The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
As lockdown eases we are seeing new challenges emerge for artists and arts organisations who work in the criminal justice system. New government guidance for the arts and cultural sector and the criminal justice system means organisations will need to adapt quickly to ensure safe and effective working practices are put in place. We are delighted to hear that many in our network are receiving emergency funding from various sources, whilst we also continue to learn of financial hardship and real concerns for many organisations and artists who face uncertain futures. However, through our vibrant events programme we continue to learn of innovative ways that organisations and individual practitioners across the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) network are supporting the people they work with and creating new imaginative art works.
It is a time of change for the NCJAA, so please read on to learn about recent changes in leadership and staffing, plus funding opportunities, events and resources to help you and your organisation stay informed, resilient and creative.
National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance leadership
After five years, NCJAA Chair Dr Alison Frater is moving on to become the new Chair of Clean Break. Alison’s leadership has brought new audiences and enhanced the NCJAA in so many ways, her integrity and commitment to creativity and social justice will be hard to replace. Also, after nearly nine years, Jessica Plant, the Director of the NCJAA, is moving on to become the Director of Media Partnerships at Voluntary Arts, leading on its 'Up for Arts' programme of work with BBC local radio stations. Over its tenure, the NCJAA has grown in terms of reach and scope, most notably since becoming an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation in 2018, and initiating a longitudinal research project with the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University, further advancing both policy and practice in arts in criminal justice settings. The NCJAA is in a very positive position to face the new challenges ahead, even in these uncertain times – with ambitious plans and strong foundations. The leadership and governance provided by Clinks and the NCJAA Steering Group will ensure the NCJAA network continues to thrive. Read more on Alison’s new position here
New interim Chair
We are delighted to announce that the steering group has elected Anna Herrmann from Clean Break and Simon Ruding from TiPP to become co-Chairs of the NCJAA, along with Abdul Shayek of Fio Theatre as Vice Chair, for an interim period of one year. In the coming months, we will seek to recruit an independent Chair to provide strategic leadership for the NCJAA going forward in the longer term. We are extremely grateful to Anna, Simon and Abdul for stepping into these roles, as they will bring expertise, stability and leadership during this period.
Changes to the NCJAA team
We are very excited to welcome Rhiannon Fuller into the Communications and Digital Engagement Officer role at the NCJAA. She is a very experienced communications officer and will help us to ensure our website and social media platforms are engaging and far reaching. We are very sorry to be saying goodbye to Rebbecca Hemmings who joined the team in 2018 as our Regional Development Officer based in the Midlands and is leaving to focus on her own company Strawberry Words. We are delighted however that Rebbecca will continue to deliver training for the NCJAA in a freelance capacity. See more about Strawberry Words here
Thank you to Alli Black
We want to say a huge thank you to Alli Black who has acted as a special advisor to the NCJAA steering group for the last five years from a prison Governor’s perspective, and is now stepping down. As Head of the Prison Groups Directors Office (Cumbria and Lancashire), Alli is a strong advocate for creativity and arts for the prison estate. In 2018, alongside Dr Michael Fiddler, Alli edited a special edition of the Prison Service Journal focusing on The Arts in Prison. We are incredibly grateful to Alli for her contribution to the NCJAA and wish her every success for the future. We are delighted that Ralph Lubkowski, Governor at HMP Hewell, has been elected onto the Steering Group to take on this crucial role for the NCJAA. Read the special edition of The Prison Service Journal here
Listen again to Shakespeare in prisons webinar
As part of the Prisoner Learning Alliance's webinar series, NCJAA Director Jess Plant spoke to Rowan MacKenzie, PhD student at the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute, about Rowan's work bringing Shakespeare into prisons. Rowan explores the impact her work has had in prisons across the country and discusses how Shakespeare has enabled participants to develop new skills. She also talks about some of the challenges the lockdown has brought about for prison theatre. The webinar recording is now available to listen to online here
Clinks survey: how the sector is faring
In this blog, Clinks’ Policy Officer, Lauren Nickolls, gives details from the findings of Clinks’ recent survey of the voluntary sector in criminal justice to find out how organisations, including arts organisations, are still faring during this difficult time. Demand for the sector’s services is increasing but for a number of organisations this is hard to respond to, with heavy restrictions still in place and reduced service provision. Some organisations are planning to return to face-to-face services but there is still a lot of uncertainty about doing so. For those that are, this is primarily in the community as most prisons remain heavily restricted. There is significant concern amongst the sector about the mental health needs of prisoners, lack of accommodation for prison leavers and lack of access to services in the community to support transition from custody. Find out more here
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
We will be sending our next newsletter on Thursday 27th August. Please email info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk with any news, research, events, opportunities or blog proposals by Tuesday 18th August.
Good Vibrations featured on Radio 4
9th – 15th August | online | free
Good Vibrations, which delivers gamelan workshops in secure settings and in the community, is BBC Radio 4’s Appeal Charity from 9-15 August. The show will be hosted by musician, poet, writer and actor Benjamin Zephaniah who will talk about his experience of prison, the role arts can play in rehabilitation, how prison can make a difficult start in life worse, and how music projects can help people collaborate and break the cycle of re-offending. The show will be broadcast live on 9th August at 7:54am or 21:25pm and 13th August at 15:27pm. You can also listen online at any time between the 9th and 15th August on the BBC website here
Introduction to the Dynamic Framework event recording
Online | free
Clinks has published a recording of our popular Introduction to the probation Dynamic Framework event which gives a comprehensive introduction on the Dynamic Framework commissioning process. We have also provided a list of the questions and answers collated from the events. If you have a specific question relating to the Dynamic Framework, please ask this via Jaggaer as a clarification question. All questions submitted are logged and answers are published on Jaggaer. Voluntary organisations working in criminal justice can also send questions to us at probation@clinks.org. Through this mailbox we will answer your question if we can and collect feedback from organisations to inform our influencing of the probation review programme. We will answer as many enquiries as we can and will work to provide an initial response within 48 hours. Watch the video and read more here
Exceptional Delivery Models
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has produced several Exceptional Delivery Models (EDMs) which sit under the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services – the document which sets out HMPPS’s approach to ending regime restrictions in prisons due to Covid-19. The EDMs give more detailed guidance on different aspects of prison operations and how these will be delivered at the different stages of lockdown. There are 27 planned EDMs and 15 currently available. EDMs can be shared by email on request with voluntary sector organisations working alongside the prison service who want to understand how the easing of restrictions will affect their operations. To request an EDM, please email covid19@clinks.org. See more information including the list of available EDMs on Clinks’ Covid-19 webpage here
Some prisons restart visits
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has moved, at a national level, from stage four of the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services ('Lockdown') to stage three ('Restrict'). Different prisons will be assessed as being ready for different stages of the national framework at different times, depending on the situation at each establishment. The list of which prisons have moved to stage three (‘Restrict’) and the list of prisons that have restarted social visits can be shared with voluntary sector organisations working alongside the prison service who want to understand how the easing of restrictions will affect their operations. To request the list, please email covid19@clinks.org
Reopening performing arts
As part of the phased reopening of the performing arts sector, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has introduced a five-stage roadmap, which is currently at stage two. DCMS has announced the resumption of outdoor theatres, opera, dance and music for a limited and socially distanced audience from 11th July. Additionally, from 1st August, indoor performances with socially distanced audiences will be able to take place. Official guidelines for working safely in the performing arts continue to be updated. Read more here
Voluntary Arts responds to DCMS guidelines
Voluntary Arts has responded to the most recent DCMS guidelines on the safe return of performing arts activities, highlighting the important contribution of the amateur performing arts sector to wellbeing and local economic activity. It is calling for the guidelines to be updated to provide clarity and support for the voluntary arts sector. Read the Voluntary Arts response here
£1.57 billion support package for cultural and heritage organisations
Britain’s arts, culture and heritage industries will receive a £1.57 billion rescue package to help weather the impact of coronavirus, the government has announced. Emergency grants and loans will be made available to museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues. The funding will also contribute to restarting construction work at cultural and heritage sites paused as a result of the pandemic. Read the full press release here
Unchained: Brenda Birungi on Radio 4
Brenda Birungi, who joined the NCJAA steering group last month, was featured on BBC Radio 4 in July, hearing from women in the prison system. The programme tells the story of women who have been affected by short term custodial sentences, punctuated by Brenda’s powerful poetry. Listen to the full programme here
Music in prisons: Wak Therapists’ debut EP
Three years after forming in prison in 2017, Wak Therapists have released their debut EP, Escapology. The Wak Therapists began their musical journey in prison and attending Changing Tunes sessions with Musician-in-Residence, Dave Fugler. Upon release, the band continued to jam together and write their own songs. Changing Tunes is a Bristol based charity that uses music and mentoring to help prisoners and ex-prisoners lead meaningful lives free from crime. Musicians-in-Residence are multi-instrumentalists and able to teach a minimum of guitar, bass, piano and drums. Participants often report increased self-esteem, hope and positive identity as a result of sessions. Watch Wak Therapists’ official music video, ZIPIT here
OddArts is recruiting for a Lead Practitioner
OddArts specialises in the provision of theatre programmes for prisons, secure units and other criminal justice settings. They are looking for a dynamic, creative and socially aware individual to become a Lead Practitioner (maternity cover). The role will involve leading issue based creative and drama centred workshops in criminal justice, education and community settings. Read more and apply before 11th August here
Clinks Covid-19 Response Grants phase 2
Clinks’ 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 are now also welcoming 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 the updated guidance carefully. There’s now a deadline for applications: 9am 17th August, but if you can get your application in early please do, to allow us to review them over the next few weeks. Find out more and apply here
Arts Council England Project Grants reopen
Arts Council England (ACE) reopened the National Lottery Project Grants on 22nd July 2020. The new fund has a budget of £59.8 million available until April 2021. ACE has pledged to make the new fund more responsive to the needs of smaller independent organisations and individual practitioners during Covid-19. ACE is particularly focused on supporting applications from individual creative practitioners, research and development activity, organisational development activity, live activity that can be safely delivered within this period and activity that closely aligns with their Equality Objectives. Visit the ACE website for more information here
ArtFund grants for responses to Covid-19 crisis
ArtFund has launched its respond and reimagine grants to help museums, galleries and cultural organisations respond to immediate challenges connected to the Covid-19 crisis, and offer support to adapt and reimagine ways of working for the longer-term future. Funding from £10,000 to £50,000 is available and 100% funding will be considered. ArtFund is looking for applications from UK public museums, galleries, historic houses, libraries and archives that ordinarily have spaces for the public to visit and experience the visual arts or other object-based collections. Application deadlines are 17th August and 12th October. Read more about the grants here
In Focus photography challenge packs
In Focus provides extra-curricular arts-based learning to at-risk and vulnerable young people in the South of England. The In Focus team have produced challenge packs as a response to the necessity to deliver arts activities remotely during the Covid-19 crisis. Each challenge has been constructed to complement the next and provide a broad range of learning. They can be completed in the home environment and only require a photographic device to take part. They can be used in conjunction with an Arts Award or completed individually as an arts activity. More challenges, with different art forms, are being created and will be available soon. The first set of challenges and two artist profiles are freely available via their site – download them here
The Digital Divide: Lessons from prisons abroad
A recent report from the Prisoner Learning Alliance looks at how ten prisons around the world are making use of digital technology to deliver education in creative ways. Prisons around the world have found innovative ways of bringing digital technology into prisons, in many cases improving both digital literacy and access to other types of education. Read the report 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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