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<p>As set out in our 2016 White Paper on Prison Safety and Reform, we are committed
to giving prisoners the support and help they need to maintain and strengthen family
ties.</p><p> </p><p>Lord Farmer was commissioned to undertake a review of family engagement,
and to make proposals that will augment the Prison Safety and Reform agenda. The Ministry
of Justice will consider his findings in due course.</p><p> </p><p>Visits, where appropriate,
by children to their parent in prison are central to maintaining the relationship
during the sentence. Ethos, statutory entitlement and practices are detailed in secondary
legislation and in Prison Service Instructions, as follows:</p><p> </p><p>Prison Rules
1999, Rule 4 - ‘Outside Contacts‘, requires Governors to encourage and assist prisoners
to maintain relations with persons and agencies outside of the prison which may, in
the opinion of the Governor, best promote the interests of his family and own social
rehabilitation. Rule 35 ‘Personal Letters and Visits’ sets out the statutory entitlement
to visits and Governors may allow an additional privilege under Rule 8.</p><p> </p><p>Prison
Service Instruction 16/2011 ‘Providing Visits and Services to Visitors’ sets out,
among other things, guidelines to prisons on the management of family visits.</p><p>
</p><p>Prison Governors are accountable for the safeguarding and welfare of children
during prison visits. This is set out through the statutory framework under the Children
Act 2004. Prison Service Instruction 15/2011 ‘Management of Security at Visits’ requires
social visits to be conducted in a manner which ensures the safeguarding of children
and provides arrangements for this.</p><p>Prisoners can earn additional visits by
demonstrating good behaviour and commitment to their rehabilitation; this is detailed
in Prison Service Instruction 30/2013 ‘Incentives and Earned Privileges’.</p>
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