NEWS

The CASS desk in actionA Ministry of Justice report today cites our CASS project at Plymouth and Bodmin Magistrates' courts as an example of best practice partnership work between government and the voluntary sector.

Our pact lunch catering service has been shortlisted for a Charity Award.

pact has been nominated in the "social care, welfare and religion" category.

A recent debate in the House of Lords focussed on the issues surrounding mothers in prison.

The debate was triggered by our Agenda for Action, a campaigning document created jointly by pact, Action for Prisoners' Families, the Prison Reform Trust and Clinks. The charities are together calling for more support for prisoners' families and children.

Our joint campaign for prisoners' families - in alliance with the Prison Reform Trust, Action for Prisoners' Families, and Clinks - is gathering pace.

So far, 76 MPs have signed the Early Day Motion, which calls for more support for prisoners' families - including a family visitors' centre at every prison, and radically improved visits booking lines.

Can you help? Please write to your MP urging them to sign up to Early Day Motion 816, the 'Supporting Prisoners' Families Campaign'.

pact has won a three year grant from the Big Lottery to fund an ambitious Play in Prisons project, covering Channings Wood, Dartmoor and Exeter Prisons.

We are currently recruiting for three Play Co-ordinators and a Lead Play Co-ordinator for the region.

It is estimated that 160,000 children are affected by the imprisonment of a parent per year.

7% of school children have a family member in prison and of these children 66% of the boys will go on to offend.