Newsletter – 12 FEBRUARY 2026

Two new members

Tony Simpson Chief Operations Officer Sodexo – Justice: Established in 1965, we have been operating prisons for over 30 years and hold over 6000 prisoners per day, across the UK. Currently we operate 6 prisons across the UK (HMP Addiewell; HMP Altcourse, HMP Bronzefield, HMP Forest Bank, HMP Northumberland and HMP Peterborough). We protect communities and create opportunities every day, working with partners to support positive outcomes for those in our care. As a national organisation we have joined the Network because we want to contribute positively to all work which provides positive outcomes for those leaving custody. tony.simpson@sodexogov.co.uk

Kat Clarke Chief Operational Officer Unlocking Potential: Founded in 2017 by Gethin Jones (left) this organisation is built on the belief that real transformation comes through relationships, leadership, and personal responsibility. Shaped by Gethin’s own journey through the justice system, we work to deliver training, consultancy, and inspirational speaking. Programmes, including The Art of Communication and Human-to-Human Leadership and Management training, develop self-awareness, meaningful connection, and empowered leadership in power-imbalanced environments. Working in over 50 prisons in the UK with more to come, we’ve supported dozens of corporates with their leadership programmes and community teams with consultancy work to improve outcomes. We’ve joined The Corbett Network to ally ourselves with the valuable work members do giving people, systems and organisations the chance to change. kat@unlockingthepotential.co.uk

RECORD NUMBERS RECALLED

From Inside Time: According to the latest figures released by the MoJ, more than 5,000 people were recalled to prison in December 2025 alone, which is over one-third of the total number recalled in the year to June 2025. Between July and September 2025, there were 12,836 people recalled, which is 29 per cent higher than the equivalent number for the same period in 2024. https://lnkd.in/eudJw3bq

FULLY FUNDED WAGES

Members, you can employ a member of staff whose wages are fully funded by the government! The DWP will open Phase One of the Jobs Guarantee Grant from April, offering fully wage-funded, six-month roles for young people aged 18–21 up to 25 hours per week who’ve been unemployed long-term. Extra funding to cover onboarding, supervision and employability support; Access to motivated young people supported with training and progression planning; A straightforward way to strengthen social value and early talent pipelines. If you operate in any of these areas and want to explore whether this could work for your organisation, click the link below: Birmingham & Solihull, East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire & Essex, Central & East Scotland, Southwest & Southeast Wales, and Coventry. https://lnkd.in/dVpdyxcS

APPLICATIONS OPEN MONDAY …

.. for the Robin Corbett Award 2026 – Rewarding the best in prisoner re-integration. For the past several years, CN members have walked off with all three prizes (£5K, £3K, £2K), attended the scrumptious cream tea in the Peers Dining room at the House of Lords and been presented with the superb glass plaques donated by the Timpson Group. We hope to continue this tradition so hope many members will apply. Closing date is April 15. Fuller details with info about previous winners on www.robincorbettaward.co.uk

FASTER TOGETHER

From Jasmina ‘Jaz’ Vulic, Reed Partnership: With a first time at a cool venue – Mansion House – thanks to Liam Wood, Social Pantry, we had a super productive morning with employers and other organisations working in the CJS. This event followed our first Social Enterprise last year (organised by Ollie Harper from Onwards & Upwards). Coming together to build a pathway towards employment and support, “We may go faster, but together, we go further.” Collective intelligence in action with amazing people: Reed in Partnership Redemption Roasters Switchback StandOut Social Pantry Fine Cell Work Onwards and Upwards 3Pillars Project … (All CN members). jasmina.vulic@reed.com

ACCESSING OUR HELPING HAND FUND

Do you have a client struggling to access the basics? Profits from our business women lunches mean we have the means to help. While funds last, if any member has a client who could do with extra support, we are offering small amounts of support for such items as vouchers for clothing, bedding, towels, groceries, kitchenware hygiene products. Email this Request Form:

1. Your Name, Job Title & Organisation


2. What is needed most right now? (e.g. Fresh groceries, Bedding, travel …

3. Amount requested (This helps us manage the fund).

4. How will this make a difference?

5. Your organisation’s bank details

SECRET LIFE OF PRISONS

    Hosts Phil Maguire (former CEO Prison Radio Association), Paula Harriott (CEO Unlock), Anne Fox, CEO at Clinks and Lord James Timpson, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending. Listen here

    PROBATION SERVICE “ON BRINK”

    The probation service is teetering on the brink. Public Accounts Committee report says staff are working under immense pressure in a seemingly toxic environment, in a culture built on emotional strain and trauma. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/dGFHtUrC

    CRIME WITHOUT COURT

    From Transform Justice: Deputy Director Fionnuala Ratcliffe and Ella Thomson our Research and Policy Director produced two reports for the project Identifying and promoting good practice in resolving more crime without going to court. Supported by a Vulnerability & Policing Futures Translational Fellowship, Fionnuala explored how to reduce prosecutions for minor offences by helping police make greater use of out of court resolutions. These approaches can cut reoffending, better meet victim needs, and improve overall system efficiency. The project gathered effective practice from forces that already use out of court options at higher rates, aiming to help others make fuller use of these underused tools. A findings summary and full report available on our website: https://lnkd.in/eNS2RPMH

    READING FOR REHABILITATION

          From Peter Cox, CEO Novus: The latest Reading for Rehabilitation report highlights how powerful reading and literacy can be in transforming lives in prison. Strong literacy plays a vital role in rehabilitation. Across our sites — including HMPs Rye Hill, Frankland and Hatfield, which feature in the report — reading is woven into everyday learning. From focused literacy support to wider enrichment activities, our teams help learners build the skills and confidence they need to move forward, in custody and beyond. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ePBQQt-r

          MOVING FORWARD

          From Chris Leslie, CEO Inside Out Support Wales: Last year was tough — but it was also a year of real growth. Now, the focus is simple: implement the lessons learned and move forward. The year started with an invitation from HMPPS / Probation to take part in a podcast, talking about the work we do, its impact and why collaboration across the sector matters. A first from me – delivering training to officers using my lived experience, alongside colleagues within HMPPS. It felt like a powerful step forward in how learning and understanding can work both ways. Here’s to a year of doing things better, together. chris@insideout.wales

          MOVING FORWARD

          From Bruce Holder, Founder. Fighting Knife Crime Magazine: Access it here – www.fightingknifecrime.london/magazine

          Written entirely by young research students, this edition:

          • contains well-researched and fully referenced insights into the four major impacts of youth violence, and the way we should be addressing it
          • makes recommendations to Government and carries the authority of those who will be our future
          • brings together broad strands of research from many of the major research charities and bodies, premised on the idea that targeted investment in our young can produce huge returns to society, which go beyond the merely financial
          • provides references for every assertion made. brucehoulder@gmail.com

          HOPE FOR FUTURE

          From Natasha Finlayson CEO Working Chance: No less than 97% of women say working with us made them feel more hopeful for the future. Through our support, women with convictions are building confidence and moving into education, training, and employment. Employers partnering with us are helping make these opportunities possible. Follow women’s journeys and stay updated on how we support employers to hire people with convictions by signing up for our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eKcmdiFn

          DIARISE 2026 NETWORK DATES

          NATIONAL NETWORKING MEMBER CONFERENCE: Wednesday April 29, Leathersellers Livery Hall City of London 11.30 am – 4.30 pm

          ZOOM SESSIONS – All Thursdays from 12.30-1.30 pm

          March 19 : Speaker : newly appointed CEO of New Futures Network at the MoJ

          May 14: Speaker: Head of Prisoner Outcomes, MoJ

          July 9: Networking with our members – you speak, we listen.

          September 30

          November 12

          December 10

          GO ON WITH THE JOURNEY

          Renewing your membership takes minutes while the £60 annual fee is a fiver a month. Same as a Starbucks coffee but with the added benefit of belonging to a supportive network. Don’t miss out on: Bi-weekly Newsletters. Interactive Zoom sessions. Regional meetings. National Networking Conference, and importantly, staying in touch with fellow members. We will keep your spot open for two more months, but if we don’t hear from you by then, we’ll (reluctantly) move your membership to inactive. We’re here to help so if you are experiencing any issues with renewing, please contact: support@corbettnetwork.com