Unseen Victims CIC welcomes the focus of HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ report “Safety, Wellbeing and Hope: The Untapped Potential of Family Contact in Prisons.” We fully support the recognition that families play a vital role in improving outcomes for individuals within the justice system.
However, we believe there is a critical gap that must be addressed.
If safety, wellbeing and hope are truly central to this work, then greater attention must be given to the earliest stages of the journey—when a loved one is first arrested or sent to prison. It is at this point that families experience the highest levels of shock, confusion, stigma, and emotional distress, often without any structured support.
“Not enough was done to support family contact during the early days in custody.” These early experiences will influence how families cope, engage, and support their loved ones throughout the entire journey.
While the report draws on valuable insights, there is a concern that the evidence base risks over-reliance on submissions from larger, established organisations within the prison family support network. Although these contributions are important, they often reflect support delivered at the point of crisis, rather than proactive, early-stage intervention. As a result, they do not always fully capture the raw, immediate experiences of families at the very beginning of this journey
TRUE LIVED EXPERIANCE—particularly from those navigating the initial impact of arrest and early custody—remains woefully underrepresented.
At Unseen Victims CIC, we see first-hand how early intervention, lived experience, and responsible peer support can significantly improve outcomes. Families supported from the beginning are better able to cope, maintain relationships, and contribute positively to the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones.
Early intervention is critical in supporting families and individuals at the earliest stages of contact with the justice system. Encouraging and empowering people to access safe, supportive spaces—where they can receive accurate advice, guidance, and appropriate moderation—acts as a vital preventative measure.
Each year, many vulnerable individuals are unknowingly exposed to exploitation. Without clear understanding, they may be pressured into behaviours such as attempting to take contraband into prisons, engaging in inappropriate communication, or unintentionally breaching prison rules.
With the right early support, education, and peer-led guidance, these risks can be significantly reduced. By providing timely information and safe spaces from the outset, we can help individuals make informed decisions, protect themselves from harm, and reduce the likelihood of further involvement in the justice system.
We believe that:
- Families must be recognised not only as part of rehabilitation, but as key contributors to safety, wellbeing, and hope from the outset
- REAL LIVED EXPERANCE should be embedded more meaningfully in the development of policy and practice
- Proactive, early-stage support should be prioritised alongside in-prison family services
If the system is to fully realise the potential outlined in this report, it must go further—ensuring that the voices of families at the very start of this journey are heard, valued, and acted upon.
Safety, wellbeing and hope do not begin at the prison gate—they begin the moment a family’s world changes.
We urge that future policy and inspection frameworks formally recognise and embed early-stage family support from the point of arrest.
Unseen Victims CIC will continue to advocate for a system that listens to, supports, and empowers families from the very beginning.
