New reports reveal the hidden toll of long-term prison sentences on families
Two new reports published today by the Prison Reform Trust’s Building Futures programme reveal the profound and often overlooked impact of long-term imprisonment on families and loved ones – both in England and Wales and in Scotland.
Building on previous work by the Building Futures programme on maintaining relationships through a long sentence1A Long Stretch, the reports both draw on in-depth consultations with families, practitioners and partners.
The reports reveal the emotional, financial and social toll of sentences which stretch over decades:
- The Long Stretch 2, written in partnership with Ruth Woolsey, examines the emotional impact of long-term imprisonment on loved ones in England and Wales.
- ‘The Lang Whang’ (The Long Journey), conducted in partnership with Families Outside and authored by Chloe Hampton, Professor Nancy Loucks and Karen Armstrong, investigates the hidden impact of Scotland’s longest prison sentences.
While the legal and policy contexts differ, the experiences of those who participated in consultations across the two reports share many similarities: feelings of grief and anxiety described as a ‘living bereavement’, stigma and isolation, and the challenge of navigating complex prison system.
In both reports, participants also described enduring emotional strain often compounded by practical burdens such as prohibitive travel costs and inconsistent information. Loved ones of those serving very long sentences also spoke of feeling dismissed or judged, and of the urgent need for empathy and trauma-informed practice from all agencies involved.
Key recommendations
The reports call for coordinated action from key agencies to embed support for loved ones into policy and practice:
- A ‘Farmer refresh’ in England and Wales to review progress since the original Farmer Review, to address the needs of long-term prisoners and their families.
- Consistent, accountable practices across the Scottish prison estate, with full implementation of the Scottish Prison Service Family and Parenting Strategy.
- Across both jurisdictions, greater investment in emotional and practical support services, including therapeutic counselling and clear, accessible information for families.
Both reports stress the need for recognition, inclusion and a culture which treats families as partners in progress.
Commenting on the reports, Claudia Vince, Director of the Building Futures programme on long-term imprisonment, said:
“These reports shine a light on the hidden cost of long prison sentences – not just for those serving them, but for loved ones who live with the consequences every day.
“If we are serious about rehabilitation, we must act now: revisit the Farmer principles, embed empathy and consistency across the system, and ensure families are treated with dignity and respect. Supporting families is not an optional extra – it is fundamental to building safer communities.”
The Long Stretch 2: The emotional impact of long-term imprisonment on loved ones
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