SUPPORT RESOURCES

Support Resources for Families of UK Prisoners

Several organisations in the United Kingdom provide free support and resources for families of people in prison. The list below covers the main organisations — their contact details and areas of focus. This page is for information only and has no sales purpose.

Pact — Prison Advice and Care Trust

Pact supports prisoners, people with convictions and their families. They run visitor centres at prisons across England and Wales, provide family support workers, and offer advice on a range of issues including visiting, housing and benefits.

prisonadvice.org.uk →

Prison Reform Trust

An independent charity working towards a just and humane prison system. They publish practical guides for prisoners and families, including on sentencing, release, and rights. Their online resource library is extensive and free to access.

prisonreformtrust.org.uk →

Nacro

Nacro is a crime reduction charity that provides housing, education and employment support to people with convictions and their families. They also run a resettlement helpline for people leaving prison.

nacro.org.uk →

Unlock

Unlock is a charity that provides information and advice specifically for people with convictions. They are particularly useful for questions about disclosure, DBS checks, employment and insurance after a conviction.

unlock.org.uk →

Prisoners' Families Helpline

A free telephone helpline run by Pact providing confidential advice and emotional support for anyone with a family member in prison in England and Wales. They can advise on visiting, prison transfers, sentence planning, and more.

Helpline: 0808 808 2003 (free, Monday–Friday 9am–8pm, Saturday 10am–3pm)

prisonadvice.org.uk/for-families →

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice provides free, independent advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, housing and employment. If imprisonment has affected your financial situation, a local Citizens Advice office can help you understand your entitlements.

citizensadvice.org.uk →

Samaritans

Samaritans provides confidential emotional support for anyone struggling. If imprisonment — yours or a family member's — is affecting your mental health, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Helpline: 116 123 (free, available 24/7)

samaritans.org →

BluePhone is not affiliated with any of the organisations listed above. Links are provided for informational purposes and were correct at the time of writing (June 2026). Please verify current contact details on each organisation's website.

BluePhone — a communication tool for prison families

BluePhone provides a UK virtual landline number so families can receive prison calls at landline rates. It is one practical tool among many that can help families stay connected. £15/month, works anywhere in the world.

Learn more at bluephone.co.uk →

Frequently Asked Questions

What support is available for families of UK prisoners?

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Several organisations offer free support for families of UK prisoners. Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust) provides family support and prison visitor centres. The Prison Reform Trust offers independent advice. Nacro provides resettlement support. The Prisoners' Families Helpline offers free telephone advice. Citizens Advice can help with financial and housing issues arising from imprisonment.

Is there a helpline for families of prisoners in the UK?

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Yes. The Prisoners' Families Helpline (operated by Pact) provides free telephone support for families — call 0808 808 2003. The Samaritans helpline (116 123) is also available 24/7 for anyone struggling emotionally. Both lines are free to call.

Can I visit my family member in prison?

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Yes, in most cases. Convicted prisoners are entitled to a minimum number of visits per month. You must book in advance through the prison's official booking system (GOV.UK). You will need to provide ID and may be subject to security checks. Pact runs visitor centres at many prisons which provide support before and after visits.

What financial support is available if a family member goes to prison?

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Citizens Advice can advise on benefits, housing and debt issues. Some families may be entitled to additional benefits if the breadwinner is imprisoned. The Prison Reform Trust has published guides on financial impact. Local council housing departments can advise if imprisonment affects your housing situation.