We are re-launching Clinks Thinks
A new influencing resource for the criminal justice voluntary sector
Clinks is launching an updated version of Clinks Thinks, which sets out our key principles, ambitions and recommendations. This was developed in consultation with Clinks members and networks, and in line with our vision, mission, and objectives. The principles, ambitions and recommendations are rooted in evidence and expertise, and are the foundation on which Clinks seeks to influence governments, funders, and other key stakeholders, on behalf of the criminal justice voluntary sector.
Our CEO, Anne Fox, has outlined what Clinks Thinks is in this video
Principles. Ambitions. Recommendations.
Our ambitions for change within the criminal justice system are set under our three key principles:
- Recognise the role of the voluntary sector in supporting people in the criminal justice system to realise their potential
- Strengthen the sector’s voice
- Ensure the voluntary sector is sustainable.
- Ensure criminal justice services have strong foundations
- Make all services person-centred
- Join up services
- Involve people with lived experience at all levels.
- Understand and meet the needs of people in contact with the criminal justice system
- Reduce the prison population
- Tackle racism
- Prevent the imprisonment of children
- Deliver an effective approach for young adults
- Improve health and wellbeing
- Support people to maintain and develop family and other significant relationships
- Implement an effective approach for women
- Encourage creativity and inspiration.
In Clinks Thinks, we highlight the importance of the sector’s voice being sought out and heard in campaigning, policy, and service deliver without the fear of repercussions. Alongside this, we call for all criminal justice services to be person-centred, and joined up to ensure they enable people to access the help they need to desist from crime, to realise their potential, and to thrive. This all needs to be underpinned by a sustainable voluntary sector, supported by grant funding and contracts that deliver full cost recovery for contracted organisations.
To achieve each of our ambitions, we make recommendations to government and to the voluntary sector.
Find out more about Clinks Thinks in our blog
You can explore the Clinks Thinks webpage to find out more about the principles, ambitions and recommendations, and access other free resources to strengthen your influencing work.
Launch focus & beyond
Clinks Thinks will launch with an initial focus on 'implementing an effective approach for women', followed by looking at the steps needed to reduce the size of the prison population.
We have spent the past few months meeting with voluntary organisations and listening to the changes they want to see in the criminal justice sector. Keep an eye on Clinks' comms channels for our upcoming video interviews where we hear from the sector; starting this week with 'early intervention for women'.
Over the next few months and beyond, we will continue to home in on specific areas of the system - with a focus on our ambitions - providing policymakers with evidence on what works and what can be done to build an effective system. In the New Year, we will be exploring how the voluntary sector can help tackle racial disparities across the criminal justice system. Stay tuned as Clinks Thinks evolves and get in touch to contribute and with any questions!
Add your voice
Clinks Thinks aims to represent the views of the sector while presenting an ambitious vision of an improved criminal justice system. We hope that you will be able to use Clinks Thinks to support the development of your own policy and influencing work, so that we can bring about change together.
Share your thoughts on socials using #ClinksThinks.
If you would like to engage with us on any of the policy priorities, tell us what we have missed or make suggestions for what needs to change, we would love to speak to you. You can get in touch with the Clinks policy team by email.
Visit Clinks Thinks here
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