NEPACS is a North East charity which has been supporting people affected by imprisonment for over 130 years.
It aims to support a positive future for prisoners and their families in the North East of England by providing practical and emotional support.
NEPACS has provided grants for individuals impacted by imprisonment for many decades. Traditionally, this was to fund training courses or tools for a trade and they continue to offer this kind of support.
People coming out of prison are faced with an almost impossible challenge as they no longer have recourse to public funds for clothes or household goods to re-establish their lives on the outside.
The £46 discharge grant has not increased in 20 years and so those coming out from prison are increasingly reliant on food banks, clothing banks and charity. Without immediate support there is an increased likelihood of people offending again.
The Chief Executive of NEPACS is taking part in the Great North Swim and swimming 1 mile across Lake Windermere to raise money for prisoners to be given small grants when coming out of prison. The PCC has made a donation towards NEPACS.