Early Days in Custody (EDiC) is a prison-based crisis intervention programme during the critical first two weeks in prison.
The service supports women entering custody and associated vulnerabilities. It started in April 2020.
To support and promote rehabilitation, EDiC helps new prisoners maintain family relationships, including those with dependent children. It also helps improve engagement with the prison regime and strengthens the flow of information between custody and community services.
Durham University evaluated EDiC and found the support catered to the client’s specific needs. EDiC also acts as a conduit between prison departments and individual prisoners to ensure the prisoner’s needs are met. In addition, it assists in maintaining family relationships and enhances mental health support for prisoners at risk of self-harm and death by suicide
NEPACS submitted a funding request to all three north east PCCs (Cleveland, Durham, and Northumbria.)
The request was to fund Family Support Worker provision at HMP Low Newton Prison (Durham) for an additional day each week.
This would enable NEPACs to maintain service levels, which have been delivered at the prison over the previous two years (at four days per week).
Funding of this day provision will ensure that NEPACS:
- Has Reception coverage;
- Reduces delays with first family contact;
- Supports mothers with dependent children at an earlier stage;
- Sustains continuity during busy periods.
HMP Low Newton has a wide catchment area, with prisoners primarily coming from local authority areas across North East England.
All three Police and Crime Commissioners met on 12 May 2026 and agreed to collaborate on providing one-off funding.
Each committed £2,000.00 (or £6,000.00 collectively) following a review of the funding application.
Cleveland PCC’s contribution will come from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF).
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria will manage the grant with NEPACS.
It will share performance information with Cleveland and Durham OPCCs. This uplift in provision covers 1June 2026 to 31 May 2027.