Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 661 | 20th November 2020

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

    CLINKS NEWS: feedback to HMPPS

    The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) special interest group on Covid-19 has submitted feedback to HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) on its management of the pandemic. The paper particularly highlights how the voluntary sector has struggled with the quality of information it has received from government during the pandemic. This has led to voluntary organisations, working under extraordinary pressure, to continually push for basic operational information they need to deliver their essential services. The paper makes recommendations aimed at improving how the sector and the government work together towards common goals. The paper recommends that HMPPS share with voluntary organisations information it issues to its own staff, at the same time and in the same format. Read the full paper here

    CLINKS BLOG: pregnancy and maternity in the community

    Zahra Wynne, Health and Justice Policy and Development Officer, blogs about the under-researched needs of women who are pregnant or have recently given birth who are in contact with the criminal justice system but aren't in prison. Clinks and Birth Companions have come together to research the experiences of this group to advocate for their needs at this vital time. The survey is open until the end of the year. Zahra highlights that although improvements in the care of these women and their children are still needed, health and justice policy is becoming increasingly aware of and responsive to the needs of pregnant women and new mothers in prison. These developments have largely been driven by the voluntary sector. Read more here and take the survey here

    CLINKS BLOG: alternatives to custody and ‘tougher’ community sentences

    In this blog Will Downs, Policy Officer, looks at the provision for community sentences set out in A Smarter Approach to Sentencing, the government’s recent proposals for sentencing reform. The paper proposes changes to the availability and delivery of community sentences, which should give more people the opportunity to address the underlying causes of their convictions in the community, rather than in prison. However, there is a real risk that the potential positive impacts of measures such as problem-solving courts will be far outweighed by measures to make community sentences ‘tougher’. Without appropriate support in the community, stricter curfews and increased tagging are likely to lead to more people breaching the terms of their licence and returning to a prison system that is underfunded and overcrowded. Read more here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: pregnancy, birth and motherhood in prison

    Birth Companions has published a new guide to pregnancy, birth and motherhood in prison. Developed in partnership with women who have lived experience, it covers a range of topics including making decisions about a pregnancy; accessing support; applying to prison Mother and Baby Units; and separation from a baby. The guide is useful for pregnant women and mothers, their family members and support networks, and the professionals working with them both before and during a prison sentence. Read it here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: gambling awareness survey

    GamCare is looking for new ways to engage with young people and is currently developing its work with the criminal justice system. This is part of an education, training and support programme run by GamCare and YGAM (The Young Gamblers Education Trust) for young people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The programme is the largest of its kind and will arm young people with the skills and resilience necessary to make decisions about their participation in gambling in the future. GamCare would like to gain views from people working in the criminal justice system through this very short survey. Find out more about the programme here and take the survey here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: adult prisons status update

    HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is providing updates on the status of adult prisons each week to enable voluntary sector operating partners to inform their delivery plans during the current resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic. The information will be updated each Friday. To request a copy please email covid19@clinks.org

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison and probation evidence resource

    This is your opportunity to tell the Insights Group in HMPPS what you think of the Prison and probation evidence resource so they can improve it. Launched in May 2019, the Prison and probation evidence resource is designed to help evidence-informed practice decisions, improve services and help reduce reoffending. It provides evidence-based information and guidance for individuals and organisations working with people in the care of prison and probation services. As part of a review, the Insights Group is running a user feedback survey to identify how it meets user need and if it can be improved. See the evidence resource here and take the survey here

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: improving the outcomes of local prison leavers

    The Ministry of Justice is launching a Local Leadership and Integration (Grant) Fund worth £7.1m available to local public and voluntary sector organisations. The grant has been designed to empower, fund and support local leaders and agencies to propose innovative new ways of working together towards shared outcomes that improve the lives of prison leavers. There will be two rounds of funding, the first beginning in January 2021. The maximum bid being awarded set at £1 million. If you are interested in finding out more, sign up to a webinar session for further details of the fund here

    FUNDING: making a lasting difference

    Grants of up to £15,000 are available from the Allen Lane Foundation to small, registered charities, voluntary groups and charitable organisations in the UK for work that makes a lasting difference to people's lives and aims to reduce isolation, stigma and discrimination. The foundation focuses on particular beneficiary groups, including people in contact with the criminal justice system, people experiencing mental health problems and people experiencing violence or abuse. Please note the foundation will not make grants for work within Greater London. Find out more and apply by 30th November here

    FUNDING: young people in the criminal justice system

    Grants of up to £15,000 are available from the Weaver's Company Benevolent Fund for smaller UK based charities working with young people in the criminal justice system, prisoners and ex-prisoners, and young disadvantaged people, especially those at risk of criminal involvement within the UK. Priority will be given to smaller organisations which offer direct services. Find out more and apply by 30th November here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: toolkits for LGBT prisoners

    Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS) is delighted to announce its first online event to launch two new additions to its range of Self Help Toolkits aimed at lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) prisoners and transgender prisoners respectively [23rd November, online, free]. A Prisoner’s Guide to LGB Rights and A Prisoner’s Guide to Trans Rights constitute some of the first works published addressing the experience of LGBT+ people in prison in England and Wales. Written by Stuart Withers, Barrister at No5 Chambers, and produced in association with LGBT+ prison letter-writing charity, Bent Bars, the two guides will be launched at this online panel. Find out more and register here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: reducing reoffending in the Thames Valley

    This virtual conference will bring together organisations in the Thames Valley to discuss access to support for those leaving prison [1st December, online, free]. Convened by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, Aspire Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Partnership, the conference will reflect how a community-led approach, supporting public sector partners and building relationships at a county and regional level, can enable us to be ambitious for the futures of people in contact with the criminal justice system, with the right support and opportunity, from day one. See more and register here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: New Systems Alliance

    Mayday Trust, Changing Lives, Platfform in Wales and Homeless Network is launching the New System Alliance - a place to come for those who feel there is something wrong with the current systems for people experiencing tough times. The launch will include a week of online events exploring systems change, with a variety of voices both from the UK and internationally and providing the opportunity to challenge, discuss and reflect [1st-4th December, online, free]. The New System Alliance acts as a home for those who have felt frustrated, unheard or invisible, whether coming from a place of direct experience or working in services, thought spaces, funding and commissioning. Find out more and sign up to the online sessions here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Covid-19 in prisons across Europe

    The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies is holding a webinar, 'Coronavirus in prisons: What's happening across Europe?' [3rd December, online, free]. The webinar will explore changes to prison populations across a selection of European states discussing how prison populations have changed in different European countries during the pandemic and the implications for managing the virus in prisons and handling or preventing future outbreaks. Register for your place here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: community advice

    The Centre for Justice Innovation is running a workshop for participants to find out about the community advice early intervention model and whether it might be a good fit for their local areas [8th December, online, free]. Community Advice is an early intervention model which works with court users and other people coming into contact with the criminal justice system, providing direct practical support and targeted referrals. The workshop is part of a Lloyds Bank Foundation-funded project to support three sites in England and Wales to develop their own community advice models. It will be a chance to find out more about the model from experienced practitioners and find out how to apply to be one of the project’s development sites. Register here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: next steps for probation

    The Westminster Legal Policy Forum is hosting a keynote seminar, ‘Next steps for the probation service - responsibilities and partnerships, quality and standards, and the future role of CRCs and the third sector’ [9th December, online, £190 plus VAT (concessionary and complimentary places available)]. Speakers include Justin Russell, HM Chief Inspector of Probation; Jim Barton, HMPPS, Michael Barton, Restorative Justice Council; Tania Bassett, Napo; Darren Burns, Timpson; Mark Johnson, User Voice; Jessica Mullen, Clinks; and a senior speaker confirmed from St Giles Trust and NACRO. Book here

    RESOURCE: transform training

    Tammy Banks, Co-Founder of Taye Training and Founder of the Training 4 Influence methodology has released her book Transform Your Training: Develop and deliver training that changes lives in the criminal justice, social care and charity sectors which aims to revolutionise training delivered in frontline services working with complex or vulnerable people. Aimed at in-house and external training facilitators, the book sets out a process for developing and delivering training that is relevant and tailored to the organisation, engaging and interactive, and led by an operational expert delivering from a values-based perspective. The aim is to help facilitators deliver exceptional training that enables delegates and organisations to deliver high quality, values-led services. See more here

    CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

    Programme Support Worker with Recovery Connections [Middlesbrough], Support Worker with Nacro [Grantham], Custody Advice, Support & Guidance Worker - Offender Services with Shelter [HMP Northumberland], Project Manager: Jobs Pathway with CDA Herts [Hertfordshire], Team Manager with Humankind [Manchester], Befriender with The Nehemiah Project [London], Bluebird Service Manager – female with Women in Prison [Home based], Family Engagement Manager with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [HMP Coldingley], Research Officer with the Centre for Justice Innovation [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

    TIPS OF THE WEEK

    • Photo gifts. 87% off. Details
    • LED lights for bike wheels. £2.99. Details
    • Soap making online course. £8. Details

    EXTRA INFORMATION

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