Russell Webster
@russellwebster.com
Researcher, evaluator, consultant & writer in drugs, alcohol & criminal justice. My blog keeps you up-to-date on the latest policy, practice and research.
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...
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...
www.ungripp.com
September 23, 2026 at 9:15 AM
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...
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...
A Secure Future?
@robroballen.bsky.social proposes a solution to the endemic problems of youth custody
robroballen.substack.com/p/a-secure-f...
@robroballen.bsky.social proposes a solution to the endemic problems of youth custody
robroballen.substack.com/p/a-secure-f...
A Secure Future?
Solving the endemic problems of youth custody
robroballen.substack.com
September 22, 2026 at 11:07 AM
A Secure Future?
@robroballen.bsky.social proposes a solution to the endemic problems of youth custody
robroballen.substack.com/p/a-secure-f...
@robroballen.bsky.social proposes a solution to the endemic problems of youth custody
robroballen.substack.com/p/a-secure-f...
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...
The truth about UK prisons and organised crime: ‘They’re your good lads. Respectful. Keep their noses clean’ www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
The 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
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2026 at 10:25 AM
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...
The truth about UK prisons and organised crime: ‘They’re your good lads. Respectful. Keep their noses clean’ www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
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...
@Guardian long read by @maxdaly.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
A 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
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2026 at 9:25 AM
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...
@Guardian long read by @maxdaly.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
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-...
@hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace.
www.russellwebster.com/two-in-five-...
Two in five children feel unsafe in custody
HMI Prisons surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace.
www.russellwebster.com
September 22, 2026 at 6:22 AM
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-...
@hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social surveys of children in custody finds standards generally poor with violence commonplace.
www.russellwebster.com/two-in-five-...
HMP Leicester Review of Progress
Much positive progress but still a way to go
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Much positive progress but still a way to go
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
HMP Leicester – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
September 21, 2026 at 5:44 AM
HMP Leicester Review of Progress
Much positive progress but still a way to go
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Much positive progress but still a way to go
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
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...
@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...
Women in prison are losing education when they need it most
Jon Collins of PET and Natasha Finlayson of Working Chance raise concerns about cuts to education in women's prisons.
www.russellwebster.com
September 21, 2026 at 5:39 AM
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...
@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...
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...
New Common Ground Justice report on public perceptions of the CJS.
www.russellwebster.com/how-can-we-r...
How can we rebuild trust in the justice system?
New Common Ground Justice report on public perceptions of the CJS.
www.russellwebster.com
September 18, 2026 at 5:26 AM
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...
New Common Ground Justice report on public perceptions of the CJS.
www.russellwebster.com/how-can-we-r...
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...
static1.squarespace.com/static/5ec3c...
static1.squarespace.com
September 17, 2026 at 8:31 AM
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...
static1.squarespace.com/static/5ec3c...
Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show
via @syalrajeev.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
via @syalrajeev.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show
Exclusive: Ten category C prisons in England and Wales asked to add second beds, in breach of safe occupancy limits
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show
via @syalrajeev.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
via @syalrajeev.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
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.
September 15, 2026 at 5:19 AM
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.
The MoJ is piloting Check-In with your probation officer with facial recognition (E-Supervision)
www.gov.uk/algorithmic-...
www.gov.uk/algorithmic-...
MoJ: 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.
www.gov.uk
September 15, 2026 at 5:06 AM
The MoJ is piloting Check-In with your probation officer with facial recognition (E-Supervision)
www.gov.uk/algorithmic-...
www.gov.uk/algorithmic-...
HMP Bure inspection
A mainly positive report although education, training & resettlement support sub-standard
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
A mainly positive report although education, training & resettlement support sub-standard
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
HMP Bure – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
September 14, 2026 at 5:13 AM
HMP Bure inspection
A mainly positive report although education, training & resettlement support sub-standard
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
A mainly positive report although education, training & resettlement support sub-standard
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
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...
The newest additions to the Butler Trust Knowledge Exchange site for prison, probation and youth justice practitioners.
www.russellwebster.com/the-latest-s...
The latest (summer 2026) resources for justice practitioners
The newest additions to the Butler Trust’s Knowledge Exchange site for prison, probation and youth justice practitioners.
www.russellwebster.com
September 9, 2026 at 5:48 AM
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...
The newest additions to the Butler Trust Knowledge Exchange site for prison, probation and youth justice practitioners.
www.russellwebster.com/the-latest-s...
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-...
@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-...
A voluntary sector manifesto for criminal justice reform
Clinks has published a new manifesto setting out a comprehensive set of recommendations for justice reform for the new government.
www.russellwebster.com
September 8, 2026 at 5:33 AM
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-...
@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-...
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).
September 7, 2026 at 11:06 AM
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).
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...
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...
HMP High Down – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
September 7, 2026 at 5:10 AM
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...
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...
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...
www.russellwebster.com/what-is-behi...
What is behind the increase in prison violence?
Rapid Evidence Assessment examines causes of prison violence and their implications.
www.russellwebster.com
September 7, 2026 at 5:00 AM
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...
www.russellwebster.com/what-is-behi...
‘Recovery TikTok’: How Can Drug Treatment Services Support Young People? via Talking drugs www.talkingdrugs.org/recovery-tik...
‘Recovery TikTok’: How Can Drug Treatment Services Support Young People? - TalkingDrugs
As youth look to social media for information about substance use and treatment, existing services need to adapt to the changing times.
www.talkingdrugs.org
September 4, 2026 at 8:40 AM
‘Recovery TikTok’: How Can Drug Treatment Services Support Young People? via Talking drugs www.talkingdrugs.org/recovery-tik...
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...
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...
HMP Lindholme – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
September 1, 2026 at 5:42 AM
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...
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...
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...
@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...
We need a proportionate prison recall system
Nacro says a focus on reducing prison recalls is the best way to tackle the prison capacity crisis.
www.russellwebster.com
August 27, 2026 at 5:39 AM
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...
@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...
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...
Prison improving but still major concerns includnig violence and self-harm
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
HMP Altcourse – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
August 24, 2026 at 5:39 AM
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...
Prison improving but still major concerns includnig violence and self-harm
via @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
HMP Risley inspection
An improving prison although needs better work & education & too many people released homeless
via @HMIPrisonsnews
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
An improving prison although needs better work & education & too many people released homeless
via @HMIPrisonsnews
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
HMP Risley – HM Inspectorate of Prisons
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
August 24, 2026 at 5:35 AM
HMP Risley inspection
An improving prison although needs better work & education & too many people released homeless
via @HMIPrisonsnews
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
An improving prison although needs better work & education & too many people released homeless
via @HMIPrisonsnews
hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_repo...
Compassion fatigue in probation practice
Anton Roberts summarises the evidence on compassion fatigue in probation practice for @HMIProbation
www.russellwebster.com/compassion-f...
Anton Roberts summarises the evidence on compassion fatigue in probation practice for @HMIProbation
www.russellwebster.com/compassion-f...
Compassion fatigue in probation practice
Anton Roberts summarises the evidence on compassion fatigue in probation practice for the probation inspectorate.
www.russellwebster.com
August 24, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Compassion fatigue in probation practice
Anton Roberts summarises the evidence on compassion fatigue in probation practice for @HMIProbation
www.russellwebster.com/compassion-f...
Anton Roberts summarises the evidence on compassion fatigue in probation practice for @HMIProbation
www.russellwebster.com/compassion-f...
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/...
SL5 Legal barrister spots legal error 20 years after sentence, Appeal Court criticises "flaw in the system" www.sl5legal.co.uk/single-post/...
Press Release: Court of Appeal quashes unlawful IPP sentence and criticises “flaw in the system” of IPP sentence appeals
The 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 ...
www.sl5legal.co.uk
August 24, 2026 at 5:29 AM
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/...
SL5 Legal barrister spots legal error 20 years after sentence, Appeal Court criticises "flaw in the system" www.sl5legal.co.uk/single-post/...