Tackling race inequality in the criminal justice system has, for many years, formed a part of Clinks’ influencing work to create systemic change. In doing this we have always sought to work in partnership with, and as an ally to, organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people.

Clinks supported the Lammy Review to engage with voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. We are now working to ensure that this engagement continues as the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service implement the Review’s recommendations. This has included supporting the Ministry of Justice to hold meetings between the voluntary sector and Ministers, and workshops on improving outcomes for racially minoritised children in the criminal justice system.

In 2014 Clinks published the Young Review into improving outcomes for young black and Muslim men in the criminal justice system. Since then we have continued, as members of the Young Review Independent Advisory Group, to drive forward its recommendations.

If you want to discuss issues or solutions, please contact Lorraine Maher.

Becoming an anti-racist organisation

Our aspiration is to make Clinks a truly anti-racist organisation in all we say and do, and how we operate internally and externally. In September 2020, our Board, with the full support of the senior management and wider staff team, committed to this.

Read more about this commitment and the steps we are taking here.

Read our blog Talking about racism: what language will we use? here.

Race and Justice Network

Race and Justice Manager, Lorraine Maher, is leading on the work of Clinks Race and Justice Network for organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people working in the criminal justice system. Join the network to:

• Get sector-specific information
• Influence policy and procedures within the CJS
• Showcase good practice and learn from others
• Network with likeminded organisations nationally
• Receive/offer training and development opportunities
• Receive a copy of the quarterly Race and Justice Network bulletin

To learn more about the value of the Race and Justice Network and find out how to become a member please click here. Alternatively please contact Lorraine Maher.

Registration to the Race and Justice Network is only open to Clinks members. Find out more about the benefits of becoming a Clinks member and how to join us here.

If you are already a Clinks member and would like to become part of the Race and Justice Network, please fill out this form.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

In March 2021, Clinks, as part of a coalition of criminal justice and race equality organisations, wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister warning that the government’s plans for policing and sentencing will further entrench racial inequality in the criminal justice system. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC Bill) contains a number of proposals which the government has conceded will have a disproportionate impact on racially minoritised people in equality assessments, and was produced without consulting racially minoritised people or the organisations representing them. The letter calls for the government to withdraw elements of the Bill and launch a proper public consultation.

The coalition includes EQUAL, Criminal Justice Alliance, Clinks, Alliance for Youth Justice, Agenda, Transition to Adulthood Alliance, Prison Reform Trust, Zahid Mubarek Trust, Maslaha, Do It Justice Ltd, Revolving Doors Agency, Leaders Unlocked, Switchback and Women in Prison.

In May 2021, the coalition launched a petition calling on the government to withdraw clauses 60, 77(2)(b), 86(2)(b), 100-110 and 139-140 from the PCSC Bill and properly consult on its proposals. This was launched alongside detailing specific concerns about why the proposals will entrench racial inequality in the criminal justice system.

You can show your support for this work on social media by sharing the petition and using #EndCJSInequality.

Consultancy support

In 2020, Clinks administered funding on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) for consultancy support to organisations led by and specialised in supporting racially minoritised people working with, or interested in working with, people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families.

This support was part of a wider piece of work being conducted by the MoJ and HMPPS to promote and develop opportunities for organisations led by and specialised in supporting racially minoritised people in the voluntary sector to engage with current and future commissioning opportunities.