PRISONERS' CHILDREN GET A TASTE OF FAMILY LIFE AT DARTMOOR PRISON
Children will play games with their imprisoned fathers today in a special event at Dartmoor Prison supported by the Big Lottery Fund
It is the launch of Play in Prisons, a three-year project spearheaded by pact.
The project has been generously funded by the – the National Lottery’s ‘good causes’ fund.
Play in Prisons encourages imprisoned fathers to bond with their children, keeping family ties strong and ultimately helping prisoners not to re-offend. The scheme runs at the three Devon prisons: Dartmoor, Channings Wood and Exeter.
Play in Prisons project workers organise family days at the prisons, including sports-based activities such as football games, as well as facepainting, storytelling, music, and an opportunity for families to eat together.
For children, visiting prison can be frightening, confusing and distressing. Our support makes visiting a much more positive experience, and encourages a deeper bond between parent and child.
Andy Keen-Downs, Director of pact, says, “We know that strong family ties reduce the risk of crime. Whilst it’s not always healthy for all children to visit their parents in prison, in the majority of cases, when fathers or mothers inside have positive family visits, and focus on their parenting, it is good for their children, and it helps keep families together.”
“We know from research and our work that if prisoners go back to their families after release from prison, they are much less likely to commit more crime.”
Senior Prison Officer Darren Bolt, Head of Residence at Dartmoor Prison, says, “I am delighted to support the ‘Play in Prisons’ team and all the fantastic work they do at Dartmoor Prison. They create an incredibly positive atmosphere on family days which has a major on-going impact on the lives of the prisoners and their children.”
Find out more about the Play in Prisons project