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In this month's edition...
Clinks membership renewal coming soon
As we gear up for another impactful year, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who has been part of Clinks. Your dedication to our mission of supporting the voluntary sector in the criminal justice system is what makes our community thrive.
With 1 April fast approaching, we wanted to remind you that it’s time for membership renewals. Your continued commitment not only ensures uninterrupted access to your membership benefits but also reinforces your integral role in our dynamic community.
In the coming weeks, we will be in touch with your Member Contact via email to guide you through the renewals process, to ensure you can make the most of everything Clinks has to offer. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us at membership@clinks.org
Q-SEED Programme Launch
A new leadership development programme has been launched. Q-SEED has been formed to provide leadership development for Black and Global Majority leaders working in the criminal justice sector (CJS). Q-SEED is a ground-breaking partnership between Black Men 4 Change, Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD), Change Grow Live (CGL), Clinks and Coding Black Females. Do you lead a medium-sized organisation for Black and Global Majority? Do you want to see how you can grow your expertise while making valuable connections in the sector? Check out the launch event in Birmingham [7 March, 15:45 - 19:30pm]. Find out more and register here
Prison Education: A review of the evidence
Clinks published the latest paper, Prison Education: A review of the evidence, as part of its Evidence Library, coordinated by Russell Webster on behalf of Clinks. This new paper, written by Jon Collins, Chief Executive of Prisoners’ Education Trust, explores education for adults in prison, primarily in England and Wales. The paper notes that the benefits of education in prison are widely recognised, and that there is a welcome focus on improving prison education from statutory agencies. Mr. Collins highlights the commissioning of new contracts for providing education in public sector prisons, due in April 2025, as an essential next step in ensuring learners can access high-quality education.
Areas covered by the review include:
- The educational needs of people in prison
- The current state of prison education
- The evidence base for the effectiveness of prison education
- Critical success factors for high quality prison education.
Anne Peaker 2024: Inspiring Futures
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance is excited to invite you to the Anne Peaker Lecture 2024 [26 March, 16:00-18:00, online, free]. At this year’s event, we will publicly share the full findings of the Inspiring Futures research project for the first time. Keynote speaker, Dr Caroline Lanskey, will take the audience through the report and a select panel of key stakeholders will share their thoughts and hopes for the future of the findings. The event will also include performances and an audience Q&A.
Anne Peaker was a pioneer of arts for, and by, people in the criminal justice system. Our annual lecture honours her work and legacy, forming the basis of our work today. Visit our event Linktree for more information on the event and the Inspiring Futures project. Book your tickets here
Latest criminal justice statistics published
The Ministry of Justice published statistics covering people in the criminal justice system, safety in custody, the children and young people’s secure estate (CYPSE), and proven reoffending. There were 87,489 people in prison on 31 December 2023. There were 311 deaths in custody in the year to December 2023, a 3% increase from last year. The number of self-harm incidents in prison rose 24% in the year to September 2023, with the rate of self-harm incidents per 1,000 people increasing 38% in female establishments and increasing 11% in male establishments. The annualised rate of self-harm per 100 children in the CYPSE decreased by 5% in the quarter to September 2023 compared to the same quarter last year. The proven reoffending rate for the January to March 2022 cohort was 25.5%, an increase of 1.2 points from the same quarter in 2021.
Older People in Criminal Justice Network
Clinks is holding the fourth Older People in Criminal Justice System (OPIC) network meeting [26 March, 14:00 – 16:00, online, free]. The network brings together voluntary and statutory organisations, practitioners, and academics who support and/or advocate for older people in the justice system. The meeting will allow attendees to discuss their interests in this area and suggest activities for the network over the next 12 months. The event is for anyone who has an interest in older people in the justice system and being part of the network. Register to attend here
Best practice in working with people with mental health problems on probation: what the evidence tells us
Professor Charlie Brooker, honorary professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Dr Coral Sirdifield, Senior Research Associate at the University of Lincoln, will discuss the latest evidence around best practices when working with people with mental health problems on probation. You can read the evidence review here.
This event [14:00, 4 March, online, free] is part of our “A matter of fact: what the evidence tells us” series to accompany our Evidence Library. The event will allow you to ask your questions of leading academics talking about the latest research on an important criminal justice topic. Book your place here
Working and volunteering in prison training
Are you new to working or volunteering in prisons? Do you have volunteers or staff members who want to increase their understanding of the prison system?
Working or volunteering in a prison can be quite daunting due to the many complexities associated with its unique environment, and establishing the voluntary sector's role within that can be challenging.
Join Clinks at this three-hour training session for voluntary sector staff and volunteers [5 March, 10:00, online, from £95]. We aim to raise awareness of the prison environment and provide information on critical aspects such as staffing structures and departments, prison procedures and current challenges associated with working in prisons. Book your place here
Families network forum
Clinks has recently established a network for voluntary organisations that support families delivering services in prisons and the community. We aim to give a collective voice to organisations that support the families of people in the criminal justice system and help to strengthen the evidence base for investing in good quality family support.
This event [18 March, 13:30, online, free] will examine who takes responsibility for children maintaining relationships when a parent is involved in the criminal justice system. HM Prison and Probation Service funds some family and significant other contracts. Still, resources are inadequate to maintain relationships when a parent is involved in the criminal justice system. This event aims to discuss which other statutory services should be involved and develop an action plan for influencing their work. Book your place here
Navigating the criminal justice system workshop
Are you new to working or volunteering in the criminal justice system? Do you have volunteers or staff members who want to increase their understanding of the criminal justice system?
The criminal justice system can be quite daunting to understand because of its size and complexity.
Join Clinks for a three-hour workshop for voluntary sector staff and volunteers [10:00, 14 March, online, from £75]. In the workshop, we will aim to increase understanding of the prison environment and provide the opportunity to explore and discuss how the criminal justice system is organised, its complexities, and how it works. Book your place here
Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile: February 2024
The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) has published its latest Bromley Briefing, highlighting recent facts and figures about prisons. Key facts revealed include the average prison sentence for serious indictable offences are now almost two years longer than in 2010 and the use of community sentences have more than halved in only a decade, despite their proven effectiveness for people with mental health problems. In relation to substance misuse support, men reporting help for a drug problem has remained steady. However, the number of women reporting help has reduced by nine percentage points since last year. Mental health support remains poor with only 10% of those in prison receiving treatment, despite some prisons estimating as much as 70% of their population having some form of mental health need at any one time. Read the fact file in full here
The impact of recruitment and retention on the criminal justice system
A new efficiency report by the Criminal Justice Joint Inspectorates highlights how staff retention issues, alongside wider challenges such as court backlogs, have seriously hindered the criminal justice system’s ability to deliver a high-quality service. Whilst prison and probation services have shown positive examples of recruitment strategies, they have lost experienced staff who cannot be easily replaced, placing significant burdens on other staff. The report highlights the need for consideration to be given to the operating model through which services are delivered to ensure staff have safe and manageable caseloads, as well as a long-term commitment to probation service resources, particularly in relation to mental health, drug services, and accommodation. Read the report here
Public Accounts Committee report on the From Harm to Hope strategy
The Public Accounts Committee has published its report into the government’s From Harm to Hope strategy. This strategy is aimed at reducing the harm from illegal drugs. While it is only two years since the strategy’s implementation began, the report finds that overall progress has been mixed. It notes improved collaboration between departments and new partnerships in local areas, however delays in allocating funding to local authorities has made it more difficult for them to deliver high quality services. Emphasising the necessity for sustained long-term focus, the Committee highlights the importance of addressing barriers to improving treatment services, including the needs of certain cohorts, particularly those of vulnerable young people. Read the Committee's report here
National Preventative Mechanism report: Monitoring places of detention
The National Preventative Mechanism (NPM) has published its annual report for 2022-23. The report summarises and analyses the work of 21 NPM members, warning that governing bodies across the UK have repeatedly failed to take meaningful action to alleviate human rights concerns related to people in detention. Staff shortages and capacity issues in prisons continue to impact access to health and mental health care, and record keeping and learning from serious incidents including deaths in custody, remain inadequate. The report highlights universally high levels of self-harm, and members raised concerns over unequal treatment and discrimination with black people in prison experiencing more use of force. Read the report here
The long wait: A thematic review of delays in the transfer of mentally unwell prisoners
HM Inspectorate of Prisons published a thematic review scrutinising access to mental health care in prisons, carried out in partnership with the Care Quality Commission. The review involved fieldwork in 21 prisons to examine the conditions for people awaiting transfer to a secure hospital, and a review of patients' case notes to understand when delays occurred and why. Noting that people should be transferred from prison to hospital within 28 days of the need for such a transfer being identified, the review found only 15% of people were transferred within this time frame, with some waiting over a year. While waiting, patients are often in solitary confinement because of the risk of violence to others or themselves as a result of their illness. Read the review here
Segregation of men with mental health needs: A thematic monitoring report
The Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) published a thematic monitoring report about the use of segregation to manage and care for people in prison with severe mental health needs. The report notes almost all IMBs monitoring in prisons holding adult men have repeatedly raised concerns over care and separation units (CSUs) not being a suitable place for people in prison with mental health needs, with these people often held for prolonged and long-term periods in CSUs. For men who were already struggling with their mental health, their wellbeing and behaviour often deteriorated further whilst being segregated for prolonged periods. IMBs also found people were often moved between different CSUs, healthcare units, or were returned to wings for short periods, making it harder to track the total time spent segregated. Read the report here
Stigma in women's drug and alcohol treatment services
Staffordshire University has published research based on the experiences of women using community drug and alcohol treatment services across the West Midlands, as well as professionals in the field. It examines how the words and actions of professionals across drug and alcohol services, health and mental health, social work, and criminal justice can leave women feeling stigmatised and failed. Findings highlight how stigma negatively impacts the identification of treatment needs, timely and appropriate service delivery, and calls for authentic, gender-informed and trauma-informed practices. Read the paper here
Manifesto for Equitable Healthcare
National Voices has published its Manifesto for Equitable Healthcare which puts forward three general election priorities. These priorities are to pioneer a cross-government strategy to reduce the gap in life expectancy, introduce a package of measures to reduce the health impact of the rising cost of living, and finally focus on getting the basics right. The manifesto is supported by a common theme; ensuring that the NHS works for all, not just those who know how to navigate the system or who come from more privileged backgrounds. Read the manifesto here
Bridging gaps and changing tracks
The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ) published the first in a series of briefings exploring issues faced by young people in contact with the criminal justice system transitioning to adulthood. It looks at how racially minoritised young people are experiencing particularly destabilising transitions due to deficits in support before and after turning 18. The briefing notes the crucial role of organisations led by and for racially minoritised people in addressing these shortfalls and argues for reforms to better facilitate and fund the sector’s involvement in racially minoritised young people’s lives. The report calls for the government, funders, and commissioners to review their relationships with the voluntary sector and reform commissioning processes, including ensuring probation provides dedicated commissioned services for young people, simplifying application processes, and issuing longer contracts. Read the briefing here
NHS England information on health inequalities statement
NHS England released its inaugural Statement on Health Inequalities Information, outlining guidelines for Integrated Care Systems (ICBs), Trusts, and Foundation Trusts regarding the collection, analysis, publication, and utilisation of data on health inequalities. These NHS bodies are obligated by law to incorporate a review of their adherence to the Statement's principles into their annual reports. For further details on the legal obligations and implications please read the statement here.
Guide to commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services for women
The Centre for Justice Innovation published a new guide to commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services for women. Promoting gender-specific services, the guide showcases instances where commissioners have adapted mixed-gender services to provide more trauma-informed and gender-responsive support through enhanced collaboration, partnerships, and workforce training. With the aim of aiding commissioners in maximising the additional funding available through the government’s 10-year drugs strategy, From Harm to Hope, the guide emphasises knowledge sharing and involvement of lived experiences in drug and alcohol treatment. Its goal is to enable treatment services to effectively address the gender-specific needs of women. Find the guide here
Achieving Racial Justice at Inquests
INQUEST and JUSTICE, working with legal experts, academics, and bereaved families, published a guide giving lawyers representing families bereaved by deaths in police custody, prisons, immigration detention, and mental health settings the legal expertise to raise the potential role of race and racism at inquests. It also provides coroners with knowledge and strategy to ensure they satisfy their duty in fully investigating the circumstances in state custody deaths. INQUEST argues the continued failure of inquests to examine the potential role of race and racism in deaths in state custody puts lives at risk, and so this new guide aims to achieve accountability for bereaved families and prevent further deaths in state custody. Read the guide here
Preventable deaths in custody
INQUEST is continuing its No More Deaths campaign, which seeks to end preventable deaths in state custody or care. They have called for people to sign their petition to call on the government to create a National Oversight Mechanism. This would be a new independent public body responsible for collating, analysing, and following up on recommendations arising from inquests, inquiries, official reviews, and investigations into state-related deaths.
Voluntary Sector Energy Efficiency Scheme
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport are offering a £25.5 million funding package to support energy efficiency improvements for voluntary organisations providing frontline services in England. Eligible organisations can access independent energy assessments and capacity grants for efficiency measures. Groundwork UK, who are delivering the scheme, are keen to here from small to medium organisations addressing critical needs such as poverty, housing, health, and mental health issues. Applications for the current round of funding close at midday on Thursday 29 February. Find more information here
Making race and justice everybody's business
In December 2023, following on from Clinks’ annual conference: “Making race and justice everybody’s business”, Clinks published a blog post looking back at the event. The blog highlights key messages from the workshops and discussions throughout the day and calls for race and justice to be not just everybody’s business but everyday business. Read the blog here
Muslims, prisons and mental health
Maslaha, an organisation seeking to change and challenge the conditions that create inequalities for Muslim communities in areas like education, gender, criminal justice, health, negative media coverage, and a continued climate of Islamophobia, published a guest blog for Russell Webster. This explores the specific mental health challenges Muslims in prison face and their new Coming Home service, which provides free, confidential counselling from Muslim therapists for Muslims and their families harmed by the prison system. Read the blog here
About Clinks Health and Justice bulletin
This regular bulletin provides Clinks members with the latest news for voluntary organisations involved in the health and care of people in the criminal justice system. To submit content please complete this form.
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