Clinks Members’ Policy Briefing | September 2015
In this month's edition...[[{"fid":"2087","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Policy News","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Policy News"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Policy News","title":"Policy News","height":"51","width":"600","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]
Early Doors: the voluntary sector’s role in Transforming Rehabilitation This report, published by Clinks in partnership with NCVO and Third Sector Research Centre, gives the findings from a preliminary survey that aimed to ascertain the impact of the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms on the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. The five key findings in the report are: there is very little clarity about what services the voluntary sector will be delivering, or how they will be resourced to do it; the pace of change has been slower than many in the voluntary sector anticipated, leaving organisations in a state of limbo; a small number of larger voluntary sector organisations report having been able to secure contracts with Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) to deliver services; the level of National Probation Service (NPS) engagement with the voluntary sector is largely unknown; and the voluntary sector is reporting a sense of confusion amongst funders and commissioners around what CRCs and the NPS will resource. Nathan Dick, Head of Policy and Communications at Clinks has written a blog about the survey which you can access here.
The role and value of volunteers in the Criminal Justice System Published by Clinks, this report from the Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe project, presents the findings of a survey on the current contribution and value of volunteers in the Criminal Justice Systems of Europe. The results indicate that organisations involving volunteers are moving towards further improving their standards, through the use of recruitment strategies, standardisation and quality management. However, to truly modernise volunteering, it must lose its image of being an activity which people just do for personal, altruistic reasons, and move towards becoming a key social networking activity grounded in a commitment to civic engagement. Volunteering should be seen as an integral part of the rehabilitation process, not as simply an add-on or free resource.
Have you got something for the next policy briefing? The next policy briefing will be sent on 13th October 2015. Please email Nicola.drinkwater@clinks.org with anything you would like included by Monday 5th October 2015.
Criminal Justice System
HM Inspectorate of Probation for England and Wales Annual Report for 2014-15 This report gives the overall findings from the inspections of the National Probation Service and Community Rehabilitation Companies work with adult and young offenders between 2014 and 2015. Paul Wilson CBE, Chief Inspector of Probation says “We have found probation areas that had struggled to deliver a quality service prior to Transforming Rehabilitation are now finding it hardest to adapt and cope with the reforms. The correlation between historical performance of former probation trusts and progress made with Transforming Rehabilitation implementation extended into the important issue of staff morale... However, with time and continuing goodwill I believe these transitional problems can be resolved. The much bigger challenge for 2015 and beyond will be to turn the rhetoric of innovation and the long-advocated extension of services to short-term prisoners into hard evidence of effectiveness and reduced rates of reoffending.”
Crime and policing news update: August 2015 Published by the Home Office, this newsletter gives the details of the latest information on police and crime issues. Articles in this month’s edition include: police forces publish data on the use of stop and search powers; the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s response to the Home Office’s Triennial Review which outlines its recommendations for a new governance structure; and the updated guidance on the disclosure of information relating to mental ill health via the Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check.
Arts in criminal justice
Case study of a national gallery working in collaboration with prisons This case study, published by the National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice, looks at the Watts Gallery's 'Big Issues' project. Through this project, the gallery works with local prisons and community groups in and around Surrey offering practical art, craft and design workshops led by professional artists and designers. The sessions help participants to develop confidence and learn transferable skills through creating art which is then displayed in an annual exhibition.
Case study of a creative organisation working with local partners to develop digital studios This case study from the National Alliance for Arts in Criminal Justice looks at Creativity Works' Networks project, a community learning project which consisted of establishing a creative network of activities, support and resources for women as they progress through and beyond the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The project sought to improve the wellbeing of women within the CJS by supporting them to develop confidence, learn new skills, manage their own mental health, take a more active role in their communities, and provide a resource for other women in similar circumstances and contribute to the improvement of services provided by the CJS in Bristol.
Young people
Lessons from the literature: update July 2015 This review, published by Beyond Youth Custody, outlines the latest lessons from research, policy and practice in the resettlement of young people since the programme’s last update in March 2015. The review summarises recent trends in youth imprisonment, comments on the current focus on safety in custodial institutions, and draws out implications for resettlement services and practitioners. The review also considers findings from new international research, including a study on the psychological impact of exposure to suicide or attempted suicide among prisoners aged 16-21 and an American study into sexual abuse as a criminogenic factor for girls entering custody.
Youth perspectives on victimisation Catch 22 have released the findings from their research, commissioned by the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner, that explored: young people’s experiences and views of victimisation; what help they would need if they became a victim; and the ways in which they could access that support. The findings include: most young people believe that young people are more at risk of becoming a victim of crime than an adult, most young people are not aware of where they can go for help and support if they become a victim (other than to report an incident to the police) and the vast majority of young people expect to be offered help and support if they were to become a victim.
Valuing youth diversion: a Toolkit The Centre for Justice Innovation has developed a toolkit for practitioners diverting young people away from the Criminal Justice System. The toolkit outlines the research case for youth diversion, offers messaging support for approaching new and existing commissioners, and provides guidance on a method of demonstrating the cost effectiveness of diversion though its local impact on justice system stakeholders. The toolkit contains: a guidance document; a template PowerPoint deck that summarises key messages that can be customised for different audiences; and a cost avoidance tool.
Prison lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT)
Inside and Out This online book is a collection of writings from lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people (LGBT) within HMP/YOI Parc- both prisoners and staff. The book is the result of many creative workshops held in HMP Parc and answers questions including: what is it like to be an LGBT prisoner or member or staff? How difficult is it to come out behind bars? What happens when you do? Are LGBT experiences in prison always negative?
Women and girls
Violence against women and girls newsletter Published by the Home Office, this quarterly newsletter gives updates on national policy, key publications and distinct projects related to tackling violence against women and girls.
Education and learning
Inspecting learning and skills training for people in custody Published by Ofsted, this handbook is aimed at education providers and Ofsted inspectors, and describes Ofstead's main activities when inspecting learning and skills training and work activities for young adults and adults in custody.
Restorative justice
Successful restorative justice intervention This case study, published by Restorative Solutions CIC, gives details of the organisations’ first restorative justice intervention as part of its partnership with the British Transport Police in London. The featured conference, concerning an incident that occurred at a London train station during a busy rush hour, was facilitated by Lisa Smitherman, Restorative Solutions London's Manager, which resulted in a satisfactory conclusion for both parties involved (free registration required).
Voluntary sector
The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do The Charity Commission have updated this resource, which explains what being a trustee involves, including: what trustees do; who can be a trustee and how trustees are appointed; their legal responsibilities; and the specific trustee roles of chair and treasurer. You should read this guidance if you are, or thinking of becoming, a trustee of any charity based in England or Wales, or thinking about setting up a charity.
Crime trends
Safe as Houses? Crime and changing tenure patterns This research, published by the Police Foundation, outlines that in neighbourhoods in Luton and Slough with a higher number of privately rented homes suffered from higher incidences of burglaries and higher levels of violence (excluding domestic violence) ‘behind closed doors’. Recommendations include: the government should establish a national register of private landlords so that all private landlords need a license to let; local councils are given more powers to establish their own licensing schemes to raise the standards of home security in privately rented homes; and any income from licensing fees should be re-invested into enforcement and crime reduction initiatives.
Clinks in the North East- what next? Natalie Maidment, Clinks’ Local Development Officer in the North East details the findings from a recent survey to measure the impact of Clinks’ North East based support for the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. She outlines key achievements over the past 18 months as well as future priorities based on addressing key concerns raised by survey respondents.
Visiting an offender employment scheme in West Yorkshire In this Clinks blog Joe Gardham, Communications Manager at Clinks, gives details of his recent visit to the employment charity TempusNovo which matches men serving prison sentences in HMP Leeds to employers on their release.
Rage to reason: creating a restorative prison culture In this Clinks guest blog, Lisa Rowles, Design and Development Lead for Khulisa, makes the case for a fully restorative prison.
Compassion is the best medicine In this blog for Revolving Doors Agency, Pat Kenny who is a member of the charity’s National Service User Forum (made up of people who have experience of multiple and complex needs) highlights the key elements from a speech he gave at the recent NHS England Compassion in Health and the Justice System conference.
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