Inmates spend time with family in rehabilitation scheme

MORE than 70 prisoners are involved in a new family rehabilitation project in Northern Ireland.

Inmates spend time with their children while family members are taken on an escorted tour of Magilligan Prison. Adele Norton, head of resettlement and rehabilitation at the jail, said: “What we are doing is bringing together families in what can often be very difficult times.

“As a Prison Service, it’s our job to help make Northern Ireland safer by supporting the peo- ple in our care to change and, as such, the ultimate aim of this scheme is to support and encourage family relationships.

“Once the prisoner is released the aim is that he will return to a stable, supportive family life, away from crime.”

This week’s Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland report said it was an example of good practice.

“Family induction visits enabled the prisoner’s family to get a real insight into their relative’s daily life at the prison,” it said.

Prisoner support, charity and church groups are also involved in the Family Strategy Scheme at Magilligan, including Barnardo’s, NIACRO, Extern, People Plus and the Vineyard Church in Coleraine.

Barnardo’s project worker Ciara O’Donnell said: “We work with the dads in prison on all aspects of parenting.”