Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 858 | 15 November 2024

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Independent Sentencing Review - call for evidence

On 14 November 2024 the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) published further detail on the Independent Sentencing Review. The MoJ has opened a call for evidence to assist the Review. The call for evidence will be open until 9 January 2025.

The expert panel convened for the Review is seeking evidence across seven themes:

  1. History and trends in sentencing
  2. The structure of sentencing
  3. The use of technology within sentencing
  4. Community sentences
  5. Custodial sentences
  6. The progression of custodial sentences
  7. The individual needs of victims and offenders.

Clinks will be working with the sector to inform our response – keep an eye on our website, socials and Light Lunch for more information.

Read our latest blog for further detail on the call for evidence. You can respond to the call for evidence here

CLINKS NEWS: representing the voluntary sector at the London Assembly

On 12 November, Clinks Head of Influence and Communications, Sam Julius, spoke at The London Assembly Housing Committee meeting on Housing for women leaving prison. Sam drew on report findings from the RR3 Special Interest Group (SIG) on Accommodation and highlighted that recalls are a significant driver of the ongoing prison overcrowding crisis. 

📖 Read the RR3 Accommodation reports
📃 Find out more about the Committee agenda 
📺 And watch the meeting recording 

It is vital that the voice of the Voluntary sector is heard and Clinks will continue to represent and champion the views of our member organisations. If you want to learn more about getting involved, visit our website to see how you too can influence national policy.

MEMBER FOCUS: A Fairer Chance

A Fairer Chance formed in September 2011 to provide specialist employment and skills interventions for ex-offenders and those classed as Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET). The organisation works in partnership with employers and the welfare system to work towards placing clients into sustainable employment. Find out more

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: new Trustees join Unlock

Unlock, the national advice and advocacy charity for people with criminal records, welcomed six new trustees at their October Board meeting.

Chair of the Board, Faye Goldman, said: “I'm delighted to welcome an exceptional group of new trustees to the Unlock board. They bring a wide range of skills, diverse backgrounds and diverse perspectives. People with lived experience of the criminal justice system are involved in the charity from top to bottom, and I'm pleased to say the board is no different. We will draw on everyone's lived and learned experiences to shape Unlock's future and take its work from strength to strength in support of people overcoming the stigma and barriers of life with a criminal record.”

The new Trustees are: Peter Atherton, Rich McStraw, Fionnuala Ratcliffe, Mindy Sanghera, Kam Stevens, Belinda Winder.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: identifying, supporting and advocating for people with convictions

Clinks members are on the frontline of mentoring socially excluded people, many of whom will have criminal record. It won't always be obvious who has a conviction and what specialist support they can access when identified. If you're new to the Criminal Justice Sector or want a refresher, join the upcoming course by OffPloy [19 November, 09:15, online, free] on how to best Identify, Support and Advocate for those who deserve another chance. Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: using out of court resolutions for higher-harm offences

Join Transform Justice and speakers for a webinar on using out of court resolutions for higher-harm offences [5 December, 13:00 - 14:00, online, free].

Police are understandably reticent about using out of court resolutions for some higher-harm offences such as domestic abuse, hate crime and assaults on emergency workers. There is concern that this is soft justice and shows victims’ pain is not being taken seriously. But offence types can include a broad range of seriousness and sometimes diversion is favoured by the victims. How can police forces resolve sensitive crimes without going to court in a way that addresses the harm to victims and stops the person from doing it again? Sign up for the webinar here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Faith in communities - bridging the divide

This seminar will explore how strong faith and belief networks help improve social inclusion and break down barriers in communities [11 December, online, free] It will explore the role of faith and beliefs in different communities and the diverse approaches that faith communities and community chaplaincies are taking to support vulnerable people and make a positive impact in their neighbourhoods. Register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prison function changes

Please see the letter from Michelle Jarman-Howe, Chief Operating Officer Prisons regarding the change of function for a number of prisons across the North West, North East and London. 

As detailed in the letter, "A major factor behind this situation is the 70% increase in remand prisoners since 2020, resulting in a population of about 17,000 prisoners currently on remand. While SDS40, the early release scheme, has provided some immediate relief, further operational measures will be needed alongside the Sentencing Review that has been announced". 

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Q-Seed partnership event – roundtable with global majority CJS leaders

Black Men 4 Change, FORWARD and partners Clinks, Change Grow Live and Coding Black Females are excited to be supporting the Q-Seed leaders host an event [20 November, Portcullis House, London].

The event will be attended by the Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson, and will include an array of critical Black and global majority voices. The event will focus on:

  • Procurement of expertise from Black and global majority-led organisations: How the Ministry of Justice and wider government can better harness the knowledge and solutions offered by Black and global majority-led organisations.
  • Implementation of the Young Review and Lammy Review recommendations: Your vision for how the Government plans to implement key recommendations from these landmark reviews, and how Q-SEED can support in driving this agenda forward.
  • Addressing re-entry challenges for Black and global majority individuals: How we can collectively build a support system for those leaving the prison system, particularly in addressing mental health and accommodation challenges, where disparities persist.
  • Sentencing Review processes: Exploring how our expertise can contribute to the ongoing review of sentencing policies.
  • Mental health and trauma – building understanding of the impact that the criminal justice system has on the mental health of those in contact with it/those providing services, and why it should be central consideration in all system thinking.

Find out more and book your place here

NON-MEMBERS’ EVENT: Mental Health research dissemination event

Thank you to all who signed up for the University of York PAMHOP (Physical and Mental Health of Older Prisoners) Dissemination Event, where insights and findings from the research will be shared. Due to the demand, the University has decided to deliver this event solely online [27 November, 10:45 – 14:00, online, free]. 

The event details and access to the Teams meeting are shared below.

Join the PAMHOP Dissemination event on Microsoft Teams - Meeting ID: 325 079 657 167  Passcode: NZ4Bkw

FUNDING: MoJ VCSE Infrastructure Grant – Applications Open

The Ministry of Justice is inviting applications for the VCSE Infrastructure Grant, designed to support Third Sector organisations engaged in the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales. With a budget of [£3 million over four years, April 2025 - March 2029], this grant focuses on three key areas: providing practical support to around 1,700 voluntary organisations, enhancing communication within the sector, and fostering strategic engagement on policy matters.

Interested applicants can apply via the Bravo Portal using Reference ITT_9005. The application deadline is [13 December 2024, 13:00]. For registration assistance, please contact the e-sourcing support team at 0845 0100 132.

FUNDING: Northumbria PCC Community Fund

£100k is available to build on work that supports safer streets and stronger communities, following the civil disorder seen in the summer months.

The fund has been designed to empower local people and give communities affected by hate crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) a helping hand to cope and recover from recent experiences. It is also looking to support projects and initiatives that are determined to educate people and stamp our racism and hateful behaviours for good.

Micro grants of [£1K and larger grants of £5K] are to be made available to fund a range of projects including those that tackle hate crime or divert people away from anti-social behaviours. Susan is particularly interested in projects that will encourage the reporting of hate crimes or that will help engage and educate various groups. Find out more and apply here

FUNDING: grant opportunities for both West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has launched a Probation Grant opportunity to support people on probation from ethnically diverse communities in Yorkshire. HMPPS would like to further their understanding of how culture, heritage and social circumstances impact on the experience of people on probation and wish to explore innovative approaches to improve learning, personal development and skills, with a clear rationale or evidence focussing on support and Education, Training, and Employment(ETE) progression pathways that will assist the rehabilitative journey.

West Yorkshire Grant: A total of [£120,000 p.a. is expected to be available from April 2025 to April 2028] to cover the areas of Bradford and Calderdale, and Leeds.

South Yorkshire Grant: Probation Service Yorkshire and the Humber and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority are committed to ensuring that people from ethnically diverse communities have access to appropriate services and interventions while on probation and in the community. A total of [£60,000 is expected to be available from April 2025 to April 2028] to cover South Yorkshire.

To apply, please ensure that you are registered on the Probation Grants Application Portal.

RESOURCE: navigating prison healthcare

Pact (The Prison Advice & Care Trust) has worked with prisoners’ families to produce an online guide to navigating prison healthcare. The resource offers practical insights and compassionate guidance for anyone supporting a loved one in prison in England or Wales. Prisoners’ families can find information on what to expect from prison healthcare, who to contact, how to communicate effectively, common challenges, and top tips.

FEATURED VACANCY: Head of Business Development    

Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) is seeking a results-driven leader with experience in business development, a flair for partnership-building, and a deep understanding of the justice sector as our Head of Business Development [£57,500, full time, National]. As Head of Business Development, you will be at the forefront of Pact’s growth and innovation. With a focus on securing sustainable income, you’ll steer our business development strategy, engage with a wide network of partners, and play a hands-on role in developing funding opportunities that fuel Pact’s vision. This role is about creating pathways for transformative impact. If you’re a strategic thinker who thrives on making a difference and guiding teams to success. [Find out more and apply by 11th December here]. 

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Financial Wellbeing Project Manager with St Giles Trust [£34,500 - £42,000, based in one of St Giles’ offices across Wales - Cardiff, Newport, Swansea or Wrexham with frequent travel and hybrid working, full time]; Head of Business Development with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£57,500, national, full time]; Criminal Justice Admin Assistant with The Reader [£22,145, part time]; CEO with HACRO [£50,000 - £60,000, St Albans & other sites in Herts, full time]; Training Lead with Nacro [£35,235, home-based, full time]; Leeds Centre Manager (Maternity Cover) with Together Women Projects [£36,523 - £37,075, Leeds, full time]; Administrator with St Giles Trust [£15/hour, Leeds, part time]; Supporting People On Probation Navigator with The Forward Trust [£24,000 - £28,647, Essex, full time]; Peer Coordinator with The Forward Trust [£24,000 - £28,647, HMP Norwich, full time].

For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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