Bedford Row Family Project

1. Hospitality at Limerick Prison

Bedford Row staff are in attendance in the waiting area of Limerick Prison during all visiting times. We offer refreshments to all, play materials to children, provide information leaflets and reading materials and aim to create and to maintain a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Many of the adults value the chat and the tea while most of the children spontaneously come for their colouring sheets or games.

The waiting area is the main point of initial contact between the focus group and the Project.

In co-operation with the prison authorities we will continue to strive for more family - friendly visiting arrangements within the prison.

'To the world you might be one person;
To one person you might be the world'

2. Education And Development

The Project staff organise courses based on what people in the focus group desire, in so far as it is possible. In partnership with Limerick City VEC, we offer classes under the following schemes:

Back To Education Initiative

Community Education

Adult Learning Support Services

Learning opportunities have been offered in:

a. Literacy and Numeracy

b. Computers

c. Child Development

d. Parenting / Life Skills

e. Creative Writing and Drama

f. Art and Craft

g. Health Issues

h. Food and Nutrition

“The course has given me the strength and courage to take control of my life. It has given me tools and the ability to use them to improve the quality of life for me and my family. I never imagined that I could get so much from a course. The facilitators have helped me to open so many doors in my life in a relaxed yet professional way and at my pace. I now enjoy being in charge of my life and I'm a lot more welcoming to my future.”

Participant in Life Skills Course.

The support offered through the Project begins with the attempt to be available, in the waiting area, to people who visit Limerick Prison.
Further contact is possible with a staff member from Bedford Row if family members so wish, working with them to support them as they address their issues. She/he refers them to other agencies if and when necessary.
Information on counselling and therapy services in the Mid West area is circulated through the Project. Professional counselling external to Bedford Row Family Project can be made available, on request, by Staff.
Facilitated support group sessions are offered from time to time.

“I especially want to thank you for attending my trial. I know a lot of it wasn't pleasant to listen to but you were a rock for my mother and I don't think she would have borne up as she did if it weren't for your support.”

Letter to Project Worker from a young man who is serving a prison sentence

Bedford Row Family Project aspires to being something of a 'one-stop shop', to which our focus group may refer when they seek information or need support in making contact with other services.
We are grateful, in particular, to the help of agencies such as the Citizens' Information Centre, the Social Welfare Office, the Health Services Executive, and all Prisons around the country. Our resource library has up to date information on entitlements and services.
The Project maintains contact with a wide range of groups, statutory and voluntary, who are willing to provide information, take referrals or listen to representations on behalf of someone in the focus group.

'There are no words to express the abyss between isolation and having one ally'
(G. K. Chesterton).

Children who are affected by having a close family member removed from their lives through imprisonment are a particular concern. Those who care for them are often at a loss as to what to tell them and wonder about bringing them to visit the prison. At times they are subjected to harsh remarks, even bullying, in their school and neighbourhoods.
The loss of a parent or very close relative, through imprisonment, is a real bereavement. This is often made worse by secrecy and by feelings of shame and guilt.
The Project will work with families to ensure that they have access to the support and services which can help them to cope. It will continue to build links with agencies that have a particular focus on the needs of children of prisoners.

Through our referral and advocacy work, the Project helps to bring the particular issues and concerns of its focus group to the notice of various other agencies.
In May 2005, Bedford Row Family Project hosted a conference which gave a voice to those who had been in prison or had personally experienced having a close family member spend time in prison.
We plan to organise workshops and other awareness raising events when feasible.

Bedford Row Family Project was set up following a survey of unmet needs in the Limerick area. We are committed to continuing to undertake qualitative, action-based research on the issues that arise for families affected by imprisonment.

While absolutely respecting an individual's right to privacy and confidentiality, we keep a record of the issues, the queries and the constructive suggestions made to us.

Research findings will be used as a basis for planning future activities of the Project and to raise public interest about issues related to the prison system.

In co-operation with other groups with which we are linked, locally and nationally, we will work constructively to influence the development of policies that impact on our focus group.

“You wanna go straight, but something inside keeps pulling you back towards the prison gate”

20 year old who left prison

“I was lucky to meet a man that gave me a chance; took me on and trained me. I never looked back”

Limerick man who spent time in prison

Women and men who have been in detention are welcome to make contact with us as they seek to re-integrate into family and community.
We work with a range of agencies in the Mid Western area who share our concerns and are committed to working to bring about positive change in provision for those who have been in prison.