A CHARITY has been praised for the support it offers to inmates' children and families at a young offender’s institute just weeks after the jail was criticised for low morale and staff shortages.

An Inspectorate of Prisons group toured HMYOI Deerbolt at Barnard Castle, County Durham, unannounced.

The body described the provision on offer to children and families at Deerbolt as excellent and considered its facilities among the best seen within the young adults’ prisons.

Volunteers with Nepacs, formerly the North-East Prisoners' After Care Association, run a visitors centre with play sessions for inmates’ children, family support and relationship courses.

Linda Fenwick, Deerbolt’s Nepacs visitors’ centre manager, said: “We’re delighted that the report recognised the excellent support offered by our team.

“Every year thousands of families experience the impact of a custodial sentence despite never having committed a crime.

“For those families who are unfamiliar with the prison system this can be a distressing time.

“We provide a friendly place to chat, have a cup of tea and can help to answer concerns that visitors may have about visiting prison or about loved ones in prison.”

Gavin O'Malley, Deerbolt governor, said: “Keeping in touch with their families can really motivate offenders to get back on track.

“This is a real credit to the dedication of all the staff and volunteers from Nepacs who are making a genuine difference to the lives of both prisoners and their families.”

The Nepacs report comes a month after the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) raised concerns at the prison including staff shortages and two inmates held a rooftop protest.

Volunteers are being sought to Deerbolt Nepacs team help at the jail’s visitor centre on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Contact Linda Fenwick on 01833-633272 or email deerboltvc@nepacs.co.uk