Keeping In Touch: The Hidden Financial Burden Placed on Families Supporting a Loved One in Prison
The financial toll on families supporting incarcerated loved ones remains largely hidden but is increasingly significant, as highlighted by Emma Wells, founder of Unseen Victims, in the Prison Spend Report Part 2. Families are spending between £3,700 and £6,000 annually on maintaining contact through calls, emails, and visits, often at the cost of their financial stability. Communication costs alone can exceed £2,500 yearly, with nearly half of families paying over £50 per month and some surpassing £200, despite recent improvements like in-cell phones. While high-profile cases draw attention to incarceration, the quiet financial burden on thousands of UK families underscores the need for better, affordable communication options in prisons.