Many prisons now have Visitors' Centres. At some establishments it may be little more than a room with a drink and snack vending machine and some lockers for leaving items during the visit. Others, however, are staffed by either volunteers or paid workers or a mixture of both. These staffed centres can be little more than a canteen, or they can provide a range of support services for those visiting the prison.

WHAT?

There are a number of different opportunities for volunteers in Visitors Centres. It maybe that you could, after training, give advice and information to visitors regarding their entitlement to financial help for visiting, or on what they can or cannot take into a visit. Maybe you might like to help run the coffee bar, making sandwiches, tea and coffee etc. You might feel able to help with some of the large amount of clerical work that has to be undertaken and answer telephone queries. Alternatively you might just consider being available as a friendly welcoming presence, a reassuring smile and an offer of assistance to people feeling nervous and unsure on a first visit to a prison.

WHO?

You will need to be able to commit to a regular involvement, as it is important that these centres are adequately staffed at all times when visiting is taking place. Most prisons have social visits on weekday afternoons and all day at weekends.

HOW?

Contact your nearest prison and speak to whoever runs the Visitors' Centre, (they may be called the 'Visitors' Centre Co-ordinator'). Discuss with them what needs they have and how you might help to meet them.