In this month's edition...
Clinks has been progressing our three core projects as part of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance. The first is a project exploring peer support and learning on mental and physical healthcare for Black men in the criminal justice system, focusing on three areas: epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorders and neurodiversity (including traumatic brain injury). Clinks has delivered the first ellipse training session in HMP Isis at the end of September and are planning dates for further sessions. The first neurodiversity coaching session has also taken place in HMP Berwyn, and these will be running through until January 2024.
The latest meeting of the Older People in the Criminal Justice System network (OPiC) was held at the end of September, focusing on older people in contact with the criminal justice system and the arts. Those interested in Clinks’ Health work, please contact the policy team here.
Statement on Prison Capacity
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk, gave a statement to the House of Commons on 16 October regarding the government’s approach to criminal justice. This included measures to manage prison capacity, such as the building of 20,000 ‘modern, rehabilitative’ prison places, the speeding up of deportation of foreign nationals, and legislation for overseas prison rental scheme. In addition to this, the government committed to the presumption against short sentences of less than 12 months, as well as an expansion of programmes like Home Detention Curfew and other Electric Monitoring technologies. Read the full statement here. In response to the government’s plans, Clinks has written a blog post. Clinks CEO, Anne Fox, has also published a blog calling for alternatives to renting foreign prison places.
Clinks annual conference: Making race and justice everybody’s business
This year our annual conference [22 November, London] will provide a platform for our specialist members who are led by/for racially minoritised people. Our programme will allow members to share their expertise on how to best support people from racially minoritised communities, and how we can unite and commit to a future where justice is equitable.
Tickets are selling fast so be sure to secure your ticket now. Book your place here
Clinks’ 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM)
At this year's AGM [7 November, online, free] we are pleased to welcome HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, as our keynote speaker. Mr. Taylor will speak to our theme; “The role and value of the voluntary sector working with people in prison, on release, and their families at a time of change and challenge.” There will also be an opportunity to engage in a question-and-answer session with the Chief Inspector.
Our AGM is always a well-attended and lively event, offering a great opportunity to network and for you to comment on Clinks’ work and our priorities for the year ahead. The AGM allows us to carry out business vital to our work. Find out more and book your place here
Clinks’ annual report & financial statements 2022-23
We have published our annual report & financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. Our annual report details our achievements and progress towards our strategic goals; plus our plans for the future, followed by a financial review. The report covers our activities for the year across our five strategic goals:
- Understanding
- Connecting
- Voicing
- Supporting
- Developing
Read the report here, which includes a forward from Clinks C.E.O, Anne Fox, and our Chair of Trustees, Roma Hooper.
Safety in Custody Statistics
The Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service published the latest Safety in Custody quarterly update, covering the three months to June 2023. It shows that the rate of self-harm incidents in both the male and female prison estates has increased from the previous 12-month period. There were 64,348 self-harm incidents in the 12 months to June 2023, up 21% from the previous 12 months, comprising of an 8% increase in male establishments and a considerable 65% increase in female establishments. Similarly, the number of individuals who self-harmed increased by 7% from the previous 12-month period. These levels are now higher than pre-pandemic levels. There has been an increase in the number of assault incidents compared with the previous year, with the rate of assaults in female establishments 69% higher than male. Read the full update here
Key health care issues for young people in YOIs and prisons
Nuffield Trust has published a report analysing the key health issues for young people in young offender institutions (YOIs) and prisons. Growing up inside uses routinely collected hospital data to look at service-use patterns of children and young adults aged 25 and under in YOIs and prisons in England. The analysis draws on a variety of themes including the impact of violence and self-harm, neurodiversity in custodial settings, the experience of young women in prison; as well as ethnic disparities. It found that mental health is an important driver of violence and self-harm in secure settings, with young adults presenting unique challenges, highlighting the need for tailored support and interventions. Read the full report here
Exploring women’s experience of drug and alcohol treatment
The Centre for Justice Innovation has published a report on its research into the experience of women in relation to substance use treatment services in the West Midlands. The findings show that many drug and alcohol treatment services are not able to fully meet women’s needs, despite making every effort to provide effective, gender-responsive services. Key practical concerns encountered include the delivering of treatment in mixed-gender spaces which could be deemed unsafe by women, as well as resource constraints that led to a system which is not flexible enough to respond to the needs of women with significant trauma. The report points to several recommendations for treatment services including better local combating drug partnerships to implement whole system approaches in order to ensure all women who use substances are able to access timely, joined-up, gender responsive support. Read the report here
Supporting the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector to evaluate social prescribing
The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) published a briefing and rapid scoping review that aims to help identify and collate existing resources to support the evaluation of social prescribing activities. The review did not find there was strong demand for another evaluation toolkit, given the number of existing resources available. Instead, it found a need for clear signposting to trusted resources on evaluating social prescribing. From analysis, NASP identified three themes to support evaluation carried out by the voluntary sector: the need for development of a shared language between different stakeholders; challenges around differences in cultures across funders and sectors; and learning needs and training, particularly focussed on selecting the right evaluation method for the circumstances. Read the briefing and report here
Social prescribing for children and young people
Bernado’s has published a report examining the current evidence around the benefits of social prescribing for children and young people. Drawing on its own research from Bernado’s services, the report shows how social prescribing provides effective prevention and early intervention support to improve young people’s development, health, and wellbeing. Bernado’s calls for a cross government national strategy for children and young people’s social prescribing, that works with stakeholders to take a strategic approach. Recommendations include development of outcome measures that demonstrates the benefits of social prescribing as an example of personalised care, as well as support for Integrated Care Systems to provide funding for voluntary organisations providing youth services that children and young people can be referred to as part of a social prescription. Read the full report here
Desistance, Aversity and Trauma
The latest Academic Insight from HM Inspectorate of Probation highlights some of the key evidence suggesting that practice for youth justice should support desistance, engage with social adversity and trauma, and help empower children and young people to work towards their pro-social goals. A key point emerging from the report is that a twin-track approach is required, that engages children and young people as unique individuals, showcasing the need for practitioners and their agencies to engage proactively with the wider social contexts that shape the lives and experiences of young people. Read the full briefing here
Canteen at HMP Ranby
Inside Time ran a story highlighting the findings of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Ranby. The IMB criticised the canteen service, stating the groceries available to purchase by people in prison were too expensive, adding that food from the canteen is often needed to supplement their daily food. In its annual report, the IMB stated that goods have “not been delivered in accordance with what was ordered by the prisoner. The delays in refunds have an adverse effect on the attitudes and morale.” Read the article here
Family drug and alcohol courts
The Centre for Justice Innovation has formulated an evidence summary providing an overview of existing research regarding Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC), marking 15 years since their establishment. The findings provide a strong case for additional investment to expand these courts across England and Wales, including evidence that parents in FDAC are significantly more likely to become abstinent from substances by the end of proceedings than those in standard care proceedings, as well as that the process significantly increases the likelihood of children being reunified with their parents at the end of care proceedings, and that these family unifications are safer and more stable. Read the full briefing here
Consultation on UK clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has published a consultation asking for views on the draft of the first ever UK clinic guidelines for alcohol treatment. The guidelines seek to provide a consensus on good practice and to help services implement interventions for harmful drinking and alcohol dependence. The online survey asks for commentary on each of the 27 chapters of the guidelines including the core elements of alcohol treatment as well as alcohol treatment in specific settings and populations. For more information on how to respond see here. The consultation will be open for eight weeks and the deadline for submission is 11:59pm on Friday 8 December 2023.
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