Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 827 | 12 April 2024

Light Lunch Clinks

In this issue...

MEMBER FOCUS: Vox Liminis

Vox Liminis is an arts and community organisation working within criminal justice, to spark fresh conversations and insights so that the response to crime, harm and conflict might build or rebuild connections, trust and belonging rather than further divisions. Learn more about Vox Liminis

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: does probation push people back into prison?

There are now more than 200,000 people on probation across England and Wales. The original duties of a probation officer were clear-cut: 'advise, assist, and befriend.'

But with staff shortages and unmanageable caseloads leading to limited contact time, and power imbalance built into each interaction, are probation officers able to develop meaningful relationships and help people to turn their lives around? Or is the system actually pushing people back into prison?

Joining hosts Rob and Penelope to discuss the ins and outs of probation are writer and speaker David Shipley who spent more than two years on probation, and community justice lecturer and former probation officer Julie Eden-Barnard. Listen here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: lived experience is changing lives

One of the six new Lived Experience Consultants at Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) has written about his experience helping the charity reach more people in prison and develop the support they offer to learners, as part of their National Lottery Community Fund project. Find out how lived experience is changing lives. 

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: promoting Restorative Justice, a new campaign

Why me? have launched a national billboard campaign to promote Restorative Justice in partnership with JCDecaux. There are four different designs which will appear on hundreds of billboards across major cities in the UK, running until the end of April. The aim of the campaign is to capture the imagination of the public and explain Restorative Justice to new audiences in a way that is simple and easy-to-understand. View the campaign details here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: sentencing guidelines, parents, and pregnant women

Rona Epstein is an Honorary Research Fellow at Coventry Law School who has an article publishe in InsideTime to help people in prison, or people working across criminal justice to better understand sentencing guidelines for parents and pregnant women. 

The article includes real examples, with names changed and shows the considerations that may help to overrule a sentence on appeal. Read more here You can also e-mail Rona Epstein

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: collaboration to challenge poor prison conditions

A recent report by the Prison Inspectorate of the women’s prison HMP Eastwood Park was shocking. It reports mentally ill women held in cells with blood spattered walls – the blood being left un-cleaned after self-harm incidents by previous prisoners.

    “Some of the most vulnerable women across the prison estate were held in an environment wholly unsuitable for their therapeutic needs. The levels of distress we observed were appalling. No prisoner should be held in such terrible conditions.” Mr Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons.

    This is a call for collaboration by the Centre for Women's Justice, asking for family and friends who visit loved ones in HMP Wandsworth and Eastwood Park prison for women to share their stories so that evidence of the conditions can be gathered and these conditions challenged. Find out more and get involved

    CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: new measures to give victims a voice

    In a press release from the Ministry of Justice, they share new measures whereby victims of serious crimes committed by those with mental disorders will be able to explain in their own words the impact the offence has had on them, thanks to new amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill. 

    New measures will mean survivors are provided with the opportunity to make a Victim Impact Statement during the Mental Health Tribunal process, which takes places before offenders are released and allows survivors to request release conditions. Read more here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: theory of change for children and young adults

    Register for your place in this Academy seminar - Constructive Working: The theory of change for children and young adults featuring Professor Neal Hazel who led the development of "Constructive Working" [14 May, 16:00 - 17:15, online, free].

    The seminar provides an opportunity to explore contemporary research understandings of ‘what works’ with children and young adults in criminal justice, and to consider what it means for our own practice. Book your place here

    CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: training to challenge unfair sentences or wrongly convicted

    The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is offering free online information sessions to charities and organisations supporting people with criminal convictions.

    The main role of the CCRC is to review the cases of people who claim that they have been wrongly convicted or unfairly sentenced by the Crown Courts or Magistrates Court in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They consider whether there is new evidence or argument that may cast doubt on the safety of an original decision. Once  investigations are completed, they can refer it back to the appropriate appeal court for re-consideration. The CCRC is the only governing bod with the power to do this.

    Applicants do not have to be legally represented to come to the CCRC and there are no costs involved to apply for a review of a case. The free online information sessions are around an hour long and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. If interested, please contact outreach@CCRC.gov.uk The CCRC can also visit your organisation to provide the information session in person if preferred.

    NON-MEMBERS’ EVENTS OR TRAINING:

    RESOURCE / PUBLICATION / OPPORTUNITY:

    PUBLICATION: criminalisation, policing, and intervention and diversion

    The Alliance for Youth Justice and Leaders Unlocked published the latest report from the Young Advocates for Youth Justice. The Young Advocates project is led by children and young people aged 13 to 21 who have lived experience of the youth justice system. This is the Young Advocates second report, and it focusses on criminalisation, policing, and intervention and diversion. The aim was to explore the routes into the criminal justice system for young people, as compared to the pathways out and away from it. In response to the findings, the Young Advocates developed a series of recommendations for decision makers to address these challenges. Read the report

    OPPORTUNITY: searching for somewhere to call home?

    Revolving Doors is looking for another charity or organisation to join their office-share arrangement for two to three days a week (minimum of two days per week, Monday-Tuesday, with the option of Fridays).

    On offer is the full use of the office space in Elephant & Castle's Southbank Techno Park, 90 London Road, SE1 6LN. Part of a secure monitored modern building, the office features 12 desks including 12 free-standing monitors, and a separate meeting room space, at a rental cost of £250.00 per day (inclusive of all utilities).

    This would be ideal for another small charity looking for a new base. If you're interested, Revolving Door would love to hear from you. Email Office Manager jasmine.tonge@revolving-doors.org.uk, or call her on 07961 285 525.

    FEATURED VACANCY: Public Affairs and Policy Manager  

    The Traveller Movement are looking for a Public Affairs and Policy Manager [£35,000-40,000, Full-Time, London] to play a crucial role in helping determine and shape TMs policy goals and how best to achieve them. Working closely and collaboratively with colleagues from across the organisation, and in close consultation with the TMs internal and external stakeholder groups and networks, you will develop policy, research and campaigning projects to meet the organisations’ strategic objectives. You will be able to understand complex policy issues and recognise their relevance to the TM and identify policy solutions. You will lead TMs public relations and influencing work developing relationships with policy makers, partner organisations, parliamentarians, and the media. [Find out more and apply by 30 April here] 

    FEATURED VACANCY: Circles Coordinator - Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 

    Circles South West is looking for a Circles Coordinator in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire [3 or 3.5 days per week, £32,000-£38,640 pro-rata, working from home in Glos/Wilts or nearby] to join their dedicated regional team of 12 staff and 180 volunteers working towards the vision of 'No More Victims' of sexual abuse. Circles of Support and Accountability contribute to risk management in the community, preventing sexual re-offending. You will have experience of working with people who have sexually harmed and understand how volunteers can contribute to their safe integration in the community. You will work closely with public protection agencies and be skilled in the management and support of volunteers. Complementary opportunities for groupwork and training. [Find out more and apply by 24 April here] 

    CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

    Saracens Foundation Reoffending Reduction Project Officer with Saracens Sport Foundation [£25,000 - £28,000, Hendon, London, full time]; Senior Support Worker with St Giles Trust [£28,000 - £31,500, Havering, East London, full time]; Financial Wellbeing Coach with St Giles Trust [£25,500, South Wales, based at either Newport, Cardiff or Swansea Office, full time]; Specialist Caseworker – ED with St Giles Trust [£30,000, London - Whittington Hospital (Emergency Department), full time]; Monitoring & Evaluation Officer with The Welcome Directory [£27,302, Home based, part time]; Complex Needs & Housing Community Keyworker with One Small Thing [£26,000, Hampshire, full time]; Programme Facilitator with Women in Prison [£25,874, Hulme, Manchester, full time]; Fundraising Officer (Trusts) with StandOut [£28,000 - £31,000, Hybrid, with regular meetings in our London Office in Vauxhall, part time]; Circles Co-Ordinator with Humbercare Ltd [£29,067, Hull, full time]; Peer Volunteer with St Giles Trust [Leeds Media Centre, part time];

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

    READS OF THE WEEK:

    EXTRA INFORMATION:

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