An acclaimed prison visitor centre has been handed a major cash boost by the Church of Scotland Guild.
Perth Prison Visitor Centre, which has been hailed by officials including Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Scotland’s chief prisons inspector Brigadier Hugh Monro, will receive £125,000 thanks to fundraising by guild members across Scotland.
Staff at the centre, run by the Kirk’s social care arm CrossReach, working with the Scottish Prison Service, said they are particularly grateful for the cash injection given the financial climate.
Experts say prisoners who maintain family ties are almost six times less likely to reoffend.
In 2010 almost 4500 people came into the visitor centre over 1000 of whom were children. Families visiting the centre have access to services including parenting support, benefits and housing advice and information on addiction.
Earlier this year, the centre won CrossReach’s award for excellence for its contribution to prisoners’ families and the community.
CrossReach chief executive Peter Bailey said: “We are most grateful to the Church of Scotland Guild for their generosity, as this vital funding means that we can continue offering this much-valued service.
“We know the centre both supports families at a difficult time and also helps reduce the risk of reoffending and homelessness when prisoners are released which in turn helps whole communities.
“I hope we can continue to run for many years to come.”
On a visit to the centre in January, Mr MacAskill said, “I left very impressed with the work that goes on and the commitment of the staff and volunteers who support the centre.”