Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 855 | 25 October 2024

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: 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

MEMBER FOCUS: Paradigm Project

Founded in 2020 and rooted in the vibrant community of Lewisham, South London, Paradigm Project stands as a beacon of transformative change in the educational landscape. Their journey began with a bold vision: to sculpt a future where every educational institution is a stronghold of equity, inclusivity, and diversity. They believe in a world where every child, irrespective of their background, is entitled to quality education and the essential support to flourish, thereby nurturing a society that recognises and elevates the potential within each individual.

At Paradigm Project, they are relentless in their fight for racial and social equity in education. Their commitment is unwavering—to ensure that every child is not just supported but is also resourced and presented with opportunities to thrive in their unique way. Their mission is to cultivate an educational environment that is not only inclusive but also empowering, where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated. Find out more about Paradigm Project on LinkedIn

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: A critical moment for women in the criminal justice system

Together Women calls for urgent reforms to better support women in the criminal justice system in their latest blog, stating time is critical and we cannot wait any longer. Together Women emphasise that delays in implementing changes exacerbate the challenges women face, including trauma, mental health issues, and caregiving responsibilities. They advocate for increased access to trauma-informed services, reducing the number of women imprisoned for minor offences, and ensuring more personalised support to address their unique needs.
Read their blog and support their call for urgent reform

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: The man in the mirror - domestic abuse programme

A Way Forward Foundation (AWFF) and collaborating partner organisations have developed this domestic abuse programme that ensures the victim’s safety is central. Alexandra Groves, the trainer and Founder for "The Man in the Mirror Domestic Abuse Intervention Project", proposes the following principles and guidelines for a domestic abuse intervention program says The Man in The Mirror (TMITM) is a Domestic Abuse Program and Perpetrator-Violence Intervention Program designed to:

  • Guarantee safety for the partners of group participants
  • End domestic abuse by constructing a culture of deterrence
  • Ensure the program is collaborating with prisons and the criminal justice system
  • Teach perpetrators alternatives to coercive, controlling, and violent behaviors in intimate relationships.

The programme is delivered [every Saturday, at the Jewellery Business Centre, 95 Spencer Street-Birmingham, B18 6DA, cost £1,400]. Find out more about the programme here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Sentencing Review and further capacity measures

As the Government launched a landmark sentencing review to end the prison crisis this week, the Lord Chancellor has also announced the following measures to ensure there is enough prison capacity in the interim: 

  • An extension of the maximum period eligible offenders can spend on Home Detention Curfew, fitted with an electronic tag, from 6 to 12 months. 
  • Reform how recalls to prison are reviewed to target the unsustainable growth in the recall population since the pandemic, through changing the policy of Risk-Assessed Recall Review (RARR) to enable its use in a greater number of lower-risk cases than at present. 
  • Work to identify further ways to speed up the removal of foreign national offenders. 

The measures on HDC and recall reform will not be implemented for some months to allow full planning to take place. The Probation Service will be required to be able to dedicate the necessary resources to offenders released under these provisions.

In addition to its commitment to fund at least 1,000 additional trainee probation officers by the end of March 2025, HMPPS will also be considering what operational changes may be required to maintain its focus on higher risk individuals supervised in the community and ensure that the public continue to be protected. 

Clinks Chief Executive, Anne Fox sets out initial thoughts on the Sentencing Review in our latest blog post.

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Physical and Mental Health of Older Prisoners

The University of York is delighted to invite you to join the PAMHOP (Physical and Mental Health of Older Prisoners) Dissemination Event to hear about the insights and findings of their research [27 November, 10.15 – 15.00, St Catherine’s House, Woodfield Park, Tickhill Road, Balby, Doncaster. DN4 8QP, or online, free]. This is a free event and lunch will be provided.

Learn about the practical guidance toolkits that have been collaboratively developed to support the physical and mental health of older people in custody. You will also have the opportunity to listen to the people who have taken part in the study.

Places to attend in person are limited therefore, they will be allocated on a first come first served basis however, there will also be an option to join the event via MS Teams. If you would like to add the event, please make a booking through the PMAHOP webpage.

RESOURCE: Parental rights in prison

Nepacs has published a new resource, a booklet about Parental rights in prison, accessible to parents in custody and those who work with people in prison. The book has been made to support people in custody to understand their parental rights and how they may be impacted by being in custody. It offers step by step information and instruction on how to manage common contact issues experienced by people in custody.

The booklet is written to be used independently by the person in custody if appropriate. However, it can also be used by key prison staff and prisoners family and significant others to help and support the person in custody or working together.

This was produced as part of he Nepacs parental rights in prison project, funded by HMPPS innovation grant which was developed to explore how support around family law might be improved. Follow this link to find out more or access the booklet here

FEATURED VACANCY: Community Coach 

Standout is seeking a dynamic individual with excellent attention to detail to join their team as a Community Coach [£27,500-£30,000, full time, London, SE1]. As a member of the Community Team, you will provide vital support to people who have completed our course in prison and are now in the community working. This role would be ideal for someone with a good understanding of the challenges faced by those caught up in the criminal justice system, gained through personal experience, paid work or volunteering. This role does require the successful candidate to work in prison and clear prison security to hold keys. [Find out more and apply by 11th November here]

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Community Coach with StandOut [£27,500 - £30,000, Vauxhall, SE1, full time]; Cleaner with Anawim [£12/hour, Birmingham, part time]; Family Support Worker - Prisoner Family Services with Ormiston Families [£21,840, HMP Bure Visitors’ Centre, part time]; Women's Prison Resettlement Keyworker with The Nelson Trust [£23,000 - £24,000, South Wales, full time]; Senior Practitioner - Breaking Barriers with Ormiston Families [£24,721, Bedfordshire, part time]; Senior Practitioner - Breaking Barriers with Ormiston Families [£24,721, Norfolk, part time]; Substance Misuse Practitioner with Phoenix Futures [£24,250, Norwich, Norfolk, full time]; Female Mental Health Support Worker with Imagine Independence [£23,619, Crosby, full time]; Community Keyworker - Finsbury Park with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£26,000 - £31,999, Finsbury Park, full time]; Community Key Worker with ADVANCE (Advocacy and Non-Violence Community Education) [£22,000 - £25,998, Essex and Hertfordshire, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

 

EXTRA INFORMATION:

About Clinks Light Lunch

This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13877 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England and Wales.

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