Further funds announced to support prisoners' families

Further funding to support the families of prisoners has been announced by the Scottish Government, as it aims to improve access to basic services and reduce reoffending.

Prison visitor centres will receive £1.8m over the next three years to support families affected by imprisonment to access services like housing, health and welfare. Visitor centres currently operate in Edinburgh, Addiewell, Perth, Polmont, Grampian, Barlinnie and Cornton Vale prisons, all run by third sector organisations in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service. New services will be developed at prisons which do not currently have visitor centres.

Through their support the centres aim to reduce social and economic inequalities experienced by families affected by imprisonment. Staff aim to break the cycle of offending through targeted work with children and encouraging family contact by improving their experience as visitors.

Around 27,000 children every year are affected by a parent going to prison, around double the number of children affected by divorce. Maintaining close contact with family can reduce the risk of reoffending by up to six times, yet almost half of prisoners lose contact with their families when they go to prison.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: "Working closely with families and young people in this way reduces inequality, promoting social justice and helps to break the cycle of offending in young people.

“The main focus of prison visitor centres is the family rather than the prisoner. These services are vital for helping them deal with the issues they face as a result of their family member’s imprisonment, as well as helping to break the cycle of offending."