1. Engaging Parents Hospitality Centre outside Limerick Prison – Refreshments and Hospitality Prior to and After Visits Bedford Row ‘Drop in’ Centre in Limerick City – Lifeskills – Mothers and Grandmothers of Prisoners – Counselling/Psychotherapy for Family Members – Social Work support for Families – Children’s, Teens Groups and Play Therapy for Children Affected by Imprisonment – Men’s Group – Ex-Prisoners Limerick Prison – Visits by Social Workers, three times per week…. Hospitality Centre outside Limerick Prison – Refreshments and Hospitality Prior to and After Visits Bedford Row ‘Drop in’ Centre in Limerick City – Lifeskills – Mothers and Grandmothers of Prisoners – Counselling/Psychotherapy for Family Members – Social Work support for Families – Children’s, Teens Groups and Play Therapy for Children Affected by Imprisonment – Men’s Group – Ex-Prisoners Limerick Prison – Visits by Social Workers, three times per week….

2. Importance of Engaging Parents (and Grandparents) ‘Impenetrable’ families Acknowledge realities Time spent in relationship building ‘Cultural matching’ in an organisation Commitment to longevity - - - - Parent is the child’s best helper Encouragement of ‘what works’ Grandparents: Fount of wisdom and strength Expert opinion – giving voice to voiceless Prisoner is part of the family ‘Impenetrable’ families Acknowledge realities Time spent in relationship building ‘Cultural matching’ in an organisation Commitment to longevity - - - - Parent is the child’s best helper Encouragement of ‘what works’ Grandparents: Fount of wisdom and strength Expert opinion – giving voice to voiceless Prisoner is part of the family

3. Managing Engagement in Implementation Inclusiveness – Creativity – Boundaries Inspiration – trust – safety – risk Be willing to ‘journey’ with distress Be aware of trauma, anger, anxiety, fear Be present ---- and move at parents’ pace Give very practical assistance (if asked for) And through it all………………… Provide a secure holding environment with good boundaries that are clear and common sense Inclusiveness – Creativity – Boundaries Inspiration – trust – safety – risk Be willing to ‘journey’ with distress Be aware of trauma, anger, anxiety, fear Be present ---- and move at parents’ pace Give very practical assistance (if asked for) And through it all………………… Provide a secure holding environment with good boundaries that are clear and common sense

4. Other Factors – Low profile – ‘Local’ presence – Small organisation – Proportional response – (common sense again) – Power – be aware of; and get the balance right – Plan for chaos – Enjoy!! – Low profile – ‘Local’ presence – Small organisation – Proportional response – (common sense again) – Power – be aware of; and get the balance right – Plan for chaos – Enjoy!!