Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 604 | 4th October 2019

In this week's edition...

CLINKS BLOG: HMPPS grants

This blog summarises key information about Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s (HMPPS) grant programme for 2020-2022. The application process is now open and bids must be submitted by 1st November via the Ministry of Justice Sourcing Portal. The grant programme aims to enable the voluntary sector to contribute to better outcomes for people in prisons, under probation supervision and youth custody services. We recently held three stakeholder events to give voluntary organisations further information about the grant programme and to give them the opportunity to ask representatives from HMPPS questions about the programme and application process. Find more detail on the programme, how to apply and the slides from our events here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: dynamic purchasing system changes

The Ministry of Justice’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) has updated its terms to make it easier for sole traders to join the system and bid for education contracts. The recent update includes lowering certain financial due diligence thresholds, which removes restrictions that could prevent unincorporated entities (typically sole traders) from joining. The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (alongside Clinks and the Prisoner Learning Alliance, convened by the Prisoners’ Education Trust) has been tracking the use of the DPS since its inception, and welcomes this development, which we hope will enable a wider range of practitioners to deliver prison education, including independent arts practitioners and social enterprises. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: podcast on prison life

Straightline from Prison Radio Association has launched a new podcast series in collaboration with Prison Reform Trust. The Secret Life of Prisons is presented by Prison Reform Trust’s Chief Executive Phil Maguire and Head of Prisoner Engagement Paula Harriott. Each episode features a range of guests with personal experience of the criminal justice system and focuses on different aspects of the prison experience. The first episode features guests Brenda Birungi, Curtis Blanc and Jonathan Aitken who discuss their experiences of first arriving in prison. Find out more and listen here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new trustees

Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) has appointed five new trustees, including a charity campaigner, a former Ministry of Justice senior official, and the 2019 Further Education Leader of the Year. Emily Giles, James Killen, Vicki Morris, Dr Paul Phillips CBE, and Richard Ward OBE will join existing trustees to help PET achieve its vision and mission. Rod Clark, PET Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that PET is being joined by a group of new trustees who bring such an excellent knowledge of the prison and education systems as well as a range of talents and expertise.” Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: priorities for the new Chief Inspector

Representatives from Napo, User Voice, The Forward Trust and Clinks’ Head of Policy and Communications, Jess Mullen will be speaking at Westminster Legal Policy Forum’s keynote seminar on ‘Probation services in England and Wales - and priorities for the new Chief Inspector’ [29th October, London, £85 + VAT for small charities and unfunded individuals]. Justin Russell, HM Chief Inspector of Probation will deliver the keynote address, followed by several other speakers and discussions. Concessionary and complimentary places are available in certain circumstances. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S SURVEY: the Housing First model

Russell Webster is looking for people to complete a short online survey as part of his research, commissioned by Homeless Link, into the opportunities and challenges around voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice sector becoming more involved in developing more Housing First projects.. Housing First is an evidence-based approach to successfully supporting people with high needs and histories of entrenched or repeat homelessness to live in their own homes. Housing is seen as a human right by Housing First services and there are no conditions around ‘housing readiness’ before providing someone with a home; rather, secure housing is viewed as a stable platform from which other issues can be addressed. If you have an opinion on this topic, please complete the five minute online survey here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: sentencing announcements

At the Conservative party conference, Secretary of State for Justice Robert Buckland announced that the government will abolish automatic half-way release, and instead require ‘the most serious violent and sexual offenders’ to serve two thirds of their sentence in custody. He also announced a national roll-out of sobriety tags, which can be given to people on community sentences and alcohol abstinence orders. People fitted with sobriety tags can face sanctions from courts if alcohol is detected in their perspiration. Read the announcements here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: guide to universal credit

The Department for Work and Pensions has produced some new resources with information on Universal Credit for people leaving prison. The new guide and leaflet may be useful for work coaches, probation officers or anyone who supports people leaving prison. Find them here

FUNDING: individuals suffering hardship

The Heinz, Anna and Carol Kroch Foundation offers grants for charitable organisations in the UK working with individuals suffering from poverty and hardship with ongoing medical problems. Applications to support victims of domestic violence and people who are homeless are also considered. The Foundation awards between 800 and 900 grants each year, totalling between £150,000 and £200,000. Charitable organisations and local authorities can apply on behalf of individuals in need and applications should be made in writing and submitted either by post or email. Applications can be submitted at any time. Email hakf50@hotmail.com for more information.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: performances explore the price of punishment

Arts and criminal justice organisation Safe Ground has given nine emerging artists the opportunity to create a performance in response to the title ‘The Price of Punishment’ [8th October, London, £5]. The artists have produced an immersive performance that highlights stereotypes, social issues and power struggles in the criminal justice system. The performance will be followed by a group discussion. Book tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: system snapshot

Collective Voice is holding three events this autumn [29th October, London | 8th November, Halifax |15th November, Nottingham | free] to bring together people from every part of the treatment and recovery system. Participants will include those in recovery, commissioners, providers and leading policy figures such as Dr Ed Day, national drug recovery champion, and Sophie Linden, London's deputy mayor for policing and crime. Collective Voice will be sharing headlines from its new strategy and wants to hear from others on how it can support the sector. Register for tickets here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: annual conference

The Traveller Movement’s annual conference [21st November, London] will focus on the new national strategy to tackle Gypsy, Roma and Traveller inequalities. Confirmed speakers include the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, and the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Police Association. Buy tickets here

CLINKS MEMBERS' VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Outreach Custody Suite Caseworker with St Giles Trust [Coventry Central Police Station], Independent Sexual Violence Advisor with Changing Lives [Newcastle upon Tyne], Offender Resettlement Triage Worker with Shelter (England) [HMP Altcourse], Communications Officer with Working Chance [London], Part-Time Housing Assistant - BASS with Nacro [Plymouth], Independent Nursing Prescriber – Forward Leeds with Humankind [Kirkgate Hub, Leeds], Lecturer in Multi-Skills – Lot 8 Prisons with Weston College (Offender Learning) [Surrey], Trusts Fundraising Officer with Prison Fellowship England and Wales [London], Head of Delivery with Unlocked Graduates [London], Tenancy Support Officer (High Risk Offenders) with Nacro [Harlow], Recovery Co-ordinator – Treatment and Recovery with Humankind [Newcastle], Policy and Research Officer with Working Chance [London], Keyworker – Your Path (Learning Difficulties and Mental Health) with St Giles Trust [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Four star stay in Manchester including prosecco. From £79. Details
  • Tip II: Rotate Shoreditch – three cocktails for up to three people. 57% off. Details
  • Tip III: Jack the Ripper, Haunted London and Sherlock Holmes Tour. Now £16. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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