Financial assistance for prison visits isn't a perk. It's a practical measure that's good for everyone

By Andy Keen-Downs CBE, Chief Executive

Yesterday, some commentators published articles about an established scheme that helps people on low incomes cover the cost of visiting a loved one in prison. They portrayed this as a perk of being "on benefits".

That is not only misleading. It completely misses the point.

The scheme exists to help some low-income families, who have committed no crime, to maintain contact with a loved one in prison when they would otherwise be unable to afford the journey.

Far from being overly generous, the scheme is tightly restricted and covers only basic costs. Eligibility is limited to people on very low incomes, and the support available is modest. For many families, particularly those travelling long distances, the expense of visiting a prison remains a significant barrier.

Research we published in 2023 highlighted the severe hardship experienced by families affected by imprisonment. Many told us they were forced to make impossible choices between paying household bills, buying food and maintaining contact with a loved one in prison. These families have committed no offence themselves, yet often find themselves serving a sentence of their own: financial hardship, mental and physical health challenges, and the emotional strain of separation from those they love.

But even if you take a hard-headed view focused purely on outcomes, family contact is one of the smartest justice interventions. The evidence consistently points to the importance of family relationships in rehabilitation. Helping people maintain relationships with partners, parents, children and other loved ones costs relatively little, while improving prison safety, supporting successful resettlement and reducing the likelihood of further offending.

That means fewer future victims, less pressure on public services and better outcomes for society as a whole.

In fact, there is a strong case that we should be doing more, not less, to help families stay connected. If we want prisons to rehabilitate people rather than simply warehouse them, maintaining family ties must be part of the solution.

The Assisted Prison Visits Scheme is not a luxury. It is a modest, targeted measure that helps families stay connected and supports a more effective justice system.

Supporting family contact isn’t offering a perk to those on benefits; it’s a benefit to us all.

Find out more about getting help with the costs of prison visits.