Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 700 | 10th September 2021

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: race equality grant programme in Wales

Clinks is administering a grant programme on behalf of Criminal Justice in Wales (CJIW) as part of the development of its Race Equality Delivery Plan. CJIW has allocated a budget of £50,000 to distribute to voluntary sector organisations to enable engagement with racially minoritised people including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities from across Wales and gather their views and opinions on the draft plan. Voluntary sector organisations across Wales are invited to apply for a grant up to £5,000, with flexibility to consider applications for up to £10,000 for consortium bids. The deadline for applications is midday 30th September 2021. CJIW and Clinks can support applicants with their application and can be contacted via bryn.hall@clinks.org. Find out more and apply here

CLINKS EVENT: annual conference and AGM: building a better future

Bookings are now open for our annual conference and AGM 2021: Building a better future [23rd-25th November, online, free]. At this critical moment, there are opportunities for voluntary organisations in the criminal justice system to not only recover, but to learn from how services have adapted, build on new ways of working, and ultimately shape a better future for the people we support. Our annual conference is packed full of workshops, talks and panel discussions, with the chance to hear from key policy makers and voluntary sector leaders. Speakers will be announced in October. We’re still looking for Clinks’ members to run workshops during the conference. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is 17th September. Find out more and book your place here

CLINKS NEWS: Noorjehan Piperdy

Noorjehan (Noori) joined Clinks earlier this May as a Policy Officer, and has a BA in Politics and International Relations from Queen Mary, University of London. She previously completed internships at Ipsos MORI in their Public Affairs – Security and Cohesion team, and Children England in their Policy and Communications team. She also consulted Nike for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and led education and training sessions for retail teams. Noori is very passionate about the voluntary sector and is currently a Trustee for Children England and has previously volunteered at 2020Change – a youth empowerment organisation. Her responsibilities at Clinks include providing secretariat support for the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). Meet the team here

CLINKS NEWS: Franklin Barrington

Franklin joined Clinks as a Policy Officer in May 2021. He was previously working in the children’s sector, having spent time in policy and public affairs with a national children’s charity, and as a member of support staff in a local school. Franklin studied BA and MA Philosophy at the University of Warwick, developing particular interests in applied philosophy and applied moral philosophy. Meet the team here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Universal Credit

On Wednesday 8th September, Working Chance and many other Clinks members raised awareness of the government’s plans to cut £20 a week from Universal Credit, effective next month. This will impact many people in contact with the criminal justice system, many of whom rely on that lifeline to get by. Using the hashtag #KeepTheLifeline, organisations concentrated their efforts on Twitter while there was an evidence session as part of an inquiry into the Department of Work and Pension's response to the coronavirus outbreak happening in parliament. Find out more about this here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: probation

Issue 21 of the Probation Quarterly from the Probation Institute has been published which includes contributions from policymakers, academics and the voluntary sector. This issue discusses a range of subjects such as: the role of technology in probation; hidden vulnerabilities such as low literacy and learning disabilities; and practitioner attitudes towards ‘paedophile hunting’ groups. It also includes a themed section on unification which considers: a personal view of the process from Jim Barton; the implications of the unification of probation in England and Wales on race equality; and what the future holds for different models of probation. With many more articles, download your copy here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the criminal justice aspects of the Judicial Review and Courts Bill

Transform Justice has prepared a briefing on the criminal justice aspects of the Judicial Review and Courts bill. The briefing looks at how plans to expand online conviction processes could threaten defendants’ rights to a fair trial and effective participation. Defendants - many unrepresented - will enter their plea online, potentially without understanding their options or the huge implications of pleading guilty. Automated justice may particularly disadvantage disabled and low-income defendants. Read the briefing here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: equalities work in prisons

The Zahid Mubarek Trust has published a new report How Do Independent Monitoring Boards Monitor Equalities Work in Prisons? This study's overall aim was to understand better the extent of the reporting and its potential impact on improving transparency, accountability, and standards on equalities in prisons. Analysis of 115 reports from 2019 uncovered some inconsistencies and significant gaps in how the IMBs report on equalities in prisons, primarily with respect to the number of equalities areas that are being reported on and the depth of reporting in these areas. The report identifies six key areas for improvement, including timely publication of reports, the mandatory section on equalities and others. Read the report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: employing people with criminal records

The Ministry of Justice’s Criminal Records Policy team is producing guidance for employers related to the employment of people with criminal records. They would like to address key issues experienced by jobseekers with criminal records. The team will be running workshops in October, covering how to support employers and what good employers should offer. If you would like to attend a workshop in October, please contact Paul.Slade1@justice.gov.uk for details.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: dependency and recovery in London

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Probation Service, are considering running a call-off competition, through the Probation Service Dynamic Framework, for a provider of a dependency and recovery service across the London probation region. The MoJ will be conducting market engagement to explore opportunities for the delivery of this service. There are four elements within this that the MoJ wishes to explore: provision of cannabis and other psycho-active drugs “unstructured” interventions; provision of Alcohol Brief interventions; provision of wrap around support and brokerage services for relapse prevention, engagement and screening services; and improved liaison with treatment services. Organisations who are interested can find out more at the upcoming webinar [21st September, online, free]. Register here. Further information can be found on the MoJ esourcing portal via PQQ_205 here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Spending Review

The Chancellor has launched the Spending Review 2021, which will conclude on 27th October 2021 alongside an Autumn Budget and set out the government’s spending priorities for the Parliament. At the Spending Review, the government will set out how it aims to Build Back Better, deliver the priorities of the British people and continue to support businesses and jobs through ensuring strong and innovative public services -  including by investing in the NHS, education, the criminal justice system and housing. Read more here

FUNDING: London Challenge Poverty Week

Children England is offering small grants (in the region of £500) to support ideas for events and activities to take place in London Challenge Poverty Week. Applications must be in by 22nd September. The event or activity must focus on effectively challenging the impact of poverty on Londoners. To apply, send up to 500 words on what you would like to do, why you would like to do it, how much you need and what the money will be used for. If you are looking for inspiration read Children England’s ‘Get Involved’ guide for organisations which has some ideas and suggestions here. Email your application to 4in10team@childrenengland.org.uk

FUNDING: North East of England

Grants of up to £2,000 are available to help social welfare and charitable organisations working to improve the lives of people in the North East of England, particularly those working in the fields of social welfare, youth, disability, the elderly, women, racially minoritised people, education, arts and the environment. Grants may be for a specific project or part of a project, purchase of equipment, part salaries or as a contribution to running costs. Find out more and apply by 24th September here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: the role of faith

The Community Chaplaincy Association is holding a hybrid online and face to face conference [29th September, London and online, free]. Peter Dawson, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, will join as guest speaker. The event will explore the role of faith for people in prison, including those on Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences and those in the community who feel unwelcome and unwanted. It will also explore the role of faith- based practitioners working in a system that delivers punishment but not always justice. It promises to be a thought provoking and uplifting day. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: reading in prison

Prison Reading Groups and Give a Book are hosting their ‘Reading in Prison Day’, with the theme ‘Reading Lessons: Lockdown and Beyond’ [1st October, online, free]. The day will offer a chance to hear from speakers from a variety of backgrounds, discuss and share experiences, and explore ideas around reading in prisons. Speakers include Ralph Lubkowski, Governor, HMP Hewell and Gabriel Krauze, author of Who They Was. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: technology and organised crime

The Academy for Social Justice is hosting an event in conjunction with HMPPS Insights with speaker Dame Lynne Owens, Director General of the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), who will outline the role technology increasingly plays in enabling serious organised crime [20th October, online, free]. Please note you must be a member of the Academy to attend an event. Membership is free and you will be prompted to join when registering. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Employment, Training and Education Coach with Seetec [Taunton], Trusts and Foundations Manager with Switchback [London], Musician in Residence with Changing Tunes [HMP Erlestoke & HMP Guys Marsh], Community Keyworker with ADVANCE [London], Senior Support Worker with Imagine Independence [Lancashire], Courts and Custody Lead Practitioner with Humankind [Bishop Auckland], Community Care Caseworker with Prisoners’ Advice Service [London], Peer Coordinator with St Giles Trust [Cardiff], Treasurer with The Irene Taylor Trust [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Five Odeon cinema tickets. £25. Details
  • Wireless home security camera. £21.50. Details
  • Wireless earbuds. £17.99. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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