A NEW pilot project to support children with a parent in prison was launched in Okehampton this week.

ECHO (Empowering Children of Offenders) is a two-year pilot project funded by the children's charity Barnardo's South West, which will help to tackle the emotional impact of having a parent in prison.

The project follows a recent report by Barnardo's South West which called for greater support for this vulnerable group of children.

The report, 'She Just Cries and Cries', highlighted research showing that children with a parent in prison are three times more likely to be at risk of developing antisocial behaviour or mental health problems and are more likely to be living in poverty.

Barnardo's project worker, Michael Wickens, said: 'We are not condoning the actions of criminals or forgetting the impact on those affected by their crimes, but we mustn't neglect the invisible victims as well — the innocent children left behind when a parent is imprisoned.

'On average, two children in a class of 30 will have experienced parental imprisonment and they will almost certainly have suffered isolation, depression and financial hardship.

'Barnardo's South West has successfully managed other services at prisons across the region and has the knowledge and experience to reach out to these families and make a positive difference to their lives.'

The project has been entirely funded by Barnardo's own voluntary funds at a cost of £198,000.

This provides a project manager and three project workers based across Devon, providing an 'outreach' service for the county.

ECHO project workers will support families during prison visits and visit the families in their own homes to provide a range of support including help with improving relationships and contact with the imprisoned parent, boosting school attendance, reducing anti-social behaviour and sign-posting to other services for advice on housing, health and debt.

They will also work with local schools to encourage the sharing of information between teachers and parents.

'She Just Cries and Cries' featured interviews with families in Devon where the father was in prison, and highlighted the impact it had on the children.

One mother of an eight-year-old said: 'My little boy doesn't understand why daddy can't come home. He blames me. All the time I get that question "Can daddy come home?" It's very stressful.'

The report shows that school-life is also affected.

One mother spoke of the impact on her 12-year-old daughter: 'She's a very bright girl but her schoolwork has gone downhill.

'She's been in trouble, she's truanting and she wets the bed. She's fallen out with all her friends.'

The ECHO launch took place at the Ockment Centre in Okehampton on Monday morning.

The project has also been launched in Plymouth and Torquay and is also due to be presented in Tiverton next week. The events include guest representatives from the prison, police, probation and social services as well as other voluntary organisations.

For more information on ECHO, call 07833 049550 or email [email protected]">[email protected]