Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 761 | 2 December

Light Lunch

In this issue....​​​​​

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks response to the use of police cells to relieve pressure on prison capacity

The Prisons Minister's request for 400 police cells to relieve pressure on prison capacity shows the shortcomings of policy that focuses on longer sentences and prison expansion over diversion and alternatives to custody. It is vital that people in prison get access to the services they need to transform their lives but the current pressure on capacity presents significant barriers to this. We are working with HMPPS to understand how individuals and their families affected by this announcement will get the support they need. You can read the announcement here.

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks Conference 2022, our summary blog

The Clinks Conference 2022 created an opportunity for reflection and connectivity, showcasing strength in our sector despite the external climate and further establishing a joint commitment to our shared cause. For those of you who were unable to join us this blog summarises the keynote speeches, workshops, and panel discussions.

CLINKS NEWS: an update on MoJ commissioning

Last month Clinks met with representatives from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for the quarterly commissioning engagement forum; a space that was created to provide regular discussion and feedback on commissioning rounds that will involve the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. See our blog for more details.

CLINKS NEWS: race and justice forum

The quarterly Race and Justice network forum [7 December 2022, 11:00 - 13:00] provides organisations in the network with support, information and networking opportunities. The forum also provides updates on policy, member activity and host speakers on relevant topics. The forums provide an opportunity to gather feedback and key issues raised by organisations working with those racially minoritised within the criminal justice system, enabling Clinks to reflect these to the national government at Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) meetings. Click here to learn more and register.

CLINKS NEWS: Clinks Director of Influence and Communications will be leaving

After 11 years at Clinks Jess Mullen, Clinks Director of Influence and Communications will be leaving in February. Jess will be taking up the role of Chief Executive at Collective Voice the national alliance of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery charities. She said, ‘Working at Clinks, alongside such a committed, resilient and vibrant sector has been a privilege and I am grateful to have been able to work with colleagues across the criminal justice system to ensure the knowledge and expertise of voluntary organisations has been able to contribute to criminal justice policy and practice.” Clinks will be putting in place plans to ensure the ongoing leadership of our influencing and communications activities and in the meantime our fantastic policy and communications teams managed by Rachel Tynan and Antonia Cross will continue to deliver our planned activities. You can get in touch with the team here.

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: recruiting a Co-Chair

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced leader with a track record of achieving positive change, developing strategies, and achieving effective collaboration across agencies. The Co-Chair of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance will be passionate about the role the arts can play in the criminal justice system and the transformative power of the arts as a springboard for positive change. If this sounds like you, we would be delighted to hear more. Find out about the role and apply here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: the Frontline worker survey

Are you supporting people experiencing homelessness? The Frontline Network want to hear from staff in roles such as outreach, housing, social work, health and probation. The 2022 survey [Deadline 9 December] explores your insights into challenges and best practice around addressing homelessness, the impact of the rising cost of living, and lastly your experiences of frontline work. They gather your insights to help inform policy and practice around homelessness. Each year, we publish a report to share our findings with key decision-makers and submit relevant evidence to government consultations. Your feedback also shapes the funding, community and resources we have for frontline staff, such as our free annual conference and training opportunities. Share your insights and have your voice heard here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: special offer for tools for mental health

The Covid pandemic has led to many inmates suffering with ongoing anxiety, post-traumatic stress and further mental health issues. This has underlined the importance of purposeful activity being provided in prisons, supporting individuals to keep their minds and bodies active. To help prisons introduce physical and mental health activity Recoop are offering the following savings; Buy 50 On Track with Step-o-meters for £600 and receive 10 Mindfulness booklets free, a saving of £200. The offer ends on 31 March. Click here for more.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: entrepreneurship scheme for people in prison

A unique scheme run by Entrepreneurs Unlocked, aimed to give people in prisons an insight into running a business and provided training in finance, marketing, sales, and product or service development. The Hidden Entrepreneur event held at HMP Thorn Cross, Cheshire, was the first of its kind, showcasing business proposals created by people in prison. The proposals were then put forward to a ‘Dragons-Den’ like panel comprised of local entrepreneurs, the public and people with previous experience of prison who have started their own companies. The winner is to receive a grant of £400, backed by Entrepreneurs Unlocked, which will support them in setting up their business upon releasee. Read more here.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: adult male prison capacity management

HMPPS is experiencing an acute surge in demand in the adult male prison estate. Operation Safeguard is providing a contingency of around 400 police cells to accommodate prisoners on a temporary, short-term basis. Prisoners held in the police cells are then moved into prison as soon as possible – and expect prisoners will be held no longer than one night. The protocol is an extension of HMPPS’s routine work with police forces across the country, which occasionally sees police cells used to hold prisoners overnight, such as when the courts sit late in the day, for example. Information for families and significant others (FaSO) has been provided for FaSO contracted providers and we will update this as required. We recommend that any enquiries that may come to other partners from familes and signifanct others should be directed through the freephone Prisoners’ Families Helpline 0800 808 2003. This service will be able to provide up-to-date and accurate information to those who may have questions or concerns.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ annual stakeholder survey

HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ annual stakeholder survey is now live on our website [survey closes on 16 December]. It has been a busy 12 months for the Inspectorate and we are interested in our stakeholders’ views on our performance. We will be using the feedback to inform future business planning. The survey, which should take around 10 minutes to complete, is now live on the website here. If you have any problems accessing the survey, please contact Joe.simmonds@hmiprisons.gov.uk

FUNDING: evaluation of family support services

WYCCP Resettlement Service and Jigsaw Visitors Centre, based at HMP Leeds, are working together to deliver a three year Lottery funded project which supports prisoners and their families in the community. They seek an organisation to work alongside the project and undertake a quantitative and qualitative evaluation which will include an economic impact assessment of the family support “in, out and beyond’. The evaluation must be undertaken between February 2023 and June 2023 with a final report submitted on 1 July 2023. £10,000 is available to pay for this work. Proposals must be submitted by email by 1 January. To receive a brief, email kelly.manton@wyccp.org.uk by 19 December. Informal queries can be made to jane.daguerre@wyccp.org.uk 0113 3874581

FUNDING: Literacy Innovation Fund

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) are looking to establish a ‘golden thread’ of learning, skills development and progress across all areas of education, skills and work in custody to ensure every person in prison is on a learning, employment and personal development pathway towards outcomes on release. Two key priorities are improving literacy and numeracy of all people in prison and offering education, skills and work opportunities that will increase prospects of finding a job on release. MOJ are particularly interested in approaches that support prisoners with a range of reading and writing needs, including decoding, word reading, reading fluency, vocabulary learning, spelling and reading/writing practice. This is a lotted procurement and will be run as a five-lot two stage (concurrent) open tender. Click here to find out more.

FUNDING: monies obtained through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA)

£177,000 seized from criminal activity will be used to benefit grass root causes, as part of the latest round of Kim McGuinness’ Operation Payback fund in Northumbria. Operation Payback seeks to fund projects that repair the harm caused by ASB, prevent/reduce youth or adult ASB, and provide diversionary activities throughout the year including school holidays. For further information on how to apply click here.

FUNDING: warm spaces grant programme 2022

The Resident Participation Team is seeking to partner with Voluntary Community Sector (VCS) organisations to offer a warm space to residents across Hackney, London. Awarding small grants to VCS organisations for the creation of warm spaces. To improve the quality of life for Hackney residents this winter. Organisations must be non-profit, value-driven, and invest their resources towards social, environmental, or cultural objectives. For more information, see Warm Spaces Grant guidance and criteria.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: restorative justice, youth and best practice

Do you want to see what best practice looks like when using restorative practices in the Youth Justice sector? Do you want to understand the findings of the 'Why me?' three-year youth justice project? Join them [7th December, 2pm - 3:30pm, online, free]. As Why me? reach the end of their three-year project on 'Improving restorative practice for young people', they are compiling learning into a Good Practice Guide. In this event, Project Lead Leah Robinson will go over the key findings from the project and share the Good Practice Guide recommendations that have come out of it. Book your free place here.

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: fully funded self-employment course

The Enterprise Exchange team are delighted to offer a fully funded self-employment course for 14 people who have been in custody [in London, 10 - 12 January 10:00 – 15:00]. This programme includes workshops covering all aspects of setting up and running a successful business and tailored 1-2-1 mentoring. If you know of a prison leaver with a firm business idea who is looking to go self-employed, we would be very pleased to have them on our course. Please contact Benna McCartney benna@enterpriseexchange.org.uk for more information or to arrange an assessment call with your potential participant.

NON-MEMBER’S EVENTS AND TRAINING: managing sexual convictions, a steering group

Research employees at Teesside University are looking at the barriers and facilitators to the de-escalation, desistance, and reintegration of sexual offenders in the North-East of England. They are calling for all North-East prison/hospital/other staff who have an interest in, or work with people with sexual convictions to a half-day steering group [12 January, 9am – 1pm, Hybrid, online and in-person location to be confirmed, free]. The purpose is to gather feedback, recommendations and knowledge surrounding current practices in the prisons; gather inside perspectives of current challenges faced when working with sexual offenders, and see how feasible it would be for interviews to be conducted within those prisons/hospitals and for potential recommendations to be rolled out. All prison/hospital and other staff are welcome to attend. Register here If you are interested in joining the steering group, or would like further details, please email E.Tuschick@tees.ac.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Policy and Impact Lead

IMB Secretariat is looking for a Policy and Impact Lead [£35,405 - £39,000, full time, London] to join their team who will be responsible for the development and provision of policy and research advice and support to the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) and Lay Observer (LO) National Chairs and to individual IMBs to maximise the reach and impact of the work of IMBs and LOs. You will be a motivated, enthusiastic individual with experience of working in a fast-paced environment. Proposed changes to the organisational structure and governance, along with the increasing profile of the IMBs, make this an exciting time to join the organisation. You are not required to have experience of working in the immigration detention sector. Find out more and apply by 7 December here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Service Manager with Imagine Independence [£31,059, East Lancashire, full time]; Personal Wellbeing Coach with St Giles Trust [£23,700 - £23,700, Cardiff, full time]; Wellbeing & Social Inclusion Coach with Seetec [£23,000, Covering Cheshire, full time]; Substance Misuse Worker with Seetec [£24,650 - £29,000, Liverpool, full time]; Accommodation Support Officer with Seetec [£23,000 - £24,801, HMP Preston, full time]; Project Support Volunteer with User Voice [London, part time]; GROW Traineeship with Shelter (England) [£19,305 + £1,500 training, Hackney, London, full time]; GROW Traineeship with Shelter (England) [£19,305 + £1,500 training, Weymouth, full time]; GROW Traineeship with Shelter (England) [£19,305 - £19,305, Sheffield, full time]; GROW Traineeship with Shelter (England) [£19,305 - £19,305, Merseyside, full time]

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK:

 

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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