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

12 - Points for consideration

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

1. Child-Friendly Visiting Spaces: Create more child-friendly visiting spaces in prisons, or develop visiting models that are less deterring than some current formats. This would help to maintain family bonds and provide a more conducive environment for children visiting their imprisoned parents.

2. Training for Prison Staff: Consider whether current training for staff and other professionals involved in providing support for families is sufficient. The evidence considered in this review suggests that training should emphasise family-centred and supportive interactions, aiming to create a more welcoming and understanding environment for families.

3. Involvement of People with Lived Experience: Involve individuals with lived experience, particularly families of prisoners, in the design and development of new interventions, programmes or initiatives. Their insights can help identify strengths and weaknesses in current provisions, ensuring that new measures are relevant and effective.

4. Person-Centred and Family-Centred Assessment: Consider person-centred and family-centred assessments of need in relation to maintaining family contact, leading to individualised support plans. These plans should be based on a thorough understanding of pre-prison family dynamics and characteristics, ensuring tailored support.

5. Access to Specialist Support: Provide access to specialist support for families, particularly for the most vulnerable, at-risk or those for whom generic support is insufficient. Specialist services should address specific needs that require more focussed intervention.

6. Consideration of Informal Support: Recognise and utilise the potential of informal support networks, such as families' social networks, peer support and community resources. Schools, for example, could play an important role in supporting families during a member's imprisonment.

7. Role of Advocates or Facilitators: Engage advocates or facilitators to encourage and maintain relationships between families and imprisoned individuals. These advocates can act as a bridge, supporting both the family and the person in custody, ensuring their needs are equally considered.

8. Accessible Information for Families: Provide easily accessible information in a variety of formats (online, written, verbal) to families about what to expect when a loved one is in custody, available supports (both practical and emotional) and best practices for maintaining positive relationships. This information can help families navigate the challenges of having an imprisoned member.

9. Enhanced Use of Digital Technology: Expand the use of video visits by offering flexibility in timings to accommodate family and children's schedules. Additionally, provide online practical and emotional support groups for both new and existing prison visitors. Digital technology, including phone calls, should be affordable for prisoners and families to use in order to maintain contact.

10.Financial Support: Increase financial support for families of prisoners, recognising that lack of formal financial assistance is a significant barrier to maintaining family contact. This support could cover travel expenses, communication costs and other related expenditures. This could involve enhancing the existing Help with Prison Visit scheme^[29] or introducing new ways to support families.

11.Improved Communication: Enhance communication between prison

establishments and families. Clear, consistent and timely communication can help families stay informed and feel more connected to their loved one in custody.

12.Public Awareness and Stigma Reduction: Raise awareness among the general public about the support needs of prisoners' families to reduce stigma and secondary victimisation. Public education campaigns and community programmes can help foster a more supportive societal environment for these families.

Whole Family Wellbeing Fund (WFWF) Principles

These considerations aim to align WFWF principles, in terms of providing consideration for improving family support in the criminal justice system. Suggestions such as child-friendly visiting spaces, enhanced communication, and financial support for families reinforce the need for non-stigmatising, whole-family, and needs-based support.

The recommendation to enhance training of prison staff in family-centred approaches reflects the skilled and supported workforce principle, ensuring that professionals are equipped to work sensitively with families. Furthermore, the emphasis on collaboration across agencies — including justice, social work, and community services — mirrors the collaborative and seamless approach advocated by WFWF.

Finally, the call for greater public awareness and stigma reduction ensures that families affected by imprisonment are not marginalised, aligning with the principle that support should be normalised, accessible, and rooted in children’s rights.

By considering these measures, the wellbeing of families and the reintegration prospects of imprisoned individuals may potentially achieve improved outcomes.