Festive period closure: Clinks offices (including NCJAA) will be closed from 17:30 on 24 December until 09:00 2 January 2025.
The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice.
In this month's issue..
- National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance news
- Arts in criminal justice news and publications
- Events and training
- Resources and opportunities
Introducing the Influencing Toolkit
“I am delighted to launch the Inspiring Futures Influencing Toolkit. As the chair of the NCJAA Advisory Group, I have seen the journey from arts organisations and practitioners contributing to the Inspiring Futures research project, through to an expert group from the arts sector, working to shape and develop this resource. It is a fantastic tool for highlighting the vital role of arts and creativity in prison and in communities; and for influencing better outcomes for all those impacted by the criminal justice system. I encourage everyone to use it at every opportunity to amplify your voice.”
Sarah Hartley, Co-Chair, NCJAA Advisory Group
The Influencing Toolkit is a resource for raising the profile of arts in criminal justice, building relationships, and influencing change. Created with support from the NCJAA, the Toolkit includes a briefing and set of digital assets based on the Inspiring Futures research and other evidence, as well as information on who to influence.
Why use the Inspiring Futures toolkit?
Whether you are heading up an organisation, speaking up for change, or just beginning your journey in criminal justice, this toolkit has been designed to help you:
- Amplify positive stories and achievements: share accounts of resilience and transformation
- Promote arts activities and programmes: highlight the resources and support available to those impacted by the justice system.
- Build connections: see the different officials and leads working in the arts and who to approach.
Download the NCJAA Inspiring Futures Toolkit here.
Save the date: 19 March 2025 - Art of the Matter
For 2025, Clinks’ Family Network and the NCJAA Anne Peaker Lecture are joining forces to bring you an in-person event: Art of the Matter - If family relationships are the golden thread to supporting children affected by parental imprisonment, what role can the arts play in this? Join us on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at Rich Mix in London. Booking information to be available in the new year.
Bringing arts practice to Clinks’ annual conference
Clinks annual conference was held on 3 December. A photographer and illustrator captured the day, including a NCJAA workshop and performances.
Illustrations: Clinks Conference 2024 - Jazz Thompson
As the RR3 seat holder for the arts, and using Open Clasp methodology, Catrina McHugh worked with Anna Herrmman, Clean Break, and Rachel Tynan, Clinks Influence and Communications, to deliver an interactive workshop using the arts to create a safe space for discussion and debate. Working in four small groups, they each focused (and critically examined) the criminal justice system, those affected by it, the government and ‘we the people’, so the voluntary sector. The workshop concluded with a strategy for change, taking us from where we are now to where we want to be in 10yrs time.
The workshop was chaired by Jon Collins, Chief Executive Prisoners’ Education Trust, who said: “The workshop was a brilliant opportunity to think creatively and collaboratively about the better, fairer justice system that we all want to create and the steps that we can all take together to get there. We all often get stuck in the immediate challenges and the day-to-day issues, so it was a welcome change of pace to get a chance to think about the future and how we can contribute to it”.
Photography Clinks Conference 2024 - Laiani Rose
Finding Rhythms kicked off the conference with performances by Lenox aka “JD” and Johnathan Aaron Clarke aka "johnny soul". Both are participants on Finding Rhythms' Making Waves programme, which supports people at risk of offending through one-on-one sessions with a professional music producer in their South London studio.
JD performed original tracks inspired by Amapiano, Grime, and Drill, while johnny soul shared his song, Christmas Blues, accompanied by Robin Harris on keys.
Finding Rhythms is accepting new referrals for Making Waves. If you know someone who could benefit, email Catherine at or fill out a referral form to get started.
Photography Clinks Conference 2024 - Laiani Rose
Clinks Annual Report 2023-24
Clinks has published its Annual Report & financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The report details achievements and progress towards Clinks’ strategic goals; plus plans for the future, followed by a financial review. Also detailed is the work of the NCJAA, its reach and the Inspiring Futures research programme. This annual report is the last to be delivered under Clinks’ current strategy, ahead of the launch of its new strategy to 2030.
The report covers Clinks’ activities for the year across its five strategic goals:
- Understanding
- Connecting
- Voicing
- Supporting
- Developing
Read the report here, which includes a forward from Clinks C.E.O, Anne Fox, and outgoing Chair of Trustees, Roma Hooper.
Clinks welcomes its new Chair, Mandy Mahil
We are delighted to introduce Mandy Mahil as Clinks' new Chair of Trustees. Mandy brings extensive experience from across the voluntary and public sectors, a strong commitment to social justice, and a unique perspective shaped by her own lived experience. Her insight and dedication make her a powerful advocate for change, and she is ready to lead Clinks in supporting and empowering the sector. Join us in welcoming Mandy as she works to drive forward positive transformation alongside our community. Find out more in this blog
Amplifying your voice
In the last two months, arts organisations and practitioners have taken up the invitation by NCJAA and Clinks to feed into a number of policy discussions and reviews, including:
- Clinks State of the Sector
- HMPPS Dynamic Purchasing System
- Independent Sentencing Review – you can contribute to the Clinks response until 6 January 2025.
Your voices are a vital part of shaping policy and practice and we appreciate you taking the time to contribute your views.
Faye Claridge, Novus and the Prison Creative Art Project (PCAP)
A remarkable exhibition, We Roar, has just completed its 11-month tour, making it the first exhibition ever created by people in prison to tour nine consecutive prisons, and it also went to the USA. The Arts Council England funded project supported 40 people, half in US prisons and half in prisons in England, to create artwork and poetry in response to a shared brief. The final exhibition stops were the Manchester College and the University of Warwick, where the project impact report and summary film were launched, celebrating the achievements of all participants, lead artist Faye Claridge and key partners Novus and the Prison Creative Arts Project. The report and film can now be accessed online, at www.fayeclaridge.co.uk/weroar. Feedback that can be shared directly with exhibitors is also still welcome via the website.
Odd Arts celebrates a new home!
Odd Arts were thrilled to move into a new home this year, in the heart of their community. Odd Arts have big plans for the space to become a creative community hub, where people have their most basic human needs met (warmth, food) as well as their creative and holistic needs. This is an ideal location for Odd Arts to deliver their mental health programme Wellbeing Your Way, which also offers support to people who are reintegrating back into the community post prison.
Prison Population Projections - 2024 to 2029
The Ministry of Justice have 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 here
Creatively Minded and in Recovery: exploring participatory arts for people living with addictions
This report by academic and theatre practitioner, Dr Cathy Sloan, commissioned by the Baring Foundation, explores the relatively small – but artistically ambitious – world of creative arts for people in recovery from addictions (drugs, alcohol and gambling). At the heart of the report are the 15 case studies provided by recovery arts organisations, covering a range of art forms but with a particular emphasis on performance; some hosted by recovery services and others independent arts organisations. Read the report here
FairChecks | A short film - #FairChecks
"Name the only sentence that doesn't have a full stop”. A brand new short film highlighting the experiences of those facing the life-long barrier of a criminal record. Join the FairChecks campaign for criminal records reform today. Watch it here
Scenes from Lost Mothers
1 February 2025 – 31 March 2025
A new play from Clean Break and the University of Hertfordshire, shinning a light on the real experiences of women navigating pregnancy and separation from their babies while in prison. Touring educational and professional settings through February and March 2025. Find out more here
NCJAA Writing Development Workshop: Editing and Proof Reading
13 February 2025 | online | free
Editing and proofreading are two distinct but related skills, and this workshop helps you to develop both. It's full of tips and tricks, including:
- Editing your writing to make it concise, accurate and readable
- Making sure your writing strikes the right tone
- Proofreading tips that will help your writing shine
- Ensuring 'Let's eat, Grandma' doesn't slip through as 'Let's eat Grandma' (commas matter!).
Using discussion and practice activities, this workshop offers you a chance to develop your editing and proofreading skills, with the help of an experienced professional writer from the Royal Literary Fund. Book your place here
NCJAA Writing Development Workshop: Writing Complaints
11 March 2025 | online | free
Our writing complaints workshop will help you develop skills and techniques including:
- Organising your thoughts and deciding what you want to say
- Structuring what you write in a clear, logical way
- Making your writing easy to understand, and what you say easy to follow
- Writing in a way that's appropriate and will help achieve a resolution.
The first part of the workshop will be structured around writing, or helping someone to write, an effective complaint. The second part will focus on dealing with external complaints, including those made in a public forum such as Facebook or other social media platforms. We will look at multiple examples and use discussion and writing exercises to practice complaint writing skills. At the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of how to approach a complaint. Book your place here
Open Clasp's new show RUPTURE
12 March 2025 | Gala Theatre, Durham | various prices
Open Clasp Theatre Company are delighted to invite you to an event that showcases their latest production, Rupture. Rupture is a one-woman show made in partnership with NEPACS and Durham University that showcases their latest collaboration on Mothers, Prison and Parental Rights. Created with women in HMP Low Newton, the show shines a spotlight on the impact of imprisonment on mothers, focusing on how mothers who have had children removed from their care, navigate their parental rights from inside prison. The play will showcase the research findings and achievements of the Parental Rights in Prison Project, a specialist His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) funded prison-based intervention in HMP Low Newton women’s prison between January 2021 and December 2022. Rupture brings to life this vital research surrounding the true-life experiences of mothers in prison. Following the performance, a panel of experts will be invited to respond to the themes tackled in the play in a post-show panel discussion. We want to kick start a conversation about mothers, prison and parental rights, and for us to collectively explore how we can bring about change. Find out more and book here
HMPPS Small Grants Scheme alert
His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are piloting a Small Grants Scheme for awarding individual grants (under £10k) to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations operating and registered in UK.
The scheme has three key aims which contribute to HMPPS aims of protecting the public and reducing reoffending. The Scheme aims to look at:
- Improving people’s experience of prison and probation and other rehabilitation activities
- Supporting an individual’s rehabilitation and desistance journey; and
- to improving our knowledge about what activities work to support people and to encourage rehabilitation and desistance.
Each individual grant will be competed over a two-week period. The grants will be available within selected prisons in the North and Northeast, Northwest, South Central and Wales.
The first three grants will be advertised on the 6 January 2025. The final grant will be advertised no later than 20 February 2025. During that period, it is advisable to check Home - Find a grant regularly and search for HMPPS Small Grants Scheme.
Arkbound Foundation’s “Writing Within Walls” programme - free writing, mentoring and publishing opportunities
Being a lived experience, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) founded and led writing and publishing charity since 2017, Arkbound know that reflecting and writing is a powerful tool for knowing and understanding oneself and the world around us. In particular, that rehabilitation only becomes successful when those sentenced receive an opportunity to reflect on the past.
The festive season is a time to reflect. Arkbound’s opportunities for prisoners and people with experience of incarceration is available in 2025. You can view publish works here
Free workshops with The Royal Literary Fund
The Royal Literary Fund has worked with Clinks and the NCJAA for several years, offering free workshops in writing skills, led by professional writers.
We would now like to ask YOU - the organisations working directly with people with lived experience of the criminal justice system - if we can also offer you free workshops. The offer is for both staff and those accessing the service you provide and includes:
- Personal statement writing
- CV writing
- Fundraising bid writing
- General writing with confidence skills
- Report writing
- Writing for Self Expression
We have recently worked successfully with HACRO on writing personal statements for people wanting to find employment, volunteering, public speaking, access to education, and more. Our writer-facilitators work on supporting people to use writing to transform their life experiences into evidence of their resilience, strength of skills and ability to change and move on.
If you would like to know more, please email anna.reynolds@rlfeducation.org.uk by 20 January 2025
Vacancies
Actor/Groupworker - Geese Theatre Company
Development Coordinator – Clean Break
Various opportunities – Shannon Trust
Want to post a vacancy?
Clinks members can post job and volunteer vacancies on our Jobs Board for free.
Full instructions for uploading a vacancy can be found here.
For assistance, email membership@clinks.org
Take a creative break
Do you reminisce for those 8,16, and 32-bit days of yore? Recreate them or experiment with new designs using this free pixel art tool.
Want to include something in the next newsletter?
The next NCJAA newsletter will be sent on 27 February. If you have any news, opportunities or events relating to art organisations or projects within the criminal justice system that you would like included, please submit your information via our online form by 17 February 2025.
-----------------------------------------------------------
This newsletter is bi-monthly. Email artsalliance@clinks.org if you wish to submit any news.
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance is embedded in Clinks.
Get involved Become a Member | Follow Clinks on Twitter | Follow NCJAA on Twitter
Contact us www.clinks.org | www.artsincriminaljustice.org.uk | info@clinks.org | 020 4502 6774
Click here to manage your subscriptions. For assistance, email info@clinks.org