Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 884 | 06 June 2025

Light lunch

In this issue...

CLINKS NEWS: Framework on social prescribing in criminal justice

This joint briefing from Clinks and the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance lays out evidence, and provides recommendations, for a proposed justice-specific model of social prescribing.

This work, led by the voluntary sector, recognises that access to healthcare in custody is often limited or delayed, and that clinical thresholds exclude many in need. It calls for investment in voluntary sector-led approaches that are responsive to the needs of people with lived experience of the justice system. Read the briefing here 

CLINKS NEWS: Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

This Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, Clinks is platforming our members working with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community in the criminal justice system (CJS).

Grace Preston, Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer at the Traveller Movement has written a guest blog for Clinks about the importance of centring Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in discussions around racial disparities in the CJS. These communities are among the most marginalised, yet are often excluded from broader discussions on justice reform. Grace cites a November 2024 incident in Greater Manchester as an example of racial profiling and calls on organisations to reflect on how they support these groups during GRT History Month.

Keep an eye on Clinks comms this month for more from The Traveller Movement, as well as news and updates from Clinks members. Read the blog here

CLINKS NEWS: Evidence Library webinar - last chance to book!

Our latest Evidence Library review, Working with neurodivergent people in contact with the criminal justice system has been written by a number of members of the Neurodivergence in Criminal Justice Network (NICJN). 

NICJN Coordinators Dr. Tom Smith, Associate Professor in Law (UWE Bristol), and Dr. Nicole Renehan, ESRC Research Fellow (Durham University), will be hosting a webinar to discuss the latest evidence on working with neurodivergent individuals in the criminal justice system [11 June, 14:00-15:00, online free].

This session is part of our “A Matter of Fact: What the Evidence Tells Us” series, designed to complement our Evidence Library and provide you the opportunity to ask your questions to leading academics. Book your place here

MEMBER FOCUS: The Prisoners' Advice Service

The Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS) provides free legal advice and representation to adult prisoners in England and Wales regarding their rights, and regardless of the individual prisoners' means. PAS aims to educate and empower prisoners regarding the law and their legal and human rights. Find out more here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Prison recalls surge amid calls for reform

Switchback have published their Prison Recall Report 2025, a piece of participatory action research developed with Switchback’s Experts by Experience Board. It provides seven key recommendations to urgently address the recall crisis and highlights how the failure to effectively support people on release from prison is continuing to exacerbate the prison overcrowding crisis. It aligns with the Independent Sentencing Review's call for recall system reform to reduce prison capacity and enhance community safety.

The report reveals a 45% increase in prison recalls between October and December 2024, with 9,975 individuals recalled for breaching licence conditions between July and September 2024. This surge exacerbates prison overcrowding and highlights systemic issues in post-release support. Read the report here

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Mindful photography supporting survivors of domestic abuse

Mindful photography UK CIC is excited to share that they have received funding from Women in Business; Two Ridings Foundation to work with women and girls in and around York to deliver free therapeutic and mindful workshops over the coming year.

Mindful Photography allows us to slow down and take notice of our surroundings. Therapeutic Photography is a structured self-exploration process facilitated in a safe and safeguarded environment. If you would like to refer anyone to their face-to-face or online projects, or welcome Mindful Photography into your space to deliver a free workshop, please contact rebecca@mindfulphotography.org.uk

Mindful Photography acknowledges that men can also survivors of domestic abuse, and projects are provided under Rise to Thrive funding. For more information about the process of therapeutic photography visit www.mindfulphotography.org.uk or view the impact video here.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Substance Misuse Recovery Programme (Wales) 

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is pleased to announce the launch of the Substance Misuse Recovery Programme competition for Wales (ITT 9642), which was launched on 2 June. The deadline for submitting tender responses is [30 June at 11:00am]. 

Organisations interested in competing for contracts should onboard onto the Probation Dynamic Framework. You will need to qualify onto the dynamic Framework under the service category, geographical coverage, and financial thresholds listed below: 

  • Probation DF.04: Dependency and Recovery, or 
  • Probation DF.13: Cognitive and Behavioural Change 
  • Financial Threshold: £100k-£1m 
  • Region: Wales  

Suppliers can access the opportunity via this link to the Bravo portal

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: IOM Enhanced Wellbeing Service (South West)

HMPPS are pleased to announce that the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Enhanced Wellbeing Service (South West) competition (ITT 9643), is anticipated to be launched on [10 June 2025]. The deadline for submitting tender responses is [8 July at 11:00]. 

Organisations interested in competing for contracts should onboard onto the Probation Dynamic Framework. You will need to qualify onto the dynamic Framework under the service category, geographical coverage, and financial thresholds listed below: 

  • Probation DF.04: Dependency and Recovery, or 
  • Probation DF.07: Emotional Wellbeing 
  • Financial Threshold: £100k-£1m 
  • Region: South West  

Suppliers can access the opportunity via this link to the Bravo portal on or after 10 June.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Protective body armour for prison officers 

On Tuesday this week the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced that frontline prison officers working in the highest risk areas of the prison estate will be issued protective body armour. 

The Lord Chancellor said the Government is taking swift action to improve their safety. The decision follows a snap review after attack on prison staff at HMP Frankland. There is also an Independent review of separation centres which is ongoing. Read the MoJ press release: Protective body armour for prison officers in high-security settings

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Gypsy and Traveller inclusive services

Friends, Families and Travellers are pleased to announce this 1-hour training session webinar [19 June, 11:00-12:00, online, £50]. The training will explore the common barriers Gypsies and Travellers face when trying to access services. Examples of good practices will be shared and actionable recommendations for organisations to reduce barriers will be provided, making their services more accessible to Gypsies and Travellers.

As a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month special, tickets to this event are available at the discounted rate of £50 per attendee. Additionally, webinar attendees will have the opportunity to book further FFT Inclusive Services training sessions at a reduced price. Book your ticket here

CLINKS MEMBER’S EVENT: Forgiveness Café, second session

The Forgiveness Café is excited to invite you to the second session of the new participatory online initiative designed to explore forgiveness in a communal, discussion-based setting [26 June, 16.30 - 18.00, online, 'pay what you can' starting at £5]. The Forgiveness Café provides a unique opportunity for compassionate conversations on forgiveness and its application to our relationships, friendships, and everyday life.

This session will be facilitated by a team that includes storytellers and a close network of peers. In this virtual Café there will be an opportunity for a larger communal discussion as well as deeper conversations in smaller breakout groups. At the end of the event, participants will receive a resource sheet to take away and use for their own personal explorations.

Prior to each event, each participant will receive a set of guidelines. Please ensure you read these ahead of the gathering. The Forgiveness Café looks forward to welcoming you and growing this new community! Register here

CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: Identifying, Supporting & Advocating 

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 the specialist support they can access when identified. If you are new to the criminal justice sector or want a refresher, join Offploy's upcoming course [10 June, 09:15, online, free] on how to best Identify, Support and Advocate for those who deserve another chance. Book here

CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES:

Family Support Worker with Invisible Walls [£25,463, HMP Five Wells, part time]; Employment Advisor (Ref: EAL-251) with St Giles Trust [£27,000, Barnsley with travel across South Yorkshire, full time]; Legal Administrative Officer with The Howard League for Penal Reform [£33,418, Faringdon, full time]; Employment Adviser with Achieve [£26,485–£30,012, Greater Manchester, full time]; Reading Specialist – HMP Nottingham with Shannon Trust [£28,274, HMP Nottingham, part time]; Visits Centre Assistant with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£28,875, HMP Rochester, part time]; Family Engagement Worker with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£25,725, HMP Aylesbury, full time]; Family Engagement Manager (Scale 3) with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) [£31,500, HMPYOI Feltham, full time].

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

READS OF THE WEEK:

EXTRA INFORMATION:

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