Maintaining Prisoner/Family Relationships in Prison

1. Maintaining Prisoner/Family Relationships in Prison The Jigsaw Visitors Centre at HMP Leeds By Lee Stephenson 3rd October 2013

2. Jigsaw Visitors Centre The Jigsaw Visitors Centre is an independent charity that works in partnership with HMP Leeds Jigsaw is the main partner to HMP Leeds delivering work around children & families The Visitors Centre has been opened since 1994 but Jigsaw has operated at HMP Leeds since 2003 when funding was secured from the New Opportunities Fund. Staff team of 15 – Manager, 2 Development Workers, Finance Officer, Family Support Manager, 4 Family Workers, 2 Refreshment Workers, 3 Play Workers, 1 play specialist We have 650 – 700 visitors a week accessing the centre and we are open 7 days a week

3. The services Jigsaw provides in the Visitors Centre for Families Book in all visitors Troubleshoot issues, concerns problems of families 1st Time visitor support Family support in the Visitors Centre Telephone support & helpline for families Information booklets, fact sheets, children activity books Play area Bi-monthly meet the Governor drop in sessions Outside agencies – Referral process

4. The services Jigsaw provides in the prison for prisoners and their families Organises 26 family visits/days throughout the year Accredited 3 day Relationship without Violence course followed by 4 support sessions Accredited 4 day Positive Relationship course for prisoners and their partners 4 week Fathers Inside parenting programme Quarterly Family Forums where prisoners and their families are given the opportunity to ask questions about regimes, rules and regulations at HMP Leeds these are chaired by the No.1 Governor Provide play visits during weekday term time visits

5. The services Jigsaw provides in the prison for prisoners and their families Supervised play provision on weekends and school holidays The Story Book Dads service where prisoners can make a story recording on a CD and DVD their children or children in their family Family Support Service in the prison addressing any family issues prisoners may have Pregnancy project to prepare expectant fathers and their pregnant partners becoming parents in partnership with NSPCC Week long drama projects for prisoners and their children

6. Why Jigsaw’s Partnership with HMP Leeds works for families Excellent working relationships between Jigsaw staff and HMP Leeds staff Jigsaw Manager is on HMP Leeds Senior Management Team Secondment of a prison officer to Jigsaw full time to assist with service delivery Level of Support from HMP Leeds Trusted by HMP Leeds staff Added value Jigsaw brings to HMP Leeds Knowledge of the prison & criminal justice system

7. Governor Paul Baker –HMP Leeds • "Jigsaw have placed themselves firmly at the centre of HMP Leeds Rehabilitation Revolution. They are no longer simply a 'nice to have' but are a 'need to have'. They work with families in such a way that they are playing a critical role in reducing reoffending. They should be enormously proud of everything they achieve."