Katia Parent, the social worker in HMP Send talking to one of the women residents of the prison in the garden on the 1st of July, 2022. This is part of a PACT run project to put a trained social worker in every prison, their role is to support the women inside with their family responsibilities liaising between them and all the supporting bodies who work with their families and children. (Picture by Andy Aitchison)
London Housing Foundation have announced an award of £100,000 to support the Prison Advice and Care Trust’s Journeys to Freedom project.
Founded in 1898, Pact is a pioneering national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their children and families, providing caring and life changing services at every stage of the criminal justice process: in court, in prison, on release, and in the community.
Their Journeys to Freedom initiative supports women leaving prison immediately before and following their release.
Women often face a very different set of challenges to male prisoners. Not only are they more likely to have dependent children, but they have often experienced abuse or trauma that affects their ability to sustain healthy relationships.
Journeys to Freedom tailors support to address these challenges, ensuring that women leaving prison get the support they need to resettle in the community and reducing the likelihood that they will reoffend.
A recent evaluation of this service has revealed ‘excellent’ outcomes in supporting women leaving prison to successfully reintegrate into the community and reduce their likelihood of reoffending.
Ellen Green, Pact Deputy CEO said:
“We are delighted to have LHF’s continued support for Journeys to Freedom. This project aims to show the way forward in resettlement, providing women leaving prison with the support they need to give them the very best chance of making a fresh start. By offering support with accommodation, relationships, health, finances, employment, and recognising that these needs are intrinsically linked, we are able to support women effectively to transition back into the community.”
Deborah was supported by the project. She said:
“When I was released, I was offered support in various different ways. It made me feel that someone was out there. They’ve got my back, and I was worth it.”
Ian Brady Executive Chair of London Housing Foundation said:
“We are extremely pleased to be able to continue our support for PACT and especially the Journeys to Freedom initiative. Helping vulnerable women get established into their communities with practical and psychological support is essential, stopping people going back to old patterns of behaviour and reducing the chance of reoffending and homelessness.”
For more information about PACT please go to https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/ For more information, pictures or an interview contact mark@markwall.co.uk.
