LORD JUSTICE GOLDRING BACKS CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE 160,000 CHILDREN OF PRISONERS WHO ARE ‘LEFT BEHIND’ EACH YEAR

A new campaign to raise awareness of the needs of children who are left behind when a parent is sent to prison is being launched today. The campaign has been created by Pact, Action For Prisoners’ Families and NSPCC, three respected charities known for their work in supporting vulnerable people.

With the support of the Senior Presiding Judge, Lord Justice Goldring, the ‘Left Behind’ campaign makes magistrates, district judges and everyone involved in the courts system aware of the issues concerning the immediate welfare of children and dependents of people being placed in custody.

There are also ‘awareness’ posters going up in every court in England and Wales which are aimed at defendants, solicitors and anyone who may be left caring for a prisoners’ child or relative. These posters have the details of national helpline numbers and the new website www.familiesleftbehind.info, which contains resources and information for anyone affected by this issue.

“Prisoners’ children and dependents are the hidden victims of crime, and are all too easily missed when their parent or carer is put in prison by the court” said Andy Keen-Downs, Chief Executive of Pact, the charity spearheading the campaign. “We hope this campaign will improve links between the criminal courts, social services and charities so that we can work together to keep children and family members safe.”

Lord Justice Goldring has provided the new guidance for courts encouraging a greater awareness of the needs of prisoners’ children and families. “Sometimes defendants are sent to prison without having made proper arrangements for people in their care” he acknowledges.

Notes for Editors
The Government estimates that there are approximately 160,000 children who experience the imprisonment of a parent every year. However, as the whereabouts of these children is not recorded, the actual figure is unknown. The prison population stands at a record high 87,000.

Pact run family support services at prisons across England and Wales, and the Kids VIP programme, which raises awareness of the needs of prisoners’ children.

Action for Prisoners’ Families (APF) works with its members to improve policy and practice for prisoners’ and offenders’ families and to reduce the negative impact of imprisonment and offending on families. www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

Interview Opportunities
Andy Keen-Downs is available for interview.
Contact; Pact 0207 735 9535 / Andy Keen-Downs mob. 07841 289 340
www.prisonadvice.org.uk

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