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Our commitment to you

FamilyÌýlifeÌýis importantÌýtoÌýmost people.ÌýFor prisonersÌýmaintaining,Ìýor building up,Ìýgood family ties is oftenÌýimportantÌýin motivating them to change and helping with their resettlement in the community.ÌýÌý

Lord Farmer carried outÌý.ÌýAnd the Ministry of Justice’s own research shows that for a prisoner who receives visits from a family member, the odds of reoffending are 39% lower than for those who do not. Ìý

ThisÌýresearchÌýunderpins our determination to improve and enhance our offerÌýfor our prisoners’Ìýfamilies and significant others.Ìý

What we aim to doÌý

We want to build a strategy for the whole family.ÌýÌý

TheÌýmainÌýchallengeÌýforÌýimprisoned fathers is restricted contact with their children.ÌýÌý

Families can be defined as either a blood relative,ÌýlegalÌýor significant person that a prisoner identifies as their next of kin.ÌýÌý

For prisoners who have experience of theÌýcare system or are serving indeterminate sentences,Ìýfamilies may include a statutory service, personal advisor, or friend.ÌýÌý

In mostÌýcases, whatever this ‘family’ looks like, their input is a strong protective factor and playsÌýan importantÌýroleÌýinÌýreducingÌýreoffending and supporting resettlement.ÌýÌý

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OurÌývisits hall is run byÌýprisonÌýofficers. ItÌýis a large open space that has seating arranged so that you can enjoy your time with your family member.ÌýÌý

When you arrive,Ìýreport to the main desk where you will beÌýgivenÌýa table number.ÌýÌý

We have a snack bar which is run by peer support workers.ÌýÌý

YouÌýcanÌýbringÌýup toÌý£25 in cash to spend per visit.Ìý(Please bring change if you can.)Ìý

On extended visitsÌý(2 hours or more),ÌýanÌýoutside area with further seating, will also beÌýopen, weatherÌýpermitting.

Support and services offered

Visits booking-in hutÌý

TheÌýbooking-inÌýhutÌýis openÌýallÌýyear-round.ÌýÌýÌý

Staff will arrive up to 30 minutes before the start of your visit.ÌýÌý

When you arrive, we will check your paper identification for security purposes.ÌýÌý

The hut has:ÌýÌý

• ²õ±ð²¹³Ù¾±²Ô²µÌý
• a toy and book exchangeÌý
• lockersÌý– forÌýif you have not travelled by carÌý

If you need help, please go to the mainÌýgate oppositeÌýthe hutÌýand speak to staff.Ìý

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TheÌý‘Secret Diner’Ìýis a prison-run, public caféÌýcloseÌýto the prison car park.ÌýÌý

ItÌýoffers a relaxing spaceÌýfor visitorsÌýincluding refreshments such as Costa coffee, at a reasonable price, before or after visits.ÌýÌý

TheÌýdiner can helpÌýbreak those who are anxious about visiting a prison as itÌýoffersÌýa more relaxed environment.ÌýÌý

Children’sÌýplay facilities Ìý

Family engagement workersÌýfromÌýÌýand peer support workersÌýprovide activities for children duringÌýallÌýsocial visits.ÌýÌý

We haveÌýtoys andÌýPACT prepareÌýneurodiverse distraction packs for children who wouldÌýbenefitÌýfrom them.ÌýÌý

The charityÌýMake Some Noise regularly attendsÌýourÌýextended visits.ÌýÌý

TheyÌýprovideÌýextraÌýactivities to breakÌýdown barriers and ‘normalise’ playful interactions between children and their loved ones,ÌýstrengtheningÌýrelationshipsÌýand preparing for release. Ìý ÌýÌý

Family engagement work Ìý

Family members ofÌýprisonersÌýare often referred to asÌý‘hidden victims’Ìý– victims of the criminal justice system who are neither acknowledged nor given a platform to be heard.ÌýÌý

As a rehabilitation prison, we strive to minimise the damaging effects imprisonment can have on families and,ÌýinÌýparticular children.ÌýÌý

WeÌýwillÌýensure the strategy considers the impact on the victims’ families,Ìýalongside supporting them and the prisoner whileÌýthey serve their sentence.ÌýÌý

Family andÌýsignificantÌýothersÌý(FaSOs)Ìýwill soon be invited to attend celebration events each month.ÌýÌý

TheseÌýeventsÌýwill let themÌýcelebrate and support prisoners who have gained qualificationsÌýwhileÌýat Sudbury or are beingÌýrecognisedÌýfor their outstanding achievements.ÌýÌý

Parenting/relationship courses ÌýÌý

Family learning isÌývery importantÌýin helping to reduce reoffending and in building prisoners and their families’ self-confidence.ÌýÌý

Prisoners who are given the opportunity toÌýmaintainÌýhealthy relationships can develop skills to improve the quality of these relationships during family learning.ÌýÌý

Helping families to build positive relationships will ultimately:ÌýÌý

• have positive outcomes for all involvedÌý
• reduce the risk of intergenerational crime and other unintentional negative effects that imprisonment may causeÌý

PACTÌýhave many courses available for prisoners to complete.Ìý

Family support Ìý

We aim toÌýuseÌýourÌýopen environment to help prisoners prepare for release by fostering strongÌýFaSOÌýconnections.ÌýÌý

By integrating theÌý‘golden thread’Ìýof family support throughout the prisoner’s journey, we can better equip both prisoners and theirÌýFaSOÌýfor a successful transition back into normal life.ÌýÌý

Providing the necessary tools for a positive start is essential for reducing reoffending and breaking the cycle of intergenerational offending.ÌýÌý

WeÌýfirmly believeÌýthat this approach plays a critical role in unlocking prisoners’ potential.ÌýÌý

If you needÌýgeneralÌýhelp from the prison pleaseÌýemailÌýFaSO.Sudbury@justice.gov.uk

For help with visits,ÌýemailÌýsocialvisitssudbury@justice.gov.ukÌýÌý

Family engagement casework Ìý

PACTÌýcan support prisoners and their families.ÌýÌý

We haveÌý2ÌýPACTÌýfamily engagement workers. TheyÌýenhance and develop the service for all prisoners and to effectively meet the needs of a cohort of prisoners and their families going throughÌýfamilyÌýcourt or otherÌýseriousÌýchallenges.Ìý

As Sudbury is anÌýopenÌýCategory D prison, prisoners and their families’ needs are likely to change as they move through various stages of their sentence.ÌýÌý

PACTÌýis a national charity that provides support to prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. They aim to support people to make a fresh start and minimise the harm that can be caused by imprisonment on people who have committed offences, theirÌýfamiliesÌýand local communities.Ìý ÌýFamilyÌýandÌýsignificant otherÌý(FaSO)Ìýdays Ìý

WeÌýrunÌýFaSOÌýdays regularly throughout the year.ÌýÌýÌý

These days run from 10am to 3pm, and lunch is provided.ÌýÌý

There are activities and toys available, and prisoners are actively encouraged to play with their children.ÌýÌý

TheÌýdays haveÌýdifferent themes,Ìýwhich are highlighted onÌýprisonÌýnoticeboards.ÌýÌý

CurrentlyÌýthe charityÌý‘Make Some Noise’ support ourÌýFaSOÌýdays by providing music/drums/activities to encourage interactive play for families.ÌýÌýÌý

FaSOÌýdays are oftenÌýrunÌýduring school holidays, but we also cater for those without children.ÌýÌý

FamiliesÌýgetÌýto spend time together.Ìý

AndÌýfamiliesÌýcanÌýmeet staffÌýsuch as –Ìýprison offender managers, initial point of contactÌýofficers,ÌýfamilyÌýengagementÌýworkers,ÌýfamilyÌýleadÌýandÌýotherÌýprofessionals.ÌýÌý

BeforeÌýthe visit, prisonersÌýcanÌýtalk to staff about any concerns and prisoners can stay behind at the end for a debrief.ÌýÌý

If a family member wishes to talk to a particular member of staff, they can ask a member of staff on the day, ring the contact number within this strategy, or emailÌýFaSO.Sudbury@justice.gov.ukÌýÌý

PACTÌýsupport is offered equally to both prisoners and theirÌýFaSO.ÌýÌý

PhotographsÌýcanÌýtakenÌýatÌýaÌýFaSOÌýday,Ìýwhere consent is given. This is a vital part of theÌýFaSOÌýday as many family members treasure these photos, especially if they do not access regular social visits due to travel distance or other commitments.ÌýÌýÌý

Prisoners with experience of theÌýcareÌýsystem Ìý

WeÌýknow someÌýprisoners willÌýhave beenÌýinÌýcare and may haveÌýadditionalÌýneeds.ÌýÌýÌý

WhenÌýprisoners who haveÌýalreadyÌýdisclosedÌýtheir care experience history arrive,Ìýtheir prison offender managerÌýwillÌýensure they are offered the support they need.ÌýÌýÌý

We encourage othersÌýto tell usÌýas soon as they feel ready,Ìýso we can properly signpost andÌýassistÌýthem.ÌýÌý

Prisoners who have care experience may wish to have their personal advisor or significant others visit them. WeÌýapproveÌýmost requests to encourage building connections.ÌýÌý

They may also be eligible for specialist funding or external support for release.ÌýÌý

TheÌýhead ofÌýoffenderÌýmanagementÌýdelivery is the lead for thisÌýgroup.

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MakingÌýpositiveÌýconnectionsÌý

We work withÌýourÌýsaferÌýcustody team toÌýidentifyÌýprisoners who mayÌýbe isolatedÌýor mayÌýnot have had positive contact from friends or family inÌýa long periodÌýof timeÌý(or consistently).ÌýÌý

These prisoners are invited to attendÌýour regularÌýMaking Positive Connections peer support group.ÌýÌý

Supported byÌýPACTÌýand other agencies, prisonersÌýcanÌýtake part in social activities that breakdown barriers and build community spirit.ÌýÌý

We also offerÌýthe officialÌývisitors scheme, led by chaplaincy.

Safeguarding measures

The prison teamsÌýwork togetherÌýto meet the needs of prisonersÌýandÌýkeep safeguarding as a priority.ÌýÌý

AsÌýSudburyÌýis anÌýopenÌýcategoryÌýD prison,Ìýit canÌýbe an idealÌýplaceÌýfor prisoners and their families to access professional support and have their needs recognised by professionals.ÌýÌý

All safeguarding services have an ethos that is deeply based on working confidentially, with safeguarding children always at the forefront.ÌýÌý

All staff undertake safeguarding training and canÌýofferÌýadvice.ÌýÌý

SeeÌýSudbury Prison’sÌýmain °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï pageÌýfor contact details if you have a safeguarding concern.

For further reference to safeguarding measures, please see theÌý

What have we achieved?

WeÌýranÌý13Ìýfun, themedÌýFaSOÌýdaysÌýin 2024 to 2025.Ìý

WeÌýranÌý12 kids’Ìýclub sessionsÌýforÌýfamilies to have breakfast together to normalise the children’s experience of being aroundÌýdad/granddad/uncle/brother again in readiness for final release.ÌýÌý

We have launchedÌýlow-key visits for families with neurodivergent children. TheseÌývisitsÌýofferÌýa calmer space with limited numbers, distractionÌýpacksÌýandÌýPACTÌýsupport available.ÌýÌý

We continue to offer Homework club, Storybook Dads, Share-a-Story,Ìýfamily court support and free children’s and adult’s book exchange.ÌýÌý

PACT collectÌýfeedbackÌýfromÌýFaSOsÌýthroughÌývisits.ÌýÌý

We continue to help support prisoners and their families inÌýmaintainingÌýtheir family ties byÌýofferingÌýa range of visits forÌýFaSOs,Ìýincluding for those who have difficulty in attending regular social visits.ÌýÌý

We are committed toÌýmeetingÌýthe targets set. We want to involve friends,ÌýfamiliesÌýand significant others in as much as we can to support your loved ones through their journey with us.

You said, we did

This year we will:ÌýÌý

• expand the number ofÌýFaSOÌýdays to 14,Ìýoffer 12Ìýkids’Ìýclubs and 12Ìýlow-key visitsÌý–ÌýmakingÌýa total of 38 extended visitsÌý
• offer weekly homework clubsÌý
• offer 12 Making Positive Connections groups for potentially isolated prisonersÌý
• work with new partners such as Mother’s Union
• continue our working relationships with PACTÌýand Make Some Noise
• review our Secret Café menu in the visits hall andÌýprovide new toys for visits play
• expand on our neurodiversity packs and develop an electronicÌýgames corner

How will we measure our success?

• prisonerÌýfamilyÌýneedsÌýanalysis
• communityÌýcouncil forum/feedback
• reducingÌýreoffending monthly meetings
• His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons inspections
• Managing Quality of Prisoner Life audits
• visitors forum/feedback
• saferÌýprisons team will invite families or significant others toÌýAssessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT)Ìýreviews
• prison performance measure

Staffing structure

• GovernorÌý
• Head of Reducing ReoffendingÌý
• Head of ChaplaincyÌý
• Family and Significant Others LeadÌýÌý
• Family and Significant Other Champion –Ìýa custodial managerÌýÌýÌý
• Family and Significant Other Champion –Ìýa custodial managerÌý
• Family Engagement ManagerÌýÌý
• Family Support Worker