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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction: The EuroPris Family Relations Expert Group, of which Slovenian Prison Administration is part of, are interested in gathering best practice on on providing information to family members or any other visitors in prison facilities. Your input will be invaluable to inform a future working paper based on this subject.
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In CPL, visitors can find a notice entitled “Information for visitors” containing the following pieces of information: - visit days and times; - the procedure to get a permit in order to visit a detainee; - the procedure to fix an appointment to a visit a detainee; - the procedure of the visit itself; - information regarding disabled visitors; - information regarding minor visitors ; - information regarding the delivery of a parcel for a detainee; - the number of hours of visitation that every detainee is permitted per month; - the procedure to send money to a detainee; - information concerning public transport. On the website of the ministry of justice, the following information are available to visitors: - the procedure to get a permit in order to visit a detainee; - standard form to apply for a visit permit; - location plan of the prison.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?Information about visitations in prison are available on the website of the ministry of justice and on notices posted in the visit waiting areas in prison.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?A notice with information regarding visit procedures, as well as a poster regarding drug traffic and its legal consequences are posted in the visit waiting areas.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?In general, the staff of the social-psychological department keeps in touch with the family of a detainee and informs them about aspects of prison life if necessary.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?/
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?Visitors who have complaints or remarks can directly inform the staff of the visit’s department.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?/
Visit times, length of vitis, number of visitors, disclosure, obligation of having the permission from the court (prison on remand), informations about money transfer and correspondence (letters, parcels...), accessibility of the prison, procedures.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?official website of the Austrian Ministry of Justice (informations of each prison in detail), leaflets of the prisons.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?in the visit waiting areas visit procedures and security regulations as well as legal consequences have been put up
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?the official website of the Austrian Ministry of Justice offers detailled informations about every single prisons as the accessibility, responsibility, house rules, official functions and challenges, employment of prisoners, rehab and prevention working programs, public relations, historical informations about the prison building, contact options
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?currently Information Terminals including Touch Screens for the visit waiting areas are planned.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?not in the visit waiting area, but generally visitors have the possibility to write an official letter to the head of the prison and/or the Austrian Ministry of Justice
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?under construction - Austria is a member of the EuroPris Expert Group Familiy Affairs
Information regarding Visits is available to the general public on the Irish Prison Service (IPS) website www.irishprisonsservice.ie This information is provide with a link to the Booked Visits application tab on the website. An information booklet is provided to prisoners outlining the rules, procedures and services available, including details of the visits system.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?The Irish Prison Service operates a booked visits system. Any person entering a prison to visit must make an appointment in advance providing specific personal details in order to gain admittance to the prison. These include the visitor name, address, date of birth, prisoner being visited, relationship of prisoner to visitor and date of visit. Photographic identification will be required from the visitor on arrival and will be used to confirm the date of birth given when booking their visit. All details are recorded on the Prison Service electronic system. This procedure also applies for professional visitors, i.e. solicitors, police, representatives from other government agencies, etc. The Governor is entitlement under the Prison Rules 2007 -2014, Rule 36 (9) to prohibit a visit to a prisoner by a person or persons if he or she believes it to be necessary in order to (a) prevent the entry into the prison of controlled drugs or other prohibited articles or substances, (b) prevent a conspiracy to commit a criminal offence, or (c) otherwise maintain good order and safe and secure custody.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Yes. Notices are displayed on the main gate regarding prohibited articles beyond that point. The IPS display information posters in all visit waiting areas, setting out IPS policy, procedures and consequences in relation to maintaining security and the detection of contraband, while visiting the prison. IPS also show a short video, outlining the search process for visitors, this runs continuously throughout the visiting period. Information regarding the IPS confidential telephone line is also displayed.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?The IPS Three Year Strategic Plan 2012-2015 set out the commitment of the IPS to “strengthen family supports to facilitate on-going contact with prisoners while in custody and their reintegration post release, with appropriate supports and programmes”. This lead to the establishment of the Families & Imprisonment Group and a pilot project entitled the ‘Family Links Programme’. The project aims to develop parenting and family programmes specific to the needs and requirements of the prisoner population.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?Not at this time.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?Any visitor to a prison may submit a complaint, comment and / or suggestions by post, electronic format or via the Complaints Box in accordance with the IPS Complaints Policy. Complaint forms are available and can be completed at the time of the visit or at a later date. Complaints made by visitors to the prions are termed Category E Complaints. Such complaints are categorised and investigated accordingly. On receipt of a complaint a written acknowledgement shall be sent to the complainant by post, with the name of the prison complaints coordinator. The IPS Compliant Policy is available to the general public on the Irish Prison Service (IPS) website www.irishprisonsservice.ie
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?The IPS has embarked on a refurbishment programme of visiting areas, this has resulted in the provision of family room facilities, indoor and / or outdoor play areas in a number of prisons. Children are allowed to visit, provide they are accompanied by an adult during the course of the visit. Some constraints may be necessary with regard to numbers due to space and seating arrangements. IPS encourages a flexible approach to ensure that all children who wish to visit their parent in prison can do so.
SPS provides information on all aspects of visits including times, procedures and regulations. There is a ‘frequently asked questions’ section on the SPS website and hard copy leaflets are also available in prisons and from partner agencies in the community. SPS recognises the negative impact that imprisonment can have on family life. That is why supporting and maintaining family links and promoting positive relationships generally while the family member is in prison is one of the SPS’ key priorities going forward. We recognise that such positive relationships can make a valuable contribution in supporting offenders to desist from further offending. We are committed to working with partners to maximise what we can do.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?Information is on the SPS website and in printed leaflets. SPS recognises that children and families are hugely motivating factors that can influence positive behaviour change and we are committed to working with families, community and voluntary sector partners in order to maintain and develop meaningful family contact throughout a period of imprisonment. Integrated Case Management (ICM) is a process where SPS works together with other agencies to give help and support to prisoners throughout their sentence. This support is focused on reducing re-offending by ensuring where possible, risks are identified and a plan is put in place to reduce those risks in a sequenced and co-ordinated manner. A person in custody may be asked if they would like a family member to attend the ICM meeting for additional support. After giving consent for family attendance an invitation is issued by post.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Yes. We want to strengthen the relationship between the SPS and families affected by imprisonment to ensure that both prisoner and family receive the best possible support during this difficult time. We now have Standards for Encouraging Family Contact which details the minimum level of support that is now available in every establishment. These standards became operational on 1st April 2013 and include five key standards; • Access SPS will offer opportunities for children and families to maintain contact with their relatives. • Communication SPS will provide information which is accessible and meets the needs of families. • Participation SPS will actively encourage families to participate at key stages of a relative’s sentence. • Respect SPS staff will treat every visitor as an individual, and with dignity and respect. • Safety SPS will ensure families visiting a relative in prison do so in a safe and pleasant environment. There are various ways of keeping in touch with a family member in custody. Families may write, visit and use the “email a prisoner” scheme.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?All prisoners are provided with an appropriate induction process. The aims are to assist and support the prisoner’s integration into the establishment; to continue the assessment process; and to enable the prisoner to remain safe, make the best use of their time in custody, and prepare for life after release. The induction process enables prisoners to approach their time in custody constructively in order to gain the maximum benefit from their sentence. There is an opportunity for family members to be part of this process. The family induction enables prison staff to explain what the time in custody will be like and the way they can support their relative. SPS can answer any questions or concerns families may have. The Family Contact Officer (FCO) can also outline other opportunities to be involved.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?Yes.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?Yes. The Scottish Prison Service is an organisation that is customer focused. We are always looking for ways to improve our service delivery. We take complaints very seriously and have a formal process for examining them. If a family member visits one of our prisons and is unhappy with the service received or any other aspect of the visit, families can talk to a member of SPS staff in the first instance to seek an early resolution to the issue. If, after discussing the issue with a member of frontline staff, the family remains dissatisfied with the response then families can write to a Senior Manager on a complaints form. In prisons this will usually mean the Governor and in SPS Headquarters this will mean the relevant Deputy Director. Complaint forms are available in all SPS establishments at the main entrance and visitor waiting areas. Completed forms can be handed to a member of staff at the front desk or put in the complaints box provided. The Governor or Deputy Director will provide an acknowledgement within 3 working days. After any investigation they will provide a written response within 20 working days. If the family has exhausted the SPS complaints process and remains dissatisfied with the response or the way that the complaint has been handled the complaint can be passed to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). Their website www.spso.org.uk contains information which will tells families what steps to take and when. The SPSO is the final stage for complaints about most organisations that provide public services in Scotland, including the Scottish Prison Service. Their service is independent, free and confidential.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?Yes.
Each prison has an Information Office, among other things, these offices reports on everything related to visits
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?Oral information, telephone, print brochure
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?In waiting areas for visitors there is information concerning schedules, prohibited objects. No posters with legal warnings
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?• The multidisciplinary team, and specifically the social worker of the team, is the person who report to families from admission until the end of the sentence, of everything related to the process and prison life. • Referrals to community networks
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?• The Department of Justice is funding the Deaf Federation of Catalonia for a program that provides support to these people and their families through sign language. • With blind people usually look for a residential resource outside of prison center’s where these people can fulfill his sentence.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?In the waiting rooms of prisons and in the Prison Social Services Center’s (located outside the prison) there are mailboxes for complaints and suggestions
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?No
Existing Policy concerning the provision of Visits and Services to visitors is contained in Prison Service Instruction 16/2011, which is available to all prisoners and the general public via the internet - https://www.justice.gov.uk/.../psipso/psi.../psi-16-2011-providing-visits-and- services-to-visitors.doc Information provided for visitors will include how to book a prison visit, security procedures and penalties for non-compliance. Details about help with travel for visitors who have financial difficulties is available through the Assisted Prison Visits scheme. Visits timetables are available and what visitors can expect to happen on a visit. Information about provision that is available for children is also available. Information about how to make a complaint and what a visitor should do if they are worried about a relative or friend in prison is also available.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?Information is provided on the internet which describes the frequency that visits can take place, how to visit someone in prison. Phone numbers for visitors are available and the process for making centralised visits bookings is also available on the website. Please see the following link: https://www.gov.uk/staying-in-touch-with-someone-in-prison/visiting-someone-in-prison
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Staff that work with visitors are suitably trained and are able to provide information and respond to difficulties / queries. Information about security is available in visits waiting areas which describe regulations and the consequences for non-compliance.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?Prisoners can send and receive letters, they can make telephone calls and in some prisons there is a system called ‘Email a Prisoner’ which enables emails received from families and friends to be printed by staff and handed to a prisoner. In some prisons, prisoners can also send emails. There is a charge for this service. Prisoner’s friends and family that may have financially difficulties may be able to receive assisted visits. Please access the following link for further information: https://www.gov.uk/staying-in-touch-with-someone-in-prison/the-internet-and-social-media
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?At the point of booking visitors are encouraged to declare any particular requirements due to a disability. Staff must consider the needs of visitors with mobility, hearing, speech or sight impairments or any other disability and how the physical visits environment can be adapted to enable the visit to take place.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?Visitors are able to comment on or complain about the visits experience and receive a response. This opportunity is made available in all prisons but how this happens will vary. There are opportunities for consultation with children and adult visitors and facilities to collect comments and complaints from visitors. Complaints are handled sensitively. Visitors are encouraged to report behaviour that they find to be unacceptable or they believe is contrary to the equalities policy statement and to investigating the equalities aspects of complaints. Comments made are used to improve the visits service and experience.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?Services provided in prison take into account the specific needs of the visitor which include age appropriate information. NOMS partners with a number of charities which provide services in visits centres or on visits. These providers are specialists with expertise in delivering services to children and families of prisoners. They provide child-friendly information and services. Providers include Barnados, PACT and Spurgeons. Links to their websites are listed below: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/our-services/supporting-prisoners-children-and-families http://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/our_work/children_of_prisoners.htm https://www.spurgeons.org/our-services/families-and-criminal-justice/visitors-centres
By internet / website of the prisons. There you find information about visit times, procedures, ect. The main website is www.DJI.nl
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?In the prisons there are leaflets/flyers and posters with information about visit in the prison. There are also prisons with a cable television network; they give information on the televisions in the cell rooms of the prisoners.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Yes there are consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?We do not have a structural contact with family members of the prisoners.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?We don't have specific methods for transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?Yes we do. We have a box for ideas or complaints or what ever.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?We don't have specific booklets for children to inform them with pictures and easy reading stories about security procedures.
Each prison in Denmark has its own information regarding visits. It is also possible to find the information on the prisons homepage. The information is also given to the prisoners once they arrive in the prison, and they are able to send the information to their relatives. The information is mainly about visit times and procedures. Relatives are also provided this information when visiting or calling the prison for further information or when they wish to book a visits. In some prisons it is possible to conduct the visit in the prisoners own cell.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?The information regarding the specific institutions is provided via leaflets and/or website, clearly discribing visiting hours, how to book visits and security regulations etc..
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Yes. Mostly regarding mobile phones and search for drugs for example by dogs.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?General information about prisons is provided on the website www.kriminalforsorgen.dk. Some of the information is particularly directed towards visitors, e.g. families with children. Films about visiting is also available. The Prison and Probation Service also have a hotline for family members, where they can receive information anonymously, and a team that works with the children (børneansvarligordning). Furthermore it is possible to find information on other organizations services towards family members on our homepage, and e.g. in waiting areas.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?Not apart from what is available through the website. All information is translated in to a number of languages, and is available in the visiting area. The officiating personal will always help the visitors, if needed.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?In general this is not a systemized option, but the officiating personal will normally guide the visitor to whom the complaint or idea may concern, and it is always possible to get a relevant e-mail address.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?Yes, a number of films is available on our homepage www.kriminalforsorgen.dk. The films contains information in general about imprisonment and custody. The intention of the films is also to give children of different ages, an insight of what to expect when visiting a parent or relatives, and to inform the children about where to seek more information/help. A paper regarding the topic can also be found on the homepage: http://intranettet/klienter/boern/Documents/børnehæfte%20-%20personale.pdf When imprisoned, you have the possibility to create a booklet to your children, with everyday pictures of you, your cell etc. It is also possible to read a nighttime story, that is recorded and then send to the children. This possibility is provided by certain officers in the prisons, who has a special attention regarding the children of the prisoners. Some of the prisons has made pocketbook about the institution, that is meant for the parent to reed with their children, and thereby help to create a dialogue about life in prison, and the thoughts and worries of the children.
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We provide general information on the Swedish Prison and Probation homepage, mostly concerning procedures on how to get permission to visit. Every inmate is informed of the procedures concerning visits upon arrival at the prison.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?We have, as stated above, general information about prison visits on our homepage, as well as information on leaflets.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?No, we do not have consistent information; however, most of our facilities have some kind of information regarding these matters.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?General information about prison life can be found our homepage
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?The information on our homepage can be listened to by pressing the “lyssna” button. We also have the obligation to ensure that the information that we want to hand out is possible to understand for the recieving part.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?No, not in the visit waiting area, the visitors can however at any moment contact the staff regarding complaints, remarks or proposals, our anonymously contact us through the contact sheet on our homepage.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?Yes, we have a couple of different child-friendly booklets on the subject, including a coloring book and crayons.
Our public information includes how to get to the prisons, how to book a visit, visiting times, availability of food and drink during visits and how visits are conducted (security measures etc.)
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?On www.kriminalomsorgen.no every prison has its own subpage, where one of the main points is information to visitors. Many prisons have also produced leaflets about visits.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Yes
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?Our web page contains information about how sentences are carried out, the different types of prisons and the existing types of execution of a sentence, security measures and existing rules and regulations. It also contains a section with information produced especially aimed at children and their need for information. The Correctional Service has also produces books and leaflets aimed at this particular group.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?Our web page meets the requirements set out in the Norwegian standard for universal design.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?Not on a large scale
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?Yes
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We provide public information regarding visits in prisons as follows: schedule of visits, regulations regarding bringing allowed things, working hours in prison, the procedure to receive visits of family members and lawyers, the regulations regarding rights and obligations of prisoners, the way of receiving money and packages.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?Information about the visit are available via the website, leaflets, phone, personal contact, a written notice of visits and a copy of an extract from the house rules available on the premises for a visit.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?We do not have such posters for information in waiting rooms.There is the judicial police officer available to tell all the necessary information. The information can also be obtained by phone, during the visit and verbally when entering the prison.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?All information can be obtained by phone, in person at the time of entry, during the visit, and also lectures are organized on the subject. In some penitentiaries there are posters with texts and pictures which demonstrate how prisoners spend their days. During Family Day, EU campaign for children of incarcerated parents and holidays there are interactive creative workshops organized for inmates and their children and family members.We have also a Reading program which connects children with their incarcerated parents.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?No. When necessary prison cooperates with the Association of deaf as well as with the Association of the Blind.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?Any comments, complaints or suggestions, visitors have the opportunity to submit on the spot to the judicial police officer or treatment officer who is that day in charge of the visit, then by mail, electronically and by telephone
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?We do not have booklet whit visit and security procedures. NGO Parents in action donated to all prisons and penitentiaries publication called "Ties Unbroken - Attachment Parenting from Prison“ which is located in the visiting room, then in the detention wards and in the prison library. Furthermore, in the area for a visit are the posters that demonstrate positive communication between parents and children. Prisoners received leaflets with recommendations on how to better understand a child's perspective of their serving the sentence and how to talk to children about it.
Prison website has information on where the prison is located and how to get there (address and map). It provides information for visiting times and what kind of procedures and papers they have to take when they are visiting in prison. Information is mostly when you have to check in for meeting, how long meeting it is takes and what security measures are.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?Meeting details can be found on the prison website and the prison guidance. Helpful personnel give information also in the phone
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Yes and the legal consequences are also written in the law, what will happen if breaking the prison rules.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?The Criminal Sanctions has website where is told about different prisons and what is practices there. http://www.rikosseuraamus.fi/en/index.html In addition, we have a partner Krits (NGO) who also maintains an internet portal 'Portti vapauteen' (Gateway to Freedom) for released prisoners and their families as well as for social workers. The site offers useful advice, discussion forums, answer service of the ombudsman and the family worker, handbook for relatives and 'how it looks like in prison' for children
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?Unfortunately not.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?There are not any mailboxes or anything else in the waiting area for the visitor to submit complains. Every visitors can make complains after meeting for example to the Prison Governor, Regional Director, Central Administration and ombudsman.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?We have a picture book for children, which is called “The father is in prison" and Emilia-DVD. Emilia is an animated film about having a parent in prison by Åsa Arnehed. The film tells the story of 10 years old girl and her brother and it revolves around how her father has been sent to prison. It is based on interviews and rises issues that children with a parent in prison often think about. The film and an illustrated manual was produced 2007- 2008 by Bryggan, Stockholm. Imprisonment can deal with the child in the book of fairy tales. The name of the book is “Teddybear Osmo and his father’s mistake”.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) provides members of the public with information on the following: • how to book a visit at each prison site; • the identity documents that are require to make a visit; • the number of people permitted to attend a visit; • the items that can be brought to a visit; and • the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme which provides a financial contribution those on low income.
How do you provide information about visits in prisons?A basic information leaflet about prison visiting is provided to families at court whilst more detailed information is provided on the NIPS Website. In recognising that maintaining family life can have important benefits for both prisoners and their families NIPS funds the provision of Visitor Centre Services at each of its three prison sites. A range of emotional and practical support which works towards making visiting a prison a less traumatic experience for all concerned is provided by staff at these Centres. Visitors’ Centre staff talk first time visitors through the visiting process at each site. Visitor Information Booklets, providing useful telephone numbers etc, are also available at the Visitors’ Centres. These booklets may be retained by visitors for future reference.
Do you have consistent and clear poster information in visit waiting areas with security regulations, legal consequences and visit procedures?Each Visits Reception area displays any notices issued by the Prison regarding topics that may impact on a visitor.
What other kind of interventions does your Prison System undertake regarding communications with family members?NIPS works in partnership with other organisations in the public, private and voluntary sector that deliver services to families to support the co-ordination and integration of these services to meet the needs of prisoners and their families. The NIPS makes a significant financial contribution towards the cost of maintaining links between individuals and families. There is currently some practical support to help people in prison maintain family links. For example, each prison should have a Family Support Officer available to offer support and guidance; Child Centred and Extended Visits are offered to eligible prisoners in order to create special opportunities for parents/grandparents to bond with their children/grandchildren; Barnardos work with anyone in custody who is a parent/carer and are particularly engaged in a Families Matter programme; NIACRO’s Family Links facilitate a range of support services including assistance with transport, and access to advice and guidance; Prison Fellowship hosts some family groups and PeoplePlus NI provide support for visitors through the services (these include refreshments, pleasant waiting areas, childcare, practical and emotional advice and signposting to other agencies) provided at the Visitors’ Centre/Hall at each prison establishment. Further examples of areas where positive family support is evident are: • Skype facilities being rolled out across all establishments • opportunities for different types of visiting experience constantly being sought. E.g. Sunday lunch visits which allows families to sit down together for a meal; and • the development of familiarisation visits for family members when a prisoner transfers to a different location to illustrate the opportunities available on site and in the community. • Within each prison there is a Prisoner Development Unit which works in conjunction with other prison departments and partner agencies to support, challenge and motivate prisoners to help them prepare for their return to the community at the end of their sentence. Where appropriate this will involve contact with family members.
Does your Prison System ensure the transmission of information for people with impaired vision and hearing by specific methods?Staff at each Visitors’ Centre provide information and assistance to all visitors including those with impaired vision or hearing.
Do you offer visitors in visit waiting area an opportunity to submit complaints, remarks or proposals to prison management?The NIPS website and the Visitor Information Booklet advise visitors how to make a complaint. Visitors’ Centres also provide a box in which written suggestions can be left.
Does your Prison System offer any publication of child-friendly booklet, which would contain pictures and easy to read outline of visit and security procedures?The NIPS work in partnership with Barnardos to help children who have a relative in prison. A comic and DVD depicting prison life through the eyes of a child are available on request.