A second chance for families of prisoners

The Problem:

Families of prisoners in the Middle East face multiple challenges as they essentially also serve the sentence of their breadwinner.

In addition to the behaviors that led to incarceration, prisoners confront legal, financial, and medical issues that block positive change in their lives.  Prisoners also are plagued by knowing that they have left their loved ones to struggle financially and in other ways.  Upon release, ex-prisoners face multiple challenges in rejoining their families and communities.

Mostly unseen and forgotten, the families of prisoners serve a “second sentence.”  They suffer emotionally and materially.  They are hurting, mostly-forgotten people.  The accompanying loneliness, stigmatization, and pain is often devastating.

Children in these families are the most vulnerable—becoming confused, feeling abandoned.  Many times they must drop out of school in order to work, so that the family can survive.

The Questscope Difference:

For over five years, Questscope has provided an umbrella of training, relationships, and other support to enable networks of volunteers to assist the families of prisoners in nine Middle East and North African countries.  Many community-based groups are also partners in this effort.

In addition to providing personal support to families and prisoners, the volunteers offer practical help in such areas as:  basic needs (the family having a roof over its head, water, and electricity), medical care, legal advice, tutoring for children, and camps and other activities for the kids involved.

Results

• Approximately 200 volunteers have been trained to provide this encouragement and practical assistance.
   
• 3,400 prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families are helped each year in these ways.