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.
There are 86,838 people in prison today, a fall of 124 on last week.
December 23, 2025 at 7:43 AM
There are 86,838 people in prison today, a fall of 124 on last week.
Prosecutions for strangulation in England and Wales increase sixfold in three years
CPS says new law marked ‘significant shift in recognising serious nature’ of offence, often linked to domestic abuse and sexual assault
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
CPS says new law marked ‘significant shift in recognising serious nature’ of offence, often linked to domestic abuse and sexual assault
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Prosecutions for strangulation in England and Wales increase sixfold in three years
CPS says new law marked ‘significant shift in recognising serious nature’ of offence, often linked to domestic abuse and sexual assault
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Prosecutions for strangulation in England and Wales increase sixfold in three years
CPS says new law marked ‘significant shift in recognising serious nature’ of offence, often linked to domestic abuse and sexual assault
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
CPS says new law marked ‘significant shift in recognising serious nature’ of offence, often linked to domestic abuse and sexual assault
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Dame Carol Black appointed as independent advisor on drugs
A little bit of positive news for Christmas:
Dame Carol Black GBE has been appointed to the role of independent advisor to the UK government on drugs for a 3-year term until November 2028.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A little bit of positive news for Christmas:
Dame Carol Black GBE has been appointed to the role of independent advisor to the UK government on drugs for a 3-year term until November 2028.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Dame Carol Black appointed as independent advisor on drugs
Dame Carol Black GBE has been appointed to the role of independent advisor to the UK government on drugs for a 3-year term until November 2028.
www.gov.uk
December 22, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Dame Carol Black appointed as independent advisor on drugs
A little bit of positive news for Christmas:
Dame Carol Black GBE has been appointed to the role of independent advisor to the UK government on drugs for a 3-year term until November 2028.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A little bit of positive news for Christmas:
Dame Carol Black GBE has been appointed to the role of independent advisor to the UK government on drugs for a 3-year term until November 2028.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It's Day 22 of my Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz:
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Russell’s Advent Calendar 2025
Welcome to Russell's Advent CalendarThis is my Christmas Quiz, it works like a regular advent calendar and tests your knowledge of some of 2025's main events in criminal justice. It's certainly
www.russellwebster.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:54 AM
It's Day 22 of my Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz:
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
There are just six questions left in my Advent CalendarChristmas criminal justice quiz:
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Russell’s Advent Calendar 2025
Welcome to Russell's Advent CalendarThis is my Christmas Quiz, it works like a regular advent calendar and tests your knowledge of some of 2025's main events in criminal justice. It's certainly
www.russellwebster.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
There are just six questions left in my Advent CalendarChristmas criminal justice quiz:
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
New 'gamechanging' spike detector technology that can tell if your vape has drugs in it to be trialled by police over Christmas
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
December 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
New 'gamechanging' spike detector technology that can tell if your vape has drugs in it to be trialled by police over Christmas
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings work well for prisoners and staff
Positive process evaluation of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings
www.russellwebster.com/incentivised...
Positive process evaluation of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings
www.russellwebster.com/incentivised...
Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings work well for prisoners and staff
Positive process evaluation of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings
www.russellwebster.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings work well for prisoners and staff
Positive process evaluation of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings
www.russellwebster.com/incentivised...
Positive process evaluation of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison Wings
www.russellwebster.com/incentivised...
The impact of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison wings
Randomised Controlled Trial finds ISFL prison wings provide a more stable environment with fewer assaults and incidents of self-harm
www.russellwebster.com/the-impact-o...
Randomised Controlled Trial finds ISFL prison wings provide a more stable environment with fewer assaults and incidents of self-harm
www.russellwebster.com/the-impact-o...
The impact of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison wings
Randomised Controlled Trial finds incentivised substance free living prison wings provide a more stable environment.
www.russellwebster.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:39 AM
The impact of Incentivised Substance Free Living prison wings
Randomised Controlled Trial finds ISFL prison wings provide a more stable environment with fewer assaults and incidents of self-harm
www.russellwebster.com/the-impact-o...
Randomised Controlled Trial finds ISFL prison wings provide a more stable environment with fewer assaults and incidents of self-harm
www.russellwebster.com/the-impact-o...
Urgent Notification on HMP Swaleside
@HMIPrisonsnews has issued a UN after inspectors discovered "dangerously unsafe conditions for prisoners and staff".
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...
@HMIPrisonsnews has issued a UN after inspectors discovered "dangerously unsafe conditions for prisoners and staff".
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk
December 17, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Urgent Notification on HMP Swaleside
@HMIPrisonsnews has issued a UN after inspectors discovered "dangerously unsafe conditions for prisoners and staff".
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...
@HMIPrisonsnews has issued a UN after inspectors discovered "dangerously unsafe conditions for prisoners and staff".
cdn.websitebuilder.service.justice.gov.uk/uploads/site...
Serious Further Offences keep rising
HMI Probation's fourth annual report on serious further offences reveals poor communication with victims' families. www.russellwebster.com/serious-furt...
HMI Probation's fourth annual report on serious further offences reveals poor communication with victims' families. www.russellwebster.com/serious-furt...
Serious Further Offences keep rising
HMI Probation's fourth annual report on serious further offences reveals poor communication with victims' families.
www.russellwebster.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Serious Further Offences keep rising
HMI Probation's fourth annual report on serious further offences reveals poor communication with victims' families. www.russellwebster.com/serious-furt...
HMI Probation's fourth annual report on serious further offences reveals poor communication with victims' families. www.russellwebster.com/serious-furt...
Looking for a new job in the New Year?
@cjinnovation.bsky.social is looking for a new policy officer: www.russellwebster.com/job/cjipol12...
@cjinnovation.bsky.social is looking for a new policy officer: www.russellwebster.com/job/cjipol12...
Policy Officer – Centre for Justice Innovation
Employment Type: Permanent / 35 hours per weekLocation Hybrid · London Flexible hours and home working are available.Salary: £35,000Team: Policy & CommunicationSeniority: Ju
www.russellwebster.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Looking for a new job in the New Year?
@cjinnovation.bsky.social is looking for a new policy officer: www.russellwebster.com/job/cjipol12...
@cjinnovation.bsky.social is looking for a new policy officer: www.russellwebster.com/job/cjipol12...
It's Day 15 of my Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz:
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Russell’s Advent Calendar 2025
Welcome to Russell's Advent CalendarThis is my Christmas Quiz, it works like a regular advent calendar and tests your knowledge of some of 2025's main events in criminal justice. It's certainly
www.russellwebster.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM
It's Day 15 of my Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz:
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
There are 86,962 people in prison today, a fall of 94 on last week.
December 15, 2025 at 1:09 PM
There are 86,962 people in prison today, a fall of 94 on last week.
Today's criminal justice quiz question asks about women in the CJS...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Russell’s Advent Calendar 2025
Welcome to Russell's Advent CalendarThis is my Christmas Quiz, it works like a regular advent calendar and tests your knowledge of some of 2025's main events in criminal justice. It's certainly
www.russellwebster.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Today's criminal justice quiz question asks about women in the CJS...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Influencing public opinion on crime
Tom McNeill of Jabbs Foundation reviews the evidence on how organisations can influence public opinion on crime for the @clinks-charity.bsky.social Evidence Library.
www.russellwebster.com/influencing-...
Tom McNeill of Jabbs Foundation reviews the evidence on how organisations can influence public opinion on crime for the @clinks-charity.bsky.social Evidence Library.
www.russellwebster.com/influencing-...
Influencing public opinion on crime
Tom McNeil reviews the evidence on how organisations can influence public opinion on crime for the Clinks Evidence Library.
www.russellwebster.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Influencing public opinion on crime
Tom McNeill of Jabbs Foundation reviews the evidence on how organisations can influence public opinion on crime for the @clinks-charity.bsky.social Evidence Library.
www.russellwebster.com/influencing-...
Tom McNeill of Jabbs Foundation reviews the evidence on how organisations can influence public opinion on crime for the @clinks-charity.bsky.social Evidence Library.
www.russellwebster.com/influencing-...
It's day 11 of my Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz:
How much do you know about the CJS?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
How much do you know about the CJS?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Russell’s Advent Calendar 2025
Welcome to Russell's Advent CalendarThis is my Christmas Quiz, it works like a regular advent calendar and tests your knowledge of some of 2025's main events in criminal justice. It's certainly
www.russellwebster.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:57 AM
It's day 11 of my Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz:
How much do you know about the CJS?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
How much do you know about the CJS?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Neurodiversity in Custody: Screening Results for ADHD and Autistic Traits in Individuals Arrested by the London Metropolitan Police
Interesting study by Dion Brown & colleagues
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Interesting study by Dion Brown & colleagues
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Neurodiversity in Custody: Screening Results for ADHD and Autistic Traits in Individuals Arrested by the London Metropolitan Police
Background Previous studies have identified high rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in incarcerated populations. Despite such findings and the potential benefits of ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Neurodiversity in Custody: Screening Results for ADHD and Autistic Traits in Individuals Arrested by the London Metropolitan Police
Interesting study by Dion Brown & colleagues
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Interesting study by Dion Brown & colleagues
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Prisons must recognise the impact of childhood trauma
@centreformh.bsky.social evaluation of @prisonadvice.bsky.social trauma-informed support project for young men at HMP Brinsford www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/wp-content/u...
@centreformh.bsky.social evaluation of @prisonadvice.bsky.social trauma-informed support project for young men at HMP Brinsford www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/wp-content/u...
www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Prisons must recognise the impact of childhood trauma
@centreformh.bsky.social evaluation of @prisonadvice.bsky.social trauma-informed support project for young men at HMP Brinsford www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/wp-content/u...
@centreformh.bsky.social evaluation of @prisonadvice.bsky.social trauma-informed support project for young men at HMP Brinsford www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Prison education: it’s time to bridge the digital divide Cassie Edmiston, Head of Fundraising and External Affairs at @prisonersed.bsky.social , sets out how the government can boost digital learning in prisons.
www.russellwebster.com/prison-educa...
www.russellwebster.com/prison-educa...
Prison education: it’s time to bridge the digital divide
Cassie Edmiston, Head of Fundraising and External Affairs at Prisoners' Education Trust, sets out how the government can boost digital learning in prisons.
www.russellwebster.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Prison education: it’s time to bridge the digital divide Cassie Edmiston, Head of Fundraising and External Affairs at @prisonersed.bsky.social , sets out how the government can boost digital learning in prisons.
www.russellwebster.com/prison-educa...
www.russellwebster.com/prison-educa...
Got 30 seconds to kill mindlessly?
Why not try today's Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Why not try today's Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Russell’s Advent Calendar 2025
Welcome to Russell's Advent CalendarThis is my Christmas Quiz, it works like a regular advent calendar and tests your knowledge of some of 2025's main events in criminal justice. It's certainly
www.russellwebster.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Got 30 seconds to kill mindlessly?
Why not try today's Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Why not try today's Advent Calendar criminal justice quiz?
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Biggest reforms to policing since the 1960s ‘being threatened by lack of money’
Home secretary’s plans for a radical reshaping of policing could be delayed due to lack of funds
via @VikramDodd
And that sums up the current CJS situation in a nutshell
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Home secretary’s plans for a radical reshaping of policing could be delayed due to lack of funds
via @VikramDodd
And that sums up the current CJS situation in a nutshell
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Biggest reforms to policing since the 1960s ‘being threatened by lack of money’
Home secretary’s plans for a radical reshaping of policing in England and Wales could be delayed due to lack of funds
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Biggest reforms to policing since the 1960s ‘being threatened by lack of money’
Home secretary’s plans for a radical reshaping of policing could be delayed due to lack of funds
via @VikramDodd
And that sums up the current CJS situation in a nutshell
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Home secretary’s plans for a radical reshaping of policing could be delayed due to lack of funds
via @VikramDodd
And that sums up the current CJS situation in a nutshell
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Probation: An Extension of the Prison?
"But the latest expectation, that probation practitioners will function as security guards or de facto prison officers, is a profound and dangerous misstep." Guest blog on @jimbrownblogger.bsky.social
probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/12/gues...
"But the latest expectation, that probation practitioners will function as security guards or de facto prison officers, is a profound and dangerous misstep." Guest blog on @jimbrownblogger.bsky.social
probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/12/gues...
Guest Blog 107
Probation: An Extension of the Prison? Against the backdrop of the recent attacks on Probation Officers in Oxford and Preston, we expected c...
probationmatters.blogspot.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Probation: An Extension of the Prison?
"But the latest expectation, that probation practitioners will function as security guards or de facto prison officers, is a profound and dangerous misstep." Guest blog on @jimbrownblogger.bsky.social
probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/12/gues...
"But the latest expectation, that probation practitioners will function as security guards or de facto prison officers, is a profound and dangerous misstep." Guest blog on @jimbrownblogger.bsky.social
probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/12/gues...
Three million people on remand worldwide
More than three million people are held in pre-trial detention and other forms of remand in 218 countries.
New report from World Prison Brief & ICPR
www.russellwebster.com/three-millio...
More than three million people are held in pre-trial detention and other forms of remand in 218 countries.
New report from World Prison Brief & ICPR
www.russellwebster.com/three-millio...
Three million people on remand worldwide
More than three million people are held in pre-trial detention and other forms of remand in 218 countries.
www.russellwebster.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Three million people on remand worldwide
More than three million people are held in pre-trial detention and other forms of remand in 218 countries.
New report from World Prison Brief & ICPR
www.russellwebster.com/three-millio...
More than three million people are held in pre-trial detention and other forms of remand in 218 countries.
New report from World Prison Brief & ICPR
www.russellwebster.com/three-millio...
There are 87,056 people in prison today, a fall of 7 on last week.
December 8, 2025 at 11:53 AM
There are 87,056 people in prison today, a fall of 7 on last week.
Russell's Advent Calendar Criminal Justice Quiz A new question every day this week...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
Russell’s Advent Calendar 2025
Welcome to Russell's Advent CalendarThis is my Christmas Quiz, it works like a regular advent calendar and tests your knowledge of some of 2025's main events in criminal justice. It's certainly
www.russellwebster.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Russell's Advent Calendar Criminal Justice Quiz A new question every day this week...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...
www.russellwebster.com/russells-adv...