Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 842 | 2 August 2024

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In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Save the date, Clinks' Annual Conference and AGM

3 December | Resource for London 

This year we are returning to Resource for London to hold our Annual Conference including our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on [3 December 2024], and invite you to save the date.

Our Annual Conference is packed full of workshops, talks and panel discussions, offering you the chance to hear from key policymakers and voluntary sector leaders. It is also a great opportunity to network with government officials, funders and others working in the criminal justice system and learn from each other's experiences.

The conference programme will close with our AGM, which is an opportunity to comment on Clinks' work and our priorities for the year ahead. As well as allowing us to carry out business that is vital to our work, our AGM is also the place for members to exercise the right to elect our trustees, and a chance to discuss the issues that matter to you.

Bookings will open in September, alongside further information on the theme and speakers.

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 recruitment - Wales seat

Clinks is seeking a senior leader from the criminal justice voluntary sector to join an influential advisory group to government. We are looking for an individual with knowledge of delivering services to people in contact with the criminal justice system in Wales and expertise in Welsh policy relating to criminal justice.

The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) works closely with senior officials in the MoJ and HMPPS to reduce reoffending and to build a more effective partnership between government and the voluntary sector. Find out more and apply by 12 August here

MEMBER FOCUS: Friends Families and Travellers 

Friends Families and Travellers provides support to all Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, regardless of ethnicity, culture or background. Their work covers campaigning, case work, and capacity building to help Gypsy and Traveller groups help themselves and mainstream organisations to work better with Gypsies and Travellers.

The service includes advice and advocacy for individual Gypsies and Travellers, families and communities, as well as a national advice line, and an outreach team working across Sussex and Surrey. The work includes supporting those at risk of offending, those within the criminal justice system and leaving prison, with specific support offered to Traveller and Gypsy peer groups at HMP Ford and HMP Lewes. Find out more about Friends Families and Travellers

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Life after prison, an honest review

Life after prison is a challenging journey marked by homelessness and unemployment. Jason Barnfather, an ex-offender, highlights the difficulties of reintegrating into society, dealing with outdated skills, and maintaining relationships. Overcrowded and poor prison conditions hinder rehabilitation, pushing many back into crime. Barnfather's experience with The Clink charity's bakery programme provided routine and confidence, but post-release support is crucial. Early release schemes often leave individuals homeless and unsupported, increasing recidivism. Addressing these issues requires improved education, skills training, and a robust probation system to prevent reoffending and aid successful reintegration. Read Jason's reflections here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: a call to prioritise prevention for women 

This insightful article by Big Issue highlights a campaign by Women in Prison to prioritise prevention for women. Life inside UK women’s prisons is marked by severe challenges. Many women suffer from mental health issues, a history of abuse, and face homelessness upon release. Over half of women in prison have experienced domestic abuse, and self-harm rates have surged by 52% recently. The prison environment exacerbates these issues, with poor conditions and inadequate mental health support. Charities argue that community-based solutions are more effective than imprisonment for rehabilitation, particularly for non-violent offenders. The current system often fails to address the underlying issues that lead women to offend. Read the article here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Preparing for early releases and homelessness

Clinks and Homeless Link are hosting an online event discussing the new SDS40 policy which raises concerns about resettlement and increased homelessness risk [5 September, 12:30–14:00, online, free]. The event will feature insights from a voluntary sector coordinator at HMP Isis and Jeremy White from Homeless Link, who will lead the discussion on how homelessness services can work in partnership with statutory and other voluntary agencies in London to respond to this emerging situation. While this discussion is London-centric, many of the themes will be relevant for organisations across England and Wales. Follow this link to register

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Gender Responsive and Trauma informed

Welsh Women's Aid would like to inform members that there are a few spaces available for the Gender Responsive and Trauma Informed Skills Practitioner Training [10 September, 9:30–16:30, online, free]. Alongside this training, spaces are also available for:

Please note, Train the Trainer sessions will be held in person and to be eligible, participants will need to have completed the online Gender Responsive and Trauma Informed Skills Practitioner Training first. Participants will also need to have had agreement from their organisation to become a trainer and to deliver the training within their organisation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: rehabilitative services market engagement event

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are holding the next market engagement session for the recommissioning of rehabilitative services for people in prison and on probation, on [15 August, 13:00–16:00, online, free]. The event will cover: 

  • Service Design General Requirements
  • Performance Measures
  • Contract Levers, including termination

The session will primarily focus on the service design of men’s services however, women’s organisations are welcome to attend. Register for your place here

HMPPS intend to hold future sessions to discuss other key topics and further information regarding this will be released in the near future. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Standard Determinate Sentences (SDS) briefing

The House of Commons Library has published a briefing on the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods) Order 2024, addressing the increasing pressure on prison capacities in England and Wales. The briefing sets out the proposed aims of the order and provides broader context. 

The proposed order aims to reduce the automatic release point for certain Standard Determinate Sentences (SDS) from 50% to 40%. However, serious offences like violent crimes, sexual offences, and those linked to domestic violence will be excluded to maintain stringent release conditions. This change could reduce the prison population by up to 6,200 places. Despite these efforts, the prison population is projected to grow significantly, necessitating further strategic planning to manage overcrowding and ensure public safety effectively​. Read the briefing here or read our Clinks blog SDS40 – the policy and next steps

FEATURED VACANCY: Resettlement Manager  

In2Out is looking for a Resettlement Manager [£34,969 FTE, part-time, Midlands] to join their highly motivated team working directly with young people who need extra support through resettlement mentoring. Managing their resettlement work across the region, the post-holder will work closely with young people both pre- and post-release from custody, to improve their ability to successfully manage their lives back into the community. The successful candidate will be passionate about working with vulnerable people, be a team player, a trusted advocate and mentor whilst maintaining the highest standards of professional boundaries. [Find out more and apply by 30 August here]. 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Support Worker with The Growth Company [£27,500, Blackpool, full-time]; Employment Consultant with Beating Time [£26,000 - £28,000, Birmingham, full-time]; Employment Advisor with Spark2Life [£30,000, Waltham Forest, full-time]; Monitoring & Evaluation Manager with Spark2Life [£35,000 - £40,000, Waltham Forest, full-time]; Support Worker with The Growth Company [£27,500, Blackburn, full-time]; Support Worker with The Growth Company [£27,500, Preston, full-time]; Out of Hours Intervention Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [£28,082, Highbury, part-time]; Embedded CYP Specialist Exploitation Caseworker with St Giles Trust [£25,500 - £28,000, Hybrid - Cheltenham (St Pauls and Moors Estates primarily), full-time]; Influencing Change (Housing) with Basis Yorkshire [£30,086, Leeds, full-time]; Family Support Worker with Ormiston Families [£21,840, HMP Norwich Visitors’ Centre, part-time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

Sister pleads with new prisons minister over brother serving indefinite jail sentence
Rob Rinder criticises ‘madness’ of UK’s prison system
Charity regulators publish giving guidance in light of Southport knife attack appeal
Win up to £5,000 in the St Barnabas Summer Raffle with £1 entry

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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