Pact responds to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' Annual Report 2025-26

In response to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' Annual Report 2026-26, Andy Keen Downs, CEO of Pact, says:

"As a frontline charity working in over half the prisons in England and Wales, we see the devastating reality described by the Chief Inspector in this report every day. We see people spending long periods locked up without meaningful activity; squalid conditions; and a lack of safety for prisoners and staff alike. We need prisons that keep people safe, address their mental and physical health needs, and help them build a better future free from crime. The voluntary sector has a critical role to play in achieving those goals, but years of funding pressures have reduced the contribution charities can make.

"Yet every day, Pact staff do their best to counter the pervasive lack of hope through supporting prisoners to maintain and build healthy relationships. As this report rightly highlights, relationships are not an optional extra: they are the golden thread that runs through successful rehabilitation and resettlement. For many people in prison, especially women, family relationships are the single most important factor helping them cope with the challenges of prison life. Strong family ties help people find purpose and motivation, prepare for release and build a more positive future.

"As the Inspectorate's findings show, supporting family relationships remains one of the biggest untapped opportunities for reducing reoffending and creating safer communities. With even a relatively modest increase in investment, family services in prisons and across the wider criminal justice system could help many more people build the stable, supportive relationships that are the foundation of lasting change."

Families reading this report may be understandably worried about a loved one in prison. Many of the concerns raised by inspectors will resonate. If you need information, advice or emotional support, the Prisoners' Families Helpline is available seven days a week on 0808 808 2003. No one should have to navigate the challenges of having a family member in prison alone, and support is available for anyone who needs it.