The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue..
Clinks News: Annual Clinks Conference - save the date 28 January 2026, Conway Hall, London
Clinks is delighted to announce that our Annual Conference 'Stronger Together: Celebrating Community, Championing Progress' will take place on 28 January 2026 at Conway Hall in London. Please save the date! We look forward to celebrating our sector with you. Keep an eye out for Clinks' socials, website updates and future editions of Light Lunch for details and further information.
Clinks News: State of the Sector - have your say
Clinks are continuing to call on all voluntary organisations to make their voices heard, through contributing to State of the Sector 2025. The information gathered is genuinely vital in enabling us to keep advocating both for and with the sector. Please complete this year's survey [closing at 17.00 on 7 November].
We will be offering 5 places at our annual conference and 5 training places to randomly selected survey respondents (if you want to be considered for the free tickets and training places, please share your email address in the specific question on this at the end of the survey). For any questions or for assistance filling out the survey, please contact our Specialist Policy Officer, Elizaveta Strelnikova - lisa.strelnikova@clinks.org
Clinks News: New Partnership with Black Men 4 Change (BM4C)
Clinks are delighted to announce a new partnership between Clinks and Black Men 4 Change (BM4C). As a core tenet of the recently secured 4-year HMPPS Infrastructure Grant, Black Men 4 Change will bring their considerable expertise in thought leadership, disrupting systems, strategic thinking and convening organisations led by and for racially minoritised people. More info here
Criminal Justice News: Vetting update
Clinks have published a letter from Phil Copple (CEO, HMPPS), sent to us, last week, while Phil was still in post. It provides an update on the new framework for the vetting of people with lived experience. The letter contains information on: the new Lived Experience Appointment Pathway, which will replace Standard Plus; sets out how there will be case-by-case consideration of risk factors in individual cases, when an excluded offence is not present; and details the removal of the fixed timeframe on time passed since offending. We are aware of ongoing concerns from the sector regarding vetting-related challenges, particularly concerning the length of time that the process is taking. Please do reach out to our Director of National Influencing & Networks, Sam Julius, with any concerns or queries - sam.julius@clinks.org Read Phil Copple's letter on the new vetting framework.
Criminal Justice News: Sentencing Bill
Clinks have produced a blog and a briefing on the new bill.
Criminal Justice News: Rehabilitation Grants Scheme
His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Rehabilitation Grants Scheme Stage 2 (invitation only) applications open on 29th October. HMPPS Rehabilitation Grants Scheme for the Voluntary Sector.
NCJAA Members News: KoestlerArts - Annual Exhibition: Night Owls and Abstractions
Curated by Inua Ellams [31 October – 14 December 2025] Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
It will feature a selection of music, writing, fine art, craft and design by individuals in prisons, secure hospitals, young offender institutions and immigration removal centres, as well as people on community sentences and probation.
This year, the charity invited Nigerian-born British poet, playwright, and performer Inua Ellams, to select artworks from over 7,500 entries to the annual Koestler Awards. Known for his celebrated plays Barber Shop Chronicles and The Half-God of Rainfall, Inua’s body of work spans poetry, theatre, graphic art, and live events. His acclaimed theatre works have been staged at the Edinburgh International Festival, the National Theatre and by the Royal Opera House. Most recently, Inua joined the Doctor Who writing team for the second season of the Fifteenth Doctor.
“I hope those that come, come expecting to have their minds blown a little bit, not just by the range of artwork on show, but also the structure, the narrative journey we’re building, from how you enter to how you leave.” Inua Ellams
More information here.
NCJAA Members News: The National Centre for Creative Health
The National Centre for Creative Health is highlighting their journey to create change & shift structural power imbalances which drive inequity in creative health work. NCCH wants as many people to connect with creativity as possible and wants to better understand people’s sense of belonging. As belonging can mean different things to different people, they want to hear your voice and thoughts via some quick questions. These questions will enable a deeper understanding about how the NCCH & the wider creative health sector can become more inclusive. Join the conversation: https://ncch.org.uk/equity-diversity-inclusion-belonging
NCJAA Members News: Restorative Justice – The Evidence: A Pilot for the Youth Justice System of England & Wales
The Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All), in partnership with the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) and endorsed by the Youth Justice Board, is proud to announce a groundbreaking national project to develop a consistent Shared Practice Model for restorative justice across England and Wales. Currently, restorative justice delivery in Youth Justice Services (YJS) varies widely, with little consistent evidence on what works and why. This project, coordinated by Professor Gavrielides, will change that. Together with selected YJS teams, a Project Steering Group, an independent Practitioners Board, and independent evaluators, they will co-design a model that defines the core components of restorative justice delivery – ensuring it is victim-centred, high-quality, and consistently applied. As part of this initiative, participating YJS teams will receive tailored training and practical guidance aligned with the new Victims’ Standard, as set by HM Inspectorate for Probation. This will ensure restorative justice is not only understood and accessible, but also compliant with updated mandates. More here.
NCJAA Members News: Irene Taylor Trust - New podcast series: More Than Sound; and radio show Solidarity Tracks
As part of their 30th anniversary celebrations, new podcast series More Than Sound starts releasing weekly in October, marking three decades of life-changing music projects from the Irene Taylor Trust in and outside prisons – find it on Apple, Spotify & YouTube. Hosted by Dean Statham (artist, prison leaver & Sounding Out programme participant), each episode uncovers the stories and sounds that shape this creative community.
And on Monday 29 September their radio show Solidarity Tracks was broadcast for the first time on Voices Radio. Solidarity Tracks brings together music made in prisons around the world, with songs and interviews with the people who helped shape these tracks, including contributors from India, Norway, New Zealand, USA and Italy.
Listen back to the programme on Mixcloud here.
BOOKING NOW! 30th Anniversary Show at Rich Mix, November 2025
Their special show at Rich Mix will celebrate 30 years of the Irene Taylor Trust through exhilarating live music performances. Half the show will be curated by their Young Producers, featuring young artists emerging from their Making Tracks projects and former prisoner support musicians from Sounding Out. The other half will include insights and memories of the Irene Taylor Trust’s work over the last 30 years, with images and voices from their exhibition, and more original music from Sounding Out.
For those not able to join us in person, a livestream will be available (same booking link as for in person tickets below). Celebrating 30 years of the Irene Taylor Trust - Rich Mix
NCJAA Members News: Hibiscus – Reclaiming Resistance new six-part podcast, including recordings from creative workshop sessions
To mark Anti-Slavery Day on 18th October, the series shares the experiences of Black and minoritised migrant women affected by trafficking in the criminal justice and immigration systems. It weaves together interviews from legal experts, policy advocates and frontline professionals and features recordings from creative workshop sessions facilitated in their women's centre. Each episode explores different topics around criminalisation, violence against women and girls, resistance and recovery from the perspectives of the women that they work with and the professionals working alongside them.
You can listen now on the following platforms: Youtube; Spotify; Soundcloud
Please support them by listening and subscribing to episodes, sharing the podcast with your networks, on social media or with anyone who might be interested in the work that specialist and by-and-for services do to support victim/survivors.
This project is a tribute to the strength, creativity and resistance of the Black and minoritised migrant women that they work with at Hibiscus every day and an invitation to hear their stories on their terms.
NCJAA Members News: December Ceramics Open House - Save a Date!
For anyone who is in London in December and looking for some original handmade ceramics for some unique gifts, Niki from Beauty out of Ashes will be having an Open House event throughout December in Holloway N19. Niki works from home, but is randomly out. Times can be really flexible, so please do make a friendly appointment if you wish to swing by to avoid disappointment! All details on the flyer. Some examples of Niki's work can be found here, but there is lots more!
NCJAA Members News: Changing Tunes - 2024 Impact Report out now
“This celebrates the outcomes that we supported our participants to achieve last year. We hope that it inspires you!” David Jones CEO. The report is available to read here
NCJAA Members News: Bike for the Beds 2025
On the 14th September this year, on behalf of Beauty out of Ashes (BOOA), Niki did the London to Brighton cycle ride for the second year running to help BOOA raise funds to pay for the storage of the legacy Holloway prison beds, until they can be transformed in future arts projects. With a successful ride in 4 hours 10 minutes, and with the threatened rain holding off, she completed the ride with less stops, 28 minutes faster than last year! Read the Bike for the Beds blog here. They are still yet to reach their target, all donations greatly received with thanks!
BOOA have rescued 30 legacy beds from the former Holloway Prison, London’s only female prison, closed in 2016 to make way for housing. The site is currently being developed by Peabody, with the proposed Women’s space included in phase 1 of the construction, to be completed in a few years time. To find out more about these 30 precious legacy prison beds, visit their website www.beautyoutofasheshwb.wordpress.com/beds
Event: Second Stage Fundraising Cabaret
6th November | 19:00 | London | £95
Second Stage - A partnership between prison leavers and the live events industry. Working to support individuals with convictions into employment within the creative industries. Join them for a fund-raising cabaret at the Bloomsbury Ballroom. More information on their work can be found at here and Tickets for cabaret here
Event: 'Exhibition of Hope'
Until 7 November | Victoria Mill, University of Lancashire - Burnley Campus, Trafalgar Street Burnley BB11 1RA | Attendance is by appointment only, please contact to book a slot- VGregson5@lancashire.ac.uk
The Exhibition of Hope by Criminology department at The University of Lancashire & Novus, is a showcase of art, sculpture and writings created by men and women while serving prison sentences.
Event: Music from the Criminal Justice System
30 November | 7.30pm | London | £12+
Purcell Room, Southbank Centre
Music brings escape in an evening of performances and conversation celebrating work created by people with lived experience in the criminal justice system. Presented by Koestler Arts and the Irene Taylor Trust, this event features a mixture of live and recorded performances and a Q&A panel discussion, drawing inspiration from the Koestler Arts’ exhibition Night Owls and Abstractions, curated by poet and playwright Inua Ellams. More information here
Training: Odd Arts - Masterclass with Geo Britto
3–5 November | Manchester Science Park | £200
A rare chance to learn directly from one of the world’s longest-standing forum theatre Jokers, Geo Britto who worked closely with Augusto Boal throughout his life and career. Through this 3-day masterclass, explore the powerful role of the Curinga in Theatre of the Oppressed. Expect hands-on training, political context, and collective learning that bridges theory and practice. Book your place: info@oddarts.co.uk More info here.
Training: Demonstrate Your Impact Workshop
13 November | 10:00 - 12:30 | Online | Free
NCJAA & Royal Literary Fund: Join Us for a Transformative Workshop! Are you a charity or community group professional looking to communicate your organisation’s impact effectively? This workshop is designed to empower you to articulate the real difference your work makes. More information and booking here
Training: Facilitating Reflective Practice Groups for Artists and Creative Health Practitioners (3-day training)
Various dates | Online | £350
The training course is aimed at artists, creative practitioners and arts in health professionals who are already experienced facilitators and want to deepen their practice and move into a more reflective gear. This 3-day experiential training course will introduce you to the concept of Reflective Practice and equip you with the skills to begin running Reflective Practice groups within your organisation or externally. More information, dates and booking info here.
RESOURCE: Creating the Roots of Hope - Using Art to support well-being in prison
This is a Prison Service Journal article is by Mark Jones. He is Director at Higher Plain and visiting Professor at the Centre for Criminology at University of South Wales. ‘Art is about changing what we see in our everyday lives and representing it in such a way that it gives us hope.’ Read the article here
OPPORTUNITY: Fine Cell - We're recruiting new Apprentices!
Are you a prison leaver seeking new skills, work experience and support with employment? To find out more about their Open the Gate programme, contact info@finecellwork.co.uk, or head to their website
VACANCY: Musician in Residence | The Irene Taylor Trust | HMP Styal
Irene Taylor Trust are currently working with HMP Styal to engage a versatile, freelance musician who has experience of teaching guitar, keyboard and song writing to work with female prisoners. It may also be advantageous to have experience of creating music on computers. Closing date: 19 Nov 2025. Find more info and how to apply here
Want to post a vacancy?
Clinks members can post job and volunteer vacancies on our Jobs Board for free.
Full instructions for uploading a vacancy can be found here. For assistance, email membership@clinks.org
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA newsletter will be sent on 17 December. If you have any news, opportunities or events relating to art organisations or projects within the criminal justice system that you would like included, please submit your information via our online form by Monday 8 December.
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