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.

 

1. In the justice headlines – News

Probation Services at another crisis point (February 2026)

 

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that the Probation Service in England and Wales is under significant strain, seriously impeding its ability to protect the public and reduce reoffending rates. Some key findings:

 

“… performance of the service in England and Wales has worsened since the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) brought probation under full public control in 2021.”

 

“Probation staff were only adequately assessing risk of harm in 28% of cases in 2024. Compared to 60% of cases in 2018–19. Poor performance may create a risk to public safety.”

 

“The number of offenders charged with a Serious Further Offence while on probation increased by an alarming 55% in 2023–24 compared with 2021–22. The service has been operating under severe strain, and demands on the service are likely to increase further, due to plans to free up capacity in prisons and courts.”

 

Staff shortages are cited as the main reason for poor performance, with HMPPS planning to roll out an “ambitious reform programme over the next 18 months”.

• The report can be accessed here:  Efficiency and resilience of the Probation Service
• Quick links to the report summary, conclusions and recommendations can be accessed here
• Link to story on UK Parliament site can be assessed here

Earlier releases to start ‘in the Autumn’ as Sentencing Act 2026 becomes law

Following the passing of the Sentencing Act 2026 in January, the implications for early releases now see thousands of prisoners in England Wales being released early this Autumn.

• Link to an Inside Time article can be accessed here
• A related news item – a BBC News story citing that prisoners in Scottish jails will also be released earlier in a bid to address prison overcrowding, the link can be found here

Open consultation: A new Victims’ Code (February 2026)

This consultation seeks views on proposed updates to The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime in England and Wales (Victims’ Code). Minister for Victims and VAWG, Alex Davies-Jones MP is seeking views on:

1. New expectations for needs assessments so that agencies effectively assess and deliver for victims
2. A new framework to guide agencies’ direct engagement with child victims to give them more agency and choice
3. Communicating with victims well and in a timely way, including exploring innovative approaches to communicate about information relating to their case
4. improvements to how and when victims are given opportunities to participate in the justice process.

• The new Victims’ Code consultation details can be found here:
• The Government Press Release is accessible here
• The consultation document can be found here
• A related news story on the impact on children who are victims can be accessed here – some of the key points:
  • New Victims’ Code to ensure child victims are better supported by the justice system
  • Government will work with children to make the first ever child-friendly version of the Victims’ Code
  • Strengthened code will help every victim get swifter justice – vital to Government’s Plan for Change

Crucial reforms to give rape victims a fairer trial (December 2025)

Rape victims in England and Wales will be shielded from being portrayed as “serial liars” in court under legal reforms announced by the government. The changes aim to prevent the “profound injustice” of complainants feeling they are the ones on trial. Under new reforms:

1. Rape victims to receive better support and fairer trials under new government reforms
2. Changes to stamp out rape myths and prevent victims dropping out due to trauma at trial
3. Part of Plan for Change to stand up for victims, restore faith in justice system, and halve violence against women and girls in a decade

• Link to the government press release here: Crucial reforms to give rape victims a fairer trial – GOV.UK
• Link to a news article here: Rape victims in England and Wales to be protected from ‘serial liar’ trope in court – British Brief
• Link to a Telegraph article here: Lawyers banned from calling rape victims ‘serial liars’
• Link to the Law Commission report can be accessed here

2. Key Government strategy, policy and legal

Sentencing Act 2026 (29 January 2026)

The Sentencing Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 22 January. The legislation takes forward a number of the recommendations of the independent sentencing review to address the prison overcrowding crisis. Proposals include:

• Increase the use of suspended sentences
• Regularise release points from standard determinate sentences
• Reform the use of recall
• A link to the Sentencing Act 2026 can be accessed here
• A link to the gov.uk News Story here

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy (18 December 2025)

As most will be fully aware, the much-awaited VAWG strategy was published by the Government just before Christmas last year.

• The VAWG Strategy 2025-2030 can be accessed here
• Jess Phillips statement on the release of the VAW strategy can be found here
• Dr Alex Blower’s LinkedIn post – December 18^th (link here Post | LinkedIn) about the implications of negatively targeting boys and men and the need for better and earlier education
• A BBC news article: Boys to be target of UK’s violence against women strategy – BBC News
• A gov.uk News Story about specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams can be accessed here

 

3. New reports and research

Intersectionality and probation practice (23 January 2026)

HMIP’s latest edition of their superb Academic Insights series came out last month. In the article, senior academics from De Montfort University, Sarah O’Neill, Daniella Nudd and Deena Parmar, explore the concept of intersectionality and how an intersectional lens can support key aspects of probation practice, encompassing knowledge, skills and behaviours. Not only a fantastic and important piece of work, it was wonderful to see our own Jess Lawrence’s work around Psychological Safety and the importance of working inclusively and sensitively with trans people in community justice spaces referenced several times.

• The article can be accessed here: Intersectionality and probation practice

Reclaiming domestic abuse recovery centring LGBTIQ+ survivor experience (February 2026)

A new community report, led by STAR Support in partnership with Stonewall Housing and The Outside Project, and co-designed by LGBTIQ+ survivors accessing STAR Support/The Outside Project services has been released. This new community report explores survivor perspectives of recovery and their preferences around support. Centring survivor voices throughout, the report offers nuanced reflections on the approaches and services needed to support LGBTIQ+ survivors of domestic abuse.

• A link to the report can be accessed here
• A related report, exploring LGBTQ= DA survivors access to support, produced in 2023 by Galop can be found here

 

4. Other media

News Story – Joanne Young

A story which has remained surprisingly quiet in the headlines, especially given its instantly recognisable similarity to the Gisele Pelicot case in France – is that of Philip Young, former Conservative counsellor. Young, last month pleaded guilty to nearly 50 sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape, against his (now ex-wife) Joanne Young, over a 14-year period, including administering a substance with intent to stupefy her. Five other men appeared in court alongside Young on Friday in connection with alleged offences against Joanne Young.

• Guardian article – 23 January can be found here
• BBC article – 23 January is here
• The original BBC reporting: Philip Young in court charged with sex offences against ex-wife – BBC News

Lover, Liar Predator – a new BBC documentary on iPlayer

This 85-minute documentary follows four women, all survivors of perpetrator Aaron Swann. The documentary details the confusion, intricacies and frightening realities of coercive control.

• The link for the documentary can be accessed here
• A 4-star review by Guardian journalist and TV Critic Lucy Mangan can be found here

Reasons to Stay – a website for support for those struggling with suicidal ideation

Reasons to Stay is a suicide prevention project, designed to reach people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers. Letters are written by real people and delivered at random when you visit the page. The project was designed in memory of Sam West, who took his own life in 2018.

• The link for the website is here