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Help for families

Free help for prisoners’ families

Independent organisations that support families of people in prison. None of them is connected with BluePhone, and this page is not a sales page.

Details checked 29 September 2026 — please confirm on each organisation’s website

Helplines

National Prisoners’ Families Helpline

0808 808 2003 · free and confidential. For families in England and Wales. Monday to Friday 9am–8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am–3pm (as published). Run by Pact under contract to HMPPS.

prisonersfamilies.org

Families Outside (Scotland)

0800 254 0088 · free helpline for families affected by imprisonment in Scotland. Monday to Thursday 10am–4pm (as published).

familiesoutside.org.uk

Samaritans

116 123 · free, any time, for anyone who is struggling.

samaritans.org

Organisations

Pact — Prison Advice and Care TrustFamily support, visitor centres and advice in England and Wales. Prison Reform TrustIndependent advice and guides for prisoners and families. NacroHousing, education and resettlement support. UnlockInformation for people with convictions, including disclosure and employment. Citizens AdviceFree advice on benefits, money, housing and more. Find someone in prison (GOV.UK)The official Prisoner Location Service.

Related guides

The prison calls guideHow prison phone calls work, start to finish.Calls stopped coming through?Checks for the prison side and the phone side.Getting a number on the phone listWho asks, what is checked, what you can do.Prison call ratesPublished per-minute rates and where they apply.