Where to go for help

Organisations that can help prisoners' families

Prisoners'Families Helpline

The national Helpline offering information and support to anyone with a relative or friend in prison.
Tel 0808 808 2003 (freephone)
www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk

Regional organisations

London

Prisoners' Families and Friends Service

PFFS provides support and information to prisoners' families which is free and confidential.
Tel 0808 808 3444 (freephone)
www.pffs.org.uk

East of England

Ormiston Children and Families Trust

Ormiston have produced free publications for children visiting prisons
Tel 01473 724517
www.ormiston.org

North West

POPS - Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group

POPS aims to provide a variety of services to support anyone who has a link with someone in prison, prisoners and other agencies. POPS provides assistance to these groups for the purpose of enabling families to cope with the stress of arrest, imprisonment and release
Tel 0161 702 1000
Email mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk
www.partnersofprisoners.org.uk

North East

NEPACS

NEPACS provides support to offenders, ex offenders and their families. It helps to relieve hardship and to contribute in ways to rehabilitate offenders and reduce re-offending. They collect and disseminate information about criminal justice issues and the reduction of crime.
Tel 0191 375 7278
Email info@nepacs.co.uk
www.nepacs.co.uk

Organisations for prisoners and their families

SHARP

SHARP provides practical help, support and friendship for prisoners' families and friends. Based in Shrewsbury.
Tel 01743 245365
www.s-h-a-r-p.org.uk

Nacro

Nacro have produced Outside Help - practical information for the families of people in prison. Free to families.
Tel 0207 840 6427
www.nacro.org.uk

Assisted Prison Visits Unit

Prisoners' close relatives/partner/friend may be entitled to help with travel expenses.
Tel 0845 300 1423
Email assisted.prison.visits@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk

Kids VIP - Kids Visiting in Prison

Kids VIP have produced DVDs and booklets on children visiting prison
Tel 0207 582 2679
Email kidsvip@btinternet.com
www.kidsvip.co.uk

Victim Support

Victim Support is an independent national charity which helps people cope with crime by providing emotional support and assistance to individual victims, prosecution and defence witnesses, their families and friends. It is commited to reducing the distress and disruption caused by crime and to promoting the interests of people affected by crime. It offers a free service providing information about court procedures and pre-trial visits and a witness service in crown courts and magistrates courts. For more information click here. www.victimsupport.org

Citizens Advice Bureau

Information sheets on a range of subjects can be downloaded from the site. Also one to one advice in their high street shops.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Adfam

Adfam have produced various publications and free information for the families of imprisoned drug and alcohol users.
Email prisons@adfam.org.uk
www.adfam.org.uk