This short briefing is intended to provide a review and update on recent announcements and developments in the prison-building and commissioning programme. Download at: Clinks Member's Briefings

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: MoJ Structural Reform Plan published

The Ministry of Justice's Structural Reform Plan has been published, providing the first step towards submitting a comprehensive proposal to HM Treasury on the Department's priorities, spending and savings for the next four years, to March 2015. This will form part of the Government's Spending Review (SR10), due to be published in the autumn. The five priority areas include: Reform of Sentencing and Penalties; Rehabilitation Revolution - looking at the role of prison, probation and community sentences; Courts and Legal Aid; Modernisation of the Prison Estate; and Civil Liberties. Download the Plan at: MoJ

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: HM Chief Inspector of Prisons steps down

Over 900 people attended Dame Anne Owers' farewell speech 'Inside Out: Reflections on Nine Years as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' where she spoke about a prison system 'too big to fail...too big to succeed'. Anne welcomed the current government's commitment to ending the revolving door of prisons and for investment in alternatives to prison, as well as continuing investment in other services, such as mental health or substance misuse, so that prison is not the route by which people get support. The full speech, press release and PRT comment are available at: Prison Reform Trust

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Minister questioned on prison capacity and reoffending rates

Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, was asked 'what estimate he has made of prison capacity in each of the next three years'. He responded that the Government believed there to be enough prison places for those whom the courts judge should receive a custodial sentence. He went on to talk about the role of the VCS and reoffending rates. Read more at: Parliament

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: inspectorate report on women in prison

'Women in prison' is a short thematic report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. It draws together the findings of the most recent inspection reports on all 14 current women’s prisons in England and Wales, and also compares the findings of women prisoners surveyed since 2003. It therefore provides an overview of the conditions and treatment in women’s prisons, and an account of any significant changes in women’s perceptions of the prison experience. The main themes identified areas: closed women’s prisons are now nearly all fulfilling a multiplicity of roles and can no longer be defined as ‘local’ or ‘training’ prisons; women fare much better in open or semi-open prisons; there have been improvements in most women’s prisons. The report warns that there remain areas of serious concern including self-harm, safety, dormitory accommodation, resettlement, and foreign nationals. Download at: MoJ

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: latest prison factfile

The latest Bromley Briefings have been published by Prison Reform Trust. This essential publication brings together all the statistics regarding the English and Welsh prison population, including women, foreign nationals, young people, mental health and prison work and volunteering. Available to download at: Prison Reform Trust

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Think tank’s views on overhauling the CJS

The Centre for Social Justice has published a Green Paper calling for a radical overhaul of Britain's multi-billion pound failing criminal justice system. The report, which also calls for root and branch reform of the addiction treatment system, claims a catalogue of failure in key areas such as policing, prisons, drug and alcohol addiction and courts and sentencing.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: restructuring NOMS

A briefing paper from the National Association of Probation Officers 'Performance of NOMS: The case for restructuring' claims that NOMS has failed to deliver its prime objective of a merged, effective, prison and probation service. The existence of NOMS undermined the ability of the probation service to achieve its fundamental aims of preventing reoffending, and offender supervision. Read the report at: NAPO

FUNDING: local and regional pots – Leeds, Manchester & Kent

Financial assistance is available to local community groups for projects that benefit the people and communities of Manchester’s Trafford Metropolitan Borough. Grants are available for organisations in Leeds that are helping disadvantaged people into work through skills development, or who are tackling social inclusion and education with financial literacy and money advice initiatives. Details at: Leeds Community Foundation. And financial assistance is available to local groups, organisations and charities for projects that benefit the people and communities of Kent. Details at: Kent Community Foundation

FUNDING: helping the homeless

Help The Homeless's main funding remit is the regular allocation of Small Grants (generally up to £3000) for capital costs to small and medium-sized charities only (those with a turnover of up to £1m per annum). All applications must relate to projects that assist individuals in their return to mainstream society, rather than simply offer shelter or other forms of sustenance. The next deadline is 30^th September at: Help the Homeless

FUNDING: for London organisations

Grant support for general charitable needs in London can be found through Goldsmiths Company, Affinity Sutton, London Regional Development Agency, and Trust for London

FUNDING: for charitable purposes

Financial assistance is available to community and voluntary groups within a 25 mile radius of a Moto site at: Moto. Organisations promoting human rights and dignity can apply for grants from The A B Charitable Trust.

PRESENTATION: policy challenges for women in prison

Professor Carol Hedderman, Special Advisor to the Griffins Society Research Fellowships Programme, spoke at a recent conference organised by the Corston Independent Funders' Coalition. Carol's presentation about the current policy challenges two years after the Corston Report contains the strong message that alternatives to custody are being used as alternatives to each other, not to the use of imprisonment; and that the number of women going into prison has not reduced. It will be helpful to anyone who is interested in the women's prison population, and in particular, in how to correctly identify trends in its size. You can download a copy of her presentation at: The Griffins Society. [Source: CJA]

OPPORTUNITY: London office space

Cheap office space available: The Griffins Society are looking for another small organisation to share their office at Angel, N1. There are up to two desks available, with computers, phone and fax as well if needed. The rent is well below the usual commercial rate. If you are interested, please contact Peter Dunn, Griffins Society Director, at peter@thegriffinssociety.org or by phone on 020 7278 8198.

OPPORTUNITY: how has prison changed your life?

A researcher at Roehampton University would like to interview male ex-prisoners in confidence, about how prison has changed their lives. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in getting involved email Finola Farrant. [Source: PET]

OPPORTUNITY: for arts organisations to influence government

The Culture Forum is a new consultative body comprising representatives of arts organisations, small, medium, large and very large, which forms part of the Government's "Big Conversation". Culture Forum representatives will have a direct line to Government on issues such as new sources of funding, the impact of cuts, and the generation of new ideas. A paper with the outcomes from each meeting will be delivered to the Chancellor, Secretary of State for Culture, Minister for Culture and senior officials as appropriate. Get involved at: Arts & Business

OPPORTUNITY: Social Welfare BTEC bursary on offer

Following the success of the first Women and Work Academy weekend summer school, another 50 bursaries have been secured for an additional event via the Skills for Justice Women & Work Fund! The 50 bursaries are available for a Women & Work Academy weekend summer school [21st & 22nd August, London] for the BTEC Professional Award in Neighbourhood Nuisance and ASB Case Work Supervision - BTEC Level 5. The bursary includes all qualification costs (2 x tutorial days, course materials, certification, and lifetime membership to Student Zone), Accommodation if required, meals and refreshments for the weekend. This is a first-come, first-served offer that is likely to go quickly. Details at: CSP Academy

RESOURCE: setting up a charity

Get Legal is a free online reference tool which offers a helping hand for anyone looking to set up a charity, social enterprise or co-operative. It has been developed by NCVO, with support from BWB, to enable organisations and their advisors to access clear information and guidance on the most appropriate legal form and governance structure for delivering their goals. Find out more at: http://www.getlegal.org.uk/

RESOURCE: understanding the new Equality Act

Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? is a series of summary guides and “Quick Start” guides to the key changes in the law, produced by the Government Equalities Office which set out clearly what the new laws will mean for business, the public sector, the voluntary sector and the public, helping people understand their new responsibilities and rights. Available at: GEO

RESOURCE: briefing papers for women prisoners

Action for Prisoners Families has launched a new series of briefing papers for women prisoners. The ‘Your Children, Your Rights’ briefings were written by the organisation 'Rights of Women' and cover the subjects of ‘Adoption’, ‘Parental Responsibility’, ‘What to do when Social Services are involved’, and ‘What to do when Families can’t agree’. They will be distributed to all women’s prisons, organisations working with women prisoners, APF members, child care agencies, lawyers and legal organisations. They can be downloaded at APF, and free single copies are available from APF offices: info@actionpf.org.uk or 020 8812 3600

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: St Mungo’s – employment for homeless people

‘Work Matters’ is a new report from St Mungo’s that highlights the barriers homeless people face to employment and scrutinises the extent to which mainstream services have been effective in delivering the support needed. It examines the basic platform people need to get into work, including levels of literacy and numeracy, health and substance use problems. It concludes that the system could be improved to ensure everyone has a basic platform of capability and proposes some mechanisms for achieving this. Download it at: St Mungo's

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: User Voice – achieving a rehabilitation revolution

'The Power Inside' is the new User Voice report which states prisoners should be given more power to influence how prisons operate and to improve the UK's record on rehabilitation. It argues the expansion of a new model of prison councils as part of the government’s ‘rehabilitation revolution’. The report concludes by recommending that the Ministry of Justice should require all prisons to give a high priority to prisoner engagement. Download it at: User Voice

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Make Justice Work - Community or Custody sentences?

Make Justice Work is launching a major new National Enquiry to assess the efficacy and cost of short-term prison sentences in comparison to intensive alternatives to custody for low-level offenders. Reporting in Spring 2011, the panel will conduct four sessions around the UK, to gather evidence first hand from pilot projects and expert witnesses. The first panel will be in Manchester, 23^rd July. To attend email info@makejusticework.org.uk or for more information visit: http://www.communityorcustody.com/

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: As part of the UK-wide Discovering Places event, Parliament is leading short tours, showing familiar yet unexpected aspects of its buildings and works of art. All tours will take place on Friday 23 July. Places are limited and booking is required. Full details at: Parliament

TIP OF THE WEEK II: The Angel & Royal Hotel in Grantham, Lincolnshire is offering a rate of £49 per person for a 2-night break - that's less than half the regular price. Offer includes room upgrade, 3 course dinner on the first night, breakfast both mornings and 20% discount on food and drink the second night. The deal is valid for Friday to Sunday stays from 19 July to 12 September. Use the promo code 'TZOO' at: Angel & Royal

TIP OF THE WEEK III: www.TravelMoneyMax.com is a tool which lets you compare the day's best collection or delivery rates for any currency incorporating all charges. It searches 29 bureaux de changes.

TIP OF THE WEEK IV: The Next Summer Sale starts on Fri 16^th July in London and on Sat 17^th July for the rest of the U.K, whilst La Senza also has a 75% off sale online and instore

TIP OF THE WEEK V: Get a pint of Marston's Pedigree at 500+ Marston Taverns nationwide until Thurs July 22 with this voucher

TIP OF THE WEEK VI: You can get three Small Plates and a bottle of wine for £15 at: All Bar One, 2 grills and 2 drinks for £15 at: O'Neills, and 2for1 through the week at Cafe Rouge, Strada, and Bella Italia

TIP OF THE WEEK VII: Get free tickets to Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow in Blackpool, 4^th August. Book here

Date Published:

16/07/2010

Source:

CLINKS