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Awards presented for prisoner support

Awards for people who prevent prisoners re-offending have been presented to winners in the North East. The annual NEPACS ceremony recognised the action of people that encourage former prisoners to re-engage with society.

The activities honoured this year included personal advice, improving employment opportunities, and a community gardening scheme. The aim of all projects was to break the cycle of re-offending.

NEPACS, previously known as the North Eastern Prison After Care Society, is a North East charity which has promoted rehabilitation of offenders for over 100 years. The organisation also provides facilities for visitors to prisons and young offender institutions across the region.

Jim Black, the chair of the Durham-based charity, said: “Our awards are both a ‘thank you’ and also recognise particularly good practice in a wide range of positive efforts on behalf of prisoners and their families. The purpose is to achieve benefits for them and for society in general.”

The awards were presented by Chris Mullin, the MP for Sunderland South. He said: “Far too many offenders re-offend and go back to prison, so the work recognised by the awards is vitally important.”

One winner, Michelle McCartney, Head of Learning & Skills at HMP Durham, has revitalised activities at the prison to equip inmates with qualifications.

John and Maureen Foster were also presented with an award for linking prisoners to the ongoing five-year Restorative Justice project. This involved improving the gardens of retired people living in Cowgate.

Finally, an award was given to Liz, an inmate at HMP Low Newton, for promoting personal safety and training as a Listener with the Samaritans. She provided support for fellow inmates in this role, listening to any personal problems they had. She went on to become a Listener Coordinator, liaising with prison staff and external organisations.

For more information on NEPCAS, visit www.nepacs.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .