Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 869 | 21 February 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: The Independent Sentencing Review

A new Clinks blog analyses the findings of the Independent Sentencing Review’s report into the history and trends of sentencing. It examines how sentencing policies have evolved, the impact on prison populations, and the shift toward longer and tougher sentences over recent decades.

Key points include:

  • Trends in sentencing and their impact on reoffending.
  • Historical shifts in sentencing policy and prison expansion.
  • The need for evidence-based reforms to improve justice outcomes.

The blog provides valuable insight into how sentencing has shaped the criminal justice system and what reforms could be considered in the future. Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: update on the Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System

Following a letter from Phil Copple, Director General of Operations, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), we have updated our blog on ongoing engagement with HMPPS and the Ministry of Justice UK (MoJ) to include details on the the Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System (PEDPS). Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: Justice & Women - Grant funded opportunity to advise the Weavers

Following our successful joint summit with the Weavers' Company on 30 January, Clinks is continuing to support the Weavers in finding an intervention design partner to shape a new direction for women and justice. As part of the Phase 2 opportunity, an online Q&A session is being held on [26 February,14:00-15:00, online, free]. This one-hour session is open to those interested in participating and looking for further clarification. Register here

CLINKS EVENTS: 

Take advantage of the upcoming Clinks events for Feb/Mar 2025 which we have listed below.

MEMBER FOCUS: The Sapphire Employability and Wellbeing Academy 

The Sapphire Employability and Wellbeing Academy (TSEAWA), rebranded in 2022 from the Sapphire Community Group, empowers individuals from racially marginalised and deprived communities of all ages through employability, wellbeing, and enrichment support. Their mission is to reduce mental health issues, homelessness, crime rates, and unemployment, while increasing education, training, and skills development. They mentor, coach, and provide resources to over 8,000 individuals, focusing on holistic support and early mental health interventions. Currently assisting 1,444 young people with plans to expand, they seek funding to continue offering accredited counselling services and meet rising demand. Find out more

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Changes to Risk-Assessed Recall Review (RARR) policy

HMPPS has announced updates to its Risk-Assessed Recall Review (RARR) policy, which determines how individuals on licence are recalled to prison.

Key changes include:

  • Revised risk assessment criteria to ensure recalls are proportionate.
  • Increased scrutiny of recall decisions, reducing unnecessary custodial returns.
  • Stronger emphasis on rehabilitation to support people on licence.

These changes aim to balance public safety with rehabilitation, ensuring that recall is only used when necessary. Read about the RARR policy update

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Prisoner Family Helpline, a market engagement event

The MoJ will be holding a virtual market engagement event [6 March, 14:00, online, free]. HMPPS Prisoner’s Family Helpline provides advice information on all aspects of the Criminal Justice System from what happens on arrest, visiting a prison, to preparing for release. In addition to practical support, the helpline is there to offer emotional support to support family’s emotional resilience and often advocate on behalf of the prisoner’s families and significant others. The chat bot can be used to support individuals with basic queries. Find out more and register here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Justice in Numbers pocketbook

The MoJ has published its February 2025 Justice in Numbers pocketbook. The pocketbook contains a range of statistical criminal justice data, in a format designed to be more easily accessible. Included are headline measures such as crime figures and the prison population, but also information such as probation caseload, self-harm incidents, reducing reoffending data and access to justice data. Read the pocketbook here

PUBLICATION: A call to reset homelessness policy

Homeless Link has submitted recommendations to the 2025 Comprehensive Spending Review, calling for a reset in homelessness policy to address rising demand and funding challenges.

Key proposals include:

  • Sustained investment in homelessness prevention services.
  • Better support for people leaving prison to prevent homelessness.
  • More secure funding for frontline services.

Homeless Link urges policymakers to prioritize housing stability, ensuring people have the support needed to avoid homelessness. Read the Homeless Link submission here

PUBLICATION: Racial disproportionality in youth violence

A new report by The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) calls for urgent action to tackle racial disproportionality in youth violence. It also proposes five evidence-based changes.

Black children are overrepresented at every stage of the justice system. They are:

  • five times more likely to be sentenced to custody for homicide;
  • 159% more likely to be stopped and searched;
  • more likely to be a homicide victim (34%), despite making up just 5% of 16-24 year olds.
  • Black Caribbean children are over three times more likely to be arrested than their population share.
  • White Irish and Gypsy or Irish Traveller children also face significant over representation, by 227% and 118% respectively.

The YEF Recial Disproportionality report also highlights inequalities across policing, youth justice, and mental health services.

FEATURED VACANCY: PA to the CEO and Office Administrator 

Spark Inside are seeking a highly organised and proactive individual to join our team [£30,000, Full Time and Part time, London]. In this role, you will support the CEO as their PA bring additional organisation and admin support to a small charity. You will also report to the Head of Finance and Operations on finance, HR and office support. You will be able to work with high levels of discretion, confidentiality and integrity. You will be comfortable working in a small organisation and taking responsibility for your work. Skills in CRM data entry and data reporting will be useful. Find out more and apply by 3 March here

FEATURED VACANCY: Young People's Circles Co-ordinator   

Circles South West is seeking suitably qualified person with experience of working with young people with harmful sexual behaviour to join their team as Dorset Young People's Circles Co-ordinator [£32,000-£38,640 Pro Rata, Part time]. Working with public protection, social care and education partners, you will coordinate Circles of Support and Accountability, and provide one-to-one interventions for young people, enabling young people to make safe choices; better understand and take responsibility for their behaviour, engage in positive activities, improve social connections, and enhance their self-worth. You will recruit, train and supervise small groups of volunteers and co-deliver training around working with people who have harmed sexually. Flexible working is required Find out more and apply by 7 March here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Project Assistant: Suicide Prevention Film Unit Project with Inside Job Productions [£25,207 FTE, working between HMP Wandsworth and Samaritans London/Surrey, part time]; Personal Wellbeing Coach with St Giles Trust [£23,700, interventions delivered across various locations in South Wales, full time]; WISE Project Support Officer with RIFT Social Enterprise CIC [£32,000 FTE, part time]; Personal Wellbeing Team Leader with St Giles Trust [£29,500 - £36,000, based in Wrexham with frequent travel across Wales, full time]; Team Leader with Inspire North [£29,538 - £32,882, Leeds, full time]; Floating Support Worker with Imagine Independence [£22,372, Sefton, full time]; Assistant Key Worker with Alana House, Parents and Children Together [£23,088 - £26,658, Reading, full time]; Key Worker with Alana House, Parents and Children Together [£24,745 - £30,243, Reading, full time]; Volunteer Teacher with Prison Sewing Project [voluntary, Pentonville Prison, Caledonian Rd N7 8TT, part time]; Recruitment Manager (hybrid) with Phoenix Futures [£35,500 - £38,585, London, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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