Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 810 | 24 November 2023

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In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Changes to Friday releases from prison starting from Thursday 30 November 

Friday releases from prison will effectively end in the vast majority of cases starting in December. The policy will help make sure that there is enough time for people leaving prison to access essential services such as housing, medical or job support on release before they close for the weekend.  

The new policy framework was published on Gov.UK on 22 November. Its publication follows the Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Act which received Royal Assent in June, and it delivers on the Government’s pledge in the Prisons Strategy White Paper published in December 2021.  

The policy means there will be a presumption that determinately sentenced adult prisoners who have served at least 28 days in custody from date of sentence, and who are due for a release on a Friday or the day before a bank/public holiday, are released one working day earlier. Children and young people will be released two days early under the scheme unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Community probation practitioners will also be able to apply to prisons for prisoners to be released an additional working day earlier where they judge that this would better support an individual’s resettlement needs. 

Starting from Thursday 30 November, prison-based Offender Management Units will update eligible prisoners’ release dates 14 days in advance, and prisoners will be notified. 

In the Youth Custody Service, the first releases under this scheme will be considered from Wednesday 13 December 2023.

CLINKS EVENT: North of England criminal justice forum (Families) 

The next theme for the North of England criminal justice forum [12 December, online, free] will be support for families and other significant relationships in the criminal justice system. Speakers will include Props North East, POPs and Children Action North West. This criminal justice forum has been organised to bring together partners working across the criminal justice system in the North of England. It aims to create a space to step away from the day job and provide an opportunity to share good practice, strengthen partnership working, and discuss any opportunities or challenges your organisation may be currently facing. 

The forum is held quarterly open to cross sector organisations based or working in the North West, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Humber and the North East. Book online 

CLINKS EVENT: Combined London Criminal Justice and Race & Justice Network Forum 

Our London criminal justice forums aim to bring together partners working across the criminal justice system. They are held three times per year, providing an opportunity for people working in the criminal justice system in London to discuss policy and practice affecting their day-to-day work. We have decided to combine our London criminal justice forum and our Race & Justice network forum next month [14 December, online, free]. Both London members and members of the Race & Justice network will be very welcome at the combined event. Register online 

MEMBER FOCUS: Organisations receive Centre for Social Justice Award 2023 

Clinks member charities The Recruitment Junction and Children Heard and Seen were amongst five winners of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) awards 2023 earlier this week. 

The Recruitment Junction is a charity in the North East of England working in prisons and in the community to help people find meaningful, sustained work. Beverley Brooks, Founder CEO says “We believe that The Recruitment Junction offers an innovative example of high impact work that is effective and scalable and we are delighted with the CSJ’s recognition and the platform this affords us to showcase best practice."

Children Heard and Seen support children, young people and their families who are impacted by parental imprisonment. The charity strives to support their needs, listen to their concerns and ensure that their voices are heard. On receiving their award Children Heard and Seen said on social media “Children with a parent in prison have been invisible for far too long. We hope that this award helps to inspire immediate change.”

Watch the winners’ video on YouTube

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: Longford prize awarded to Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association (JENGbA) 

Congratulations to JENGbA who won the Longford Prize earlier this week. The Longford Prize celebrates the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations working in the field of prison reform.  It is awarded annually by the Longford Trust from nominations made by the public, and recognises qualities of humanity, courage, persistence and originality. During the award ceremony JENGbA took to social media to thank the Longford Trust for the award, saying “our prisoners and families will use this accolade to renew and boost our demand for reform”. 

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Briefing paper - A Call to Action  

With the Young Women's Strategy and upcoming Police Crime Commissioner elections in 2024, A Call to Action puts forward tangible ways young adult women (17-25) can be better supported, and diverted away from the criminal justice system. Agenda Alliance and Alliance for Youth Justice have published new analysis showing young women aged 21 to 24 are the worst affected with sky-rocketing rates of self-harm in women's prisons. 

A Call to Action, evidences how young women in contact with the criminal justice system, on account of age and gender, have been systematically overlooked in policy and practice. This highlights the need for age-, gender-, trauma- and culturally- responsive practice across policing, probation, prisons, and the courts.  

With opportunity in the promised Young Women's Strategy and upcoming Police Crime Commissioner elections in 2024, the briefing paper puts forward tangible ways young adult women (17-25) can be diverted away from the criminal justice system. Read the briefing here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Re-commissioning of core commissioned rehabilitative services

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has commenced work on the re-commissioning of its core Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) for people in prison and on probation for the following pathways:

  • Finance, benefit & debt (FBD);
  • Dependency & recovery (D&R);
  • Education, training and employment (ETE);
  • Accommodation;
  • Emotional wellbeing;
  • Family & significant others;
  • Lifestyle & associates;
  • Through-the-gate mentoring (social inclusion)

Organisations are invited to attend an in-person event on [29 November, 10:00 - 16:00, London, free]. The morning session will be focusing on the high-level design for Men. Women’s Service organisations can attend the afternoon sessions from 13:00 if preferable. Register via Eventbrite  

For those unable to attend in-person, a virtual event [7 December, 13:00 - 16:00, online, free]  has been created to ensure the short notice will not stop organisations from attending. The virtual event will take place on MS teams on and attendees will need to pre-register by 17:00 on 4 December to confirm your attendance.

During the event HMPPS will present the following topics whilst also allowing opportunity for feedback and open discussions around: The high-level design for the recommissioning of men’s CRS; Cost Assumptions; Payment Mechanisms; Performance Framework; Contract Levers; Procurement Timescales; and Mobilisation. 

Please note a maximum attendance of two people per organisation. Register for the HMPPS recommissioning rehabilitative services - virtual market event 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: The disproportionate impact of PAVA spray

The disproportionate use of PAVA incapacitant spray on Black, Black British and Muslim prisoners is now so firmly established that it has become normalised, according to a new analysis published this week by the Prison Reform Trust. Download the briefing 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Great Legal Quiz competition 

The Great Legal Quiz is a fun-filled evening for people to partake in a national competition, all whilst doing their bit to help support those most in need of specialist free legal advice. You can take part in a local pub, your office, or online. The questions are written by a professional TV quiz writer so you are sure to have a taste of those mind-boggling questions which you see on TV each week. Find out more

FUNDING: for more intensive support from Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner   

Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner are looking to fund third sector organisations and charities to work in partnership with. They are looking to deliver support and interventions to young people aged 18-24 as part of a deferred prosecution programme known as Chance to Change in our service area.  

An estimated budget of £350,000 per annum is available and we intend to go out to tender for a four-year contract with a two year break clause soon.  

There is funding for more intensive support (such as mentoring or coaching) for those groups who are over-represented within the criminal justice system: care leavers; those with special educational needs or disabilities and those from ethnically minoritized groups.

Organisations are invited to attend a virtual market engagement event to learn more about this opportunity. Contact YouthCoordinators@avonandsomerset.police.uk to find out more.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: How sport is playing a role in Criminal Justice 

This  Academy for Social Justice online seminar will demonstrate how sport is playing an important role in the criminal justice system [6 December, online, free]. 

James Mapstone, CEO of the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice, will discuss the work that the Alliance undertakes, and introduce two organisations who are both effective at using physical activity and sport to increase positive outcomes for the children, young people and adults who are in, or at risk of entering the justice system. Register here to attend 

FEATURED VACANCY: Family Support Worker 

Ormiston Families are seeking a Family Support Worker to join the team in providing effective and efficient running of the Visitor Centre, Tea Bar and Play Area in the Prison Visits Hall at HMP Whitemoor and assist on Family Days to ensure prisoners and their families have a valuable visiting experience. 

Ideally you will have experience of dealing with people in a customer service-based role and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills, sometimes under challenging circumstances whilst embracing a non-judgemental and empathetic work ethic. You will be required to obtain and retain CTC security vetting for this role. Find out more and apply by 7 December here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES: 

3 x Accommodation Support Officer with Seetec [£23,000 - £24,801, Lancashire, full and part time]; Volunteer Coordinator with Change for Good [£27,500 - £29,000, London, part time]; Support Worker with Seetec [£24,650 - £29,000, Hastings, part time]; Project Officer with Good Vibrations [£25,000, Remote, full time]; Head of Fundraising with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£48,000 - £58,000, London, full time]; Senior Children & Families Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£30,000 - £34,000, London, full time]; Senior County Lines Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£27,000 - £31,000, Cardiff, full time]; Education, Training and Employment Coach with Seetec [£23,000 - £24,801, Dorset, full time]; Prison Facilitator – HMP Moorland with Shannon Trust [£26,780 Yorkshire, part time]; Prison Facilitator – HMP Hull with Shannon Trust [£26,780, Hull, full time]; Family Support Worker – Prisoner Family Services – HMP Whitemoor with Ormiston Families [£19,838, Cambridgeshire, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK: 

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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