AN organisation which provides support to families visiting relatives in The Mount prison is seeking friendly faces to join its team.

Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (HACRO) is appealing for volunteers to help in the Bovingdon prison’s visitors’ centre and play area.

Anne Wyburd, vice-president of the organisation, said: “At the moment we have about ten volunteers who give up a few hours to help out in the visitors’ centre and play area.

“Duties range from making cups of tea and snacks for visitors, providing a listening ear, to ensuring there is a constructive play environment for children during visits.

“As we do not have enough volunteers at present, we are constantly juggling who will do which shift.

“We are hoping to recruit helpers that can spare the odd hour here and there.

“You can help at any half-day session on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays between 1pm and 4.30pm in either the centre or the play area and also during the morning sessions between 8.30am and 11.30am in the play area.

“We would also like to appeal for volunteers from ethic communities, as more than 50 per cent of the prisoners are from other cultures.

“For anyone still thinking of making a new year’s resolution, this is the perfect way to do it - by putting something back into the community and volunteering.”

As well as seeking helpers for the visitors’ centre and play area, HACRO is hoping to build upon the mini-bus service it currently provides, ferrying prisoners’ visiting families to and from Hemel Hempstead station to the prison.

According to Mrs Wyburd, 83, of Bucks Hill, the service only operates on a Friday as there is only one volunteer driver.

The organisation is hoping volunteers will come forward to drive the minibus at weekends.

Mrs Wyburd first became involved with HACRO in the 1980s, having served as a Watford magistrate during her working life. She acted as chairman of HACRO from 1989 to 2002, overseeing the implementation of the scheme at The Mount prison in 1996, under the guise of “Step Inside”.

She said: “People have a preconceived notion as to why they shouldn’t volunteer. But in order for prisoners to be rehabilitated back into society they need to be given another chance.

“By ensuring the family visits to the prison are structured and supportive, it makes a difference to the lives of the prisoners and their families.

“These visiting times are few and far between, the time is precious, so it is important our volunteers ensure time is well spent and that families can spend quality time together and build upon their relationships.

“Prisoners are less likely to go out and re-offend, to go off the rails and down the pub if there is a strong family support.

“That is why the role of a volunteer is so important. By showing human kindness, by giving back to the community in this way, offenders can be given another chance and family ties can be strengthened.”

To find out more about these and other voluntary roles at HMP The Mount contact Joanna McIntosh, HACRO’s project support and development worker, on 01727 854727 or via email at hacro.office@zen.co.uk.