Families of inmates at Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution 'are also victims of crime'

STAFF and volunteers at Deerbolt have celebrated after supporting more than 100,000 visitors of prisoners during the past ten years.

The visitors centre at Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institute has been welcoming families and children of its young male inmates since it opened in October 2007.

The centre is run by Nepacs, a North East charity which aims to promote a positive future for prisoners, offenders and their relatives by supporting family ties at every stage of the criminal justice stage. The charity originally funded the refurbishment of the former gardens building.

Nepacs staff and volunteers now welcome about 11,000 visitors each year at the centre in Startforth.

A celebratory open day was held on Sunday, October 1, to mark ten years since the original opening by Anne Owers who was HM Inspector of Prisons at the time.

Past and present staff and volunteers attended the event as well as representatives from the charity and Barnard Castle town mayor Cllr Sandra Moorhouse. Families of prisoners were also invited to the event, which included a tombola and children’s activities. A birthday cake was cut to mark the occasion.

Team leader Linda Fenwick has been working at the centre for almost ten years.

She said: “The centre has undergone many changes over the years including a conservatory which opened in 2011 as a dedicated play area. We continue to strive to make the difficult experience of visiting a prison as easy and painless as possible.”

Families may travel hundreds of miles to visit a relative and the centre has a small café, play area for children and lots of advice on offer.

Five members of staff and three volunteers say they focus on providing a warm welcome and ensuring that visitors can relax and unwind after long journeys in order to focus on the visit ahead.

Ms Fenwick said: “We reassure everyone and talk to every family about what they can and can’t do, especially for first time visitors who have never been to a prison establishment in their life and they have no idea what to expect.

“We build up a good relationship with visitors. We are a shoulder for them. We are a small team here and we are a family.”

Up to 40 families are welcomed to the centre each day on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Nepacs communications and development manager Tina Young said: “Family ties are key to rehabilitation and resettlement. The whole idea of prison is to rehabilitate. If you can make visiting a nice experience and less difficult then families visit and they keep in contact. It also gives the prisoners something to look forward to. We are that link between the outside and the prison.”

Nepacs provides a range of support in the region’s seven prisons. Ms Young said: “Sometimes families can be harassed, stigmatised or left feeling isolated. We want to raise awareness that the families can be serving a hidden sentence too. The family did not commit the crime. That is where we step in.”

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Ms Fenwick on 01833 633272.