Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 568 | 18th January 2019

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS VACANCY: finance officer

Clinks is looking for a Finance Officer [£28,221 pro rata, part time, London] to join our newly created Corporate Services team. Reporting to the Corporate Services Manager, the Finance Officer will be responsible for all of the day to day transactions and activities of a medium-sized charity. The team carries out all of Clinks’ organisational management functions including financial, governance, HR, IT and other work required by charity and company regulators. The deadline for applications is 25th of January 2019. Find out more here

CLINKS BLOG: health and justice

In this blog, Clinks Policy Officer Lauren Nickolls discusses the health and justice aspect of the NHS Long Term Plan. The plan sets out its priorities for the next 10 years, following a public consultation. In October, Clinks provided a submission to the development of the plan focusing on health and justice. We called for the NHS to prioritise the continuity of care for people entering and leaving prison, mental health and stronger partnership working in their approach. Read the blog here

CLINKS BLOG: South West developments

In this blog Isabel Livingstone, Clinks’ Development Officer in the South West, talks on the work she has done in the area, the current state of the criminal justice system, and what the future looks like. She writes "There remains a massive challenge in tackling inequalities within the criminal justice system (and beyond). This can be particularly daunting in some parts of our region because of the relatively small size of minority communities, particularly in rural areas." Read the blog here

CLINKS PARTNER’S NEWS: independent review of the Mental Health Act

Make Every Adult Matter (MEAM), a coalition of Clinks, Homeless Link and Mind, has responded to the final report of the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act. The Review, chaired by Professor Sir Simon Wesseley, was set up to look at how the legislation in the Mental Health Act 1983 is used and how practice can improve. MEAM welcomes the review’s recognition of the need for more accessible and responsive mental health crisis services and community-based mental health services. It particularly welcomes the recognition that current opportunities for early intervention are being missed, leading to people’s first contact with services through the police, and that police cells should not be used as a place of safety and that health-based places of safety should be commissioned instead. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: resources for older prisoners

RECOOP has re-branded its 'In-cell Activity Packs' as 'Distraction Packs' to better reflect their purpose. Recognising the importance of older prisoners keeping mentally active, they contain quizzes, reading material, puzzles, word searches, health information, poetry, facts about the world and much more. They are available to subscribers at £100 per issue or £1,000 per year (12 issues).  A PDF is sent electronically to each prison so that printing and distribution can be arranged. If you would like to see a sample copy or require further information, please contact info@recoop.org.uk

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: diverting young adults

Revolving Doors Agency is launching a new project working with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to develop practical answers to the impact a combination of adverse childhood experiences, poverty and disadvantage has on young adults. PCCs have convening and commissioning powers to transform criminal justice responses locally. The project will address the combined impact of adverse childhood experiences and poverty, and will create opportunities for young adults to be diverted from the criminal justice system – better for the individual and for the community. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S BLOG: investment with a social mission

In this blog for Russell Webster, Mike Trace, Chief Executive of the Forward Trust writes about how to run businesses that can support people with convictions into employment. He writes “There are thousands of ex-offenders out there who have succeeded in pursuing a ‘career change’ – through setting up their own businesses, earning money, and employing others in the legitimate economy.” Read the blog here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: accommodation for people leaving prison

The Ministry of Justice is holding three market engagement events [21st January, Leeds | 22nd January, Bristol | 23rd January, Pentonville | Free] for the provision of the offender accommodation pilot as announced in the rough sleeping strategy. The pilot requires suppliers to provide stable accommodation and support services to eligible people upon release from HMPs Pentonville, Bristol and Leeds. The pilots will support men who are serving up to 12 months and who’ve been identified as being at risk of homelessness on release from custody and will include the provision of 80 beds for men leaving HMP Bristol, 184 beds for men leaving HMP Pentonville and 156 beds for men leaving HMP Leeds, alongside support for two years. To attend please email Offender-Accomodation-Pilot@justice.gov.uk to register interest.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: in-cell phones for more prisons 

David Gauke MP, Secretary of State for Justice, announced that in-cell phones, currently installed in 20 prisons in England and Wales, will be rolled-out to 50 prisons by March 2020. This represents some progress on a government commitment made in 2018 to extend the provision of in-cell phones across the prison estate. The government has said in-cell phones are intended principally to help people in prison maintain contact with their families. It cited the 2017 Lord Farmer review, which Clinks co-chaired and provided the secretariat for, which found close ties between prisoners and key family members can significantly reduce the risk of reoffending. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: ending short term sentences

The Ministry of Justice is considering banning prison sentences of less than six months in England and Wales. Ministers argue that short prison terms are less effective at cutting reoffending than community penalties. Prisons minister Rory Stewart told the Daily Telegraph that such sentences were "long enough to damage you and not long enough to heal you". Find out more here (press article)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Wales has highest rates of imprisonment

A study by the Wales Governance Centre has found Wales has the highest imprisonment rate in Western Europe. The Wales Governance Centre's analysis of official figures also reveals average custody rates are higher than in England for a number of different groups and offences. It finds that non-white Welsh prisoners are overrepresented in prison, women in Wales are more likely to receive short-term custodial sentences than men and immediate custodial sentences imposed by magistrates rose by 12% in Wales. Find out more here

FUNDING: interventions for people convicted of terrorism related offences

The Home Office has issued a Prior Information Notice for the provision of targeted intervention services including mentoring support for individuals convicted of terrorism related offences. Prospective suppliers are invited to express an interest in the provision of services and to register interest in attending an event for further information by e-mailing HOSprocurement@homeoffice.gov.uk

FUNDING: criminal justice and human rights

The AB Charitable Trust has grants available for charities that work with marginalised and excluded people in society, with a focus that includes criminal justice, and human rights, particularly access to justice. Grants range in size, with most grants awarded being in the range £10,000 to £20,000. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: trauma informed practice

The Academy for Social Justice Commissioning is holding ‘Understanding and use of trauma informed practice’ [13th February, London, free]. This seminar will offer an overview of current national and international research on adverse childhood experiences, trauma and problematic experiences. Expert practitioners and a former service-user will then discuss the real world challenges faced and what services need to be commissioned to increase the resilience and wellbeing of those affected. Find out more and book here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: tackling unconscious bias

Wipers UK is holding ‘Uncomfortable conversations: unconscious bias and disproportionality in the criminal justice system’ training [£100, various dates and locations]. This training course is targeted towards youth justice practitioners and aims to enhance awareness of unconscious bias within the context of racial disproportionality and overrepresentation of young black, Asian and minority ethnic people within the criminal justice system. The training is intended to increase understanding of this complex issue and explore strategies and techniques to reduce the potential for unconscious bias to adversely impact upon practice. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: A Fundraising Officer with Changing Lives [York], Finance and Business Services coordinator with ADVANCE [Hammersmith], Gangs and Violence Reduction Cluster Manager with Catch22 [London], Engagement Team Leader with User Voice [Midlands], Social Media and Website Volunteer with Koestler Trust [London], Fundraising Manager with Pecan [London], Women’s Influence Worker with Manchester Action on Street Health [Manchester], Volunteer Support Worker with St Giles Trust [Norfolk (with travel)], Administrator with Humankind [Leeds] and an Employment Support Volunteer with The Upper Room [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Four nights in Venice, with flights from £69. Details
  • Tip of the week II: M&S Indian dine in meal for two for £10. Details
  • Tip of the week III: 50% discount at Frankie and Benny's with registration. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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