Helping prisoners and ex-offenders
There are more than 83,000 prisoners in England and Wales and that number is around 80% higher than 30 years ago, according to Ministry of Justice figures. More than 70,000 people are released from prison every year, yet almost half are back inside within 12 months. Prisoners don’t always match the stereotype; for example, around 5% of prisoners are women and 6% are aged over 60. In fact, a rise in the number of older prisoners has resulted in increasing incidence of age-related medical problems such as dementia. Among prisoners 30% have learning disabilities, up to 90% are estimated to have mental health issues, some have had a poor education and others have suffered trauma such as being abused during their lives. In addition, some prisoners self-isolate because they are frightened of the other inmates.
So what’s it like being locked up for 23 hours a day? Some prisoners have no TV and have nothing to read, or can’t read because they’re illiterate or simply don’t have reading glasses. Is it any wonder that many have depressive thoughts and self-harm or become aggressive? And things are getting worse because of austerity, with cutbacks in prisons and in support services outside.
The SVP has always reached out to the poor – the poor include prisoners, of course – and St Vincent de Paul himself was a prisoner for two years. What can we do for Prisoners? The principal help to inmates is from chaplains – it’s the chaplains who identify vulnerable prisoners who need assistance. SVP members who want to help prisoners should work through the chaplains who have full access to inmates and know their needs. Small things can make a big difference to prisoners – for example, providing puzzles, word searches and colouring books that can help to reduce boredom as well as cheap pairs of reading glasses so they can read books. And these can be supplied to prisoners via the chaplain without necessarily having to go into the prison.
Why should SVP members help? There are several groups that help in prisons – PACT, Prison Reform Trust, Shelter, Unlock and others. If we can help them then that’s great. Sometimes the SVP is needed as well.
There are more than 83,000 prisoners in England and Wales and that number is around 80% higher than 30 years ago, according to Ministry of Justice figures. More than 70,000 people are released from prison every year, yet almost half are back inside within 12 months. Prisoners don’t always match the stereotype; for example, around 5% of prisoners are women and 6% are aged over 60. In fact, a rise in the number of older prisoners has resulted in increasing incidence of age-related medical problems such as dementia. Among prisoners 30% have learning disabilities, up to 90% are estimated to have mental health issues, some have had a poor education and others have suffered trauma such as being abused during their lives. In addition, some prisoners self-isolate because they are frightened of the other inmates.
So what’s it like being locked up for 23 hours a day? Some prisoners have no TV and have nothing to read, or can’t read because they’re illiterate or simply don’t have reading glasses. Is it any wonder that many have depressive thoughts and self-harm or become aggressive? And things are getting worse because of austerity, with cutbacks in prisons and in support services outside.
The SVP has always reached out to the poor – the poor include prisoners, of course – and St Vincent de Paul himself was a prisoner for two years. What can we do for Prisoners? The principal help to inmates is from chaplains – it’s the chaplains who identify vulnerable prisoners who need assistance. SVP members who want to help prisoners should work through the chaplains who have full access to inmates and know their needs. Small things can make a big difference to prisoners – for example, providing puzzles, word searches and colouring books that can help to reduce boredom as well as cheap pairs of reading glasses so they can read books. And these can be supplied to prisoners via the chaplain without necessarily having to go into the prison.
Why should SVP members help? There are several groups that help in prisons – PACT, Prison Reform Trust, Shelter, Unlock and others. If we can help them then that’s great. Sometimes the SVP is needed as well.
Helping the families of prisoners
There are more than 83,000 prisoners in England and Wales. The impact on households of having a family member in prison is receiving increasing attention, particularly following the work of Conservative peer, Lord Farmer, who was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice to carry out a review of prisoners’ family relationships. He found that the importance of good familial relations was important to the rehabilitation of prisoners. But the families need support on the outside themselves. The issues families face can be practical; imprisonment may have an impact on housing or income, it has an obvious emotional impact too, and the stress and anxiety of having a family member in prison is significant. The latter can be particularly difficult for the estimated 200,000 children that experience parental imprisonment every year This is just a small snapshot of the adverse effects of incarceration on a prisoner’s family, but it is worthwhile to reflect for a moment and step into the shoes of a wife, grandmother, son or daughter and the potential vulnerability and difficulty they face, with feelings of powerlessness to do anything about the situation. In addition, judgement and stigma is often still levelled at families who support someone in prison. Austerity measures have led to cutbacks to support services outside. This can mean it is difficult for families to source the support they need. Add to this the fear of disclosure for families, and the situation can be very isolating.
The SVP has always reached out to the poor – the poor include prisoners, of course – and St Vincent de Paul himself was a prisoner for two years. What can we do for prisoners’ families? There are a number of organisations the SVP can work with to support prisoners’ families – including Out There based in the Manchester Area and PACT who cover a number of areas nationally. These specialist organisations have a good understanding of current family needs and can advise SVP members of the best way to help.
Why should SVP members help? There are many ways SVP members can help. Funding remains a consistent challenge for charities supporting the families of prisoners, so there is significant opportunity for SVP members to make an impact with their support. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference to a family struggling.
What can we do for prisoners and their families? We would advise making contact with one of the organizations above to understand what help may be needed at a particular time, but examples may include turning concern into action
· Providing essential items of furniture, beds and bedding, and white goods. Families often struggle when faced with costly repairs or the need to replace expensive items such as beds and mattresses through normal wear and tear or breakdown.
· Items that are expensive for any family but which be more difficult for those with family members in prison include school uniform; school blazers and skirts can be expensive. · Help travelling to visit their loved ones in prison – help could be offered with transport or with the cost of travel.
· Essential items of furniture, beds and bedding, and white goods. Families often struggle when faced with costly repairs or the need to replace expensive items such as beds and mattresses through normal wear and tear or breakdown.
· Financial donations to organisations working with families of prisoners to support their work – this may include, for example, support for family days or activities.
Top tips
· Prisoners’ families are often marginalised or ostracized and struggle to get their needs met or voices heard. Don’t take this approach. Instead listen, offer advice only if they want it and leave the decision making to them.
· Offer help through the specialist organisations who know the needs best.
· Always remember that safeguarding requires that we protect ourselves, protect the prisoners and protect their families.
· The lives of prisoners’ families can be improved by simple acts of kindness that don’t have to cost much Find out more For more information about prisoners, exoffenders and prisoners families visit the following websites:
· www.outtherecharity.org/ · www.prisonadvice.org.uk (PACT) · www.gov.uk/support-for-families-friends-of-prisoners
There are more than 83,000 prisoners in England and Wales. The impact on households of having a family member in prison is receiving increasing attention, particularly following the work of Conservative peer, Lord Farmer, who was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice to carry out a review of prisoners’ family relationships. He found that the importance of good familial relations was important to the rehabilitation of prisoners. But the families need support on the outside themselves. The issues families face can be practical; imprisonment may have an impact on housing or income, it has an obvious emotional impact too, and the stress and anxiety of having a family member in prison is significant. The latter can be particularly difficult for the estimated 200,000 children that experience parental imprisonment every year This is just a small snapshot of the adverse effects of incarceration on a prisoner’s family, but it is worthwhile to reflect for a moment and step into the shoes of a wife, grandmother, son or daughter and the potential vulnerability and difficulty they face, with feelings of powerlessness to do anything about the situation. In addition, judgement and stigma is often still levelled at families who support someone in prison. Austerity measures have led to cutbacks to support services outside. This can mean it is difficult for families to source the support they need. Add to this the fear of disclosure for families, and the situation can be very isolating.
The SVP has always reached out to the poor – the poor include prisoners, of course – and St Vincent de Paul himself was a prisoner for two years. What can we do for prisoners’ families? There are a number of organisations the SVP can work with to support prisoners’ families – including Out There based in the Manchester Area and PACT who cover a number of areas nationally. These specialist organisations have a good understanding of current family needs and can advise SVP members of the best way to help.
Why should SVP members help? There are many ways SVP members can help. Funding remains a consistent challenge for charities supporting the families of prisoners, so there is significant opportunity for SVP members to make an impact with their support. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference to a family struggling.
What can we do for prisoners and their families? We would advise making contact with one of the organizations above to understand what help may be needed at a particular time, but examples may include turning concern into action
· Providing essential items of furniture, beds and bedding, and white goods. Families often struggle when faced with costly repairs or the need to replace expensive items such as beds and mattresses through normal wear and tear or breakdown.
· Items that are expensive for any family but which be more difficult for those with family members in prison include school uniform; school blazers and skirts can be expensive. · Help travelling to visit their loved ones in prison – help could be offered with transport or with the cost of travel.
· Essential items of furniture, beds and bedding, and white goods. Families often struggle when faced with costly repairs or the need to replace expensive items such as beds and mattresses through normal wear and tear or breakdown.
· Financial donations to organisations working with families of prisoners to support their work – this may include, for example, support for family days or activities.
Top tips
· Prisoners’ families are often marginalised or ostracized and struggle to get their needs met or voices heard. Don’t take this approach. Instead listen, offer advice only if they want it and leave the decision making to them.
· Offer help through the specialist organisations who know the needs best.
· Always remember that safeguarding requires that we protect ourselves, protect the prisoners and protect their families.
· The lives of prisoners’ families can be improved by simple acts of kindness that don’t have to cost much Find out more For more information about prisoners, exoffenders and prisoners families visit the following websites:
· www.outtherecharity.org/ · www.prisonadvice.org.uk (PACT) · www.gov.uk/support-for-families-friends-of-prisoners
