NEPACS is all about building bridges between prisoners, their families and the communities that they will return to upon their release. We strongly believe that investment must be made in resettlement and rehabilitation to ensure that there are fewer crime victims in the future, and less prospect of family life being disrupted and possibly destroyed by a prison sentence.

As a charity with a strong regional base including over 200 volunteers from all walks of life, we are determined to play our part in promoting family ties and facilitate resettlement. Ministry of Justice figures tell us that prisoners are 39% less likely to reoffend if they have had visits throughout their prison sentence. That's a strong argument for keeping families together. We are also concerned about the damaging impact of a prison sentence on the families themselves and seek to limit this through informal support and signposting for help with finance, childcare and health issues. After all, the families haven't committed the crime, but they, especially the children, are greatly affected by the punishment.