Support if you have a family member in prison
Helplines and advice
Below are some organisations you can get some help and advice if you have a relative in prison.
Search our directory
Take a look at our directory for support if you have a family member in prison.
Prisoners' Families Helpline
Prisoners’ Families Helpline provides information on what happens in all aspects of imprisonment from arrest, and detention to release.
Prisoners' Families Helpline provided includes:
- what happens on arrest
- visiting a prison
- how to tell the children and living with separation
- preparing for release
Support for children and young people
Childline has advice and support for young people with a parent/s in prison. This includes:
- How they might feel
- Stress on the family
- Talking about it
- If they want their parent to stay in prison
Family Matters by Thames Valley Partnership can support you if someone in your family is sent to prison.
The Family Matters Court Desk Volunteers can:
- listen to you
- help with booking a prison visit
- give details of local prisons
- help you talk to your housing provider, benefits agency or bank
- give details of local services
Time-Matters UK supports children aged 5 to 18 years who have a parent in prison.
They provide group support and individual support both face-to-face and online. They welcome children from anywhere in the UK who might wish to join them.
Children Heard and Seen is a charity that supports children and families impacted by parental imprisonment.
Children Heard+Seen offer:
- One-to-one support with specialised staff for children to explore and understand their emotions.
- Support for parents and carers around communicating with children.
- Activity groups for children to explore feelings and meet others in similar circumstances.
- Volunteer mentoring to help children process emotions.
- Parenting support.
- Online support and online activities for children.
- Activity days.