A PLAY highlighting the problems children face when a parent is sent to jail is set to come to Suffolk.The production, called Homeward Bound, is a collaboration between the national charity Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) and Rochdale-based M6 Theatre Company.

A PLAY highlighting the problems children face when a parent is sent to jail is set to come to Suffolk.

The production, called Homeward Bound, is a collaboration between the national charity Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) and Rochdale-based M6 Theatre Company.

The 20-minute drama, which was penned by award-winning playwright Mary Cooper, explores the heavy burden imprisonment can place on families and the emotional conflicts they face when a jail sentence ends.

The theatre group will perform in schools and prisons around Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to raise awareness of the problems children with a parent in jail confront.

The show will come to Warren Hill Young Offenders' Institute on Thursday and Blundeston Prison the following Tuesday, November 8.

Both these shows will be open to prisoners and prison officers, although another performance, at Stirling House, Stradishall on the afternoon of November 10, will be open to the public.

Audiences will also have the chance to take part in an interactive workshop.

More than 150,000 children have a parent committed to custody in England and Wales each year, with many suffering stigma and hardship as a consequence.

Research by APF has found that children with a parent in prison are three times more likely to develop serious mental health problems than other children and often experience more behavioural problems linked to bullying.

For details of the tour, call 0208 812 3600 or 07986 106 802 or email Jaime@actionpf.og.uk.

For more information about APF visit www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk