Pact
@prisonadvice.bsky.social
Pact is a pioneering national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. We build stronger families and safer communities across England & Wales.
Our team at HMP Nottingham runs baby sensory sessions.
👶 For babies this is the difference between sitting stuck across a table from someone and playing on the floor with dad.
👨👦 For dads it reminds them that their identity is more than ‘prisoner’, offering purpose and hope.
👶 For babies this is the difference between sitting stuck across a table from someone and playing on the floor with dad.
👨👦 For dads it reminds them that their identity is more than ‘prisoner’, offering purpose and hope.
January 28, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Our team at HMP Nottingham runs baby sensory sessions.
👶 For babies this is the difference between sitting stuck across a table from someone and playing on the floor with dad.
👨👦 For dads it reminds them that their identity is more than ‘prisoner’, offering purpose and hope.
👶 For babies this is the difference between sitting stuck across a table from someone and playing on the floor with dad.
👨👦 For dads it reminds them that their identity is more than ‘prisoner’, offering purpose and hope.
Yesterday the #SentencingAct became law. There's much to celebrate:
🤝A shift from unproductive short custodial sentences towards more effective community sentences
🫄Greater protections for pregnant women
❌Removal of the 'naming and shaming' clause
More from Our CEO Andy Keen-Downs⬇️
🤝A shift from unproductive short custodial sentences towards more effective community sentences
🫄Greater protections for pregnant women
❌Removal of the 'naming and shaming' clause
More from Our CEO Andy Keen-Downs⬇️
January 23, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Yesterday the #SentencingAct became law. There's much to celebrate:
🤝A shift from unproductive short custodial sentences towards more effective community sentences
🫄Greater protections for pregnant women
❌Removal of the 'naming and shaming' clause
More from Our CEO Andy Keen-Downs⬇️
🤝A shift from unproductive short custodial sentences towards more effective community sentences
🫄Greater protections for pregnant women
❌Removal of the 'naming and shaming' clause
More from Our CEO Andy Keen-Downs⬇️
👬 When a brother goes to prison, younger siblings can feel deep loss that's often overlooked. We worked with big brothers at HMYOI Brinsford and illustrator Jessica Hartshorn to create a comic and resource for teachers to help siblings feel heard.
👉 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/get-help/chi...
👉 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/get-help/chi...
January 22, 2026 at 10:37 AM
👬 When a brother goes to prison, younger siblings can feel deep loss that's often overlooked. We worked with big brothers at HMYOI Brinsford and illustrator Jessica Hartshorn to create a comic and resource for teachers to help siblings feel heard.
👉 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/get-help/chi...
👉 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/get-help/chi...
📣 Major update: Government scraps plans to name and shame people on community payback schemes
We are delighted that the Government has listened to our campaign and removed Clause 35 from the #SentencingBill in a decision that protects children and families.
We are delighted that the Government has listened to our campaign and removed Clause 35 from the #SentencingBill in a decision that protects children and families.
January 14, 2026 at 1:55 PM
📣 Major update: Government scraps plans to name and shame people on community payback schemes
We are delighted that the Government has listened to our campaign and removed Clause 35 from the #SentencingBill in a decision that protects children and families.
We are delighted that the Government has listened to our campaign and removed Clause 35 from the #SentencingBill in a decision that protects children and families.
Today's @HMIPrisonsnews report on reading for rehabilitation underlines the importance of family-based initiatives.
When reading involves the whole family, its impact multiplies. That’s why Pact runs initiatives like Family Literacy in Prisons (FLiP) ⬇️
When reading involves the whole family, its impact multiplies. That’s why Pact runs initiatives like Family Literacy in Prisons (FLiP) ⬇️
January 13, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Today's @HMIPrisonsnews report on reading for rehabilitation underlines the importance of family-based initiatives.
When reading involves the whole family, its impact multiplies. That’s why Pact runs initiatives like Family Literacy in Prisons (FLiP) ⬇️
When reading involves the whole family, its impact multiplies. That’s why Pact runs initiatives like Family Literacy in Prisons (FLiP) ⬇️
Today His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons @HMIPrisonsnews has released a powerful report on reading for rehabilitation, highlighting how reading helps prisoners build better futures.
5️⃣ key takeaways (thread)
5️⃣ key takeaways (thread)
January 13, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Today His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons @HMIPrisonsnews has released a powerful report on reading for rehabilitation, highlighting how reading helps prisoners build better futures.
5️⃣ key takeaways (thread)
5️⃣ key takeaways (thread)
When prisoners and their loved ones are given the support they need, change is possible - we see it every day.
✉️ These quotes are all taken from thank you letters to a member of our amazing team.
✉️ These quotes are all taken from thank you letters to a member of our amazing team.
January 11, 2026 at 7:15 PM
When prisoners and their loved ones are given the support they need, change is possible - we see it every day.
✉️ These quotes are all taken from thank you letters to a member of our amazing team.
✉️ These quotes are all taken from thank you letters to a member of our amazing team.
🌨️ Visiting a prison during Storm Goretti?
Check transport before you travel and contact the prison’s Visitors’ Centre for info. Find phone numbers here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons
Stay safe and plan ahead!
Check transport before you travel and contact the prison’s Visitors’ Centre for info. Find phone numbers here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons
Stay safe and plan ahead!
January 9, 2026 at 9:38 AM
🌨️ Visiting a prison during Storm Goretti?
Check transport before you travel and contact the prison’s Visitors’ Centre for info. Find phone numbers here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons
Stay safe and plan ahead!
Check transport before you travel and contact the prison’s Visitors’ Centre for info. Find phone numbers here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons
Stay safe and plan ahead!
Do you have a loved one in prison? The Prisoners’ Families Helpline is here for YOU—every day. Get emotional support and practical info at every stage, from arrest to preparation for release.
🤝 You’re not alone.
Call 0808 808 2003 or visit prisonersfamilies.org.
🤝 You’re not alone.
Call 0808 808 2003 or visit prisonersfamilies.org.
January 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Do you have a loved one in prison? The Prisoners’ Families Helpline is here for YOU—every day. Get emotional support and practical info at every stage, from arrest to preparation for release.
🤝 You’re not alone.
Call 0808 808 2003 or visit prisonersfamilies.org.
🤝 You’re not alone.
Call 0808 808 2003 or visit prisonersfamilies.org.
Our amazing elves have been busy delivering books and toys to prisons countrywide so parents can give their children a Christmas gift 🎁
But Operation Elf is about a lot more than presents: it's about the chance to be a normal mum or dad, and about keeping families together ❤️
But Operation Elf is about a lot more than presents: it's about the chance to be a normal mum or dad, and about keeping families together ❤️
December 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Our amazing elves have been busy delivering books and toys to prisons countrywide so parents can give their children a Christmas gift 🎁
But Operation Elf is about a lot more than presents: it's about the chance to be a normal mum or dad, and about keeping families together ❤️
But Operation Elf is about a lot more than presents: it's about the chance to be a normal mum or dad, and about keeping families together ❤️
🎄 This week Pact’s team in HMP Styal got this lovely card from one of the women we support through the Visiting Mum programme.
Here's why our team found it so moving... (thread)
Here's why our team found it so moving... (thread)
December 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
🎄 This week Pact’s team in HMP Styal got this lovely card from one of the women we support through the Visiting Mum programme.
Here's why our team found it so moving... (thread)
Here's why our team found it so moving... (thread)
Developed with prisoners and their families, the Prison Life video series explores life in custody and the support available to those in prison.
Watch here: www.prisonersfamilies.org/prison-life-...
Watch here: www.prisonersfamilies.org/prison-life-...
October 10, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Developed with prisoners and their families, the Prison Life video series explores life in custody and the support available to those in prison.
Watch here: www.prisonersfamilies.org/prison-life-...
Watch here: www.prisonersfamilies.org/prison-life-...
Join us at our Advent Carol Service as we stand in solidarity with those who will spend Christmas apart from their loved ones in prison.
📅 Tuesday 2 December 2025
🕖 7:00 pm
📍 Farm Street Church, Mayfair
Follow the link below to book your place. 👇
📅 Tuesday 2 December 2025
🕖 7:00 pm
📍 Farm Street Church, Mayfair
Follow the link below to book your place. 👇
October 8, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Join us at our Advent Carol Service as we stand in solidarity with those who will spend Christmas apart from their loved ones in prison.
📅 Tuesday 2 December 2025
🕖 7:00 pm
📍 Farm Street Church, Mayfair
Follow the link below to book your place. 👇
📅 Tuesday 2 December 2025
🕖 7:00 pm
📍 Farm Street Church, Mayfair
Follow the link below to book your place. 👇
Fantastic to welcome our COPE colleague and friend Winie Hanekamp-Haisma from Expertisecentrum K I N D, along with researcher Joep Harmsen, to HMP Gartree last week. They joined our Supporting Children Affected by Imprisonment training for teachers and saw our Schools Toolkit in action.
October 7, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Fantastic to welcome our COPE colleague and friend Winie Hanekamp-Haisma from Expertisecentrum K I N D, along with researcher Joep Harmsen, to HMP Gartree last week. They joined our Supporting Children Affected by Imprisonment training for teachers and saw our Schools Toolkit in action.
🍂 Visiting a loved one in prison this autumn? The rules can be confusing, so here are a few things to avoid:
🚫 Hats or scarves (religious coverings are fine)
🚫 Ripped or slashed jeans
🚫 Steel-toe-capped shoes/boots
🚫 Hoodies
🚫 Jackets or coats
#StrongerFamilies #PrisonVisits #PrisonersFamilies
🚫 Hats or scarves (religious coverings are fine)
🚫 Ripped or slashed jeans
🚫 Steel-toe-capped shoes/boots
🚫 Hoodies
🚫 Jackets or coats
#StrongerFamilies #PrisonVisits #PrisonersFamilies
October 6, 2025 at 7:28 AM
🍂 Visiting a loved one in prison this autumn? The rules can be confusing, so here are a few things to avoid:
🚫 Hats or scarves (religious coverings are fine)
🚫 Ripped or slashed jeans
🚫 Steel-toe-capped shoes/boots
🚫 Hoodies
🚫 Jackets or coats
#StrongerFamilies #PrisonVisits #PrisonersFamilies
🚫 Hats or scarves (religious coverings are fine)
🚫 Ripped or slashed jeans
🚫 Steel-toe-capped shoes/boots
🚫 Hoodies
🚫 Jackets or coats
#StrongerFamilies #PrisonVisits #PrisonersFamilies
▶️ Family Engagement Manager Diane explains how dedicated prison visits for neurodivergent children and young people help to reduce anxiety and allow families to spend quality time together.
💡 Keeping families in touch is one of the most effective ways of reducing reoffending.
💡 Keeping families in touch is one of the most effective ways of reducing reoffending.
October 3, 2025 at 7:28 AM
▶️ Family Engagement Manager Diane explains how dedicated prison visits for neurodivergent children and young people help to reduce anxiety and allow families to spend quality time together.
💡 Keeping families in touch is one of the most effective ways of reducing reoffending.
💡 Keeping families in touch is one of the most effective ways of reducing reoffending.
Have you had a parent in prison? Aged 16-19? Want to make a difference?
Become a Pact Youth Ambassador 📣
🎤 Share your experiences
💸 Get paid
⚡ Help change the system for others like you
Hit the link below!
#YouthVoices
#YouthPower
#LivedExperience
#SocialJustice
#YouthForChange
Become a Pact Youth Ambassador 📣
🎤 Share your experiences
💸 Get paid
⚡ Help change the system for others like you
Hit the link below!
#YouthVoices
#YouthPower
#LivedExperience
#SocialJustice
#YouthForChange
September 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Have you had a parent in prison? Aged 16-19? Want to make a difference?
Become a Pact Youth Ambassador 📣
🎤 Share your experiences
💸 Get paid
⚡ Help change the system for others like you
Hit the link below!
#YouthVoices
#YouthPower
#LivedExperience
#SocialJustice
#YouthForChange
Become a Pact Youth Ambassador 📣
🎤 Share your experiences
💸 Get paid
⚡ Help change the system for others like you
Hit the link below!
#YouthVoices
#YouthPower
#LivedExperience
#SocialJustice
#YouthForChange
@hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social has today published a report about HMP Pentonville setting out 'comprehensive failures' at the prison.
Read the response from our Deputy CEO, Ellen Green 👇👇
www.prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/...
Read the response from our Deputy CEO, Ellen Green 👇👇
www.prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/...
September 30, 2025 at 7:28 AM
@hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social has today published a report about HMP Pentonville setting out 'comprehensive failures' at the prison.
Read the response from our Deputy CEO, Ellen Green 👇👇
www.prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/...
Read the response from our Deputy CEO, Ellen Green 👇👇
www.prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/...
Not every child can, or should, visit a loved one in prison. But when it’s safe and right for them, our teams create welcoming spaces where they feel happy, supported, and cared for - like this new space at HMP Whatton.
Supporting prison visits builds #StrongerFamilies and reduces #Reoffending.
Supporting prison visits builds #StrongerFamilies and reduces #Reoffending.
September 29, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Not every child can, or should, visit a loved one in prison. But when it’s safe and right for them, our teams create welcoming spaces where they feel happy, supported, and cared for - like this new space at HMP Whatton.
Supporting prison visits builds #StrongerFamilies and reduces #Reoffending.
Supporting prison visits builds #StrongerFamilies and reduces #Reoffending.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, foundations and trusts, we’re able to offer emergency grants to people impacted by imprisonment.
📖 Read how an emergency welfare grant helped Sam and Sophia navigate the challenges of imprisonment and work toward a fresh start (link below).
📖 Read how an emergency welfare grant helped Sam and Sophia navigate the challenges of imprisonment and work toward a fresh start (link below).
September 26, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, foundations and trusts, we’re able to offer emergency grants to people impacted by imprisonment.
📖 Read how an emergency welfare grant helped Sam and Sophia navigate the challenges of imprisonment and work toward a fresh start (link below).
📖 Read how an emergency welfare grant helped Sam and Sophia navigate the challenges of imprisonment and work toward a fresh start (link below).
Pact's Guide to Prison Healthcare has been created by families with firsthand experience supporting their loved ones. It provides practical insights and compassionate guidance for anyone with a friend or family member in prison in England or Wales.
#Prison #Health #MentalHealth #PrisonReform
#Prison #Health #MentalHealth #PrisonReform
September 24, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Pact's Guide to Prison Healthcare has been created by families with firsthand experience supporting their loved ones. It provides practical insights and compassionate guidance for anyone with a friend or family member in prison in England or Wales.
#Prison #Health #MentalHealth #PrisonReform
#Prison #Health #MentalHealth #PrisonReform
The #SentencingBill had its second reading in the House of Commons last week. If you're still unsure what the proposed changes could mean for you, take a look at our guidance for families (link below).
#PrisonersFamilies #CriminalJustice #JusticeReform #Sentencing
#PrisonersFamilies #CriminalJustice #JusticeReform #Sentencing
September 22, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The #SentencingBill had its second reading in the House of Commons last week. If you're still unsure what the proposed changes could mean for you, take a look at our guidance for families (link below).
#PrisonersFamilies #CriminalJustice #JusticeReform #Sentencing
#PrisonersFamilies #CriminalJustice #JusticeReform #Sentencing
Over the summer, our HMP Nottingham team celebrated #SouthAsianHeritageMonth with children & families.
Avtar worked her magic with stunning henna designs, Helen shared stories from South Asian authors, and families got stuck into quizzes, mandala making, food crafts & more!
Avtar worked her magic with stunning henna designs, Helen shared stories from South Asian authors, and families got stuck into quizzes, mandala making, food crafts & more!
September 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Over the summer, our HMP Nottingham team celebrated #SouthAsianHeritageMonth with children & families.
Avtar worked her magic with stunning henna designs, Helen shared stories from South Asian authors, and families got stuck into quizzes, mandala making, food crafts & more!
Avtar worked her magic with stunning henna designs, Helen shared stories from South Asian authors, and families got stuck into quizzes, mandala making, food crafts & more!
Great to see the Children's Commissioner for England shining a light on children with a parent in prison 👏
Recognition of this vulnerable group is a vital step forward. Now we need real action to ensure no child faces the experience alone.
Recognition of this vulnerable group is a vital step forward. Now we need real action to ensure no child faces the experience alone.
The Children’s Plan: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census | Children's Commissioner for England
Read The Children’s Plan: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census in full. Read the Summary version. For the first time as Children’s Commissioner, I
www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
September 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Great to see the Children's Commissioner for England shining a light on children with a parent in prison 👏
Recognition of this vulnerable group is a vital step forward. Now we need real action to ensure no child faces the experience alone.
Recognition of this vulnerable group is a vital step forward. Now we need real action to ensure no child faces the experience alone.
Every day, Pact works to keep families together, provide practical and emotional support, and offer the chance of a fresh start for those affected by imprisonment.
A donation today could help us support thousands of people in prison and their loved ones. 🔗 LINK BELOW
#CharityDay #FamiliesMatter
A donation today could help us support thousands of people in prison and their loved ones. 🔗 LINK BELOW
#CharityDay #FamiliesMatter
September 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Every day, Pact works to keep families together, provide practical and emotional support, and offer the chance of a fresh start for those affected by imprisonment.
A donation today could help us support thousands of people in prison and their loved ones. 🔗 LINK BELOW
#CharityDay #FamiliesMatter
A donation today could help us support thousands of people in prison and their loved ones. 🔗 LINK BELOW
#CharityDay #FamiliesMatter