Help for families to be offered at Teesside courts (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Help for families of offenders to be offered at Middlesbrough's courts
6:02pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News
By Chris Webber, Reporter (Stockton/Hartlepool)
AN ORGANISATION which tries to help prisoners become useful members of society is to launch a new project at courts in Middlesbrough to help the families of offenders.
North-East charity NEPACS, which builds bridges for prisoners to their communities, has received three years’ funding from the national grant organisation Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to fund a development co-ordinator.
The co-ordinator will manage a volunteer-run service at the crown and magistrates courts in Middlesbrough.
Claire Moore, NEPACS development worker, said: “Every year thousands of families experience court proceedings and the impact of a custodial sentence despite never having been involved in or committed a crime.
“From the moment of arrest and throughout the court process families are at risk of social isolation and stigma.”
NEPACS is looking for volunteers. Find out more at www.Nepacs.co.uk or email cmoore@nepacs.co.uk.
