Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 629 | 9th April 2020

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In this week's edition...

    CLINKS NEWS: Covid-19 updates

    We have updated our Covid-19 web page with further news, resources and examples of what Clinks members have been doing to respond and adapt during the Covid-19 outbreak. Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show that 129 prisoners have tested positive for Covid-19 across 47 prisons; 24 prison staff have tested positive across 13 prisons; and five Prisoner Escort and Custody Services staff have tested positive. The Ministry of Justice announced on 4th April that selected lower-risk prisoners, within weeks of their release dates, will be temporarily released on licence in stages in an attempt to avoid thousands of prisoners becoming infected. Chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday announced £750m in support for charities. Several more funders have announced emergency funding for voluntary organisations in response to the crisis. Read more here

    CLINKS EVENTS: online criminal justice network meetings

    We’re holding a series of criminal justice network meetings online. The meetings include: Midlands [15th April, 9:30– 11:00am]; London and South East [15th April, 11:00–12:30pm]; South West [15th April, 2:00-3:30pm]; East and South Central [16th April, 10:30-12:00pm]; and West Yorkshire and Humber [16th April, 2:00- 3:30pm]. They will provide an opportunity for voluntary sector organisations to come together to discuss the impact on and responses of services working within the criminal justice system during these challenging times. The meetings will also provide the opportunity to hear from Clinks' policy team as well as a chance to share updates and concerns. Register in advance of the meetings here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: managing anxiety in a pandemic

    For the last 28 years Khulisa has held a Stress Awareness Month in April to increase public awareness about the causes and cures of stress. This year the team have put together an anxiety and stress management guide containing short exercises everyone can do to manage anxiety in a pandemic. Being in lockdown and having significant changes to daily rituals and routines caused by a pandemic that has wide and frightening media coverage is bound to increase stress and cause anxiety. Khulisa’s team of therapists and trauma-informed professionals put together a toolkit of tips and techniques that work for its staff and clients. Containing short 30 second, 3-10 minute and 30 minute techniques for calming and regulating, there's something for everyone. See the toolkit here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: virtual visits for families

    Following discussion with families who currently have a loved one in prison, Prison Reform Trust associate Sarah Beresford has written a blog reflecting on the role that allowing greater use of virtual visits could play in helping people in prison and their loved ones through the Covid-19 pandemic, and beyond. Currently the provision of virtual visits in prisons remains sporadic. Sarah highlights that when used routinely, they can be a very effective way of helping families maintain positive relationships with their family members in prison. Read the full blog here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: justice responses to Covid-19

    The Centre for Justice Innovation (CJI) has launched a tracker of how justice systems around the world are responding and adapting to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. It is tracking these responses in the following areas: criminal courts; community supervision of adults and bail supervision; and prisoner release. As this picture is evolving rapidly, please get in touch with CJI if you have new data, if its data is out of date, or if you would like to be added to its list of other organisations collating justice responses. Read CJI Director Phil Bowen’s blog introducing the tracker here, and view the latest version of the tracker here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: supporting young people

    Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) has recently launched a Covid-19 relief campaign aiming to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds living in Southwark during the pandemic. RJ4All has received several emails and calls from young people who have developed new mental health issues or whose current ones have been exacerbated due to the impact of Covid-19. The new project will provide mental health advice and guidance and practical support with donations of food and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Find out more about the project here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: child sexual abuse prevention

    Despite the lockdown, the confidential Stop It Now! Helpline (0808 1000 900) from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation remains open, providing support to anyone concerned with any aspect of child sexual abuse prevention, online or offline. The helpline supports adults worried about their own thoughts, feelings or behaviour; adults concerned about another adult or young person; and professionals who work with those groups. The Stop It Now! Helpline is available from 9.00am – 9.00pm Mondays to Thursdays and 9.00am – 5.00pm Fridays. Find out more here

    VOLUNTARY SECTOR NEWS: government funding during Covid-19

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced charities across the UK will receive a £750 million package of support during the coronavirus outbreak. This includes: £750 million for frontline charities; £360 million direct from government departments and £370 million for smaller charities, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund; and the government will match donations to the National Emergencies Trust, a minimum of £20 million. Clinks welcomes this announcement as an important first step towards ensuring the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system can support people through this crisis and into the future. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Justice and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport so sector receives the support it needs to continue its vital work. Find out more here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: impact of Covid-19

    The Justice Committee held a meeting with Robert Buckland, Justice Secretary; Jo Farrar, Chief Executive, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service; and Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive, HM Courts and Tribunals Service to discuss the government’s response to the impact of Covid-19 on the criminal justice system. The committee asked about the likelihood of releasing up to 4,000 people from prison early, given that the criteria to determine eligibility for early release is stringent. Robert Buckland and Jo Farrar said this was an upper estimate, but their strategy was a mixed plan of release, extra accommodation and more staffing. Unfortunately, due to “procedural and technical reasons” the committee weren’t able to record or fully transcribe the meeting. Read a summarised note of the meeting here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: accessing medicine on release

    Two officials from NHS England and NHS Improvement, Kate Davies CBE, Director of Health and Justice and Dr Keith Ridge CBE, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, have written a letter to community pharmacies providing information on supporting people to access medicines who have been released from prisons and other detained settings. The letter reminds pharmacies to exempt prescription charges for opioid substitute prescriptions for those released from custody as, due to Covid-19, people may leave prison without at least seven days of medicines. This also applies to people with no fixed address. People released from prison who are self-isolating should arrange for representatives to collect medicines from pharmacies on their behalf. NHS volunteers and other local volunteer services can be used to support delivery. Read the letter here

    FUNDING: emergency fund for frontline charities

    National Emergencies Trust (NET) has set up an emergency fund supporting frontline charities to help those most in need. The money will be distributed through UK Community Foundations to 46 local community foundations across the country. To see what funding is available in your local area and to apply, go to the website of your local community foundation, which can be found here

    FUNDING: vulnerable members of the community

    In the light of the unprecedented challenges that now face small charities providing vital services to the most vulnerable members of the community, The Leathersellers' Company has set up a fast track application process for one-off grants of up to £3,000. The company welcomes applications from UK registered charities which are currently supporting: the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless; provision of food and essential supplies; victims of domestic violence; or nursing care to vulnerable patients. Organisations can expect a decision in a maximum of four weeks of applying. In order to distribute maximum funding to organisations urgently, applications will close for summer on 11th May. See details and apply here

    FUNDING: 'at risk' groups

    The Clothworkers’ Emergency Capital Programme (CECP) will award small capital grants of up to £5,000 for essential capital items to adapt or increase services in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Priority will be given to organisations supporting vulnerable and ‘at risk’ groups within its programme areas during this period. The foundation recognises the immediate need for capital items and aims to make quick decisions on applications. If it receives a large volume of applications it may take up to two weeks for a decision. Please note that this programme is not open to charities whose beneficiaries are based in London. It will be announcing separate initiatives for London charities. For more details and to apply click here

    FUNDING: Wales emergency fund

    Funding is available from WCVA through the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund for organisations based in Wales providing vital support to groups so that they can be supported during this time. Grants will support organisations working at a community scale up to a national level in Wales and can be between £10,000 and £100,000. Funding can be used for smaller capital or revenue expenditure including consumables (for example Personal Protective Equipment); however, the request must fit in with the grant aims of maintaining or increasing voluntary services for vulnerable individuals and communities affected by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. See more and apply here

    RESOURCE: easy read Covid-19 leaflet for prisoners

    Tully Forensic Psychology has produced a Covid-19 leaflet for prisoners who have learning disability related needs. It is in an easy read format and was produced in consultation with an expert speech and language therapist. To request a copy to share with colleagues, teams and others who might be interested email Dr Ruth Tully at enquiries@tullyforensicpsychology.com

    BLOG: Covid-19 and prison safety

    Juliet Lyon CBE, chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody and former Prison Reform Trust Director has written a blog for Barrow Cadbury Trust about Covid-19 and prison safety. She writes that as Covid-19 spreads, Ministers and officials are faced with some of the most difficult decisions they have ever had to make about balance of risk and the best ways to keep people safe. She argues that the government must embark without further delay on a programme of planned prison releases, on a cohort by cohort, case by case basis. Read the blog here

    CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

    Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Fundraiser with Imago Dei Prison Ministry [Tonbridge], Community Key Worker with ADVANCE [London], Nurse Team Leader with Kaleidoscope Project [Cardiff], Data Protection Officer with Humankind [Flexible], Trustee / Treasurer with Apex Charitable Trust Ltd [St. Helens], Fundraising Manager – Trusts and Foundations with Unlock [Maidstone], Senior Employer Engagement Worker with Changing Lives [Stockton], Trustees with Why me? Victims for Restorative Justice [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

    TIPS OF THE WEEK

    • Tip I: Sage 50 Accounting 2018 online course for beginners. 95% off. Details
    • Tip II: Enjoy National Theatre productions from the comfort of your own home. Details
    • Tip III: Summer mystery deal - furniture set, hot tub, outdoor speakers and more. Details

    EXTRA INFORMATION

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