CHILDREN with parents in jails in the South West of the country will have improved play facilities during visits through a Big Lottery Fund grant of £243,437.

Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) will use the money from the Fund's Playful Ideas programme to create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for children in what can be an intimidating environment and to help maintain positive long-term relationships with their parents.

Mark Cotton, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the South West, said: "This incredibly beneficial project covers an area of need for play provision that is often neglected.

"The Playful Ideas grant will make a real difference to each child that travels long distances to maintain contact with their fathers, grandfathers or uncles and the positive contribution it will make will leave a lasting impression. "

With this grant PACT will extend the support and play opportunities it can offer to children visiting Exeter, Dartmoor or Channings Wood prison to see their fathers or other family members. It aims to get the best out of the limited time available for both the parent and visiting child and to improve the confidence of the child, helping them feel calmer and happier with the experience.

Children will be able to enjoy using play equipment once they arrive at the visitor centres, often after long journeys, and to take part in play activities alongside PACT play workers while meeting with their parents in visiting halls.

Older children will get the opportunity to play sports, as a way of engaging with their parents.

The project will also provide information at the visitor centres in a child-friendly format to help them deal with some of the issues that they may face as a child of an imprisoned parent.