Gloucester Prison family support service secures funding

A charity which helps children whose fathers are in prison in Gloucester has secured funding to develop services for inmates' families.

The Castle Gate Gloucestershire programme, run by charity InfoBuzz, said it meant facilities like the play area during visiting times would stay.

The funding is expected to secure the service for the next three years.

Head of Reducing Reoffending Nigel Stevens said it was "essential that prisoners' families receive support".

'Law-abiding lives'

Currently the support programme has two play workers and six volunteers. The additional money will pay for a family outreach worker.

Mr Stevens said: "Families play an essential role in helping prisoners resettle into the community and lead law-abiding lives.

"There is evidence that suggests that prisoners who have positive and regular contact with their families are six times less likely to reoffend, and are much more likely to have accommodation and find a job on release."

Dave Pearce, from InfoBuzz, said the funding would allow the charity to "reach many more families and develop more specialised services to meet their needs".

InfoBuzz said it would also like to hear from people with a family member in custody - now or in the past - who would like to take part in an independent focus group to help advise the charity.