By Andy Keen-Downs CBE, Chief Executive

Last month Pact coordinated a joint letter to Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, signed by leaders and experts from across the criminal justice sector, expressing concern about proposals to allow family visits to be withdrawn as a disciplinary sanction for people in prison.

We took that step because we believe relationships are one of the most powerful forces for rehabilitation. They help people cope with prison, maintain hope for the future and build the foundations for a positive life after release. More than that, we believe that loved ones should not be punished for someone else’s mistakes.

Governors need effective tools to deal with violence and serious misconduct in prisons. We recognise that reality, and we recognise the difficult job that prison staff undertake every day. But relationships should not be used as punishment.

The Government has now confirmed that changes to the Prison Adjudications Framework will go ahead. View the amended guidance in sections 4.73a and 4.73b.

Under the new arrangements, prisoners who commit serious and persistent breaches of prison rules may, in some circumstances, face restrictions on social visits. This could include the temporary removal of social visits for up to 27 days, or restrictions limiting visits to one every 28 days for a limited period.

What we did

When these proposals first emerged, Pact and many others across the sector were deeply concerned. Decades of evidence demonstrate the importance of family relationships in supporting wellbeing, improving behaviour in custody and reducing reoffending after release. We were particularly worried about the impact that restricting family contact could have on vulnerable prisoners, including those affected by poor mental health, trauma, autism or learning disabilities.

For those reasons, we challenged the proposals directly.

Alongside organisations including the Prison Reform Trust, Howard League for Penal Reform, St Giles, Nacro, Unlock, Clinks, POPS, Birth Companions and others, we argued that family relationships should not be treated as a disciplinary tool.

What now?

While the changes are proceeding, there are important safeguards which have now been confirmed.

Most significantly, visits from a prisoner's children under the age of 18, together with an accompanying adult, will continue as normal. These visits are exempt from the new punishment framework. This matters enormously.

At Pact, we stand firmly with prisoners' children. Children should not suffer even more consequences because a parent has broken prison rules. The decision to protect child-parent contact recognises that children have rights, and that maintaining family relationships is overwhelmingly in the best interests of children.

We also welcome the clear assurance that the threshold for using these sanctions will be very high. HMPPS has stated that restrictions on social visits should apply only in cases of severe and persistent rule-breaking.

The test now will be how these powers are implemented in practice.

Pact will be watching closely to ensure that the use of visit restrictions remains genuinely exceptional and that family relationships are increasingly recognised as a central part of rehabilitation.

Signatory list

• Corin Armstrong, Director, Invisible Walls

• Tracey Burley, CEO, St Giles Trust

• Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), Chief Executive, The Howard League

• Naomi Delap, CEO, Birth Companions

• Helen Dyson, Director of Support and Advice Services, Nacro

• Paula Harriott, CEO, Unlock

• Sam Julius, Director of National Influencing and Networks, Clinks

• Lynn Kelly, Director, POPS

• Dr Anna Kotova, University of Birmingham

• Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology and Social Work, University of Glasgow

• John Merralls, Assistant Director, Ormiston Families

• Pia Sinha, Chief Executive, Prison Reform Trust

• Lee Stephenson, Director, Jigsaw

• Nicola Summerville, Family Support Manager, Forward Trust