The focus of a Family Day is on promoting quality interaction between children and their imprisoned family member and creating and sustaining good family relationships. POPS works with partner prisons to deliver at least four Family Days each year ensuring the needs of children, young people and their parents are reflected in the content and delivery, including those of specific groups such as teenagers and BME groups. Family Days are generally conducted in the visits hall of the prison or in outdoor areas where these are available and weather permits. Family Days are characterised by more relaxed interaction and fewer restrictions than during regular social visits allowing prisoners to get up, interact and play with their children. Family Days are described in Prison Service Instruction 16/2011 ‘Providing Visits and Services to Visitors’ as a ‘vital opportunity…for shared[d] family time in a more normalised environment’.
Individuals in custody can apply for a Family Day through POPS’ Family Support Leads or through the application process via their Personal Officer (depending on the prison).
POPS currently deliver Family Days at the following prisons:
HMP Buckley Hall (Rochdale, Greater Manchester) HMP Fosse Way (Leicester, Leicestershire)
HMP Garth (Preston, Lancashire)
HMP Haverigg (Millom, Cumbria)
HMP & YOI Hindley (Wigan, Lancashire)
HMP Kirkham (Kirkham, Lancashire)
HMYOI Lancaster Farms (Lancaster, Lancashire)
HMP Liverpool (Liverpool, Merseyside)
HMP Manchester (Manchester, Greater Manchester)
HMP Preston (Preston, Lancashire)
HMP Risley (Warrington, Cheshire)
HMP Thorn Cross (Appleton Thorn, Cheshire)
HMP Wakefield (Wakefield, Yorkshire)
HMP Wymott (Preston, Lancashire)
Last updated 06/11/2023.