Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 299 | 24th May 2013

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In your weekly Light Lunch...

CLINKS MEMBER'S SERVICE: policy briefing

Clinks Members get an exclusive monthly policy briefing that presents news, publications, blogs and features from the world of criminal justice policy. We've been getting really good feedback regarding its usefulness, so if you want to receive a copy, please become a Member here 

CLINKS PUBLICATION: tackling racial discrimination in the CJS

In March 2013, Clinks and BTEG convened a joint roundtable hosted by Baroness Young of Hornsey at the House of Lords. The discussion focused upon improving outcomes for young black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) men between 18 – 25. The report of that event is the result of a lively discussion that generated wide-ranging recommendation for tackling disproportionality within the Criminal Justice System supporting the BAME sector more broadly. You can read Clare Hayes's blog and download the report here 

CLINKS BLOG: Clive updates on the Transforming Rehabiltiation strategy

Clive has revisited the MoJ's Tranforming Rehabilitation strategy, and raised some pertinent questions about the level of detail that may have been lost in last week's announcements. "While the excitement and scepticism about the future of probation and re-offending rates grow in equal measure, other important questions get little attention.  For example, how are services for high risk offenders who remain under the management of the National Probation Service going to be commissioned? Perhaps an even bigger issue is the future of VCSE arrangements within custodial settings. What about reading schemes; family support projects; most of the arts work; faith based activities; listener programmes that save lives in every prison? There can hardly be a prison in the country that could continue to work as it does if there was a large scale collapse of VCSE services for people in custody. This might well be detail in the overwhelming scale of reform, but the success of detail is what will make this work and give the public confidence, so this is not a time to turn our back on detail." Read Clive's blog post here 

CLINKS BLOG: Jess talks about improving your evidence base

Introducing the latest Clinks project, 'Improving your evidence', National Projects Coordinator Jess Mullen talks about research and evaluation, the Ministry of Justice's Data Lab, some events we are hosting and a survey that we are currently running. "As the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms get underway it is critical that the Sector is able to evidence its impact and we would urge all organisations, big and small, to get involved in the project, complete the quick survey, and attend one of these events." Read Jess's blog post here 

CLINKS MEMBERS REQUEST: help Unlock develop a new website

Unlock are looking to develop a new website and have put together a really quick and easy to complete survey to capture your views on their current site, which areas you visit, why you use their site, and what improvements could be made. Help them out here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: supporting the VCS in payment by results

3SC have published their action plan to develop the capacity of VCS organisations to successfully participate in criminal justice payment by results (PbR) programmes. The eight high priority actions contained within are strengthening the Merlin Standard; developing an evidence base; helping the Sector assess financial viability in contracts; early stage information workshops; reality checklist to assess whether it's worth an organisation applying for a contract; Compact agreement; negotation skills; and legal support for contract terms and conditions. You can view the full aciton plan and the MoJ response here 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: interim findings expected from prison PbR pilots

The Ministry of Justice has published a document that announces its intention, due to a high amount of public interest, to publish interim findings from the HMP Peterborough and HMP Doncaster payment by results pilots on 13th June. The outcome measure for the pilots is a real reduction in re-convictions among offenders during the 12 months following release from prison. The interim re-conviction figures will be based on periods that are half the length of those used for the final results: covering offences committed in the 6 months following release from prison, and resulting in conviction at court either in those 6 months, or in a further 3 month period. Light Lunch will provide details in our 14th June edition.  

FUNDING: to get your organisation ready for investment

The Investment and Contract Readiness Fund is prioritising applications from criminal justice organisations delivering rehabilitation services. From May 2013, ambitious social ventures looking either to become prime providers or to work within the rehabilitation supply chain and bidding for public service contracts can apply for grants. Ventures will be required to apply in partnership with an approved provider. The proposed work must be designed to prepare the organisation to raise investment of at least £500,000 (external returnable money) to develop services or win contracts of at least £1million and must be completed within 18 months. To find our more click here 

COMMISSIONING: workshops for the VCSE

Ministry of Justice are advertising a grant of over £150,000 to deliver a series of information and skills workshops to develop the capacity of VCSE organisations to successfully participate in the delivery of rehabilitation services; and develop a self-assessment checklist of key things that VCSE organisations will need to have, or need to address, or be willing to undertake in order to have a realistic chance of accessing the Rehabilitation Programme opportunity. The Grant is intended to be awarded in late June 2013 for work to take place in this Financial Year 2013/14. Find out more here 

MEMBER'S EVENT: volunteering and ex-offenders

'On the right tracks: Exploring volunteering and ex-offenders' is a VA Oldham event [5th June, Oldham, free] that will explore the benefits of volunteering for ex-offenders. The event features a presentation on the new disclosure barring service and workshops on the barriers ex-offenders face, demystifying the Criminal Justice System, risk management, and specific barriers for female ex-offenders. Find out more here  

MEMBER'S EVENT: new mentoring resource

Mentoring and Befriending Foundation are running a series of regional launch events for their new justmentoring resource [Manchester, 19th June | York, 21st June | Birmingham, 25th June | London, 2nd July | Bristol, 3rd July]. justmentoring is an interactive, online marketplace of all things mentoring – linking providers of mentoring services, criminal justice agencies, commissioners, service users and volunteers together in one place. Find out more and book your place here 

MEMBER'S EVENT: criminal justice event in Devon

'Inspire Change in Criminal Justice' is a Devon Reform event [5th July, Plymouth, £10] in partnership with The University of Plymouth. This event will include academic input alongside Clive Martin, Director of Clinks, on the future of the VCSE Sector working with offenders and their families, Janet Crowe from the Prison Reform Trust, Camilla Carr (hostage survivor) on working in prisons and Karyn McCluskey on innovative approaches for reducing violence (reducing violence unit in Scotland).  To find out more and book your place, click here 

MEMBER'S EVENT: criminal justice partnerships in Wales

'Partnership and the new Community Justice Landscape' is a Community Justice Cymru event [12th June, Aberystwyth or 26th June, Newport, free], run in partnership with Clinks, that will examine the changes new criminal justice policy brings, at a time that also brings social policy changes and a challenging economic environment, and in the context of the complex mix of devolved and non-devolved services that’s unique to Wales. It includes cross-sector comment on how the new landscape impacts on commissioners, providers, offenders (including young offenders transitioning to adult services) and their families, victims and the wider community. More details here 

NON-MEMBER'S EVENTS & TRAINING

  • 'Implementing the Public Services (Social Value) Act (June 2013)' | 25th June, 5.30pm, London, free | Details
  • 'Managing financial risk in Payment by Results' seminar | 8th July, London, from £200 | Details
 

MEMBER’S TRAINING: for prison play-workers

Pact’s Kids VIP team are running a Prison Play-Worker Development Day [11th June, Leicester, £50]. There will be a morning session on 'The Role and Qualities of a Prison-based Play Worker' and the new Prison Play Worker National Occupation Standards. This will be followed by a fun interactive session in the afternoon on activities that can be done with family groups at family visits. To book a place or for more information please email PA@prisonadvice.org.uk 

CONSULTATION: influencing the criminal justice reforms

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) is conducting a significant research project on the role of the VCSE Sector in the rehabilitation of ex-offenders to help shape and inform the current probation reforms. As part of this, CSJ are very keen to make sure that the voice of the Sector is heard loud and clear, and that our research articulates the voice of the Sector to the Secretary of State, Chris Grayling, and other criminal justice policy makers. To help facilitate this they are running a short, confidential, multiple-choice survey for Directors and Chief Executives here 

CONSULTATION: on new social action grants

The Centre for Social Action has £1m available in grant funds this financial year, and is consulting the Sector on how they can be best spent. Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice are committed to ensuring that social action is highly valued as an effective tool to reduce reoffending. They are looking to fund a small number of established organisations that use social action to rehabilitate offenders and are ambitious to improve their evidence of impact, develop a strategic voice and increase their delivery of social action opportunities. They are inviting discussion on how this could run until 29 May 2013. Please contact centreforsocialaction@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk if you would like to feed into this consultation process. 

RESOURCE: video for winning contracts

The Cabinet Office has produced a series of videos to help SMEs and VCSE organisations pitch for and win government contracts. In one, Michael O'Toole, VCSE Crown Representative, offers his tips for the Sector. View the videos here (Source: NCVYS) 

RESOURCE: new short film on being released from prison

'It's My Story - The Prisoner Released' is a new 28 minute BBC production that follows PJ, who is about to be released after three years in prison. The film accompanies him from his cell to the outside world, where he has to confront his addiction and the temptation to reoffend. Watch it here 

RESOURCE: Volunteers' Week

Volunteers’ Week is 1st - 7th June this year, and celebrates the amazing contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. The Volunteers' Week has loads of resources to help you celebrate your volunteers, share your stories and promote your events. Get involved here 

PUBLICATION: restorative justice for young adults

'Restorative Justice for Young Adults: Factoring in Maturity and Facilitating Desistance' is a new report from Restorative Justice Council, which finds that restorative justice is less available to victims of crimes committed by young adults (aged 18-25) than victims of crimes committed by young people aged 17 or under, despite its proven benefits to victims and in helping people turn away from a life of crime. The report says restorative justice should be offered to all victims irrespective of the age of the offender. Download the report here 

PUBLICATION: criminal justice volunteering guide

Pact and Prison Reform Trust have published ‘What Can I Do?’, a guide to volunteering in the Criminal Justice System. The publication will be available free of charge to anyone interested in volunteering in work to support victims, prisoners, ex-offenders, offenders’ children and families, or young people at risk of getting involved in crime. Download it here 

PUBLICATION: commentary on Transforming Rehabilitation

Russell Webster has given his views on the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms: “The publication of the MoJ’s response to Transforming Rehabilitation on 9 May made it clear that there is no turning back in the government’s plans to overhaul the reducing reoffending system. By bringing the timeline even further forward with services going live in Autumn 2014, the Secretary of State has built in 6 months’ slippage before the next general election. Even if the Labour Party wins the next election, there is no sign that they would undo the changes. It is clear that the MoJ has been listening to feedback and the launch of the resettlement prison initiative is a very positive move. The expansion to 21 Contract Package Areas also makes it easier for voluntary sector providers to be involved in bids. There remain concerns about how the new fragmented system will overcome duplication and manage risk in a way that protects the public.” Sign up for Russell's monthly Transforming Rehabilitation email updates here 

OPPORTUNITY: Churchill Fellowship

Are you involved in the Criminal Justice System? Are you interested in projects that reduce reoffending and contribute to a more just, humane and effective penal system? If the answer is 'yes' a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship on Prison and Penal Reform would offer you the chance to see how things are being done differently or better overseas. It will enable you to return to the UK with new ideas and renewed energy to work towards a better system in the UK. To learn more and apply for a fellowship click here 

LIGHT LUNCH READER'S REQUEST: help needed with PhD research project

PhD student Maria Adams is looking at the impact of prison on families, and would like to hear from family members who have a relative in prison.The aim of the study is to explore the adjustments families make to support offenders during and after prison, in particular looking at the experiences of children and how they adjust in their communities whilst being cared for by another parent or relative. The study will also look at how the community responds when someone enters the prison system and how this affects the experiences of family members. This research understands families are not a homogenous group, but a diverse group who have a set of complex needs. Therefore structural factors including race, disability, sexual orientation and gender will play an important part in this study. If you can help out, email maria.adams@uws.ac.uk 

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip of the week I: Get a free Pimms and lemonade at Pitcher & Piano. Details
  • Tip of the week II: A deluxe Cheshire overnight stay, with dinner & Tatton Park Tickets is just £99 for two people. Details
  • Tip of the week III: Loads of deals here for printing your photos for free or cheap

 

EXTRA INFORMATION

 

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Clinks

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