In this month's edition...
Sentencing white paper
The government has published a white paper for reforming the sentencing and release framework. Clinks has concerns that increasing the length of time spent in prison for certain sentences will put further pressure on struggling prison infrastructure, worsen conditions and exacerbate inequalities. The proposals will impact voluntary organisations' ability to deliver vital support. Whilst we welcome the focus on tackling offending drivers, improving sentencer confidence in community options and investment in Community Sentence Treatment Requirements, we have concerns that tougher community sentences and the increased use of curfews and tagging will increase the likelihood of breach, prevent diversion from custody and impact people’s engagement with voluntary sector services in the community. Look out for our blog series for more analysis. Read the white paper here
The future of probation
Clinks has submitted a response to the Justice Committee inquiry on the future of probation services, in which we focus on opportunities and challenges for voluntary organisations. Director of Influence and Communications Jess Mullen also gave oral evidence to the Committee on 13th October alongside Laura Seebohm, Changing Lives and Mat Ilic, Catch 22. Clinks believes the probation service needs the expertise and experience of the voluntary sector to achieve improved outcomes for the people under its supervision and the communities they live in. We continue to be concerned that despite the increased investment in rehabilitation and resettlement services through the new model, the contracts for day one services do not provide significant enough opportunity for the voluntary sector. Read our written response here. Read Jess’ blog here
Covid-19 and prisons
In response to the introduction of Local Covid-19 Alert Levels by the government, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is keeping its operating models under review. Some restrictions to face-to-face social visits may be necessary where, for instance, prisons are located in “very high” Covid-19 alert level areas. As a result, there may be changes to visits at some prisons; HMPPS encourages visitors to always check with the prison before booking a visit. See the Covid-19 prison pages for the latest national guidance here. Prison Exceptional Delivery Models (EDMs) can also be shared by email on request with voluntary sector organisations working alongside the prison service. To request an EDM, please email covid19@clinks.org.
Covid-19 and probation
Following announcements by the Prime Minister about the introduction of new Covid-19 restrictions, probation services remain at step three of the Probation Roadmap to Recovery. The roadmap is a national framework detailing how restrictions will lift in several steps. Under this national framework, sit Exceptional Delivery Models (EDMs) which give more detailed guidance on different aspects of probation operations and how these will be delivered. In areas where local lockdowns have come into effect, Regional Probation Directors are closely reviewing their exceptional delivery arrangements. EDMs can be shared by email on request with voluntary sector organisations working alongside the probation service. To request an EDM, please email covid19@clinks.org.
Health and Justice network meeting
Clinks is holding the fifth in a series of health and justice network meetings [3rd November, online, free]. In a departure from previous formats, we will not only be discussing the impact of Covid-19 on health and justice services and service users, but also exploring key health issues that impact people in contact with the criminal justice system, to support our role on the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance. Register for the event here
Avoidable natural deaths in prison custody
The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody and the Royal College of Nursing have published a briefing paper on avoidable natural deaths in prison custody. Natural deaths in prison have risen rapidly, from 103 in 2009 to 165 in 2019. Investigations by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) and Coroners have revealed these deaths are in some cases, preventable. The high number of natural deaths in prison is not merely a reflection of an ageing prison population, as PPO investigations show that 39% of natural deaths were of people aged 35-54. The average age of someone dying in custody is 56 years-old, compared to almost 81 in the general population. Read more here
Improving the prison estate
This report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee looks into the issues that both the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service have had in improving conditions and suitability of the prison estate, and makes recommendations for improvement. The report is written in the context of HMPPS’s aim to deliver 10,000 new prison places, including 6,500 places by 2025–26 through four new prisons. The report found that the poor condition of many prisons, coupled with high levels of overcrowding, are contributing to dangerously high levels of violence and self-harm in prisons. Read more here
Evidence submission to the Dame Carol Back Review on substance misuse
The Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) Coalition which is comprised of Clinks, Homeless Link, Mind and associate member Collective Voice submitted evidence to the second phase of Dame Carol Black’s independent review on substance misuse. The submission focuses on the barriers individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage face when trying to access substance misuse services and examples of local best practice that have been implemented to overcome these. Clinks held a consultation with voluntary sector organisations to inform the submission. Recommendations included wider provision of needle exchange and naloxone, particularly for individuals leaving prison, and community and prison substance treatment providers being encouraged through funding to build better links between them, through simple communication channels and information sharing protocols. Read the submission here
How prisons are responding to Covid-19
Prison Reform Trust Covid-19 Action Prisons Project: Tracking Innovation, Valuing Experience (CAPPTIVE) has published a second briefing on how prisons are responding to Covid-19. This briefing discusses regimes in prisons, activities currently provided, how prisoners and prison staff have responded, and cultural aspects of the regime, amongst other things. The briefing found that extended periods in cell have risked widespread and enduring mental health problems. Many voluntary sector agencies were prevented from working with prisoners, due to pandemic precautions. However, some have provided resources for prisoners to keep busy in productive ways. The briefing concludes by stating that the prison service now faces the challenge of managing the risks that Covid-19 presents, while reducing and mitigating the isolation, distress and frustration that the response has caused. Read more here
Smarter community sentences
The Centre for Justice Innovation has published a report calling on the government to create smarter community sentences. The report notes that the evidence is clear that community sentences reduce re-offending more than short custodial sentences, but despite this, there has been a 46% decline in the use of community sentences over the past ten years in England and Wales. The report recommends that the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health to roll the Community Sentence Treatment Requirement (CSTR) Programme out across the country. Additionally, it recommends the urgent prioritisation increasing the overall level of funding available for drug and mental health treatment for probationers in the community in the next Spending Review, and reconsideration of whether the funding should be re-ring fenced. Read the report here
Trauma informed work with people in contact with the criminal justice system
Patricia Durr has written this evidence review of trauma-informed practice with people in contact with the criminal justice system in England and Wales, for Clinks’ evidence library. She wrote this when she was Director of Operations at One Small Thing and is currently Chief Executive Officer at Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT) UK. This evidence review explores the impact of trauma in the context of the criminal justice system, explains the core values behind trauma-informed services and defines the three stages to becoming trauma-informed in your practice. It then examines the emerging evidence of the impact of trauma-informed care with people in contact with the criminal justice system in the UK. Read the review here
The restricted patient system guidance
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has updated guidance on the restricted patient system. Restricted patients are people in the criminal justice system with mental health disorders, who are detained in hospital for treatment and who are subject to special controls by the Secretary of State for Justice. They include those who are diverted from the courts to the hospital system, and those who are transferred to a secure hospital from prison. This guidance provides stakeholders (including patients and their families, Responsible Clinicians and multi-disciplinary team members) with an overview of the restricted patient system in England and Wales and the role of the Secretary of State for Justice and the Mental Health Casework Section in HMPPS. Read more here
Building resilience of BAME-led voluntary and community organisations
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) led charities, voluntary or community groups and organisations, and faith groups across the UK can apply for funding to help them continue to respond to the needs of their community during the Covid-19 pandemic. The African Health Policy Network are making three levels of funding available of between £500 and £100,000 to help small and medium BAME groups and their communities build wellbeing, resilience and capacity following the pandemic. The amount awarded will be dependent on annual income for each group/organisation. Funding can support a number of things including project staff salaries, project activities, engagement activities, running costs, and equipment. The deadline for applications is 12am on the 30th October 2020. More information is available here
Prison telemedicine for voluntary sector services
In this guest blog, Chantal Edge examines the national rollout of video consultations (telemedicine) across secure settings as part of the pandemic response and how voluntary sector organisations might be able to utilise video consultations as part of their service provision. Chantal is a Specialty Registrar in Public Health and an NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellow, and has been assisting NHS England and NHS Improvement with the national rollout of telemedicine across secure settings. She recently delivered a webinar in partnership with Clinks. If you think there might be a role for video consultations in your service, the first step is speak to your local prison healthcare team or health and justice commissioner. Read the blog here
Sentencing white paper: an overview
On 16th September, the government published A Smarter Approach to Sentencing - a white paper setting out a number of proposals for changes to sentencing in England and Wales. In this blog, Clinks Policy Officer Will Downs provides an overview of how this paper has been developed, what the key proposals are and the steps towards implementation. This white paper will lead to more people in prison and more people in prison for longer, even though there is no evidence that longer sentences make any difference to public safety. We are concerned that there has been a lack of open consultation on the development of these proposals and as such they do not reflect the knowledge held within the voluntary sector. Read more here
Covid-19 in prisons
This blog from the Nuffield Trust explores Covid-19 in prisons, and the wider implications of lockdown restrictions. The rate testing positive for Covid-19 has been higher in prison than in the general population. Those over 60 have been at particular risk, with a rate almost double that of the general population. Various factors could explain this: shared cells, overcrowding, and inconsistent sanitation, as well as the number of prisoners with pre-existing health conditions. The blog notes that while the extended and severe lockdown in prisons may have prevented a large spike in cases, it is likely to have had a serious impact on the mental and physical health of people in prison, while still leaving them more likely to have contracted Covid-19. Read more 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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