Play in Prison - Children's Links
Play in Prison is a project which brings some quality time and normality to the lives of children and young people who have a mother serving a prison sentence.
Children's Links have been working with HMP Morton Hall to make these visits special and provide families with happy memories between visits. The project works with children from the age of a few months right through to teenagers.
The project encourages parents to play with their children and maintain strong relationships during a difficult period in their lives. The days are planned with the prisoners and prison guards so that it is a whole team approach and everyone has a part to play.
The most rewarding part of this project is seeing families laughing and playing together. It has also had a huge impact on the relationship between prisoners and prison staff, as the staff are given the opportunity to see them as loving parents.
"Absolutely great day! Love every minute of it and get to spend real quality time with my mum. Also get to be the child for the day!"
(young carer visiting her mum with two younger sisters)
The prison now has some excellent play facilities and child visits have become so popular that on the last visit they had 20 prisoners and over 30 children!
