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In this month's edition...
Transgender people in prison
Clinks has published a briefing that outlines the core principles of the Ministry of Justice’s review into the care and management of transgender people in contact with the criminal justice system (CJS), and the new Prison Service Instruction (PS1 17/2016) which it informed. The conclusions from the review and the corresponding PSI represent significant progress in recognising and addressing the needs of transgender people in contact with the CJS. Clinks is pleased to see that there is now a clear acknowledgement of the need to respect each individual within the gender identity they wish to express and increased clarity and transparency around decision-making processes. Read the response here
Deaf prisoners
The Royal Association for Deaf People has presented the first Deaf Aware Prison Quality Mark to HMP Whatton. Quality Marks are designed to ensure and evidence that prisons are meeting their obligations to deaf prisoners in their custody. Reports have shown it can be difficult for deaf prisoners to access rehabilitative services, education and employment skills training. Prisoners who are deaf are often much more vulnerable, isolated and susceptible to developing mental health issues while in prison in comparison to their hearing peers. Read more here
Peer support for people with multiple needs
St Giles Trust is seeking Peer Advisors, people who have overcome disadvantage themselves who are now trained to offer help. The Peer Circles Project works with individuals with complex needs, severe and multiple disadvantages and who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, across central and south London boroughs. For more information email peercircles@stgilestrust.org.uk
Mental health of people with convictions
The London Assembly Health Committee is conducting an investigation into the mental health needs of people in prison and former prisoners as part of a wider investigation examining what the Mayor can do to support better mental health for all Londoners. It is asking eight questions and would like to hear from organisations and individuals with experience of these issues. The closing date to submit evidence is 31st May. Read more here
Vulnerable women
The Ministry of Justice has announced it will give £800,000 to six regions across the country to support vulnerable women at risk of reoffending. The funding will offer support to women both in prison and after release. Almost half of women released from prison reoffend within a year. Yet many suffer from a range of complex issues including substance misuse, mental health problems and domestic violence. These require specialist support and intervention early on. Read more here
Physical health of prisoners
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has opened its consultation on the draft 'Physical health of people in prison quality standard'. The standard covers assessing, diagnosing and managing physical health problems of adults aged 18 years and older in prisons or young offender institutes. The deadline to respond is 9th May. Read more here
Social prescribing and self care
The NHS Healthy London Partnership has published a guide for local commissioners and practitioners setting up social prescribing programmes. Social prescribing is a way in which people living with long term conditions can find out about and access a variety of support to help improve or maintain health and wellbeing, such as help with getting a job, housing, debt management and social contact. It works best when NHS and local authority commissioners, GP and primary care teams, and the voluntary sector all work together Read the report here
Working in partnership
NHS England has produced a guide called 'Promising practice: how Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships are working with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector'. The briefing aims to share practical ideas on how Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs) can work in partnership with the voluntary sector. The NHS Five Year Forward View stated that ‘a new relationship with people and communities’ is key to closing the three gaps it identified in health and wellbeing, quality of care and treatment, and finance and efficiency. It noted that ‘voluntary organisations often have an impact well beyond what statutory services alone can achieve…'. By sharing real life examples of what STPs are doing, the guide is intended to spread good practice and show what is possible. Read more here
Public health working with the voluntary sector
The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a report in conjunction with Volunteering Matters which highlights where public health is successfully working with the voluntary sector across the country. The report champions the need for supporting local voluntary sector infrastructure, stating they are 'central to the [voluntary sector's] relationship with public health' and contribute 'massively to an extended role in service delivery'. Read the report here
New equality objectives
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its equality objectives for 2017-2019. Despite progress on equality, people from some equality groups are still less likely to receive good quality health and social care. CQC’s new equality objectives focus on its regulatory role in improving equality and on the leadership that is needed in health and social care services to ensure equality, as there is a strong link between equality for staff and good quality care. The objectives cover five interlinked areas, including ensuring equal access to care pathways by improving access to health care for groups such as migrants, asylum seekers, Gypsies and Travellers.
Read more here
Drug situation in the United Kingdom
Public Health England has published the 'United Kingdom Drug Situation 2016'.The report looks at current patterns in drug use, developments in drug policy, prevention and treatment and includes information about drug use in prison, drug-related deaths and drug markets. Findings include that overall drug use has reduced over the last ten years, and that 27,863 people in prison presented for drug treatment in 2015. Download the report here
Quality of life in Wales
Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust Regional Round for Wales is open for applications. The Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust aims to improve the quality of life of people who live and work in Wales. Grants of up to £7,500 are available for not-for-profit organisations in Wales that have a remit to serve a region or local authority-wide area. Funding is available for projects in the following four areas: sport, the arts, the environment and community. The deadline for applications is 1st July. Find out more here
Bereavement through addiction
Adfam and Cruse Bereavement Care has launched the BEAD website to support people who have been bereaved through alcohol and drugs. People who experience this form of bereavement may experience stigma or feelings of shame or self-blame linked to the loss of their loved one. The BEAD website was designed in partnership with people who have themselves been bereaved in this way, and brings together real life stories, practical and emotional advice and resources. It aims to be a source of information, support and hope for anyone whose loved one has died as a result of drug or alcohol use. Find out more here
Health inequalities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
The National LGB&T Partnership has published a report identifying six key areas that would reduce health inequalities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. These include more effective monitoring, changing attitudes found in the health and social care system, and better access to services. Each area comes with a briefing sheet designed to support practitioners working in these areas. Find out more here
Autism in prisons
In this Clinks guest blog for World Autism Week Clare Hughes, from the National Autistic Society, discusses how autism accreditation is improving prison standards, and talks about how the training benefits staff and prisoners alike. Clare writes, 'Although the exact number of autistic people in prison isn’t known, in HMYOI Feltham last year, they represented 4.5% of the population. Research has found that autistic people represent some of the most vulnerable people in the offender population.' Read the blog here
Socially enterprising prisons
Clinks' guest blogger Charlotte Burrows, Director of Innovation and Growth at EDP Drug and Alcohol Services, looks at how EDP has developed a ‘socially enterprising prison’ model to support prisoners’ recovery. Charlotte writes 'For us, socially enterprising environments are ones which support people to unlock their potential and make positive social changes. Where could this be more important than in a prison?'. Read the blog here
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About Clinks Offender Health Bulletin
This regular bulletin provides Clinks members with the latest news for voluntary sector organisations involved in the health and care of offenders. It currently has 3,305 subscribers.
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Designed, composed and circulated by Rhiannedd Mclean, Clinks.