Newsletter – 12 MARCH 2026

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The Pilgrim Trust is a UK-based funder that distributes approximately £3 million each year to organisations dedicated to tackling social inequality and safeguarding heritage. They support a range of initiatives, including those that: Deliver social change to improve opportunities and wellbeing for disadvantaged groups. Grants typically vary between £1,000 and £30,000, with select strategic programmes offering larger, multiyear funding packages. https://lnkd.in/eUJfvqGX

MEET OUR AMBASSADORS

Alasdair Jackson OBE is a social impact leader with over 20 years’ experience improving opportunities for people in – and leaving – the CJS. As Chief Executive of Recycling Lives Charity, he built one of the UK’s most effective rehabilitation programmes, expanded partnerships across prisons and employers, and oversaw national food redistribution work delivering millions of meals, including during the pandemic. He now holds a portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles, including Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, Trustee of the Torus Foundation and the National Prison Employment Oversight Board, and Chair of employment boards in Lancashire & Cumbria. Alasdair was named a Criminal Justice Champion by the Howard League, and contributed to three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. As a Corbett Network Ambassador, he brings strategic insight, deep system knowledge and a values-driven commitment to collaboration and employment-focused rehabilitation.

Faith Spear is an independent criminal justice commentator, criminologist, and the author of The Criminal Justice Blog. She has become a powerful voice in the national conversation about prisons, justice, and reform shining a light on the realities of the prison system and the people within it. Over the years she has built a reputation as an advocate who is thoughtful, courageous and unafraid to speak truth to power. Her work seeks not only to highlight problems but to encourage solutions rooted in humanity, fairness, and hope. As Chair of Ambassadors for the Corbett Network, Faith brings both passion and purpose to the role, helping to strengthen a growing movement committed to justice reform and the belief that change is possible.

Fiona Radford joined the Prison Service in 1985 as a fast stream prison governor trainee starting her career as a prison officer at HMP Holloway. She then worked in 6 other prisons culminating in governing governor roles at Wandsworth, Ford and Lewes. She also worked as a prison inspector and on an emergency accommodation programme. She then worked in roles across government for DCLG and Cabinet Office and in HMPPS HQ covering work to join up all Civil Service departments, strategic estate management, commissioning evidence, on the Probation Reform Programme leading Through the Gate improvements across England and Wales and then on the recommissioning of Commissioned Rehabilitative Services contracts. Her final positions centred on staffing Prison Capacity efforts and assisting a prison rerole.

VICTIMS FORUM

From Why-Me: We are running a free online forum on the Victims’ Code Consultation on Tuesday 24th March at 2pm. It would be great if fellow members could click on. All details: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/whyme/2085360

UNGRIP IPP NEWS

These changes for IPP are due to come into force this year and not before time. ungripp@gmail.com

USING LIVED EXPERIENCE

From Paula Harriott, CEO Unlock: Have you navigated prison, probation, or a criminal record? This 12month programme empowers you to step into leadership, research, and policy roles to drive real change. No formal qualifications required—just a commitment to grow. What’s Included

  • 12 Webinars: Learn from sector leaders and academics.
  • 2 Residentials: In-person sessions for deep connection.
  • Support: Individual and group therapeutic coaching.
  • Output: Develop your own research or policy paper.
  • Networking: Join a dedicated online community of practice.
  • Stipend: £75 monthly payment for your participation. Deadline: 9 AM, March 23, 2026.
  • How to Apply: Submit a one-page personal statement and CV to paula.harriott@unlock.org.uk.

MEMBERS INFLUENCING MPS …

From 5asideCHESS: This week the team were invited into Parliament for a drop in session for MPs to explain how our WingMAN programme works in prisons; how we train a WingMAN to use 5asideCHESS as a tool to provide peer support, helping prisoners to build confidence and life skills to help them navigate life and make better choices both inside and outside the prison walls. Our Lived Experience Ambassador, David Breakspear had the opportunity to sit down with Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson, over a game of 5asideCHESS to show him first-hand how quickly a connection can be made and the game can be played when the division bell is about to ring. As our mantra goes, “It’s who you meet, not who you beat

MEMBERS INFLUENCING MPS …

The Home Office is overhauling policing in England and Wales with a focus on professional standards and faster response times. All officers must now hold a formal licence to stay on the force. They must prove competence in key areas, specifically tackling violence against women and girls. The licence requires on-going training; fail to keep skills up to date or face removal. A phased rollout ensures a single, clear standard across all 43 regional forces. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is targeting “everyday crime” (like shoplifting and phone theft) with strict new metrics. Police must reach emergencies within 15 minutes in cities and 20 minutes in rural areas. The Home Secretary pledges to get officers to spend more time on the streets, cutting “red tape” and “unnecessary admin” which prevents them leaving their stations.

…AND

From Revolving Doors: Recently we met a group of MPs in Parliament where we spoke about the cycle of crisis and crime and how to stop it. The root causes of offending need to be addressed for change to happen: meaningful rehabilitation requires addressing the “backpack” of trauma carried over a lifetime. Through our lived experience we were able to offer powerful descriptions of the issues facing the justice system and those in it. It also meant they were able to set out a clear, evidence-based blueprint of the actions that can be taken to end cycles of crisis and crime. Read more about our visit in our latest blog ➡ https://lnkd.in/efcpvN-K Members, want to find out more about our Parliamentary influencing work? https://lnkd.in/ehqEtySC

REHINKING RACIAL DIVIDE

    From Zahid Mubarek Trust: Our Manifesto for Race Equality in Prisons was a clear blueprint for reducing racial disparities in the prison system. Built over 25 years of our grassroots and policy work, it sets out practical actions that do not require more funding from HMPPS but a fundamental rethink of why past approaches have failed to shift the lived experiences of ethnic minority people in prison. The next three years will be about more transparency, clear accountability and visible transformation for those minorities in prisons. Fellow members: Join the Movement: https://lnkd.in/evNHHSNv and be part of a new way of creating change for race equality in prisons: openly, collectively and authentically.

    CLINK CHARITY JOB

    YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER Salary:

    £30,000 FTE

    Contract: Permanent

    Working Pattern: Full Time, 39 hours p/w Location: Supporting students from The Clink’s sites across

    London and the South East. Applications close Friday 27 March but reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications advised.

    Details: https://www.peoplebank.com/pbank/owa/AdLink.Process?a=507335.781911386528

    CONSTRUCTION FUTURES

    Our second ‘Construction Futures’ project will deliver a two-week CSCS training programme for two cohorts of up to 40 people with convictions on probation and supported by fellow member Reed in Partnership. Alongside CSCS certification, learners will receive employability training, a guaranteed interview with an employer and full wraparound support from us, Reed and The Lighthouse Charity. The University of Westminster will independently evaluate the pilot and the first cohort starts on April 13th, and if successful, we hope this model will pave the way for long-term, sustainable construction careers for people with convictions. Agullick@riftse.co.uk

    GOING BACK IN TIME

    From Dr Sarah Lewis: Recently I went back in time. I delivered a lecture to 3rd year undergraduate Criminology students at the University of Portsmouth. This is where I did my masters dissertation at HMP Holloway. I was 23, pregnant, and remember my last lecture taking place on my due date…which I attended looking absolutely huge. I researched the impact of prison culture on prison staff and it shaped my love for reform and for supporting staff, who show up every day despite the chaos. And as I shared my view on justice reform, our campaign and why connection brings belonging and trust and hope, I refuelled. It was great being an honorary senior lecturer today. It helps me focus, and brings insights and growth, as I articulate my research and experience of relational practice. Today we united future change makers and invested in the next generation of Justice. sarah@growtransformbelong.com

    finance and running costs; Insurance and banking. They also took part in a Tax Masterclass delivered by The Tax Academy CIC, an award-winning social enterprise supporting people with convictions. All learners

    MEMBERS SPREADING THE WORD

    Working Chance: Honouring International Women’s Day, we’ve launching “1 in 4. Still overlooked.” One in four working-age adults in England and Wales has a criminal conviction, with many being women or mothers ready to work. Our campaign highlights the need for inclusive hiring, focusing on fair decisions rather than risk. Employment for women with convictions stabilises families and strengthens communities.

    Responsible Business Initiative for Justice We’re supporting Fair Chances Week (from 27 April), which lets organisations promote their work. Submit employer-focused events to the digital events calendar or email us to feature your event. Feedback on our resources and social media toolkit is welcome by Friday, 6 March. More details: lena@rbij.org

    Catch-22 At the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership conference, we presented tools for preventing violence and reducing reoffending, including The Ship activity from ROAD and discussions on unconscious bias. Our Head of Services praised the region’s commitment and innovation for safer futures.

    The Recruitment Junction In February, we placed 22 people into employment, showing the team’s tremendous impact.

    Recycling Lives: We’re now an accredited training centre with CIEH, enabling us to offer recognised qualifications in food safety, health & safety, and first aid. These enhance skills, confidence, and employability, leading to better stability.

    Clinks: Read our blogs for a preview of this year’s findings, including the sector’s political context. There’s cautious optimism about the new Sentencing Act and Women’s Justice Board, but concerns remain about resources for voluntary sector services to meet rising demand. Any questions: events@clinks.org

    RIFT SE: In our 8th anniversary, our ‘Construction Futures’ project group is set to deliver a two-week training course to two cohorts of up to 40 with convictions, subject to probation supervision and supported by fellow member Reed in Partnership. The learners will receive employability skills training, CSCS certification, a guaranteed job interview from a company with live projects in London and complete wraparound support. The first cohort goes live on April 13th and we hope this will be a blueprint for supporting people with convictions into sustainable construction jobs for many years to come.

    Why-Me? Our new three-day training course on the ‘Foundation Principles and Practice of Restorative Justice’ was lively and thought provoking focusing on the values behind restorative work. We were delighted to be joined for a session by our Ambassador Paul Kohler MP, who shared insights from his journey through Restorative Justice after being harmed by a serious crime.

    Shannon Trust: The prison welcomed writer Adam Farrer, author of Cold Fish Soup and Broken Biscuits: and Other Male Failures. The session was honest, inspiring and full of thoughtful discussion. It gave inmates the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and explore how reading and writing can support wellbeing and build confidence. Events like this are a vital part of creating a positive reading culture in prisons and show how literacy can spark connection, reflection and real change.

    The Glasshouse: We would like to share The Glasshouse Social Impact Report 2025 which is at the heart of what we do. We transform offices and homes with our beautiful plants, have two Chelsea gold-medal winning gardens and light up London with our curated Christmas trees. But what we focus on is harness the many benefits of horticulture and fulfilling work to create second chances for women working hard to change their lives after custody.

    NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS

    RCA APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

    …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. Let’s continue this tradition. Closing date is April 15. Application form and info about previous winners: www.robincorbettaward.co.uk

    ACCESSING FOUNDER’S HELPING HAND FUND

    Email Request Form with:

    Your Name, Job Title & Organisation

    What is needed most right now?

    Amount requested

    Full details about exactly how this will this make a difference

    Your organisation’s bank details

    DIARISE 2026 NETWORK DATES

    NATIONAL NETWORKING MEMBER CONFERENCE:

    Wednesday April 29, Leathersellers Livery Hall London 11.30 am – 4.30 pm Free to members.

    ZOOM DATE CHANGES

    SESSIONS are from 12.30-1.30 pm

    Please note our March session is now on Wednesday 25th. Speaker is the new broom at New Futures Network at the MoJ. He is good value!

    Zoom link:

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84319970205?pwd=qTHrXNS4rUqp1oSHr2mAatWIZiAYDw.1

    Meeting ID: 843 1997 0205 Passcode: 160696

    Please diarise 2026 zoom meetings: All Thursdays: May 14: Speaker: Head of Prisoner Outcomes, MoJ; July 7; September 30; November 12; December 10

    IS YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUING?

    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. We will keep your spot open for another month, but if we don’t hear from you by end of March, 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