It's a tough time for everyone

Children's charity Barnardo's NI and the NI Prison Service have jointly produced a booklet called 'It's a Tough Time for Everyone' aimed at children and young people to help them cope with having a parent or relative in prison.

Written in a comic book format by Deirdre Sloan and John Farrelly the booklet won an award at the recent SCOPE awards run by NICVA.

Barnardo's service Parenting Matters has been working with the Prison Service since 1996. Approximately 700 prisoners have children.

Speaking on behalf of Parenting Matters, Deirdre Sloan said, "We know from our experience providing parenting programmes in prisons that it is very important for children and young people to maintain contact with their parent or close relative but it can be difficult for them to understand exactly what happens in prison.

"This booklet gives young people information about prisons, what happens on visits and what people in prison do each day.

"It encourages children and young people to talk to someone they trust about how they feel and that it is not their fault and explains a number of terms that they may hear about prison life.

"Previous booklets written by Parenting Matters were aimed at adults and it seemed logical that the next step should be a booklet for children. Sometimes children can be forgotten when someone is sent to prison and little attention is given to reassure them. We are now working on a resource pack for mothers in prison."

The deputy governor of Maghaberry Prison, Austin Treacy, said that the Prison Service was very pleased to be involved with the project with Barnardo's NI.

"Over the last number of years we have worked hard with a range of partners to develop new projects and initiatives in prisons such as Child Centred Visits and Book Clubs to help parents remain in contact with their children and build on the very special bond that exists between them.

"We know that this has helped many parents who previously had little or no contact with their children and found it hard to explain to them what was happening and why they had gone away.

"This booklet, we hope, addresses some of the issues that children and young people encounter when they have a parent in prison. From our experience It's a Tough Time for Everyone also helps parents feel better able and prepared to speak to their children about some of the children's worries and concerns about prison.

"Maintaining family links is a crucial element of the Northern Ireland Prison Service's resettlement strategy which aims to equip prisoners with the necessary skills to successfully re-integrate into society on their release from prison".

Order a copy

The booklet is available for free from Parenting Matters 028 9049 1081. It is also available in prison visiting rooms and visitor centres at each establishment.