In this month's edition...
Restrictions in prisons begin to be lifted
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is now restarting social visits in prisons and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) where it is safe to do so. Prisons and YOIs in England and Wales have started transitioning from stage four ('Lockdown') to stage three ('Restrict'), in line with the National Framework for Prisons. This means establishments have begun to incrementally ease restrictions and some prisons have restarted social visits with certain restrictions and modifications. The list of prisons which have transitioned to stage three (‘Restrict’) and which prisons are currently allowing visits can be shared on request by email to Covid19@clinks.org. More information is available here
Funding for prisons
The government has committed over £140 million to install temporary prison cells, repair and refurbish prisons and improve IT in prisons. One thousand temporary cells will be installed to increase capacity and allow HMPPS to close wings at other prisons for refurbishment. Part of the funding for IT will go towards technology to support digital literacy and education. Funding used to improve conditions in prison and support rehabilitation is welcome, but this funding is dwindled by the huge amounts committed to building costly new prisons to accommodate an increasing prison population. Clinks thinks that the government should reduce the prison population, and that this money would be much better spent on early intervention, prevention, diversion and alternatives to custody. Read more here
Independent review into substance misuse
The second phase of Professor Dame Carol Black’s independent review into substance misuse in England has been launched. This phase will study treatment provision, recovery services and prevention. The review will look at how substance misuse treatment interacts with housing, employment, and mental health and criminal justice services, with the aim of ensuring that people get the right support to recover and turn their lives around in the community and in prison. A call for evidence has also been launched, closing on 6th August. Clinks held a consultation event to engage with voluntary organisations working on substance misuse, and are using the information gathered to inform our response that we will make as a member of the Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition. Read more here
Health and justice network event
Clinks is holding the fourth in a series of virtual health and justice network meetings [7th September | online | free] to understand the continuing and evolving impact of Covid-19 on voluntary sector organisations delivering health and care services to people in contact with the criminal justice system. The meetings are aimed at voluntary sector organisations who are Clinks members and deliver health and care services to people in the criminal justice system. The aim of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for organisations to come together to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery, the people that organisations support, and contract and grant requirements during these challenging circumstances. To reserve a place at the event, please contact events@clinks.org
Prison mental health - virtual consultation
The Centre for Mental Health is holding a series of virtual consultations on a review of mental health in prisons, commissioned by NHS England and Improvement. This is based on the previous call for evidence, that Clinks responded to, on the future of mental health care in prisons. The review covers a broad range of issues, including older prisoners, self-harm and suicide, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) prisoners, and the longer term impact of Covid-19. Several virtual consultations will be held over August and September and there are a limited number of spaces at the events. For more information and to register, please contact prisonmh@centreformentalhealth.org.uk
What does recovery look like?
Following a request from the MoJ/HMPPS Third Sector Taskforce, the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) has set out how the government and the voluntary sector can best work together to address the challenges posed to the long-term delivery of voluntary sector services in the criminal justice system in the context of Covid-19. The report sets out key principles, including the need for an equal partnership between the voluntary sector and the MoJ and HMPPS, and the need to ensure that recovery from Covid-19 is seen as an opportunity to improve the system. The RR3 is a group of experts from the voluntary sector that provides formal advice to MoJ and HMPPS. The group is chaired and coordinated by Clinks. Read the report here
Covid-19 official statistics
HMPPS now publishes weekly data on Covid-19 in the prison and probation service and mitigating actions being taken to limit the spread of the virus. The most recent data shows there have been 44 deaths since the start of the pandemic among people in contact with the criminal justice system where Covid-19 was the suspected cause, of whom 23 were people in prison and 21 were under probation supervision. There have been no Covid-19 suspected deaths of people in contact with the criminal justice system since the week ending 29th May. 530 prisoners or children have tested positive for Covid-19, across 84 establishments, almost all of whom were adults. The number of new confirmed cases has increased by fewer than 10 each week since 19th June. 242 prisoners have been released under Covid-19 temporary release schemes, 15 of these occurred in the latest week. Read more here
Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic
Clinks has responded to the Health and Social Care Committee’s call for evidence on delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond. Our response focuses on greater service user need in the face of adapted service delivery during Covid-19, and the strain Covid-19 has put on the voluntary sector delivering health and care services to people in the criminal justice system. Recommendations included a call for NHS England, HMPPS and MoJ to work with the voluntary sector to identify gaps in service delivery and commission services to support the health needs of people in contact with the criminal justice system, as well as financial support for voluntary sector organisations. Read the full response here
The future of mental health care in prison
Clinks has responded to the Centre for Mental Health’s call for evidence for a review to guide the future of mental health care in prison. The response outlines how far mental health support is currently meeting need, examples of good practice, how needs are likely to change in the future and areas for development and improvement. It details the impact that Covid-19 is having on the mental health of people in prison, as well as the ability of voluntary sector organisations delivering mental health services to operate. A key recommendation is for voluntary organisations to be seen as strategic partners that prisons engage with, to ensure that they are able to support people in contact with the criminal justice system. This also means supporting organisations’ sustainability during and beyond Covid-19. Read our response here
The unequal impact of Covid-19 on people with protected characteristics
Clinks has responded to the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into the unequal impact of Covid-19 on people with protected characteristics. In the response, we focus on the impact that Covid-19 has had on women, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people and older people in contact with the criminal justice system – particularly those in prison. Issues covered include the vulnerability of pregnant women and older people in prison, and the disproportionate impact that Covid-19 has had on BAME people, linking to the early release schemes. Recommendations included the MoJ and HMPPS publishing data on the ethnicity of those released under the early release scheme, and increased financial support for the voluntary sector working with people with protected characteristics in the criminal justice system. Read the response here
Gendered impact of the lifting of lockdown
The Fawcett Society, in coalition with over 65 voluntary sector and women’s organisations has published a briefing on its call for action for the government to support women and girls when lifting the Covid-19 lockdown. It notes that the current regime in prisons is resulting in a mental health crisis for women, damaging relationships between mothers and their children due to severe restrictions on prison visits. It recommends that women are not placed in conditions akin to solitary confinement, and that urgent action is taken to release women from prison, focussing on pregnant women and new mothers, those who are close to release, have caring responsibilities or are at particular risk from Covid-19. Read the full briefing here
Understanding inequalities in mental health during the pandemic
The Centre for Mental Health has published a briefing on inequalities in mental health during the pandemic. The briefing notes that whilst Covid-19 has had a profound impact on the mental health of the nation, this is further exacerbated for people with specific characteristics and from specific communities, including people living with mental health problems, people living with long-term conditions, older adults, women and children exposed to violence and trauma during lockdown, and people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups. The briefing recommends that the government and Public Health England should provide advice and support to organisations – including prisons and health and care services and businesses – in trauma-informed approaches following the end of lockdown. Read the briefing here
Secondary care: a qualitative study of prisoners’ experience
A study conducted by researchers from the UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health and others on the role of secondary care clinicians and staff in delivering equivalence of care for prisoners has been published. The study used prisoners’ experiences of secondary care to determine whether people in prison are receiving the equivalent care that people in the general population would. It found equivalence of care to be challenging, due to delays in access, and poorer patient experience. Issues identified included security concerns overriding patient’s needs and creating poor experiences, difficulties regarding the prison officer’s role in medical consultations, delayed access due to prison regime and transport requirements, and patient’s autonomy being restricted in managing their own healthcare. Read the full study here
The impacts of Covid-19 on BAME communities in Wales
The Wales black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Covid-19 Advisory Group has published a report on the impacts of Covid-19 on BAME communities in Wales. It finds that a lack of, or poor quality of, ethnicity data has resulted in poor health decisions, and BAME communities face a higher risk of contracting and dying from Covid-19. It notes that Covid-19 has further exposed racial inequality in Wales, with the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report A Roadmap to Race Equality highlighting the need for government action on racial inequality in criminal justice. Recommendations include a substantive and comprehensive Race Equality Strategy for Wales, immediate action to improve the quality of ethnicity data, and increasing the uptake of screening and health promotions from BAME people. Read the report here
Priorities for pregnant women and new mothers facing multiple disadvantage
Birth Companions has published a position statement setting out priorities for pregnant women and new mothers facing multiple disadvantage during and beyond the Covid-19 crisis response. The statement calls for care for pregnant women and new mothers experiencing multiple disadvantage to be improved, and for pregnant women and new mothers affected by the criminal justice system to be better protected and supported. Recommendations include prioritising the voices of women with lived experience, recognising prisons as unsafe and inappropriate for pregnant women and new mothers, the government delivering the Female Offender Strategy, and pregnant women and mothers released early from prison during the pandemic not being returned to custody unless there is a clear justification for doing so. Read the full statement here
Trauma-informed practice
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation has published an academic insights paper on trauma-informed practice. The paper defines trauma and adverse childhood experiences and their impact and demonstrates how to be trauma-informed in practice and in policy. The paper notes the link between trauma and adverse childhood experiences with contact with the criminal justice system, and outlines developing a trauma-informed workforce in the criminal justice system through workplace policy, trauma-informed practice, safe places, and trauma-informed trained staff. Read the full paper here
Clinks Covid-19 Response Grants programme
Our Covid-19 Response Grants programme has moved into a new phase, looking beyond immediate needs brought about by Covid-19 and towards recovery. To be eligible, voluntary organisations must have an existing relationship with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and under £500,000 annual income. We now also welcome applications from those seeking support to make long-term or permanent adaptations to their work to adapt to a ‘new normal’; and for support in probation areas/prisons which have begun to ease lockdown. Previous applicants may be eligible to reapply – however, please read our updated guidance carefully. We will not accept a resubmission of the same application. There’s now a deadline for applications: 9am 17th August. Find out more and apply here
£2.5m funding for specialist women’s centres
To support the Ministry of Justice to achieve the aims set out in the Female Offender Strategy and in recognition of the essential services provided by specialist women’s organisations in the criminal justice system, the Ministry of Justice is inviting applications for one-off grants for core costs. Clinks’ Women’s Network Coordinator, Jackie Lowthian, has written a blog giving detail on the funding and an update from Clinks’ policy team about our work to inform the implementation of the Female Offender Strategy. Grants between £30,000, and £60,000 are available to specialist voluntary organisations providing gender-specific services for women across England and Wales. They are not to commission services but rather to cover core costs, including non-project costs, general operating and running costs, and overheads. Find out more here
Health and justice: during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic
Clinks’ Health and Justice Policy and Development Officer, Zahra Wynne, has written a blog on the impact of Covid-19 on voluntary sector organisations delivering health services to people in contact with the criminal justice system based on insights from the health and justice network meetings, what Clinks is doing to support the sector during Covid-19, and future work on health and justice interventions. The blog outlines how the voluntary sector working in health and justice has adapted to meet service user need but is facing uncertainty due to Covid-19, how Clinks is supporting the voluntary sector, and areas of work within health and justice that Clinks will continue to focus on, such as older people and pregnant women and mothers in contact with the criminal justice system. Read the blog here
Covid-19 Response Grants – looking towards recovery
The Covid-19 Response Grants programme has now been open for two months, and we are very excited to have funded 32 brilliant organisations to deliver important work supporting people in prison, through-the-gate and in the community in the context of Covid-19. We are also in the process of funding three more organisations which will be announced in our next update. We have received more than 150 applications, and our grants panel has worked hard, making some very difficult decisions, to ensure that there is funding still available to support organisations as the landscape starts to change. See the organisations and what they’ll deliver here
Why do we still imprison pregnant women?
Lucy Baldwin, senior Lecturer/researcher in criminology and criminal justice at De Montfort University and Laura Abbott, senior Lecturer in midwifery at the University of Hertfordshire have written a blog on pregnancy in prison. The blog notes that although there are guidelines for how pregnant women are responded to in prison, case studies demonstrate that this is not always followed in practice, with women often having to rely on the goodwill, compassion and professionality of individual officers for access to support or maternity needs. In recommending alternatives to Mother and Baby Units in prisons, the blog notes examples of good practice such as Trevi House, which provides an alternative to custody by therapeutically supporting mothers through substance misuse recovery whilst addressing root causes of substance misuse. 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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