For five long years, Gaz hasn’t seen or spoken to his daughter, Olivia. But this year, just in time for Father’s Day, Gaz will be able to see and speak to Olivia via video call thanks to support from Pact’s Family Engagement Worker, Sarah.
When Gaz first connected with Pact’s team at HMP Swaleside, he hadn’t had any contact with Olivia at all. Then, during lockdown, he took part in craft workshops and began sending her handmade cards and artwork. These small but heartfelt gestures were a way to say: I’m still here. I still care. When restrictions lifted, Gaz and Olivia were finally able to meet face-to-face. The Pact team captured the moment with a photo of the father and daughter*: a small gesture, but for Gaz, it meant the world.
Then, things changed again. Gaz’s former partner made the decision to end contact between him and Olivia. It is a reality that many imprisoned dads face. Having a parent in prison can be emotionally difficult for children, especially when Dad is serving a long sentence or has been convicted of a serious offence. Parents and carers sometimes feel the safest or kindest choice is to cut ties. What many don’t know is that being in prison doesn’t mean Dad automatically loses his rights.
That’s where Pact comes in. Our Family Engagement Workers support parents like Gaz to navigate the legal and emotional complexities of staying in touch with their children. They help parents understand whether contact is truly in the child’s best interests. Sometimes, because of the nature of a parent’s offence, there are court-ordered restrictions on what contact can take place, and parents often appreciate support to come to terms with this. When contact is appropriate, our teams can work with former partners, support children, signpost to legal advice, and walk alongside parents through the slow, often lengthy process of rebuilding those bridges.
Gaz shared: “I asked Sarah for support to apply to the courts for access to my daughter. The whole process has taken over three years to complete but with Sarah's help, I gained letterbox contact, which could progress to social visits when my daughter was ready. With this support, I have been writing to my daughter and receiving photos and updates for the last eight months!”
“Sarah visited me on the wing last week to inform me that she has received an email from my daughter's grandmother stating that my daughter would now like video calls - just in time for Father's Day. This is my first Father's Day in five years that I will be able to have contact with my daughter.”
“The process has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I definitely thank Sarah for being patient with me, when at times I may have been difficult. She said we would eventually get to this stage and to trust the process, and she was right. It has all worked out.”
This week, after five years apart, Gaz will be enjoying a video call with Olivia. For dads in prison, these conversations mean hope. They mean the opportunity to be a dad again, if only for an hour. And for many, evidence shows they give the strength to work towards a better life after prison (people in prison who receive visits are 39% less likely to reoffend). But this is often only possible with Pact’s help.
You can give hope to dads like Gaz this Father’s Day - and beyond - by donating. Your support will help us to continue providing our vital services to thousands of dads and their children, building stronger families and offering people the chance to make a fresh start.
*Stock image used above