The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
Annual meeting
On 23rd June, the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) hosted 79 delegates at our annual meeting. We asked: “How can the arts in criminal justice challenge race inequality, survive and thrive through Covid-19 and beyond?” We were joined by Simon Marshall, Deputy Director – Rehabilitation and Support Services Group, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and Mags Patten, Executive Director Public Policy and Communication for Arts Council England to discuss the easing of lockdown in the criminal justice and arts and culture sectors. Anna Hermann, Joint Artistic Director at Clean Break also spoke about the organisation’s work to support its members during the Covid-19 lockdown. We will be posting visual minutes and a poem performed by Mr Gee at the end of the meeting on the NCJAA website soon, so watch this space.
Six new members join the NCJAA steering group
We are very pleased to announce the appointment of the following new members to the NCJAA steering group: Brenda Birungi, poet and Founder of Unchained Poetry; Jamal Khan, writer and poet; Jennifer Walmsley, Co-Founder of BearFace Theatre; Ralph Lubkowski, Governor of HMP Stafford; Sarah Hartley, National Lead for Families at Novus; and Simon Ruding, Director of TiPP. We are delighted to welcome six individuals with such a breadth of experience and expertise. Our new members join the steering group at a crucial time for the NCJAA. Dr Alison Frater, Chair of the NCJAA, will be stepping down this summer. We are extremely indebted to Alison for her expert leadership, dedication and vision over the past 5 years. Read more on the elections here
The collective voice of the BAME-led charity sector
Voluntary organisations led by black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people have written a paper setting out five areas for action that HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) must take in order to address the challenges of BAME-led organisations in the criminal justice system. The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) has given their full support to the paper, in a letter to Dr Jo Farrar, Chief Executive of HMPPS. Read the paper and supporting letter here
How will lockdown lift in prisons and probation?
Clinks has published two blogs summarising the key information on Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s (HMPPS) plans for how restricted regimes in prisons and probation will be gradually lifted. These summaries are based on HMPPS’s guidance documents - the National framework for prisons and the Probation roadmap to recovery. There are five stages outlined for prisons, ranging from ‘complete lockdown’ (stage five) which includes no time in the open air and no transfers in or out of the establishment, to ‘prepare’ (stage one) where compartmentalisation is no longer required, routine inter-prison transfers are allowed and regimes can operate without social distancing or personal protective equipment. As of 12 June, all prisons were in stage four, ‘lockdown’. Read more on the national framework for prisons here
Changes to probation services
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced that the Probation Delivery Partner commissioning has been stopped, and all these services will be brought in under the National Probation Service (NPS), meaning that from June 2021, accredited programmes and unpaid work will be delivered by the NPS. The MoJ also announced the launch of the commissioning process for the Dynamic Framework through which resettlement and rehabilitation services will be commissioned. Clinks welcomes the announcement on the basis that a simplified system that reduces complexity for people - and the need for contract management and monitoring - will mean a stronger focus on meeting people’s needs. Read more here
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
We will be sending our next newsletter on Thursday 30th July. Please email info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk with any news, research, events, opportunities or blog proposals by Tuesday 21st July.
Probation services commissioning - introduction to the Dynamic Framework
25th June | Online | Free
To support organisations to understand the probation Dynamic Framework and what it means for them, Clinks is running a series of online events. This event will brief delegates on the commissioning process and IT security standards required to engage in the Dynamic Framework. Register here
Building partnerships for the probation Dynamic Framework
1st-8th July | Online | Free
This series of events will be organised by geographic region and will give delegates information and guidance on building partnerships and consortia, covering best practice in all areas of consortia development, and give organisations an opportunity to become more familiar with each other and so start to build the relationships needed to establish partnerships and consortia where necessary. Register here
Coronavirus Conversations: Reopening Museums Webinar
1st July | Online | Free with membership of Museums Association
Join Sharon Heal, Director, Museums Association, and a panel of museum leaders to discuss how museums can welcome back visitors when they are able to reopen. Visit the Museums Association website to find out more here
#RoundYourHouse
While its doors remain shut during the Covid-19 lockdown, the Roundhouse has created a series of #RoundYourHouse resources for the young people who access its studios and the general public. Visit the website to access podcasts and other inspiring resources for young people, artists, makers and those working in the arts sector. Find them here
Art for all season at Watts Gallery – Artists’ village
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village (WGAV) has launched a series of activities to celebrate its Art for All Community learning programme, delivering artist-led workshops to socially excluded and vulnerable groups, enabling the development of new and transferable skills in order to build self-confidence and contribute to rehabilitation. Although the Artists’ Village is currently closed, the Art for All Community learning programme has been continuing remotely, through virtual workshops and the provision of artists’ materials to enable participation. The Art for All season is available here
#WeShallNotBeRemoved
Over 100 leading disabled artists and cultural leaders have written an open letter to UK Culture Ministers demanding support for disabled people in the creative industries. Read the letter and accessible versions here
Safety in performing arts during Covid-19
On Tuesday 23rd June, the Prime Minister announced further easing of lockdown measures in England, including the reopening of some arts and cultural spaces where this can be done safely. The Entertainment and Events subgroup of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) Cultural Renewal Taskforce intend to publish good practice guidance in June, to support the sector to reopen safely. The guidance will cover training, rehearsal and performance, and seek to acknowledge the complexity of the sector. Find out more about the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and its subgroups here
Impact of Covid-19 on BAME voluntary organisations
Voyage Youth is conducting research on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) youth charities and community interest companies - many of which are struggling to survive financially during this crisis. Voyage Youth engages young people through centre-based, referral and outreach work in the community. The Voyage Youth team are bringing together other BAME-led youth organisations, including arts organisations, to explore urgent questions of financial sustainability and the practicalities of carrying out their vital work during the lockdown. They are working together to discuss strategies that reduce their chances of closing down. Read more and contact Voyage Youth to share your experience and get involved here
Virtual exhibition for women’s building on HMP Holloway site
Peabody has released its first draft master plan for the development of the HMP Holloway site and are inviting feedback in an online consultation. This is a unique opportunity to feedback ideas on their proposals, which includes a dedicated Women's Building. There is scope to provide a range of services and facilities in the Women's Building, including arts based services, and this continues to be explored. The consultation process is open until 3rd July 2020. Find out more here and view the plans and provide feedback here
Arts Council England publishes emergency response funds data
Arts Council England has now completed awarding funds for its first two emergency response funds: for individuals and organisations (outside the national portfolio). View the headline data and download the report here
Koestler Awards 2020 deadline announced
The Koestler Awards 2020 is open for entries until Tuesday, 7th July 2020. Koestler Arts extended their original deadline to allow additional time for entrants to submit work during lockdown, particularly those in secure settings who may be more isolated during this time. For more information about the awards and how to submit entries, visit the Koestler Arts website here
Fio is recruiting
Fio is a theatre company working across the UK and internationally to make interesting, political and provocative work that brings about social change. They Fio team are looking for someone to revamp their website, to make it more accessible, interactive and representative of Fio as an organisation. This is a paid opportunity. They would love for it to go to someone of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background. Please email judy@wearefio.co.uk by 10th July 2020 with your work/portfolio and ideas for how to revamp the website if interested.
Clinks’ support and information
Clinks is regularly updating its Covid-19 webpage with the latest developments and sources of support for voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. See the latest updates here
Music and youth justice grants available
Youth Music’s Fund A grants programme awards grants between £2,000 and £30,000 for high-quality projects that aim to help to achieve a musically inclusive England. Priorities for funding include youth justice – projects working with children and young people who have been, or are at risk of being in contact with the youth justice system. This includes children and young people who: are in or leaving young offending institutions; are in contact with a Youth Offending Team; are at risk of offending as a result of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Find out more and apply before 31st July here
Core costs funding for small charities
Woodward Charitable Trust offers funding towards the core costs of UK charities with annual income less than £200,000 working in several areas, including: with people in contact with the criminal justice system (specifically projects that help the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners as well as requests to help prisoners’ families); arts outreach work involving disadvantaged people; children and young people who are isolated, at risk of exclusion or involved in anti-social behaviour; disadvantaged women and their children; disadvantaged families including parenting support; and projects that promote integration and community cohesion particularly among minority groups, refugees and traveller communities. The majority of grants are for less than £3,000. Find out more and apply before 31st July here
Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak
On 19th June the government announced that it had reduced the UK coronavirus alert level from four to three. As lockdowns begin to ease in sectors and businesses across the UK and we look forward to increased face-to-face activity, it is vital that we continue to prioritise safety. These resources provide an overview of workplace safety considerations: Musicians Union advice for people making music, theatre and live performance; NCVO safety at work resources; Health and Safety Executive safe working guidelines; the government’s safe working guidelines; and Youth work specific resources.
Dance to Health evaluation report
Dance to Health is a pioneering, nationwide falls prevention dance programme for older people. Its sessions combine evidence-based exercise with the creativity, energy and sociability of dance. Sheffield Hallam University Sports Industry Research Centre recently published its final phase one evaluation report on Dance to Health which found that the programme could reduce falls by 58%. Read the report in full here
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This newsletter is written monthly. Email info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk 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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