Family and Friends Forum

Prison contact expectations

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SadAndWorried

Member since
October 2019

154 posts

Posted Tue January 16, 2024 7:22pmReport post

Hello, my partner/children's father is due before the crown court this Friday. My daughter has asked me about if her dad goes to prison will she be able to see him.

I was hoping someone had some knowledge on how it works. In terms of time scales on when we'd be able to talk on the phone with him, letters and visits. I'm hoping if he is sent to prison they have the facilities for family visits for my 13 year old and 6 year old.

Thanks for reading and any info given. x

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

771 posts

Posted Tue January 16, 2024 8:08pmReport post

Hi Sad, I can't give you the information you've asked for but I wanted to say that I wish you all the best on Friday and that I'll be keeping you, your daughter and partner in my thoughts. Sending you lots of hugs, best wishes and strength.

helpneeded1

Member since
August 2021

27 posts

Posted Tue January 16, 2024 8:14pmReport post

Hey, sorry you're going through this. My person is in prison and we have a 8 year old son together. All prisons are different but this has been my experience..



If your person is sentenced to a custodial sentence, shortly after their arrival to the prison, usually same day or within the first couple of days they'll get a short call to let you know where they are and any other brief info as the call is only a couple of mins.

They'll also be asked to provide a list of people they wish to have on their contact list whilst serving their custodial. This list then has to be authorised and the people on the list will receive a phone call asking if they are happy to be contacted by the person.

In my experience it took around 7-10 days (can't quite remember) to receive the phone call from the prison asking if im happy to be contacted. Once you are approved, the person can contact you via phone, letter and physical visits. If your not on the list and approved, you won't be authorised to speak or visit the person. The person in prison can add to this list throughout the sentence if they wish to. This does unfortunately only apply to the adults.

If your person wishes to have contact with the children he will have to apply for this and it will be referred back to SS for them to do an assessment. The children are not permitted to have contact with the person until this is done and has been approved by SS, prison governor and also if you authorise the contact. In my experience this took around 6 weeks but I know that we were lucky and I've heard of this taking much longer unfortunately for others.

There are different levels of contact for the children with the person in custody so it may be that the children are approved to have all levels of contact (ie visits, phone, email, purple visits etc). It may also be that they are only approved to have contact via letters for example, this is down to the authorities involved in the assessment.

In terms of facilities for families, my person has been to two prisons (he was moved from the one he was taken to from court). The first prison, I wouldn't have wanted to take my son to but the second is much more family friendly so I think this depends on where they go.



If you have anymore questions or just need someone to rant to, please feel free to message me xx

AnxiousGirl

Member since
December 2023

222 posts

Posted Tue January 16, 2024 9:07pmReport post

Post deleted


Edited Thu February 22, 2024 8:46am

Emeraldrose

Member since
August 2021

20 posts

Posted Wed January 17, 2024 3:27pmReport post

Hi,



My person went to prison in June 2023 & we have only just this month been granted contact with my 11yr old...the whole SS process & prison risk meetings took forever.



What I will say is get in contact with the Family support worker at the prison, our one has been amazing & answered so many of my random questions.



Here if you need further advice xx

Edited Wed January 17, 2024 3:28pm