Una Padel Award: Short listed
Organisational Category:
AFFECT (Action For Families Effected by Criminal Trauma)
Email:
Tel: 01243 583 26476
AFFECT is the only organisation that specifically supports relatives of serious offenders. It is staffed solely by volunteers, usually other relatives of offenders, who work tirelessly to support vulnerable and often distressed families for whom the consequences of crime can be severe. Families of serious offenders are offered counselling and support without being judged. AFFECT produce publications and also hosts group gatherings where affected families can meet and safely share their feelings and experiences.
The project runs on a shoestring budget, relying heavily on the work of volunteers. Much of its work remains hidden from public view, but for its members is often a lifeline and their only source of support.
Clive Street Young Offenders Project
Email:
Tel: 029 2023 9585
Clive Street Young Offenders Project was set up to help young people aged between 16-18 who are, or have been homeless and have a history of anti social behaviour and offending, and who are at risk of offending. The project opened in 2003 in partnership with the Cardiff Youth Offending Team. Studies have repeatedly shown that rates of offending amongst young people and the lack of appropriate permanent accommodation are inextricably linked. Clive Street was specifically set up to provide accommodation to young offenders with a history of, or at risk of repeat offending, and to provide them with the appropriate intervention and support to enable them to make informed choices about their lives, giving them the chance to reach their true potential.
The project takes a holistic approach to the support that is provided, aiming to get the individual to identify support areas and working with them in developing a response to their needs, with an ultimate aim that they will be able to move on and successfully manage independent accommodation.
Young offenders are a stigmatised group within society at large, but are treated with respect by the staff, who work with clear boundaries but with great empathy and compassion for each young person.
Prisoners Abroad
Email:
Tel: 020 7561 6820
Prisoners Abroad tries to safeguard the welfare and human rights of Britons imprisoned abroad by providing services to help alleviate deprivation and isolation. Prisoners' families in the UK are provided with advice information and grants towards prison visits. For ex-prisoners returning or being deported back to the UK following release, for whom there is no statutory provision or probationary support, they provide emergency grants for food, accommodation, medical care and other services. They send reading and language materials, co-ordinate a pen-pal system, provide freepost envelopes, phone cards, publishing and a bi-annual newsletter. All for these things help to a small degree to alleviate the terrible isolation and despair experienced by many prisoners abroad, many of whom are on death row.
Tahir Hussain, who was imprisoned in Pakistan for 18 years, has said that the letters he received from his pen-pal during his years in prison were as important to him as the extra food from Prisoners Abroad which kept him alive.
Prisoners Abroad undertakes support for prisoners across 80 countries, many of them held in appalling conditions and under violent prison regimes. They are the only agency working to provide services to help the prisoners survive the inadequate diet, lack of medical care, and absence of vital information. Prisoners Abroad provide a whole range of services which help prisoners know they are not forgotten. Making no moral judgement about its client group Prisoners Abroad helps ex-prisoners build new lives back in the UK. It is a place people know they can go to when they return with nothing, following years in jail overseas.
Prisoners Abroad (Algarve)
Email:
Tel: 00351 282 357326
Prisoners Abroad (Algarve) visit British prisoners held in the four prisons in the Algarve with English newspapers, paperbacks and magazines and food packages. The Portuguese-speaking volunteers have worked to ensure that competent interpreters are provided during trials and that dental and medical care is also offered.
Grassroots Family Days and Support Project
Email:
Tel: 01254 675 872
The project aims to strengthen links between prisoners and their families and to empower and support individuals who have been affected by the imprisonment of a loved one. They also seek to improve resettlement outcomes for released prisoners, in a move to reduce re-offending.
A combination of paid employees and volunteers also attempt to combat the negative view of families of prisoners, held by society. Structured events with guest speakers and discussion workshops with other activities have a very large attendance rate.
Prisoners are now supported throughout their sentence and also on release, using methods such as befriending, advising on drug and alcohol misuse, childcare, employment, education and training.
The project works closely with other agencies to provide a co-ordinated approach to tackling some of the problems families of offenders may be facing. Grassroots has been so beneficial to some families, that they have become volunteers after their loved one has been released.
Individual Category:
Francesca Cooney, Prison Reform Trust
Email:
Tel: 020 7251 5070
Through her work over the past 5 years Francesca has developed a considerable reputation for her commitment and dedication. Her work involves her acting as an advocate for people who need help accessing medical care, securing transfers and making improvements in segregation conditions. She has also spent time drawing attention to the difficulties faced by foreign national prisoners, people in prison on recall, and those on indeterminate sentences. Sometimes it is just about making sure that people understand the processes that are going on. She works with a wide range of people and organisations providing information and her skills in campaigning and lobbying reaches beyond just prisoners' families. In the face of continuing ignorance about prisoners' and their families needs, she remains optimistic and resolute.
Michael Eden, Alcohol Concern
The Prison Peer Support project offers training to enable prisoners with alcohol problems to understand their own situation and then to offer listening and befriending skills to other prisoners. Michael has written Alcohol Information Packs which are available to any prisoner in the country. It offers information as well as self help exercises. The peer support model uses the SMART Recovery model, a cognitive behavioural alternative to AA. (SMART stands for Self-Management And Recovery Training) Trained Peer Supporters are better prepared to leave prison, remain alcohol free and seek employment.
David Emery, Swansea Community Chaplaincy Project
Email:
Tel: 01792 485444
David Emery established the first UK expression of Community Chaplaincy; a multi-faith initiative that assists in the resettlement of offenders. His pioneering spirit, enthusiasm and sharing of good practice has contributed to over twenty projects.
He has created a pragmatic assessment tool called SPIDER which focuses on measuring, monitoring and evaluating the specific aims of Community Chaplaincy engagement at a local and UK level. His proven experience in adapting new correctional frameworks for the UK could lead to an international interest.
Robert Nicholls, HMP & YOI Ashfield
Robert Nicholls has shown strong commitment and professionalism in the work he undertakes with offenders.
He was firstly asked by the Learning Skills Council to look at the provision for Level 2 programmes in Vocational and Educational areas. This `temporary' scheme has been extended each year. There is now a fully operational print shop and a steady stream of work placement offers from local companies and the Bristol City Council.
Sandra Wells, Supporting Families and Friends of the Accused
Email:
Tel: 01606 47107
Sandra Wells has, over many years, provided help and support for prisoners' families. Little by little she has made numerous changes to help improve the terrible conditions that families face while visiting loved ones in prison or while they are on trial. She has set up a support group for families and friends of the accused and provides a telephone helpline. She has organised volunteers to assist in court with information and advice in what can be a very daunting experience and has sought and obtained funding to provide improvements at visitors centres.
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