The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
- National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance news
- Events and training
- Arts and criminal justice news
- Resources and publications
May highlights
Welcome to the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance's May newsletter. Highlights this month include an invitation to our annual meeting, an update on important changes to probation services, and a welcome recommendation from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee that the government commissions a review into arts and criminal justice. Read on to find out more and for further arts, culture and criminal justice news, events and resources.
Government committee recommends review of arts in criminal justice
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has published Changing Lives: the social impact of participation in culture and sport. We are pleased to see the report recognise the important role of arts organisations in supporting people on their desistance journey and are delighted that it recommends the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Ministry of Justice jointly commission a review of arts in the prison estate. Our joint submission with Clinks to the open consultation is referenced in the final report. Find out more here
Annual meeting 2019
12th June | Liverpool | Free
As well as reflecting on our work and achievements over the past year, at our annual meeting we will be launching new guidance for artists and arts organisations wanting to work in criminal justice settings. You will hear examples of partnerships between specialist arts organisations, prisons, education providers and those new to the field. There will be a chance to discuss the opportunities and challenges of different models, with plenty of time for networking with colleagues over a drink. Find out more and book here
What is the state of the voluntary sector working in criminal justice?
Clinks has launched this year's state of the sector survey. If you are a voluntary organisation working in criminal justice, this is your opportunity to share your successes and challenges, and to influence policy makers. Last year the survey found 16% of voluntary sector organisations working in criminal justice provide arts-based services. We encourage as many of our network as possible to respond in order to help us build on last year's evidence and identify changes and challenges. Your answers will help Clinks to advocate on your behalf and prioritise its work so that it is able to meet your needs. Take the survey here
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
We will be sending our next newsletter on Thursday 27th June. Please email dora.dixon@clinks.org with any news, research, events, opportunities or blog proposals by Tuesday 18th June.
Crowded Room presents The Listening Room
Dates throughout May and June | UK | From £7
The Listening Room features the true stories of five people whose lives have been transformed by a violent crime. The play explores what happens when a crime is humanised and how restorative justice can have a huge impact on helping to create a less violent society. Described by The Spectator as "A painful, shocking, vital, uplifting experience. Quite unforgettable." Find out more and book here
Reading for Life: shared literary reading in secure contexts
6th June | London | Free
This workshop explores new evidence on the impact of Shared Reading in secure settings. The research has been undertaken by teams from the Centre for Research into Reading, Literature and Society (CRILS) at the University of Liverpool and the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge. Find out more and book here
Clean Break information day
7th June | London | Free
Clean Break is holding a day of workshops, talks and performances exploring the work of the theatre company and its Members programme, which helps women with experience of the criminal justice system to develop personal, social, professional and creative skills that often lead to education and employment. The day comprises of a managers, practitioners and key-workers workshop, a prospective member workshop, a networking lunch, and performances by members. Find out more and book here
Tate Exchange Liverpool explores dance and addiction
10th - 16th June | Liverpool | Free
Take part in a series of creative conversations and dance improvisations led by community dancers from Fallen Angels Dance Theatre; Dr. Zoe Zontou, Liverpool Hope University; and Alastair Roy, University of Central Lancashire. The work will invite visitors to consider the role that art can play in supporting the everyday recovery struggles of people with addiction issues. Find out more and book here
The RSA Northampton: the arts and social change
11th June | Nottingham | Free
For the past four months, four professional artists and RSA Fellows have been working with vulnerable women in Northampton alongside C2C Social Action, a Northamptonshire charity providing support to any individual at any stage of the criminal justice system. Learn more about the project, meet the artists and help plan the next steps at this afternoon event. Find out more and book here
Justice Secretary announces new model for probation
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and Clinks welcome the announcement that the National Probation Service will assume responsibility for all offender management when the current contracts with private providers come to an end in 2021. The change of responsibility provides a much greater opportunity for voluntary organisations to work with statutory probation services to provide effective support to those who need it. Find out more here
New ministers appointed
Robert Buckland QC MP has been appointed as Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), including prisons and probation. Paul Maynard MP has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the MoJ, including court services and legal aid. Rebecca Pow MP has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). We welcome all to their new roles and look forward to working with them. We’d like to thank the outgoing Michael Ellis MP (DCMS) and Rory Stewart MP (MoJ) for their hard work and support for arts in criminal justice settings, and wish them the best of luck in their new posts.
Creating change through theatre with women on probation
Funded by Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Hampshire Cultural Trust and BearFace Theatre's Creating Change programme uses drama to support desistance theory in multiple ways, encouraging women on probation to explore relationships, thoughts and feelings. The programme began in 2017 and, to date, over 200 women have participated. It has secured funding for a third year, and has recently published an academic evaluation of its 2018-2019 programme. Find out more here
Could you be the next Odd Arts chair of trustees?
Manchester-based Odd Arts is seeking a new chair of trustees. The charity is a team of specialist creative experts working with high risk and vulnerable individuals in prisons, schools, secure units and the community. Artists use a range of arts disciplines to change the lives of vulnerable people, including performing arts, visual arts, music, dance and mixed mediums. The deadline to apply is 30th June. Find out more and apply here
Live music on the inside
You’re probably aware that Johnny Cash played Folsom Prison, but did you know that in 1976 the Sex Pistols played Chelmsford maximum security prison? Carl Cattermole, who has lived experience of the criminal justice system, explores the impact of concerts that have taken place inside prison as part of Radio 4’s Concerts Inside. Listen here
Host an Unlocked Graduate
Unlocked Graduates train prison officers on a two-year leadership development programme. If you have a project that could benefit from the expertise of a frontline prison officer passionate about rehabilitation, host an Unlocked Graduate for a two-week placement. Current 2019 Graduate hosts include Koestler Trust, Clean Break and Unlock Drama. The first cohort graduates in July and Unlocked Graduates also welcomes discussions about longer-term opportunities with your organisation. For more information, email mark.williams@unlockedgrads.org.uk
100 poems by parents and children affected by imprisonment
Published by Waterside Press, Seen and Heard contains poems and drawings reflecting the sense of loss, deprivation and isolation experienced by parents and children affected by imprisonment in the UK and abroad. Over a million children and family members are affected by imprisonment in the UK alone. Order paperback and ebook copies here
Resource and funding support for prisoners
The latest edition of the Hardman Trust's Hardman Directory contains a new section on dealing with debt as well as more information on mentoring schemes, ex-prisoner friendly employers and Citizens Advice updated information on benefit changes. The Directory is a resource for prisoners and ex-prisoners seeking funding support for personal development and resettlement purposes, and is also a guide for those who support them. 1,350 copies of the print edition will be sent to all prison libraries in the UK with the August edition of Inside Time. Download the Directory here (PDF)
Active Citizens Funding from West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner
The Active Citizens Fund is now in its fourth year and accepting bids for 2019-2020. Bids will need to show how the project(s) encourage active citizenship and contribute to the reduction of youth and/or knife crime. The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner's website lists the full criteria, the funding process and the details of the local partnership team to contact to discuss your bid. Find out more and apply here
Welsh Government produces two new blueprints
Two new blueprints set out the Welsh Government’s plan for supporting young people and women in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system in Wales. The blueprint for women acknowledges women can present as extremely vulnerable with a range of complex needs that have been found to be distinct from the needs of men who commit crime. The blueprint for young people highlights key aims of preventing children from entering the criminal justice system, minimising their contact with it and maximising opportunities for diversion. Download the blueprints here
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This newsletter is written monthly by Dora Dixon. Email dora.dixon@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
Clinks manages the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) and is the legally accountable body for all official NCJAA activity.
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