The Inspectorate of Prisons (England and Wales) report published in August 2016 acknowledged that maintaining family contact, where appropriate, is a “key source of support for prisoners during their time in custody and on their release”. The Inspectorate also recognised that: “maintaining contact with the imprisoned parents supports the children’s development: mentally, emotionally and in their educational attainment”.
The report also identifies that in order to support family relationships from prison, there has been an emphasis on the introduction of phone booths to allow for private conversations with family members, and in the newer prisons, the introduction of phones in the cells. To support foreign nationals whose family may not be able to visit, a scheme has been introduced where £10 is given in credit for telephone calls in lieu of visits.
Along with the rolling out of many existing policies, the Inspectorate also recommended that: “all prisons should have staff with a specific family support role and this should be overseen by a senior governor”, in order for the prison to better support families. These positive advances and focus on the child-parent relationship represent important strides that are being taken to improve the well-being of children with a parent in prison in England and Wales. For more information and to view the full report, please use this link.