Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 832 | 24 May 2024

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In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: joint thematic inspection on the quality of work undertaken with women report launch

Clinks' contributed to the Women's Expert Reference Group for the joint thematic inspection on the quality of work undertaken with women. The final report was published yesterday, with a launch event planned for [24 May, online, free] featuring presentations from Clinks' member organisation User Voice, alongside HM Inspectorate of Probation, and HM Inspectorate of Prisons.

The link to book a place can be found here: The quality of work undertaken with women Tickets, Fri, May 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM | Eventbrite If you have any questions, please contact communications@hmiprobation.gov.uk

MEMBER FOCUS: Himaya Haven

In our member focus this week, we congratulate Himaya Haven CEO and Managing Director, Razia Tariq Hadait MBE, who received The Lord Mayor's Award in recognition for her exceptional services to Birmingham, its people and Himaya Haven. View the images of the event here. Their work concentrates on working with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities (BAME) and specialises in supporting families of loved ones in custody and prison. Find out more about Himaya Haven

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: LandWorks shortlisted for Charity Awards

LandWorks is delighted to have been shortlisted for the Charity Awards 2024. LandWorks is one of three organisations shortlisted in the Social Care, Advice and Support category - alongside Justice & Care and SIG-Equinox. The awards will be announced at a ceremony in London on [9 July].

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison returned to the public sector

The contract for HMP Lowdham Grange is to transition to public sector control. His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Sodexo have agreed, in principle, terms to enable HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire to be brought under public sector control.

Sodexo are currently the contracted operator of the prison, although HMPPS stepped in to take over responsibility for running elements of the prison on an interim basis in December 2023. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: IMB National Annual Report 2023

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) have published their National Annual Report 2023 which looks into adult prisons, young offender institutions and immigration detention. Aome of the findings of the report include:

  • Prison population pressures are putting a strain on all detention settings
  • Many people in prison, adults and young people, are locked up for too long without anything meaningful to do
  • Widespread staff shortages are hindering lives and regimes
  • There is large scale disrepair across the estate
  • There are concerns about safety

Read the IMB National Annual Report 2023

FUNDING: Energy Efficiency Scheme

The Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Energy Efficiency Scheme (EES) is to help VCSE organisations deliver more efficient services for people and communities by saving money on energy bills. Up to £23.4m is available in total. Up to £3.4m will be available to deliver Independent Energy Assessments (IEAs) for VCSE organisations and up to £20m will be available for VCSE organisations to apply for a capital grant to implement energy efficiency measures identified in their IEA. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: working with young women and girls

The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund’s first funding opportunity for 2024 is now open. They are looking to fund work with young women and girls who are either already caught up in the criminal justice system or are highly vulnerable and likely to enter it.

The focus will be on supporting work with young women and girls and is only open to organisations that are led by and for women and girls. Projects will need to either be working towards reducing reoffending behaviours or first convictions.

Work can take place with young women and girls between the ages of 11 and 30, and we are particularly interested in funding projects that are working with young women and girls who are care experienced, come from Black or minoritized/racialised communities and work that is led by people with lived experience.

Do hurry as the deadline is [27 May]. More information about the criteria and how to apply can be found at www.triangletrust.org.uk

RESOURCE: CourtWatch London reports published

Transform Justice has published three new reports summarising the findings of their CourtWatch London project, whereby 82 volunteer courtwatchers observed over 1000 hearings in London magistrates' courts and reported on what they saw. From accessibility to treatment of young adults, efficiency to sentencing, what did the courtwatchers make of London's magistrates' courts? And what could be done to improve them? Read the reports here

OPPORTUNITY: paid acting opportunities 

Kharmel Cochrane Casting are casting for an "Agile Films" project and are looking for individuals who have been in prison or have experience of the justice system. 'Wasteman' is a visceral prison thriller. The project is director Calum Macdiarmid’s debut feature, written by Hunter Andrews and Eoin Doran.

Wayne Taylor works in the prison kitchen and as a barber on the wing. Besides his addiction, he’s worked hard to put his life back together and stay out of trouble. When Taylor gets a new cell mate Dee, things change. Dee brings with him a land of luxuries and a whole lot of trouble! The two form a bond, a kinship and Dee helps Taylor to get in touch with his estranged son. When rivalry between dealers on the wing escalates, Taylor finds himself in the middle and must decide who to trust.

Filming dates [3 - 24 June]. Readthrough [W/C 20 May (TBC)] Roles available:

  • GAZ: *Manchester Accent* male, mixed race, late 20s to mid 40s, well built, 12 scenes, 58 lines
  • MAXI: *Manchester Accent*, male, open on ethnicity, late 20s to mid 40s, 5 scenes, 6 lines
  • ROBBY: Any accent, male, 40s, open on ethnicity, 3 Scenes, 9 Lines
  • CIL: Any accent, male, 50s, open on ethnicity, 5 Scenes, 7 Lines
  • PRISONERS (VARIOUS ROLES): Any accent, male, ages 20 - 65, open on ethnicity. Most roles will have one or two lines, some will have slightly more but no more than 10 lines

To apply, email streetcasting@kharmelcochrane.co.uk and include a picture, name, age and contact phone number. Fully paid if successful. View the website for examples of previous work

OPPORTUNITY: healthcare in prison, historical research project 1996 to 2021

InsideTime is sharing a research project that aims to understand the structural changes of prison healthcare over the years, specifically looking healthcare when run by the Prison Medical Service (PMS), and then after the NHS took control in 2006.

The period looked at will be the mid-1990s to 2021 and will also record people’s own individual views and experiences of prison healthcare under both PMS and NHS systems.

Some keys aims of this research are:

  • Ensuring people in prison’s voices and experiences of prison healthcare are heard and preserved.
  • Understanding prison healthcare from a point of view of people in prison; and
  • Developing recommendations for improving healthcare for people in prison.

People are invited to contact prisonhealthhistory@protonmail.com to express their interest in contributing to this historical research project.

FEATURED VACANCY: Could you be Clinks' Chair of the Board of Trustees?

Clinks is looking for a Chair who can lead our incredible Board and work collaboratively with our leadership team to steward a vibrant and vital voluntary sector.

Are you knowledgeable of the voluntary sector within criminal justice? Can you help us implement our new strategy during a crucial time in our sector? Join us and be an integral part of our mission to support, represent and advocate for the voluntary sector in the criminal justice system. 

As Chair, your leadership will be instrumental in shaping our strategic direction and governance. Responsibilities include providing leadership to the board, managing meetings and subcommittees, and leading in succession planning.

If you are interested in joining us to create positive change and transform lives within the criminal justice system - find out more and apply here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Prison Link Worker - London D&R (Predominantly covering HMP High Down, HMP Wandsworth and HMP Brixton) with The Forward Trust [£25,154 - £30,742, London, full time]; Recovery Navigator - D&R South West London (Predominantly covering Kingston, Richmond and Hounslow/ Wandsworth, Merton and Sutton probation offices) with The Forward Trust [£25,154 - £30,742, South West London, full time]; Recovery Navigator South East (Predominately Covering Croydon/Lambeth/Southwark Probation Offices with The Forward Trust [£25,154 - £30,742, South East London, full time]; Service Manager - Dependency & Recovery Service London (SW London Probation/Prison Pathway) with The Forward Trust [£37,433 - £45,751, South West London, full time]; Trustee with WISH - A Voice for Women's Mental Health [Voluntary, England, part time]; Career Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) Adviser with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, HMP Nottingham, full time]; Management Accountant with St Giles Trust [£38,000, Based in one of our regional offices: Midlands, Leeds, Cardiff, full time]; Pool Worker (Criminal Justice) with Hestia Housing & Support [£12.00, Islington, part time]; Head of Fundraising with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£60,000, Homebased/hybrid, within commutable distance of Central Office, London, Peckham, full time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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