PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND
DIRECTORS. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The directors present their annual report and financial ststements forthe year ended 31 March 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the
financial stalemenls and comply wilh the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act
2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities
preparing Iheir accounls in accordance with Ihe Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic
of Ireland IFRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)"
Objectives and activities
The work of PFNI is govemed by six charitable objects=
Infomi, support, challenge and encourage adums and young people who are, or have been, in lawful
custody, by means of educational and other programmes. individual counselling, group activities. practical
help and other measures.,
Challenge and encourage those who are. or have been. in lawfiJl custody to reflect on their past attitudes
and actions and on Ihe individuals and groups who may have been victims of their crimes, Ihe aim being lo
help bring about a change in thinking and lifestyle..
Help to mainlain and strengihen the links belween those who are. or have been, in lawful cuslody and their
spouses, partners, parents. children, siblings and other family members and to help and support those
tsmity members where desirable and possible, through practical help, advice and other measures,.
Support and encourage Prison Governors. Chaplains and Officers. and other staff, in their efforts to
mainlain and develop regimes which will assist towards the rehabilitation of offenders and the proteclion of
society-
Assist the process of assimilating back into society those who are or have been in lawful custody.
Promote greater recognttion of the effects of crime on those who have been ils victims. whether directly or
indirectly, and on society.
In pursuing these objects, the Company seeks to reflect and encourage Christian beliets, principles and values.
The directors have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the
charity should undertake.
During the year ended 31 March 2023, PFNI'S principal activities were:
Providing visitation, befriending, and opportunities for Spiritual support to adults and young people
while Ihey are in lawful cuslody and after release.
Offering care. support and hope to families of those who a￿ in lawtul custody andlor after their release
from prison.
Delivering our resloralive justice programme (Sycamore Tree) to challenge the offender of Ihe effects
of crime both on the victim and the wider community-
Working in close partnership with agencies vtho work within the Criminal Justice system.
Encouraging the public to be aware of the issues faced by released prisoners to prevent re-offending.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND
DIRECTORS. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Achievements and perfonnance
Services to people in lawful Custody and after release
Through regular visils to..
Maghabery- the high security prison housing adult men-
Magilligan - the medium security facility housing adult men and offering low-security accommodation for selected
prisoners nearing the end of their senten￿-
Hydebank Wood College - houses (a) young people betsveen the ages 18 - 21 and (b) Ash House for female
remand and senlenced prisoners.
4,570 visits were conducled to 1,296 individuals with
1,968 visits to 678 men in Maghabery.
2,198 visils to 396 men in Magilligan,
136 visits lo 83 young people in Hydebank Wood College. and
268 visits to 139 women in Ash House
Weekly Lifesplan meetings are held every week in Maghabery, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood. This
work is further complemented by a week of special meetings held in May in Magilligan.
Prisons
One young woman known to Prison Fellowship over a number of years, said on a visit that she was due in court
and would possibly be released. She asked rf we could help her find an address post release as she was very
nervous and anxious aboul navigating her way beyond the gale.
She was released late Friday afternoon, when we collected her from Hydebank. It became clear that she had not
been given an address and had been told lo contact the Housing Executive's out-of-hours line. Following a
significant amount of time, she was offered a crash bed in a hostel in Belfast and told to report to the Housing
Executive on Monday morning. This would have been possible had it not been that she needed lo report for an
appointment at 9am to obtain her medication some 75 miles away. She also had a compulsory probation
appointment on the Monday morning. We explained the situation and that she couldn't possibly travel each day
for medication, particularly as she only had a discharge grant of around £70 and would not be able lo access the
benefit office until the Monday.
The Housing Executive told us that they had no space5 for her doserto where her appointment5 were and if She
refused the crash bed there was nothing else. they could do as she would be intentionally making herself
homeless. After much discussion. we decided the best and only course of action was to pay for her to stay the
weekend in a local hotel.
When we arrived and got her settled into the room, it was clear that she was overwhelmed. She later messaged
to thank Prison Fellowship and spoke about how she felt "like a princess. in the room we were able to house her
in for Ihal weekend.
Roger is a Se￿ice user who has engaged well wilh Prison Fellowship over the past number of years. He recenlly
was going through a difficult and nerve-racking time as he went on trial for a 5ubslanlial charge. During the court
case proceedings, we were able to meet with him in Hydebank. offering support and listening to his fears and
concerns. We were pleased when he expressed an interest in attending ihe foolball programme which we were
able to run during the summer at Hydebank Wood and were able to see how he and the other guys involved
benefited from Ihe project.
During the 40th anniversary. we were delighted that he was able and willing to be interviewed and explain
articulately how he and his famity had benefiled from the support provided by Prison Fellowship.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND
DIRECTORS. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Sycamore Tree
This is a victim awareness programme teaching the principles of restorative justi￿. It is has been delivered in
Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank College by PFNI staff and supported by volunteers. Prisoners on the
programme explore the effects of crime on victims, offenders, and the communtty, and discuss what it would
mean to take responsibility for their personal actions. During 2022-2023. 6 programmes were conducted with 58
prisoners laking part. Sycamore Tree is an accredited course offering Open College Ne￿ork1G81ewaY
Qualifications Level 1 and Level 2 in Victim Awareness. 31 people were awarded Level 1 and 27 were awarded
Level 2 qualifications. The value of this course has been recognised by the Northem Ireland Prison Service.
One Sycamore Tree participant wrote a letter to a staff member thanking him for everything that PF had done. He
began attending the Friday night meelings and over a period of months he came to faith in God. He also
attended the Sycamore Tree course and views lrfe in a totally new way. even stating that he is really glad that he
came to jail in order to get where he is today. For the first time in his life, he says that he has peace. PF has
maintained good conlacl following his ￿leaSe. He is doing well and tells how one of his kids said to him, 'We
have got a new Daddy. Daddy's got a new heart.. l¥s great to be part of these men's joumeys and seeing them
go on so well when Ihey get out of prison.
Sycamore Tree has shown itself to be lrfe-transfomiing to those who attend. We have witnessed men who hadn't
much interesl in even speaking to PF staff or volunleers realty change and open up during the programme. The
Six-week course has had a massive impact on all who attend and those who have been charged with serious and
violent offences. Remorse, regret, but ultimately restitution are the main words used lo describe the impact.
We have seen men cry as they share how their crime has njined the victim or victim's family's lives, their own
family and indeed their own lrfe. Men who have said how they hale Ihemselves for what they have done and
would love to express that in some way to the people they have affected. Seeing men take responsibility for their
actions and wanting lo change and move forward and help those affecled move fowiard is what Sycamore Tree
is all about.
Aftercare
We provided support to 195 individuals. That induded..
598 home visits to 195 people.
Former prisoners received practical support including assistan￿ with securing accommodation,
provision of transport to attend appointments, provision of fumiture and advice.
'Voices of Hope, conlinued lo meet and choir praclices were held on Friday. There are 8 choir members
made up of men who are former prisoners and two staff. During the year, they attended 4 events around the
counlry.
Peter is a man we met in prison many years ago. We had sat beside him in Maghaberry on a Sycamore Tree
course. Never did we think Ihat one day a knock al the door would be Peter tuming up after being released from
prison. Since then, we have been on an Aftercare joumey with him. He successfully completed probation and
finished Ihe remainder of his temi on li￿n￿ in Ihe communty.
A success story I hear you say, but he had a secret. one he said he could never tell anyone. One day, Peter
shared with our Aflercare worker that he had a serious drug addiction to prescription medication. This had started
when he was in prison. It went undetected and upon release he managed to dodge all the testing put in place
whilsl serving the remainder of his lerm. Peter felt he had managed lo get away wilh it. He wrongly believed if
anyone found out that he would be immediately recalled to CUStody. However, by hiding it, what he had in fact
done was to become completely controlled by the medication. Every day of his life required him to consume vast
amounts of prescriplion medication and il was killing him.
During this lasl year it took a long time to help him see Ihal he needed to share this secrel with health
professionals and look for help before it was too late, even if that meant going back to prison. Eventually, after
much pain and prayer, Peter knew that the Aftercare worker was right and that he needed to get help. In 2022, he
signed up for a drug trealment programme provided by the Community Addiclions Team. Because of his good
record he would not be returned to prison, help would be provided. He attended interviews, assessments, and
testing appointments.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND
DIRECTORS. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
PF helped him to go to each appointment by providing transport and encouragement. Eventually, he was
prescribed a substitute drug to help him break free from the illegal prescription medication and reduce the
amount he was using. This was done under strid supervision of the Doctor, Nurses and Pharmacist.
The Ireatment began daily, then moved to weekty, and finally, monthly prescriplions. The Aftercare worker helped
Peter from 2022-23 attend every appointment and ensure he received all the treatment provided. Life remains
very difficult for him, but he has now found the support of a local church and he gave his life to the Lord in
November 2022. He hopes to be baplised before the end of 2023. We continue to help Peter and know there is a
long road ahead. With God's help. we are confident that He who began the good work in him will carry it on to
completion.
Female Aftercare
Two volunteers assisl wilh female Aftercare, supporting women on their release from prison. During the past
year, we have commenced a programme 'lnstilling Hope, in March 2023. Volunteers support the women mostly
through visiling and helping wilh regular meetings.
We have be￿een >5 women who attend alongside a volunteer and a stsff member. Seeing the incredible need
to provide a space for female ex-prisoners lo meel on a regular basis helps to help inslill hope, confidence and
value on who they are. A space is created where they can be loved. supported. encouraged, and cared for both
physically and spiritually. Through a link with a local church, we were able to provide praclical support Ihrough a
clothing Foodbank and social supermarket when needed. Most of the women who attended our PF female
Aftercare Christmas dinner responded positivety to the event. The other beautiful thing has been watching the
women support each olher.
While Ihe group may be small there are many who V￿ hope will be able to attend in the fulure. 11 is a big step for
someone and we seek to make it as welcoming and easy to attend as possible. We also wish to establish
another group in Belfast and one in the North West in the long tenn.
Family Work
PFNI aims to reach oul to Ihose living in the community. Through this work, the charity supports parents, partners
and children of prisoners who often struggle with significant issues apart from imprisonment including financial
hardship, suicide, self-hami and a variety of other physical, social, psychiatric and psychosocial conditions. Slaff
and volunteers are often confronted with many challenging issues and needs.
Throughout the year, a range of services were offered to families=
387 famity visils were conducled across Northem Ireland offering ongoing support to 137 families.
During 2022-2023 PFNI engaged 53 new families. Through these visits the charity offers befriending. a listening
ear, and practical advice.
'Hands Up, Food Ministry= through this projecl, volunteers prepared 225 meals for 49 families.
Christmas Hope= the annual food hamper and toy appeal provided 566 hampers and 722 toys.
Christmas Dinners.. hosted by two local churches and attended by 15 women and 42 men.
A mother hadn't been able to see her daughter in Hydebank in over 2 years as she lives in England and due to
Covid and other pressures she wasn'l able to have an in-person visit. We were able lo collecl this molher at the
airport and drive her to the prison to vistt her daughter. She said how much this meant to her both in terms of
logistics and having the support before and after the visit. On a further visit, we were again able to provide
transport and support for her and her other daughter who lives in a remote area. The daughter hadn't seen her
sister in almost 10 years, the last time being when she was in her early teens. She said it was so good to be
connected with her family again.
Our family Worker commented.. "The single biggest benefit for Ihose we support through the family work is to be
a 'con5tant' in a wrfe, mother, or sister's lrfe. They know they can call us al any time day and night and that we
can be trusted and have their best interests at heart. They also know we will a￿ayS be honest with them and that
we are not bound by lime conslraints. They know they are free to talk and that we will truly listen to them, they
know that we'hear, them..
One of the families we sUPPOrted was able to participate in a Famity Group Conference (FGC). This series of
meetings enabled the family to work through their shock. anger, and confusion as a result of the father's crime
under the guidance and support of FGC trained facilitators.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND
DIRECTORS. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Volunteering
A volunteer returned to Prison Fellowship 10 years after she left her job followng the pilot of the Sycamore Tree
programme in Magilligan prison. She shared how it has been a ￿al joy to see her come back as a volunteer wilh
heart for serving and being open to direction from staff. She has now re-joined PF as a Sycamore Tree
volunleer in Magilligan prison and has successfulty completed courses and is thoroughly enjoying it.
Volunteers helped during Christmas Hope when we successfulty delivered 564 food hampers and 722 parcels of
toys - the largesl number of parcels in PFNI'S history. Concems arose about how we would distribute this large
number of gifts across the country given we are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. While we may have had
our doubts about people choosing to deliver hampers with the cost of ftjel etc., it was amazing lo see how many
men and women came along to offer their help. We ended up with over 60 volunteers arriving to make Christmas
Hope 2022 succeed.
PFNI is committed to working in close partnership with Criminal justi￿ agencies.
There are many examples of interagency working at an operational level where staff engage in multi-disciplin8ry
meetings and 5UPPOrt prisoners who are vulnerable or are struggling to adapt wthin the prison setting.
In addttion to Ihe operational relationships with statutory and voluntsry organisations working within the Criminal
Justice sector during 2022-2023. the charty was..
represented on the 'Public Protection Agency Northem Ireland, {PPANI} a Mu￿1-agencY forum made up
of a range of statutory and voluntary organisations. PPANI aims to provide a multi-agency, coordinated system of
risk assessment and risk management, that y￿11 be effective in reducing the immediale and long-term risk of
sexual or violent re-offending,
a member of the 'Resloralive Juslice Practices Forurn,. The aim is to promote restorative justice
philosophy and practice across all aspects of life and society,
part of 'Accessing Services for Offenders, _ an umbrella group of voluntary organisations working with
people who are or have been in custody.
PFNI seeks to encourage the public to be aware of the issues fa￿d by released prisoners to prevent re-
offending.
During 2022-2023, Ihe charity..
spoke at 53 deputations to groups throughout Northem Ireland.
supported 10 prayer groups. which meet each month.
distributed 4 editions of 'News and Prayer Focus, to 1.304 indrviduals. and 535 people re￿iVed monthly
communication by eleclronic mail.
The work of PFNI during the year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 could not have been achieved without the
dedication of slaff and volunleers, the financial support received from personal donors, churches, companies, Nl
Prison Service, and charitable trusts and foundations, and the strategic and operational partnerships with
statulory colleagues.. Nl Prison Service Staff & Management, Probation and PSNI and volunlary agencies,
Quaker5, NIACRO and Christians Against Povety.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND
DIRECTORS. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Financial review
The results are set out in detail on pages 10 to 23. The company retumed net incoming resources for the year of
£83,615 12022.. £163,599) leaving unrestricled funds of £162,687 {2022.' £176,413) and restricled funds of
£419,366 {2022.' £322,025). The unrestricted funds are considered to be essents'al to provide sufficient funds to
cover any unforeseen costs which may arise and fulfill legal obligations of Ihe charity in the evenl that current
levels of income are not maintained.
It is Ihe policy of the charity that unreslricled funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be
maintained at a level equivalent to be￿een three and six month's expenditure. The directors consider that
reserves at Ihis level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able lo conlinue the
charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
The directors have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed. and are sat15fied that systems are in
place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Structure, governance and management
The charitable company is governed by ils Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation. The company is not for
profit and limited by guarantee, the liability of the members is limtted to £1.
The organi5ation is governed by its Board of Directors who meet regularly.
The direclors who served during the year and up to the dale of signature of the financial statemenls were..
Mrs J Holley
Mr S Calms
Dr G Mcllroy (Chairman)
Mrs C Slirling
Mr R Pedlow
Mr S Nelson
Mrs H Dunn
Mr G Reynolds
(Resigned 14 March 2023)
The Board of Directors delegates the day-to-day worf( of the organisation lo its Chief Executive Mr. Robin Scott.
There is a team of nine employees and one hundred and four volunteers who ensure the successful delivery of
high-quality seNices to help people who are, or who have been in lawtul custody, and Ihe tsmilies and victims of
crime.
During 2022-2023 the Board of Directors..
Celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the charity which was delayed due to Covid.
Completed discussions with staff and Board to inforrn the strategic plan.
Updated Safeguarding policies and pr0￿dUreS.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP NORTHERN IRELAND
DIRECTORS. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
During the year ended 31 March 2023 the total number of hours offered by volunteers to Prison Fellowship
Northern Ireland IPFNII was 4,370. This 15 equivalent to 2.3 fulktirne staff and using the National Living Wage
would be a cost to the charity of over £46,705.
The directors are indebted to the staff and volunteer teams for their seffiess dedication and commitment to further
the work of the organisation.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provision applicable to companies entitled to the small
companies exemption.
The direclors, report was approved by the Board of Directors.
Dr G Mcllroy {Chaimianl
Director
Dated.. 28 November 2023