Soaring numbers in prison, overcrowding, early release prisoners reoffending; recent headlines about our prison service only paint part of the picture. Inside Scotland’s largest prison, good things are happening.

So, what does this have to do with the Citizens Advice network? Well, Glasgow Parkhead CAB has been working with Barlinnie prison since 2007 to offer support to prisoners and their families.

Two years ago, we were awarded funding by the Lottery Community Fund to set up our three-year ‘Improving Lives’ project. This allowed us to employ a full-time advice worker inside the prison and a training officer who organises life skills workshops and trains prisoners to assist in the delivery of the workshops.

People in prison experience a variety of challenges relating to the outside world including issues with housing, welfare benefits and debt. Good advice, information and support empowers........

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