Knowledge Exchange
Regular readers will be aware remember that in 2021 the Butler Trust launched a new resource aimed at everyone who works in a criminal justice setting. The Knowledge Exchange is an online library of guidance and examples of best practice. The resource encourages users to suggest examples of best practice and guidance and allows users to search content by both source and sector. There are now over 600 resources instantly available for download. The resource is continuously curated and updated with any items which have now been superseded removed. I work in partnership with the Butler Trust to manage and update the site.
How to use the site
The site has been designed to be simple to use. The front page includes both featured entries and recent additions but the two most useful ways of finding what you are looking for are the search box at the top of the page or the ability to browse by source, sector (custodial, probation or youth justice) or theme.
Recent additions
To give you a flavour of the resources are on offer, I am including links to some of the more recent additions on a wide range of topics.
Prisons
An interesting lecture on how organisations can protect the well-being of prison staff.
A thought-provoking report from the Rison Reform Trust on prisoner – and staff views on what makes a good prison officer.
Probation
A new addition to the Clinks Evidence Library on working with young adults in the justice system
Youth justice
A wide range of resources on tackling racial disparity in youth justice from the Youth Justice Board
The Probation Inspectorate’s Academic Insight on effective relational working in youth justice
Other
There are also new resources on making the justice system more woman-friendly; restorative justice and a full hate crime programme. All in the current recent additions section.
The Kathy Biggar Trophy
While the Butler Trust’s Annual Awards are for outstanding individuals – the Kathy Biggar Trophy is for notable community-based initiatives (probation and youth justice), which have brought significant benefits locally, and could be rolled out more widely.
There are no fewer than 21 new initiatives which were submitted for the most recent award of the trophy and you can see them all here.
The range is considerable and includes exciting new practice in the areas of community payback, peer support and resettlement as well as initiatives focused on young people, women and veterans.
Thanks to Daniel for kind permission to use the header image in this post which was previously published on Unsplash.
