NEWS

We are delighted to announce that Lord David Ramsbotham, the former Chief Inspector of Prisons, has been appointed pact's first Ambassador.

Lord Ramsbotham's role will be to raise the profile of pact in the media, among other organisations, with government, and with potential donors.

pact's annual review for 2005-2006 has been published, and is available to read online at the click of a button.

Prisons Ombudsman Stephen Shaw CBE opens Channings Wood Visitors' Centrepact has opened a new Visitors' Centre at Channings Wood Prison near Newton Abbot, Devon. The purpose-built centre was officially opened by Stephen Shaw CBE, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, who praised the partnership between the prison and pact which has resulted in the creation of the new centre.

pact has produced a seminal report entitled "A survey of children and family related services at prisons in the South West of England". This survey examines what's on offer for families at all 14 public sector prisons in the South West. It draws important comclusions about the way families are treated, and makes recommendations for the future.

A pact Family Liaison Worker has started work at HMP Eastwood Park, a women's prison in rural Gloucestershire.

Vics Brown, who previously worked for pact at Exeter Prison, has taken on the challenge of providing support for the children and families of the 360 inmates, two-thirds of whom have a child under 16.