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Clinks Members Policy Briefing | June 2017
Clinks has uploaded a short video to YouTube in which our CEO Anne Fox introduces Clinks and what we do for the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system. Watch the video here
Clinks is one of eleven organisations that submitted an open letter in the Guardian asking the next government to rethink plans to change how the funding of supported housing works. The letter urges the government to rethink the proposed reforms and ensure supported housing can continue to provide people, including those who have had contact with the criminal justice system, with a safe place to live.
Clinks chairs and provides the secretariat to the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3); an advisory group to the Ministry of Justice. After an open recruitment process, the RR3 are pleased to welcome three new members to the board, who have all been selected to represent a range of expertise. The new members are Nicky Park, St Giles Trust; Jacob Tas, NACRO; and Richy Cunningham, Fulfilling Lives Newcastle Gateshead. We will publish the notes from the most recent meeting of the RR3, which took place in May, soon.
On 8th June voters in the UK went to the polls in a snap general election. The Conservative party won 319 seats and has formed a minority government supported by the Democratic Unionist Party. Prime Minister Theresa May has announced David Lidington as Secretary of State for Justice. We look forward to working closely with newly formed government and ministers in the Ministry of Justice in taking forward their manifesto pledges on prison reform, reducing disproportionate force against black, Asian and minority ethnic people in custody and establishing a national community sentencing framework, and will be working to ensure that the knowledge and expertise of the voluntary sector can contribute to this. You can read more about the Conservative party’s plans for the future of criminal justice in their manifesto. The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies also produced a useful analysis of these manifesto pledges prior to the election which you can read here.
Criminal justice system
The Disappearing Trial This research by Fair Trials discusses how out-of-court mechanisms, across 90 countries, can impact fair trial rights and the criminal justice system. The use of trial waiver systems such as plea bargaining, abbreviated trials and cooperating witness procedures have increased about 300% since 1990. The research report assesses the legal and human rights implications of these changes and provides recommendations for the development of a rights-based approach to trial waiver systems.
Out for good: lessons for the future The Prison Reform Trust has published this report which details the findings of a two-year action learning project based in HMP Brixton in south London. The report finds that an increase in availability of release on temporary license would give more businesses the opportunity to employ prisoners in the community as part of preparation for their release. It found it was not the attitudes of employers but national prison policy and practice which was the main barrier to opportunities for work and training.
Criminal justice statistics quarterly The Office for National Statistics and the Ministry of Justice have published criminal justice statistics for 2016. It found that the total number of people dealt with individually by the criminal justice system is at a record low, but the overall custody rate had increased with first time offenders more likely to be convicted than cautioned
Women
Trapped in the Justice Loop? This report from the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies details the development of policy about women in contact with the criminal justice system since the publication of the Corston Report. It also charts the development and success of women centres in proving their effectiveness. The report makes seven recommendations for change, including that the approach to women should be holistic and integrated.
Preventing the Deaths of Women in Prison – initial results of a rapid information gathering exercise by the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody An updated report has been published following the self-inflicted deaths of 12 women in prison in 2016. The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody conducted a rapid expert information gathering exercise in order to advise ministers and operational leaders and reduce the risk of further tragic deaths.
Accommodation
1st Joint Report of the Communities and Local Government and Work and Pensions Committees - Future of supported housing In September 2016, the Government announced proposals for a new funding model for supported housing, which would operate from April 2019. The Communities and Local Government and Work and Pensions Committees launched a joint inquiry to scrutinise the Government’s funding proposals. Clinks response to the inquiry highlighted the need for a clear definition of and guidance for Local Authorities on who constitutes a vulnerable group, so that individuals in contact with the criminal justice system are not disadvantaged. The inquiry’s report recommends that government “review existing guidance and statutory duties to ensure they are comprehensive enough to ensure no vulnerable groups are left behind under the new funding mechanism”. Following the dissolution of Parliament on 3 May 2017, all Select Committees ceased to exist until after the general election. If an inquiry on this subject is held in the future, the Committee may refer to the evidence already gathered as part of this inquiry
Mental health
Mental Health and Deaths in Prison: Interim Report The Joint Committee on Human Rights has published its interim report 'Mental health and deaths in prison'. It makes several recommendations including a prescribed legal maximum to the time a prisoner can be kept in their cell each day, a legal obligation for the Prison Service to ensure that each young prisoner or adult prisoner with mental health problems has a key worker and that provision should be made in the Prison Rules to enable people at risk of suicide to make free phone calls to a designated family member or friend. Following the dissolution of Parliament on 3 May 2017, all Select Committees ceased to exist until after the general election. If an inquiry on this subject is held in the future, the Committee may refer to the evidence already gathered as part of this inquiry.
Voluntary organisations
'A Shared Society? The independence of the voluntary sector in 2017.' Published by Civil Exchange this is the sixth in a series of annual health checks on the relationship of between the state and the voluntary sector, the report explores the potential of the new context created by Brexit, including Theresa May's personal commitment to a Shared Society, and looks at what needs to change to make that vision a reality. Clinks CEO Anne Fox contributes, alongside several prominent figures from the sector.
Families
Pact has released an animation telling the real life story of a child whose home was raided by police. The animation, which was co-created with children and young people who have been affected by the imprisonment of a parent or close family member, is the first in a series which will highlight the trauma and fear that children often experience when their homes are raided by police.
Supporting rehabilitation as a key purpose of prison In this Clinks guest blog, Kirsty Winnan from Superact looks at how Superact and Finding Rhythms can support rehabilitation as a key purpose of prison by providing opportunities for education. Finding Rhythms takes professional musicians into prisons to deliver 36-hour music-making courses designed to improve and develop soft skills like collaboration, communication, concentration, conflict management and personal reflection.
The voluntary sector and the justice system – locked out? In this Clinks guest blog Stephen Whitehead from the Centre for Criminal Justice Innovation looks at some of the challenges faced by the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system, and the importance of collaboration. He writes 'The voluntary sector forms an increasingly important part of the government’s strategy for working with vulnerable people in the justice system and elsewhere. But for many charities, working in partnership with the justice system remains fraught with difficulty'.
Coates: One year on In this blog Nina Champion from the Prisoners Education Trust about the progress made in prison education since Dame sally Coates 'unlocking potential' report. Nina looks at new funding streams, the impact of the shifting political landscape on reform prisons and the future use of technology in this area.
Agencies must work together to prevent homelessness Homeless Link's Chris Brill looks at how multi agency partnerships will become more important as requirements in the Homelessness Reduction Act come into force, and how local Housing Authorities can work with a range of agencies to ensure the right support is in place. Chris writes "If the Homelessness Reduction Act is to have the impact that we all hope, it’s vital that we look beyond housing need, and work across sectors and services to ensure the new legislation is backed by a system that understands and responds to individuals’ need."
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