A NEW centre to cater for the needs of prisoners? families and visitors at Dartmoor Prison was opened this week.

The visitors? centre has opened its doors to inmates? families and visitors, many of whom arrive in Princetown, tired and hungry after a long journey. The new centre was officially opened this Monday, by West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett.

The prison which received a critical Prison Inspectorate Report last year, has undertaken a series of major resettlement reforms, including the provision of this new facility for families and visitors of inmates.

Earlier this year, Dartmoor?s head of works, Tony Early, set about the difficult task of designing a facility which would provide a comfortable and warm setting, as well as complying with the demanding planning standards set by English Heritage and Dartmoor National Park Authority.

The resulting centre blends a modern, light structure with the austere, historic and foreboding design of a Napoleonic prison building. The facility boasts a conservatory area, modern toilets, disabled access, baby changing equipment, hot and cold drink machines plus sandwich and snack machines.

The provision of the centre is being supported by a major prison reform charity Prison Advice and Care Trust ? who are working together with the prison in an innovative partnership.

PACT volunteers who will staff the facility will be trained to provide a welcoming and reassuring presence at what is often a daunting and highly emotional time. PACT ensures prisoners? families and friends are provided with independent and up-to-date information, advice and guidance regarding visits and plans for release.

Sue Caley, PACT south west development worker, said: ?Families visiting Dartmoor Prison will now have a warm safe environment after they travel a long distance, a safe, creative area for their children to play, and a nice welcoming atmosphere.?

Myra Fulford, director of PACT, said: ?We are delighted that Dartmoor, one of the most inaccessible prisons in England and Wales, is investing in the provision of a building which will provide a welcoming environment, good advice, support and an opportunity for families to contribute to the resettlement process.?

Mr Burnett MP was pleased to be opening the facility as he has been a full supporter of the improvements being driven through at Dartmoor under new governor Graham Johnson. He was particularly pleased to be involved with a project related to the potential reduction in prisoners? re-offending behaviour.

Considerable criminological and social research has identified family networks as one of the key factors influencing chances of re-offending ? prisoners who maintain family contact and support systems are six times less likely to re-offend than those who lose contact with their families.

In fact, more than two-fifths of all prisoners do lose contact with their families while serving a prison sentence, which can leave both prisoners and family members experiencing feelings of isolation.

The prison has plans to develop a garden and seating area outside the centre, and to train a prisoner as a PACT visits volunteer.