Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 382 | 13th March 2015

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In this week's edition....

CLINKS NEWS: what do criminal justice statistics tell us?

'The Criminal Justice System - what do the statistics tell us?' is a new blog from Nicola Drinkwater, Clinks' Policy Officer, which analyses a number of recent statistical reports from the Ministry of Justice. Nicola covers the population in custody, safety in prisons, and the effects of sentencing. "These statistics give us some indication of the current challenges within the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and what the possible implications are for people in contact with the system. As the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms are embedded there will be keen interest from voluntary and statutory sector organisations as to what impact this will have on these statistics in the future." Read the full blog here

CLINKS NEWS: responses to young adult offending

‘Better in Europe? European responses to young adult offending’ is a new report, commissioned by T2A Alliance, which finds that European justice systems have embraced the need for a distinct approach to young adults at all stages of the Criminal Justice System. The authors found that it is common practice in Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, for young adult offenders to be allowed to remain in the youth prison system into at least their early 20s. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: founder awarded an MBE

On Tuesday February 24th, Prince William awarded User Voice founder Mark Johnson an MBE for services to vulnerable people at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Mark said: "I see this MBE as a big deal; it shows that somebody like me can be seen as a contributor to society rather than a drain." Read the full press release here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Simon Hughes visits women's project

Justice Minister Simon Hughes visited Together for mental wellbeing’s Liaison and Diversion service last week, where he heard from frontline practitioners about the positive impact their actions have on women’s outcomes through identifying and addressing women’s needs through assessment, referring to services and preparing reports for the court. The service runs at Thames Magistrates Court in partnership with East London NHS Foundation Trust, and forms part of NHS England’s London trial site for Liaison and Diversion, with a specific emphasis on identifying and addressing the needs of women. Read more about the visit here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: ombudsman report on self-inflicted deaths in custody

'Learning From PPO Investigations: Self-Inflicted Deaths of Prisoners 2013/14' is the latest annual report from Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Nigel Newcomen, that reports a 64% increase in self-inflicted deaths in custody investigated by his office. Mr Newcomen sets out a raft of recommendations to combat the increase in self-inflicted deaths, saying there was an "urgent need to improve safety in custody. There is no simple, well-evidenced answer to why the number of prisoners taking their own lives rose so sharply last year, but the rise was unacceptable". Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspecting probation work in Dorset

HM Inspectorate of Probation will be carrying out an inspection of Early Work and Effective Recording undertaken by the National Probation Service (NPS) and Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) in Dorset during the week commencing 20th April 2015. If you have any queries about this, please contact the HMI Probation (Enquiries) mailbox at Enquiries.HMIProb@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk

FUNDING: empowering women

The Women's Empowerment Fund provides grants of between £2,000 and £20,000 for voluntary sector organisations, including faith groups, who work with women in the community. Funding is available for local community engagement projects that empower women to challenge abuse, including child sexual abuse, and is particularly aimed at women who find it difficult to get their voices heard. The deadline for applications is 31st March. Find out more here

FUNDING: supporting local communities

The Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards aim to recognise and support social enterprises and Community Interest Companies in the UK that are working to grow their business and improve their local community. Prizes of up to £10,000 are available for organisations that are: improving social inclusion; supporting disadvantaged people through skills, training and employment; or creating a greener environment. The deadline for applications is 10th April. Find out more here

FUNDING: building better communities

Jewson's 'Building Better Communities Competition' provides winners with up to £50,000 in prizes for transforming spaces and places in need of a little love and attention across the UK. The awards are meant to be used to support building projects of all shapes and sizes, no matter how innovative or ambitious. The competition is open to any local group in the UK that has a ‘big idea’ that will benefit its community. The awards are to be used to help pay for the cost of building materials and labour and can be spent on anything from a new roof for the local village hall, a sensory garden, a community festival or a coat of paint for a neglected public facility. The deadline for entries is 12th April. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: improving outcomes for BAME offenders

'The role of TR providers and local criminal justice agencies in delivering improved outcomes for BAME offenders' is a BTEG and LVSC event [26th March, London, free] aiming to explore whether Transforming Rehabilitation will improve outcomes for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) offenders who experience some of the poorest outcomes across the offender population. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: combating hate crime and xenophobia

'Combating Hate Crimes and Xenophobia through Restorative Justice' is IARS' spring lecture [13th April, London], given by guest international restorative justice expert Professor Marelize Schoeman (University of South Africa) and hate crime specialist Dr. Mark Walters (University of Sussex). The lecture will focus on the utilisation of restorative justice as catalyst for social transformation and the prevention of xenophobia and hate crimes. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: offenders with learning or developmental disabilities

'The 14th international conference on the care and treatment of offenders with an intellectual or developmental disability' is a National Autistic Society two day conference [15th - 16th April, Leeds, from £185] for reflection and sharing for services providing care for offenders with a learning disability and/or developmental disabilities, including autism, both in the public and independent health and social care sectors and the Criminal Justice System. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: combating domestic violence and abuse

'Is Prevention Better Than Cure?' is a NoOffence! conference [22nd April, Chesterfield, from £50] that will focus on domestic violence and abuse. The event will ask if it's possible to achieve a return on investment through the prevention of domestic abuse/violence. Whose responsibility is it to invest in our children to recognise what a healthy relationship looks like? And should our commissioning structure divert reducing resources away from the ‘sticky plaster’ solution and towards prevention? Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: mental health in prisons

'Mental Health & Learning Disabilities in Prison' is an AMIMB workshop [7th May, Birmingham, free] that will discuss the potential contributions of Independent Monitoring Board members in monitoring how the mental health needs of prisoners are met in day to day practice in the current context of NHS commissioning and provision. During the day, attendees are encouraged to discuss their experiences of mental health needs amongst prisoners that have been difficult to resolve. Speakers include Dr Kimmett Edgar, Prison Reform Trust; Dr Adrian Grounds, University of Cambridge; Professor Jenny Shaw, University of Manchester; Professor Geoff Shepherd, Centre for Mental Health; and Ms Jenny Talbot OBE, Prison Reform Trust. Find out more and book your place here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'What are the alternatives to prison?' | 21st April, London, donations | Details
  • 'Transforming Rehabilitation to Reduce Reoffending' | 24th April, London, from £245 | Details
  • 'Probation in England and Wales: assessing the impact of the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme' | 9th June, London, £210 | Details
  • 'The Future of Pre-charge Police Bail' | 17th June, London, free | Details

BLOG: exploring restorative justice through theatre

'Exploring restorative justice through theatre' is a new guest blog post from Davina Cull on the National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice's website. Davina is the project manager for a Restorative Justice partnership project called Make Amends in Torbay. "As I sat and watched the performance in the chapel of the prison surrounded by forty prisoners, I was reminded of the power of using drama with offenders. After the play finished the prisoners demonstrated the positive impact that the event had on them as they lined up to shake hands with the cast and asked me questions about what they can do to make amends for what they had done. One of the prisoners said ‘The play I’ve just watched was very emotional. I think it’s a very good idea for victims of crimes to be able to meet their offenders to try and get answers and maybe some sort of closure.'" Read Davina's blog post in full here

RESOURCE: crime reduction toolkit

An online toolkit has been launched, hosted by the College of Policing, which provides evidence about what does and doesn't work in reducing crime. The portal covers 14 topics, including CCTV and drink-driving, with plans to expand this as new evidence and research becomes available. Find out more here

CAMPAIGN: Women in Prison's manifesto

Women in Prison has released their calls to action for the next Government to support women affected by the Criminal Justice System. "It's time for a new approach to criminal justice, where the abuse, marginalisation and poverty at the root of so much of women's offending are addressed and custodial sentencing is used as a last resort." Find out more and support the campaign here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

A Project Coordinator with the Thames Valley Partnership [Chilton], a Programme Team Leader with Splitz Support Service [Exeter], a Creche Worker [Doncaster] and a Treasurer [North East] with Changing Lives, a Network Coordinator with Safe Ground [London], a Peer Mentor and Volunteer Coordinator with Eaves [London], a Catering Worker with Spurgeons [HMP Pentonville], a Project Support Worker and an Administrator with ISSA Wales [Cardiff] and Grants Administrator with the Prisoners' Education Trust [London]. For further information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a free pint of Guinness or Jameson Irish Mule cocktail to celebrate St Patrick's Day at Pitcher & Piano. Details
  • Tip of the week II: For £99 two people can stay overnight at the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. Deal includes breakfast, two course dinner and glass of sparkling wine. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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