General overview of role:
Family prison visits volunteers will be based in the Visitor Centre. The visitors’ centres exist to meet the needs of adults and children visiting relatives or friends in prison. They aim to offer, "a safe, pleasant environment where all visitors are met with dignity and respect, provided with the facilities they need and offered information, support and the opportunity to discuss the difficulties they may face in confidence” (Prison Service Guidelines, 1996). This statement sums up the basic principles underlying the Nepacs visitors’ centres.
Volunteers in this role will offer a warm welcome to all visitors arriving for a domestic visit and register all visitors who arrive. They will also provide refreshments and offer emotional support and information to the families who are waiting for a visit.
Role description:
Main tasks will include:
• Welcome visitors and register and log each visitor as they arrive
• Serve refreshments
• To offer any information and support as necessary to the families of prisoners
• To explain to new visitors the visiting process
• To promote the Nepacs family support service available to prisoners and visiting families and friends
• To take family support referrals and forward them to the Nepacs family support worker
• Respond to lower level family support enquiries
• To promote the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme to families
• To raise any issues or concerns regarding the safety of children or vulnerable adults and follow the Nepacs safeguarding policy and processes
Skills required:
• Welcoming and friendly outlook
• Non judgemental attitude
• Ability to work as part of a team
• An understanding of confidentiality
• Sensitive to the needs of visitors
• Basic numeracy and literacy
HMP Durham Visitors' Centre, Durham, DH1 3HU
Expenses:
Public transport costs or mileage up to 22 mile radius at 40p per mile.
Training and support:
• Initial project induction and training
• Level 1 Safeguarding training available
• Invite to Nepacs Generic induction
• Volunteer meetings are held at regular intervals throughout the year
• NEPACS offer a training day for all volunteers annually
• Volunteers are eligible to attend some prison organised training
Commitment
Nepacs asks volunteers
• To commit to the project and its purpose and give notice of absence as soon as possible
• To undertake an induction programme
• To agree to a DBS check and prison clearance (this will require a form of photo ID)
Volunteers can expect:
• Support from staff
• Training opportunities
• Invitation to volunteer meetings
• Recognition of their work
What does NEPACS do?
NEPACS is all about supporting a positive future for prisoners and their families. We strongly believe that investment must be made in resettlement and rehabilitation to ensure that there are fewer crime victims in the future, and less prospect of family life being disrupted and possibly destroyed by a prison sentence.
As a charity with a strong regional base including over 200 volunteers from all walks of life, we are determined to play our part in promoting family ties and facilitate resettlement. Ministry of Justice figures tell us that prisoners are 39% less likely to reoffend if they have had visits throughout their prison sentence. That's a strong argument for keeping families together. We are also concerned about the damaging impact of a prison sentence on the families themselves and seek to limit this through informal support and signposting for help with finance, childcare and health issues. After all, the families haven't committed the crime, but they, especially the children, are greatly affected by the punishment.
Recognition of Quality Volunteer Experience
