Prison Visitors' Centres in Scotland

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF OUR SERVICES - your opinion is important to us! Complete the survey here 👉 app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/figure8/pris… OR speak to your local prison visitors service

Our winter newsletter has arrived! This newsletter highlights the financial support and community links made by our services across Scotland. We hope you enjoy this newsletter and please do share. @scottishprisons @FamiliesOutside

Winter can be a joyful season 🎄 but it’s also a time that can bring added stress, anxiety, and money worries for parents & families 💜❄ ℹ Check out our website where we have tips to help make the most of the winter months ➡ parentclub.scot/articles/festi… #ScotlandParents

This is fantastic and will hopefully visit all of the prisons for staff to experience. So many visitors find the visiting experience overwhelming and this goes some way to creating understanding amongst staff.

- 70% feel supported by EYS so they have increased quality contact with their imprisoned loved one, by gaining support and information. - 94% feel the staff help ensure their children have increased quality contact with their imprisoned loved one, by delivering play and learning

- 91% feel the service makes them feel welcomed, confident and relaxed when visiting a family member in prison. - 67% said the service has supported them, signposting them to an external agency, for help with travel, food or clothing.

Evaluation and recording of impact for visitors to Scottish prisons is a key exercise for all services. In this report, EYS talk about the amazing impact they have made within their visitor services at HMP Low Moss, Dumfries & Greenock -🧵@familiesoutside @scottishprisons

Our Autumn newsletter is now available. In this edition, we look at health and wellbeing initiatives provided by our services across Scotland -

Early Release measures will start on the 11th of November. Support is available for families to prepare.

Prison Visitors Centres and Services throughout Scotland's Prison estate can provide support and information on the Early Release Measures. Contact details for the services can be found here - sps.gov.uk/prisons

Emergency Early Release will begin on 11th of November and will continue on a regular basis until April 2026. For more information, click on this link - sps.gov.uk/family-and-fri…

🕯️ a day to remember - a gathering to honour & support families bereaved by a death in prison. A compassionate space to mourn, share & know you are not alone. 👉 Register by 5pm today by emailing events@familiesoutside.org.uk Learn more here - ow.ly/JAOn50WXray

🕯️ Families grieving a death in prison often do so alone. Families Outside's a day to remember event offers space to honour loved ones & connect with others who share this unique loss💙 📅 Register by Monday 27th Oct: events@familiesoutside.org.uk

🕯️ a day to remember - a gathering to honour & support families bereaved by a death in prison. A compassionate space to mourn, share & know you are not alone. 👉 Register here: familiesoutside.org.uk/event/a-day-to… @FamiliesOutside

📢Our anti-bullying policy survey has been extended, and is now open until 13 October! We want to hear from the families and friends of those in custody, to help us understand the impact of bullying, and how support can be improved. Have your say: tinyurl.com/SPSyourvoice

The consultation deadline has been extended to Friday, 10th October, so there's still time for family and friends to help shape this important policy.

Staff within prison visitor centres/services can support you to complete this survey and also have paper copies available for completion.

🕯️ Families affected by a death in prison often grieve alone. A day to remember offers a safe space to honour loved ones, share memories & find comfort in connection. 💙 📅 Register by Monday 27th Oct, 5pm: events@familiesoutside.org.uk Learn more: ow.ly/AfZk50WXr2O

🕯️ a day to remember - a gathering to honour & support families bereaved by a death in prison. A compassionate space to mourn, share & know you are not alone. 👉 Register here: familiesoutside.org.uk/event/a-day-to… @FamiliesOutside