath inspection Drugs, self-harm & regime concerns although good healthcare via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

Too many children face short-term remand Thematic review by @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social finds too many children face short-term remand www.russellwebster.com/too-many-chi...

Changes to #IPP licences on Monday 1 June People can apply for licence termination review two years after FIRST release from prison Full details from @ungripp.bsky.social www.ungripp.com/_files/ugd/f...

Re-structuring youth justice The fourth post in my short series summarising the Government's White Paper for reforming youth justice, focuses on proposed structural change. www.russellwebster.com/re-structuri...

Reforming our criminal records system Penelope Gibbs guest blogs on reforming our criminal record system for childhood offences. #Fairchecks via @transformjustice.bsky.social & @unlockcharity.bsky.social www.russellwebster.com/reforming-ou...

Right response, right time The third in my short series summarising the Government's White Paper for reforming youth justice, focuses on a review of every stage in the system. www.russellwebster.com/right-respon...

Intervening early, changing trajectories Second in a short series summarising the Government's White Paper for reforming youth justice, focusing on early intervention and diversion. www.russellwebster.com/intervening-...

More than 100 young care leavers in England died in past year, data shows Labour has launched an urgent review into the deaths, which one expert describes as ‘unspeakably tragic’ One of the grimmest headlines you'l read www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Human Learning Systems and Probation Services Toby Lowe, Kevin Wong & Chris Fox highlight the benefits of Human Learning Systems as an alternative paradigm for public management and its applicability to the delivery of probation for @hmiprobation.bsky.social www.russellwebster.com/human-learni...

All talk, no action? The persistent problem of racism in criminal justice @crimeandjustice.bsky.social event: In-person in London and online via Zoom 3 June 2026, 18:00 - 19:00 www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/all-talk-no-...

Reforming youth justice The first in a short series summarising the Government's White Paper for reforming youth justice focuses on the case for change www.russellwebster.com/reforming-yo...

Self-inflicted deaths in reception prisons The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman's office guest blogs on a new learning lessons bulletin on self-inflicted deaths in reception prisons www.russellwebster.com/self-inflict...

Crime increasingly a ‘serious barrier’ to UK growth, say business leaders British Chambers of Commerce survey shows firms ‘are dealing with rising levels of theft, fraud and cyber-attacks’ www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

David Lammy promises 25% cut in number of children jailed while they await trial Justice secretary’s white paper will overhaul youth justice rules and could end lifelong criminal records for under-18s www.theguardian.com/law/2026/may...

HMP Aylesbury inspection "The prison was stable and most prisoners felt safe and encouraged to behave well." Concerns about self-harm and drug use Via @HMIPrisonsnews hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

HMP & YOI Downview inspection "Overall, Downview was a safe, decent, well-run prison", although concerns about weekend lock-up Via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...