Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 745 | 12 August 2022

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: Resettlement of children after custody

Criminologist and social policy analyst Professor Neal Hazel, looks at the considerable body of evidence regarding effective resettlement support for children being released from custody in the latest editin to Clinks' evidence library. It shares policy and practice guidance as well as how to implement it effectively. In recent decades, policymakers have become increasingly aware that children being released from custody need effective professional support if they are to live a crime-free life. However, research and inspections of youth offending services have consistently shown that meeting children’s resettlement needs is challenging, which often leaves them without the necessary help and leads to poor outcomes. Nevertheless, there is now a considerable body of evidence for what effective resettlement support looks like and policy and practice guidance for how to implement it. Read the report here  

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: parole and impossible decisions

The latest episode in Transform Justice's new podcast series looks at the factors that go into the decision to release someone from prison, and asks whether the system is up to task. Hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Nicky Padfield, University of Cambridge, and Dr Laura Janes, consultant solicitor for GT Stewart, to talk about proposed changes to parole outlined in the government's Root and Branch Review and whether these changes would make the system fairer. Available here or on all major platforms.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: treatment of Black, Asian and minoritised women in prison

Agenda’s Chief Executive, Indy Cross, recently spoke to ITV News and Monifa Bob-Simon about the racist treatment of Black, Asian and minoritised women in the criminal justice system. As part of a feature, ITV News also spoke to poet Brenda Birungi (also known as Lady Unchained) about her experience in prison, and Nina Champion, Director of the Criminal Justice Alliance. Commenting on the issue, Indy called for urgent and collaborative action: “Let’s co-produce, co-design interventions with Black women, Asian women, minoritised women. Let’s ensure we’re recruiting Black, Asian, minoritised women into the prison system. That’s the only way we can tackle it. We need to act on this now.” View the interview and learn more by clicking here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: impact of imprisonment on children, a call for initiatives or examples

As part of the Prison Strategy White Paper, published in December 2021, the government made a commitment to improve the data quality of prisoners with caring responsibilities and of our understanding of the scale of children affected by parental imprisonment. The Ministry of Justice is interested in hearing about examples of effective, local initiatives being delivered for children impacted by parental imprisonment, as well as examples of local data sharing on this issue. The initiative must be supporting the child rather than the prisoner in this instance. If you work with children impacted by parental imprisonment, please contact harriet.mills@justice.gov.uk

FUNDING: Electronic Monitoring (EM) innovation fund

The Ministry of Justice are launching an Electronic Monitoring (EM) innovation fund of approximately £1.85m in 2022/23 followed by a further £6.85m for 2023/24-2024/25. The intention is to allow for bids, and partnerships proposals to find innovations around data, research, practice and technology and furthering the evidence base and the understanding of EM. Proposals must present a novel solution or approach. The focus is around data and data sharing; ways of working and; technology. Click here for more information.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Building Better Lives, prisoners building eco homes

Join the HM Prison and Probation Service Academy for Social Justice seminar, 'Building Better Lives' [29 September, online, free]. The event will feature Mark Shelford, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and Vice Chair of the South West Reducing Reoffending Partnership and Guests. Click here to register your place.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Facing up to conflict

Alternatives to Violence Project Britain is currently running a trial of a new version of 'Facing Up to Conflict' (FUTC) as a distance learning programme. It was specially designed for participants with reading/writing difficulties and is also suitable for participants with a lower level of English. FUTC is a six-week distance learning course, which helps participants learn how to handle conflict without violence. Through reflecting upon their own experiences, behaviours and motivations, participants learn to create and maintain an environment where the core conditions most associated with healthy, non-violent relationships, can exist. Most participants are people with convictions, but the course is accessible to all. There are limited spaces available, so if you are interested in the programme, please contact Justina, who is looking after the trial, by emailing justina.k@avpbritain.org.uk.

PUBLICATION: making government funding work

The Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition has published a second report on how government and other interested stakeholders can make funding work better for people facing multiple disadvantage. Work by MEAM in early 2022 found that the way in which government funding streams are traditionally organised can limit the collective impact they have for people facing multiple disadvantage. In May, MEAM brought together a group of civil servants from across government to discuss the challenges identified and to consider solutions. The discussion focused on three of the most pressing issues; coordination between programmes and gaps in provision, remit of funding programmes and nature of funding allocation. MEAM is a coalition of national charities – Clinks, Homeless Link, Mind and associate member Collective Voice. Read the report here

FEATURED VACANCY: Independent Monitoring Boards opportunities

We believe people in prison should be treated fairly and humanely. Could you, or someone you know, join one of our prison monitoring teams? You will be checking conditions, talking to those in prison, monitoring how they are being treated and identifying whether they are given sufficient support. Following 23-hour lockdowns, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, prisons find themselves at a crucial stage. Our Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) members play a vital role in alerting ministers and the public to what is happening inside. You would need to commit to an average of 2-3 visits a month in a prison near you. Interested? Find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Women's Wellbeing Coach with Foundation [£22,571 - £24,920, York, Selby. Hambleton and Richmondshire, full time]; Business Development Manager with ICENA Ltd [£30,000 - £32,000, home based, full time]; Housing Support Worker (RACS) with Foundation [£22,571 - £24,920, Scarborough, part time]; Housing Management Assistant (RACS) with The Interlink Foundation [£20,592, Scarborough, part time]; Homeless Prevention Worker with The Interlink Foundation [£22,571 - £24,920, Harrogate, part time]; IRIS Advocates and Educators with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£29,577, London, full time]; Mentor with The Wise Group [£23,690, remote with regular travel to HMP Northumberland, full time]; Ex-Prisoner Exhibition Hosts with Koestler Arts [£4,600, London, part time, 27 Oct – 18 Dec]; Young Person’s Senior Mentor (gangs/exploitation) with St Giles Trust [£22,526 - £26,501, Suffolk with frequent travel within the County, full time]; Volunteer Development Officer with The Welcome Directory, [£24,600, home based, part time]

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Drip Irrigation Kit for Garden. £25.50 Details
  • Watering can. £7.39 Details
  • Pressurized Water Saving Square Hand Shower Kit. £12.95 Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13,782 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England and Wales.

Click here to manage your subscriptions. For assistance, email info@clinks.org

If you would like to include something in a future edition of Light Lunch, use our submission form.

Clinks logo

Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Terms and conditions

Contact us www.clinks.org | info@clinks.org | 020 4502 6774