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In this month's edition...
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Clinks' main priority over recent weeks has been supporting the voluntary sector working in criminal justice during the Covid-19 pandemic. We have taken a number of steps in response to Covid-19 and are working closely with government officials in a number of areas. This is a rapidly changing situation. To stay updated on the latest information about the impact of Covid-19 on the criminal justice system and our work to support and advocate for the voluntary sector through this, keep an eye on our dedicated webpage. This webpage also signposts to a range of sources of support for voluntary organisations. See the webpage here
The impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector
Clinks is undertaking a bi-weekly survey of voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system, to understand the impact of Covid-19 on their work. Results of the survey are shared with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Justice Select Committee, on issues including service delivery, staff, and contracts and grant requirements. We're looking for voluntary organisations to respond, including those working in health and justice. Take just 10 minutes to take the latest survey here
Coronavirus (Covid-19) and prisons
As of 28th April 2020, prison visits are temporarily suspended following government instructions to slow the spread of Covid-19. As a temporary measure, secure phone handsets will be given to prisoners at 55 prisons allowing risk-assessed prisoners to speak to a small number of pre-authorised contacts. The usual regime in prisons has been paused temporarily to apply social distancing. This means prisoners can no longer take part in usual recreational activities such as using the gym, going to worship or visiting the library. Only essential workers such as kitchen staff or wing cleaners will continue with their jobs but people will still get paid. Support for prisoners, such as advice on in-cell worship, exercise and managing anxiety will be provided. Read more here
Temporary release measures announced
The government has announced that risk-assessed people in prison who are within two months of their release date will be temporarily released from prison, as part of the national plan to protect the NHS and save lives. This action aims to avoid thousands of people in prison potentially contracting Covid-19, which could overwhelm local NHS services. People who pass the criteria for release will be subject to conditions, and will be electronically monitored, including with GPS tags. People with convictions for violent and/or sexual offences are not eligible for early release under the scheme. They can be immediately recalled to prison for breaching these conditions or committing further offences. The releases will be phased over time. Read more here
Use of compassionate release on temporary licence
The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) have announced a use of compassionate release on temporary licence (ROTL) scheme during Covid-19. Among those who are not eligible for the early release scheme, prisoners who may be particularly affected by the direct or indirect consequences of Covid-19 who are either pregnant, residing with their babies in custody, or defined by NHS guidelines as ‘extremely vulnerable’, merit consideration for temporary release under a Special Purpose Licence. It is the duty of prisons to take active steps to identify individuals in the groups mentioned and invite them to apply for ROTL. The ROTL assessment needs to consider the prisoner’s health, and potentially life, if temporary release is not granted. Release on compassionate grounds for vulnerability reasons will only be justified for the duration of the Covid-19 outbreak. Read more here
Pregnant women to be temporarily released from custody
The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have announced that pregnant women in custody ‘who do not pose a high risk of harm to the public’ will be temporarily released from prison to protect them and their unborn children from coronavirus. Women in Mother and Baby Units meeting the same risk assessment will also be released with their children. Prison governors will be able to grant their release on temporary licence once they pass a risk assessment and suitable accommodation for the women has been identified. Those released will be subject to licence conditions, including a requirement to stay at home, and wear an electronic tag, where appropriate. Read more here
The impact of Covid-19 on the probation system
The Justice Select Committee met virtually for an oral evidence session on the impact of Covid-19 on the probation system. Witnesses included representatives from User Voice and Nacro, Minister for Prisons and Probation Lucy Frazer MP, CEO of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, Dr Jo Farrar, and Director General of Probation for England and Wales, Amy Rees. Minister Frazer stated that all those released on temporary licence will be given an offender manager who will contact those released within 48 hours of release, with an expectation for many people to be released shortly. Minister Frazer spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on the probation reform programme, recognising that launching competition for the Dynamic Framework in May could be challenging. Read the full transcript here
Adapted approach to prison inspections
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) has created an adapted approach for inspections during the Covid-19 outbreak, involving short scrutiny visits – of one-day duration, involving two or three inspectors. These visits are announced, and HMIP intend to simultaneously visit three establishments on one day, chosen by type – such as local prisons or young offender institutions. HMIP will publish one report summarising findings from all three establishments within three weeks of the visit. There will be specific focus on health care, nutrition and hygiene; contact with families, friends and the outside world; legal rights; use of time and the need for meaningful human contact; support for those at risk of self-harm and suicide; and support and risk management for those being released. Read more here
Immediately reduce number of people in detention settings
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Clinks alongside over a hundred voluntary sector organisations, grassroots networks and academics, have signed a letter organised by INQUEST and Women in Prison to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, calling on government to urgently reduce the number of people in detention and custody settings. The letter states that it is not possible to follow government advice on Covid-19 in prison. Deaths of people in custody are already at a historic high, and the Covid-19 outbreak in prisons and measures to tackle it threaten to escalate this problem on an unprecedented scale. The letter calls for existing resources to be reallocated so that no one is released into destitution or with a lack of health and welfare support. Read the letter here
Campaign for temporary stop of short prison sentences
Revolving Doors Agency has launched a campaign and organised a coalition of supporters, including Clinks, for the temporary stop of short prison sentences. This is to limit the rapid churn of people vulnerable to Covid-19 in and out of prison and keep prisoners and staff safe. Revolving Doors Agency estimates that during the peak of pandemic up to 2,000 people with Covid-19 will arrive in prison to for a stay of three months. The government is being urged to make a clear statement prioritising community and suspended sentences ahead of short custodial sentences of six months or less for all non-violent and non-sexual offences and to urge the reduction of recall on license for breach of post-sentence supervision. Read the campaign statement here
Covid-19 and the voluntary mental health sector
The Association of Mental Health Providers has published a briefing paper on the impact of Covid-19 on voluntary sector mental health and wellbeing provider organisations. Key areas of impact include: rising service demand; workforce reduction; key worker status and recognition; loss of access to care coordinators; adapting service delivery; and sustainability of the voluntary sector. The briefing notes examples of organisations delivering services online or via telephone. It notes that organisations delivering liaison and diversion services have found it difficult to undertake mental health assessments digitally, with criminal justice proceedings having moved online. The Association will continue to produce further briefings as more intelligence is gathered from its membership. Read the full briefing here
Monitoring places of detention
The National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has published its tenth annual report on monitoring places of detention. In 2018-19, too many examples of unacceptable treatment and day-to-day conditions were found, which in too many instances went unaddressed, despite members of the NPM raising concerns. The report highlights continuing high levels of self-harm in prisons, and the continued prevalence and impact of new psychoactive substances on health and safety. Serious concerns were raised about the use of segregation units to deal with prisoners with severe mental health conditions, unable to be transferred because of a chronic shortage of specialist mental health services. Outcomes in women’s prisons were generally better – however, levels of self-harm in the women’s estate increased by 24% in 2018 – and are proportionately higher than in the male estate. Read the report here
The experience of Muslims in the prison system
Maslaha has published a report -Time to end the silence - which explores the experiences of Muslim people in prison. The report was supported by Clinks Policy Officer Lauren Nickolls as part of Clinks’ commitment to working in partnership with and as an ally to BAME-led organisations. The findings note the importance of faith for an individual’s mental health and sense of identity, but also in terms of their engagement with voluntary services and staff. A recommendation of the report highlighted the need for voluntary sector organisations to review their understanding of Muslim service users and how accessible services are to Muslims, to understand how religion can affect how someone relates to mental health services, amongst other services. Read the report here
Experiences of smoking cessation support among people with severe mental illness
The Association of Mental Health Providers, Rethink Mental Illness and Centre for Mental Illness have published a report: A time to quit: Experiences of smoking cessation support among people with severe mental illness. The report notes that people with severe mental illness are more likely to smoke and to smoke more heavily than the general population, with prevalence in smoking falling more slowly among people with severe mental illness. This is stated to contribute to the widening gap in life expectancy between the two populations. A key recommendation in the report was that for people in prison – as a group of people having special requirements – provisions for smoking cessation such as peer support, smoke-free environments and behaviour change initiatives should be allocated. Read the report here
Coronavirus: Q&A for friends and family of prisoners
The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have published a frequently-asked questions resource for friends and families of people in prison. It includes answers to questions on transfers, self-isolation of people in prison, release, phone services, and post. You can access the FAQ sheet here
Preparedness, prevention and control of Covid-19 in places of detention
The World Health Organisation has published interim guidance on preparedness, prevention and control of Covid-19 in prisons and other places of detention. The guidance includes key information on the signs, symptoms and transmission of Covid-19, how to assess suspected cases in prisons and manage confirmed cases, prevention measures such as appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and distancing measures, and discharging people from prison and other places of detention during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read the full guidance here
Guidance for commissioners and providers of substance and alcohol misuse services
The Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England have published guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol. This guidance will assist commissioners, managers and staff in addressing coronavirus and associated disease (Covid-19), in substance misuse and alcohol services, including services for young people. The guidance contains key information on what to prioritise within services, the changing nature of contract arrangements, and the potential increased risk of Covid-19 amongst those with alcohol and substance misuse issues. This guidance may be updated in line with the changing situation. Read the full guidance here
Health and social care needs assessment of adults under probation supervision
Public Health England has published a guidance document on undertaking a Health and Social Care Needs Assessment (HSNA) of adults under probation supervision in the community. The guidance provides a structure for undertaking a HSNA, summarises where to find the best available data to describe health and social care needs, and gives examples of local practice. The guidance is intended for use by commissioners of health and social care services in the local community, those working in the criminal justice system, and voluntary sector organisations. The guidance covers issues including (but not limited to) substance misuse, learning disabilities, both physical and mental health, and social care – and includes examples of good practice for user engagement. Read the guidance here
Disadvantaged people and communities
The County Grants programme of the Henry Smith Charity supports the work of small organisations and charities working with disadvantaged people and communities in eight counties: Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Suffolk, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex. One-year grants of between £500 and £10,000 and grants of up to £20,000 spread over either two or three years are available. Grants are made for work with several groups or communities including people in prison and those who have had previous contact with the criminal justice system, and issues such as mental health, healthcare, and alcohol and substance misuse. The applicant's annual income must be below £250,000, or if working county-wide, below £1 million. There is no deadline as applications are rolling. More information is available here
The impact of Covid-19: what we know so far
Policy Officer Lauren Nickolls has written a blog on the findings of Clinks’ first survey to understand the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system. 171 organisations responded to the survey. Key findings include that many organisations that receive grant or contract funding for services delivered face-to-face are no longer able to deliver services in this way, and are, where possible, adapting to different methods of supporting their clients which may not be in the terms of their agreed contract or grant. Early findings suggest that organisations are struggling to operate their normal levels of service; that there are concerns about financial sustainability and meeting funding requirements; and that volunteer numbers have been severely impacted. Read the blog here
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This regular bulletin provides Clinks members with the latest news for voluntary organisations involved in the health and care of people in the criminal justice system. It currently has 2,428 subscribers.
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