Kids feel pressure during jail terms
A new visitor centre for the families of prisoners at Glenochil was officially opened by justice secretary Michael Matheson.
The centre provides the families with a welcoming space outside prison security where they can get support and information before or after their visit.
This can range from a cup of tea to in-depth support addressing issues relating to housing, finance, mental and physical health, concern for children and domestic abuse.
The visitor centre at HMP Glenochil is run by Stirling Interfaith Community Justice Group, who received Scottish Government grant funding of £50,000 to deliver the service.
The charity, established by representatives of churches and other faith communities in the Stirling area, opened The Family Help Hub at HMP/YOI Cornton Vale in 2013 in a partnership with the Scottish Prison Service and Fife and Forth Valley Community Justice Authority.
The hub, run by a team of staff, has been backed by dozens of trained volunteers and emotional, practical and financial advice is available through various organisations and charities including Stirling Women’s Aid, Citzens Advice Stirling and the NHS.
An estimated 20,000 children are affected by parental imprisonment in any year in Scotland. The Scottish Government is providing £1.8 million to improve and increase the provision of prison visitor centres across the country.
Mr Matheson said: “We want to ensure those affected by the wider impact of prison, the families and children of those in custody, have access to the advice, information and support they need to deal with what is often a very challenging situation.
“We know the children of prisoners face a number of additional challenges from a young age, with parental imprisonment having a negative impact on their long-term life chances and health. Prison visitor centres are vital to helping us break this cycle.”
Chair of the National Prison Visitors Centre Steering Group Andrew McLellan said: “We are delighted to see such great progress towards achieving our ambition of a establishing a prison visitors centre at every prison in Scotland.
“We know that supporting prisoners to maintain positive family ties reduces reoffending and makes Scotland safer yet prisoners’ families and prisoners’ children in particular often pay a very high price for their family member’s imprisonment.
“Too often financial difficulties, emotional trauma and a lack of support are all part and parcel of having someone in prison.
“The warm welcome and practical support these services offer make a huge difference to family members during what can be a very difficult time.”
Chief executive of Families Outside Nancy Loucks said: “Imprisonment of a family member is recognised as an adverse childhood experience with significant lifelong effects.
“Prison visitors’ centres are therefore a critical resource for reaching some of Scotland’s most vulnerable families.
“It is vital that all public services recognise their role in supporting children and families affected by imprisonment so they can live healthy, active lives, free from stigma.”