Niacro believes people in prison and their families have the right to maintain relationships in prison and in the community; by helping families to access services, their ability to cope and to support effective resettlement is strengthened.
We aim to promote desistance and reduce offending, and its impact, through services which provide effective support for families and children affected by imprisonment.
Family Links is an independent service we offer to the families of people in prison. We provide both practical and emotional support to help families cope with what can be a lonely and difficult experience, especially for children.
We have been supporting families in this way since 1987 and work with approximately 1,500 families a year across Northern Ireland. The objectives of Family Links are to: reduce the risk of re-offending by contributing to effective resettlement after custody; contribute to the diversion of children and young people from offending behaviour; ameliorate the impact of imprisonment on families through holistic support services; promote desistance; and contribute to the safer custody agenda by helping to maintain good mental health in prison.
The project receives funding from the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Health and Social Care Board and the Western Health and Social Care Trust.
Tell me more about Family Links
The Families and Money Matters (FAMM) project delivers debt and money management advice to families of people in prison and those on probation. It supports families who are not engaging with mainstream debt advice services and who have a relative who has either recently entered custody or is nearing their release date.
The project also aims to research and evaluate the reasons why people do not engage with mainstream debt support services.
This project is funded by the Money Advice Service (MAS).
The Independent Visitor (IV) scheme is a volunteer-led independent befriending and support service to young people aged 11-18 years old with care experience in the Belfast and Southeastern Health and Social Care Trusts, who have infrequent or poor quality contact with a parent or person with parental responsibility for them.
A young person is matched with their volunteer for a minimum of one year, although this can be extended with the agreement of the young person and their volunteer.
If you are experiencing any issues with visiting someone in prison, our Visitor Centre staff are here to help. You can contact them from Tuesday to Friday from 10am-2pm on the following numbers:
Magilligan: 07483065903 or 028 77750235
Hydebank: 07980711044 or 028 90253849
Maghaberry: 07483065745 or 028 92611213
Can you give me more information about Visitor Centres
