Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 602 | 20th September 2019

In this week's edition...

 

CLINKS NEWS: join the RR3

Clinks is seeking seven senior voluntary sector leaders to join the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). The RR3 meets quarterly to advise the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service and to build a more effective partnership between the voluntary sector and the government. The chair for the group and its secretariat is provided by Clinks. We are looking for people with specialist expertise in the following areas: employment support; education; families support; services for black, Asian and minority ethnic people; health and wellbeing; services for people at high risk of harming others; and prisons and resettlement policy. Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by 9am Thursday 17th October. Find more information and role descriptions here

CLINKS BLOG: criminal justice policy update

Our latest policy update blog from Policy Manager Nicola Drinkwater gives an outline of our policy priorities and key areas of work, what we’ve been doing to influence national policy, as well as what we know is on the horizon. She discusses the recent cabinet changes and radical change in policy direction from number 10, alongside our ongoing state of the sector research and policy consultations and responses we are currently working on. Find out more here

CLINKS BLOG: rapid assessment for the sentencing review

Clinks’ Head of Policy and Communications, Jess Mullen, recently spoke with a representative from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to feed into the rapid evidence assessment it is conducting to contribute to the sentencing review announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In this blog, she summarises the key points she highlighted to the MoJ, including our concerns about the process, and concerns that the proposed reforms will disproportionately affect people with multiple disadvantages; black, Asian and minority ethnic people; and women. Read the blog here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: care and support provider of the year

Langley House Trust has been shortlisted for a Care and Support Provider of the Year Award in the 24Housing Awards. Speaking on being shortlisted, CEO Tracy Wild said: “Working in the Criminal Justice Sector as a niche housing association is challenging – not least because of regular funding cuts and government policy changes. But I am pleased that we keep successfully supporting men and women coming from prison to start over, find their feet in the community and live crime-free. It is the dedication, commitment and hard work of our staff that makes all the difference to our clients.” Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: responses from Ministry of Justice

Prison Reform Trust has received responses to the letters it sent to ministers seeking clarification following a number of announcements by the Ministry of Justice on sentencing and prisons. Responses were received from the Permanent Secretary, Richard Heaton, about the sentencing review; the Secretary of State, Robert Buckland, about the £2.5bn for new prisons; and the CEO of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, Jo Farrar, about the extra £100m for prison security. The responses include some important clarifications but leave some questions unanswered. Read the full responses here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspections at HMP Doncaster and HMP Cookham Wood

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has this week started unannounced inspections at HMP Doncaster and HMP Cookham Wood. The inspection team will be on site during the week commencing 16th September 2019. If you have any queries about the inspections, please contact hmiprisons.enquiries@hmiprisons.gov.uk

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: service user involvement

Research from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) finds that getting service users involved in improving and delivering probation services is valuable for staff, the service users involved and their peers. The report was produced by HMIP’s own research team working with a team of peer researchers with lived experience of the criminal justice system from Revolving Doors Agency. The Inspectorate found service users bring a fresh perspective and often identify issues that staff have not considered before. Read more here

FUNDING: arts and health

The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust funds Registered Charities operating in the UK in the fields of the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare and environmental protection or improvement. The majority of grants cover a one year period and are usually in the range of £500 - £5,000. Apply before 14th October here

FUNDING: system change

The People’s Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund is now open for applications. The Dream Fund gives organisations the chance to deliver the project they have always dreamed of, but never had the opportunity to bring to life. This year the Fund is looking for projects that seek to implement systemic change in order to address an important social or environmental problem. Find out more and apply before 15th October here

FUNDING: rehabilitation

Applications are open for the Triangle Trusts’ Development Grants for organisations working to rehabilitate offenders or ex-offenders. Grants are available from £10,000 up to £80,000 for a duration of six months to three years. Find out more and apply before 22nd October here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: community engagement events

The Association of Panel Members is holding a community engagement event, ‘Community Safety – From Bystanders to Problem Solvers’ [25th September, Sutton, free]. This is part of a series of events across London to enable the voluntary sector to develop partnerships with statutory services to progress the delivery of diversionary Local Justice Panels. This was one of the recommendations of the 2017 Lammy report, to address the over-representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic under 25s in the criminal justice system. Places are strictly limited. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: script-in-hand readings

Clean Break is opening its doors and offering the chance to see two new plays in development [4th October, London, £5]. The afternoon will consist of two script-in-hand readings, Blis-ta by Sonya Hale and Not Pretty Like the Rainbow by Daisy King. Not Pretty Like The Rainbow is a brash, brave, big hearted play which explores the dangerous ripple effect that imprisonment has on women’s lives. Blis-ta is based on Sonya’s experiences of homelessness and was inspired by a very special friendship she had while living on the streets. Book tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: community awards

Prue Leith will present the Howard League for Penal Reform’s Community Awards this year [12th November, London, from £125], which showcase the most successful community projects across the country which are encouraging desistance from crime. The winners will be announced during the Howard League’s annual conference, ‘Policing the community’, which will provide an opportunity for delegates to discuss best practice in policing and diversion from crime and custody. It will explore innovations in policy and practice in relation to policing, sentencing and women; criminalisation of children in residential care; and policing the community. Get tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: power and persuasion lecture

The Forgiveness Project is returning to the Royal Geographical Society for its 9th Annual Lecture [12th November, London, from £10]. Founder Marina Cantacuzino will be delivering 'Power and Persuasion: the urgent need for restorative narratives in unforgiving times'. Marina will consider how forgiveness and humanising narratives can break cycles of conflict, transform relationships and restore hope. Marina will be joined on stage by Jacob Dunne and Joan Scourfield who will be sharing their personal experience of restorative justice, and exploring how dialogue can be a powerful force in ending cycles of violence. Get tickets here

AWARDS: fair and effective criminal justice system

There are only two weeks left to make nominations for the Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) Awards. The CJA Awards celebrate outstanding organisations and individuals who have made a marked contribution towards a fair and effective criminal justice system which is safe, smart, person-centred, restorative and trusted. The 2019 Awards will give prizes of £4,000 and £2,000 to two organisations and £1,000 to an individual to support their work. Nominations may be made by organisations or individuals themselves or by CJA members. This year there are two further awards on offer for outstanding journalism and digital media champion. Nominate here

FEATURED VACANCY: Classroom Facilitator

Code4000 is looking for a Classroom Facilitator [£24,905-£27,750, full time, HMP Holme House] with knowledge of computer coding and experience in supporting vulnerable groups or ex-offenders to improve employability skills. The post holder will be responsible for the effective day-to-day delivery of the Code4000 programme in HMP Holme House. Code4000’s mission is to reduce reoffending by teaching prisoners software development skills, and to get them work on release. It the first programme in the UK and Europe to teach computer coding to prisoners and currently work in HMP Humber and HMP Holme House. Apply before 27th September here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Data & Funding Manger – South East Region (Prison Education) with Weston College (Offender Learning) [Kent], Networks Officer with Prisoners’ Education Trust [London], Project Lead with Changing Lives [Yorkshire and the Humber], Support Coordinator with Nacro [Harlow], Service Manager with Waymarks [Berkshire and Hampshire], Independent Prescriber with Humankind (formerly DISC) [Barnsley], Receptionist/Administrator with The Oasis Project [Brighton], Family Worker with EDP Drug & Alcohol Services [HMP Guys Marsh], Mental Health IDVA with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [Hammersmith], Administrator with St Giles Trust [HMP Cardiff], Senior Offender Resettlement Worker with Shelter (England) [HMP Altcourse]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Forest of Dean stay with dinner and prosecco. Save 43%. Details
  • Tip II: Two hour private karaoke room with a drink each. 77% off. Details
  • Tip III: Cabaret, three course dining with prosecco and after party. Only £29.95. Details
     

EXTRA INFORMATION

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