Russell Webster keeps you up to date with drugs and crime

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How to use Social Media to promote your event

How to use Social Media to promote your event. This Infographic shows all the key elements of ABC: Announce, Broadcast, Consolidate approach in one easy to follow form.

28th June 2013

On Probation

The 5th Commandment of Payment by Results: Thou shall not pay for deadweight

Payment by results is about driving improvement, so no self-respecting PBR scheme will pay for results that will happen anyway, known in the jargon is “deadweight”. The proportion of deadweight in a PbR funded initiative varies markedly across different spheres of operation. Despite all the adverse publicity about reoffending rates which has accompanied the debate about the Rehabilitation Revolution, 65.8% of those supervised in the community and 53.1% of those released from prison do NOT re-offend in the first year. However, when we look at the Work Programme…

27th June 2013

Digital Engagement

Police, Twitter and major incidents

Any major incident provokes a firestorm of reaction on Twitter and other social media outlets. In the wake of events such as the terrorist killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich what should the police be doing online. Amongst the general noise and bot-generated confusion, there are opportunities to keep the public reliably informed and gather some key intelligence.

26th June 2013

Payment by Results

The 4th Commandment of Payment by Results: Thou shall not covet milestones

The introduction of milestones exacerbates the problems of complexity highlighted above, requiring even more time and resources from commissioners and providers and even more onerous data collection systems. But even worse is the fact that as soon as you have indicators, people start focusing on them, instead of the intended outcomes.
Which takes us straight back to the culture of micro-management by targets which PbR is trying hard to leave behind.

25th June 2013

On Probation

Don’t write off probation in the rehabilitation revolution

There have been better times to be a probation officer. It’s not the easiest job in the world at the best of times and, like every other public service, probation trusts have had to implement year-on-year financial cuts for the last few years. But 2013 is the toughest year yet. 70% of probation’s work is being outsourced and a wide range of large private and voluntary sector organisations are seeking to take over the work. Recently the MoJ has acknowledged that probation trusts could spin out public service mutuals and bid for their “own” work.

24th June 2013

Digital Engagement

Promote your event with social media. Step 3: Consolidate

This is the third in a mini-series on how to use social media to extend the reach of your event and take people with you on a journey of discovery about the work your organisation does. There are plenty of opportunities to consolidate learning and engage new supporters after your event.

21st June 2013

Employ Russell

Meet Russell

Russell has over 20 years’ experience as a researcher and consultant specialising in substance misuse and crime.

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Services

Policy advice and research, service evaluations, publications & communications.

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Skills

Russell has worked as a researcher, evaluator, consultant, policy expert, writer, trainer and communications expert.

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Prison, probation, police, substance misuse, commissioning & payment by results.

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Russell's Clients

Change Grow Live

Collective Voice

Homeless Link

Camurus

Prison Reform Trust

Restorative Justice Council

Ministry of Justice

Metropolitan Police

Offploy

Ingeus Justice

Clinks

London Drug and Alcohol Policy Forum

Butler Trust

Fine Cell Work

Lloyds Bank Foundation

TONIC

Sussex PCC

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation

Oak Foundation

MOPAC

Bounce Back

Legal Education Foundation

Youth Justice Board

Crest Advisory

NAAN

Oasis

User Voice

GamCare

CNWL

Red Snapper Media

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Testimonials

"Russell goes about his craft in a way that is both supportive, taking account of competing pressures on those he seeks to engage, and challenging through honest feedback and thought provoking conclusions."

"Russell has worked as a consultant for RAPt/Forward for over seven years on a wide range of projects. He has detailed knowledge of the world of drugs and crime and can be relied on to produce quick and accurate briefings which draw on the latest research as well as developments in the pipeline. We have used Russell to provide specialist input on a wide range of subjects and have always been pleased with the quality of his output.."

"Russell is a canny analyst of all things in criminal justice reform. His helpful takes on policy development and his good use of digital media makes him one of the most useful people to know in the sector. His clear-eyed scrutiny of payment by results and the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms is particularly impressive."

"Russell is incredibly knowledgeable and he is also an extremely good listener. His criminal justice experience means that as well as setting up an evaluation system for Fine Cell Work, he has helped to shepherd us through the planning needed for a big, new piece of work. All of our team have found him an absolute pleasure to work with."

“Russell Webster is a pleasure to work with. His wealth of experience and knowledge with an ability to write really accessible information for a range of audiences are a great combination. He has a deep understanding of a wide range of issues in criminal justice which he puts to use in a variety of ways. We find working with Russell very beneficial for our charity’s audiences’ needs”

"Russell's ability to get on with the job, appreciate how busy everyone is and produce an honest evaluation was really welcome and helpful. We wouldn't hesitate to ask him to undertake more work for us."

"I have commissioned Russell to carry a number of research and evaluation projects of our work with long term unemployed people, in particular substance mis-users. Russell has demonstrated an inate ability to connect with our service users, staff and partners to produce highly objective and thought provoking pieces of work. Russell is an expert in his field, a passionate champion of social justice and I have always welcomed his input as a critical friend of our charity"

"Russell Webster consistently provides up to date, accurate and often hidden information alongside useful, critical and sometimes very funny analysis. His website is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the ever changing context of justice policy and practice. Working with Russell is a pleasure and his contriubution to the sector is invaluable. His update is one of the few regular emails I look forward to."

"Russell knows his way around the criminal justice system as well as anyone. He combines practical knowledge with a sharp intellect. But what is equally impressive is that his compassion shines through his work. From the day we met, Russell's advice has been invaluable; without it we would not be able to support some of our most important clients. I would (and do) recommend him without qualification"

"If Russell covers something you know it's likely to be important, and have implications for policy and practice. His analysis of the crime and drug policy world always gets to the nub of the issues and provides a way of cutting through to the heart of what's important."

"The best source of information on Payment by Results is russellwebster.com"

"Russell is a mine of information, he's my go to for anything criminal justice related and I often refer people to him and his work, which is always accurate and accessible - no mean feat given the ever-changing landscape. Not only is Russell an expert in his field, he's an approachable and helpful person too; making him a pleasure to work alongside."

"Russell’s explanations and summaries are always helpful and often more helpful to me than the original report. He provides me the basis of the subject with up-to-date, accurate, evidence-based information and critical analysis but always with compassion and understanding. It is a rare combination in these times."

"No nonsense interpretation about PbR, huge respect for Russell’s unwavering determination to make a difference."

"Russell was the Evaluator on the project I led. I found him to be extremely useful as much more than someone 'marking my homework' which was the role I expected him to take. His experience helped guide me forward, avoid mistakes I might have made, and steady my nerves when I got rattled. An excellent person to have on the team"

"Russell worked with Sussex Police and Emerging Futures as an independent evaluator on a project aligned to the MOJ’s Female Offender Strategy from May 2018 to June 2019. Russell worked diligently with the team to collate data, feedback at all levels from commissioners, staff and Service Users building on case studies and contributing well to performance meetings. As a result, Russell provided an excellent final evaluation report."

“Russell Webster is always worth a read – the key issues objectively explained. In an area where everyone has an opinion, it’s good to know someone who also has facts.”

Keep up-to-date with drugs and crime

The latest research, policy, practice and opinion on our criminal justice and drug & alcohol treatment systems