Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 641 | 3rd July 2020

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In this week's edition...

CLINKS NEWS: RR3 vacancy – larger provider

The deadline to apply for the vacant position on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) leadership board is approaching. This vacancy is for a senior manager in an organisation with an income of over £10 million, who has experience and expertise of the commissioning and delivery of public services. The RR3 is an influential advisory group to the government, consisting of senior experts from the voluntary sector that work closely with senior officials from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to reduce reoffending and to build a more effective partnership between the government and the voluntary sector. The deadline is 10th July. Find more information here

CLINKS EVENT: health and justice response to Covid-19

This online network meeting is for voluntary sector organisations working in the criminal justice system that deliver health-based services [14th July, 10:00 - 11:30 | online | free]. If you deliver services to people in contact with the criminal justice system relating to any of the following: substance and/or alcohol misuse, mental health, physical health, or disability – this online meeting is for you. Come together to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery, individuals, contract and grant requirements during these challenging circumstances and the sustainability of the voluntary sector working in health and justice. Book your place here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: solitary confinement

Working Chance has released a statement for International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. It focuses on the failures of the government’s early release scheme and comparisons between conditions in prisons and solitary confinement. According to the UN expert on torture, solitary confinement is “the physical and social isolation of individuals who are confined to their cells for 22 to 24 hours a day.” It is characterised by monotony, and “meaningful contact with other people is typically reduced to a minimum.” During the pandemic, over 3,200 women in England and Wales have been confined in cells for 23 hours a day. Read the statement here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Chief Inspector of Probation’s blog

Chief Inspector of Probation, Justin Russell has started a monthly blog aimed at those working in the youth justice and probation services, or who are interested in criminal justice matters. His first blog, Inspecting in uncertain times, details how HM Inspectorate of Probation has conducted inspections during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read the blog here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: an independent review of Joseph McCann

Upon request from the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Justice, HM Inspectorate of Probation is conducting a two-part review of the case of Joseph McCann. Part one of its review into this case has now been published. The review identifies significant failings in local supervision and some issues that need national attention. HM Inspectorate makes a number of recommendations in relation to these issues. View the report and the Chief Inspector of Probation’s statement here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: investment in courts and prisons

The Ministry of Justice has announced an extra £285 million spending on courts and prisons this year, as part of the Prime Minister’s plan for economic recovery. Over £140 million will be spent installing temporary prison cells, repairing and refurbishing prisons, approved premises and young offender institutions, and improving IT in prisons. The funding comes on top of an estimated £600 million already earmarked for capital projects, including the construction of two new prisons. One thousand temporary cells will be installed to increase capacity, allowing the prison service to close wings at other prisons for refurbishment. £10 million will be used to refurbish the youth custody estate, installing in-room showers, improving existing education facilities, building new ones, and rolling out in-room learning technology. Read more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Covid-19 related statistics

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service will now be producing a weekly publication of Covid-19 related statistics. These statistics will be released every Friday at 9:30am and will cover deaths in prison custody and of those being monitored by probation services, confirmed Covid-19 cases in custody and the early release of prisoners. Find them here

FUNDING: Covid-19 in Cumbria

The Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Covid-19 Community Recovery Fund provides grants to local charities, community and voluntary groups within Cumbria to help manage new issues which are arising in light of the coronavirus pandemic and as restrictions ease. Grants will be awarded for amounts up to £5,000. The fund’s aim is to help groups that are struggling to retain their offer of support or who are looking at different ways of working to continue to achieve their aims. The Commissioner and a decision-making panel will consider applications monthly, with closing dates on the last days of July, August and September 2020. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: rights and justice

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) Rights and Justice programme funds activities focused on: protection and promotion of human rights and their enforcement in the UK; promoting rights and justice for minorities who face the most severe forms of racism; and/or promotion of rights and justice for refugees and other migrants by identifying and tackling structures and systems that may deny them their rights. JRCT usually makes around 100-120 grants per year, with a total value of around £6m, giving a nominal average grant of £50,000. Actual grants range from a few hundred pounds to £100,000+. Find out more and apply before 1st September here

FUNDING: freedom of information request

The Directory of Social Change (DSC) has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the National Lottery Community Fund about the Coronavirus Community Support Fund. It’s been 12 weeks since the Chancellor announced £370m in funding for small charities and over a month since the Coronavirus Community Support Fund opened for applications in England with £200m of this funding available. No data has been released about how many applications have been received, how many have been successful, whether the initial £200m has already run out, or whether any funding has been awarded. DSC has requested this information be made publicly available. Read more here

CAMPAIGN: #BuildBackBetter

Build Back Better, a coalition of organisations and individuals united by the collective ambition for the UK to come out of this crisis a stronger, fairer, greener country. The coalition is calling for a new settlement that protects vital public services, repairs inequalities, creates secure and rewarding jobs, and prepares us for the climate and environmental emergency. Clinks has co-signed the Build Back Better Statement. You can support this initiative by signing the statement and sharing using #BuildBackBetter. See more here

FEATURED VACANCY: Business Manager

Two opportunities have arisen to join the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) and Lay Observer (LO) Secretariat as Business Managers [£30,845 - £38,373, full time, London]. The posts are at the heart of independent oversight of prison, immigration detention and court custody, supporting two National Chairs, 130 monitoring boards and 1300+ voluntary ministerial appointees to make a real difference to the scrutiny of the criminal justice system. The successful candidate(s) will be motivated, enthusiastic and committed to providing excellent customer service to external stakeholders in a fast-paced volunteer environment. Find out more and apply before 15th July here

FEATURED VACANCY: Trustees

Thames Valley Partnership has a number of Trustee vacancies [voluntary, part-time, Buckinghamshire] to complement its existing Board and guide the growing organisation into the next phase of development. Thames Valley Partnership seeks: a Treasurer; a Marketing Trustee; and other general Trustees to expand the knowledge base and help strengthen the Board overall. If you have the passion and commitment to support a value-driven organisation; strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort, Thames Valley Partnership would be delighted to hear from you. See more and apply before 2nd August here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

Vacancies on the jobs board this week include: Transition Support Worker with Bthechange [Gloucester], Lecturer in Painting and Decorating with Weston College [HMP Rochester], Volunteer Co-ordinator with NEPACS [Durham], Keyworker - Action Towards Inclusion with Humankind [North Yorkshire], Substance Misuse Worker with Kaleidoscope Project [Llandrindod Wells], Data Analyst with Youth Endowment Fund [London], Trustee with Thames Valley Partnership [Buckinghamshire]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

TIPS OF THE WEEK

  • Tip I: Keplin air cooler with wheels. 74% off. Details
  • Tip II: Unlimited magazines: free two-month subscription to Readly. Details
  • Tip III: English Heritage annual membership. 25% off. Details

EXTRA INFORMATION

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