Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 853 | 11 October 2024

Light lunch

In this issue...

State of the Sector 2024 – focus groups

Our research phase is now underway. Thank you to those who have already expressed an interest in participating in this year’s research.

Alongside the team from National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), we are holding focus groups across England and Wales to understand how the work, needs and vison of voluntary organisations working across the criminal justice sector have been shaped and changed by the last few years.  

We are eager to speak with organisations from across the sector to enable us to connect with the broadest possible range of organisations and experience. We want to hear from you! Whether a small community group, regionally focussed hub, or national organisation. All voices are welcome; from the broad issue-based organisations to the organisations focussed on unique and specific experiences.

To express your interest to join a focus group, please complete a two-minute survey and the NCVO team will get in touch with you to register your preferences and coordinate with you. Express your interest here

CLINKS NEWS: Laptops in prisons and probation technology - VCS Innovation

The voluntary sector has long delivered innovation in criminal justice settings. With regimes restricted after the pandemic and staff shortages impacting access in prisons and probation, organisations have embraced technology and enhanced their existing voluntary sector provision. In the blog, Matt Uberoi, Clinks London Development Officer, spotlights how Prisoners' Education Trust and Shannon Trust, have been at the forefront of this change, and how other organisations can deliver their content in prisons through secure in-cell laptops, or on probation through digital apps. 

CLINKS EVENT: London criminal justice forum

All voluntary organisations working in the London Criminal Justice System are warmly invited to attend the next Clinks London criminal justice forum [17 October ,12:30-14:00, online, free]. The event brings together voluntary organisations and stakeholders from across the sector, providing an opportunity to engage with guest speakers, share best practice, and network.

Attendees will also receive the latest updates on policy, commissioning, and funding directly from London criminal justice agencies including The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), the Metropolitan Police and London Probation. The event will be hosted and facilitated by Matt Uberoi, Clinks’ London Development Officer. Register to attend via our website and if you have any questions, please contact matthew.uberoi@clinks.org.

FEATURED TRAINING: Expertise in ex-offender support

Join OffPloy for a transformative 3-hour workshop, an extension of their popular 45-minute webinar, designed specifically for Support Workers, Employment Advisors, and Work Coaches in the United Kingdom.

This in-depth session will equip you or your staff with the knowledge and skills to effectively assist individuals with criminal convictions, enhancing professional capacity and the lives of those supported.

This is not your typical workshop. With only 10 attendees in each session, they will be engaging and interactive. Delivered by Jacob and Rik who both have lived experience of the justice system.

[26 Nov; 17 Dec or 28 Jan, 09:30 - 12:30, online, £180] Spaces are limited, so register now 

Want Cllinks to feature your event or training? Find out more

MEMBER FOCUS: Recycling Lives Charity & Social Enterprise

Recycling Lives Charity & Social Enterprise reduces reoffending rates by supporting ex-offenders to develop skills, secure jobs and live independently. Working with men and women in prison and in the community, Recycling Lives offers work and training opportunities, professional wrap-around support, peer-to-peer support and accommodation.

Find out more about Recycling Lives Charity

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Being an Appropriate Adult

The National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) has launched a national training course: Being an Effective AA. [online, variable pricing]. Designed not only for AA services, the course equips individuals with essential skills to support children and vulnerable people in police custody or voluntary interviews.

This self-paced, online course was co-created with AAs, training experts, and people with lived experience. With an average completion time of 10-15 hours, the course remains accessible for six months for further learning. Through animations, videos, audio, infographics, and quizzes, the course offers an engaging, interactive experience.

Whether your team frequently supports people who are suspects in police investigations, or steps in occasionally, this training provides the skills to offer effective, empathetic support during critical times. Find out more and register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Desperate times for prisons - HMIP 

Against the backdrop of the growing prison population crisis, the 2023-24 annual report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons paints a devastating picture of what is happening inside our jails. 

With many prisons severely overcrowded and understaffed, inspectors found men and women continued to spend far too long locked in their cells with nothing to do thanks to the woeful provision of education, training or work. Out of the 32 closed prisons the report covers, 30 were rated poor or insufficiently good in our assessment for purposeful activity. Rather than prisoners participating in activities or interventions to reduce their risk of reoffending and support their mental and physical health during their time behind bars, inspectors found a surge in illicit drug use, self-harm and violence.

The report, published yesterday, covers the findings of 79 reports, and also notes ongoing serious concerns about the provision for children in custody characterised by “drift, decline and failures” and increasing unrest in immigration detention, compounded by Home Office delays in decision-making. Read the HM Inspectorate of Prisons annual report here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Lord Timpson Prison Governors Association Speech

In a speech delivered this week to the Prison Governors Association, Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending discussed why prison governors are at the forefront of efforts to drive down reoffending. He praised the Prison Governors' Association for their work in advocating for change and ensuring public safety whilst acknowledging the tough conditions prison leaders face, including overcrowding, violence, staff shortages, and poor facilities. Timpson stressed the importance of strong leadership, high standards, and the unique role of prison officers in rehabilitation.

Drawing on his experience employing people with lived experience of the criminal justice system at Timpson, he highlighted how offering second chances and providing education, training, and employment in prisons can reduce reoffending. He emphasised the need to tackle drugs in prisons through better prevention, treatment, and staff training.

Timpson also outlined the government's plans to address prison capacity by accelerating the prison building program and improving facilities. He calls for sustained leadership, investment in staff well-being, and creating environments that support rehabilitation. Read the transcript online.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Engagement for VCSO infrastructure grant

The Ministry of Justice will be running a Market Engagement session to promote the re-competing of the grant agreement for the provision of infrastructure support for small and medium-sized Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSO) organisations. [21 October, 11:00-12:00, online, free]. 

To register, e-mail MoJCommercialReset@justice.gov.uk Registration closes at 16:00 on 18 October.

OPPORTUNITY: free furniture available 

The Howard League for Penal Reform are moving offices in November and have lots of furniture that they are eager to donate to organisations that could put it to use. If you are able to collect or arrange collection from their offices in London N1 contact Operations Coordinator Lee Brown for more information. 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Visits Services Play Worker with NEPACS [£22,971, HMP Frankland, part time]; Visits Services Play Worker with NEPACS [£22,971, HMP Northumberland, part time]; Prison Job Adviser with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, HMP Preston, full time]; Fundraising Manager with Key4Life [£35,000 - £38,000, Bristol, full time]; Policy and Public Affairs Specialist with Hibiscus Initiatives [£30,500 - £34,000, N7 6PA, full time]; Prison Job Adviser with Achieve [£26,485 - £30,012, LA1 3QZ, full time]; Intervention Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [£28,082, Wandsworth, full time]; Intervention Worker Out of Hours with Hestia Housing & Support [£28,082, Wandsworth, full time]; Service Manager with Imagine Independence [£34,559, Padiham, full time]; Intervention Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [£28,082, Wandsworth, part time]

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

About Clinks Light Lunch

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