Supporting the voluntary sector to thrive is a key aspect of any infrastructure organisation. We want to see healthy voluntary sector organisations that are effective at supporting the most marginalised people in our communities to desist from crime and get their lives back on track. This takes many forms, including practical guidance, training courses, fund raising support, disseminating grants, consultancy support, service development, network creation, research, campaigning, and influencing policy.

Clinks, Action for Prisoners Families, Women’s Breakout, The Arts Alliance, and BTEG are all infrastructure organisations that provide support for the voluntary sector in criminal justice and community safety. We want to find out what you think about the role and value of this support.

We believe infrastructure organisations have a significant impact on the work of the voluntary sector. We have often heard that our members look to infrastructure organisations to be a trusted and honest broker with the public and private sectors, as well as Government departments. In addition the voluntary sector want infrastructure organisations to provide impartial and equal representation for the whole sector.

Carrying out a review

In order for infrastructure to ensure that its services are effective, sustainable and efficient, the Ministry of Justice has asked Clinks to co-ordinate an independent review of criminal justice infrastructure support. This will help us to determine the future direction of support and how it should be funded.

This is a timely piece of work. Wide scale reforms of rehabilitation services are taking place, the resources for voluntary sector voice and delivery remain tight, and are likely to get more so, while evidence indicates that demand for services is increasing.

The consequences of a loss or reduction in funding for infrastructure therefore should not be underestimated, in light of the shared understanding between the Ministry of Justice and the sector of the key contribution that its presence has made, and continues to make, to reducing reoffending and making communities safer.

How can you get involved?

• We have launched a short survey, we would like to hear from you, please complete the survey here 
• We are holding four workshops in September and October to discuss the future direction of infrastructure support and the resources for it with stakeholders, click here to find out more about the workshops
• In addition we will be conducting interviews with a wide range of members and other stakeholders from across the voluntary sector and the wider Criminal Justice System.

 For more information leave a comment below or email me at Richard.nicholls@clinks.org