HMP Askham Grange: Families and significant others strategy

You can find visiting information and book a visit on the Askham Grange Prison main page.

Supporting family relationships at HMP Askham Grange

We are committed to helping women in our care stay connected with the people who matter most to them.

When we refer to families in this document, we mean a wide range of important relationships. This includes relatives, legal guardians, partners, close friends, or any significant person identified by the prisoner as their next of kin.

For care leavers, this may also include someone who provides statutory support services.

Research has shown that positive family relationships can play an important role in reducing reoffending and helping people successfully rebuild their lives after prison.

In 2017, a review by Lord Farmer highlighted the importance of maintaining family ties during imprisonment.

HMP Askham Grange has worked to put the recommendations from these reviews into practice.

We also consider recommendations from organisations such as HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), and the Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) survey to ensure we continue to improve our support for women and their families.

We recognise that imprisonment affects not only the individual in prison but also the people who care about them.

Family members and loved ones may worry about the person in prison and may be unsure how best to support them. They may need help understanding how to:

We know that families can play a vital role in helping people make positive changes and lead crime-free lives after release.

At the same time, we understand that not all family relationships are positive.