Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 864 | 17 January 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Response to the Independent Sentencing Review call for evidence

In November 2024, the Ministry of Justice opened a call for evidence as part of the Independent Sentencing Review, which aims to assess and recommend improvements to sentencing practices across England and Wales. The call invited input from stakeholders across the justice sector.  

Our response draws on the evidence and expertise of the voluntary sector via a survey, focus groups, our annual State of the Sector research and wider evidence on how the voluntary sector can support effective sentencing policy and administration. Read the response here

CLINKS NEWS: Who are The Worshipful Company of Weavers?

Ahead of the transformative event; ‘Justice and Women: A New Direction’ - hosted by Clinks & The Worshipful Company of Weavers, Clinks has published a blog which takes a look at the Company's work funding innovative criminal justice initiatives. Check out the blog to find out more about Clinks’ collaboration with the Company, and to find out how you can apply for a grant to help design an intervention which will deliver better outcomes for women with convictions. Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: Funding for Voluntary Organisations in Criminal Justice

NPC, commissioned by Lloyds Bank Foundation and supported by an advisory group including HMPPS, the AB Charitable Trust, and Clinks, is researching the funding landscape for voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

You can help by taking the 15 minute survey. It will contribute to shaping support, policy recommendations, and long-term solutions for the sector.

Additionally, NPC has shared a blog offering initial insights from the research, highlighting key themes and early reflections. Contribute to the research and explore the blog

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARTS ALLIANCE NEWS: Join the advisory group

The NCJAA is seeking voluntary sector professionals or freelance art practitioners working in the arts in criminal justice system, to join our Advisory Group. The NCJAA Manager Lou Clark has written a blog post highlighting how the Advisory Group operates and the areas of work you might feed into as a group member.

The Advisory Group provides strategic and operational advice to inform the work of the NCJAA. The group is compiled of those working in the arts in criminal justice, including those with lived experience of the criminal justice system. The group exists to ensure that the NCJAA can always be best informed by those it aims to serve. We are now refreshing the membership of the Advisory Group and we are excited to be recruiting new members through an expression of interest process closing [31 January 2025]

CLINKS EVENT: Art of the Matter

Clinks Family Network and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) Anne Peaker Lecture are joining forces to bring you an in-person event:

Art of the Matter - If family relationships are the golden thread to supporting children affected by parental imprisonment, what role can the arts play in this? [19 March, 09:30 - 16:00, Rich Mix, London, one free ticket per organisation. Extra tickets £100.]

This event will be a spotlight how creativity supports children and families affected by the criminal justice system. It aims to bring together voluntary organisations, art practitioners, researchers and stakeholders to listen to and discuss how the arts have been used as a vital tool to support families. There will be an opportunity to share learning and good practice and consider future opportunities.

This event has been coproduced with All Things Considered Theatre who will be showcasing their fantastic performance ‘8 Hours There and Back’. Book your place here

MEMBER FOCUS: JUSTICE 

At JUSTICE they strive for a fair, accessible, and equal justice system. Their work aims at making practical, realistic, and timely changes, addressing some of the most urgent issues facing the United Kingdom’s legal framework. 

They use their voice to influence and improve policies and practice, while not being afraid to scrutinise and challenge developments in the justice system that threaten the country’s adherence to human rights and the rule of law. Find out more about JUSTICE here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Feeding Justice

Food plays a critical role in prisons – shaping prisoners’ identities, experiences, and relationships. Harnessed correctly, it has the potential to be a driving force for more rehabilitative, safe, and healthy prison environments.

However, women in prison often experience difficult relationships with the food available to them there, leading to exacerbation of mental health issues and weight fluctuation. In this webinar we explore the different meanings food has for women within prisons and are joined by speakers representing varying perspectives.

Whether you're a policymaker, advocate, practitioner, or simply passionate about food and criminal justice reform, this webinar, Feeding Justice: The Role of Food in Women's Prisons, [29 January, 10.30 - 12.30, online, free or variable pricing] offers valuable insights into the criminal justice system, and strategies for creating a more humane and effective prison system using food. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Respect orders and tackling anti-social behaviour

As the Government announces new “respect orders” to address the issue of anti-social behaviour, join the Centre for Justice Innovation for their next Expert Voices event looking at policy approaches to anti-social behaviour: the powers, their pitfalls and the alternatives. [30 January, 12.30-13.20, online, free]. Discussing approaches to anti-social behaviour is their expert panel:

· Andrea Fraser, a Civil Justice Lawyer at JUSTICE with considerable experience looking at behavioural control orders;
· Anna Coffey, co-CEO of High Trees, a community centre and charity in South London;
· A speaker from the police (to be confirmed).

The event will be chaired by the Centre’s Director, Phil Bowen, who will also lead a Q&A session at the end. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Restorative justice and unconscious biases (CPD workshop)

This 2-hour CPD workshop explores unconscious heuristic biases which have potential to impact restorative processes [25 February, 10am-12pm, online, £10/£25 (pay as you are able)]. In this reflective and interactive space, we will explore how these unconscious processes influence our decision-making processes and what we can do to mitigate their impacts. We will:

  • Help practitioners understand why heuristic biases exist.
  • Share how heuristic biases influence our decision-making processes.
  • Consider together how heuristic biases may impact on restorative processes, including safety and non-discriminatory practice.
  • Explore ways to mitigate the impact of heuristic biases on restorative work.

The event will be hosted by Dr Kathryn Rowsell, a registered and chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Trustee of The Mint House. Joining Dr Rowsell will be Richard Barker, a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Medium secure services in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. Register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Regional Employment Councils

The MoJ announced it is introducing 11 new regional Employment Councils, to bring probation, prisons, and local businesses together. They are designed to build on prison Employment Advisory Boards that connect local businesses with prisons, and will be the successor to regional Employer Advisory Boards, with a renewed focus on supporting people in the community. 

The Government says these Employment Councils aim to provide support to probation staff by providing a greater understanding of the local labour market and by helping to improve relationships with employers. The Department for Work and Pensions will also be part of these Councils, to help link people with work coaches in Jobcentres. Employment Advisory Boards will continue to operate in 93 individual prisons, with the new Councils seeking to help people leaving prison to look for work across an entire region, rather than just the local area around the prison.

Top UK business leaders will spearhead a major new drive to get thousands of offenders into stable jobs and away from a life of crime. Top bosses join forces to get thousands of offenders into work - GOV.U

NON-MEMBERS’ TRAINING:  Wrongful conviction or sentence?  How the CCRC can help

This free online training focuses on magistrate court cases, and is open to voluntary agencies and charities working within the CJS and supporting those affected in and out of prison.  

  • 23 January 2024, 11:00 - 12:00, online, free
  • 30 January 2024 @ 11:00 - 12:00, online, free
  • 06 February 2025 @ 11:00 - 12:00, online, free

The 1-hour training session will also help you build awareness of how we investigate and refer potential miscarriages of justice and how you can confidently and effectively signpost to our services.

Anyone can apply to the CCRC if they believe they have been wrongly convicted of a criminal offence or wrongly sentenced in a criminal court in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. If interested email outreach@ccrc.gov.uk

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Intervention Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [£28,082, Wandsworth, part time]; Floating Support Worker with Hestia Housing & Support [£26,767, Bromley, part time]; Intervention Worker - Out of Hours with Hestia Housing & Support [£28,082, Streatham, full time]; Family Support Worker with Phoenix Futures [£27,335 - £30,586, HMP Belmarsh, Greenwich, full time]; Community Engagement Team Manager with Phoenix Futures [£27,000 - £33,085, North London, full time]; Team Manager with Phoenix Futures [£27,000 - £33,085, HMP Pentonville, North London, full time]; Strategic Housing Specialist with His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service [£42,678 - £46,946, very frequent presence in prison establishments with time split between 1-3 prisons, full time]; Senior Practitioner with Phoenix Futures [£24,750, Thetford, Norfolk, full time]; Administrator with Phoenix Futures [£24,000 - £27,085, HMP Belmarsh, Greenwich, full time]; Member of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) Advisory Group with National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance [voluntary, part time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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