Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 424 | 5th February 2016

[[{"fid":"864","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

In this week's edition....

CLINKS NEWS: review into outcomes for BAME people in the CJS

Jess Mullen, Clinks Policy Manager, has written a blog about the Government's announcement of a review of racial bias in the Criminal Justice System and research published recently showing the impact of joint enterprise legislation and gangs policy on racial disproportionality. Jess says: "Last week was very interesting and eventful for those of us interested in issues of race and criminal justice. This joint enterprise research makes a hugely important contribution to the body of evidence relating to race and the Criminal Justice System and the causes of the disproportionate number of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people at every stage of it. And the review is an opportunity to consider racial bias across the whole of the Criminal Justice System; from arrest to resettlement. Clinks, as part of the Young Review steering group will work to support David Lammy's review and to ensure that it is fully engaged with the findings and recommendations of the Young Review and others working in this area." Read Jess's blog here

CLINKS EVENTS: reviewing youth justice

In September 2015 the Ministry of Justice announced a review of the youth justice system; with an interim report published this month and a final report in summer 2016. Clinks is holding a series of consultation events [February/March in London, Bristol, and Newcastle] with voluntary sector organisations working in youth justice to inform our response to the review’s interim report in order to ensure that the knowledge and expertise of the voluntary sector working in youth justice is reflected in the final report and recommendations. Find out more here

CLINKS EVENT: involving service users

Are you responsible for service user involvement in your organisation? Join us for these network events for Clinks members only [7th March in York and 16th March in Bristol, free] which will bring together service user involvement managers to share your experiences, expertise, challenges and successes, and learn from one another. Through the session we will aim to celebrate best practice in service user involvement, identify challenges and support needs in your work, and consider what resources are needed to promote and build effective service user involvement across the Criminal Justice System. Places are limited – click here for more information and bookings.

CLINKS EVENT: the potential of women-centred approaches

Clare Jones, Director of WomenCentre and expert on women-centred approaches, will lead an interactive day [23rd March, Manchester, from £50] on how women’s centres make the case for their gendered and holistic approaches with commissioners. Based on Clare’s publication Taking Forward Women Centred Working, it presents an offer to local authorities to reconsider their approach to women experiencing multiple disadvantage and to value the potential of women-centred approaches. Bringing together the expertise of women’s centre staff, this seminar will explore the Taking Forward Women Centred Working approach and consider how women’s centres can benefit from its findings, arguments and dissemination to promote their own value at a local level. events@clinks.org

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: review into bias against black defendants

The Prime Minister has asked David Lammy MP to investigate evidence of possible bias against black defendants and other ethnic minorities. With significant overrepresentation of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) individuals in the Criminal Justice System, the review will consider their treatment and outcomes to identify and help tackle potential bias or prejudice. Reporting back in spring 2017, David Lammy has been asked for recommendations to ultimately reduce the proportion of BAME individuals in the Criminal Justice System and make sure that all suspects and offenders are treated equally, whatever their ethnicity. Lammy said: "With over a quarter of the prison population coming from a BAME background the urgency here is clear. I look forward to leading a team that will evaluate what works in the UK, draw on lessons from abroad and listen to a broad range of voices from the justice system and our BAME communities." Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Chief Inspector of Prisons' parting shots

In a candid interview with the Guardian, Nick Hardwick says he started as chief inspector of prisons wanting to make a difference. As he leaves his post, he says he is losing his capacity for disgust – and tiring of ministerial interference. He said: “If you ask me how my view has changed, and this may be another reason why I’m not sad to leave the job, I’m surprised by how much I don’t like being in prison. Although I have keys and can get out at any time, and I regard myself as pretty resilient, it’s the noise, the echo, the clanging, the claustrophobia, the sense that even if you’ve got keys you’re shut in, and the unhappiness.” Read the full interview here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Head of NOMS addresses Clinks members

Michael Spurr, CEO of NOMS, spoke to Clinks members at our AGM last week. Former Clinks trustee Rob Allen covered it in his blog, saying: "In an admirably candid talk, Spurr said he had hoped for a period of consolidation after the substantial changes to prisons and probation wrought by the last government. But Gove’s refreshing reform agenda offered huge opportunities, with 10,000 new prison places in 9 new prisons enabling a new model of imprisonment in which overcrowding and idleness could be, if not eradicated, then much reduced." Read Rob's blog here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: reviewing the care and management of transgender offenders

The Ministry of Justice is reviewing the care and management of transgender offenders. The review will cover custody, and also services delivered in the community by probation, both by the National Probation Service and Community Rehabilitation Companies, and those for children and young adults in the youth justice system. The review is particularly interested in the role of the voluntary sector in providing or supplementing services. The deadline for submitting evidence is 23rd February. Get involved here

FUNDING: helping NHS England consult people with learning disabilities

NHS England's Learning Disability Engagement Team is offering grant funding of up to £10,000 to voluntary and community groups to run projects that will help NHS England involve people with a learning disability share the issues and challenges that make it harder for them to get the same quality of healthcare as everyone else. The deadline for applications is 17th February. Email LDEngage@nhs.net for details

FUNDING: small organisations in the North East

Grants of up to £15,000 per annum for up to three years are available to charitable organisations operating in the North East of England, incorporating Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Teesside, who are supporting people with disabilities; homeless people; voluntary carers; or older and isolated people. The programme supports core revenue costs of organisations rather than project costs or positions. Priority will be given to smaller organisations with fewer employees, and organisations with a turnover in excess of £300,000 are unlikely to be considered. The deadline for applications is 23rd February. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: can music change prisoners' lives?

'Can music really help prisoners change their lives?' is a short, informal and interactive Irene Taylor Trust breakfast event [11th February, London, 8.15am - 9.15am] that will provide a snapshot of some of the key opportunities and challenges for using the arts in criminal justice settings, and raise awareness of the role that music can play in inspiring positive change in individuals in and on the fringes of the Criminal Justice System. Winston Churchill Travel Award 2015 recipient, Sara Lee, will talk about her recent visits to arts in criminal justice work in the USA and Norway. Sara will also share her experiences as Artistic Director of the Irene Taylor Trust with a particular focus on the Trust’s Music in Prisons programme (Arts and Health Award winner 2013) and its Sounding Out programme which uses music as a basis to support offenders’ transition into the community. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: Nick Hardwick on prison inspections

The Association of Members of Independent Monitoring Boards are running a 'Masterclass on monitoring places of detention' [15th March, London, from £40]. The day features discussions with experts on prison inspections and criminal justice, including Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick, former Chief Inspector of Probation Professor Rod Morgan, and Deputy Director of the Institute of Criminology at University of Cambridge, Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: victims' voices in restorative justice

'Victims’ Voices in Restorative Justice' is an IARS training course [24th February & 15th March, London, from £75] designed to equip professionals with the tools and knowledge on victims' rights in restorative and criminal justice. The training aims to ensure that practices conform with the new EU Victims' Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. Additionally, there will be a focus on the Directive's restorative justice requirements and on increasing knowledge on how to treat and interact with victims in the criminal justice process. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: mental health problems in the CJS

A group of health and social care organisations are running a free webinar [1st March, 2pm] on working with people with mental health problems and other vulnerabilities in contact with the Criminal Justice System. It is often difficult to quantify the added value the voluntary sector brings in engaging and supporting under-served communities, people with protected characteristics, and communities of interest. This webinar will use current case studies to discuss the challenges of evaluation; explore alternative methods for demonstrating value; and identify data required to build a case to demonstrate the value the voluntary sector brings. It will also set out the metrics that can be applied to health and criminal justice settings and scenarios. Find out more and book here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: the use of custody for children in trouble

'Correction or care? The use of custody for children in trouble' is an Academy for Justice Commissioning evening seminar [9th March, London, free] featuring Dr Di Hart, who has a background in childcare social work and management and until recently worked for the National Children's Bureau. Di will present the findings of a Winston Churchill Travel Fellowship looking at child custody in Spain, the US and Finland. Her talk will include: Key elements of each country’s approach to children in out of home care because of their criminal behaviour; Proposals about an ‘ideal’ secure estate; and Recommendations for reform in England and Wales to ensure better commissioning of services for troubled children. Find out more and book here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS & TRAINING

'North Wales Women’s Pathfinder Launch' | 11th February, Rhyl, free | Email for details

LIGHT LUNCH READERS' OFFER: free conference places

The University of Salford are offering 20 free places to Light Lunch readers for their 'Future of Safer Communities conference [23rd February, Salford, free]. The event will discuss how a multi-agency approach, combined with fresh thinking and new technology, can build the sustainable communities of tomorrow. To book your free place, email M.Thompson1@salford.ac.uk

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: A Life Works Manager with Footprints Project [Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset], a Quality Assurance and Administration Officer, a Resettlement Worker and a Trainer Assessor with St Giles Trust [Leeds, Peterborough, London], an Operational Manager with Anglia Care Trust [Ipswich], and a Sessional Worker with Nacro [HMP Chelmsford, HMP Highpoint]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get paid to walk via a free app on your phone. Details
  • Tip of the week II: 20,000 free tickets to Ideal Home Show 2016 at Olympia in London (18th March to 3rd April). Details
  • Tip of the week III: Stay at the 4-star Soar Mill Cove Hotel on the South Devon Coast for £149. Deal includes full English breakfast, 3 course dinner, and prosecco. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

Get involved Donate | Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Join Mailing List

Contact Us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 7383 0966

 

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 9,889 people working (or with an interest) in the Criminal Justice System of England & Wales. Who are they?

To submit content, read the Notes for Contributors here

To unsubscribe, email joe.gardham@clinks.org

[Disclaimer]

 

Designed, composed and circulated every Friday by...

Joe Gardham and Ben Watson

Clinks