Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 491 |30th June 2017

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: our CEO

Clinks' CEO Anne Fox will be taking some time off for adoptive leave. Anne will be off until the start of November to settle in with her family. Congratulations Anne! Our senior management team will be taking on extra duties during this time, so please get in touch with them if you have any questions.

CLINKS NEWS: Assisted Prison Visits Unit

Last Wednesday we heard from our members about problems with applications from prisoners’ families to the Assisted Prisons Visits Unit. A new online application system was not working and there appeared to be no way of making an application on paper. Working alongside Prison Reform Trust we quickly raised this issue with the Ministry of Justice. We were able to see the system fixed within hours. We hope this intervention has resolved matters. If that is not your experience Clinks would be like to hear from you, please email our policy officer Oonagh.ryder@clinks.org.

CLINKS BLOG: the view from the ground

In this series of blogs you can read detailed accounts of the experience of voluntary organisations working in criminal justice, focusing on the needs of their service users, their service delivery and their funding situation. The information has been edited from a selection of in-depth interviews that were conducted as part of our data collection for the state of the sector work. There are two blogs to read currently, with more to be published over the next few weeks. The first in the series discusses the challenges of working in an underfunded criminal justice system, and how voluntary organisations can continue to grow and provide support. The second talks of being a small specialist organisation in the changing political landscape and the new ways of working they've had to implement this year. Read the blogs here

CLINKS PARTNER'S EVENT: have your say on comissioning

The UCLan Criminal Justice Partnership would like to invite leaders and innovators from third sector organisations to a free interactive discussion workshop [6th July, Preston, free] around commissioning and innovation in the third sector. The aim of the event is to bring providers together to understand further if the current commissioning landscape is helping or hindering innovation in the public sector. You will hear from Clinks and Russell webster, as well has be part of a primary research project along with other providers and contribute your experiences of the changing landscape in the criminal justice system. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS EVENT: prisoners and families affected by bereavement

Clinks is co-hosting a roundtable with Adfam [8th August, London, free/£30] to identify and discuss key issues around supporting prisoners and family members affected by bereavement. People affected by bereavement in prison may experience ‘disenfranchised grief’, being unable to grieve for their losses in socially acceptable ways. This event will be an opportunity to discuss any work your organisation is currently doing to support people affected by bereavement; identify your support needs in this area and how these might be met, and influence Clinks’ thinking on bereavement. You will also here from one of Adfam’s peer support volunteers about the work they do supporting people who are bereaved through alcohol or drugs. Find out more and book here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE: Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations

We are very pleased to announce that the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) has been successful in its bid to become one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Sector Support Organisations. Becoming an NPO will enable NCJAA to significantly increase our impact geographically and in terms of reaching more diverse participants and audiences. It will enable us to work with more members across the country and deliver an innovative work plan focused on developing new regional networks. It will also enhance professional development and support NCJAA in focussing on driving up artistic quality consistently across our membership. Alison Frater, Chair of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance says: “This bid is recognition of the value of many specialist organisations and individuals working with people in the criminal justice system; with individuals, families, and with staff across all art forms with impressive results – inspiring participation, changing lives, reducing reoffending, and producing high quality art for all to enjoy.” Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: older prisoners

RECOOP has published two Good Practice guides based on a project, funded centrally by HMPPS, which was designed “To assess the need and ability of prisons and approved premises to adapt their regimes to meet the needs of older offenders”. If you would like a copy, please email info@recoop.org.uk

CLINK MEMBER'S NEWS: community work awards

The Howard League for Penal Reform's Community Awards 2017 are now open for nominations. These awards celebrate best practice in diversionary work and champion work in the community that challenges and changes people's lives for the better – be it with children; women; adults; mental health programmes or restorative justice. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: young adults with convictions

Unlock are doing some work focusing specifically on problems people face from criminal records received when they were a young adult, in this case people aged 18-25. Unlock are looking to collect evidence to better understand the structural barriers that people face in dealing with the criminal record they received. The full negative impact of having a criminal record, of any sort, may not fully emerge until long after it was given, so they are keen to hear from both people aged between 18-25 now, as well as those who are now older but got their record as a young adult. Unlock also wants to hear from practitioners and organisations that have experience in this area. Take the survey here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: number of women in prison rising

Prison Reform Trust has published the summer 2017 edition of the Bromley Briefings. The report finds that the population of women in prison has increased to nearly 4,000. Peter Dawson, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “Progress on creating a more effective and humane system for the small minority of women who offend has been painfully slow for years. But now it seems to have ground to a halt altogether. This alarming rise in the number of women needlessly behind bars highlights the urgent need for the new government to turn fine words into action. The evidence highlighted in our briefing could not be clearer—good community provision works better than prison, costs less, and keeps families together. We need investment in a national network of women’s centres, not new prisons.” Read the report here

CLINKS PARTNER'S BLOG: improving lives of people with multiple needs

In this blog, Chris Brill from the Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition discusses the impact of the Queen's Speech on services for people with multiple needs. Chris asks, 'What should we be calling on Government to do?'. He writes "Many of these proposals have the potential to improve the lives of people with multiple needs. As a coalition formed to improve policy and services for people facing multiple needs, MEAM is committed to working with the Government to make this happen". Read the blog here

VOLUNTARY SECTOR: happy list

The Independent has released its Happy List, featuring 50 people that are making the world better. The list includes Sister Peggy Ennis, a volunteer for RAPt, Sarah Burrows from Children Seen And Heard who support children of prisoners, and Sam Rowe, CEO of The Academy of Hard Knocks, who runs an initiative to break the cycle of youth offending, alongside other people striving to improve their communities. Find out more here

FUNDING: self-inflicted deaths and self-harm

The Ministry of Justice is inviting applicants to submit applications for a one-off grant funding opportunity to pilot, develop and test proof of concept schemes/initiatives, which may reduce the risk of self-harm or self-inflicted death in prison. This grant funding opportunity seeks to encourage the development of further schemes and models for supporting prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide, and/or improving wellbeing in the prison population, and to evaluate their effectiveness in doing so. The total value of this grant fund is up to £200K. The grant activity will run from 31st August 2017 to 31st March 2018. The evaluation, outcome, and products are expected to be completed within three months of the end of the seven month project delivery. The deadline for applications is 24th July. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: older prisoners

The Ministry of Justice is inviting applicants to submit applications for a one-off grant funding opportunity to develop and pilot more inclusive services for older prisoners (including minority older prisoners) and to improve resettlement planning, involving families where appropriate. This grant funding opportunity seeks to develop and pilot more inclusive services for older prisoners (including minority older prisoners) to better meet their diverse needs, and to test a whole prison approach for the care and management of older prisoners whilst in custody and in readiness for progression, release and successful rehabilitation, in ways not previously explored. The total value of this grant fund is up to £170K. The grant activity will run from 31st August 2017 to 31st March 2018. The evaluation, outcome, and products are expected to be completed within three months of the end of the seven month project delivery. The deadline for applications is 24th July. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENTS: sentencing young adults

The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Transition to Adulthood (T2A) Alliance are launching 'Judging Maturity', [18th July, London, free] a new research report exploring how judges view the concept of maturity in the sentencing of young adults. Judging maturity analyses 174 senior court judgments concerning young adults. The research shows that, at present, maturity as a factor affecting the culpability of the individual is rarely considered in the sentencing of young adults. The launch event will feature panel, chaired by Francis FitzGibbon QC, will present the research, alongside an overview of recent developments in knowledge and research on the maturation process of young adults. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER'S EVENT: youth justice

The Standing Committee for Youth Justice and The National Association for Youth Justice is holding a conference on 'Child Friendly Youth Justice?' [25th September, Cambridge, £53.69] bringing together academics, practitioners and policy makers to discuss the latest research, practice and policy thinking concerning child friendly youth justice. Keynote speakers include: Charlie Taylor, Chair of the Youth Justice Board; Professor Lesley McAra, and Professor Jo Pheonix. Find out more and book here

PUBLICATION: prison service journal

The latest issue of the Prison Service Journal has been published. This issue focuses on the future of prisons and includes articles on sentencing policy, prison design, impact of Brexit, abolitionism and TV in prison, as well as a reviews of a play co-created by those in custody at Askham Grange with York St John University. Find out more here

PUBLICATION: self employment

A report from The Centre for Entrepreneurs called "From inmates to entrepreneurs: how prison entrepreneurship can break the cycle of re-offending" has found that 80% of prisoners are interested in starting their own business. This is compared to about 40% of the general population. The report says "Unlike traditional employment, entrepreneurship does not discriminate on the basis of a criminal record, enabling ex-prisoners to pursue the opportunities best suited to their skillsets, attributes and interests while offering them a more flexible environment in which to reintegrate with society". Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a Reducing Reoffending Sessional Workers with Nacro [South Yorkshire], a Volunteer To Prevent Sexual Abuse with Circles South West [South West], a Young People's School Based General Health Care Nurse with Disc [Leeds], a Fundraising and Executive Coordinator with Unlocked Graduates [London], a Treasurer with Trailblazers Mentoring Ltd [London for meetings], an Engagement Team Member with User Voice [Isle Of Wight], and a Research & Publications Volunteer with Prison Reform Trust [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

DID YOU KNOW...

Our members can influence policy makers through Clinks’ special interest groups and Reducing Reoffending Third Sector meetings? To find out about the current members of the RR3, the latest minutes and topics the special interest groups are currently covering click here. The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) exists with the purpose of building a strong and effective partnership between the voluntary sector and the Ministry of Justice. You can find out more about member benefits here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: 25% off champagne at Fortnum and Mason. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Family break for four nights at Camber Sands from £59. Details
  • Tip of the Week III: 50% off a tandem skydive. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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