HMP EdinburghVisitorS Centre

2013 Annual reportregistered charity number: 214779

and in scotland: sco37691

Page 2 Lt Colonel Carol Bailey, Divisional CommanderPage 3 Alan Montgomery, Divisional Director for Community ServicesPage 4 Coordinators IntroductionPage 6 Major Jean Midwinter, ChaplainPage 7 David Stewart, Onward Trust Hazel Anderson, Families OutsidePage 8 Teresa Medhurst, Governor in Charge, Edinburgh PrisonPage 9 Support and InformationPage 10 FootfallPage 12 Finance Report Page 14 Health PromotionPage 15 Parent and Children’s Support ProjectPage 16 Global Citizen ProjectPage 18 Meet the Police InitativePage 20 Policy Context Event Engagement StrategyPage 21 Activities and Family Fun Event Page 22 In Prison Visits RoomPage 23 Re-Development of PlayroomPage 24 Gathering Generative Themes - The Normalisation of ViolencePage 25 - Gender Inequality - Reinforcing Dominant Gender Roles in ChildrenPage 26 - Language and CommunicationPage 27 - Oral Health Promotion SessionPage 28 Future Developments - Children’s Information Booklet - Addiction ServicesPage 29 - Development of Adult Education and Recreational Group Work - Monthly Newsletter - Recruitment of VolunteersPage 30 Centre Staff Staff Training Throughout the YearPage 31 Conclusion AcknowledgementsPage 32 References

CONTENTS

VISITOR CENTREVISION STATEMENT

Our vision is to provide a welcoming, safe, supportive and caring environment. We will with God’s help and guidance serve those

who come into this building and show them the love of Jesus through our actions and words.

1

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 2012/13 Annual Report for the Edinburgh Prison Visitors Centre. Our hope is that you will find this Report to be encouraging, informative, enlightening and inspiring.

‘Better Together’ is a phrase which has been used by various businesses and groups over the years to underline the strengths and advantages in collaborative working for all concerned. This is a phrase which underlines the work of Edinburgh Prison Visitor’s Centre. We work closely with the Onward Trust, the Scottish Prison Service and many other groups to provide the best care and service for the families of prisoners. On our own we can each do so much, together we can accomplish much more and so we are grateful for all that has been achieved in the past year and look forward to continuing to care and serve all the people connected with the Centre and to do even better together.

I would like to express our appreciation and thanks to all our partners, our excellent staff and volunteers who work with us in such a positive manner.

Thanks also to those who continue to show their belief and confidence in our work by supporting us financially – we continue to depend on those donors in our present economic climate.

We look forward to a year of continued effective and positive service at Edinburgh Prison Visitors Centre. Together we aim to support and empower families to manage their circumstances with dignity and hope.

May God continue to bless this work.

LT COLONEL CAROL BAILEYDIVISIONAL COMMANDER

2

It is a privilege to present the Edinburgh Prison Visitors Centre Annual Report for 2012 -2013.

The Centre has again enjoyed excellent relationships with both Statutory and Voluntary Agencies, working synergistically to deliver the best outcomes for families visiting a partner or relative in prison.

The service delivered by The Salvation Army encompasses the wider framework outlined in Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service Policies thus enabling a holistic flow to the programme. We are indebted to the various organisations who contribute to the work of the Visitors Centre. Over this last year, we have employed a Parent and Children’s Support Worker who has brought an added dimension to the work being carried out and greatly appreciated by the adults and especially the children.

It is important to maintain excellent relationships with the Scottish Government and Local Authority. During the year, we were pleased to have welcomed MP’s and MSP’s who have shown an interest in observing first hand the diversity of the scope of work that is being carried out at the Centre.

This ambitious work could not have been accomplished without the dedication and commitment of the staff team and I congratulate them on making the Centre one of which we can all be proud.

I am also grateful for the support from the Governor and her team, The Onward Trust and our Divisional Commander and the team from our Divisional and Territorial Headquarters.

ALAN MONTGOMERYDIVISIONAL DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

3

“Visitors Centres are ideally situated to provide a wide range of services for families and other visitors to a prison which may not be easily accessible in local communities” (2012Annual Report). This past year we have continued to utilise a whole system approach, in order to provide services that encapsulate the objectives of The Salvation Army, The Scottish Prison Service and The Scottish Government.

Our objectives for the Centre cover three main areas: Support & Information, Health Improvement and Informal Education. Much of our work is initiated through the provision of informal learning opportunities, which are relevant to the lived experience of the families who visit.

COORDINATORS INTRODUCTION

WHOLE SYSTEM APPROACHWe continue to bring together the Scottish Government’s key policy frameworks into one holistic approach, the whole system approach offers a useful model for social integration of families involved with the justice system. The Salvation Army (Edinburgh Prison Visitors Centre) overarching objectives respond to Scottish Government key Objectives in Learning and Justice and provide a service for ‘hard to reach’ families which contributes to (Scottish Prison Service) Offender Outcomes. The EPVC Business Plan sets out the detail of how our overarching objectives are delivered through a community development model.

The Centre programme assimilates the work of the wider Salvation Army’s commitment to work towards addressing issues that affect the most vulnerable people in society. The Seeds of Exclusion report highlights that The Salvation Army will;

“Support and Sustain Children and FamiliesSupport People in Transition Support Vulnerable People Speak out for Marginalised People. and Conduct Further Research

The Salvation Army continues to commit to finding new partners and facilitating stronger partnerships and better information sharing with other statutory and third sector agencies” (Bonner & Luscombe; 2008).

At the Centre we continue to implement a community development approach which responds to the direct needs of the prison visitors. This year there has been a sharp focus on the development of early intervention work, the overarching aim being to improve the experience of visiting children and families. In following the Scottish Government’s Guidelines, we understand the importance of Early Intervention, and recognise that positive educational opportunities and experiences and tailored support for families, are key to tackling inequalities in Scottish society.

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MAKING SCOTLAND SAFER, STRONGER AND HEALTHIER BY PROMOTING SOCIAL INTEGRATION WITH HARD TO REACH FAMILIES

Government Objectives:Learning and Justice

SA EPVC Overarching Objectives SPS Offender Outcomes

Wealthier and FairerEnabling businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth.

Provide advice and information when and where it is needed improving access to services & resources, improving quality of life and access to community based services.

Develop family led services through emerging needs and consultation.

Employability prospects increased

HealthierHelping people to sustain and improve their health, especially in disadvantaged communities, ensuring better, local and faster access to health care.

Maintain and develop health strategy which includes health promotion information [including drug and alcohol awareness], healthy eating café with affordable pricing and thematic health events in partnership with SPS and NHS.

Provide a welcoming environment and informal setting where staff encourage families to access support provided in-house and elsewhere. Creating a sense of belonging, reducing isolation and increasing engagement with service.

Sustained or improved physical and mental well being. Reduced or stabilised substance misuse

Safer and StrongerHelping communities to flourish, becoming stronger, safer places to live, offering improved opportunities and a better quality of life.

Utilise Asset model based on families’ potential. Develop family led services through continuous consultation.

Development of Parents and children’s Support Project ensuring that parents and carers are better equipped to give their children the best start in life.

In partnership with the Scottish Prison Service, provide opportunities to maintain/strengthen the family unit thus limiting disruption of prisoners bonds with family - reducing the likelihood of re-offending behaviour.

Developing joint initiatives in partnership with Police Scotland, and other emergency service providers.

Maintained or improved relationships with families, peers and community. Ability to access and sustain community support including financial advice and education

SmarterExpanding opportunities to succeed from nurture through to lifelong learning ensuring higher and more widely shared achievements.

Deliver educational thematic events which respond to expressed needs. Promoting and facilitating community based adult education. Provide on-going informal learning opportunities through educational intervention.

Develop and deliver a parenting programme, which focuses on child development and helps parents understand the needs of their children and emphasises the importance of education for children and encourages positive relationships with schools and the wider community.

Improved literacy skills. Greater acceptance of responsibility in managing behaviour and understanding of the impact of offending on victims and families

GreenerImproving Scotland’s natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it.

Develop re-cycling strategies within the Centre, minimise use of disposable kitchen consumables, paper and power.

Promotion of recycling and its benefits to families through our Global Citizenship Project.

COORDINATORS INTRODUCTION

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As the EVPC Chaplain it has been an exciting year. I seem to have an ever changing congregation! Some of the contacts that I made have now gone, as prisoners have been released, and new relationships have been formed as new prisoners have been sent into Edinburgh Prison.

I work alongside other team members with the prisoners’ families and much of this work is in trying to build relationships with often very vulnerable people. I have realised again that much of what I do needs to be shown in my actions and words as I am being watched by a lot of people who are very wary of others and who often haven’t been shown love or respect and so find it hard to trust people. It is my aim along with the rest of the team to try to show them that people do care and are here to support them. Again this means not being too pushy but often trying to show the love of God and sharing the gospel in very practical ways.

I have realised during my time here that everything that I do is ministry and I try in my role as Chaplain to draw alongside people and minister to them in a way that supports both their spiritual and emotional needs. To do this it is important for me to know the grace and love of God for myself as I can only do the work that I do in His strength.

Visitors to the Centre come from all parts of Scotland and some from England and as part of our Community strategy I am trying to ensure that the families know about The Salvation Army Corps in their area. This will enable them to be linked up with groups e.g. Mother and Toddlers or luncheon clubs who can maybe give them some support locally.

In the future I plan to assist families to link into various organisations within their local communities and have been working on this with other prison Chaplains.

I pray that God will continue to guide and use me in this special ministry and help me to understand through the Holy Spirit what it is He wants me to do and then give me the courage and boldness to do it.

MAJOR JEAN MIDWINTEREVPC CHAPLAIN

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The Edinburgh Prison Visitor Centre was built by the Onward Trust on a site leased for 35 years from the Scottish Ministers, for the purpose of providing a Visitor Centre for families and others who are visiting prisoners. As the tenant, the Onward Trust has the responsibility for the appointment of an Operator to run the Centre on its behalf. In the Annual Report for 2011 the Trustees were pleased to compliment The Salvation Army for their approach to the task of running the Centre, in particular their ready adoption of new developments which have enhanced the experience for visiting families.

The Trustees have noted the remarks of Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer who has spoken of the importance of using community assets as a means of improving the health of the nation as well as contributing to a reduction in offending behaviour. We can be proud that the work of the Visitor Centre is similarly underpinned by a community development approach which seeks to devise solutions to problems based on the subjective experience of prisoners families, many of whom would otherwise be regarded as difficult to reach.

Further evidence of the value of the Visitor Centre concept may be found in the words of the recently appointed Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service who has expressed the view that all prisons should have visitor centres.

The Salvation Army is to be congratulated for its role in enhancing the reputation of the Edinburgh Prison Visitors Centre through a programme of work that makes a real contribution to assisting families coping with the stress of imprisonment.

DAVID STEWARTChair, The Onward Trust

Families Outside continues to provide family support work in the Centre, through two part time staff, Kerry Knox and Hazel Anderson. The Visitor Centre provides a positive and relaxed environment for families and visitors, and this often helps family members to make the difficult first step of engaging with a service. In fact, of the 87 new referrals, 21% came from the Visitor Centre staff and 28% came through direct contact we made in the centre. Support work is varied, reflecting the significant impact of imprisonment on the family. Often families approach us, in the first instance, looking for a certain piece of information or support:

• Prison based concerns – such as the provision of information about Home Detention Curfew, prison processes, support through the prisoner’s Case Management meetings or dealing with worries about a prisoner’s welfare

• Issues in the community – including housing, finances or relationships

Overwhelmingly, however, we find that emotional support emerges as a central and crucial aspect of the work. Isolation, the strain on mental wellbeing and complex emotions are common experiences for families, and therefore we focus on building and promoting their health and wellbeing. We also operate in partnership with the Visitor Centre staff in the provision of themed events in the Centre.

HAZEL ANDERSONFamily Support Worker, Families Outside,

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The SPS is committed to delivering a quality service to support the Scottish Governments aim for a Safer Scotland and demonstrate our delivery in supporting positive outcomes through the National Performance Framework. As such the SPS has embarked on a journey of transformational change focusing on reducing reoffending by working more effectively with offenders and with partner organisations.

The multi-disciplinary working that is promoted by the Visitor Centre at HMP Edinburgh has an impact on the experience of families who attend for visits, but aims to achieve a much more ambitious and wider impact of improving outcomes around relationships, parenting, health and families experience with criminal justice and emergency services.

The Visitor Centre works with SPS staff to promote the understanding more widely of the impact of imprisonment on children and the stigma that is attached to families of those who offend. This is a key priority and an area where more can be achieved working together with community partners.

The range of services and relationships that exist are always being developed and are widely recognised as best practice.

TERESA MEDHURSTGovernor in Charge, Edinburgh Prison

Informal education is a spontaneous process of helping people to learn and to understand the world in which we live. As Freire (1972) notes, “one must understand the world in order to transform it’.

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A major objective of the Centre is to provide support and information to all visitors to the prison. All Centre staff have an in-depth knowledge of visitors needs and provide information and support around the following areas:

• Visits Information • Concern for Prisoners • Information on Prison Healthcare • Integrated Case Management• Home Detention Curfew• Open Estate and Home Leave • Information on Parent’s and Children’s Support Project • Information on Salvation Army Chaplaincy Service and Corps Community

Programme• Information on Community Based Support • Families Outside Family Support Service

It is as this first point of contact that we are able to start to build positive relationships with family members that may be deemed as hard to reach or marginalised in their own communities. This puts The Salvation Army staff in a unique position where we can engage with people who are not engaging with any other services. Informal education is recognized as a spontaneous process of helping people to learn and to understand the world in which we live. As (Freire; 1972) notes, “one must understand the world in order to transform it’.

SUPPORT AND INFORMATION

I don’t think there has to be any improvements as there is a lot on offer of activities for the kids (my daughter actually enjoys her time here)

A nice place for the children to relax before their visit and plenty to keep them entertained while we wait! Friendly staff

9

Over the past year, the Centre has had a total of 39,791 adult visitors, this number is slightly down from the previous year when there was a total of 41,493. However there was a slight increase in the number of children from 6,640 to 7,091; indicating the overall number of visits from family and friends was 46,882 for the year. The total number of visitors for female prisoners was 3,558 adult visitors and 883 child visitors

FOOTFALL

Total Children Visitors

Total Adult Visitors39,791

7,091

10

FOOTFALL

0

50

100

150

200

250

Female Bonding - Children Visiting Female Bonding - Adults Visiting

Male Bonding- Children Visiting Male Bonding - Adults Visiting

199 250 49 49

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

Female Prisoners -Children Visiting Female Prisoners - Adults Visiting

Convicted Male Prisoners - Children Visiting Convicted Male Prisoners - Adults Visiting

Remand Male Prisoners- Children VisitingRemand Male Prisoners - Adults Visiting

14,971

2,639

19,931

3,167

4,641

986

11

Cafe Revenue

Other Income

External Trust Donations

Scottish Prison Service

WRVS

Onward Trust Donations

The Salvation Army

£15,286

£30,000

£49,512

£98,253£511,118

£302,677

£266,101

FIN

AN

CE R

EPO

RT

HMP Edinburgh Visitors Centre - Income 2004 to 2013

The Prison Visitors Centre commenced operating in April 2000 and was officially opened in November of that year. The Visitors Centre is leased by Scottish Ministers (on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service) to The Onward Trust until 2035, with The Onward Trust appointing a Service Provider to operate under a separate Management Agreement and Service Specification.

Initially, the Visitors Centre was operated by the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) with The Salvation Army assuming these responsibilities from 1 April 2004 onwards. The Salvation Army is currently contracted to continue as Service Provider until 31 March 2014.

Centre income streams include grant funding from the Scottish Prison Service, grant funding accessed via The Onward Trust, revenue from the café facility within the Visitors Centre, external trust donations (relating to specific added value projects) and Salvation Army funding. Centre expenditure items include employee salaries and allowances, catering costs (relating to operation of the café facility), office management costs and charges for use of centralised Salvation Army audit, administration and accounting functions. The following chart details Centre income by individual streams totalled for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2013 with 2012/13 financial data derived from forecast projections only, pending release of audited accounts:

12

0

£10,000

£20,000

£30,000

£40,000

£50,000

£60,000

£70,000

£80,000

£63,000

£30,379

£3,883 £0 £10,000

£48,797

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£7,9

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£109

,435

HMP Edinburgh Visitors Centre - 2012/13 Income Summary

HMP Edinburgh Visitors Centre - 2012/13 Expenditure Summary

Centre income and expenditure for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 is detailed by individual streams in the following charts with financial data derived from forecast projections only, pending release of audited accounts:

The Salvation Army maintains a significant organisational infrastructure and holds professional expertise in the fields of legal services, finance and accounting and compliance with support mechanisms in place to ensure the Centre meets legal and financial obligations working in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service and The Onward Trust within an established tripartite management framework.

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The café continues to be a success with both visitors and SPS staff due to the enthusiasm of the staff in delivering an excellent service and wide variety of refreshments. We continue to try new lines in the healthy eating range, and take note of the comments made by customers as to what is popular and likely to sell well. We are looking at means of extending the hot food range and introducing a new menu.

In addition, we have other ongoing health and well-being initiatives. The oral care team provide services every 6 weeks, offering advice to parents and providing educational activities, and incentives to encourage youngsters to take care of their teeth.

The Assistant Coordinator is presently in talks with Ali Grigor of the NHS smoking cessation team and hopes to run a class for visitors, SPS and Centre staff in the near future. Early indications are that this service would be well used, and would further contribute to the Centre’s remit for health promotion.

We are also providing more catering within the Centre for outside agencies, including the City of Edinburgh Council with their monthly CPD teaching events; with the CJA planning to have their Chief Officers’ meetings in the Centre to promote our work amongst this group.

Some visitors have also expressed a desire to become involved in recreational group work, and the Assistant Coordinator is exploring a proposal to develop this further in the coming year, starting with sewing classes, hopefully facilitated by volunteers.

HEALTH PROMOTION

“When I first came up youse were really helpful because I was suffering with anxiety and I got to see my partner. And it’s the only time I get a good feed!” Ms M

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Over the past five years a major priority of the Centre has been the development of a project to provide meaningful support to children affected by imprisonment. The Centre staff team have piloted a number of initiatives within the Centre and carried out research amongst this group to ascertain how support could best be offered. The findings of this research resulted in a successful bid for Charitable Trust funding via The Salvation Army’s funding department and also Statutory Funding via City of Edinburgh Council consequently raising in excess of £50,000 to run a two-year pilot project.

As a result we advertised and successfully recruited Nicola Ceesay as Parent and Children’s Support Worker, a part-time developmental post which will uncover generative themes to shape the future of the project. To complement this project we also purchase the services of local childcare provider ‘Supermums’ to operate activity sessions for children three times a week. The initial aims of the project are:

• Provision of a Parenting Information Point in line with the joint Parenting Framework

• Structured play sessions within EPVC and the Prison Visiting Room which will be used as a platform for informal, but purposeful engagement with parents

• Direct support provided by Play Workers and Parent Support Workers to � Parents and carers whose children are involved in the play sessions � Other parents and carers visiting relatives in the prison

• Linking parents into relevant support resources within their own communities

• Working in Partnership with Scottish Prison Service Parenting Officer within HMP Edinburgh and NHS Health Promotion Team

• Development of an education based programme of support to children and their parents focusing on the Curriculum for Excellence and child development

The project is underpinned by The Scottish Government National Objectives; Safer, Stronger, Smarter and Healthier Scotland and the following National Outcomes for children and young people as follows:

• ‘Our children have the best start in life, are able to make and sustain relationships and are ready to succeed’

• ‘Our children and young people are successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens making a positive contribution to their communities’

• ‘Our children and young people at risk, or with a disability, have improved life chances’

PARENT & CHILDREN’S SUPPORT PROJECT

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GLO

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PRO

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T‘Our World Citizenship Project’, supported by the crèche workers (Supermums) at the Centre, is an innovative project which fits into the Curriculum for Excellence Framework for Education, and is concerned with developing spaces for learning in the Centre with specific focus on the following

• The promotion of equality and diversity • Environmental justice • Social responsibility

This project uses arts and crafts as a tool for engagement with families and children. It is widely recognised that Arts are an effective tool for the building of literacy, cognitive skills and critical thought. The programme of education is informed by the International Calendar of events and includes the development of arts based activities around religious, historical and contemporary events; social and environmental activism.

Completed themed projects have included topics such as One World, The Dinosaurs, Under the Sea and the Tropical Rainforest. The project sessions take place three times per week in the children’s corner, and are complemented by visual and interactive displays.

These sessions facilitate the opportunity for children to develop their creative skills, and experiment with arts and crafts materials. They also help to develop the educational skills of experiential and peer learning.

In drawing upon the Curriculum for Excellence, we aim to develop continuity between what children learn in the classroom and the Centre programme. It is intended that parents and carers develop an understanding of how learning opportunities available in schools, the Centre and the community, can support children at various ages and stages of development. This is particularly relevant to those parents who may have had a negative experience of formal schooling. Key to the success of this programme is its informality which creates a safe and non-threatening environment, where parents can learn alongside their children.

‘Peer learning is an educational practice in which students interact with other students to attain educational goals’ Cognitive Perspectives on peer learning (O’Donnell and King; 1999).

In addition, the key messages of acknowledging the values of respect, equality and diversity and social and environmental responsibility are not only conveyed to children but also to parents and carers.

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Experiential learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the experience of doing, with knowledge resulting from the combination of understanding reflection and action - Kolb, (1984:41)

I am glad that the staff here have information on the tag because where else am I going to find out about this?

17

The Salvation Army are working collaboratively with the Scottish Prison Service and Police Scotland to deliver an educational initiative at HMP Edinburgh. The purpose of this work is threefold, aiming to:

• Raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of the police in relation to the public

• Raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of the public in relation to the police

• Break down barriers between this community of interest and the police – with specific focus on children

This initiative particularly focuses upon parents and younger children. It is premised upon the understanding that criminogenic experiences and environments are disproportionately characterised by adverse educational experiences / negative attainment, health inequalities, and general socio-economic disadvantage. This in mind, many prison visitors can be characterised as marginalised and ‘hard to reach’.

Thus we aim to facilitate positive educational experiences for individuals who are disinclined to engage with public, voluntary and statutory services and who also have a widespread mistrust and/or hostility towards authority. Counteracting the negative interactions between the state and those members of civil society who have been subject to state penalty and regulation is the driving force for the Meet the Police Initiative.

MEET T

HE P

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ITIA

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I have visited three prisons throughout my son’s sentence, the facilities and staff at Edinburgh are far better than any of the other prisons that I have visited, I don’t know what I would have done without the help and support from the staff at the Centre. I still get support from the staff there even though my son is now in Glenochil. Miss S

Both myself and my 6 year old enjoy having the children’s area, she looks forward to coming in to paint and draw

19

This initiative is embedded within the contemporary Scottish policy context with particular focus on the development of a safer Scotland through working with the police to build stronger communities. This element of the Visitors Centre programme works towards the attainment of three of The Scottish Government’s five national strategic objectives, that is, a Safer and Stronger, Smarter, and Healthier Scotland. The need for collaborative work with external partners such as Police Scotland is illustrated in the Police Scotland Annual Plan (2013) which advocates a commitment to ‘work with others, and where appropriate to be accessible and engage with local communities…’. Furthermore Scottish Police Authorities strategic objective is concerned with ‘ensuring that all communities, including the most vulnerable, have access to the police service and are given the support they need to feel safe’.

The need for initiatives which ‘positively engage families’ is also highlighted within the SPS Service Delivery Plan and is reflected in the principal objective as set out in the Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authorities Annual Review (2012-13) which is to develop work with chaotic and marginalised families.

POLICY CONTEXT

This initiative is carefully planned and marketed as a ‘family fun’ event but is intrinsically educational in its objectives.

Through the informal approach the imparting of knowledge occurs through structured conversation and critical dialogue and by offering experiential learning. Examples of this include discussions about rights and responsibilities/ citizenship, challenging perceptions and stereotypes and creating a situation where prison visitors can have a positive experience with the police. This is an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills, which allow individuals to question their everyday realities and the developed assumptions they have.

EVENT ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

ACTIVITES ANDFAMILY FUN EVENT

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“Dialogue involves cultivating changes through the process of conversation, yet dialogue is more than deepening understanding as it involves respect, mutuality and a drive towards change.” - Bogar (2006)

Activities and incentives are key to encouraging participation and to retaining the attention of children who can be easily distracted. This initiative offers resources from the police such as, model cars, seatbelt covers and wrist bands, and the opportunity to sit in a police car. We also provide dressing up, innovative arts and craft activities, themed refreshments and balloons for children.

This event facilitates the opportunity to meet the Prison Dog which is an additional tool for engagement with families but which also has a distinct educational message that is, prison security is paramount. This again relates directly to Scottish National Outcome (1) which endeavours to make Scotland safe and free from crime.

Furthermore, this event builds upon the work that is done in schools over Scotland by the police and community safety teams with the additional advantage that the message and motto of the police and the positive interaction is also conveyed to parents.

This event runs approximately on a 6 week rotating basis. Future plans include the delivery of educational sessions involving two further emergency service providers, the fire and ambulance service.

ACTIVITES ANDFAMILY FUN EVENT

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During the course of the last year Centre staff have worked on family events in the Visits Room in partnership with, Families Outside and the Family Contact team, one such event was to design artwork for the Prison Visits Room. The aim of this event was to create a more child friendly area within the Visits Room. Friends of Edinburgh donated £500 to purchase new items for this area. Centre staff purchased age appropriate educational toys and games to be used within the Bonding visit sessions, this event was headed up by Parent and Children’s Support Worker, Nicola Ceesay, and Carolyn Arnold from the family contact team.

In addition to this, Nicola and Carolyn have also facilitated and developed activity sessions for female prisoners and their families. These are preplanned educational sessions for children who are visiting at the weekend. This is an example of how the educational project work in the Visitors Centre is carried over into the Visits Room.

IN PRISON VISITS ROOM

Parents and Grandparents are very surprised and happy when they come here and find the facilities (artwork) for children.

Can you tell Jean that we just wanted to say thank you for all the help she’s given us. Mr and Ms J

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“Education is a social process. Education is growth, education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself” - John Dewey (1916)

With the assistance of Margaret Taylor (Salvation Army Fundraising Officer) £800 worth of funding was obtained for the Centre and we have been able to buy a whole range of new resources for the play room. This will set the scene for the development in partnership with Salvation Army colleagues, of our new ‘Mums and Toddlers’ group which will begin in early September 2013. The purpose of this group is to offer a play session for parents and under 5s which will include the transmission of information on parenting and the early stages of child development.

RE-DEVELOPMENT OF PLAYROOM

Great place for children to come before they visit makes it child friendly

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Through the course of the year we have been working to identify and record generative themes which are collected through observations and conversations with the visitors. We are utilising the information collected to build upon our programme by responding directly to these themes through a process of education. These themes are as follows:

GATH

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HEM

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We have recorded that the concept of violence is very often perceived as an unquestioning social norm amongst some of this group. A recurring theme amongst parents of younger children is the perceived acceptable use of retaliatory violence within a child’s peer group and / or school setting.

In one case a parent stated that: ‘I told my three year old son to hit back at nursery’. A member of staff explained to the parent that their three year old was not old enough to deal with this situation, as the nursery teacher would have told the child not to hit back. The result of this would be that no matter whose instruction the child followed, they would get in trouble. Staff told the parent that they should approach the nursery and ask for help in dealing with this situation.

The use of violence-as-play is also apparent through observing the interactions between some fathers on bonding visits and their children. In addition, the desensitisation of some visiting children to violence can be evidenced through art work which sometimes depicts distressing themes.

It is widely accepted that reasons for this can be attributed to exposure to media violence. Aggression may become apparent when children have been exposed to violence within the home, school or community. It is integral to our work that we engage with parents to facilitate an understanding of the importance of a child’s environment and ensure that if help and support around violence and aggression is required families know how to get it.

THE NORMALISATION OF VIOLENCE

It matters if we treat boys and girls differently from a young age because it sets up a pattern for life, based on difference. Although there is nothing wrong with difference in itself, when it leads to limitations and discrimination it is problematic as it can affect long-term confidence, opportunity, achievement, health, relationships and more. (P10)

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The experience of female visitors to the prison is particularly interesting. The reasons for this are twofold; in the first instance females can be under immense financial and emotional pressure whilst a partner / son is imprisoned. This is particularly hard for families or partners of prolific offenders. Secondly, some ‘hard to reach’ visitors express both a hostility towards authority and high levels of empathy towards prisoners. Such attitudes are similar to those one may expect to find at a hospital during visitation.

Documented concerns include‘I feel so sad for my man he’s going to miss his birthday cuz he’s in here’, ‘My man’s been in here for days without fags’.

Related to this is the sense of obligation and duty towards men in terms of financial support, which often involves spending limited money on designer clothes and trainers. In terms of children’s visitation, it has been expressed by a number of females whose partners are serving shorter sentences that bringing children to the prison would upset their partners. In this sense, some visitors are inclined to put the needs of the prisoner before their children.

‘I’m not bringing my child to the jail, it’s not really for children and plus my man would get too upset ‘

Where possible, through dialogue and informal education we theorise this phenomena with female visitors when the situations arise by inviting them to consider the attitudes and values they have developed. In these cases we also give advice on the potentially detrimental effects of child/parent separation.

As noted previously, it is through informal dialogue and purposeful conversation that thoughts and behaviours can be challenged. In this way visitors, parents and carers, rather than feeling dictated to, can come to their own conclusions.

GENDER INEQUALITY

On numerous occasions the Centre staff have intervened when they have heard a parent or carer reprimanding and belittling a male child when pushing a toy pram from the toy room. Young male children have been named ‘sissy’, ‘nancy’, ‘jessie’ and a range of other derogatory names in the presence of Centre staff. As part of the educational programme, Centre staff have intervened to help parents understand that the information and values that are imposed on children during the early stages of development continue into adulthood. According to guidance provided by Zero Tolerance, Just Like a Child: Challenging gender stereotypes in the early years (2013)

REINFORCING DOMINANT GENDER ROLES IN CHILDREN

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Language and communication can be additional barriers within this environment between some parents and their children. It is clear that a small percentage of parents and carers are unable to communicate effectively with their children and use what may be deemed inappropriate language towards them. Again, staff will intervene to explain that if such language is directed towards children then it can be repeated within a context like the nursery or school. If such language becomes embedded in a young child’s vocabulary these children will break the behavioral norms of the school and be resultantly reprimanded. This may result in a child becoming confused and unable to decipher and adhere to the various acceptable rules and boundaries.

Our programme encompasses developing dialogue based on a social practice literacy model of teaching. This facilitates an understanding amongst parents that the values we transmit to our children in relation to violence, gender inequalities and the ways in which we communicate and set rules and boundaries will remain with them into their adult life. At present this project is in its infancy stages. However based on the generative themes gathered over the course of the first year a parenting programme specific to this needs group will be developed.

As Barnton notes, ‘literacy has a history. Our individual life histories contain many literacy events from early childhood onwards which the present is built upon’ (Barnton; 1994).

LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION

Very friendly staff and helpful distraction for kids when waiting my son loves that he can take pictures over to give his dad (5 stars !x )

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Centre staff are currently working in partnership with NHS Lothian Public Health Promotion team to improve access to services for families who visit the Centre. One initiative we are currently involved in is the Childsmile Initaitive. Childsmile is a national programme designed to improve the oral health of children in Scotland and reduce inequalities both in dental health and access to dental services. A makeshift dentist surgery for children is set up within the Visitor Centre to encourage interaction amongst the families. The Oral Healthy Promotion Worker, Moira Haston, visits the Centre every six weeks to talk to families about oral health and gives out toothpaste, toothbrushes, weaning cups and oral health products for adults with dentures. In addition to this Moira asks families if they are currently registered with a dentist; and will talk families through good oral hygene practice for themselves and their children. To date Moira has visited the Centre on two occasions and has seen 159 adults and 40 children. Moira has also provided the Parent and Children’s Support Worker with a training pack in order that more sessions can be developed and rolled out, which may include sessions within the bonding visits so both parents can receive information on good oral hygiene routines. As both children and their parents are involved in this initiative, it is unique in Scotland.

Through our work we are able to identify and manage risk, and use our knowledge to work with parents in order to help them provide more stable and nurtured environments for their children. Delivering a successful Early Intervention Strategy depends upon our staff having an in-depth knowledge and understanding of policy frameworks that underpin our work such as:

• Early Years Framework• National Parenting Strategy• The principles of Getting it Right for Every Child • Curriculum for Excellence• Pre-birth to three framework for Scottish children and families

Most importantly, the development of this work depends upon our ability to understand and respond to the needs of our visitors as they arise, using an informal educational approach as a tool for engagement with visitors.

ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION SESSIONS

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FUTU

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PM

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ADDICTION SERVICESThe Salvation Army has been working on developing its Drug and Alcohol Strategy for Scotland over the last year. This was launched on 2 July 2013 and brings a wide range of experiences, information and support related activities. Trained Centre staff working in conjunction with other professional agencies will develop information sessions in the Centre on addiction support for family members including ‘The Community Reinforcement Approach’ (CRA). Due to the increasing enquiries from family members, it is hoped that the sessions will take place once a week in the Centre. Information will be gathered over a six week period and the sessions will be reviewed in light of the findings.

CHILDREN’S INFORMATION BOOKLET

The Centre is working on the development of an issue-based information booklet compiled by visiting children and families to the prison. This book is a direct response to needs expressed by parents, in relation to children being worried about a parent in prison; ‘ my son said to me that he thought his dad was in a cellar’

The preparation of the booklet will involve literacy sessions based on a social practice literacy model and will be facilitated through group work. This process of reflection and action will help to develop literacy skills, build confidence and will help both children and parents understand the workings of the prison and the opportunities available to prisoners. At the launch of the book early next year we will be showcasing the research carried out by our Parent and Children’s Support Worker.

“I want to thank you for all your help whilst my son’s been in.” Ms M

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Centre staff have noted the increasing number of visitors who are coming to the Centre very early before visits, often stating that coming to the Centre breaks up their day. Discussing this with visitors, staff have found that there is a reluctance to engage with traditional education services, yet visitors still express a desire to undertake such work. On the basis of this, Centre staff have developed a plan to offer adult education and recreational group work sessions. Such work will require additional resources, including staff time, financial investment and the sourcing of equipment.

We have now commenced the process of recruiting volunteers. As a result some volunteers have come from the local Salvation Army Corps (Church) to work in the café. Our aim is to eventually have a small pool of volunteers who will have particular skills which will enhance the service offered to families. This will provide the volunteers with the opportunity to interact with the clients we work with and in the community.

DEVELOPMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION AND

RECREATIONAL GROUP WORK

RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS

Centre staff are planning to develop a monthly newsletter to keep visitors and other agencies informed of the Centre programme and any new developments. It is anticipated that families will want to become involved in the production of the newsletter and this programme could be developed further into an adult literacy project. This would provide an additional opportunity to engage with adults in an informal and positive manner.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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Centre Coordinator: Kerry WatsonAssistant Coordinator: Susan DonaldsonSenior Project Worker: Donald MacIverGeneral Assistants:̀ Gemma Gall Laura MacMahon Kartrina WrightParent & Children’s Support Worker: Nicola CeesayCentre Chaplain: Jean Midwinter

First Aid at Work: Susan Donaldson & Donald MacIver

First Aid Annual Update: Gemma Gall, Laura MaMahon & Katrina Wright

Food Hygiene: Donald MacIver

Equality and Diversity: All Centre Staff

Diploma in Leadership and Management: Kerry Watson

Fire Safety Training: Kerry Watson

Salvation Army Safe and Sound Child Protection Training: All Centre Staff

Sollihall Training, GIRFEC Holistic Play (Edinburgh City Council): Nicola Ceesay

Book Bug Training (The Scottish Book Trust): Nicola Ceesay & Kerry Watson

Introduction to Substance Misuse (STRADA): Susan Donaldson

Working with Drug and Alcohol Users in the Community (The Salvation Army): Gemma Gall & Laura McMahon

CENTRE STAFF

TRAINING UNDERTAKEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

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CENTRE STAFFOver this last year the success of our early intervention work has been evidenced through the feedback from children and parents. Children now come to the Centre enthused and are happy to go over for their visit. We have also been able to reach far more parents using our interaction with arts and crafts as a tool for engagement. This has enabled us to develop our programme based on the emerging needs of families and offer meaningful information and skills that they can carry with them into the future. Centre staff work with the understanding that there are spaces for education in everyday life and we should make the most of them and encourage others to do the same.

CONCLUSION

The Territorial Commander, Commissioner Clive Adams & The President of Women’s Ministries, Commissioner Marianne Adams and their staff at Territorial Headquarters

Lieut. Colonel Carol Bailey and staff at The Salvation Army East Scotland Divisional Headquarters

Teresa Medhurst, Governor HMP Edinburgh and her staff, for support and guidance given throughout the year

The Onward Trust, for their ongoing support

Margaret Taylor, Salvation Army Scotland Trust Fundraiser for her invaluable assistance

Kerry Watson and her staff at the Edinburgh Prison Visitors Centre

The City of Edinburgh Council

Alistair Darling, MP Edinburgh South West

Jim Eadie, MSP Edinburgh South

Policy Leads from The Scottish Government

Prison Visitor Centre Steering Group

The Salvation Army Advisory Board

The Quakers

Fundraisers and members of the Public for their financial help

Family members and their children who have contributed to the ongoing consultations

All Partner Agencies for their collaborative working

Families Outside Staff Kerry Knox and Hazel Anderson

Super Mums

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Barton; (1994) An Introduction to the Ecology of Written Language, Oxford, Blackwell

Bojer; (2006) Mapping Dialogue – A research Project profiling dialogue tools and process for social change , Version 2.0 Johannesburg, South Africa

Bonner & Luscombe; (2008) The Seeds of Exclusion report

Dewey, J; (1916) Democracy and Education

Freire, P; (1972) Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Kolb, D. A; (1984) Experiential Learning, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice Hall.

Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authorities annual review (2012-13)

O’Donnell, A and King; (Feb 3, 1999) Cognitive Perspectives on Peer Learning (Rutgers Invitational Symposium on Education Series)

Police Scotland Annual Plan (2013)

Zero Tolerance, Just Like a Child: Challenging gender stereotypes in the early years (2013)

REFERENCES

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