Understanding family support needs of people in prison custody: literature review

Executive Summary

Introduction

This report presents findings from a literature and evidence review exploring the support needs of families of people in custody (see chapter three for methodology). It synthesises main themes extracted from a range of sources - including reflection opportunities with a small number of people in custody, families, prison staff and key stakeholders - to better understand the multifaceted issues surrounding families affected by imprisonment, including:

• understanding the impacts of custody on families;
• the support needs of people in custody and their families;
• barriers to building and maintaining family relationships;
• support approaches and models of family support;
• gaps in our understanding; and,
• key considerations for policy and practice.

Findings are also considered alongside the ten national principles of the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund (WFWF) for holistic family support, helping to transform services so that families can access preventative, holistic support, which is wrapped around their needs, and provided when they need it, and for as long as they need it (see chapters nine, ten and twelve).

The review integrates all this evidence to develop a draft logic model (with key stakeholders), designed to guide future initiatives and policies to support families affected by imprisonment in Scotland with evidence-based, responsive interventions (see chapter ten for the draft logic model).

The policy context surrounding family support within Scotland's custody system is defined by a commitment to a person-centred, trauma-informed approach, ensuring supportive family environments and social relationships are maintained throughout the custody experience. The strategies (detailed in chapter two) emphasise enhancing family contact, engagement, safety and wellbeing, particularly focussing on the needs of children affected by parental imprisonment, and reflect a commitment to human rights, rehabilitation and community wellbeing.

Understanding the Impacts of Custody on Families

The literature underscores the importance of expanding the concept of family beyond traditional nuclear units to encompass extended family members, friends and former partners (see chapter four). The literature also highlights the multifaceted impacts of imprisonment on families, demonstrating the extensive emotional, financial, social and psychological challenges they experience (see chapter five).

Children of prisoners are particularly vulnerable, experiencing disruptions in caregiving and educational arrangements and facing emotional and behavioural challenges. They are overrepresented in mental health services and face stigma, bullying and social isolation, which increase their risk of antisocial behaviour.

Further, the literature on how imprisonment affects various family members highlights both the potential positive outcomes and challenges experienced by those with loved ones in custody. However, a number of research studies focus on the negative consequences of imprisonment, often termed 'secondary prisonisation’, particularly affecting (primarily female) domestic partners/spouses and children. Families face financial strain due to increased costs related to imprisonment and minimal social and financial support, exacerbating poverty and social isolation.

Gender differences also influence the impacts of custody, with women prisoners and their families experiencing distinct challenges related to maternal roles and societal stigma. Grandparents and other extended family members frequently step in as primary caregivers, facing their own set of financial, emotional and health-related stresses.

Support Needs of People in Custody and their Families

Supporting people in custody to maintain family relationships (see chapter six) involves addressing diverse needs across various stages of imprisonment and reintegration. Clear, consistent policies on visitation and communication are essential to fostering and preserving family bonds throughout imprisonment.

Embracing technology alongside traditional visit methods can enhance accessibility, while mitigating the isolation experienced by prisoners and their families. Peer support in custody and community-based initiatives post-release further complement formal support structures, offering invaluable emotional and practical assistance.

Families of individuals in custody face profound challenges (see chapter seven), including issues such as poverty, access to information, emotional and practical support and the complexities of in-prison visits.

During imprisonment, families sometimes endure sudden financial strains due to reduced household incomes and increased reliance on social services. Support, including housing assistance and income maximisation referral, is crucial to mitigate these impacts.

Maintaining family relationships in custody requires clarity and consistency in policies regarding contact with imprisoned family members. Access to clear and timely information about prison procedures is essential for families navigating the complexities of imprisonment. Addressing families' informational needs regarding remand, legal rights, support services and the justice process is also essential for effective coping and decision-making. Emotional support from peer groups and counselling services play a pivotal role in helping families cope with stress and uncertainty.

Visits to prisons, while beneficial for maintaining family bonds, present challenges, particularly for children who may find the experience intimidating or confusing. Child-focussed visitation arrangements would help to minimise distress and enhance the quality of family interactions.

In Scotland, Prison Visitor Centres (PVCs) work to achieve positive outcomes for the families of people in custody by providing essential support services, including access to information and emotional support. They create welcoming environments that mitigate the stigma associated with having a family member in prison, and provide various programmes and activities across different prisons aimed at enhancing family connections, and supporting children’s wellbeing during visits.

Post-release, families face the pressure of supporting their loved one's successful reintegration into society. This responsibility, coupled with managing their own emotional and financial wellbeing, emphasises the need for comprehensive support systems. Assistance with housing, employment and navigating legal restrictions post-release is crucial to stabilising family dynamics, and facilitating successful reintegration.

Barriers to Building and Maintaining Family Relationships

Family relationships are pivotal for the emotional and psychological wellbeing of imprisoned individuals and their families. However, maintaining these bonds during imprisonment and upon release presents significant challenges. The review, in chapter eight, shows that various logistical, emotional and systemic obstacles impede the building and sustaining of family relationships.

Visiting hours and geographical distance from prisons pose substantial challenges for families. Restrictive visiting schedules and long distances, (especially for rural families), coupled with limited transport options, result in prohibitive costs and time commitments. Prison environments are often unwelcoming and unsuitable for family visits. Issues such as lack of privacy, stringent rules and tense atmospheres can discourage regular visitation. Negative interactions with prison staff, including perceived stigmatisation and demeaning treatment, can act as barriers to family visits, whilst positive staff interactions can significantly improve the visiting experience.

The stigma associated with imprisonment imposes significant emotional burdens on imprisoned individuals and families, leading to feelings of anger, shame and embarrassment: emotional responses can be particularly complex for children of imprisoned parents.

Approaches and Models of Family Support

The review, in chapter nine, explores various family support models in Scotland, particularly aimed at strengthening relationships between imprisoned parents and their children. Several initiatives, such as the Beside Me project, Game with Mum and Dad, and Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids, demonstrate significant benefits in improving family connections, parenting confidence, and overall wellbeing. These initiatives showcase innovative approaches to fostering meaningful interactions within prison settings.

Beyond Scotland, family support initiatives in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and across Europe and the United States (U.S.) highlight the importance of structured activities, extended visitation opportunities, and holistic, family-centred approaches. Scandinavian models, in particular, emphasise rehabilitation through open prison settings and child-friendly visitation policies. Programmes in Poland, the Netherlands, and the U.S. further reinforce the value of quality interactions, privacy, and play in maintaining parent-child bonds. However, the transferability of international models may not be appropriate, given differing country and penal policy contexts.

Gaps in Understanding Family Support Identified in the Literature

The literature reviewed reveals several critical gaps that hinder effective support system development (see chapter eleven). There is a notable lack of comprehensive research globally on the specific needs of children of prisoners, on minority and protected characteristic groups within the prison system, and on issues surrounding mental health. Extended family members, including siblings and grandparents, play crucial roles in supporting prisoners/families. However, their contributions appear overlooked in policy discussions and research.

Another gap is the absence of research on parents of adult prisoners, and the experiences of siblings of those in custody. The experiences of prisoners with other family members concurrently in custody, and the support needs of 'single' prisoners, and the ageing prison population appear not adequately studied.

Differentiating between support needs during remand versus post-sentence remains under-explored. Likewise, limited literature reviewed examines the support needs during the transition from prison back into the community.

Reliance on self-reporting of personal circumstances from imprisoned parents contributes to data limitations, suggesting a need for more reliable methods to collect comprehensive data, especially on affected children (recognising the ethical and data protection sensitivities and legislation). There is also a lack of comprehensive data on the long-term impacts of imprisonment on families, and the effectiveness of existing support models to inform policy and practice.

Key Considerations for Policy and Practice

Acknowledging the current challenges in Scotland (i.e. the prison population pressures), the review indicates key considerations in chapter twelve for policy and practice in the longer-term, to better support individuals in custody and their families, including:

• Expanding child-friendly visiting spaces to encourage family engagement.
• Enhancing use of digital technology for people in custody and their families to maintain contact, flexibly.
• Enhancing training for prison staff to foster supportive interactions.
• Involving families/people with lived experience when designing and developing support programmes (formal and informal) that are person-centred, tailored and/or specialised.
• Ensuring accessible information is available for families about what to expect when a loved one is in custody, such as available support and help to navigate the system. Including enhanced communication between prison establishments and families.
• Enhancing financial assistance for families struggling with travel and communication costs.
• Increasing public awareness to reduce stigma and improve societal support.