Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 873 | 21 March 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS EVENT: Women's Network Forum

This meeting of the forum [26 March, 10:00-12:00, online, free] will provide updates following the first meeting of the Women’s Justice Board and the publication of the first report from the Independent Sentencing Review. We will also hear about the Prisons Capacity Review, led by Dame Anne Owers. The latter part of the forum will focus on The Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). Come along to hear from Anne Fox, Clinks CEO and member of the Women’s Justice Board, Nicola Drinkwater, Director of External Affairs and Campaigns, Women in Prison and RR3 women’s specialist seat holder. There will be opportunities for questions and discussion. Find out more about eligibility here 

MEMBER FOCUS: Artswork 

Artswork, based in Southampton, believe work is transformational – offering a sense of purpose, whilst building confidence and self-worth. This is why they do what they do – offering work and training opportunities for those struggling with addiction or a history of offending, giving some of the most overlooked and marginalised people in our community a fresh start. Find out more about Artswork here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Westminster Hall debate on Miscarriage of Justice Compensation

The case of Brian Buckle, a victim of a miscarriage of justice, was debated in Parliament this week. Brian spent five years in prison, before new evidence proved that his conviction was unsafe. 

The debate included a focus on the rejection of Buckle's compensation claim. The Law Commission is currently consulting on reform to the law governing criminal appeals. 

You can read the full transcript of the miscarriage of justice compensation debate from Wednesday 19 March. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HMPPS is moving towards recovery-oriented systems

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is shifting towards a recovery-oriented system of care to address drug and alcohol use in prisons and probation, focusing on long-term rehabilitation rather than punishment. A recently recorded Insights event explores why this approach is needed, how it works in practice, and its potential impact on reducing reoffending.

Experts discussed the importance of holistic, person-centered support, better collaboration between services, and the role of lived experience in shaping effective interventions. A recording of the event is now available for those interested in learning how this shift could transform substance use recovery within the criminal justice system. Read more and watch the recording of the event here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Women's Justice Partnership Delivery Group

The recruitment of specialist external stakeholders to the Women’s Justice Partnership Delivery Group has now concluded. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is pleased to confirm the following appointees for each specialist area:

  • Kate Morrissey, Regional Head of Health and Justice for East of England, NHS England (Women’s health, including substance misuse)
  • Liz Mack, CEO of Advance (Community services for women (including Whole Systems Approaches, local partnership working, and co-commissioning and procurement of services))
  • Baljit Banga, CEO of Hibiscus (Organisations led by or focused on racially minoritised women)
  • Sarah Louise Home, Director of Care for Willowdene (Accommodation and residential services)
  • Naomi Delap, Director of Birth Companions (Pregnant women and mothers with young children in the CJS)
  • Natasha Finlayson, CEO of Working Chance (Education, training and employment for women)
  • Cherryl Henry-Leach, CEO of Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (Violence against women and girls, particularly women as victim and offender)

Nicola Drinkwater, Director of External Affairs & Campaigns at Women in Prison, has also been appointed to the Group in her role as the women's seat holder for the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). 

The MoJ will continue to engage more widely with the Clinks Women’s Network across all of the Women’s Justice Board priorities and on the overall aim of reducing the number of women in prison. The first meeting of the Women’s Justice Partnership Delivery Group will take place on [24 March].

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HM Inspectorate of Probation 2024 Annual Report

The 2024 Annual Report from HM Inspectorate of Probation warns that staff shortages, lack of experience, and overwhelming caseloads are significantly impacting the effectiveness of the Probation Service.

Key findings include:

  • Too few staff: Chronic understaffing is leading to unmanageable workloads.
  • Lack of experience: Many probation officers are newly qualified and lack adequate training.
  • Excessive caseloads: Officers are handling too many cases, making it difficult to assess and manage risks effectively.

HM Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones CBE, has called for urgent action to improve staffing levels, training, and support to ensure the service can effectively rehabilitate offenders and protect the public. Read the full report

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Wrongly convicted or wrongly sentenced? Information sessions

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is the official body set up to investigate miscarriages of justice. They are currently offering free, 1 hour, online information sessions to all charities and volunteer groups who support people with convictions. The sessions will focus on how the CCRC investigates cases from people who were convicted and sentenced in magistrates’ courts and youth courts, and what they can do to help, if they believe someone has been wrongly convicted and wrongly sentenced. The purpose of these sessions is so charities and volunteer groups can confidently know when to signpost the CCRC’s free service, and to give volunteer groups an opportunity to ask the CCRC any questions. If you are interested in one of the CCRC’s free online sessions, please email the CCRC at outreach@ccrc.gov.uk. There are a range of dates and times available, all are delivered online and for free: [09 April, 11:00 | 17 April, 13:00 | 29 April, 11:00 | 13 May, 10:30]

NON-MEMBER'S EVENTS AND TRAINING: Violence anonymous online launch

Join Socio Logical for the online launch of Violence Anonymous [26 March, 12:00 - 12:45, online, free] a ground-breaking national intervention designed to engage individuals at risk within the pre-hate and harm space, utilising a crucial clinical lens. Violence Anonymous offers a unique approach to addressing the root causes of potential violence, providing a structured framework for intervention and support. This launch event will provide::

  • An in-depth overview of the Violence Anonymous program: Understand the methodologies, principles, and clinical foundation of this vital initiative.
  • Insights into the pre-hate and harm space: Explore the critical factors that contribute to at-risk behaviors and learn how to identify and address them effectively.
  • Practical strategies for implementation: Discover how you can integrate Violence Anonymous into your existing practice to enhance your intervention capabilities.
  • Networking opportunities: Connect with fellow practitioners and experts in the field, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
  • Q&A session: Get your questions answered directly by the program developers and clinical experts.

This launch is essential for professionals working to prevent violence and promote community safety; support individuals at risk of engaging in harmful behaviors; develop effective intervention strategies grounded in clinical understanding; and enhance their professional knowledge and skills in the pre-hate and harm space. Register here

OPPORTUNITY: Social prescribing for people on probation

As part of their work on developing a wellbeing framework, HMPPS have created a short survey to learn more about organisations providing social prescribing services and activities to people on probation. If you provide services or support to people on probation (or would like to) please take a few minutes to complete the survey. 

RESOURCE: The Artist Care project 

The Artist Care project is delighted to share a new research report and set of principles for supporting artists who work in complex and challenging settings. The report can be found at: Artists Care Project - University of Wolverhampton.

The report presents evidence of the ways organisations and individuals seek, offer and engage in care and supervision to support artistic work in challenging and complex settings. It provides insights into how organisational structures and governance create opportunities for providing care for staff and the lived experience of being a freelance musician.

The University of Wolverhampton want people and organisations across the sector to use and develop their principles for Artists’ Care. They would be grateful if colleagues in the sector could share the report with their networks and provide feedback to them on use of the principles. Read the report here

REPORT: Just Existing?

Lived Expert has published a new report; Just Existing?, based on a user-led consultation with nearly 300 opiate-addicted prisoners. It highlights a gap between policy and reality, with 89% on methadone, 41% receiving no psychological or social support, and 72% getting no mental health treatment. Rather than calling for more services or funding, the report urges an honest conversation on improving treatment, led by lived experience. It raises four key questions on continuity of care, agency in treatment, shared understanding of recovery, and commissioning of services. Read Just Existing? here

FEATURED VACANCY: Community Coach 

Standout are seeking a responsible individual to join our team [£27,500 - £30,000, full time, London]. As a Community Coach you will provide vital support to people who have completed our course in prison and are now in the community working to find the stability they need to realise their potential, achieve their goals and rebuild their lives after prison. This is an exciting time to join our Community Team as we look to broaden and deepen the support we offer participants as they leave prison. You will help shape our participants; drawing on your experiences and creativity and working with our other Community Coaches to trial new approaches. Find out more and apply by 24 March here 

FEATURED VACANCY: Volunteering Officer 

Standout are seeking a value-driven individual to join our team [£28,000 - £30,000, full time, London]. As a Volunteering Officer you will be blending people skills with administration, organisation with adaptability, assertiveness with a human touch. You don’t need to have had a role directly including managing volunteering, but transferable experience from another organisation that includes volunteers would be useful. This role would be ideal for someone with an interest in criminal justice who communicates as well in person, as online and in writing. We know that applicants come from many backgrounds with experiences that might not seem “standard” and that’s okay! We value people who bring unique perspectives and knowledge. Find out more and apply by 31 March here  

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Prison Facilitator - The Mount with Shannon Trust [£28,274 FTE, HMP The Mount, part time]; Prison Family Services Resettlement Intervention Worker x2 with Spurgeons [£33,427 - £37,632, HMP Elmley, full time]; Prison Facilitator - HMP Portland with Shannon Trust [£28,274, HMP Portland, part time]; Prison Facilitator - HMP Lindholme with Shannon Trust [£28,274, HMP Lindholme, part time]; Support Worker with The Growth Company [£27,500, Blackpool, full time]; IRS Wellbeing Service Senior Coordinator with Back on Track [£33,986 - £37,517, Manchester, full time]; Director of Finance & Company Secretary with Lucy Faithfull Foundation [£63,419 - £70,000, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, full time]; Volunteering Officer with StandOut [£28,000 - £31,000, Vauxhall, London, full time]; Community Coach with StandOut [£27,500 - £30,000, London, full time]; Receptionist and Team Lead Administrator with The Nelson Trust [£24,000 - £26,000, South Wales, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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