Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 438 | 20th May 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 BLOG: the Queen, our prisons, and the next reform

The Queen has undertaken her ceremonial duties at the State Opening of Parliament, setting out the government’s plan for policies and proposed legislation during the next session; Clinks' Head of Policy and Communications, Nathan Dick, has written a blog taking a closer look and explaining why it’s a good idea to pay attention. The blog looks at the aims of the Prison Reform and Courts bill, autonomous governors, and reform prisons. Nathan writes, "These ‘early adopter’ prisons represent only a handful of the prison estate, but we can be sure that a lot of focus will be on them in the months and years to come. Doubtless there will be some questions about what this means for the women's prison estate, approaches to young adults, and the over-representation of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in our prison system." Read the blog here

CLINKS EVENTS: racial bias in the Criminal Justice System

Clinks is running two consultation events [1st June, London | 7th June, Manchester | free] with voluntary sector organisations working with those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to inform our response to the government’s review of racial bias and BAME representation in the CJS. This will ensure that the knowledge and expertise of the voluntary sector working with those from BAME backgrounds is reflected in the final report and recommendations. The review was announced by David Cameron in January 2016 and is being led by David Lammy MP. The final report is expected to be published in spring 2017. Find out more and book here

CLINKS EVENT: networking for organisations working with women

Are you a voluntary sector organisation working with women in the Criminal Justice System? Are there burning issues facing you and your organisation which you would like to raise? Join us for the first half-day networking forum [23rd June, Preston, free for members, £30 for non-members], the first in a series of forums to discuss the issues and concerns that really matter to you during these uncertain and challenging times. You will hear about policy developments in this area of work and have the chance to meet and network with other organisations over lunch. The information gathered will enable Clinks to represent you to government and other key stakeholders. Book your place here

CLINKS EVENTS: changing public opinion on justice issues

Clinks and Transforming Justice are hosting half-day workshops [June & July | various locations | free for members, £50 for non-members] on how to reframe the criminal justice debate, to help you make your communications more powerful for the public, the media and policy makers. The workshops will present two years of research to find out how we in the criminal justice sector can communicate more effectively on the issues and policies affecting our work with offenders and their families. We will explore what it is that makes the general public disinterested in the positive arguments for a rehabilitative culture for offenders and look at attitudes towards prison and the Criminal Justice System in the media. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: supporting older offenders

Recoop has updated their document library with nearly 60 resources to support voluntary sector organisations working with older offenders in the community. The resources range from good practice guides to session plans, and can be accessed through the members' area on the Recoop website - sign up and login as member (free), click on the 'resource/document library' under the members tab, and browse the resources, which include: 'Supporting older offenders with Dementia', 'Hypertension - blood pressure: Do you know what to look for?', and 'Good Practice Guide: Accessing local services for older offenders'. Visit the Recoop website to explore the library here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: residential courses for veterans

Forward Assist, in partnership with Calvert Trust, is providing fully inclusive three-day residential courses for groups of veterans who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System. Their aim is to support former service personnel who may be struggling with the challenges and culture shock of adjusting to civilian life and a civilian workplace. The courses will help participants work on achieving individual and team objectives, push their boundaries to try new things and rebuild the confidence to move forward in their daily lives. They are welcoming applications from organisations supporting veterans who would benefit from the courses, which will run from November 2016 - February 2017. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: app exploring the impact of imprisonment

Prison image has launched ‘Visiting Times’, a free interactive iPad and iPhone app which explores the impact of imprisonment on both families and prisoners, and aims to increase understanding of the importance of family contact while serving a prison sentence. Combining video, photographs, text and interactive elements, the app tells the stories of three families who have found themselves confronting the realities of having a loved one behind bars. The stories are told from both sides of the prison wall reflecting the experiences of the families and the prisoners themselves, providing a revealing insight into the importance of family contact. Download the app on your phone here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: supporting pregnant and new mothers in prison

Birth Companions will launch 'The Birth Charter for women in prisons in England and Wales' on 26th May. The Birth Charter is intended to help inform the government’s review to improve current practice across prisons, on aspects ranging from antenatal care and birthing partners to breastfeeding, family visits and counselling. Drawing on twenty years of supporting pregnant women and new mothers in prison, Birth Companions has developed the Charter in consultation with their service users and with guidance from the Royal College of Midwives and UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative. To receive a copy of the Charter on launch day, register your interest here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison reform announcements

The government has announced the details of the six ‘reform prisons’ to test new approaches to facilitate rehabilitation. The reform prisons will be HMP Wandsworth, south London; HMP Holme House, Stockton-on-Tees; HMP Ranby, Nottinghamshire; HMP Coldingley, Woking; HMP Kirklevington Grange, Cleveland; and HMP High Down, Sutton. As part of the announcement, the government has said that freedoms for prison governors will be extended to all key aspects of prison management; and the Prisons Bill will be the centrepiece of a new government legislative programme, which is focused on big social reform to extend life chances and opportunity for all. Read the announcement here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: review of education in prison

The Ministry of Justice has published Dame Sally Coates’ report and recommendations following her review of education in prison. 'Unlocking potential: a review of education in prison' sets out recommendations relating to: the current accountability framework for delivering education; the capacity of the workforce; the learning needs of different types of prisoners; the ability of prisoners to access higher level learning; the potential for IT to support education; and services available to support prisoners to get employment and/or continue their education on release. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison safety report

The House of Commons Justice Committee has published a report on prison safety, concluding that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) must produce an action plan for improving prison safety, addressing the factors underlying the rises in violence, self-harm and suicide. The report states that the MoJ and NOMS have sought to improve prison safety through a wide range of legislative, operational and staff recruitment measures, but despite these efforts, and those of staff in prisons to keep prisoners and themselves secure and unharmed, overall levels of safety in prison have continued to fall. Download the report here

FUNDING: for community-led housing projects

Locality has launched a fund to support community groups at the early stages of an affordable community-led housing project. The Early Stage Support programme, funded by the Nationwide Foundation, offers mentoring and small grants to help community-led housing projects get started. Support will be provided to support groups to navigate the crucial early stages of a project to a point where they are ready to apply for other funding or sources of finance. In addition to a cash grant of £2,220, successful applicants will be assigned a mentor, and receive up to five days of intensive support from Locality on a one-to-one basis. The deadline for applications is 12th August. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: for cultural projects in Wales

Grants of between £3,000 and £5,000 are available from the City of Cardiff Council for not-for-profit organisations in Cardiff to deliver arts activities and contribute to the Welsh Cabinet's vision of Cardiff becoming 'Europe’s most liveable capital city'. Activities must meet at least one of the Council's objectives: engage with disadvantaged communities in the Communities First Clusters of Cardiff; engage with young people aged 18-25 years who are not in employment, education or training; support a programme or opportunities for apprenticeships, trainee schemes and work experience placements for young people; and support community engagement by bringing together different groups within the community. The deadline for applications is 10th June. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: promoting long-term change in communities

Virgin Money Foundation's North East Fund is open to applications. Grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 are available for initiatives that promote long-term change in communities that need it most in the local authority areas of Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton on Tees and Sunderland. Projects should focus on one of the following objectives: enabling homeless people or people at risk of homelessness to find a home; providing opportunities for youth education, training and enterprise; and creating and supporting community and social enterprise. The application deadline is 1st October. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: supporting frontline voices

The Making Every Adult Matter coalition's Voices from the Frontline project would like to invite you to attend the launch of an exhibition [7th June, Birmingham, free] which will celebrate the work done so far, look at what they've learned, and examine where they should go next. The Voices from the Frontline project aims to bring the voices of people with multiple needs and those who support them to the heart of the policy debate. The exhibition will tell stories both about the challenges people are facing, and the lessons for policymakers can draw from their experiences. For more information and bookings click here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: identifying good probation practice

NoOffence! are holding their 'Annual probation practitioner conference 2016' [8th June, Sheffield, from £55+VAT] which aims to bring together practitioners, managers, academics, trainers, and third sector agencies in probation, rehabilitation and community justice to explore some of the key practice issues in criminal justice. The event will be an opportunity to identify good probation practice developing across the sector, share good practice across agency boundaries, and to contribute to the further development of an evidence base for probation practice. Speakers will include Paul Wilson CBE, Former Chief Probation Officer & interim Chief Inspector of Probation; and Nigel Hosking, SPO Service User Involvement, London CRC Ltd. Find out more and book here

NON-MEMBERS' EVENTS

  • 'The Fallen Women: Then and Now' | 21st May, London, free | Details

FEATURED VACANCY: Circles Coordinator

Circles South West has a vacancy for a Circles Coordinator (Intellectual Disability) [£30,000 per annum pro rata, 17.5 hours per week, Avon] to lead a new and innovative intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities who have sexually harmed. The successful applicant will recruit, train, and support small groups of community volunteers to provide Circles of Support and Accountability for adults with intellectual disabilities, enabling them to make safe choices; understand the consequences of their behaviour; establish social and occupational opportunities, promoting social inclusion; and work in partnership with the Forensic Community Learning Disabilities Team and other relevant organisations. The closing date for applications is 3rd June. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

New job vacancies this week include: a Keyworker with St Giles Trust [London], a Family Resettlement Worker (Community) with Pact [London], an Asset Management Assistant with Changing Lives [Gateshead], a Projects Coordinator (Equalities) with Independent Academic Research Studies [London] and an Older Offender Coordinator with Age UK North Tyneside [North Tyneside]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: A 3-night trip to Copenhagen, including flights and breakfast, is £189. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Download the Greggs app to get a free hot drink. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Get 75 photo prints for £1.99. 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 10,101 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 ben.watson@clinks.org

[Disclaimer]

 

Designed, composed and circulated every Friday by...

Ben Watson

Clinks