A programme designed to help serving prisoners to develop and maintain contact with their children has earned the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Barnardo’s a top award.

The team, which was led by Hydebank Wood Prison Governor Austin Treacy and which included members from all prison establishments, won top honours in the Partnership & Collaboration Section of the Department of Employment and Learning Annual Training Awards Ceremony at the Culloden Hotel last night.

Their work, which was primarily related to delivering the Barnardo's Parenting Programme, has raised the profile of the contribution the Prison Service, in conjunction with other organisations, makes to working with inmates with families.

In congratulating, the team on this excellent achievement, Robin Masefield, Director of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said;

“It is great news that the Northern Ireland Prison Service has been recognized for the quality of its training with offenders. To win such a prestigious award in any circumstances is special but it is even more commendable as they were competing against the wider business sector.

“This is a real vote of confidence in those who work directly with offenders to reduce the risk they present to the community upon their release. The recognition is particularly welcome at this time, as the Service adapts to our changing role in implementing the Criminal Justice Order.

“There is no doubt that this award-winning work helped many inmates develop parenting techniques which contribute to maintaining relationships with their children whilst in custody and on release. That is a vital element in providing for successful resettlement. The Service is grateful to Barnardo’s for their continuing support.”

The prestigious Northern Ireland Training Award, which recognises outstanding achievement and success through training and development was presented by the Education and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sir Reg added his congratulations to the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Barnardo’s. He said;

“Research has shown that maintaining good quality family contact is a significant factor in a prisoner’s resettlement plans and in reducing re-offending. It is vitally important for the well-being of prisoners and their children that firm ties are developed and maintained. Recognition of the success of the project in the form of a prestigious Northern Ireland Training Award is a fitting tribute to their work.”

Deirdre Sloan, team co-ordinator of Parenting Matters, based on the Ormeau Road in Belfast, said;

“Every Barnardo’s project is different, but each believes that every child and young person deserves the best start in life, no matter who they are or what they have been through.

“In this initiative the prisoners learned about the impact of imprisonment on children, what to tell their children about prison, making the most of the contact they have with their children and communication and managing behaviour.”

Austin Treacy, Governing Governor at Hydebank Wood YOC and Prison commented;

“The benefits were obvious – an emerging awareness in the prison population of the rights of the child, the impact that separation through imprisonment has on the child and an understanding that, despite what they have done, the child has done nothing wrong.”



Notes to Editors

1. 17 winners including employers, individuals, partnerships and training organisations received Northern Ireland Training Awards at a ceremony in the Culloden Hotel on Tuesday 14 October 2008.

2. Since 2002, 542 prisoners have completed 91 parenting programmes and 89% of the prisoners felt more confident as parents as a result.

3. Media queries to the NIPS Press Office on 028 90525365.

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