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In this week's edition...
- CLINKS NEWS: meet partners to deliver probation services
- CLINKS BLOG: three months on
- CLINKS BLOG: health and justice during and beyond the pandemic
- CLINKS NEWS: Sophie Campion joins Clinks
- NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: change of leadership
- NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: staff update
- CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: host a prison officer for a free work placement
- CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: pregnant women and new mothers
- CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: prison visitor centre gets a lockdown makeover
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: pregnant women and mothers in prison
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: ageing prison population
- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: the impact of Covid-19 on prisons
- FUNDING: complex social issues
- CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: peer mediators
- CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES
- TIPS OF THE WEEK
- EXTRA INFORMATION
CLINKS NEWS: meet partners to deliver probation services
If your organisation is planning to subcontract voluntary organisations to deliver rehabilitation and resettlement services in the reformed probation service, don't miss this opportunity to meet potential partners. At our event(s) starting in the week of 17th August, you'll outline your approach, how you'll manage the supply chain effectively, and how you'll make sure people's needs are met, especially those with protected characteristics. To take part, please email probation@clinks.org by 7th August and tell us which contract lots and geographic regions you're interested in bidding in, so that we can put the right people together. If you're a voluntary organisation interested in attending, keep an eye on Light Lunch for updates.
CLINKS BLOG: three months on
In this blog, Policy Officer, Lauren Nickolls discusses how voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system are still faring during this challenging time, drawing from the findings of our latest survey. Demand for the voluntary sector’s services is increasing but a number of organisations are finding this hard to respond to, with restrictions still in place, particularly in prisons. Some organisations are planning to return to face-to-face services but there is still a lot of uncertainty about doing so. 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. Read more here
CLINKS BLOG: health and justice during and beyond the pandemic
Clinks’ Health and Justice Policy and Development Officer, Zahra Wynne, has written a blog on the impact of Covid-19 on voluntary organisations delivering health services to people in contact with the criminal justice system, what Clinks is doing to support them, and Clinks’ future work on health and justice interventions. The blog outlines how organisations have adapted to meet people’s needs but are increasingly concerned about the mental and physical health of people in prison who aren’t receiving their usual support and people who are being released into radically changed environments in the community. Organisations themselves are also facing uncertainty over their long-term sustainability. Read more here
CLINKS NEWS: Sophie Campion joins Clinks
We’re delighted that Sophie Campion has joined Clinks as our Stronger Voice Project Coordinator. Stronger Voice is a new 3-year project which aims to strengthen the voice and influence of the voluntary sector, through a programme of information, collaboration, training and capacity building. Sophie has in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system, having worked within both statutory and charitable organisations. She worked as a Probation Officer in the National Probation Service (NPS) for over ten years, before moving to work for The Clink Charity based at HMP Styal. Previously, Sophie was also a volunteer mentor for an organisation working with ethnic minority young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Meet the team here
NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: change of leadership
After five years Dr Alison Frater National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) Chair is stepping down to become the new Chair of Clean Break, and after nine years Jessica Plant the Director of the NCJAA is moving on to a new and exciting role at Voluntary Arts, as Director of Media Partnerships. Over their tenure, the NCJAA has grown in terms of reach and scope, most notably since becoming an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) in 2018 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 will ensure the NCJAA network continues to thrive. A recruitment process is in progress for a new interim Chair as well as planning for replacing Jess as Director, which will be led by the Senior Management Team at Clinks. Read more about Alison’s new position here
NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: staff update
We are excited to welcome Rhiannon Fuller into the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) Communications and Digital Engagement Officer role. 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 through Company Strawberry Words. Meet the team here
CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: host a prison officer for a free work placement
Unlocked Graduates is currently looking for host organisations for its 2021 prison officer work placements. Organisations can host a prison officer for two weeks to share best practice between the frontline and external organisations. Officers can undertake set projects, research new work or advise organisations on working with prison staff. Placements take place between January and June 2021 and registrations are open now. Placements can take place nationally but Unlocked Graduates is particularly keen to source placements in the North West and the Midlands. Please contact Shuwanna.Aaron@unlockedgrads.org.uk for more information.
CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: 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 in the coming months, 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
CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: prison visitor centre gets a lockdown makeover
When coronavirus put the UK into lockdown, residents in Norwich Prison got to work to transform the children’s play area in the visitor centre. The visitor centre, run by Spurgeons Children’s Charity, has been closed since 23rd March, when prison visits were suspended due to the pandemic. Now with visits shortly set to restart at Norwich Prison, residents’ children and families can look forward to enjoying a much brighter and better appointed play/garden space, thanks to the Spurgeons team of staff and volunteers and welcome support from residents of Norwich Prison’s Brittania House resettlement unit. Read more here
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: pregnant women and mothers in prison
The Ministry of Justice has announced several improvements to care for pregnant women and mothers in prison, following a review of Mother and Baby Units (MBUs). Changes under the new policy include for every female prison to have resident mother and baby specialist; extra training for staff on looking after pregnant people in prison; and a new advisory group to ensure support for such women. The support currently available to women on MBUs will now be formally extended to pregnant women and those separated from young children. As a result, more staff in female prisons will receive training on how to help women in these situations and all women’s prisons will have a resident pregnancy and mother specialist. Read more here
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: ageing prison population
The Justice Select Committee has published its report on the ageing prison population, following an inquiry which Clinks and RECOOP jointly submitted written evidence to and RECOOP gave oral evidence for. A key recommendation is for the development of a national strategy for older people in prison, which Clinks and RECOOP had also recommended. The report also details the challenges that older people in prison face with regards to health and social care, accommodation, purposeful activity, and resettlement. Additionally, the report notes the impact of Covid-19 on older people in prison, with few being eligible for early release and many having to shield. The Committee further recommends that any expansion of the prison estate includes additional accommodation that is specifically adapted for older people. Read the full report here
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: the impact of Covid-19 on prisons
The Justice Committee has published a report looking at the response of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to the impact of Covid-19 on prisons. It finds that the pandemic has placed additional pressures on a prison system already facing long-term crises of overcrowding and under-investment. The committee is concerned that tight lockdown measures continue to be imposed on people in prison, and the severe impacts this is having on the mental health of adults and children in custody. It makes a number of recommendations, including for the MoJ to set out what additional mental health support will be offered to be people in prison, and for secure video calling to be available permanently across the prison estate. Read the report here
FUNDING: complex social issues
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is launching the Covid-19 Recovery Fund on 3rd August to help charities to recover beyond the immediate crisis. The fund will offer around 140 charities a two-year unrestricted grant of £50,000 alongside a Development Partner to help charities navigate a tumultuous future. Eligible for funding are small and medium sized charities with an income of between £25,000 and £1 million a year that are helping people overcome complex social issues such as mental health, homelessness and domestic abuse. Find out more and apply before 11th September here
CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: peer mediators
Restorative Justice for All is offering a free ecourse on how to become a peer mediator. The course is for children and young people, parents, and teachers and other professionals supporting young people. The course covers: violence and conflict; restorative justice; how to deal with bullying, fighting and rumours; students returning from exclusions; and parent involvement in disputes. Find out more here
CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES
Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Engagement Team Members with User Voice [Various], Specialist Domestic Violence Advocate with Women in Prison [Surrey], Offender Advice, Support and Guidance Worker with Shelter [Northumbria], Welfare Rights Adviser with St. Giles Trust [London], Referral Officer with Nacro [Leeds], Link Worker with YSS [Hereford], Family Support Worker with Prisoners Abroad [London], Gender- Specific Criminal Justice Worker with Humankind [North Yorkshire]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here
TIPS OF THE WEEK
- Tip I: Bluetooth wireless earbuds. 86% off. Details
- Tip II: Five or ten reusable face masks. Details
- Tip III: Windsor waterfront hotel stay with wine. Save 48%. Details
EXTRA INFORMATION
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