Clive will be chairing Capita’s 7th National Conference ‘Prolific and Other Priority Offenders’ [23^rd September, London, from £225]. The conference will focus on how to reduce re-offending through Integrated Offender Management. Clinks have secured one free place for a member organisation to attend. To apply, simply email Joe Gardham with how this opportunity would benefit your organisation. Deadline is Thursday 29th July, winner announced in next week's Light Lunch.

CLINKS EVENT: Volunteering and Mentoring

'Rehabilitation revolution - what are the issues for volunteering & mentoring?' is an 'open space' event [2nd September, London, Free] that allows everyone to contribute towards creating the agenda and discussing the issues that matter most to them in relation to the Government's 'rehabilitation revolution', and the impact it may have on volunteering and mentoring. To book your place, email info@clinks.org

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Lords debate on criminal justice reform

Lord Thomas of Gresford began a debate in the House of Lords last week about the reform plans for Criminal Justice System. He proposes full support for intelligent sentencing and switching resources to rigorously enforced community sentences that punish offenders: "The policy that we are putting forward means investment in prisoner education, to improve literacy, to develop skills and internet technologies which will lead to jobs on release. It means the effective resettlement, employment and housing of prisoners, with advice in prison and "through-the-gate support" on their release. It means the abolition of the iniquitous indeterminate sentence for public protection as recommended by the Chief Inspectors of Prisons and of Probation-a sentence which is fundamentally flawed in principle, unworkable in practice and, above all, unjust." Read the full Hansard text here

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Cost of family breakdown

'When Relationships Go Wrong: Counting the cost of family failure' is a report from the Relationships Foundation that claims relationship breakdown costs £37 billion. The report compiles evidence from various reports to highlight 70% of young offenders are from single parent families, half of under-18s in prison have a history of being in care or social service involvement, and 27% of all prisoners were taken into care as a child. The report attributes a quarter of all criminal justice costs to family breakdown, coming up with a figure of £1.18bn a year. Read the report at: Relationships Foundation

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: Police guides to working with third sector

The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) have published 'Working with the third sector: A guide for neighbourhood policing teams and partners' which aims to help Basic Command Unit commanders, partners and neighbourhood team officers to work more closely with third sector organisations at a local level. The report refers to the importance of our sector in supporting local and specialised areas of work, This document has been published alongside two other guides, both aimed at increasing engagement with communities: ‘Working with faith communities’ and ‘Working with volunteers’.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: the future of public services

'2020 Vision: A far-sighted approach to transforming public services' discusses how best to enable citizen involvement in setting priorities for public action, delivering outcomes from services and holding service providers and government accountable for their performance. The report analyses the barriers to transformation, recommends steps to overcome them, and provides some practical examples of the types of policies that could create the conditions for transformation. Download here

GOVERNMENT NEWS: Understanding the Tories

Jonty Olliff-Cooper is a former advisor to David Cameron now working for the Demos. This clip which, although pre-election, still does a good job at introducing the different groups that make up the Conservative party and perhaps helps readers to understand and consider how they can strategically engage. Download it at: YouTube

GOVENRMENT NEWS: Launch of Big Society

The Prime Minister has unveiled the first details of the Government's Big Society programme. Community projects in four parts of the country: Liverpool, the Eden Valley in Cumbria, the Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and the London Borough of Sutton, will receive an expert organiser and dedicated civil servants to ensure "people power" initiatives get off the ground and inspire a wider change. Read his speech here, and the Guardian's reaction to it here

COMMISSIONING: NOMS ESF subcontractors

Intraining have completed their competitive dialogue process with the Ministry of Justice for the NOMS ESF fund, and are now working on a response to the second stage ITT. They are still seeking strong partners to support their submission. They are applying to deliver in three areas - East Midlands, North East and Yorkshire & The Humber (ex. South Yorks). Details at: InTraining

FUNDING: over 4,000 funding streams

To get free, unlimited access to the GRANTnet funding database, become a Clinks member at: Clinks Membership

EVENT: working with difficult groups

'For Those Who Like to Say No' is a series of workshops [£75, 12 & 13 October, London | 20 & 21 October, Birmingham] which mark the publication of Chris Johnston’s book on working with difficult groups - a compendium of drama-based games and exercises for use in custodial and other community settings. Two free discretionary places are available on application to ex-offenders or others without funds. For more info, contact tim@rideout.org.uk

EVENT: Commissioning Seminar

The National Audit Office (NAO) recently produced a report entitled ’Successful Commissioning’ aimed at helping third sector organisations become more informed about the commissioning process, and about what they should expect from financial relationships with the public sector. The Academy for Justice Commissioning will be holding a Seminar [8^th September, London] which will discuss the report and share the NAO’s views on successful commissioning. Details at: AJC

EVENT: for drug and alcohol users

New College is inviting people to a free Let Me Be Frank Information Event [1-3pm, 29^th July, Swindon]. Let Me Be Frank actively encourages drug and alcohol users and homeless individuals to participate in e-learning activities. The aim of the event is to publicise the Let Me Be Frank site, to encourage individuals to subscribe, and to promote how becoming involved can be of benefit to them. If you or your service users are interested in attending, visit: Let Me Be Frank

PUBLICATION: homeless women project evaluation

The Re-Unite Project houses mothers who would be homeless on their release from prison, enabling these mothers to be reunited with their children. In her Foreword to the project’s evaluation report, Baroness Corston reports that "the mothers and their children were on the whole very positive about the project, which has also been applauded by the probation services and others. It gives families a secure base on which to build their future, and it distances them from the violence that scarred their lives. It helps them access specialist support, such as counselling, mentoring, substance misuse and mental health services." The report, undertaken by Cambridge University, and a summary are available at: Commonweal Housing.

PUBLICATION: opinion piece on offender employment

"For a coalition government arriving in the wake of a recession, the challenges are mounting up. With rising joblessness, there have already been objections to the cutting of the Future Jobs Fund, which supported the creation of jobs for the long term unemployed. Against this backdrop, one policy area that is ripe for reconsideration is that of offender employment." Read Robert Patrick's (Young Foundation) opinion piece at: Young Foundation

OPPORTUNITY: to promote your youth resettlement service

The Local Government Association has asked the National Youth Agency to produce a research document, supported by case studies identifying solutions and opportunities for local authorities to improve resettlement of young offenders. In particular, the research will focus specifically on accommodation and education, training and employment. The agency would be grateful to hear from any projects with examples of effective practice in these areas that would like to put them forward for consideration for inclusion. Please contact Peta Halls

RESOURCE: for offenders using tranquillisers

Mind in Camden’s Minor Tranquilliser service project is open to individuals who are using or have used benzodiazepine tranquillisers, sleeping pills and z drugs with similar actions, whether this be on prescription or illicitly, in combination with other illegal drugs and/or problematic drinking. They maximise client’s choice about whether to stabilise, reduce or withdraw from Minor Tranquillisers, by giving information and support to do so as comfortably as possible. They provide a variety of services to adults in Camden and Islington, as well as their friends and family including: a Helpline/drop in, support group, formalised counselling and where requested, liaison with the clients prescriber. If you have service users that may find this relevant, visit: Mind in Camden

RESOURCE: offender accommodation training

The Offender Accommodation Skills Training (OAST) programme is aimed at anyone working with offenders and other clients about whom you might need specialist knowledge. Workshops are offered from induction level through to more advanced training, including courses on working with offenders with special needs such as drug users, sex offenders etc. Full course listings at: OAST

CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: Prison Reform Trust – IPP sentences

'Unjust Deserts: the indeterminate sentence for public protection' is a new Prison Reform Trust publication that claims the ill-drafted indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) has wrought havoc in the justice system and should be reviewed by the government as a matter of some urgency. The report describes how a complete failure to debate, plan or resource the sentence has left thousands of people sentenced to a bureaucratic limbo where they have no means to work towards their release. Over 6,000 people had received the sentence of IPP by the end of December 2009. Download it at: PRT

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 VACANCY: Women offender’s support worker

women@thewell are looking for a Support Worker [>£26k, Kings Cross] who will be responsible for a caseload of at least 70 women per year, offering access to a wide range of support, in particular to women offenders and those at risk of offending, to divert them from custody. You must have experience of working with vulnerable women, conducting needs and risk assessments and a proven record of being able to manage and enable positive change. Fixed Term until March 2011, closing date is 29th July, contact info@watw.org.uk

TIPS OF THE WEEK…

TIP OF THE WEEK I: Red Letter Days are offering a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London and afternoon tea for two for £49. The day includes a tour of the theatre and a newly refurbished exhibition with a behind-the-scenes look at costumes, special effects, musical instruments and how the Globe was rebuilt. Then guests will enjoy a full afternoon tea, with a selection of teas, sandwiches, and freshly baked cakes and scones at the brasserie. Valid for visits Monday-Thursday, 4^th October – 14^th April 2011. Book by 28^th July at: Red Letter Days

TIP OF THE WEEK II: The exclusive 4-star Crewe Hall Hotel in Cheshire is offering a special 2-night summer package for a discounted rate of £95 per person, including room upgrade, bottle of wine, English breakfast, dinner on second night, use of leisure facilities and a £10 spa voucher. This offer is valid for peak summer dates between 28^th July and 12^th September. Book by 6^th August and select deluxe room at: Q Hotels

TIP OF THE WEEK III: Get a free printed book of your photos, just pay £2.50 p&p at: Bonusprint

TIP OF THE WEEK IV: lastminute.com is currently offering 50% off all seating categories for the West End dance show "Burn The Floor" - this means tickets are now available from £12.25. This offer is valid for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday performances from 22^nd July to 2^nd September. Book by 28^th July at: lastminute.com

Date Published:

23/07/2010

Source:

Clinks