Charity marks 120 years reducing reoffending one family at a time

A charity which steps in to help prisoners and reduce the chances of them reoffending has spoken of their 120 years of service.

PACT (Prison Advice & Care Trust) say that 40 per cent of prisoners are less likely to reoffend if they are kept in touch with their immediate family, and have spent 130 years undertaking work in their befriending service because of this.

PACT is a pioneering independent national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their children and families. It provides caring and life changing services at every stage of the criminal justice process.

Camilla Arbery from PACT was the guest speaker (via Zoom) at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Tiverton and has been working for the charity, initially as a Volunteer, for over 4 years.

“We find that the relatives of prisoners – their partners and children – receive little support for the period of the sentence and we try to help during what is a traumatic time and we offer a friendly face to prisoners and families alike”.

PACT operates in 50 per cent of prisons in the UK including the three local prisons of Dartmoor, Exeter and Channings Wood. The charity accesses legal, educational, mental health and other services for prisoners in court and before, during and after the prison sentences. Camilla carries out case work for prisoners, meeting new prisoners and involving, where appropriate, Social Services and local authorities.

“Some family members experience a sense of shame over their relative being imprisoned and they avoid shopping locally for fear of abuse,” said Camilla. “We organise family days and Zoom meetings on a voluntary basis so that similarly affected families may get together. Weekly phone calls are also made so that families feel they are not forgotten. We offer kindness, respect and dignity and look to make a better society.”