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Charity appoints Uni Vice-Chancellor as Honorary President

Published December 04, 2024 By

Vice-Chancellor of Durham University becomes Honorary President of long standing north of England charity. 

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University has become the Honorary President of Nepacs, a north of England charity which aims to ensure every person impacted by contact with the justice or social care systems should be heard and feel empowered to make positive change happen.

The Vice-Chancellor follows in the footsteps of her predecessors, who were also Honorary Presidents of Nepacs, as part of the charity’s  long history of working with the University in the Durham area.

Nepacs has been working in the north of England for over 142 years, providing a range of services for families and individuals impacted by both the justice and care systems, most of which are volunteer led. 

The charity welcomes more than 83,000 visits to north east prisons each year and over 18,500 children are supported during visits to prisons or through the charity’s community services for children impacted by imprisonment or living in care.

In addition, Nepacs provides a free north east helpline, support at north east courts, and provides a range of services to help maintain family ties during a prison sentence, including specialist family support and special visits for children so that they can spend quality time with their parent. Nepacs also helps families struggling with the cost of living through small grants.

Professor Karen O’Brien, speaking on a visit to a Nepacs centre at HMP Durham, said: “Durham University students and staff have a long history of working with Nepacs to support and empower those who have contact with the justice and social care systems.

“It is a privilege to continue this close association as their President. 

“Our academics are leading research on the impact of imprisonment on those who have been imprisoned and their families. 

“Our work with Nepacs aligns with our strong belief in the importance of empowering individuals and developing a more inclusive society.”

Nepacs CEO Amanda Lacey said that there was a long link between the University and the organisation.

She said: “We are delighted that Professor Karen O’Brien has agreed to be our President.

“Nepacs is one of the most long-established charities in County Durham, having been established as the Durham Discharged Prisoners Aid Society in 1882.

“Since that time, there has been a close association with the University, and the charity continues to facilitate the involvement of volunteers from Durham University at our Durham-based prisons. 

“When a loved one goes to prison the impact on families and friends can be devastating, which is why our staff and volunteers provide friendship and support during this difficult time.

“We are all about making families feel supported and welcome, and it is important that we provide them with the information that they need.

“We see ourselves as helping to maintain family ties, as it not only helps the families but can also help prisoners’ resettlement and reduce reoffending.

“University students are involved in many of our projects, including our helpline, providing support at court or in the community providing much needed support for children living in care.

“They are also part of our visit’s teams providing a warm welcome for friends and family members visiting their loved ones in prison, including staffing our tea bars and supervising the play areas for children. 

“We also collaborate with the university on raising awareness of criminal justice issues and in supporting academic research, such as the most recent research into parental rights in prison and the importance of early days in custody support for prisoners and their families.”

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