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<p>We know that improving the quality of engagement between a prisoner and their friends
or family can be a positive influence on reducing reoffending. The Government is committed
to implementing the recommendations set out by Lord Farmer in his report ‘The Importance
of Strengthening Prisoners Family Ties to Prevent Reoffending and Reduce Intergenerational
Crime’. Since the publication of the Farmer Review, progress continues to be made
in implementing its recommendations. Through our reforms we are placing the importance
of family relationships at the centre of our revised approach.</p><p>Governors are
central to reforming our prisons because they are best placed to ensure the prison
is safe and secure, and understand the rehabilitative needs of the offenders in their
care. In October 2017, family budgets were devolved to Governors, which coincided
with the commencement of new family services contracts. This has given Governors the
ability to deliver tailored support for prisoners, helping them to build or maintain
their ties with family or friends. An example of this is HMP Chelmsford, which recently
adapted their prison library, making it child friendly, to enable prisoners to sit
down and read with their children.</p><p>To support this new approach, from April
2018 all prison Governors will now be required to produce local Strategies, which
set out how they will support prisoners to improve the level of engagement with their
friends and families. This will be underpinned by a guidance document, which was issued
in December and a new Family Policy Framework, which will be published in Autumn of
this year. These will help standardise the quality of services provided across all
prisons, helping to strengthen relationships between prisoners, their family and friends.</p><p>Her
Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons (HMIP) has appointed a lead inspector to Children and
Families work. HMIP has updated its website to demonstrate good practice recognised
in inspections since the publication of the Farmer Review. <a href="https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/our-expectations/prison-expectations/rehabilitation-and-release-planning/children-and-families-and-contact-with-the-outside-world/"
target="_blank">https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/our-expectations/prison-expectations/rehabilitation-and-release-planning/children-and-families-and-contact-with-the-outside-world/</a></p><p>There
are a handful of recommendations, which will require longer-term structural reform
to be delivered, including in-cell telephony and the use of video calling technology,
such as Skype. We are in the process of developing options for these proposals.</p><p>In
addition to the recommendations set out in the Farmer review relationships between
prisoners and their families are maintained through a range of visiting opportunities.
In addition to statutory entitlement to visits under the Prison Rules 1999, prisoners
may also be granted additional visits through local privilege schemes. In a speech
on the 6<sup>th</sup> of March at the Royal Society of Arts, the Secretary of State
expressed his commitment to creating incentives that support and encourage offenders
to turn their lives around. This includes offering access to technology like skype
allowing prisoners contact with their families that they would otherwise be unable
to have.</p><p>Release on temporary licence (ROTL) is another way for suitable prisoners
to maintain family ties, and we will be exploring in the coming months how best to
ensure access to ROTL for those who would benefit, within a robust risk assessment
framework.</p>
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