This specialist quarterly ebulletin keeps you updated on relevant developments for organisations working to support women in contact with the criminal justice system. Please contact Jackie Lowthian at Jackie.lowthian@clinks.org if there is anything you would like to raise or to include items in the next ebulletin.
In this edition...
- News
- Events and Training
- Publications and Resources
- Campaigns
- Blogs
- Funding
- Extra Information
Covid-19 pandemic: representing and supporting the voluntary sector
The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) special interest group on Covid-19 has continued to meet with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to discuss the programme of recovery and reform in prisons; preparations for Ramadan in prison; and the continued recovery of probation services. HMPPS is providing weekly updates on the status of adult prisons, which includes information on Covid-19 outbreaks, as well as the progress of prisons towards stage 3 of the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services. Clinks provides sector-specific information on Covid-19, essential updates and frequently asked questions. For weekly updates on the status of adult prisons, email covid19@clinks.org. Read more here. Find information about visits reopening and which prisons have moved to stage 3 here
New minister for prisons, probation and women in the criminal justice system
Lucy Frazer QC MP, formerly Minister of State for Prisons and Probation, has been appointed Solicitor General as maternity cover for Rt Hon Suella Braverman MP. No direct replacement has been appointed, and Alex Chalk MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, has had his portfolio expanded to include prisons, probation and women in contact with the criminal justice system. Clinks wrote to Alex Chalk to congratulate him. Read more here
New prison places for women
Following the announcement of 500 new prison places to be built in the women’s prison estate, Jess Mullen, Clinks Director of Influence and Communications, attended a workshop of the Advisory Board for Female Offenders (ABFO) members on these plans. While Clinks is opposed to the expansion of the women’s estate and believes that women’s needs are better met through community alternatives, we were pleased to see a trauma informed approach being taken to the design of new prison places. We hope the success of the female offender strategy will mean these new prison places are used to replace existing outdated provision. The Howard League for Penal reform and Women in Prison have launched campaigns against the expansion. Further details are below. Read the government announcement here
Review of health and social care in women’s prisons
In recognition of women’s specific needs as a result of sex and gender inequalities, the National Women’s Prisons Health and Social Care Review has been commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. The aim is to develop a better understanding of the current challenges faced by the women’s prison estate, prison and health and social care services in delivering high quality care, treatment, and support for women in custody. The programme will review health and social care delivery in 12 women’s prisons over 12 months. The goal is to reduce health inequalities, improve health and social care outcomes for women whilst in prison and on their release, and return to their communities and families. For more information, contact charlottewinter@nhs.net
New inquiry into the health of women in prison
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Women in the Penal System has launched a new Inquiry into the health of women in prison in March 2021. It is set to investigate growing evidence that prisons have a damaging impact on women’s health and well-being. The Inquiry will hear from expert witnesses and consider what steps should be taken to improve women’s health and prevent harm. It will look at how prisons promote well-being and support the specific and diverse needs of women. The APPG is accepting submissions of evidence for this inquiry of up to 2000 words. The deadline for submissions is Friday 30th April. Respond to the Inquiry here
Update from Clinks women’s network
The latest online meeting of the Clinks Women’s networking forum took place on 23rd March 2021. 49 participants from women’s services around the country took part in discussions on how best to strengthen the voice of the women’s voluntary sector and influence change for women in contact with the criminal justice system. Speakers from Women in Prison, Agenda and Clinks outlined campaigns and projects funded by the Lloyds Bank Foundation focused on establishing a National Women’s Centres Alliance; influencing policy and strategies for younger women; and improving the policy environment for small, specialist organisations. To receive a copy of the notes from this meeting contact Jackie.lowthian@clinks.org and find more information about Clinks work on women and criminal justice here
Research on young women’s education in prison
Prisoners’ Education Trust is looking for 20 women to take part in a research project exploring young women’s experience of education in prison. The aims of the study are to make education better for young women in prison and in the community, to help girls and women achieve better outcomes and reduce women’s imprisonment. Participants must have experience of prison between the ages of 18 and 24 years, within the last ten years. Taking part involves a single hour-long telephone interview and all participants will receive a £20 thank you voucher. Please spread the word to anyone you think may be interested, and ask them to contact the project researcher, Katy Swaine Williams katyswainewilliams@gmail.com
Domestic Abuse Bill: statutory defences for survivors who offend due to abuse
On 10th March, despite government opposition, the House of Lords voted new statutory defences into the Domestic Abuse Bill for survivors who offend due to their experience of domestic abuse. Tabled by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, the proposals were originally developed as part of the Prison Reform Trust’s Transforming Lives programme to reduce women’s imprisonment. They are now being led by the Centre for Women’s Justice, with supporters including the Victims’ Commissioner and Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner. The Bill returned to the House of Commons on 15th April for consideration of amendments made by the Lords. The government remains unpersuaded, preferring instead to monitor the use of existing defences and keep the need for statutory defences under review. Read more here
Report about the police detention of women criticised
Responding to a report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Service published on 30th March about the police detention of women on Clapham Common on 13th March, where hundreds gathered to remember Sarah Everard, Jess Southgate (chief executive of Agenda) called for police to be trained to recognise and respond to victims of trauma, rather than “retraumatising them through arrests”. The report concluded that the Metropolitan Police acted appropriately, however campaigners have disputed the report’s findings, citing the event as evidence of institutional misogyny within the police and calling for a transformation in the treatment of women in the criminal justice system – both as victims and as alleged offenders. See a copy of the report here and read commentary here and here
Inquiry into racial injustice in UK maternity services
As part of its national inquiry, Birth Rights is gathering evidence about women and birthing peoples’ experiences of maternity care in the UK. It is particularly looking to hear from black, brown and mixed ethnicity women and birthing people about the care they received during their pregnancy, birth and after their baby was born. It would also like to hear from health care professionals working within the maternity services about their experiences of racial injustice and how it impacts on them both personally and professionally. Read more here
Trustee training for women with lived experience
Beyond Suffrage, Women in Prison, Clean Break, Working Chance and Hibiscus have co-designed and developed a trustee training programme for women with lived experience of the prison system [from 13th May (Thursday evenings), online, free]. A group of fifteen women will be selected to take part in the programme, with at least half of the participants being from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. No prior experience or knowledge of trusteeship is required. During the training programme, which will run for six weeks, participants will be supported with finding a trustee role - either on the board of one of the partners, or another charity working in the criminal justice system. Find out more and book here
Women’s Resource Centre archive launch event
Women's Resource Centre is running a 'Sisters Doing It For Themselves' project that will create a unique oral history archive documenting the testimonies of current and past leaders to be housed in the LSE Women's Library. The launch event [28th April, online, free] will provide some background to the project and an opportunity to preview some of the archived material. It will preserve and recognise the important role female leaders, and the sector, have played in the advancement of women's rights. Find out more and book a place here.
Staff wellbeing training
Run by the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC), this training [27th April, 26th May, online, free] has been developed in response to findings showing staff wellbeing was a major concern amongst respondents to WRC's survey on the impact of Covid-19 on the women's sector. Priority will be given to women-specific organisations in London. This is an opportunity to have a conversation about what is needed from workplaces to ensure staff well-being. The session is facilitated by WRC trainers, but everyone will be welcome to participate and contribute. Find out more and book a place here
Equality Act training
This Equality Act training course [21st May, online, free] offers understanding of how the Equality Act 2010 can be used as a valuable tool to assert rights and challenge discrimination. It is delivered by Rights of Women and primarily uses case examples from women's rights and tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) contexts. It is free for women’s organisations or projects based in London working with those affected by sexual and domestic violence. Find out more and book a place here.
Voices from lockdown – a way forward
Agenda, the alliance for women and girls, has a published a report which brings together research throughout the past year on the impact the pandemic has had on women and girls and the organisations supporting them. Agenda surveyed and interviewed over 150 services that support some of the most disadvantaged women and girls, as well as interviewing women with lived experience and holding roundtables to gather insight. Research reveals a deeply concerning increase in poverty and destitution and a growing future crisis in women and girls’ mental health. At a time when women and girls require additional emotional support, many services have had to close or reduce support, plunging more women and girls into crisis situations. Find out more and access the report here
Exploring the criminal justice response to women who kill abusive men
The Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) has published a report titled ‘Women who kill: how the state criminalises women we might otherwise be burying’. It is the culmination of a four-year study exploring the criminal justice response to women who kill abusive men. Through in-depth interviews with both women and criminal justice practitioners, the research explores the extent to which the law itself, and the way the law is applied, prevents women accessing justice. Although focused on the very few women who kill, the research carries broader lessons for the response to all those whose offending is linked to their experience of abuse. CWJ found that women often do not disclose abuse and, if they do, limitations within the criminal justice process – and a lack of expertise amongst advocates and judiciary alike – mean it is inadequately considered, if at all. Read the report here
Women’s imprisonment factsheets
After an analysis of local court data published by Prison Reform Trust (PRT) last year which showed a continued postcode lottery in women’s imprisonment rates, PRT has updated their women’s imprisonment factsheets for each police force area in England and Wales. Find the factsheet for women in your area here
Violence against women and girls: good practice in integrated approaches
Advance, together with partners from its Angelou Partnership, hosted a webinar exploring principles, shared learnings and showcased best-practice models to develop and commission specialist integrated services tackling violence against women and girls. A coordinated community response is required to address the intersectional needs of survivors of abuse, and the long-lasting and far-reaching impact on their lives, whilst holding perpetrators to account. Watch a recording of the webinar here
Cultural mediation helps women navigate the system
A report by Hibiscus Initiatives shows how cultural mediation can be used to create space where women who are trafficking survivors can use their own words and languages to express what they are going through and build agency to ask for what they need. One of the main purposes of cultural mediation is to ensure integration in the host society. This is crucial as it acts as a bridge between institutions and migrants. This can be achieved by creating a safe space, listening to women’s needs, applying a non-judgemental lens, and building trust. Hibiscus provides trauma-informed services for black and migrant women in the community and prisons. Download a copy of the report here
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women in prison
The Traveller Movement has published a report with new insights into the experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women in prison. Gypsy and Traveller women are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, forming approximately 6% of the prison population, and 0.1% of the general population. In addition to bringing together a range of wider research, the report provides examples of good practice, as well as recommendations to implement reform that will benefit Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women. The Traveller Movement promotes the use of out of court disposals, community sentences, better sentence planning and trauma informed rehabilitation. Read the full report here
Campaigns against plans to expand women’s prisons
The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched a campaign to stop the government building an additional 500 prison places for women. It argues that this expansion of the prison estate will cost millions to build and run and says that the sums being spent will dwarf the money being given to women’s centres and organisations working in the community to prevent crime and support women – work that the Ministry of Justice’s own research shows reduces crime and turns women’s lives round. The charity is asking people to email their MP to persuade the government to stop these plans to back its own stated policy to keep women out of the criminal justice system wherever possible. Read the blog here and sign up to the campaign here
Distressing prison conditions during the pandemic
CEO of Women in Prison, Dr Kate Paradine, wrote in iNews about the situation for women in prison during coronavirus and how strict regimes have "exposed prisons for what they are – a dead end, unnecessarily tearing families and communities apart". She adds the devastating impact on women’s mental health over the past year makes government plans to build 500 new prison places for women even more baffling and signposts to WIP’s #StopThe500 campaign. Read the article and find a link to the campaign here
Triangle Trust – new focus on young people
The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund has launched a new grants strategy for 2021. The Trust’s primary focus for 2021 is to help support the needs of young carers (round 1) and young people caught up in the criminal justice system (round 2). This marks a shift from previous years when the Trust focused its funding on unpaid adult carers and adults in the criminal justice system. Find out more and apply here
Funding for work with communities experiencing racial inequality
Grants of up to £10,000 are available from the Global Majority Fund for work in the UK that relieves the emergency needs of communities facing racial inequality and are impacted by the effects of Covid-19. The fund seeks to support communities typically but not exclusively referred to as black, Asian and minority ethnic. Organisations must have an income of less than £500,000 and be working with specific groups of people including those affected by: poverty; poor health and wellbeing; domestic abuse; poor or worsening mental health and homelessness. Find out more and apply by 5pm on 30th April here
If you have any comments about this ebulletin or feedback for improvement, please email Jackie Lowthian.
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