DAVID RAMSBOTHAM BECOMES PACT'S FIRST AMBASSADOR

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.

Lord Rambsotham was Chief Inspector of Prisons from 1995 to 2001. As Chief Inspector, he regularly condemned the lack of support, respect and care provided to prisoners' children and families. Today Lord Ramsbotham works as a non-party political peer in the House of Lords.

Lord Ramsbotham says, 'Prisoners' families are often the hidden and uncared for victims of crime, yet we know that helping prisoners' children and families to maintain supportive and loving relationships with relatives in prison is one of the most effective ways in which we can ensure that prisoners have somewhere to live and the chance of a fresh start when they leave.

The work of pact in supporting prisoners' children and families is outstanding, and I am pleased to lend them whatever support I can.'