Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 828 | 19 April 2024

 

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In this issue...

CLINKS EVENT: Prison education: what the evidence tells us

Jon Collins; Chief Executive of Prisoners' Education Trust, will discuss the latest evidence and the key elements which make for 'good' prison education [23 April, 14:00 - 15:00, online, free].

This is part of our “A matter of fact: what the evidence tells us” series, to accompany our Evidence Library, giving you the chance to ask your own questions of leading academics talking about the latest research on an important criminal justice topic. Book your place here

MEMBER FOCUS: Pivotal Recovery

Pivotal Recovery provide an affordable, anonymous online recovery course for people struggling with sex and/or porn addiction. Their programme is evidence based and they are currently developing further programmes for their partners. Their main client group are people who have committed a sexual offence as a consequence of their compulsive sexual behaviour, but they also work with those at risk of offending. Find out more about Pivotal Recovery

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Spark Inside announces Strategic Plan 2024 – 27

From coaching eight young people in their first year, to coaching over 200 young people every year across eight prisons, Spark Inside has been on its own Hero's Journey in the last 12 years! Read their Strategic Plan 2024-27, setting out their key aims for the next three years.

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Criminal Justice AI chatbot

SherlockAI is a pioneering AI website chatbot service created by a unique team of prison leavers and former probation staff. This innovative 24/7 digital companion seamlessly integrates with social support website, to automatically answer questions without scrolling through the text. SherlockAI also draws insights from a wide variety of support agencies to offer comprehensive resettlement and rehabilitation support to every website visitor.

A not-for-profit initiative, SherlockAI harnesses innovative technology to allow support staff to focus efforts where most needed, while maximizing support given to website visitors. By adopting this groundbreaking chatbot service, organizations join a community pioneering new tech to uplift services for the populations they serve. Read more about SherlockAI

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: documents from behind the wall

You’re invited to join the Rideout Archive launch [30 April, 16.00-18.30, the University of Bristol Theatre Collection, free].

This launch event is both an opportunity to explore the Rideout Archive and reflect on the complexities that surround the archiving of prison arts practices. Join the panel discussion by:

  • Saul Hewish (Co-founder and Artistic Director of Rideout)
  • Dr Sarah Bartley (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama)
  • Heather Romaine (Keeper: Theatre Archives, Bristol Theatre Collection).

The speakers will explore why prison arts practices have been largely absent from cultural histories, reflect on artists experiences of having work archived, and consider the distinct challenges of archiving such work. Dr Tom Six (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama), will be a respondent for the event and host the Q&A. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: new research on criminal court fines

Join the Centre for Justice Innovation for their launch of new research on criminal court fines [16 May, 12.30-14.00, online, free].

This research, which was supported by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, looks at court fines and particularly the impact of them on people with low incomes. The launch will be an opportunity to hear about the main findings from their research team, and from experts in the field including from people with lived experience, Damon Gibbons, Chief Executive, Centre for Responsible Credit and a representative of the Magistrates Association. The Centre’s Director, Phil Bowen, will chair a Q&A to discuss the themes raised in the report. Register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Commissioned Rehabilitative Services update

As announced recently in our Light Lunch edition on 1 March 2024, HMPPS have decided to commission future men's rehabilitative services across England and Wales as combined, whole-person services. Today they have put out the below notice providing detail on the geography of the contracts. Clinks is working to get more information from HMPPS for the sector. We will continue to provide updates via Light Lunch.

Future men's rehabilitative services across England and Wales will be commissioned as 29 units organised by police force area, with some bundling of areas with lower volumes. This mix of individual and bundled police force areas allows HMPPS to realise the benefits of separate smaller units, including strong local alignment and partnership building, whilst ensuring each lot is likely to receive bids and have sufficient funding to support effective delivery. 

Below is the breakdown of units per HMPPS area (the full list is available on Jaggaer): 

  • Midlands: 5 units 
  • North East: 6 units 
  • North West: 4 units 
  • Wales: 2 units 
  • South West and South Central: 5 units 
  • South East and East: 6 units 
  • London: 1 unit 

Clinks will continue to represent the voluntary sector through our channels of influence, and if you would like support in understanding commissioning processes and procedures then please contact us at support@clinks.org.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Invitation to market engagement event for the recommissioning of HMPPS’ Commissioned Rehabilitative Services

HMPPS have announced their upcoming market engagement session for the recommissioning of HMPPS’ Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) for people in prison and on probation.  

This session aims to gather feedback and insights from the market which will play a valuable role in the shaping of the future CRS probation services.  

The session agenda will be published in advance via the Probation Dynamic Framework (DF), Probation Grants Portal and Clinks Light Lunch, along with questions planned for discussion during the session.  The questions will also be distributed as a survey, allowing organisations unable to attend the session the opportunity to still contribute their feedback. 

This session will take place [2 May, 14.00-16.00, online, free] and will cover the following topics: 

  • Grants and Contracts – understanding the bidder experience and the challenges and benefits of each. 
  • Local Alignment, Integration and Partnerships – how can we better support these ways of working? 
  • The role of VCSE organisations – how do we ensure a role for VCSEs that is fairly and sustainably managed? 

HMPPS intend to hold future sessions to discuss other key topics and further information regarding this will be released in the near future. Register to attend the session via microsoft teams.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: government cracks down on ‘deepfakes’

Last year, reforms in the Online Safety Act criminalised the sharing of ‘deepfake’ intimate images for the first time.

Earlier this week the government has announced a new law that will prosecute people who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’. This new offence, which will be introduced through an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, will mean anyone who makes these sexually explicit deepfake images of adults maliciously and without consent will face the consequences of their actions. Read the press release here

FEATURED VACANCY: Night Team Leader 

One Small Thing are looking for a Night Team Leader [£28,378, Full Time, Southampton] to lead their team of Night Safety and Night Support workers. You will be responsible for ensuring that the support provided at night to women and children residing at Hope Street is delivered safely, and that all the health and safety and housekeeping duties assigned to the Night Team are carried out appropriately and to the highest standard. You will line manage the team, conducting probation reviews, supervisions and any employee relations matters, and will liaise with the Day Team Leader and management team to ensure the support needs of women and children are met. [Find out more and apply by 25 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:

Reading Specialist Lead - HMP Foston Hall with Shannon Trust [£33,000, Derby, part time]; Programme Manager - East Midlands with Shannon Trust [£36,050, East Midlands, full time]; Head of Fundraising and Philanthropy with Prison Reform Trust [£58,000 - £60,000, full time]; Prison Facilitator - HMP Bure and HMP Norwich with Shannon Trust [£27,584, Norwich, full time];  Director of Finance and Resources with Women in Prison [£58,000 - £62,000, full time]; Human Resources (HR) Volunteer with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [London, part time]; HR Administrator (Data and Operations) with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£27,150, Hybrid working with at least 3 days a week in Head Office, full time]; Lived Experience Co-ordinator - North London with The Forward Trust [£25,154, North London, full time]; Bounce Back for Kids (BB4K) Support Worker with Alana House, Parents and Children Together [£24,745 - £30,243, Working flexibly from our Reading office, part time]; Family Intervention Coordinator with Spurgeons [£30,891 - £35,196, HMP Winchester, full time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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