Family imprisonment is traumatic for children

Families Outside – the charity that works with families affected by imprisonment - partnered with staff and students from Lenzie Academy to host an awareness-raising event.

Held at Bishopbriggs Library, they launched a video made by Lenzie Academy students which highlighted the impact of imprisonment on children and young people and the support that is available.

The event aimed to recognise the work carried out by the students from Lenzie Academy while raising awareness of the effects of imprisonment.

It also highlighted the importance of young people’s voices and their participation in breaking the stigma surrounding imprisonment – whether they are affected by imprisonment themselves or not.

Students also shared insights on the school’s wider community engagement work and the volunteering spirit it fosters in its young people. The event was also attended by East Dunbartonshire Council Provost Gillian Renwick, who spoke about the importance of collaborations such as the one between Families Outside and Lenzie Academy.

Attendees also heard from Louise, who was affected by a family member’s imprisonment at a young age herself, who said: “Family imprisonment is traumatic for children and young people. It is vital that there are changes made to support their difficult journey- there certainly wasn't when I was a small child going through this. It was unspoken. The stigma needs broken. Awareness is key - within society and with the professionals working with young people.”

The initiative gives students from schools across Scotland the opportunity to raise awareness of social issues and highlight local charities of their choice, engaging them to develop skills and confidence.

Karen McKay, Families Outside’s regional family support coordinator, said: “Often when supporting families, you realise imprisonment rarely brings just one issue, it often brings a multitude of issues, and support becomes vital to enable families to manage under difficult circumstances.”