When we think of a crime, we think of the victims and their families. We sympathise with them, their pain and suffering as a result of the crime. When the perpetrators are caught and sent to jail, these victims and their families hopefully get some kind of closure.
The consequences of a crime can be far-reaching, and crime touches the lives of many. Among these are the families of the offenders. These family members – partners, spouses, parents, grandparents, children, brothers, sisters – have done nothing wrong and yet they also experience feelings of despair, loss, isolation, shame, anger and the stigma of being associated with the crime.
All of these problems seem even greater when it is the first time these families come into contact with the Gardaí, the Courts, the Legal System and the Prison System. They are entering a world new to them.
What can prepare someone for this?
Who are we ?
St Nicholas Trust was set up in 2008 in response to the needs of relatives of people sentenced to prison.
Who can we help ?
We offer help and support to anybody affected by imprisonment – in particular the families of prisoners.
What we do
We offer Confidential support by telephone at 0861768266 and 0861768267
Volunteers offer refreshments at the prison waiting room to the visitors as they wait to go in to visit their loved one.
What other services can we offer ?
We have produced three booklets: “Visiting Cork Prison”, “Children visiting a Parent in Prison” and “Going Home/ Coming Home”. The booklets are available on-line and in booklet form in the waiting room in Cork Prison. They continue to be a valuable source of information about the practical issues around visiting the prison and the many questions families need information on about what they can bring visitors etc
