Regional criminal justice forum: alternative to custody - engagement not enforcement

How can voluntary sector criminal justice services contribute to better outcomes for individuals at risk of a short custodial sentence?

Clinks coordinates quarterly regional fora to provide the opportunity for organisations to keep up to speed on new developments. These events update you with recent policy changes and implications and allow you to step back from your crucial day-to-day frontline work to see the bigger picture and context in which you are working.

Speakers include

• Stephen Whitehead from Centre for Justice Innovation on their research on the rise of community sentences in Scotland while they decline in England & Wales;
• Sophie Baker from Devon and Cornwall Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on what they are doing to address the 30% decline in use of community sentences there.

Over the past ten years we have seen the number of people sentenced to custody steadily rise, whilst the number of community sentences has declined significantly. Our prison system is struggling under an increasing population and ageing infrastructure.

This forum will explore how co-ordinated support from voluntary sector services in the community could contribute to early intervention and alternatives to custody – getting people the right support as early as possible to reduce the risk of re-offending.

At this event, you will:

• Get an update on new developments in criminal justice policy
• Hear about developments in Scottish policy around community sentencing as an alternative to short custodial sentences
• Discuss the role the voluntary sector might play if similar legislative changes were implemented in England and Wales
• Explore the challenges and discuss opportunities that an increase in the use of community services as an alternative to custody could present to your organisation
• Network with other organisations to discuss issues and explore solutions.

This event is followed by a meeing of the service user involvement managers network, to book a place on this see here.