Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 462 | 18th November 2016

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: review of BAME disproportionality

Clinks' Head of Policy and Communications, Nathan Dick, has written a blog looking at the interim findings of the Lammy Review of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) disproportionality in the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales. David Lammy MP has launched a report on ethnic disproportionality across the system and a report that examines ethnicity and the odds of being sentenced to prison at the Crown Court. Nathan says, "The findings are stark and should be a wakeup call to the justice system." Read the blog here

CLINKS BRIEFING: disqualification of staff with convictions

Clinks, in partnership with Unlock, has published a briefing on the Charities Act 2016. In April 2017 we expect the new disqualification powers under the Act to start. These powers allow the Charity Commission to prevent people from holding senior management positions, or from being a trustee of a charity, if they have certain criminal convictions. We will be producing guidance with Unlock in early 2017. This briefing summarises what the disqualification is, some of the issues we have with it, and what we are doing to support the sector. Download the briefing here

CLINKS RESPONSE: financial exclusion

Clinks has published a response to the House of Lords Financial Exclusion Committee. The response highlights that having contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS) exacerbates and contributes to people's experiences of debt, poverty and financial exclusion. The response makes the following recommendations: the finance gap experienced by many prisoners on release should be bridged; there should be tailored support for families of people in contact with the CJS; and resettlement services should be delivered at the earliest opportunity. Download the response here

CLINKS EVENT: families and children of offenders

Clinks, in partnership with i-HOP, is holding a conference [7th December, Taunton, from £25] to support professionals working with the families and children of offenders in the South West. It will provide delegates with both a national and local picture of the changing criminal justice environment in regards to children and families as well as showcasing good practice. The event will be a fantastic opportunity to network with other local organisations, get up to date with the latest policy developments, and hear inspiring examples of best practice. If ticket or travel costs are prohibitive, please contact us at events@clinks.org. Find out more and book here

CLINKS EVENTS: prison inspection criteria

If you were the Chief Inspector of Prisons, what criteria would you use for assessing the treatment and conditions of prisoners? Clinks is holding three consultation events [17th January, London | 19th January, Manchester | 26th January, Cardiff | free] with HM Inspectorate of Prisons so that voluntary organisations can help them review and update the inspection methodology, and the criteria used to inspect, for adult male prisons in the light of the changing prisons landscape. Find out more and book here

CLINKS NEWS: tweets from our conference

Clinks Communications Officer Rhiannedd Mclean has put together a summary of the social media activity around this year's conference and Annual General Meeting. Throughout the day, delegates explored ways in which the voluntary sector’s wealth of experience could improve the lives of people involved in the Criminal Justice System. The Storify highlights tweets during the keynote speech from Bob Neill, Chair of the Justice Select Committee, and thoughts from the workshops and panel discussion. Read the Storify here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE: annual lecture

This year's National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance's Anne Peaker lecture [Evening of 7th December, London, £10] will focus on the use of photography and film in criminal justice settings. It will look at how different media can reveal life behind prison doors, and how film and photography can be powerful tools for sharing stories. Artist and photographer Edmund Clark will share his experiences of being the Artist in Residence at HMP Grendon, and how working in the prison has influenced his creative practice. There will be a panel discussion looking at questions surrounding the use of media in criminal justice settings. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: priorities for prison reform

The Catholic Church in England and Wales has set out its vision and priorities for prison reform in 'The Right Road', with input from Pact, Clinks and the Caritas Social Action Network. The publication covers areas including family relationships, the role of chaplaincy, and restorative regimes. Cardinal Vincent Nichols has encouraged the government to “go further than any government before” in its reform agenda and promised the Church will play its part including extending employment opportunities for people who have been in prison. The document was printed by men working in the printshop at HMP Coldingley. Download the publication here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Longford Prize winners

Congratulations to Longford Prize winners Clean Break and Unlock, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Juliet Lyons CBE. The Longford Prize is an annual award from the Longford Trust which recognises the contribution of an individual, group or organisation working in the area of penal or social reform in showing outstanding qualities of humanity, courage, persistence, originality and commitment to diversity. Find out more about the Longford Trust here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: children in residential care

The Howard League has launched a two-year programme of work to end the criminalisation of children living in residential care and is calling for written evidence. The work will be supported by an advisory board, chaired by the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP. The Howard League is keen to hear from organisations and individuals who are in contact with children in residential care. The deadline for responses is 27th January 2017. Please send submissions to jenny.chambers@howardleague.org

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: restorative justice in London

The IARS International Institute has launched an open call to victims, offenders and practitioners to help them in shaping a new pan-London restorative justice service, commissioned by the Mayor of London and delivered by the consortium RESTORE. The survey will help them to gather the evidence for building this service which is due to be launched in 2017. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: transgender offenders

The Ministry of Justice has published the conclusions to their review into the Care and Management of Transgender People in contact with the Criminal Justice System. The report highlights that the treatment of transgender people in courts, probation and prison services has not kept pace with the development of a more general understanding of the issues surrounding gender in society. As a result of the conclusions, a new Prison Service Instruction (PSI) has replaced PSI 07/2011 on transsexual prisoners. Clinks will shortly be publishing a blog and briefing about the review and PSI. Read the policy paper here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: children's experiences of imprisonment

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published an analysis of 12-18-year-olds’ perceptions of their experiences in secure training centres and young offender institutions. The report sets out how children describe their own experience of imprisonment. When asked if they had ever felt unsafe at their establishment, 46% of boys said they had, the highest ever figure recorded through the Inspectorate's surveys. The proportion who said they were from a black or minority ethnic background is at 47%, the highest rate recorded since 2001-02. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: probation inspection

HMI Probation will be inspecting work in Northamptonshire during the weeks commencing 9th January 2017 and 30th January 2017. If you have any queries about this, please contact HMI Probation (Enquiries) mailbox at HMIP.Enquiries@hmiprobation.gsi.gov.uk

FUNDING: improve support for female offenders

The Ministry of Justice is providing £800,000 to support local areas to develop a joined-up, multi-agency approach to improve support for female offenders and other women with complex needs who may be at risk of offending. £200,000 will be available in each financial year to 2020. Applicants are invited to bid for funding over 2 or more years. Bids will also be considered for one-year funding in 2016 to 2017, to support preparatory work in areas that are at the early stages of development. The deadline for applications is 30th January 2017. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: preventing youth offending

Mentor UK is hosting a round table discussion [24th November, London] on approaches to prevent youth offending and re-offending. The focus will be on developing a holistic end-to-end concept that encompasses prevention of offending with at-risk young people in the community, diversion of young people from the Criminal Justice System whose misuse of drugs or alcohol is a factor influencing their offending behaviour, working with young offenders currently in institutions whose offending behaviour is linked to drug or alcohol misuse, and prevention of re-offending by supporting ex-young offenders as they transition back into the community. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: anger and forgiveness

The poet Lemn Sissay will be delivering The Forgiveness Project’s 2016 Annual Lecture [2nd December, London, from £8] on the subject of 'The Quality of Mercy – anger, forgiveness and making peace with the past'. He will be talking about how the rejection and isolation he experienced in foster care has shaped him as an artist, and how telling his story saved him from it. Lemn will be joined by Mathew Shurka, whose relationship with his father broke down when he was taken to a licensed therapist who claimed he could make gay people straight; and Rachel Kelly a writer, mother and mental health activist. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: improve your communications

Would you like to communicate more effectively about crime and justice, and about your organisation's work? Transform Justice are running two half day workshops [10th January am & pm, Central London, free] to teach you how to improve communications including avoiding fatalism and crisis, and using values and metaphors. Transform Justice (working with Clinks) has published research on how we can engage better with the public and with politicians. To book you place, email Penelope@transformjustice.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER'S TRAINING: theatre and drama with offenders

Geese Theatre Company is holding three-day training courses [22nd-24th March 2017, Birmingham | 26th-28th April 2017, Edinburgh | £330] on the use of theatre and drama with offenders and young people at risk of offending. During 'The Other Side of the Wall' training, participants will experience and practice a variety of drama-based methods for use in groupwork, while exploring some of the basic principles behind Geese’s work. The courses are limited to 10 participants each, and no previous drama or theatre experience is necessary. For a booking form, please email rosie@geese.co.uk

AWARDS: charity governance

Entries are now open to the Charity Governance Awards 2017 organised by The Clothworkers' Company. The Awards recognise and reward good charity governance. The seven categories focus on impact, board diversity, turnarounds, harnessing risk and digital. Each category offers a £5000 cash prize. You can enter online for free until 13th January 2017. The winners will be announced at the invite-only free awards ceremony and drinks reception on 24th May 2017. Find out more and apply here

FEATURED VACANCIES: Case Managers

Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to contribute towards a highly successful ESF programme? Achieve Northwest Connect are recruiting for three Case Managers [Lancashire, full time | Cumbria, part time | HMP Risley, full time | up to £25,617] to be community and custody based. They are looking to employ confident and performance driven individuals who can positively engage disadvantaged offenders and deliver Employment, Training and Education (ETE) interventions on a one to one and group basis. The deadline for applications is 23rd November. Find out more and apply here

FEATURED VACANCY: Operations Manager

KeepOut is looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and well organised Operations Manager [HMP Coldingley, full time, £26,010 - £31,210] to manage the day to day operational delivery and prisoner support. KeepOut offers a weekly programme to young people aged 13-18 years who are at risk of either entering or re-entering the Criminal Justice System. If you have extensive management experience and a proven track record delivering services within a recognised public or private sector provider this could be the role for you. The closing date for applications is 16th December. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Job vacancies this week include: a Project Counselling Co-ordinator with Women’s Work [Derby], a Trustee with ADVANCE [London], a Mentoring Support Officer with Sova [Birmingham], a Fundraising Manager with RAPt [London], a Senior Practitioner with Ormiston Families [Chelmsford], an Operations Manager with RISE Mutual [London], a Volunteer Co-ordinator with West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy Project [HMP Leeds], Sessional Trainers with Nacro [roles in Boston, Spalding and Ipswich], a Trust Fundraising Officer with Pact [London], a Company Secretary with Changing Lives [Darlington] and a Spotlight Case Worker with Adullam Homes Housing Association [Tameside]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a free letter from Santa. Details
  • Tip of the week II: A 3-night break in Budapest is £99pp. Details
  • Tip of the week III: How to check if your new plastic £5 note is worth £100s. Details

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