Russell Webster

Government launches new national Legal Advisors service for rape victims and expands Operation Soteria into the courtroom Rape victims will have access to dedicated legal advice throughout the criminal justice process, while new project will look at shifting the focus of rape court cases from the victim to the perpetrato...

New national Legal Advisors service for rape victims and expansion of Operation Soteria into the courtroom
Rape victims will have access to dedicated legal advice.
New project will look at shifting the focus of court cases from victim to perpetrator.
www.gov.uk/government/n...

The Loop launches London's first drug checking service — The Loop The Loop Drug Checking Service, the charity which introduced drug checking in the UK, has launched London’s very first drug checking services. The Loop has brought its pioneering harm reduction servic...

The Loop launches London's first drug checking service
Excellent news
wearetheloop.org/media-centre...

There were 87,616 people in prison yesterday, a jump of 264 on last week.

Black people up to 48 times more likely to be stopped and searched in richest areas of London Research found extreme disproportion in use of police power in districts such as Richmond-upon-Thames

Black people up to 48 times more likely to be stopped and searched in richest areas of London
Research found extreme disproportion in use of police power in districts such as Richmond-upon-Thames via @vikramdodd.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/law/2026/mar...

The role of the probation hostel in successful resettlement Bridging custody and community: The role of Approved Premises in successful reintegration

The role of the probation hostel in successful resettlement
@hmiprobation.bsky.social Research & Analysis Bulletin calls for more autonomy for AP managers amongst other recommendations
www.russellwebster.com/the-role-of-...

Cumbria firm develops predator-spotting tech to keep women safe Rosie Richardson wants to shift the onus to self protect away from women and on to the authorities.

Cumbria firm develops predator-spotting tech to keep women safe www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

New data from @SentencingCCL shows surge in assaults on emergency workers since new legislation in 2018
sentencingcouncil.org.uk/publications...

HMP/YOI Isis inspection
Many challenges, but the determined, imaginative leadership of the governor, her experienced deputy and some excellent middle leaders were driving improvement.
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...

HMP Exeter Inspection
Although determined leadership and a more stable staff group were making a positive difference, the jail continued to face longstanding challenges including high levels of self-harm
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...

GUEST BLOG: Why Access to Ethical Imagery Matters

Why Access to Ethical Imagery Matters
Prison photographer @andyaitchison.bsky.social with an incredible offer for voluntary sector organisations in the CJS
clinks.org/community/bl...

What Will Court Reform Mean for the Prison Population?
@robroballen.bsky.social casts his expert eyes over the assumptions & predictions
reformingprisons.blogspot.com/2026/03/what...

The UK scandal of women handcuffed while in labour: ‘I was so shocked when the restraints weren’t removed’ Pregnant women prisoners in England are being handcuffed to prison officers – often male – during intimate vaginal examinations and long, agonising births. Will this dehumanising treatment be stopped?

The UK scandal of women handcuffed while in labour: ‘I was so shocked when the restraints weren’t removed’ www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

UK parliament to debate whether all suicides linked to domestic abuse to be investigated as homicide Lib Dems table amendment to crime and policing bill, saying system ‘simply not doing enough to protect women’

UK parliament to debate whether all suicides linked to domestic abuse to be investigated as homicide
Lib Dems table amendment to crime and policing bill, saying system ‘simply not doing enough to protect women’
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Improving collaboration between police and women’s centres Centre for Justice Innovation evidence and practice briefing on improving collaboration between police forces and women’s centres.

Improving collaboration between police and women's centres
@cjinnovation.bsky.social Innovation evidence and practice looks at cultural barriers and how to overcome them
www.russellwebster.com/improving-co...

There are 87,352 people in prison today, a fall of just 15 on last week.

Met police to pilot facial recognition identity checks, mayor confirms Sadiq Khan reveals 100 officers will use roaming technology for six months but opponents call its use ‘alarming’

Met police to pilot facial recognition identity checks, mayor confirms
Sadiq Khan reveals 100 officers will use roaming technology - basically scan someone's face with their phone - for six months but opponents call its use ‘alarming’
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

New resources for justice practitioners in 2026 The newest additions to the Butler Trust’s Knowledge Exchange site for prison, probation and youth justice practitioners.

New resources for justice practitioners in 2026
The newest additions to the Butler Trust Knowledge Exchange site for prison, probation and youth justice practitioners. www.russellwebster.com/new-resource...

CPS issues new guidance on ‘honour’-based and dowry abuse Updated guidance from Crown Prosecution Service covers forms of spiritual and immigration abuse for first time

CPS issues new guidance on ‘honour’-based and dowry abuse
Updated guidance from Crown Prosecution Service covers forms of spiritual and immigration abuse for first time
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Deputy Prime Minister sets out vision for the justice system Victims will benefit from a ‘transformed’ justice system, the Deputy Prime Minister has set out in a speech earlier today (24 February).

David Lammy sets out vision for the CJS including:
New AI courts assistant and National Listing Framework to standardise listing and limit unnecessary delays for victims

‘Blitz’ courts surge to tackle backlog of assault against emergency workers
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Probation and AI
MoJ has just published this:
From 7 Oct 2025 - 12 Feb 2026 >150,000 meetings were summarised using Justice Transcribe, potentially saving 25,000 hours assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/699c4f...

HMP & YOI Low Newton inspection
"Inspectors found a well‑run prison where strong, trusting relationships between staff and women were central to its success."
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...

Highest ever courts funding deal agreed to deliver faster, fairer justice for victims Criminal Crown Courts in England and Wales will be funded to hear as many cases as possible next year to deliver faster and fairer justice for victims.

Criminal Crown Courts will be funded to hear as many cases as possible next year to tackle largest ever backlog.
A further £287 million will also be invested into the fabric of the court estate itself
www.gov.uk/government/n...

There are 87,367 people in prison today, a fall of 67 on last week.

Accessing digital harm reduction services —exploring the impact of the “Here4UScotland” application - Harm Reduction Journal Background The unique challenges faced by vulnerable drug users highlight the urgent need for accessible, immediate digital interventions which people can access anywhere and at any time. This study e...

Digital harm reduction services evaluation
"Digital interventions like Here4UScotland offer significant benefits in enhancing harm reduction engagement and access, fostering new connections and community among vulnerable populations"
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

HMP Coldingley inspection
Drugs, serious prisoner-on-prisoner violence and staff performance all concerns. Education and sentence progression work not good enough.
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...

HMP Thameside Progress Review
Good progress in healthcare, teaching, regime & support for those at risk of self-harm.
But, still too much violence and drugs
Via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...

Acquired Brain Injury and links to domestic abuse Dr Hope Kent and Professor Stan Gilmour highlight the prevalence of Acquired Brain Injury and links to domestic abuse in justice-involved women.

Acquired Brain Injury and links to domestic abuse
Dr Hope Kent and Professor Stan Gilmour highlight the prevalence of Acquired Brain Injury and links to domestic abuse in justice-involved women for @hmiprobation.bsky.social
www.russellwebster.com/acquired-bra...

FIGHTBACK This is "FIGHTBACK" by CWJ on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

FIGHTBACK
Centre for Women's Justice's new film exposes a stark injustice: women who acted in response to serious, often prolonged violence are serving life sentences, their experiences minimised or misunderstood by the criminal justice system.
Watch 🔽
vimeo.com/1143761943/6...

Sentencing trends over the last 20 years The Sentencing Academy publishes a range of fascinating infographics on sentencing trends over the last 20 years via their Sentencing Hub.

Sentencing trends over the last 20 years
The @sentencingacademy.bsky.social publishes a range of fascinating infographics on sentencing trends over the last 20 years via their Sentencing Hub.
www.russellwebster.com/sentencing-t...

HM Prison and Probation Service workforce quarterly: December 2025

Latest probation staff numbers
5,454 FTE band 4 POs in post - UP 172 since 31 Dec 2024 but DOWN 122 FTE (2.2%) compared to 30 Sept 2025.

There were 5,400 FTE band 3 PSOs: a slight increase of 84 since 31 Dec 2024 but no substantial change since 30 Sept 2025.
www.gov.uk/government/s...