The NICCO Directory of Resources provides details of the huge number of tools, activities, practice models and guidance that have been developed by agencies to support offenders and their children and families.
Whether you are working directly with children, supporting offenders to maintain parental contact, helping a parent to prepare their child for a prison visit or simply want to develop your own understanding of the criminal justice system, this directory provides you with a range of resources to support and inform your work.
To support working with Children
Find activities, books, films, sound bites and worksheets to support your work with children and young people. ViewOffenders and Families
Find information, books, tools, activities and programmes to support your work with offenders and their partners or family members. ViewTo support Professional's Practice
Find delivery models, case studies, local and national policies and guidlines, practice guides, briefings and resources for professional learning and development. View13. My Diary
This 20 page well illustrated booklet from Families Outside is written from the perspective of a young person whose Dad is in prison. It is written in the style of diary, going through the thoughts and feelings associated with finding out about his Dad's imprisonment, keeping it a secret at school, telling teachers and friends and going to visit Dad inside. It was written alongside the production of the video Child Diary which explores what its like for children to have any family member...
14. My Hidden Sentence
'My Hidden Sentence' is a drama developed by Unique Voice and inspired by true stories. It focuses on the experiences of two young people who have a parent in prison, exploring the impact the sentences have on their friendships, school life and the community in very different ways. Unique Voice can bring this drama to schools in the form of assemblies or workshops with young people or staff, to explore the impact of imprisonment on young people and their families. They are South West...
15. My Own Prison
This short film, produced by Fixers, depicts the life of a teenager whose parent is in and out of prison. Within the film seventeen-year-old 'Emily' is supporting her friend 'Amy', whose father has served custodial sentences since she was young. Emotions, feelings and experiences are highlighted throughout the film. Emily and Amy are hoping their film will show other young people in similar situations that they're not alone and allow imprisoned parents to see the...
16. My Special Book
These simple worksheets produced by Ormiston Families are designed as a tool for young children to document their visit to either their Mum or Dad in prison. It covers aspects such as who they are going to visit with, how they will get there, how they felt and what they talked about with their parent. There is space for the child to write, as well as draw pictures, of what their parent and visit looked like to them. Please download My Special Books below:
17. My Visit
This booklet explains the experience of visiting a prison to children using illustrations and easy-to-understand words. There are spaces for children to draw pictures with parents, carers, family members or professionals. It is available to download for free from Pact below:
18. New activity books for children visiting prisons in Northern Ireland
Two activity books and fun-to-follow maps have been developed by Barnardo’s NI Parenting Matters Service and are available for families visiting each of the prisons in Northern Ireland. Parenting Matters Manager Deirdre Sloan said: “Making a visit to prison can be very intimidating. It can also be a lengthy process and these new resources give children, 8 years and under, engaging activities to help occupy them. We have also created booklets for 8-18 year olds which parents...
