The Invisible Walls project began in 2006 at HMP Parc Bridgend. Its mission was to provide support, guidance and tangible help to people in prison, who wanted to rebuild or retain their relationships with their children and loved ones in the community.
As with any social project, over the intervening years the remit has gradually evolved to include the delivery of various family focused interventions within the prison visiting hall. This later expanded to offer long-term mentoring and support for the whole family, whilst the father was in custody. This was further extended to after release and through the period of resettlement.
The Invisible Walls project has now been rolled out in G4S and public sector prisons across Britain. This innovative work has attracted international interest.
Maintaining connections, where appropriate, between prisoners and their families is of high importance. Children of parents who are imprisoned can be significantly disadvantaged - educationally, socially and emotionally. Invisible Walls works with prisoners and their families, and especially schools to overcome these challenges.
With this in mind, today I had the pleasure of attending a Halloween Event for families supported by Invisible Walls. This award-winning work, apart from providing vital support to children of prisoners reduces re-offending rates and breaks the cycle that so often leads to children of offenders becoming offenders themselves.
Invisible Walls is a remarkable organisation. It deserves greater recognition and financial support to further its ambitious plans for the future. And it all started in Bridgend.