Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed that can include a memory unit, and a memory management unit coupled to the memory unit. The memory management unit can include address mapping circuitry and access control circuitry operable to: provide address mappings for at least a frame stack and a link stack in the memory unit for programs being executed by the processing unit, and provide an access permission indicator applicable to any segment of the memory unit. A processing unit can save context information for a program to the frame stack, and execute a savelink instruction subsequent to the execution of a branch and link instruction. If the access permission indicator is set, the savelink instruction saves to the link stack a return address provided by the branch and link instruction.