Winter prisoner bag appeal - north east

Please help us with our Winter Bag Appeal for men and women being released from prison in the north east.

Through our Nepacs departure lounges at prison visitors centres in the north east of England, we aim to give men and women being released from prison release or homeless packs (including essential items such as toiletries) and need your help to do this.

We have been asking for donations of bags, ruck sacks, drawstring bags and toiletries and have also received donations of warms clothes such as coats, hats and gloves. Through generous donations to our departure lounges we can help more men and women when they are first released from prison.

These bags make a huge difference to the men and women leaving prison with nothing or very little, and it is particularly hard at this time of year with the cold, wet weather. It also means that they don't have to walk away for the start of their new life with just a plastic carrier bag and can choose their own bag.

Last year we helped almost 1,300 men and women through our departure lounges at HMP Durham, Low Newton, Holme House and Northumberland, and almost 300 release, toiletry or veteran packs were given out as well as clothing packs and food bank vouchers - responding to the needs of the individual being released from prison.