NCJ Number
148347
Date Published
1994
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This booklet informs relatives and friends of inmates in British prisons on available resources, procedures for contacting and visiting inmates, financial assistance, and information on inmate leave and release.
Abstract
Inside the prison, the prison probation officer, the chaplain, and the inmate's personal officer act as main resources; outside the prison, numerous support groups and resource agencies are available to the inmate's family. Though visiting regulations vary from prison to prison, sentenced prisoners may be visited at least twice a month for at least 30 minutes. Inmates may also receive unlimited letters and gifts; they can usually contact their relatives by telephone. Families of inmates may also be eligible for income support, housing assistance, tax benefits, child benefits, and community care grants to cover furniture, clothing, travel, and other special expenses. Prisoners serving less than 4-year sentences will automatically be released after half their sentence while long-term prisoners may be released on discretionary conditional release after serving half to two-thirds of their sentence. Toward the end of their sentence, inmates may also be awarded short home leaves (two full days) or long home leaves (five full days).