Issues Facing Families
Read our Financial Impact report which looks at the financial burden placed on families supporting someone in prison.
We speak to thousands of families each year and conduct numerous research reports looking at the issues that affect families. They are often very complex issues and, as each family is different, so is the level of support required.
Thanks to our nearly 30 years of experience, we have broken these issues down as follows:
Information about the prison
- General information about the prison
- First time in prison
- What property a prisoner is allowed
- ICM procedures
- HDC information
- Sentence progression
- Court
Visiting and maintaining contact with prisoners
- General information on prison visits
- Special arrangements ie disabled access
- Travel and transport to the prison
- Keeping in touch with the prisoner
- Prisoner location
- Prisoner transfer
Concern for the prisoner
- Mental health
- Medical issues
- Prison based issues
- Risk of self-harm or suicide
- Alcohol addiction
- Drug addiction
- Bullying
Concerns for children
- Telling children
- Child welfare
- Child protection
- Education / school issues
Family Relationships and support networks
- Family relationships
- Care Responsibilities
- Relationship with prisoner
Housing
- Tenancy / lease issues
- Homelessness
- Issues with neighbours or local community
Income, finance and benefits
- APVU – offsetting the cost to visit
- General debt advice
- Benefit entitlement and advice
- Employment
- Source financial support
Access to community services and support
- Community support
- Physical health concerns
- Mental health concerns
- Alcohol addiction
- Drug addiction
- Bereavement
- Pets
- Voluntary work
- Domestic abuse
- Peer support
- Food banks
Emotions, feelings and being listened to
- Emotional support
- Isolation
- Stigma
- Attend meetings
Preparing from release
- Throughcare
- Licence Conditions
- Re-offending worries
- Family Dynamics