Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 830 | 10 May 2024

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In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: new RR3 seats

Clinks is seeking senior leaders from the criminal justice voluntary sector to join an influential advisory group to government - The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). The Group works closely with senior officials in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) to build an effective partnership between government and the voluntary sector. We are looking for three new seat holders who can help to inform and direct policy across England and Wales. Applications close on [28 May, 10:00]. The new seats are:

Lived-Experience: This person will be a senior leader working in a voluntary organisation with personal experience of the criminal justice system (CJS), as well as someone with experience of working with people/ groups of people with lived experience. This could be in service delivery, advocacy, advice and guidance, or other areas relating to supporting people with lived experience. Find out more and apply here

Longer sentences: We are looking for someone with extensive experience of working with people serving, or who have served, long sentences (of 10+ years or indeterminate sentences). This could be in service delivery, policy, advocacy, advice and guidance, or other areas related to longer sentences. Find out more and apply here

Older people in custody: Older people represent the fastest growing cohort in the prison population. Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the voluntary sector with expertise on older people (aged 50+) in the criminal justice system. Experience of supporting older people, and understanding the distinct challenges, both in prison and on release that older people experience is essential. Find out more and apply here

MEMBER FOCUS: Wizer CIC

Wizer CIC accept referrals for prison leavers 12 weeks prior to release and then work collaboratively with agencies to ensure there isn't any overlap and duplication.

Specialist Navigators offer intensive support in the community to address the individual needs and then look to transition into further employment, training or education. Wizer has worked with an education providor for many years, offering fully funded, sector based qualifications with full access to over 300 employers as part of the colleges wider network. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Imagine If Theatre Company founder Chesca Joy

Imagine If Theatre Company are devastated to announce the sudden passing of founder Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Chesca Joy on Wednesday 1 May 2024.

Chesca established imagine if  in 2015 to instigate active change in people’s lives through the arts. Through her unique skills as a writer, facilitator and producer, Chesca built a reputation for supporting and telling the stories of some of society’s most vulnerable and underrepresented communities. But it was her compassion and kindness towards individuals in these communities that really changed lives. The work that she created touched literally thousands of people. For the time being, all activity will be stopped. Read the full statement here

CLINKS MEMBER'S NEWS: a call to house all prison leavers

Own Merit CIC is thrilled to mark its first full year of operation, pioneering a housing model co-created with voluntary organisations, prison staff and men in prison, granting residents agency to shape house rules and operations. The accommodation, though mostly unstaffed, ensures safety through the resident-led approach, with CCTV surveillance and probation support as a failsafe. Own Merit is honoured to have received attention from BBC Breakfast; The Guardian and BBC News (clink on the links to view) as well as various radio programmes, amplifying their mission to raise awareness of resettlement challenges across the sector. Own Merit believes each prison leaver can, and should, be housed. Thanks to all supporters and collaborators. Find out more about Own Merit CIC

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: successful resettlement for over 50's to continue

Recoop are delighted to announce they will be delivering a second year of the 50+ Resettlement programme at HMP Standford Hill. This follows a successful first year where they received positive feedback and results from the participants who completed the course.

The 50+ Resettlement course is aimed specifically at preparing those leaving prison within 12 months and transitioning into the community. It covers many aspects such as health and wellbeing, benefits, personal budgeting, technology and more. It is the only resettlement course aimed specifically at the older cohort and is co-produced with service users to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge needed for a positive release. Find out more 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: End of Custody Supervised Licence updates

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has implemented new changes to the use of End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL). As of [23 May], eligible adult males in prison can be released up to 70 days ahead of their conditional release date subject to strict conditions. In women’s prisons, use of ECSL will be paused as of Tuesday [14 May].

ECSL operates temporarily in prisons where deemed necessary based on local population trends. People in custody who meet the eligibility criteria are presumed to qualify for release, but HMPPS staff can refer to a central panel made up of senior prison and probation leads if they believe that release under ECSL would materially increase an individual’s risk.

Anyone with questions regarding how this policy may impact their work with people leaving prison can get in touch with sam.julius@clinks.org

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Female offender strategy delivery plan 'one year on' progress report

This week, the Ministry of Justice shared a progress report on their Female Offender Strategy Delivery Plan (FOSDP). The plan was published in 2023, and sets out four key priorities over the 2022 to 2025 period, which incorporated 51 commitments. This one year on publication looks at the progress made in delivering on these commitments. 'Demand and Capacity', 'Remand', 'Residential accommodation in the community', 'Health' and 'Evidence' are identified as ongoing areas of focus. Read more.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: pioneering therapy pilot to support jurors

Jurors who have experienced mental and emotional strain following difficult cases, such as the Lucy Letby trial, will be entitled to free counselling sessions as part of plans announced by the Ministry of Justice this week. 

The new pilot would provide specialist expert support for jurors offering 6 free counselling sessions - alongside a 24/7 telephone helpline for round-the-clock triage support, advice and information. 

The pilot will be funded by the Ministry of Justice and will run for approximately ten months, during which time HMCTS will identify how best to direct resources on an ongoing basis to support the jurors who give their time to serve the criminal justice system. Read the press release here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Urgent Notification issued for HMP Wandsworth

This week, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor wrote to the Secretary of State for Justice to invoke the Urgent Notification process following an unannounced inspection of HMP Wandsworth between 22nd April and 2nd May 2024. The inspection highlighted a number of concerning findings, including that only 11% of men released in the last 12 months were released into settled/sustainable accommodation, ongoing failings in security, severe overcrowding, vermin, drugs, violence and rising self-harm. Read more. 

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: "Where the hell am I going to get that money from?"

Join the Centre for Justice Innovation [16 May, 12:30 - 14:00, online, free] for the launch of their new research, supported by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, exploring the impact of criminal court fines on people on low-incomes.

It is an opportunity to hear about the main findings from the centre's research team, insights from a person with lived experience of being fined, telling their story about the impact it had on their financial and mental wellbeing, and from experts in the field, Damon Gibbons, Chief Executive, Centre for Responsible Credit and Val Castell, Chair of the Adult Court Committee, The Magistrates​' Association. The centre's Director, Phillip Bowen, will chair a Q&A with this panel of experts to discuss the themes raised in the report. Register here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Night Team Leader with One Small Thing [£30,000 - £32,000, Southampton, full time]; Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group – Lived Experience Seat with Clinks [part time]; Family Support Worker (As & When/Casual) Based at Visitors' Centre at HMP Whitemoor with Ormiston Families [£21,840, Visitors' Centre based at HMP Whitemoor, part time]; Criminal Justice Group Lead (Plymouth) with The Reader [£22,145, Plymouth, part time]; Criminal Justice Group Lead (York) with The Reader [£22,145, York, part time]; SOS Specialist Assertive Outreach Worker with St Giles Trust [£23,000 - £25,500, Leeds Media Centre - Travel across Bradford, full time]; Accommodation Adviser with St Giles Trust [£23,000, HMP Leeds, part time]; Senior Therapist and Clinical Assessor (Maternity Cover) with Brighton Women's Centre [£30,617, Brighton, part time]; Youth Mentor with Konnect Communities CIC [£23,832, Redruth, Cornwall, part time]; Volunteer Mentor - Children, Young People and Families with St Giles Trust [Camberwell, London, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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