I have been hosting the North East Criminal Justice Forum for two years now and it is always difficult to ensure you get the correct balance between speakers, networking and discussion. I have tried half day sessions; themed forums; voluntary sector only and many more.
I think I have finally got the balance right. This latest forum was non-themed and had six speakers, which may seem a lot but it worked!
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections took place on 5th May, with all North East candidiates retaining their seats. The turn out figures slightly increased in Durham and Cleveland but interestingly increased by 15% in Northumbria. Perhaps the publics understanding of the role of the PCC is more widely known this time round.
The results were:
Organisations working with offenders and their families are often not seen as a popular cause to gain recognition for their work. I am therefore delighted that NEPACS won the VONNE Award for Uniquely North East Charity at the North East Charity Awards last night.
We recently undertook a survey to measure the impact of our work in the North East around Criminal Justice policy work. The results we received was really pleasing for me to know how much the work is valued by the voluntary sector.
Over the past 18 months we have:
Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Ron Hogg, is keen to improve his engagement with the voluntary sector and has therefore developed a voluntary sector forum. The latest forum, held last week provided an opportunity for the sector to feed into the consultation of the refreshed police and crime plan. The plan covers the police and its partners to work together to reduce crime and make communities safer.
Four new priorities have been added to the existing plan. These are:
Last night I attended NEPACS AGM in Durham; following an amazing performance from Durham Recovery Choir during which several members were brave enough to share their stories. Frances Crook, Chief Executive of The Howard League for Penal Reform, delivered a speech addressing the question ‘Our prisons may be secure, but are they safe?’
