You give your time, compassion and belief in second chances. You get purpose, connection — and the chance to truly change lives. This #VolunteersWeek, see why people volunteer with Pact 👇 Could you join them? 👉 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/volunteer/

When Anna’s dad went to prison, she stopped going to school. No one understood why. 🤝 Her story shows why joined‑up working matters. In this expert blog, Pact shares how collaboration between services transforms outcomes for families. www.prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/...

Proud to hear Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell Boyce highlight our FLiP reading programme at his final Royal Institution lecture: “I was seeing broken bonds being repaired in real time.” 📚️FLiP helps fathers in prison rebuild relationships through reading. www.prisonadvice.org.uk/get-help/pri...

Allison tried to help her son in prison. No one listened—until it was almost too late. Families hold vital information. Too often, they’re ignored. It’s time we listened. 👉 Watch Allison's story: pact1.link/ListenToFami... #ListenToFamilies #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

Over the past couple of months, Pact teams have been marking Spring at family days. 💐 Gartree: Mother’s Day with donated plants + handwritten messages 🐣 Lowdham Grange & Send: Easter crafts + chocolate treats 🌙🐰 Whatton: Eid + Easter fun Helping families stay connected 💛

💬 “These sessions make me feel better.” Running in prisons across the country, Making Positive Connections supports people who don’t receive visits. At HMP Nottingham, low‑key sessions offer space to talk, connect and feel less isolated. Relationships matter.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Today’s the day! Huge good luck to Rainer, LeRon, Kristen & George running the #LondonMarathon for Pact 💛 Every mile supports people in prison and their families. We’re cheering you all the way! 👏

Our hearts are with the family and friends of the 16‑year‑old who has died following an incident at Feltham A. We know this news will worry many families. If you’re concerned about a loved one in prison, contact the Prisoners’ Families Helpline: 0808 808 2003, pact1.link/helpline

Could you be a prison visitor like Ruby? We need volunteers for new prison visitor programmes at HMP Huntercombe & HMP Eastwood Park. Help reduce isolation with regular visits. Training provided. Read Ruby’s story & apply: pact1.link/Rubys-story

When a mum goes to prison, 95% of children leave the family home, making keeping in touch more complex. For Welsh women held far from home in English prisons, visits are even harder. These cards sent to the Pact team show the difference our Visiting Mum programme makes. 👉 pact1.link/Visiting-Mum

Meet our amazing 2026 London Marathon team! Rainer, LeRon, Kristen and George are running 26.2 miles to support people in prison and their families. As Rainer says: “Behind the walls and systems are individuals with families, hopes and the potential for change.” 💛 Read more: pact1.link/marathon-2026

This is Rea, a Pact volunteer. She's been recognised for her work supporting neurodiverse visitors. Neurodivergent people in prison and their loved ones often face barriers in a system designed for neurotypical needs. More: pact1.link/neurodiverse-visitors-guide #WorldAutismAwarenessMonth

📢 New HMIP report exposes the crisis facing people on remand: twice the risk of taking their own life, huge mental‑health need, too little support. Pact knows from experience that early help and family contact save lives. 👉 Read the blog: pact1.link/remand-priso...

Following a successful bid, Pact will continue running the Prisoners’ Families Helpline, offering daily support for people affected by arrest and imprisonment. It includes a 24/7 chatbot, helpful resources, and a Safer Custody portal to contact prisons directly. More: pact1.link/pfh-announce...

Today HM Inspectorate of Prisons released a new report on family services in prisons. It found what we at Pact know to be true: in prison, connection with loved ones changes everything. 👉️ Read more: pact1.link/hmip-family-...

Thrilled to announce two NEW acts for Pact’s Paul Whitehouse & Friends All‑Star Comedy Gala at the London Palladium: John Bishop and @joe-lycett.bsky.social! 🎉 All in support of families affected by imprisonment. 💜 Don’t miss out—tickets: lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/pau...

Women in prison face specific challenges: ++ rates of self-harm, children being removed from the home, and experiences of abuse. Pact has piloted dedicated social workers in women’s prisons - and evaluation has found this makes a major difference. #IWD pact1.link/socialworkers

New report by Jake Shepherd @smfthinktank.bsky.social outlines the challenges in prison healthcare — long waits, complex needs, and stretched services. We're pleased that it recognises the crucial role of families and carers in keeping prisoners fits and healthy. www.smf.co.uk/publications...

🧐 Can you tell which book character each potato represents? Answers in the comments! It’s #WorldBookDay, and Pact services across the country are running book-themed activities like dress-up-the-potato for people in prison and their families.

A few weeks ago, Fran made someone's day by buying them an ice cream. But Fran makes a lot of people's days. She volunteers as a prison visitor for Pact, going to see people who otherwise wouldn't get visitors. 🤲 Read Fran's story: pact1.link/frans-story

We worked with Big Brothers at HMYOI Brinsford and @jessiillustrat1 to create: 🎨 A comic for younger siblings about having a brother in prison 🎨 A resource for teachers to help siblings feel heard. 👉 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/get-help/chi...

We're pleased to introduce our new trustee, Patrick Gillespie. Patrick recently retired as Service Director for Health and Justice Services at an NHS Foundation Trust, concluding a career spanning 47 years in nursing and healthcare leadership. Find out more: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/about/team/t...

Our team at HMP Nottingham runs baby sensory sessions. 👶 For babies this is the difference between sitting stuck across a table from someone and playing on the floor with dad. 👨‍👦 For dads it reminds them that their identity is more than ‘prisoner’, offering purpose and hope.

Yesterday the #SentencingAct became law. There's much to celebrate: 🤝A shift from unproductive short custodial sentences towards more effective community sentences 🫄Greater protections for pregnant women ❌Removal of the 'naming and shaming' clause More from Our CEO Andy Keen-Downs⬇️

👬 When a brother goes to prison, younger siblings can feel deep loss that's often overlooked. We worked with big brothers at HMYOI Brinsford and illustrator Jessica Hartshorn to create a comic and resource for teachers to help siblings feel heard. 👉 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/get-help/chi...

📣 Major update: Government scraps plans to name and shame people on community payback schemes We are delighted that the Government has listened to our campaign and removed Clause 35 from the #SentencingBill in a decision that protects children and families.

Today's @HMIPrisonsnews report on reading for rehabilitation underlines the importance of family-based initiatives. When reading involves the whole family, its impact multiplies. That’s why Pact runs initiatives like Family Literacy in Prisons (FLiP) ⬇️

Today His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons @HMIPrisonsnews has released a powerful report on reading for rehabilitation, highlighting how reading helps prisoners build better futures. 5️⃣ key takeaways (thread)

When prisoners and their loved ones are given the support they need, change is possible - we see it every day. ✉️ These quotes are all taken from thank you letters to a member of our amazing team.

🌨️ Visiting a prison during Storm Goretti? Check transport before you travel and contact the prison’s Visitors’ Centre for info. Find phone numbers here: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons Stay safe and plan ahead!

Do you have a loved one in prison? The Prisoners’ Families Helpline is here for YOU—every day. Get emotional support and practical info at every stage, from arrest to preparation for release. 🤝 You’re not alone. Call 0808 808 2003 or visit prisonersfamilies.org.

Our amazing elves have been busy delivering books and toys to prisons countrywide so parents can give their children a Christmas gift 🎁 But Operation Elf is about a lot more than presents: it's about the chance to be a normal mum or dad, and about keeping families together ❤️

🎄 This week Pact’s team in HMP Styal got this lovely card from one of the women we support through the Visiting Mum programme. Here's why our team found it so moving... (thread)

Developed with prisoners and their families, the Prison Life video series explores life in custody and the support available to those in prison. Watch here: www.prisonersfamilies.org/prison-life-...

Join us at our Advent Carol Service as we stand in solidarity with those who will spend Christmas apart from their loved ones in prison. 📅 Tuesday 2 December 2025 🕖 7:00 pm 📍 Farm Street Church, Mayfair Follow the link below to book your place. 👇

Fantastic to welcome our COPE colleague and friend Winie Hanekamp-Haisma from Expertisecentrum K I N D, along with researcher Joep Harmsen, to HMP Gartree last week. They joined our Supporting Children Affected by Imprisonment training for teachers and saw our Schools Toolkit in action.

🍂 Visiting a loved one in prison this autumn? The rules can be confusing, so here are a few things to avoid: 🚫 Hats or scarves (religious coverings are fine) 🚫 Ripped or slashed jeans 🚫 Steel-toe-capped shoes/boots 🚫 Hoodies 🚫 Jackets or coats #StrongerFamilies #PrisonVisits #PrisonersFamilies

▶️ Family Engagement Manager Diane explains how dedicated prison visits for neurodivergent children and young people help to reduce anxiety and allow families to spend quality time together. 💡 Keeping families in touch is one of the most effective ways of reducing reoffending.

Have you had a parent in prison? Aged 16-19? Want to make a difference? Become a Pact Youth Ambassador 📣 🎤 Share your experiences 💸 Get paid ⚡ Help change the system for others like you Hit the link below! #YouthVoices #YouthPower #LivedExperience #SocialJustice #YouthForChange

@hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social has today published a report about HMP Pentonville setting out 'comprehensive failures' at the prison. Read the response from our Deputy CEO, Ellen Green 👇👇 www.prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/...

Not every child can, or should, visit a loved one in prison. But when it’s safe and right for them, our teams create welcoming spaces where they feel happy, supported, and cared for - like this new space at HMP Whatton. Supporting prison visits builds #StrongerFamilies and reduces #Reoffending.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, foundations and trusts, we’re able to offer emergency grants to people impacted by imprisonment. 📖 Read how an emergency welfare grant helped Sam and Sophia navigate the challenges of imprisonment and work toward a fresh start (link below).

Pact's Guide to Prison Healthcare has been created by families with firsthand experience supporting their loved ones. It provides practical insights and compassionate guidance for anyone with a friend or family member in prison in England or Wales. #Prison #Health #MentalHealth #PrisonReform

The #SentencingBill had its second reading in the House of Commons last week. If you're still unsure what the proposed changes could mean for you, take a look at our guidance for families (link below). #PrisonersFamilies #CriminalJustice #JusticeReform #Sentencing

Over the summer, our HMP Nottingham team celebrated #SouthAsianHeritageMonth with children & families. Avtar worked her magic with stunning henna designs, Helen shared stories from South Asian authors, and families got stuck into quizzes, mandala making, food crafts & more!

Great to see the Children's Commissioner for England shining a light on children with a parent in prison 👏 Recognition of this vulnerable group is a vital step forward. Now we need real action to ensure no child faces the experience alone.

Every day, Pact works to keep families together, provide practical and emotional support, and offer the chance of a fresh start for those affected by imprisonment. A donation today could help us support thousands of people in prison and their loved ones. 🔗 LINK BELOW #CharityDay #FamiliesMatter

With the #SentencingBill introduced to Parliament yesterday, we break down some of the Bill’s key proposals and answer some of the most commonly asked questions from defendants, people in prison, and their families... 🔗 Follow the link below.

With children and young people heading #BackToSchool this week, is your #school equipped to support those with loved ones in prison? Available in English and Welsh, from early years to secondary, you can download for free today (link below).

Pact CEO, Andy Keen-Downs, welcomes the Sentencing Bill, but warns 'serious questions remain': "Ministers would do well to implement David Gauke’s recommendation to increase funding for the voluntary sector to provide greater support to our hard-pressed probation services to meet demand."