PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust) - Pentonville Prison Play Area
To advise and support the visiting families and friends of inmates in prison. The play area in the visiting hall within the prison is one way of supporting the visiting children.
Main Activity
Assist in providing play facilities for the children. Supervise the children. Set up the play area, work with the children, clear up afterwards.
Description
Pentonville Play Area is located in the Visiting Hall of Pentonville Prison. It is a small, purpose-built area, which is available to all children between the ages of 6 months and 15 years who are visiting a family member in prison. The Play project is managed by a registered charity, PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust), who employ a part-time coordinator to work with a team of volunteers to ensure good quality play provision. As might be expected, many children find the environment of a prison frightening and intimidating. By offering a play area we aim to create an element of normality and familiarity for the visiting children. The play area also creates the opportunity to develop positive relationships with one another and with the adult play-workers. Furthermore, playing with other children in a similar situation to themselves may also reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation experienced by many. The positive, stimulating environment can also be a safe means of releasing tense, stressful or frustrated feelings. It can also just be fun.
