Conference: improving the outcomes for offenders from the Gypsy and Traveller communities

From Friends Families and Travellers

Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) and the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) are hosting a conference on 21 January 2014 focused on how we can improve outcomes for offenders from the Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Gypsies and Travellers make up around 0.5% of the population of the UK but around 5% of the prison population.

With the huge changes underway across the offender management system, with the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms of the Probation Service, there is a risk that the needs of these groups may not be met.

The aim of this conference is to look at the needs of Gypsy and Traveller offenders and how we can improve outcomes for these groups under the new arrangements.

This will be of interest to commissioners, providers and equalities officers. We are keen to see prime providers, voluntary organisations and Gypsy and Traveller community groups.

A report from the event will be produced and sent to the Ministry Of Justice.
Programme:

10.30-11.00 Registration and coffee

11.00-11.10 Chair’s opening remarks and introductions to speakers

11.10-11.30 Speaker from the National Offender Management Service- the current position regarding offenders from the Traveller and Gypsy communities.

11.30- 11.50 Joseph Cottrell-Boyce and Conn MacGabhann, Traveller Equality Project – Education for Travellers in prison.

11.50- 12.10 Chris Whitwell, Friends Families and Travellers- FFT’s work with Gypsy and Traveller offenders and their families at HMP Lewes and HMP Ford.

12.10-12.40 Questions and answers

12.40- 1.30 Lunch

1.30- 1.50 Zoe James, University of Plymouth.

1.50- 2.10 Yvonne MacNamara, Traveller Movement – Putting Policy into Practice.

2.10-2.30 Aleta Blackall and prisoners– HMP Ford- on the good practice work at Ford with Gypsy and Traveller prisoners.

2.30-2.50 Questions and Answers.

2 .50- 3.00 Chair’s rounding up and end of day.

The event will be at BTEG’s office; 200a Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JP.

To book a place email Emma Nuttall , FFT, at emma@gypsy-traveller.org.