Children and young people often find they serve their own 'hidden sentence' when a parent or loved one is in prison. If family ties are broken, and they have no contact with their parent in prison, it can have a long-lasting and detrimental impact on their wellbeing and lives. They can experience significant trauma and are twice as likely to experience mental health problems, poor educational attainment and are increasingly likely to engage in anti-social behaviour and substance misuse.

Family visits promote positive, secure attachments between the child and parent in prison. It offers reassurance that their parent is OK and still loves them, this is key to the child being able to cope with their experience. Nepacs also support children and young people in these situations through dedicated play & youth areas with age-appropriate activities keeping them occupied and reassurance during visits. Their mascot Buddy the dog also offers a welcome and familiar face to young children.