Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 543 | 13th July 2018

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS RESPONSE: Criminal Justice Joint Inspection Business Plan

Clinks and the Young Review worked together to submit a response to the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection Business Plan 2018/19 Consultation. We have focused specifically on the proposal to undertake a scoping and feasibility study on ethnic disproportionality in the criminal justice system. We have drawn on our own and others’ previous work on race and the criminal justice system including the Young Review’s final report, David Lammy’s independent review into the treatment of, and outcomes for, black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals (BAME) in the criminal justice system, and Clinks’ recent response HMI Probation’s consultation on its inspection framework and programme. Our response outlines some of the key considerations we believe the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection will need to take into account when developing its proposed scoping and feasibility study into ethnic disproportionality in the criminal justice system and the potential for future thematic activity in this area. You can download the response here

CLINKS PUBLICATION: commissioning family services

A special interest group to the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) has published a paper to support the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) with future commissioning processes. This is following the special interest group’s input in the design of the commissioning process for family services and ongoing feedback to HMPPS on its implementation. The paper sets out five core principles for better commissioning: market engagement; market stewardship; developing high quality services; service user involvement; and equalities. The paper also makes 15 recommendations, which represent the learning from the special interest group’s engagement with HMPPS and the commissioning process that followed. You can download the paper here

CLINKS PUBLICATION: sentencing women

Clinks has responded to the All Party Parliamentary Group on women in the penal system’s inquiry into the sentencing of women. Our submission highlights the need for sustained investment in women’s centres, information for sentencers about the availability of gender specific services available to them and the provision of gender specific community sentencing options. Our response was informed by consultation with our members during our women’s networking forum meeting on 8th May, complimented with our existing knowledge. You can download the response here

CLINKS BLOG: the role of arts in recovery

Clinks Policy Officer Elaine Fischer wrote a blog about how the arts can support recovery from addiction and desistance, inspired by an event by Geese Theatre Company to celebrate its 30th birthday, where participants in a Geese recovery project performed their experiences in a dramatisation choreographed by themselves as part of their journey of recovery. She says that the arts can help people to address the issues which lead to addiction and create a sense of community and belonging for the participants. The project was something the participants could take ownership of: it gave people the opportunity to explore more positive narratives of themselves and embed new identities. You can read the blog here

CLINKS TRAINING: arts in prison

This one day introductory course Introduction to arts in prisons [17th August, London, £40] will explore some of the questions to consider before embarking on a creative project in this unique setting. The course will also provide an overview of the current criminal justice system and an insight to working inside a prison, looking at the practicalities. During the day the course explore the process of desistance from crime and learn from case study examples of how to deliver creative activity safely and responsibly. The course will be delivered by Jessica Plant (Manager of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance) and Sara Lee (Director of Music in Prisons). The course is aimed at those with an arts background, but with little or no previous experience of working in a criminal justice setting. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: helpline use doubles

The Golden Thread: Evaluation of the Pact Helpline for the families of prisoners and people with convictions is a report by Dr Lucy Wainwright and Paula Harriott for the Prison Reform Trust which shows that the number of callers to a charity helpline for prisoners’ families run by Pact has more than doubled in the space of one year, with record numbers of callers concerned about the risk of death or injury to loved ones in prison. Calls to Pact have more than doubled from 4,000 to over 8,000 in the past year, with around one in three families now getting in touch because they are afraid of serious harm coming to their family members in prison. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: policing by consent

The Traveller Movement have launched a report Policing by consent: Understanding and improving relations between Gypsies, Roma, Irish Travellers and the police. It examines how police forces engage with these ethnic groups. Almost three quarters of police officers surveyed reported hearing racist language and identified unconscious bias against GRT people within their police force. Furthermore, the research also suggests that there is real institutional bias across police forces in the UK, and calls for a review of Gypsy Traveller Liaison police roles due to their linking of Gypsy and Traveller people to criminality. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS NEWS: technology and the justice system

The Centre for Justice Innovation has published Just technology: emergent technologies and the justice system… and what the public thinks about it. The report examines several emergent technologies being adopted across the justice system, including: Big data, data analytics and facial recognition surveillance in crime prevention and policing; the use of online tools to expand legal advice; the use of online and video technology in criminal courts; artificial intelligence, machine learning, decision making and risk assessment; and electronic monitoring in supervision. The report considers the benefits and risks of their adoption, and explores public attitudes to these technologies through exclusively commissioned public opinion survey and focus groups. Download the report here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: resource for dads

Nepacs and Helix Arts have produced a kit bag of activities called 'Hidden Voices', designed with the involvement of local children and prisoners from HMP Kirklevington Grange to help dads in prison reflect on the impact of their offending on their children at home. The children worked with professional musicians to co-create songs which openly share their experiences of seeing their dads go to prison and living with the situation day in day out. Dads listened closely to the songs and were inspired to co-design the creative activities. The aim is that this programme will encourage men to turn their back on crime and reduce reoffending. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison report

Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, Peter Clarke, has published the annual prisons report for 2017-18. It finds that conditions in prison are often squalid and of unacceptably poor standards, with high incidents of self-harm, assault and drug use. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: rehabilitating black, Asian and minority ethnic people

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has published a rapid evidence assessment into the effectiveness of rehabilitative services for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people. The review focused on a range of populations both in prison and in the community. The evidence suggests that the content of ‘standard’ correctional programmes can be experienced as relevant to BAME participants, and that BAME participants can benefit from such programmes. However, some studies suggest that treatment that is: culturally aware, sensitive and inclusive; that is delivered by culturally aware and sensitive staff; and delivered by staff from similar ethnic backgrounds to their clients is preferred, and is more likely to reduce the chances that potential BAME participants will experience any fear or resistance associated with feeling isolated or misunderstood. Download the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspection of probation services

HM Inspectorate Probation will be conducting an inspection of probation services in the Staffordshire and West Midlands CRC during the weeks commencing 3rd September, 10th September and 17th September 2018. If you have any queries about this, please contact crcinspections@hmiprobation.gov.uk

FUNDING: Ministry of Justice portal

The closing date to register on the Ministry of Justice Bravo Portal for prison education commissioning is 3rd August. This is part of the preparation for successor arrangements to OLASS4, which will go live on 1st April 2019. These arrangements introduce new commissioning routes enabling Governors to plan and commission education for their prison through control over their own consolidated budget. Potential providers must be registered on the portal. To register click here and for more information read Rod Clark Chief Executive of Prisoners’ Education Trust's blog explaining the new system. Find out more here

FUNDING: break the cycles

The Forward Trust have teamed up with Crowdfunder to support early stage enterprises and charities that are helping to break the cycle of crime and addiction with £100,000 potential funding on offer. Projects creating employment opportunities for people with convictions or people in recovery from addiction can receive up to £5,000 extra funding. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: restorative justice

Restorative Solutions CIC have a range of Restorative Approaches Open Training Courses currently running across the country, with some places remaining [11-13th September, Manchester, price tbc]. Restorative approaches are now being offered in a wider range of situations. The training is suitable for all organisations that wish to apply restorative approaches to their everyday work. Please contact Helen Mason for details helenmason@restorativesolutions.org.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Policy and Research Officer

Nacro are looking for a highly talented Policy and Research Officer to join its Policy and Public Affairs Team [£31,864, London, full time]. The applicant will work on developing policy positions, using the experiences of our services, across our justice, housing and education delivery and work closely with colleagues across the External Engagement directorate. The candidate must be able to demonstrate capability of undertaking information gathering and analysis/research, report or proposal writing and policy development in a political environment. Interviews will be held on 2nd August. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: a HOPE Recovery Coordinator with Humankind [South Tyneside], Supported Housing Officer with Anglia Care Trust [Stowmarket], Gangs Groupwork Facilitator (schools) with St Giles Trust [London], National Service Delivery Manager with Shannon Trust [London], Family Engagement Manager (Scale 3) with Pact [HMP Downview], and an Engagement Team Member with User Voice [Staffordshire and West Midlands]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: £13 world cup football. Details
  • Tip of the week II: Free summer car check. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Up to four nights and activity pass at Woolacombe Sands from £179. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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