A trailblazing Northamptonshire project that influenced Government to support the futures of children with a parent or sibling in prison is marking one year of making a difference.
The joint Prison Intervention Project was launched by the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Northamptonshire Police in September 2025 to strengthen families and break the cycle of offending.
Since then, Danielle Stone’s specialists and the Force’s Early Intervention PCSOs have gone on to make a difference to the lives of 69 young people, stepping in to help children express how they feel and rooting out embedded criminal behaviour in families.
Danielle said: “The Prison Intervention Project has made an immense impact since it launched one year ago, helping many families and young people navigate a family member in prison.
“Our skilled specialists have given these young people practical and emotional support to help them overcome challenges and reduce future demand from policing.
“I’m proud the team’s pioneering work has been ahead of the curve, and we now welcome the Government’s announcement to recognise more children and connect them to vital support.”
The work of the project has been reinforced by the Government’s pilot scheme to stop children falling through the cracks.
For the first time, joined up information held across public services – including prisons, police and local councils – is being made available so children who are struggling can be identified.
According to Government, an estimated 193,000 children a year in England and Wales have a parent in prison, which can have long-lasting impacts on their schooling, mental health and future job prospects as they grow up.
Oliver Charter (pictured below), Chief Inspector for Prevention and Intervention, said: “Our Prison Intervention Project has already started to make a real, tangible difference to the lives of children and their families across Northamptonshire affected by the incarceration of a parent or sibling. These challenges are unique, and it is vital they get the right support as early as possible.
“The success over the past 12 months demonstrates the value of partnership working between Northamptonshire Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office. I am proud to have this initiative in our county and look forward to seeing the positive impact it has for many years to come.”
In Northamptonshire, referrals can be made to the programme in a number of ways including the Probation Service, Youth Justice System and the Force’s Integrated Offender Management Service.
The teams can then provide tailored support, including providing a workbook for children to encourage a healthy framework for discussion with their families and creating keepsake boxes for meaningful items like letters and drawings.
Kathryn Boniface (pictured centre, below), the Force’s Early Intervention and Engagement Manager, said: “I am so proud of all of the hard work that our Early Intervention PCSOs, alongside the Commissioner’s specialists, have put into this project over the past 12 months. These young people are victims of circumstance and it’s fantastic to offer such support, which otherwise would not have been available to them.”
Phoenix Early Intervention Team
The project has even made an impact with schools too through a partnership with HMP Five Wells where teaching staff are invited along to a professional awareness event to highlight signs to look out for with their students.
