Directory of Research

19. 'At the End of the Line' - Independent Evaluation of the Pact Helpline

This evaluation of the Pact website is easy to read and presented clearly. It uses service data collected from the telephone, email and postal aspects of the helpline as well as qualitative interview and survey data collected from helpline users by the evaluator. Findings from this evaluation could be utilised by other helpdesk and information providers. The evaluation broadly assesses how far the helpline has met its aims. These aims are; to reduce isolation of offenders families, to provide callers with information and support for coping with a crisis, to develop callers' understanding of criminal justice terminology and non statutory support and to encourage callers to engage with statutory services. The 45 page document is split into 5 sections; the first is an introduction which includes some background to the helpline's inception, delivery and management, secondly there is an over view of the use of the service including numbers and forms of contact, demographics and reasons for use, thirdly survey and interview respondents' views of the helpine are outlined followed by a discussion as to whether the helpline met its aims, the fourth section offers illustrative case studies and lastly the fifth section offers conclusions and recommendations specific to the Pact helpline. Download At the end of the line from Pact's research and reports webpage below: Click here

20. Motherhood disrupted: Reflections of post-prison mothers

This paper contributes new insights into the ways in which prison is experienced as an emotional space by mothers. It highlights the way in which the maternal experience for mothers in prison is often at best disrupted, at worst destroyed, by the location. Consideration is given to how maternal emotions and role are assembled and challenged through imprisonment and how mothers understand this experience whilst navigating motherhood post incarceration. The data presented is based on twenty recorded in-depth individual interviews with released mothers across England and Wales. The research findings highlight the significant emotional harm and turmoil felt by mothers themselves and on mother-child relationships, experienced during incarceration and long after their release. The voices of the mothers are widely shared throughout this clearly written, well structured article. The findings in this paper provide insights into the nuanced and complex experience of the prison space for mothers, and shows the reader the harms which accompany custodial sentences. Findings emphasise the significance and value of compassionate and thoughtful management of prisons in relation to mothering emotions. The paper concludes with reflections on the findings of the study and recommendations for future research and practice. This piece of work should absolutely be read and disseminated by anyone interested in maternal imprisonment. Motherhood disrupted is available as open access via Research Gate see below: Click here

21. The Golden Thread: Evaluation of the Pact Helpline for the families of prisoners and people with convictions

This document, published in July 2018 is an evaluation of the Pact Helpline for the families of prisoners and people with convictions.   It is a follow-up to a previous independent report 'At the End of a Line', by Dr Claire Goldsmith published in January 2017.