Pact’s flagship project Routes 2 Change takes a ‘family first’ approach to rehabilitation. Our team works in two London prisons – HMP Brixton and HMP YOI Isis - providing practical and emotional support to prisoners and their children and families. Support is tailored to individual needs and can be accessed from a prisoner’s initial days in custody, throughout their sentence, and for up to six months after their release.

In recent years, huge progress has been made in recognising the crucial role that family relationships play in delivering safer prisons and reducing reoffending. We believe that Routes 2 Change (R2C) represents the next big step forward in the evolution of family services in England and Wales.

Routes 2 Change is being piloted in HMPs Brixton and Isis in response to the first Lord Farmer Review, which emphasised the role of family relationships in effective rehabilitation. It is now a core part of operational regimes in both prisons, and places family relationships at the heart of prison life. It provides tailored support not just to the men in prison but also to their families on the outside, from the first night in custody, throughout the sentence and up to six months after release. 

The practices and learnings from this pilot project can be found in the Routes 2 Change 'Strengthening Family Ties and Supporting Healthy Relationships Toolkit' which was developed in consultation with HMPPS staff, service users and other Family and Significant Other service providers. We hope the toolkit will be a useful tool for practitioners across the prison estate.

Evidence shows that maintaining contact between prisoners and their families can reduce the likelihood of reoffending by almost 40%. Additionally, providing appropriate support for prisoners’ children lowers their chances of later involvement in the criminal justice system.

Routes 2 Change demonstrates how family work that connects custody and community can successfully promote positive transformation for those affected by the criminal justice system. It empowers prison leavers to maintain healthy relationships, take care of their wellbeing, and ultimately live lives free from crime. Not only is this good for individuals and their families, it benefits society as a whole. 

How does Routes 2 Change work?

Step 1 – Triage on reception for everyone

Everyone coming into the prison is triaged on reception to establish the nature of their support network, whether they have children, if their family has support and whether there is a need to signpost to other services.

Step 2 – Support for the prisoner

A keyworker is allocated to the prisoner who initially gains a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s family dynamics, strengths and weaknesses, then uses this to establish a tailored support plan. R2C casework is considered core regime activity, on a par with education or healthcare, and is accommodated within the prison’s timetabling, staffing and movement.

My Routes 2 Change caseworker will just go above and beyond. She’ll always stop and say hello. She’ll ring my family and ring my mother who is quite ill. My kids get excited when they see her.

Step 3 – Support for the family

The children and families of prisoners have high levels of need that, if unmet, can cause family breakdown and inter-generational offending. R2C recognises that they need support in their own right and provides access to befriending and peer support, therapeutic play for children and courses with their loved-one inside to help maintain healthy relationships.

My relationship with my kids is the best it can be for someone that’s in prison. They look forward to coming to see me. It makes me think about my future and what I want to do with my life. It reminds me that I need to better myself and just get out and be a good dad.

Step 4 – Support through the gate and after release

Directly prior to release, prisoners are given support to help them adapt to the outside world, including practical support such as a departure bag with clothing and other essentials. Prison leavers and their families can continue to access support up to six months after release, including practical help with form-filling, accessing benefits and attending appointments.

The support provided to me by Routes 2 Change has had a massive impact. [When I was] released in London I had no friends or family, but Routes 2 Change ensured I didn’t feel lonely or abandoned. I am aware there are many prisoners in the same position as me who might be struggling and would benefit from a Routes 2 Change representative.

Involving prisoners

We believe that the people who use our services should get the chance to influence how they are designed and delivered.

In Brixton and Isis, we have appointed R2C ‘champions’. Their role is to support other men on the wings to engage with the project, and share ideas and issues as they arise. Our champions also take part in ‘Shadow Advisory Boards’ that allow them the opportunity to shape the delivery of R2C in the prison.

I’m still in regular contact with my family and am now able to speak with them at least three times a week. I have nothing but admiration for the service Pact provides for all my fellow peers.”

- Routes 2 Change service user

For further information on Routes 2 Change, or to contact the team, email [email protected].
 
For prison staff and practitioners the Routes 2 Change 'Strengthening Family Ties and Supporting Healthy Relationships Toolkit' is available to download here. To request a hard copy please email [email protected]