Many prisons run “family days” in addition to normal visits. These happen periodically through the year, usually arranged by the chaplaincy or the family engagement team, and are generally open to prisoners with young children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The prison system is well aware of the strain a sentence puts on a relationship, and family days are usually more relaxed and enjoyable than a standard visit – games and face painting for the children are common, and some prisons ease the usual restrictions on bringing in food to share. These visits can run longer than a normal visit, sometimes up to three hours. They’re advertised on prison noticeboards and places are often limited, so ask early.
Some prisons also run activities to help children understand a little more about what’s happening – using picture books, or showing them what a typical cell looks like – usually run by volunteers through the visitors’ centre. Check the individual prison’s page on this site to see what’s available.
When getting to the prison in person isn’t always possible, it’s also worth looking at video calling through Purple Visits (see our Leave a Message page) as a way of staying in regular contact between visits – particularly useful for younger children, who often find a screen easier than a formal visits hall.
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