Bob McColm #1 Governor at HMP Risley Volunteers for Partners of Prisoners

June commenced with organisations across the UK showing their appreciation and celebrating the contribution made by their volunteers. Volunteers' Week (1st - 8th June) is also an opportunity to raise awareness of volunteering and find new recruits and Partners of Prisoners and Family Support Group (POPS) had no limits. Prison governors at HMP Risley were invited to be become volunteers for POPS. In addition to Bob McColm, Governors Louise Spencer and Phil Riley also gave their time assisting in booking in visitors, serving on the tea bar and answering visitors' queries. The events proved to be beneficial for all participants because families gained contact with senior prison management staff, governors we able to interact with families in a non formal environment, gaining increased understanding of the value of family provisions in prisons as well as promote the value of volunteering to all. Bob McColm stated, "offenders are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances...POPS staff build relationships with their visitors and interact with them. It makes the world of difference and I appreciate the work volunteers do."... Download PDF

Let's hear it for the rest!

Letter written to Inside Time in July 2007, in response to a letter published in the June 2007 edition that was promoting WRVS. 'I write in response to the letter in your June issue by Paul Banfield in HMP Parkhurst. In his contribution (Let's hear it for the WRVS), Mr Banfield quite rightly praises the excellent work undertaken by the WRVS in prison visits halls - namely providing a much needed cup of tea, a smile and a friendly word. However, I would like to point out that this facility is also provided in prisons up and down the country by other charitable organisations and prisoners' families support groups... Download PDF

Crystal Hearts Awards 2008

We are going to hold this event on 9th October 2008 at the Radisson Edwardian Manchester Hotel. This year our event will be just that little bit extra special, as we will be also celebrating POPS' 20th Anniversary.

CRYSTAL HEARTS AWARDS 2008 is designed to reward examples of outstanding work being carried out across the Criminal Justice System. The event is also promotes community engagement, as we hope to introduce Statutory, Private and Voluntary and Community Sector agencies to one another to enable networking and hopefully encourage future partnerships.

We actively encourage offenders, their families and others to nominate any individuals / projects / teams / organisations that have positively touched the lives.

The event is now open to receive nominations and delegate bookings. The event is very popular nominat and book now to avoid disappointment.

Charity Times Award

In 1988 Farida founded (POPS) to provide a variety of services to support anyone who has a link with someone in prison, prisoners and other agencies. She is an excellent example of how one person has changed the lives of thousands of individuals and families all across the UK. We nominated Farida for this award because her story demonstrates how from one person’s actions a tiny acorn can grow into a huge oak tree. With both determination and passion Farida has taken the power of a negative experience and used it to fuel a positive change in the future....download the full article for more information Download PDF

Forest Bank and POPS celebrate EID and Black History Month

HMP Forest Bank and POPS have been organising Family Focused Visits for the last twelve months. The prison recognises that Family Focused Visits mean fathers can re-establish or continue to maintain bonds with their children and families. This is part of the resettlement process of helping prisoners return to normal life on release. For many children normal family life stops when a parent is imprisoned. The POPS and Prison staff at Forest Bank have worked hard to organise these special visits. Prison visiting can be a daunting process for children in particular, so a lot of effort has been put into making the process as child friendly as possible within the necessary security requirements. The Family Focused Visits are run every three months and have had themes such as Halloween, Easter or Christmas. It was decided by Forest Bank and POPS that an Eid Family focused Visit would be a good idea. The event was then promoted in advance at the Visitor Centre and inside the Prison by the Imam, Prison Staff and the POPS Visitor Centre Coordinator........ Download PDF

Mental Health: Young BME Prisoners

Put this date in your diary: 09:30 – 13:00, 22nd January 2008, Chapel, HMYOI Hindley

The project was carried out by POPS in conjunction with the Centre of Ethnicity and Health at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and the National Institute of Mental Health England (NIMHE). The aim of the event is to celebrate the completion of the project, disseminate the final report and also hear from some of the young BME prisoners involved in the project as Peer Researchers.

The research focused on the mental health needs of young BME prisoners in HMYOI Hindley and aimed to: -

• To understand why fewer BME individuals choose to access mental health services in prison.
• Explore the mental health needs of BME prisoners
• Inform future service development in partnership with the statutory sector and other voluntary organisations

If you are interested in learning more about this project and the research findings then attending this event is vital.

The event will be held in the Chapel at HMYOI Hindley, Gibson Street, Bickershaw, Wigan, WN2 5TH between 09:30 – 13:00, 22nd January 2008.

There are limited places available (approximately 30), therefore we are working on a first come first served basis. Please complete the booking form attached and fax/send it back to us at POPS by noon 19th January 2009.

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‘Families under stress… children at risk’ Conference 2008

Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS) and Barnardo’s are proud to announce our partnership in delivering the ‘Families under stress… children at risk’ Conference in 2008. The conference has been designed to promote the issues for prisoners’ children and families to the wider sector including Health, Education and Children Services. This conference also aims to highlight the links between imprisonment and the offending behaviour of prisoners’ children. It will promote partnership between agencies that are working with offenders, their children and families. It will also showcase the international, national, regional and local perspective/strategies. There will also be an opportunity to share examples of good practice..... Download PDF