This section brings together practical resources, support services, research, guidance, training opportunities, case studies and further reading relating to parental imprisonment. It is designed to help practitioners, family support professionals, educators and partner agencies better understand the impact of parental imprisonment and identify appropriate support for children, young people, parents, carers and kinship families.
National Information and Guidance
Ministry of Justice
In July 2024, the Ministry of Justice published official statistics estimating that around 200,000 children each year have a parent in prison. The report highlights that children with a parent in prison are often a ‘hidden population’ and that there remains uncertainty regarding which services hold responsibility for identifying and supporting them.
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- Estimates of Children with a Parent in Prison
- Social Contact in Prison: April 2019 to June 2024
Russell Webster
Overview and analysis of the Ministry of Justice findings relating to children with a parent in prison.
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NICCO – National Information Centre on Children of Offenders
NICCO provides comprehensive information from voluntary and statutory agencies. Three searchable directories enable practitioners to find services, resources and research to inform their work with children and families affected by imprisonment.
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Government Advice and Support
Practical advice and information for families and friends of prisoners, including information about prison visits, keeping in touch and available support.
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Oxfordshire County Council / Prison Reform Trust
Guidance for professionals working with children who have a family member in prison.
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Resource
Support Organisations
Barnardo's
Barnardo's supports children and families who have a parent or relative in prison and provides information and guidance on the challenges children face when a loved one is incarcerated.
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Children Heard and Seen
Children Heard and Seen is dedicated to supporting children, young people and families affected by parental imprisonment through mentoring, advocacy and practical support.
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Childline
Childline provides advice and emotional support for children and young people who have a parent or carer in prison.
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Ormiston Families
Ormiston works across mental health and wellbeing, families affected by offending, and parental support services.
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Prisoners' Families Helpline
The Prisoners' Families Helpline offers free, confidential advice and support to anyone affected by imprisonment. It provides practical information about prison procedures, visiting arrangements and family support.
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Partners of Prisoners (POPs)
POPs provides compassionate support, advocacy, information and guidance for families navigating the criminal justice system.
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Spurgeons
Spurgeons delivers a range of services for prisoners and their families, with a focus on supporting children and maintaining family relationships. Their services include prison family support, resettlement support and workforce training.
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- Affected by Imprisonment
- Behind the Wall / Beyond the Gate
- Hidden Sentence Training
PACT – Prison Advice and Care Trust
PACT provides services for families at every stage of the criminal justice process, including support in courts, prisons, communities and on release. The organisation also offers extensive resources for practitioners, schools and families.
Links
- Main website
- Schools Toolkit
- Professional Training
- Resources for Children and Young People
- Prison Visitor Information
- Guide to Prison Visits for Neurodivergent Visitors
Children and Young People's Resources
Storybook Dads
Storybook Dads enables imprisoned parents to record bedtime stories for their children, helping maintain family relationships and providing comfort while they are apart.
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Create Arts – My Parent's in Prison
A creative storytelling project designed to promote understanding and support for children who have a parent in prison.
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Visiting My Dad Resource (POPs)
A practical resource developed to help children prepare for prison visits and better understand what to expect.
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PACT Resources for Children and Young People
Online resources and information specifically developed for children and young people affected by imprisonment.
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Support for Parents, Mothers, Fathers and Kinship Carers
Birth Companions
Birth Companions supports pregnant women, mothers of babies under two years old and women who have experienced separation from their children whilst in prison. Services currently operate in HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Foston Hall.
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Fathers Together
A research project exploring how young fathers in prison and their families can be better supported. The study is delivered through a partnership involving University College London and the Race Equality Foundation. [Resources...age FINAL | Word]
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Kinship
Kinship supports family members and friends who step forward to care for children when parents are unable to do so, including families affected by maternal imprisonment.
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Further Reading
- Enabling Support and Systems Change for Kinship Families Affected by Maternal Imprisonment
PACT Kinship Care Videos
Information videos designed for kinship carers who are looking after children while a parent is in prison.
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Family Support Programmes
Every Step Together – Families First (YSS)
This programme aims to reduce the emotional turmoil and uncertainty experienced by families affected by imprisonment. The service helps families navigate the criminal justice system and access appropriate support.
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Holding Families Plus
Holding Families Plus supports families where parental substance use is combined with involvement in the criminal justice system.
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PACT – Together a Chance
A pilot programme supporting mothers in custody to maintain and strengthen relationships with their children. [Resources...age FINAL | Word]
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Professional Development and Training
The Nurturing Programme
Delivered in prisons across the country, the Nurturing Programme helps participants develop emotional wellbeing, relationship skills and positive parenting practices.
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Liverpool John Moores University
Researchers evaluated the delivery of the Nurturing Programme at HMP Altcourse in 2024.
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PACT Training
Training opportunities for professionals working with children and families affected by imprisonment.
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Spurgeons Hidden Sentence Training
Professional training designed to improve understanding of the issues facing families affected by the criminal justice system.
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- https://spurgeons.org/how-we-help/affected-by-imprisonment/professionals-information/hidden-sentence-training/
Financial Support
Turn2Us
Information on benefits, grants and other financial assistance available to prisoners, individuals on remand, those recently released and their families.
Link
- https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
- Financial Help if You or Your Partner are in Prison
Research, Evidence and Reports
Families First Research Project (2020–2022)
A collaborative project between The Open University and YSS examining the needs of children, young people and families affected by parental imprisonment, and the impact of targeted support services.
Links
- Families Affected by Parental Imprisonment
University of Central Lancashire
Bubbles, Brick Walls and Connectivity
Research exploring the experiences of families affected by parental imprisonment and their use of community-based support services.
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OneEducation
Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment
Resource exploring the impact of parental imprisonment on children's wellbeing, education and outcomes.
Resource
BMJ Paediatrics Open
The Health Impact on Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment
This report explores parental imprisonment as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and examines its impact on children's emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.
Newcastle University, University of Oxford, University of Strathclyde, Families Outside and Nepacs
‘At Least I Get to Visit Him, That's All That Matters’
A major qualitative study exploring children's experiences of maintaining contact with family members in prison and developing a child-centred framework for prison visits.
PACT
Research exploring the financial and emotional impact of a loved one's imprisonment on families, including experiences of stigma, isolation, financial hardship and poorer wellbeing.
Identifying Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment
A policy paper exploring how services can better identify and support children affected by parental imprisonment while balancing safeguarding needs with children's right to privacy.
Case Studies and Practice Examples
Peeple Case Studies
A collection of examples demonstrating practical support for children and families affected by imprisonment.
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Sutton Council – Universal Parenting Service
The service partnered with a local men's prison to deliver parenting programmes. This includes a regular Dad's Parenting Programme, with positive outcomes reported for both prisoners and their families.
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June O'Sullivan (LEYF)
An article exploring what imprisonment means for the early years sector and how early years professionals can better support affected children and families.
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Further Reading
Children of Prisoners Europe
How Can We Make Prison Spaces More Child-Friendly for Children Visiting a Parent?
Published in 2024, this article explores how prison environments can be adapted to improve children's experiences during visits.
Children and Youth Services Review
“There are a Million and One Other Ways to Punish Someone Than Sending Them Away…”
A qualitative longitudinal study exploring the impact of family imprisonment on children's health, wellbeing and emotional development.
Prison Reform Trust
Child Impact Assessments for Children with a Parent in the Justice System
A report examining the implementation and dissemination of Child Impact Assessments across the justice system.