Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 804 | 13 October 2023

Light Lunch Clinks

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Why we need to pursue alternatives to renting foreign prison places

At the Conservative Party Conference last week, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC MP, announced a plan to rent places in foreign prisons. Following this announcement, Clinks has written to both the Lord Chancellor and the Director General CEO of HM Prison and Probation Service to raise the concerns of the sector and call for the government to change course. Clinks' CEO, Anne Fox, has written a blog highlighting the response from the sector to the government's proposal, raising a number of key concerns, and setting out why we need to pursue alternatives to renting foreign prison places. Read the blog here. 

CLINKS NEWS: book a stall at our annual conference

Book your ticket for our annual conference 2023: Making race & justice everyone's business [22 November, London, from £50].

We invite organisations to book an event stall and feature in the Clinks' learning space at this year's conference. In line with our theme this year, we are particularly keen to welcome organisations dedicated to supporting racially minoritised individuals in the criminal justice system. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your work, share best practice, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers. 

Event stall's are open to all conference ticket holders and we encourage you to come along, participate and share valuable information, resources and experience with the wider sector. 

If you are keen to showcase your work and make it accessible for display, please reach out to events@clinks.org after securing your ticket reservation. Find out more here

CLINKS NEWS: register your interest to participate in a research focus group

Following our State of the sector survey, we are looking to delve deeper into the current landscape of the criminal justice voluntary sector through focus groups with representatives of a range of voluntary organisations. Participants will have advanced sight of our survey’s findings, directly contribute their voice to our research, and be able to highlight challenges, but also successes, from the last year. Previously, Clinks presented findings from its State of the sector research to senior officials in the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service, and charitable trusts and foundations. The findings also underpin and help shape our influencing work. Clinks is also pleased to be able to offer participating organisations a free place on one of our training sessions. If you would like to take part in one of these focus groups, please register your interest using this form by [30 October].  

MEMBER FOCUS: Catimor ltd c/o Redemption Roasters

Enter Redemption Roasters, the world’s first behind bars coffee company. Catimor Ltd was approached by the Ministry of Justice to help address the state of reoffending through coffee. Their roastery is inside the walls of HMP the Mount and their network of barista academies operate in justice sector institutions across the country.  

As part of their mission to help prison leavers successfully reintegrate into society, they are trained in professional roastery and barista skills. On release graduates are helped to find work, either in their own coffee shops, or with their wholesale clients.  Find out more about Redemption Roasters

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Health and wellbeing discounts for Recoop members

Recoop are pleased to introduce a brand new offer for any new and existing members of their website. You will now receive 10% off a selection of their services that aim to help support the physical and mental health of those who have been in contact with the criminal justice system, including their virtual walk, On Track (including stepometers), and booklets on Mindfulness, Numeracy and Menopause booklets. As well as this offer, you will receive access to a number of resources such as session plans, training resources and more.

It is completely free to become a member, all you need to do is sign up on their website.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Conference on violence against women and girls

YouTurn is hosting a National Conference on Violence against Women and Girls - the Impact of Sexual Trauma [2 November, 9:00 – 16:30, Kings House, Bedford, £125 per person]. This event promises a packed schedule of subject expert speakers including Zoe Lodrick and Fay Maxted. This is a fantastic opportunity for staff and safeguarding leads to develop their professional skills and networks. Throughout the day you will assess, explore and analyse the latest insights into trauma informed practice and gain knowledge about improved professional approaches to dealing with survivors of sexual violence. For more information, please visit the National VAWG Conference 2023 website or email bookings@youturnfutures.com

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: New Leaf Initiative Annual Conference and Awards

The New Leaf Initiative CIC is hosting their 4th Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony [12 December, Birmingham, 13:00 – 17:00, online or in person, free]. The topic of focus this year is redemption. Award nominations are open until [10 November]. New Leaf Initiative looks forward to receiving your nominations and hopes to see you on 12 December. Please follow these links to register to attend in person or attend online.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Traveller Movement Annual Conference

Join in the Traveller Movement's 2023 conference, 'Future Voices' [16 November, 10:00 - 16:30, Lambeth Town Hall, £25 - £175]. The diversity of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller youth and community will be celebrated.

While the UK is experiencing multiple interconnecting crises, we must keep moving forward and commit to creating better outcomes for the next generation. By creating intergenerational dialogue and focusing on opportunity and access, we can build a brighter future. For detailed information about this event, please view the conference brochure and buy your tickets here.

RESOURCE: Exploring women’s experience of drug and alcohol treatment

New research published last week by the Centre for Justice Innovation and Staffordshire University finds that women are at risk of being targeted by abusers in “chaotic, intimidating or unsafe” drug and alcohol treatment services.

The report, titled; Exploring women’s experience of drug and alcohol treatment in the West Midlands’, found that some women were forced to attend mixed-gender treatment groups which put women at risk and made it difficult to talk about traumatic experiences. The way services were set up also meant that it was difficult to manage treatment alongside childcare responsibilities. It recommends providing access to gender-specific support and treatment in ‘safe, appropriate spaces’, suitable for those with children, and providing gender-specific care which can help safely explore drivers of addiction such as trauma and abuse. Find out more and read the report here

OPPORTUNITY: University of Cambridge Master’s course

The Institute of Criminology (University of Cambridge) runs a two-year part-time Master’s course (MSt) in Applied Criminology, Penology and Management, which is now accepting applications for the 2024 intake. Students generally include practitioners working in public and private prisons, probation services, youth justice, the third sector, the magistracy, and international governmental and non-governmental organisations. They currently offer a 50% fee bursary for applicants working in the third sector, generously funded by Mr James Timpson. Find out more here

The course is designed to be compatible with full-time careers in criminal justice, and aims to produce highly informed and research-literate future leaders. It is taught through a series of residential study blocks in Cambridge, by internationally renowned researchers and guest speakers, with an emphasis on interactive learning. If you are interested in joining the next course, which begins in Spring 2024 [application deadline, 14 January], please click here for further details (including fees, dates and admission requirements) or contact mst.administration@crim.cam.ac.uk

FEATURED VACANCY: Service Delivery Manager

Spark Inside is seeking a highly organised passionate individual with the drive to achieve outcomes in challenging environments as a Service Delivery Manager [£36,000, full time, London] to lead their delivery at the Oasis Restore Secure School and at HMP/YOI Cookham Wood. This is an exciting on-the-group position, working mainly within prisons in Kent. You will be responsible for engaging young people in prison and in the community to participate in Spark Inside’s life coaching workshops and one-to-one coaching. You will also manage their team of freelance coaches and play a key role in project management and the smooth running of their coaching programmes. Find out more and apply here by 16 October

FEATURED VACANCY: Volunteer Admin Assistant

Passionate about supporting those in prison to create a brighter future? BehindBras seeks Volunteer Admin Assistants [Voluntary, part time, National/Remote] to play a crucial role to assist with admin tasks like managing records and databases, tracking program progress and impact. Event coordination will also be a key responsibility, helping plan and organise events and workshops. BehindBras are looking for candidates with strong organisational and communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for empowering individuals through education and enterprise. Flexible hours (approx 10-16 per week) and a minimum 3-month commitment. BehindBras is an equal opportunity organisation, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds. Find out more and apply here by 24 November

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Community Outreach Worker with Friends Families And Travellers [£26,503, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex area, part time]; Volunteer Coordinator with Friends Families And Travellers [£26,503, Brighton with requirement to travel across Sussex, part time]; Specialist Women's Outreach Worker with Brighton Women's Centre [£28,785, Eastbourne office with regular travel across East Sussex, full time]; Musician-in-Residence, HMP Eastwood Park – Women’s Prison with Changing Tunes [£28,201.00, Eastwood Park - South Gloucestershire, part time]; Senior Practitioner x2 - Breaking Barriers Suffolk with Ormiston Families [£23,439, Suffolk, part time]; Senior Practitioner x2 - Breaking Barriers Essex with Ormiston Families [£23,439, Essex, part time]; Senior Practitioner - Breaking Barriers Norfolk (12 month fixed-term contract) with Ormiston Families [£23,439, Norfolk, part time]; Trustee with Elizabeth Fry Charity [Reading, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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