Family support

Half of prisoners lose contact with their families. Those who keep in contact are up to six times less likely to reoffend.  
Storybook Dads 2020 Annual Report

Vicky Baird is Winchester Prison’s family services manager.

“Ten years ago, they had to queue up outside the gates to be searched before visiting. There wasn’t anywhere to have a hot drink or to change a nappy. There’s now a welcoming visitor centre run by Spurgeons – a national charity - just inside the prison gates.”

“We hold family days where we bring in activities that prisoners and families do together. 

"We also offer parenting and healthy relationships courses. We encourage dads to sign up for prison education so they boost their skill-set to support their children. And we often informally pop by for a chat.

“As well as receiving visits inside prison, our men are also entitled to one supervised 30-minute ‘visit’ a month via a secure video link, where they can talk to their families in their own homes.

“Children interact much more naturally at home than in a prison visiting room. The service is invaluable for prisoners’ families who live too far away to visit regularly."