Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 622 | 21st February 2020

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: new address

We have moved office. Our new address is Clinks, Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JJ. Find out more about how to contact us here

CLINKS BLOG: probation commissioning update

This blog from Jess Mullen, Clinks’ Head of Policy and Communications, provides an update on HM Prison and Probation Service’s (HMPPS) commissioning processes for Probation Delivery Partners (who will be responsible for delivering accredited programmes, unpaid work and structured interventions) and for the Dynamic Framework which will commission rehabilitation and resettlement services. It includes an update from HMPPS on the stage that each competition has now reached. We remain in regular contact with the Probation Review team as they develop plans for the Dynamic Framework and have offered support to provide knowledge and intelligence from the voluntary sector to engage with their work to identify and assess regional requirements in each lot. Read more here

CLINKS BLOG: what’s next for sentencing policy?

In this blog, Policy Officer Lauren Nickolls summarises key points from our recently updated sentencing briefing, including specific insight on the situation in Wales. Over the past year we’ve seen the debate around sentencing grow, and the focus of it change quite significantly. We hope that any sentencing reform will have a public and transparent consultation process that enables the voluntary sector to feed in. With that in mind, Clinks has published a briefing to support the sector to engage in future debates on sentencing. Our briefing considers three key asks of sentencing reform, looking at trends, the policy asks from voluntary organisations, and the potential challenges of each. These are: reverse sentence inflation; reduce the use of short custodial sentences; and increase the use of community alternatives. Read more here

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: annual survey

Share your views in the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) annual survey. Your responses will be used to shape NCJAA’s work in arts in criminal justice settings, so it can provide the best service for its network. This is a chance for you to share the important work you do and to let NCJAA know how to best support it. The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. As a thank you for taking part, NCJAA is offering you the chance to win a £50 high street voucher – please see details at the end of the survey to enter the draw. The deadline for completing the survey is Monday 30th March. Take the survey here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: veterans in custody

Barnardo’s has published its Needs Assessment of Veterans in Custody, their Families and Children which is now available to read online. Veterans make up between 3.5 – 6% of the male prison population but there is very limited research which demonstrates the two-fold impact of veteran status alongside imprisonment on veterans as family members, or the impact on their families. Acknowledging the gap in evidence, Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) awarded a grant to Barnardo’s NICCO (National Information Centre for Children of Offenders) to undertake a needs assessment of male veterans in custody and their families before, during and after imprisonment in order to improve whole families’ outcomes in relation to wellbeing and transitions into and out of custody. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: employing women after release

A new briefing, Working It Out, published by the Prison Reform Trust and Working Chance, has shown that fewer than one in 20 women (4%) were in employment six weeks after release from prison, compared with over one in 10 men (11%). The briefing found that despite government recognition that employment for people with experience of the criminal justice system is critical for reducing reoffending, too many women with a criminal conviction experience barriers to employment and do not receive adequate support. Enabling women to achieve financial independence is especially important for those whose offending is driven by abusive and coercive relationships. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: over 400 learning opportunities

Insights20 is a vibrant programme of learning and development opportunities, celebrating excellent work across the justice system. Staff from across HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), and colleagues from the public, private and voluntary sector, have donated their time, skills and venues to create this varied programme of events. Insights20 provides a chance to learn from each other, share experiences and ideas, and develop relationships across the system. From 11th to 22nd May, over 400 free events will run across England and Wales, open to everyone who works for and alongside HMPPS. The digital brochure is now available online and you can book tickets for events from 6th March. If you have any questions, please get in touch at insights@justice.gov.uk. See the programme of events here

FUNDING: miscarriages of justice

A grant funding opportunity has been published in the Ministry of Justice’s Bravo portal for Miscarriages of Justice. The Opportunity is listed under: ITT_4192 - prj_4579 - Strategic Grant - Miscarriages of Justice 2020 – 2023. Interested organisations must apply before 12th March 2020. If you require any help accessing the system then please contact the Central Support Team via 0845 0100 132 or esourcing@justice.gsi.gov.uk. All documents and further information on the ITT and how to submit proposals can be found online here

FUNDING: crime and reoffending

The Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Action Fund provides small grants to assist groups in tackling local concerns and helping to: protect local policing; tackle crime and reoffending; support vulnerable people and victims; or develop safe and confident communities in Lancashire. The maximum grant that can be applied for is £3,000, although the Commissioner will normally be looking for applications for less than this. Find out more and apply before 13th March here

FUNDING: keep communities safe

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund aims to help voluntary, community groups, charities and partners keep their communities safe and feeling safe in West Yorkshire. Organisations can apply for up to £6,000. This grant round will prioritise applications which support community based solutions, identify innovative ways to prevent crime, support and resource community initiatives which divert people from crime and support crime prevention initiatives. Find out more and apply before 13th March here

FUNDING: social needs and youth

The Society of Merchant Venturers Charity has grants available between £500 and £5,000 for organisations working in Bristol. The primary areas supported are: social needs; youth; education; environment; social enterprise; health care; culture and the arts; and projects that will benefit greater Bristol and its economic development. Find out more and apply before 19th March here

FUNDING: conflict and injustice

The Joseph Roundtree Charitable Trust supports people who address the root causes of conflict and injustice. The Trust has grants available for organisations working in its priority areas: peace and security; power and accountability; rights and justice; sustainable future; and Northern Ireland. While trustees are open to funding a range of different organisations and approaches, the Trust generally funds work that is about addressing the root causes of problems rather than delivering services or alleviating immediate needs. Find out more and apply before 23rd March here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: resilience, voice and inclusion

The LAB is a three-day training course in Clean Break's practice and philosophy [30th March - 1st April, London, £250]. It is for theatre artists who are passionate about women’s experiences, committed to social justice and interested in theatre practice in prisons, criminal justice, and community settings. The training will involve working with its joint Artistic Directors: Anna Herrmann and Róisín McBrinn, and working with Clean Break’s members, to explore resilience, voice, and inclusion through theatre. There will be dedicated sessions on theatre in prison settings and trauma-informed practice. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Trustee with PACT [London], GROW Traineeship with Shelter [Manchester], Community Asset Coach with Changing Lives [Northallerton], Project Manager with Kenward Trust [Kent], Fundraiser (Trusts & Foundations) with The Advocacy Project [Flexible working/home-based], Chief Executive Officer with Basis Yorkshire [Leeds], Team Manager with St. Giles Trust [West Midlands], Regional Manager (North and South) - maternity cover with Unlocked Graduates [London or Manchester], Prescribing and General Admin Assistant with Humankind [Leeds], MIS Co-ordinator with Weston College [HMP Coldingley]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Revolution cocktail afternoon tea for two, three or four. From £25. Details
  • Tip II: Five or ten pairs of women's dog socks. Up to 69%. Details
  • Tip III: Three night Isle of Man break with flights and steam train. £265 per person. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

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