Friends of HMP Bronzefield

Refreshment Service

The friends, now a staff of 25, were approached by HMP Bronzefield, an all female prison, to run their refreshment centre after the WRVS (Women's Royal Volunteer Service) left. The friends are newly formed, as they began service in 2004.

The refreshment service is provided to create a more positive experience for the families of prisoners as well as the staff of the prison. As a result, the centre helps to increase interaction between the prisoner and the prisoner's family, which can often help the prisoner assimilate back into a normal life after their release. The refreshment centre provides their services seven days a week. On weekdays their opening hours are from 1330 to 1930, and from 1300 to 1700 on weekends. The centre also provides coffee, tea and hot chocolate free of charge to all members of staff.

The biggest issue is that of security (i.e., example getting into the prison, security clearance, and bringing in goods from outside the prison). The biggest concern of any prison is an individual's safety, so the group must be managed down to the minutest of details (including daily maintenance). Another issue, which was quickly alleviated, was that both the staff and volunteers were unsure as to how to interact with one another in such a tense environment.

Over time both groups developed a great working rapport with one another which naturally caused less stress in an already stressful environment through a shared mutual respect for what the others were doing as well as ultimately coming together for the main purpose of this project, which is to provide a service to help assuage the melancholy feelings of the guests of prisoners, thereby creating a more welcoming environment.

The group would encourage other groups with the same aim to continue to work through its struggles. “Hang in there”, say the Friends. “The waters will certainly be rough at the beginning; however, it is important to see the project through, not only because an individual's life be impacted, but also because it is extremely rewarding.” The group's single biggest achievement is providing a service that helps bridge the gap between prisoners and their families.

In the future, the Friends would like to secure funding for a paid officer to maintain volunteer management as well as oversee, with the help of the board of trustees, the daily operations of the group. There are many more areas of need that the Friends seek to cover, including helping prisoners become more proficient with both literacy and maternity issues. The group is also currently looking to provide better play facilities for the children of the prisoners at the visitor centre.

Quotes

“I had been surprised to find out how rewarding it was working not only in the prison, but with the families of the prisoners as well as the staff.” — Friends Volunteer

Contact details

Mrs Chris Douglas
chris_douglas@which.net
07885 349128

Location: South East
Sector: Prison