Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 861 | 6 December 2024

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Annual Report and financial statements 2023-24

We have published our Annual Report & financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. Our Annual Report details our achievements and progress towards our strategic goals; plus our plans for the future, followed by a financial review. This annual report is the last to be delivered under our current strategy, ahead of the launch of our new strategy to 2030.

The report covers our activities for the year across our five strategic goals:

  • Understanding
  • Connecting
  • Voicing
  • Supporting
  • Developing

Read the report here, which includes a forward from Clinks C.E.O, Anne Fox, and our outgoing Chair of Trustees, Roma Hooper.

CLINKS NEWS: opportunity to design a 'proof of concept intervention' that will tackle the challenges of women in custody

The London livery companies have been funding projects within the criminal justice sector for over fifty years. In 2030, the Worshipful Company of Weavers will celebrate both the livery movement being 900 years old and their support of the justice sector since 1973. To mark this anniversary, the Weavers have agreed to continue their support for the sector up to 2030, with plans including:

a) Funding a Justice for Women summit in January 2025 to consider alternatives to women in custody.  To get more information on the Summit and apply for tickets, please visit: Collaborating to change the shape of justice for women

b) Announcing the design phase of a major sector-identified proof-of-concept intervention that will tackle the challenges of women in custody

c) Implementation of the proof-of-concept intervention

Find out more online

CLINKS NEWS: Independent Sentencing Review call for evidence

Clinks invites you to contribute to our response to the Independent Sentencing Review. Your insights will play a crucial role in shaping our submission and amplifying the voice of the voluntary sector. This is a valuable opportunity to share your experiences, evidence, and recommendations from working with people in prison and the community.

The survey addresses key themes from the Review's Terms of Reference and other important issues, with space to share publications and detailed evidence. Your time and insights are greatly appreciated. Complete the survey here

CLINKS EVENT: Annual conference and AGM 2024 - Connecting for Change

On Tuesday 3 December we held our annual conference and AGM 2024: Connecting for Change. It was fantastic to see so many members and sector colleagues in-person and we hope that those who were able to join us enjoyed the day as much as we did. 

We would like to say a special thank you to everyone who was involved in the delivery of our programme on the day; our performers, workshop facilitators and panellists, all of whom provided valuable and thought-provoking contributions to our conference, we are very grateful to them all. We will be looking to share resources with you from all of the day’s sessions over the coming weeks so as to continue our learning and discussion on these important topics.

MEMBER FOCUS: Invisible Walls 

Invisible Walls provide support to people in prison; their children, families and significant others. They operate visitor centres, provide family support and through the gate mentoring. They also deliver awareness raising training to schools with the aim of reducing the stigma around children with parents in prison. Invisible Walls' School Zone project aims to reduce the barriers to involvement in the education of the children. Find out more about their work here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: CourtWatch London is back

Are you interested in observing your local court? Transform Justice is restarting its mass court observation programme, where citizen volunteers – courtwatchers – observe the daily hearings in court and report what they see. This year the project is expanding its scope to cover all London magistrates' courts. Sign up to the volunteer mailing list to hear when they schedule CourtWatch training in the new year.

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Romance Fraud: the scam sweeping the UK

Catch 22 are hosting a webinar [12 December, online, free] looking at the issue of romance fraud from a variation of different perspectives. They will be discussing how individuals can spot the signs and protect themselves against it and how organisations like Catch22’s Victim Services work to support its service users when they become victims of romance fraud. The webinar will also discuss the legal processes behind identifying, prosecuting, and preventing romance fraud. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Advising with Conviction

Advising with Conviction [13 December, online, £200 - concession for small organisations: £180] is a full day workshop from Unlock, providing an in-depth look into the criminal records disclosure system for frontline practitioners and advisors supporting people with criminal records into employment, volunteering and education. Find out more and register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Trauma-informed practice: beyond the buzzword

Join the Centre for Justice Innovation for the next of their Expert Voices events [16 December, online, free] exploring trauma-informed practice within family justice and what this looks like in reality. The expert panel will consist of Dr Sheena Webb, Associate of the Centre and a consultant clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of children and family services. And, Nickii Webster, Associate of the Centre and a former Family Drug and Alcohol Court parent, who will draw on her experience of engaging in trauma-informed practice and support, highlighting the key differences between services that use this approach and those that do not. Find out more and register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: costs of bringing the prison estate into 'fair' condition

The National Audit Office have published estimates of the costs of bringing the prison estate into 'fair' condition, and maintaining it until 2029/30. In total, 13% of buildings have a Fabric condition rating of ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ and 18% of buildings have a Mechanical & Electrical rating of ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. The cost of bringing these buildings into 'fair' condition and maintaining them to the end of the decade is 1.4bn. In addition, the cost of complying with legal requirements on fire safety is an additional 1.4bn. Read the summary findings here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: increase in legal aid to support most vulnerable

The Ministry of Justice have announced that, subject to consultation and once fully implemented, an additional £20 million will be invested into the legal aid sector every year to ensure that vulnerable people forced into unfair housing legal battles and at risk of losing their home have access to legal advice. Also announced is an increase earmarked for immigration work, including to help victims of modern slavery and trafficking, and domestic abuse. Find out more here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: new measures to protect victims of domestic abuse

The Ministry of Justice have launched new protective orders for victims of domestic abuse. The Domestic Abuse Protection Notices can be issued by the police immediately following any incident of abuse, providing protection straight away and giving police time to apply for a Domestic Abuse Protection Order to secure longer term protection for the victim. The Notices will initially launch in Greater Manchester, three London boroughs and with the British Transport Police. They will also be used in Cleveland and North Wales from early 2025 ahead of a national rollout. Find out more detail here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: children of prisoners

On 4 December 2024, a debate was held in Westminster Hall on the topic of children of prisoners. Clinks' Families Network have discussed the Government's manifesto commitment to to identify and support children with a parent in prison. We will be publishing a blog soon outlining our position. Find out more about our families work here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prison Population Projections - 2024 to 2029

Yesterday the Ministry of Justice published a bulletin that presents prison population projections for England and Wales from October 2024 to March 2029. The resource outlines a projected "steady" population increase, particularly amongst adult males and adult females including those over 50 years old. The projections have been adjusted to reflect the recent impact of SDS40. It also acknowledges uncertainty due to other policy impacts, and therefore includes sub-population estimates alongside the effects of legislation, sentencing activity, and other factors relevant to the prison population. Read the bulletin online.

PUBLICATION: The impact of a crumbling prison estate on prisoners

Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) monitor and report on the conditions and treatment of those detained in every prison in England and Wales, as well as every immigration detention facility across the UK. Last week a thematic monitoring report was published highlighting unacceptable conditions assessed in the prison estate. This report provides an overview of the impact of aging buildings and delayed maintenance and repairs on men and women in adult prisons and children and young people in young offender institutions (YOIs).
It is based on:

  • A survey completed by 86 IMBs (79% response rate) over a five-week period in mid-2024.
  • Findings from IMBs’ most recent annual reports. 

Read more on IMB's website

PUBLICATION: Probation Quarterly

Issue 34 of Probation Quarterly includes articles from academics and professionals on a wide range of topics. This issue includes:

· Thoughts on the Independent Sentencing Review

· Reflections on the process of supervision and ideas for a more holistic approach

· Approaches to inspire people to want to become probation officers.

Read the issue here

FEATURED VACANCY: Finance Lead 

Abandofbrothers (ABOB) is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Finance Lead to join their team [£41,600, part time, remote]. In this role, you will oversee the charity’s financial operations, ensuring that their financial systems, reporting, and compliance continues to be in line with legal and regulatory requirements. Reporting to the General Manager, with a dotted line to the Treasurer, you will work closely with the Leadership Team and play a key role in managing budgets, monitoring financial performance, and providing strategic financial advice. ABOB is a volunteer led charity that works exclusively with men and supports young men aged 18-25 involved in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system. Find out more and apply here by 18 December 2024

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Support Worker 24/81 with Imagine Independence [£19,687 FTE, Merseyside part time]; Research and policy officer with Transform Justice [£28,000-£31,000, remote/London, full time]; Prison Accommodation Adviser with St. Giles Trust [£22,000-£28,000, HMP Leeds and HMP Wealstun, full time]; Accommodation Adviser with Shelter [£31,133, Lincoln, full time]; Head of Talent & Development with Nacro [£58,365, Birmingham, full time]; Prison Facilitator with Shannon Trust [27,584, HMP Manchester, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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