Russell Webster

russellwebster.comThe Emotional and Practical demands of working in a Women’s Independent Approved PremisesWhat's it like working in a women's probation hostel?

12h

The Emotional and Practical demands of working in a Women’s Independent Approved Premises What's it like working in a women's probation hostel? www.russellwebster.com/the-emotiona...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMYOI Werrington – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

HMYOI Werrington inspection Relationships between staff and boys had improved and assaults had reduced. However, boys still spent far too long locked in their cells and education remained poor. via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Bedford – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

HMP Bedford inspection The prison had made good progress and was performing much better than in recent years, supported by stronger leadership and a more experienced group of prison officers. via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

russellwebster.comThe latest criminal justice trends (Autumn 2026)Police try to ease pressure on CJS by increasing out of court resolutions.

The latest criminal justice trends Police try to ease pressure on CJS by increasing out of court resolutions but the average length of prison sentences rises, putting additional pressure on prison capacity. www.russellwebster.com/the-latest-c...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Stocken – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

HMP Stocken inspection "Despite committed leadership and some ambitious initiatives at this much-expanded prison, there were many significant problems." via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

russellwebster.comA positive progress report for policingThe Institute for Government Performance Tracker provides the most comprehensive stocktake of the Labour government’s progress on policing since the 2024 election.

A positive progress report for policing Policing continues to face serious and enduring performance problems but the Starmer government made good progress on its key objectives via @instituteforgovernment.org.uk performance tracker www.russellwebster.com/a-positive-p...

nao.org.ukProductivity improvement: The Justice Transcribe AI‑enabled transcription tool - NAO insightAn AI transcription tool used by probation officers highlights opportunities for improving public sector productivity.

Productivity improvement: The Justice Transcribe AI‑enabled transcription tool First in a new NAO series of case studies on how to implement productivity improvements www.nao.org.uk/insights/pro...

russellwebster.comThe latest performance in the prison and probation servicesThe Institute for Government Performance Tracker provides the most comprehensive stocktake of the Labour government’s progress on prisons and probation since the 2024 election.

Prison and probation services remain extremely poor but “this is a success story for the Starmer government. The situation when it came into office in was so bad that it is a real achievement to have got this far.“ via @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.russellwebster.com/the-latest-p...

russellwebster.comTagging creates “false sense of assurance”Criminal justice joint inspection of tagging finds electronic monitoring not keeping pace with its rapid expansion.

Tagging creates "false sense of assurance" Criminal justice joint inspection of tagging finds electronic monitoring not keeping pace with its rapid expansion. via @hmiprobation.bsky.social & HMICFRS www.russellwebster.com/tagging-crea...

russellwebster.comFixing prison resettlementClinks explores what is needed to support effective resettlement as the Sentencing Act is implemented.

Fixing prison resettlement @clinks-charity.bsky.social explores what is needed to support effective resettlement as the Sentencing Act is implemented. www.russellwebster.com/fixing-priso...

russellwebster.comThe disproportionate impact on women of Assaults Against an Emergency WorkerWomen in Prison report finds the offence of Assault on an Emergency Worker is sweeping women into the criminal justice system who should not be there.

The disproportionate impact on women of Assaults Against an Emergency Worker Women in Prison report finds the offence of Assault on an Emergency Worker is sweeping women into the criminal justice system who should not be there. www.russellwebster.com/the-dispropo...

hiddenheroes.uk#HiddenHeroesDayFirst held in 2020, #HiddenHeroesDay is a national day, on 29 September each year, paying tribute to the #HiddenHeroes working in UK prisons, IRCs, probation and youth justice services.

#HiddenHeroesDay Today is Hidden Heroes Day when the Butler Trust celebrates all the unseen work with goes in our prisons, IRCs, probation and youth justice services. www.hiddenheroes.uk/hiddenheroes...

telegraph.co.uktelegraph.co.uk

While violent offenders walk free, these prison cells lie empty Danny Shaw explains a number of factors exacerbating the prison capacity crisis www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09...

There are 87,499 people in prison today, an increase of 254 on last week and the highest figure since last November.

open.spotify.comEp64: Escaping the prison capacity "doom loop"The Transform Justice Podcast · Episode

Podcast: Escaping the prison capacity "doom loop" The @TransformJust1 Podcast featuring @EnverSol & Cassia Rowaland from @instituteforgov and @robroballen.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/53SE...

russellwebster.comChanging the scriptA co-produced leaflet to help people think through the different options for using medication to help get off opioids.

Changing the script A co-produced leaflet to help people think through the different options for using medication to help get off opioids from #livedexperience team at @revdoors.bsky.social www.russellwebster.com/changing-the...

revolving-doors.org.ukResearch participants call-out: women’s experience of recall and...Take part in our study to inform the design of a gender specific approach to working with women in the justice system. We are looking to speak to women with experience of remand or recall (can be both...

Take part in an @revdoors.bsky.social study to inform the design of a gender specific approach to working with women in the justice system. We are looking to speak to women with experience of remand or recall (can be both) in the last 18 months. revolving-doors.org.uk/research-par...

russellwebster.comStaff shortages hamper probation public protection workProbation inspectorate finds staff shortages mean public protection work is often sub-standard.

Staff shortages hamper probation public protection work @hmiprobation.bsky.social finds staff shortages mean public protection work is often sub-standard. www.russellwebster.com/staff-shorta...

docs.google.comPhysical and Mental Health in Prisons Priority Setting PartnershipHave you had a physical and mental health condition at the same time while being in prison? OR Do you have a family member or someone you care for who has (or had) physical and mental health conditi...

If you have an interest in health in prison as someone who has been inside, a family member or a professional, please think about taking this online survey: Physical and Mental Health in Prisons Priority Setting Partnership docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

public.flourish.studioMagistrates CourtsA Flourish data visualization by Russell Webster

Today's Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly Bulletin show a new all-time high of 380,230 open Magistrates' Court cases See my chart below for quarterly trends since 2020 public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...

public.flourish.studioCrown CourtsA Flourish data visualization by Russell Webster

Today's Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly Bulletin show a new all-time high of 80,829 open Crown Court cases See my chart below for quarterly trends since 2020 public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...

The Government has committed to finally resolve the IPP injustice. To keep the momentum high, @ungripp.bsky.social has organised a drop in for MPs at Portcullis House on Tuesday 20 October 4-7 p.m. Please encourage your MP to attend www.ungripp.com/_files/ugd/f...

ungripp.comungripp.com

robroballen.substack.comA Secure Future?Solving the endemic problems of youth custody

A Secure Future? @robroballen.bsky.social proposes a solution to the endemic problems of youth custody robroballen.substack.com/p/a-secure-f...

theguardian.comThe truth about UK prisons and organised crime: ‘They’re your good lads. Respectful. Keep their noses clean’In more than two decades in the Prison Service, Pia Sinha gained a reputation as a fixer. Now, as head of the Prison Reform Trust, she’s sounding the alarm about overcrowding and other problems

Profile of Pia Sinha @PRTuk Chief Exec by @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social in @Guardian The truth about UK prisons and organised crime: ‘They’re your good lads. Respectful. Keep their noses clean’ www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

theguardian.comA tale of two trap houses: being cuckooed ruined my friend’s life – but did it then help save him?The long read: Drug gangs have moved off Britain’s streets and into vulnerable people’s homes. Addicts like my friend are easy targets, but the reality can be more complicated than it seems

A tale of two trap houses: being cuckooed ruined my friend’s life – but did it then help save him? @Guardian long read by @maxdaly.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

russellwebster.comTwo in five children feel unsafe in custodyHMI Prisons surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace.

Two in five children feel unsafe in custody @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace. www.russellwebster.com/two-in-five-...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Leicester – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

21 Sept

HMP Leicester Review of Progress Much positive progress but still a way to go via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

russellwebster.comWomen in prison are losing education when they need it mostJon Collins of PET and Natasha Finlayson of Working Chance raise concerns about cuts to education in women's prisons.

21 Sept

Women in prison are losing education when they need it most @jonbcollins.bsky.social of @prisonersed.bsky.social and Natasha Finlayson of @workingchance.bsky.social raise concerns about cuts to education in women's prisons. www.russellwebster.com/women-in-pri...

russellwebster.comHow can we rebuild trust in the justice system?New Common Ground Justice report on public perceptions of the CJS.

18 Sept

How can we rebuild trust in the justice system? New Common Ground Justice report on public perceptions of the CJS. www.russellwebster.com/how-can-we-r...

static1.squarespace.comstatic1.squarespace.com

17 Sept

The new issue of the Probation Institute Probation Quarterly is a bumper edition with over 100 pages of probation news, views, research and opinion including the importance of hope in desistance practice static1.squarespace.com/static/5ec3c...

theguardian.comPrisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents showExclusive: Ten category C prisons in England and Wales asked to add second beds, in breach of safe occupancy limits

17 Sept

Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show via @syalrajeev.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

15 Sept

There are 87,111 people in prison today, an increase of 243 on last week and the first time the population has passed 87,000 since last November.

gov.ukMoJ: Check-In with your probation officer (E-Supervision)AWS Rekognition is used within the Check-In with your probation officer service to support identity verification by performing facial comparison between user-submitted video and a photo held on file.

15 Sept

The MoJ is piloting Check-In with your probation officer with facial recognition (E-Supervision) www.gov.uk/algorithmic-...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Bure – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

14 Sept

HMP Bure inspection A mainly positive report although education, training & resettlement support sub-standard via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

russellwebster.comThe latest (summer 2026) resources for justice practitionersThe newest additions to the Butler Trust’s Knowledge Exchange site for prison, probation and youth justice practitioners.

9 Sept

The latest (summer 2026) resources for justice practitioners The newest additions to the Butler Trust Knowledge Exchange site for prison, probation and youth justice practitioners. www.russellwebster.com/the-latest-s...

russellwebster.comA voluntary sector manifesto for criminal justice reformClinks has published a new manifesto setting out a comprehensive set of recommendations for justice reform for the new government.

8 Sept

A voluntary sector manifesto for criminal justice reform @clinks-charity.bsky.social has published a new manifesto setting out a comprehensive set of recommendations for justice reform for the new government. www.russellwebster.com/a-voluntary-...

7 Sept

There are 86,868 people in prison today, an increase of just 25 on two weeks ago (there were no figures published last Monday, because it was a Bank Holiday).

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP High Down – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

7 Sept

HMP High Down inspection Encouraging progress, good employment options, progress on drugs and self-harm but more work to do, particularly on illicit economy. via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

russellwebster.comWhat is behind the increase in prison violence?Rapid Evidence Assessment examines causes of prison violence and their implications.

7 Sept

What is behind the increase in prison violence? - Rapid Evidence Assessment examines causes of prison violence and their implications. www.russellwebster.com/what-is-behi...

talkingdrugs.org‘Recovery TikTok’: How Can Drug Treatment Services Support Young People? - TalkingDrugsAs youth look to social media for information about substance use and treatment, existing services need to adapt to the changing times.

4 Sept

‘Recovery TikTok’: How Can Drug Treatment Services Support Young People? via Talking drugs www.talkingdrugs.org/recovery-tik...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Lindholme – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

1 Sept

HMP Lindholme inspection Governor has brought stability but drugs, limited regime, healthcare, sentence progression and cleanliness all concerns. via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

russellwebster.comWe need a proportionate prison recall systemNacro says a focus on reducing prison recalls is the best way to tackle the prison capacity crisis.

27 Aug

We need a proportionate prison recall system @nacro.bsky.social says a focus on reducing prison recalls is the best way to tackle the prison capacity crisis. www.russellwebster.com/we-need-a-pr...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Altcourse – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

HMP Altcourse progress review Prison improving but still major concerns includnig violence and self-harm via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Risley – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

HMP Risley inspection An improving prison although needs better work & education & too many people released homeless via @HMIPrisonsnews hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

russellwebster.comCompassion fatigue in probation practiceAnton Roberts summarises the evidence on compassion fatigue in probation practice for the probation inspectorate.

Compassion fatigue in probation practice Anton Roberts summarises the evidence on compassion fatigue in probation practice for @HMIProbation www.russellwebster.com/compassion-f...

sl5legal.co.ukPress Release: Court of Appeal quashes unlawful IPP sentence and criticises “flaw in the system” of IPP sentence appealsThe Court of Appeal today quashed an unlawful sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) imposed almost 20 years ago.In the case of Haycock, the Court of Appeal granted an extension of time ...

Man sentenced to unlawful #IPP serves at least thirteen years too long SL5 Legal barrister spots legal error 20 years after sentence, Appeal Court criticises "flaw in the system" www.sl5legal.co.uk/single-post/...

gov.ukHM Prison and Probation Service workforce quarterly: June 2026

20 Aug

Today's HMPPS workforce stats show that on 30 June this year there was a shortfall of 1,935 FTE probation officers against the target staffing level of 7,380 FTE, a vacancy rate of 26.2%. www.gov.uk/government/s...

theguardian.comPublic in England and Wales wrongly think most killers are minority ethnicResearch from King’s College London finds that Reform voters’ perceptions were furthest from the truth

17 Aug

Public in England and Wales wrongly think most killers are minority ethnic Research from King’s College London finds that Reform voters’ perceptions were furthest from the truth via @vikramdodd.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.ukHMP Five Wells – HM Inspectorate of Prisons

17 Aug

HMP Five Wells inspection @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social found a number of significant improvements but also major concerns including poor access to healthcare hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...