Our ‘Know This’ briefings are a regular note to alert colleagues to recent discussions happening in the sectors relevant to our work. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of major changes and developments in our sectors. If you see anything you think needs to be in a future bulletin, let us know at PracticeResearchUnit@interventionsalliance.co.uk and we will include it in the next edition.

Sentencing Bill 2025 

On the 3rd September, the new Sentencing Bill was introduced into Parliament. The main proposed changes are: 

• Custodial sentences of less than 12 months only given in exceptional circumstances. Courts are expected to use suspended sentences or community-based alternatives instead.  

• Changes to release, recall, and sentence progression – more people serving longer sentences will become eligible for HDCs; recall processes will be tightened – only for “consistent non-compliance with licence conditions” or when there’s a “specific and imminent risk.”  

• Use of community measures and alternatives to custody – Greater use of supervision and monitoring in the community (probation, licence conditions, electronic tagging etc.) once people are released.  

• Stronger sentences for serious violence/sexual offences – those convicted of serious violent or sexual offences may face Extended Determinate Sentences (EDS) or “Sentences for Offenders of Particular Concern” (SOPC); those with severe offences will see reductions in the possibility of early release (or parole). 

• Victims and courts powers – strengthening victims’ rights 

Some of the main points relating to domestic abuse and stalking: 

• Stricter sentencing for perpetrators of DA  

• Stalking & harassment: increased maximum sentences and new guidance 

• Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) and broader powers 

Read more on the new Sentencing Bill. 

Criticism of the DASH risk assessment tool 

Jess Phillips MP has recently criticised the main screening tool used to decide which domestic abuse victims get urgent support – claiming it “doesn’t work”. Concerns have been raised by academics and those working in the DA sector, noting that the checklist does not correctly identify victims at the highest risk of further harm. Jess Phillips has noted that, whilst not immediately, there would be a review of the entire system around supporting victims.  

• Media coverage BBC and The Week. 

Refuge have supported this call and have stated that they welcome the opportunity to contribute their expertise and insight to the review and improvement of the tool.   

The COMPASS model – a holistic approach for working with people on probation 

A recent HMIP Academic Insights by Mark Durkin summarises the COMPASS model.  

The COMPASS model provides a practical and theoretical framework for justice practitioners, designed to support desistance. It stands for:   

• ✓ COMpassionate  

• ✓ Positive  

• ✓ Applied  

• ✓ Strengths-based  

• ✓ Solutions. 

The report explores compassion-focused therapy, positive psychology and desistance theory/capital, explaining how the model provides a holistic and person-centred framework for understanding and supporting people on probation. 

Colleagues: Our interventions at IA have compassion at their core, but it can be a contentious word, especially when we are talking about compassionate approaches for those who perpetrate harm against others. This is a useful model, steeped in supporting theory, to keep handy if you have never need to evidence why being compassionate in our behavioural change programmes is so important. 

• You can read the report. 

New ‘restriction zones’ to boost protection for victims 

Last month the MoJ announced plans to “curb the freedoms” of the most serious sexual and violent offenders by restricting them to specific areas. Those with such offences will be ‘pinned’ to certain areas, with increased monitoring and the possibility of prison for those who breach restrictions.   

• You can find The Guardian’s coverage of this story here and the link to the government page detailing the scheme here

Probation Institute Research Awards 

The Probation Institute (PI) Research Awards replace the Sir Graham Smith Awards scheme. The PI are introducing two new Research Awards from Autumn 2025: 

• The Probation Institute Research Awards – General Research in Criminal Justice  

• The Probation Institute Awards – Research about Women in the Justice System 

The Awards support short, practice-based research projects across the justice sector. The PI offer small bursaries of £500 to support research expenses. Applications for the next round of Awards are due 1st January 2026. The Awards are open to practitioners across the probation and prison sectors, and from the voluntary, community and private sectors.  

 Colleagues: The PI provides a mentor to successful applicants BUT if this appeals to you, and gets your research cogs whirring, the Practice Research Unit can support you in getting your ideas to fruition. 

• You can find more information (here), along with the application form