Help and Advice

Action for Families Enduring Criminal Trauma (AFFECT)

Action for Prisoners' Families - The voice of organisations supporting the families of prisoners.

Breakingchains.org.uk - Breaking Chains is a charity which supports ex-offenders and their families to overcome obstacles in the way of employment, to become self employed, or to set up their own businesses, social enterprises and co-operatives.

Bridging the Gap (BTG) - Helping those released from prison to settle into their community.

Counselling Directory - The Counselling Directory was set up to connect visitors with a wealth of information and the ability to search for the most suitable counsellor or psychotherapist.

Families / Friends of Prisoners Service (FFOPS) - Support, Help & Advice for the Families and Friends of Prisoners. 101 Mansel Street, Swansea, SA1 5UE. Telephone 01792 458645. Email: ffops.ffops@tbconnect.com

Families Outside -  Families Outside is the only national charity in Scotland that works solely to support the families of people involved in the criminal justice system.

Inside Information - A vital source of useful information

Inside Time - The National monthly newspaper for prisoners

Inside 'n' out CIC: (a voice for ex-offenders)  Breaking the Chains of Offending

London Housing Project - A social enterprise organisation aiming to meet the social needs of people at risk of homelessness and in need of support.

New Bridge Foundation -  New Bridge was founded in 1956 to create links between the offender and the community. The intention is not to forget the victims of crime but to prevent more people becoming victims.

Offenders' Families Helpline - 0808 808 2003 a free and confidential service providing information and support to anyone supporting an offender through their contact with the Criminal Justice System. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9.00am-8pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10.00am-3pm. Translation services are available for those whose first language is not English. The Helpline is delivered by POPS (Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group) and is commissioned by NOMS.

PACT The Prison Advice and Care Trust (pact) provides practical services for prisoners and their families at a number of prisons across the South of England and Wales. They run visitors' centers just outside prison gates, children's play areas inside prisons, 'first night in custody' services for new prisoners, and much more besides.

POPS (Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group) provide information and support to the families of offenders from their earliest contact with the Criminal Justice System, through to release and beyond. POPS have Family Support Workers attached to a variety of prisons and probation initiatives as well as running a number of prison visitor centres across the North-West. POPS are currently contracted to deliver the Offenders’ Families Helpline. 

Prison Chat UK - An online community giving support to those who have a loved one inside the British prison system.

Prison Education Trust (PET) - Since 1990, Prisoners Education Trust has been providing learning opportunities for offenders in custody to broaden their horizons and to focus on a more positive life on release, whenever that may come.

Prisoners' Families and Friends Service - offers advice, information, support and friendship to families and close relatives affected by imprisonment. They provide a helpline, advice and support in courts throughout London, a family centre and a befriending service. Their services are free and confidential.

Prisoners' Penfriends - Making it possible for carefully selected volunteers to write safely to prisoners.

Shop Forces - Helping our hero's www.shopforces.com

 St. Giles Trust - Works with offenders and other disadvantaged people to help them resettle through a range of projects which assist with housing, employment, education and training. It works directly in 20 prisons offering a peer prisoner support service and works with prisoners up to, on the day of and immediately after release to ensure that housing and appropriate support is in place during this time.

Storybook Dads - helps to maintain family ties by producing personalised story CDs. The story, read by an imprisoned mum or dad (or brother, auntie, grandad etc) is recorded and then edited and enhanced on a computer before being sent to the children. The scheme is currently operating in approx 70 prisons, and growing.

Unlock - The National Association of Reformed Offenders.

Services

SIS - Criminal convictions insurance specialists