This specialist quarterly ebulletin keeps you updated on relevant developments for organisations working to support women in contact with the criminal justice system. Please contact Jackie Lowthian at Jackie.lowthian@clinks.org if there is anything you would like to raise or to include items in the next ebulletin.
In this edition...
- News
- Events and Training
- Publications and Resources
- Campaigns
- Funding
- Blogs
- Extra Information
Covid-19 pandemic: representing and supporting the voluntary sector
In recent weeks, the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) Covid-19 special interest group has met with officials from Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to discuss the progress being made in implementing recovery plans across prisons and probation services. At the meetings, officials responded to operational questions from the group, including on the use of face masks and alcohol-based hand sanitiser in prisons, and how HMPPS intends to use technology to conduct remote supervision in the future. Clinks chairs and co-ordinates the RR3, a formal advisory group to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HMPPS. Read the group’s latest meeting notes here
The future of the probation service
Clinks continues to support members to help them understand and navigate the process of qualifying on the probation Dynamic Framework. We are working closely with the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) probation reform team to raise issues the sector is facing, including those around the Women’s Services category. We have submitted a response to the Justice Committee inquiry on the future of the probation service, in which we set out the opportunities and challenges for voluntary organisations under the new probation model. Director of Influence and Communications Jess Mullen also gave evidence to the Committee on 13th October alongside Laura Seebohm from Changing Lives and Mat Ilic from Catch 22. Read our written response here. Read Jess Mullen’s blog here
The voluntary sector’s role in probation
The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) has set up a Special Interest Group (SIG) to focus on the probation review programme and the voluntary sector’s role. The group recently held a meeting with officials to discuss the estimated volumes and values for the Dynamic Framework contracts. SIG members were concerned about the size of the gap between the Dynamic Framework’s annual spend which is intended to ‘ramp up’ each year. This has since been addressed by the probation reform team with regards to the accommodation contract call off and we hope to see our feedback taken into account in the forthcoming personal wellbeing and women’s services call offs. Read the meeting notes here
Female Offender Strategy
Clinks sits on the Ministry of Justice’s Advisory Board for Female Offenders (ABFO). Current developments include a commitment to publish the Concordat in November and to commission the first of five residential women’s centres (RWCs) in Wales. In August Clinks hosted an information event on behalf of the Ministry of Justice to update the voluntary sector on the progress of developing the RWC models and to consult on specific aspects. The consultation focused on four key areas: inclusion of children at the RWC; finding suitable premises; the interventions that should be delivered; and move on support.
Implementing the Farmer Review
In 2019 Lord Farmer made recommendations to strengthen family ties for women serving sentences in the community and in custody, as well as under probation supervision after release. Clinks sits as a member of the Ministry of Justice’s Family Strategy Working Group to inform the implementation of the recommendations. To date, six recommendations have been completed, including family phone contact being routinely available in the court custody suite and the expansion of release on temporary licence (ROTL) policy. Video calling is now available across the women’s estate. Progress has also been made on having social workers based in women’s prisons and the Chief Social Worker’s case review of children removed from primary carers when their parent enters custody. A further update will be published on the Clinks website soon.
Update from Clinks women’s network
The latest online meeting of the Clinks women’s network forum took place on 22nd September. 39 participants from women’s services around the country took part in discussions on race equality, systems change and developing anti-racist practice in view of the disproportionate representation of women from black, Asian and other minority backgrounds within the criminal justice system. The meeting included an expert seminar, let by Rebbecca Hemmings of Strawberry Words, which explored racism and unconscious bias, and suggested strategies for becoming an anti-racist organisation. For more support on becoming an anti-racist organisation see here and for more information about Clinks work on women and criminal justice see here
Creating a fairer and more effective criminal justice system
The Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) Awards, which celebrate individuals and organisations who have helped to create a fairer and more effective criminal justice system, are now open for nominations. A number of inspiring women have won or been shortlisted for a CJA Award in recent years. This includes Martine Lignon (Women in Prison); Lucy Perman (Clean Break); Marie-Claire O’Brien (New Leaf Initiative), Sofia Buncy (Muslim Women in Prison Project) and Dr. Shona Minson (Oxford University). Find out more about the award categories, cash prizes and nomination process here
Clinks women’s capacity building programme
The Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is leading a Clinks webinar on feminist leadership [23rd October, online, free]. Exploring feminism, intersectionality and power through a combination of theory and exercises, participants will discuss leadership and how to lead well. This event is part of our programme of leadership development and capacity building support for organisations providing gender-specific support for women. Funding from the Ministry of Justice means there are free places for staff from small, specialist women’s organisations. If your organisation matches this description, book here
Women’s Resource Centre Autumn training programme
Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is running the following free online training courses: Negotiation skills [30th October and 27th November]; Top tips for fundraising [28th October and 25th November]; Partnerships: all you need to know [20th October]; and Wellbeing Wednesday [4th November]. These courses are funded for women's organisations and projects in London. London attendees are given priority due to strict funder requirements. Find out more and book here
Response to the Women and Equalities Committee sub-inquiry
Clinks submitted additional evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee about the impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the criminal justice system. Our evidence highlights the lack of transparency over the number of people in prison and under probation supervision from BAME communities who have tested positive for Covid-19; the impact of the heavily restricted regimes in prison on the mental health and wellbeing of BAME prisoners; and the lack of communication from the government with BAME-led voluntary organisations. Our response makes a number of recommendations including for clear action plans to be developed in the recovery planning process for prisons and probation on how the needs of BAME groups will be identified and met. Read the response here
Transforming Lives: involving women with lived experience
The Prison Reform Trust’s Transforming Lives team recently published a report authored by NatCen, based on in-depth interviews with women and other stakeholders, which gives an insight into how women with lived experience were involved with the programme, and the perceived impact of their contribution. Alongside the report, Yasmin Akhtar has written a blog about her experience as a transforming lives women’s council member. You can find the blog here or read the full report here
Women’s Centres: the need for sustainable funding
The Women’s Budget Group, in collaboration with five specialist providers of Women’s Centres (Women in Prison, The Nelson Trust, Together Women, Anawim and Brighton Women’s Centre) launched a report revealing the shortcomings of the current funding arrangements for Women’s Centres, including evidence on the costs and benefits of their model. It shows how piecemeal and siloed funding structures are jeopardising the future of these holistic and gender-specific community services to women, which save £2.84 for every £1 spent. The report calls for central government to provide a significant amount of core funding, with matched funding granted from a local consortium of commissioners. Find out more here
Reducing arrests of women
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Women in the Penal System has published a second briefing paper as part of its inquiry into reducing arrests of women. The APPG found that thousands of women in distress were being arrested unnecessarily each year without being given the help and support they need. Find out more here
Voices from Lockdown
Agenda's new report, Voices from Lockdown: A Chance for Change warns that services supporting women and girls experiencing multiple disadvantage are facing a perfect storm, as emergency funding drops off and demand surges. The report also highlights how services have innovated and adapted to the new circumstances, despite extremely challenging conditions. It says the women’s voluntary and community sector must be valued, invested in and listened to by decision-makers on both a local and national level so that the women and girls they support are able to move on with their lives and fulfil their potential. Read the report here
Women being released from prison homeless
A report published by the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) shows that almost 60% of women have no settled home on release from prison and are facing sofa surfing and temporary hostels just to avoid sleeping rough. The report is based on interviews with 80 women across 10 prisons, which showed that a quarter of women had lost their homes on arrival in prison; 45% had no address to go to on release; and 14% only had a temporary address to go to on release. Poor communication between different parts of the system and the use of short sentences prevents the opportunity for effective rehabilitation and resettlement planning. The IMB recommends a joined-up approach across government to ensure women have the support they need. Read the full report here
Domestic Abuse Bill
The Domestic Abuse Bill is awaiting its second reading in the House of Lords. The Prison Reform Trust continues to seek legal protection for survivors driven to offend and has proposed new statutory defenses for individuals who offend due to their experience of abuse. The proposals are to be tabled by Baroness Helena Kennedy who will seek cross-party support. They are formally supported by the Mayor of London as well as the Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Victims’ Commissioner and others. Find out more or add your support here. Agenda is calling for an amendment to the bill which would ensure public services staff who come into contact with women at risk of domestic abuse (including prisons and probations staff) are trained to spot abuse and ask about it in the appropriate way. Find out more here
Resilience Funding for Women’s Organisations in England
A new £2.1 million Fund has been launched by the Smallwood Trust for voluntary sector organisations in England that are supporting women whose poverty has been exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis. Priority groups include black, Asian and minority ethnic women (BAME) women, women with disabilities, LGBT women, women who have experienced domestic violence, economic abuse or sexual abuse or those who have been pushed into new poverty and financial hardship. Grants of between £20,000 and £30,000 will be awarded. Organisations must have an annual income of less than £1 million to be eligible. Priority will be given to organisations in areas that have been most affected by the coronavirus. Find out more and apply here
Five months in: how the criminal justice voluntary sector is coping
This blog summarises the findings from Clinks’ latest survey tracking the impacts of Covid-19 on voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. The impact of lockdown on women was specifically mentioned by a number of participants, including issues being raised around the increased risk of domestic violence that women and girls are facing and greater difficulty in accessing support and safe spaces. More broadly, the survey finds that many organisations are starting to increase their provision of services, though overall provision remains lower than had it been prior to Covid-19. There is still uncertainty over starting face-to-face services, and organisations again report difficulty in accessing the operational information they need from statutory partners to deliver their services effectively. Read the blog and access a briefing of the survey’s findings here
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