Barnardo’s Scotland offers a range of services throughout the country to children, young people and families who are currently in contact with youth justice services or with previous experience of the justice system and imprisonment. Our services include prison-based support such as those within HMP Polmont Young Offenders Institution and the HMP Edinburgh prison visitor’s centre; community-based youth justice services including those based in Stirling and Clackmannanshire; women’s justice services like our Shine Women’s mentoring and Ayrshire Court screening; and family support for children affected by parental imprisonment.
After consultation with service managers in Barnardo’s Scotland, we have focused our comments specific questions regarding age, the impact on children and pre-planned release from custody to ensure adequate support is available in the community.