This England and Wales Prison Inspectorate report acknowledges not only that family contact is a 'key source of support for prisoners during their time in custody and on their release' but also that: maintaining contact with imprisoned parents supports children's mental, emotional and educational attainment.
The report also identifies that introducing phone booths to allow for private conversations, and in the newer prisons, the introduction of phones in the cells would support the maintenance of family ties. Further, the report outlines a scheme giving £10 phone credit to foreign national prisoners helps them keep in contact with family who may not be able to visit. The Inspectorate recommends that all prisons have staff with capacity to work specifically on family support to be overseen by a senior governor.
Read the Prison Inspectorate Report for England and Wales 2015/16 online below:
