Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 719 | 4th February 2022

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: a lost opportunity to address racial disparity

60 organisations from the voluntary sector working in criminal justice have signed a letter to the Rt Hon. Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Justice, raising concerns that the Prisons Strategy White Paper includes no focus on addressing the stark levels of disproportionality for racially minoritised people in prison and no recognition of the unequal outcomes they face. This is extremely concerning – any future prison strategy should have equality and fairness at its core. The letter was written by Khatuna Tsintsadze, Zahid Mubarek Trust and Dez Brown, Spark2Life, who hold the seats for organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group, which Clinks chairs and provides the secretariat for. Read the letter here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Being Well Being Equal alliance

Six voluntary sector organisations providing rehabilitation services and supporting racial equity and wellbeing in prisons have come together to form a coalition calling on the government to deliver tailored services to meet the needs of young men - particularly young Black men - in prisons. The mental wellbeing and health of young people living in prisons has suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic due to reduced contact with loved ones, reduced time outside cells, and reduced access to educational provision. In addition, there is an ongoing and stark disparity of outcomes and experiences for racially minoritised people in the criminal justice system. The founding members of the Being Well Being Equal alliance are Wipers Youth CIC; Centre for Mental Health; Clinks; Race Equality Foundation; Zahid Mubarek Trust; and Spark Inside. Read more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Celebrating 60 Years of the Koestler Awards

The 2022 Koestler Awards for arts in criminal justice is open for entries. The annual Awards from Koestler Arts welcome all forms of art, writing, design and music from people in secure settings and on probation. Every entrant gets a certificate and many winners receive a cash prize. The total prize money is over £30,000. 2022 marks the Koestler Awards’ 60th anniversary. In this celebratory year, the annual exhibition of entries will be curated by internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei. Entrants may send up to five creative works (with completed entry forms) by the closing date on 7th April 2022. Entry forms and further information can be found here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: families’ experiences

Pact is undertaking a consultation project to better understand families’ experiences of supporting the wellbeing of a loved one who is involved in the criminal justice system. The team would like to speak to anyone who has a loved one in custody (or released from custody in the last 12 months) who has ongoing health or wellbeing needs. Their family member may have a physical or mental health condition, or have struggled with addiction; they may have had health and wellbeing needs prior to going into custody, or they may have developed health issues while in custody. Pact is particularly interested in speaking with individuals from racially minoritised groups or families of individuals in female establishments. Please contact polly.wright@prisonadvice.org.uk for further information.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: tackling double disadvantage

Agenda, Hibiscus Initiatives, Muslim Women in Prison, Zahid Mubarek Trust, Criminal Justice Alliance and Women in Prison, have developed a 10-point action plan for change to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities and discrimination against racially minoritised and migrant women in contact with the criminal justice system. The action plan, developed through consultation with women with lived experience as well as government officials and specialist organisations, provides clear steps that are needed to make a real difference in the lives of the most marginalised women in our community. Too-often ignored, women face the ‘double disadvantage’ of gender inequality and racism when they encounter the criminal justice system. This stops them from getting the support they need both within the system and when they try to rebuild their lives outside, leaving them at risk of reoffending. Read the action plan here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: older people in prison

Recoop is offering a number of discounted On Wing Activities that are designed to provide meaningful activity for older people in prison. Since 2010 Recoop has delivered services in over 60 prisons to support the preparatory resettlement and rehabilitation of people in prison who are over 50 years old. The last two years have been particularly challenging for prisons and these activities can offer much needed support. Programmes available include: the Healthy Eating and Living Programme; On Track; and the Transitions Programme. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prisoner, family and significant other services

The Call-Off Competition Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the Provision of HMPPS Prisoner, Family and Significant Other Services has been published and the deadline for responses is 4th March 2022. Please note this opportunity is only open to those organisations who are already qualified on the Dynamic Framework under the relevant service category. Find out more on the Ministry of Justice esourcing portal here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: making government grants more effective

The Government Grants Management Function (GGMF) wants to make the advertising and application process for government grants more efficient and effective for organisations. The GGMF has created a survey to better understand how applicants currently find, prepare and apply for government grants. Feedback will help the GGMF provide better service to grant applicants in the future. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes and will focus on your experience of applying for government grants over the previous financial year 2020-2021 (6th April 2020 to 5th April 2021). The survey is open until Friday 25th February 2022. Take it here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison statistics

The Ministry of Justice has published statistics covering people in the criminal justice system, safety in custody and the children and young people’s secure estate (CYPSE), and proven reoffending. There were 79,092 people in prison on 31st December 2021, and 234,827 people on probation. There were 371 deaths in custody in the year to December 2021, a 17% increase on the previous year. The number of self-harm incidents in prisons fell by 11% in the year to September 2021, but the rate of self-harm incidents per 1,000 people rose by 5% in female establishments, whilst falling 9% in male establishments. The annualised rate of self-harm per 100 children in the CYPSE rose 5% in the three months to September 2021, compared to the same quarter last year. The proven reoffending rate for the January to March 2020 cohort was 24.7%. Read more on people in the criminal justice system here, safety in custody here, the CYPSE here and proven reoffending here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: women in the criminal justice system

The Public Accounts Committee heard oral evidence from the voluntary sector and senior Ministry of Justice officials as part of its inquiry into improving outcomes for women in the criminal justice system. Voluntary sector witnesses, including the chief executives of Women in Prison, the Howard League for Penal Reform, and Anawim - Birmingham's Centre for Women, highlighted the positive aims of the Female Offender Strategy, whilst pointing out the problems around funding the strategy. In addition, they spoke about the advantages of holistic, community-based services for women, whilst raising concerns about the government’s plan to build 500 more women’s prison places, and long-term funding. The evidence from officials described, amongst other things, how governance of the strategy has been changed to improve its implementation. Watch the session in full here

FUNDING: temporarily closing to new applications

The Tudor Trust will be temporarily closing to new applications for a year from 1st April 2022 from groups it is not already funding. Over this period, the Trust will still consider applications for continuation funding from groups it is currently supporting. The Trust is reducing its direct grant making in this way to create time and space for Tudor’s staff and trustees to re-think how the Trust operates. The Trust will continue to assess applications under its current guidelines throughout February and March 2022, with the deadline of 31st March 2022. However, it will not be taking any more applications through to second stage than usual – so competition is likely to be strong. Find more information here

FUNDING: culture and the arts

Grants of up to £25,000 per year for three years are available from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation to voluntary organisations for projects in the areas of culture and the arts that make a real and ongoing difference to people’s lives in the UK. One of the foundation’s priorities is organisations and projects increasing diversity in the arts and heritage by breaking down social, economic and geographical barriers. The deadline for stage one applications is 15th February and stage two applications is 31st March. Applicants are encouraged to submit as soon as possible and not wait until the deadline. See more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: law and practice seminar

The Howard League for Penal Reform is holding In Conversation with Dr Laura Janes as part of a series of law and practice seminars [22nd February, online, free]. In this event Andrea Coomber, Chief Executive of the Howard League will be talking to Dr Laura Janes, on her last day as the Howard League’s Legal Director. Laura and Andrea will reflect on Laura’s 16 years at the Howard League, discussing and identifying trends in jurisprudence, policy developments and the changing environment in which justice for children and young people has been fought for by Howard League lawyers. They will also consider the likely legal and policy challenges ahead. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: human dignity

Pact’s Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture 2022 will be given by Professor Anna Rowlands on: Reimagining Human Dignity in Dark Times [24th February, Westminster Cathedral Hall, free]. Rowlands asks if it is possible to have dignity in the criminal justice system and what has to change to make it happen. The event will include voices of lived experience in spoken word performance poetry and Pact’s short film Redemption Stories. It will be followed by a canape reception by The Clink Charity. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: basic income

This Academy for Social Justice seminar [8th March, online, free] will explore the question: is a basic income feasible? Professor Ashwin Kumar has been a social policy economist for over 20 years and in this seminar, he will draw upon recent research evaluating a basic income for Scotland. He will set out five key challenges that must be overcome for a basic income to be feasible. 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. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: gambling awareness

GamCare’s Criminal Justice and Gambling Harm Programme is running monthly gambling awareness sessions [February – July, online, free]. These sessions are relevant to any professional working across the criminal justice system. The session will take a ‘whole systems approach’ to exploring gambling harms, risk factors and impacts, and how to identify and support those at all stages of the criminal justice system. There are six dates available. Book here and here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: changing perceptions

The Oswin Project has partnered up with Koestler Arts and Burnbake Trust for an exhibition to showcase a range of art created within a selection of prisons [1st March – 3rd April, Newcastle Cathedral, free]. The exhibition aims to challenge society’s preconceived attitudes towards prisoners and prisons. Exhibited in the Cathedral’s Refectory, the Oswin Project will celebrate its opening with an evening event with complimentary drinks [1st March, Newcastle Cathedral, free]. See more here or email james@oswinproject.org.uk   

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: working with trauma

Join One Small Thing for an information workshop to find out more how the Working with Trauma Quality Mark can be a practical and accessible tool to help you build your trauma-informed practice throughout your organisation [23rd February, 15th March, online, free]. Find out more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Deputy Service Manager

Social Interest Group is looking for a Deputy Service Manager [£29,000, London, full time] to support its Service Manager. You should be a talented, passionate and ambitious person capable of leading a team of skilled Support Workers across two hubs in Croydon and Lewisham, holding them accountable for delivering high-quality support whilst ensuring they are equipped with the skills and support to thrive. You will play an active part in maintaining a culture of learning and development through supervisions, appraisals and continuing professional development processes. You will ensure a coaching approach to line management is implemented throughout your team and adopted by frontline staff when supporting service users. Find out more and apply by 13th February here

FEATURED VACANCY: Support Worker - Women’s Community Project (Alana House)

Alana House, Parents and Children Together is looking for a Support Worker [£22,537-£27,545 FTE, Reading, part time] to join the team. You will hold a caseload of women and be involved in regular outcomes-focussed person-centred one to one support work and group-based sessions. You will be expected to develop support plans, conduct follow-up meetings, write reports demonstrating outcomes, make referrals to Alana House partners and other local agencies, lead groups and facilitate drop-ins. To succeed in this role, you will need sound administrative skills in order to complete measurement tools and necessary reporting and have experience of supporting and working with vulnerable adults, enabling them to make positive changes in their lives. Find out more and apply by 14th February here

FEATURED VACANCY: Director of Communications and Engagement

Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) is looking for a Director of Communications and Engagement [£60,000-£65,000, London, full time] to join the Senior Leadership Team. Reporting to the CEO, you will plan and deliver external communications and engagement activities to Pact’s networks of stakeholders, to support its continued growth and development. You will also lead on internal communications and develop Pact’s strategy and tools for effective service user engagement, co-production and user voice. You will be an experienced and energetic communications professional and strategic leader. You will be personally committed to service user participation and to facilitating opportunities for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Find out more and apply by 18th February here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Board Chair with Food Behind Bars [London], Executive Assistant to the Director with Restorative Justice for All International Institute [London], Coordinator: Bronzefield Prison Peer Support and Wellbeing Services with Birth Companions [home based with travel], Youth Intervention Practitioner with Redthread [Nottingham], Programme Officers with Leap – Confronting Conflict [London], Therapeutic Services Manager with Brighton Women’s Centre [Brighton and Hove], Deputy Head of Service Delivery and Development with Pact [London and South East], Peer Support Worker with Foundation [Selby, Richmond, North Allerton], Team Leader – Intensive Housing Management with Derventio Housing Trust [Derby]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

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EXTRA INFORMATION

 

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