Mindless and moronic - yes. But does this really warrant a ‘lengthy period in jail’?? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Two men found guilty of ‘mindless, moronic’ felling of Sycamore Gap tree

Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, found to have criminally damaged tree and Hadrian’s Wall

theguardian.com

www.ft.com/content/1ff8...

These are the headlines we need:

A personal bugbear ... Something can't be 'very unique'. It's either unique or it's not.

I have written about the sentencing guidelines shitshow. Infuriating to see yet another Labour government seek to appease a rightwing voter base by reinforcing the “tough on crime” doom loop that has gridlocked our justice system for the past 30 years. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Labour's populist pantomime over sentencing rules plays into the hands of the right | Janey Starling

Forcing the abandonment of new commonsense, evidence-based guidelines is a new low for a party that once prided itself on justice reform, says Janey Starling of campaign group Level Up

theguardian.com

And so it begins …. This could be seen coming a mile off.

NBC News@nbcnews.com · last yr.

President Trump did not rule out the possibility of seeking a third term in the White House, which is prohibited by the Constitution under the 22nd Amendment, saying in an exclusive interview with NBC News that there were methods for doing so and clarifying that he was “not joking.”

Our response to this morning's @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social report on HMP Styal which exposes problems that are mirrored in women's prisons across the country. 👇👇

Pact@prisonadvice.bsky.social · last yr.

CEO Andy Keen-Downs responds to HMIP's report on HMP Styal: "The problems revealed are mirrored in women’s prisons across the country. Not enough is being done to ensure that women get the support they need to serve their prison time in safety and to prepare to lead good lives after release."

There are 87,556 people in prison today, an increase of 140 on last week, and 1487 higher than eight weeks ago.

A great spot from @thehowardleague.bsky.social The early release scheme relieved pressure but is no substitute for a long-term policy. The sentencing and capacity reviews underway hold the key to getting the prison population down and keeping it down.

The Howard League@thehowardleague.bsky.social · last yr.

The prison population is rising so quickly that there are now more people behind bars than there were when the government came to power, official figures reveal today. howardleague.org/news/prison-...

Where's the evidence that mental health is being "overdiagnosed"?

"Increasing education and employment in prisons will improve conditions, cut crime – and save money" Good to see this in @cassiarowland.bsky.social's v.good blog on the need to improve access to purposeful activity in prison. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/educ...

Focusing on education and training in prisons could save money in the long term | Institute for Government

Expanding training and education provision in custody is the right move.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Good morning to this man, and this man only #bbcqt

Read a wonderful description of Elon Musk’s political theorising as being ‘dorm-room-bong-hit’ level stuff. Very much in evidence here. Surreal barely covers it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAuT...

President Trump & Elon Musk in the Oval Office: Full Remarks

YouTube video by Bloomberg Podcasts

youtube.com

6 in 7 people in prison going through a mental health crisis are not being transferred to hospital quickly enough. Many thanks to @nicksmithitv.bsky.social for highlighting the need for urgent action on this.

Pact@prisonadvice.bsky.social · 2y ago

📽️ We spoke on regional ITV News last night about the urgent need for mental healthcare reform for men and women in prison. #MentalHealth #PrisonReform #SaferPrisons

Great to see prisons charities still joining Bluesky! Welcome to @prisonadvice.bsky.social 👋 You can find lots more in this #CriminalJustice starter pack, inc: @thehowardleague.bsky.social @prisonersadvice.bsky.social @prisonersed.bsky.social But lmk if I’ve missed anyone! go.bsky.app/2sQ9xmz

Delighted to say that @prisonadvice.bsky.social is now on Bluesky. We support people in prison to stay in touch with families at more than 60 prisons across England & Wales but get involved in a whole range of issues related to the Justice System. Give us a follow!

Pact@prisonadvice.bsky.social · 2y ago

We are Pact - the Prison Advice & Care Trust - a pioneering national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. #StrongerFamilies #ReducingReoffending #PrisonReform

For every 100 people released from prison 67 are recalled, according to new stats published today. Only a quarter of people recalled committed another crime. The rest broke licence conditions like missing Probation appointments 👇👇 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/...

New figures published today show a 42% increase in prison recalls

Pact supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their families across England and Wales.

prisonadvice.org.uk

Just walked past someone on the phone ... 'While I've got you, just one small change' .... I'm hearing 'Get the red pen out, we need a complete rewrite'.

Help us support the 100,000+ children who have a parent in prison this Xmas. Donate today and it'll be match-funded by @biggive.bsky.social doubling the impact of your donation. 👇👇 donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Support prisoners & their families and children

Pact has supported people in prison and their families and children for over 125 years. During that time, much has …

donate.biggive.org

New @ofstednews.bsky.social Annual Report notes that prison education can have a "transformative effect" but also that "prison education remains weak, almost without exception". www.gov.uk/government/p...

The annual report of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2023/24

gov.uk

Your regular reminder that we cannot build our way out of the prisons crisis .... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Prisons plan will fall short by 2027, watchdog warns

Boris Johnson's pledge to create an extra 20,000 cells spaces is now not expected to be met until 2031.

bbc.co.uk

A bit of a ‘non-apology’ apology …. ‘any upset I MAY have caused’. There’s no ‘may’ about it. Would have been much better to say ‘I’m sorry for the upset I caused’.

Prison is not a good place for mental health. But I learned some powerful lessons while I was jailed. www.inspirethemind.org/post/what-pr...

What Prison Taught Me About Mental Health

Before being sentenced to prison, in February 2020, I had a long time to imagine it. In 2014, working in corporate finance, I committed fraud, lying to an investor with whom I was starting a company, ...

inspirethemind.org

We regularly come across stories like these. FWIW, my take is that it's an extremely difficult balancing act for staff between security and dignity. Staff don't always get it right, but the rules are there for a reason. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Prisoners denied dignity while receiving NHS care, watchdog finds

Health Services Safety Investigation Body reveals difficulties inmates have when they leave jail for treatment

theguardian.com

New research by @brainkind.bsky.social shows that 80% of women in criminal justice system in Wales may be living with brain injury. The cohort had “faced significant social disadvantages and exclusion, often starting from a young age.” brainkind.org/complex-lives/

Complex Lives - Brainkind

brainkind.org

UK parliament Justice Committee launches new inquiry into rehabilitation and resettlement Written submissions by by January 10, 2025 committees.parliament.uk/committee/10...

Prison leavers will end up back behind bars if they don’t get the support they need. Huge amount of effort goes into finding accommodation on release but too many people still fall through the cracks. inews.co.uk/news/housing...

Women 'given tents to live in' after early prison release

Lawyers, charities and campaign groups warn vulnerable women are 'falling through the cracks of a broken system' under the Government's early release scheme

inews.co.uk

Essential starter pack for anyone interested in Criminal Justice ….

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

If you care about prison reform, there are some excellent orgs working for change in this #StarterPack👇 Includes: 💪 @thehowardleague.bsky.social 💪 @prisonersadvice.bsky.social 💪 @prisonersed.bsky.social 💪 @prtuk.bsky.social 💪 @revdoors.bsky.social Lmk if you want to be added! go.bsky.app/2sQ9xmz

Good to see a focus on employing prison leavers in a White Paper to be published tomorrow. No doubt we have a Prisons Minister who has led by example in this area. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Ministers target prisoners to fill UK’s labour shortages

Thousands of ex-convicts are to be offered jobs support to tackle reoffending rates in plans to get Britain working

thetimes.com

Last year I gave the Prisons’ Week lecture at Liverpool Cathedral, on Changemakers and women’s justice. I talked about Elizabeth Fry, and hopeful uncertainty and where imagination might take us. I’ve discovered it’s on YouTube so sharing it (& my Betsy Fry obsession) m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jgb...

Liverpool 2023 Prisons Week Lecture: Dr Shona Minson – Changemakers

YouTube video by Liverpool Cathedral

m.youtube.com