The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue...
Work for the NCJAA: upcoming opportunities
Would you like to work for the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance, promoting the role of arts within the criminal justice system as a springboard for positive change? We will soon be hiring for a role in the team – keep an eye on our social media, Clinks' Light Lunch newsletter and the September edition of this newsletter for more details. Subscribe to Clinks' ebulletins here
Become a Clinks member for free
Clinks is offering free membership for the year April 2020 – March 2021 to all voluntary organisation members regardless of their income. This membership offer is open to voluntary organisations that work with people affected by the criminal justice system or their families. Clinks membership offers you a voice to influence change, practical assistance to be effective and support from a community of like-minded professionals. It also gives access to Clinks' funding directory, discounted training and events, free advertising on Clinks' jobs board and more. Find out more about becoming a member here
Clinks response: lessons from coronavirus
Clinks has submitted evidence to the House of Lords Public Services Committee inquiry on lessons from coronavirus. Clinks' evidence focuses on the criminal justice response to Covid-19 and the impact on the voluntary sector in criminal justice. Clinks outlines the ways in which the sector has adapted to Covid-19 restrictions, the challenges it has been facing delivering support to people in contact with the criminal justice system, and the impact of Covid-19 on the sustainability of the sector. Read the response here
Want to be featured in a NCJAA blog or case study?
We want to share your stories of innovative practice during the pandemic. We know that all across the country, the NCJAA network is responding creatively to the restrictions imposed by lockdown, the closure of prisons to visitors and social distancing in the community. We'd like to bring your stories of delivering arts in the criminal justice system during Covid-19 to the network. If you or your organisation has found a way to work with the new limitations in place or to work digitally and you're interested in being featured in an NCJAA blog or case study, get in touch at info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk.
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
We will be sending our next newsletter on Thursday 24th September. Please email info@artsincriminaljustice.org.uk with any news, research, events or opportunities by Tuesday 15th September.
Masterclass: evaluating social outcomes and impacts
10th September | online | £76 (with discount code)
This masterclass from the Audience Agency is for cultural practitioners wanting to build their confidence in evaluating the social impact of their programmes. It explores methods for and applications of meaningful social impact measurement, from designing evaluation to involving users in the process. Each interactive masterclass takes place in a small group over the course of three hours. The Audience Agency is offering our subscribers 20% off their masterclasses with the voucher code BOUNCEFORWARDS20. Find out more and book here
Webinar: 'Moving Arts and Culture Online'
10th September | online | from free
The Connected to Culture LIVE webinar series from the Digital Culture Network is running from September to November and looks at the evolving implications of digital technologies for the cultural sector. The first webinar, ‘Moving Arts and Culture Online’, looks at how events, exhibitions and experiences are being adapted for digital audiences and what this might mean for the future. Free places are available for those currently funded or usually eligible for Arts Council funding. Find out more here
Novus and Tate Modern online exhibition: Future I can love
From November | online | free
Novus and Tate Modern are opening up their Future I can love project to a wider audience with a digital experience in November. The digital exhibition will be followed by a showcase at the gallery in Spring 2021. Featuring contributions from Novus learners who have worked on the project throughout the pandemic, it will be one of the first of its kind to be delivered by Tate Exchange. The project has provided a point of focus and engagement for participants throughout the pandemic. The digital experience will use audio, film, imagery and live streamed events, across different digital platforms, to share examples of artwork, interviews, poetry, music and a range of other creative mediums. Find out more here
Collaborative radio drama through virtual workshops
From 28th August | online | free
No Place Productions' project Someday Soon has launched a new audio drama created through virtual creative writing workshops broadcast online and through HMP Altcourse Prison Radio. The project seeks to reconnect those most affected by the Covid-19 lockdown through creative activity. Over 150 people sent in contributions to this project, both in and out of prison. The final radio play takes something from each contribution and will be broadcast on 28th August at 12pm and available to listen to throughout September. Listen to the workshops now and radio play from August 28th here
Arts in Prisons exhibition at the Museum of Cambridge
Until 1st September | online | free
There is still time to catch the Museum of Cambridge’s online exhibition Drawing Connections …at the edges: Arts in Prisons, which runs until 1st September. Originally intended to be a physical exhibition in the museum about a project by the same name facilitated in HMP Springhill, the online exhibition seeks to highlight the value of the arts for people coping in extreme conditions. The exhibition examines the transformative experiences that arts can facilitate. It features creative writing, visual arts, talks and reflections on the theme of connections. It also invited participants to give their own creative responses to the project. View the exhibition here
"The Special Relationship" at Soho Theatre: stories of deportation
Now | online | £4
Filmed at Soho Theatre in March 2020, The Special Relationship is a dark satire about the deportations of ex-prisoners from the US. The piece was developed from interviews with ex-prisoners and experts in immigration and criminal law, and written by award-winning playwright Hassan Abdulrazzak. Presented by Synergy Theatre Project, The Special Relationship uses comedy, metaphor and verbatim testimony to explore questions around identity and place. It is available to watch now via Soho Theatre On Demand. Watch it here
Podcast: the needlework created by women in prison
Sew What podcast’s latest two-part episode takes a look at the embroidery pieces produced by women in prison throughout history. From Mary Queen of Scots’ symbolic animal pieces to Lorina Bulwer’s 14 foot long hand-stitched stories, part one looks at how women have used needlecraft subversively and as self-expression. Listen to the podcast here
Arts Council England – Culture Recovery Fund deadline
The second application round for Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund closes on 4th September. This grants programme is part of the government’s £1.57 billion package to protect the UK’s culture and heritage sectors from the economic impacts of Covid-19. The fund aims to enable cultural organisations that have been affected by the Covid-19 crisis to stay afloat, providing them with support over a 6-month period to ensure that by 31st March 2021 they can reopen, either fully or partially, or operating on a sustainable, cost-efficient basis until they are able to reopen at a later date. Grants range from £50,000 to £3 million. Find out more and apply here
Socially distanced indoor performances now allowed
As of 15th August indoor performances by both professionals and non-professionals can now take place in England, provided they adhere to social distancing and where no local lockdowns are in place. This also means that musicians, dancers and actors, and the technical and operational teams that support performing arts production can resume training, rehearsals, and recorded performances where organisations wish and are able to. Face coverings are required by law to be worn in a greater number of public indoor settings including community facilities, museums, galleries and cinemas. However, performances and other activities are still encouraged to take place outside wherever possible. Read the full guidelines here
Pause to early release scheme
The Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have announced that the temporary release of people in prison assessed as low risk – which was one of the first steps taken as part of a wider strategy to protect the NHS and reduce the impact of Covid-19 on the prison estate – will be paused at the end of August. Current cases will continue to be worked through, with releases being made until Thursday 27th August 2020. The MoJ and HMPPS have stated that this decision will be kept under constant review over the coming weeks and months. Read more here
Liberty Choir Radio
Liberty Choir and National Prison Radio will launch Liberty Choir Radio next month, a weekly radio show with elements of their live weekly rehearsals, to bring Liberty Choir into every prison in England and Wales during Covid-19. The Liberty Choir helps participants develop skills and self-confidence, open up the world of arts through singing and provide access to new social networks. Read more about the Liberty Choir Radio
Writing competition for people in prison
Literature and journalism charity The Arkbound Foundation has opened a writing competition for people in prison on the topic of hope. Entries can be fiction or non-fiction, should be between 1000-1500 words, and must be submitted by 1st November. 20 pieces will be selected for inclusion within an anthology which will be published in book format for next year; all entries selected will receive a £10 prize and the top three selected by the judges will receive an additional £25. Entrants can either choose to use their full name, a nickname, or be anonymous. For more information, please email info@arkfound.org.
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
Covid-19 study finds singing no more risky than talking
A UK Government-commissioned study on the specific transmission risks associated with singing and playing wind instruments has found that the risks associated with these activities are similar to those for speaking at a similar volume. As a result of these findings, amateur singing, wind and brass playing are now also permitted indoors, something that had previously been limited to professionals only. Read the full study here
The impact of music on young people in the criminal justice system
A recent piece of research from Wolverhampton University has found that participants in a music programme run by a Youth Offending Team showed statistically significant improvements in self-reported well-being and musical ability over the course of the project. Comparing participants against a comparison group, the research focused on attendance and measures of change over time in musical development, attitudes and behaviour and well-being. Participants who completed the music programme were also statistically more likely to attend appointments than the comparison group. Read the full article on SAGE journals here (access free with SAGE subscription)
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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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