Families affected by imprisonment
Having some one close you to be sent to prison can be a difficult time. The Families Affected by Imprisonment Project have identified local and national services that can support you during this time.
Local services
- Early Help
Leicester's Early Help provide advice and information to families. This includes, if wanted, a family support worker should you need more dedicated support when adjusting to having a loved one in custody. - The Ebb Leicester
Offering Adult Peer Support groups for anyone aged 18+ with a someone in the criminal justice system and Friendly Place Mondays Clubs for children with a family member in prison. For more information visit The Ebb Leicester's Facebook page or email ebbleicester@gmail.com. - The Straight Path Resettlement Project
Multi-lingual (Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi) advice, guidance and support (practical and emotional, faith and spiritual) and community chaplaincy. Open to all and specialising in supporting BAME families and communities. Find out how to make a referral online at khidmah.org/events/resettlement-project. Alternatively email thestraightpath@khidmah.org or telephone 07512 066 734.
National services
- Children Heard and Seen
Tailored one to one online sessions for children and families across England. Contact the service by telephone 07557 339 258 or email info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk -
The Prisoners’ Families Helpline
Practical information, emotional support or referrals to additional support as required on all aspects of the justice system. Contact: 0808 808 2003 or email info@prisonersfamilies.org or visit the website - prisonersfamilies.org
If you have urgent concerns about the safety of a prisoner, please report this to the prison safer custody team directly.
Other information sources
- PACT
PACT's website prisonadvice.org.uk is full of useful information including a prison visitors’ guides, videos to watch and books to download for children and information on all aspects of the criminal justice system. - Spurgeons – How to tell children
Top tips for families with a loved one in prison including advice on how, what and when to tell children is available at spurgeons.org/top-tips-forfamilies
- GOV.UK
Official government information on everything to do with prisons including a full list of prisons, ways to stay in touch with a prisoner, how to send money to a prison, how to get help with the cost of visiting. Further information is available at gov.uk/browse/justice/prisonsprobation - Turn2Us
Information and guidance on allbfinancial issues, including eligibility and changes to benefits as a result of a partner being sentenced to custody. Further information is available at turn2us.org.uk/Benefitguides/Partner-in-prison/Benefits-Partner-in-prison