PROBATION
INSIDER ACCESS
F or individuals that are struggling with drug or alcohol dependence and in contact with the criminal justice system, these interactions are often not a one-off. Without timely and effective support on release, the same pressures remain – and can lead to relapse, reoffending, and a return to custody.
Behind so many of these individuals is a family coping with the consequences. Relatives can provide vital stability, but often at significant emotional and practical cost. Their experiences will vary when it comes to having a loved one in prison. For some, imprisonment brings anxiety about their loved one’ s wellbeing – for others, it offers temporary relief, knowing their whereabouts
Families can play a vital role in helping to break the cycle of substance use and reoffending, says Robert Stebbings
and that they’ re accounted for. That relief is often short-lived, as release can bring renewed uncertainty and strain.
FAMILY-AWARE APPROACH Probation services are key to bridging custody and community, but their focus is typically on the individual. While this is understandable, it sometimes risks overlooking the constructive role families can play. Families are more than just bystanders in this process. They are often the first to notice signs of relapse, provide accommodation, support attendance at appointments, and offer encouragement. Yet they also experience financial strain, stress, and emotional overwhelm.
A more family-aware approach within probation could help create channels for relatives to be meaningfully involved and make the transition from prison to community more sustainable for both individuals and their families. One family member told us about her experience engaging with probation services, pointing to how draining the process can be.‘ I’ ve always made loads of phone calls to probation, to find out who the probation officer was, whether I’ m still his next of kin, to ask for his permission to let me know if he goes to prison again,’ she said.‘ I’ ve found it incredibly emotionally stressful. I used to think“ I’ ve got to make a phone call” – and I’ d have a couple of days being in a state about it before making the call. Then when I’ ve done it, there’ s all the fallout from that, just feeling emotionally exhausted and depressed. It takes a huge chunk out of you and your wellbeing.’
WHY IT MATTERS The importance of family connections in reducing reoffending has been highlighted before. The 2017 Farmer Review, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, concluded that strong family ties need to be‘ a golden thread’ running through the prison system and the agencies around it. It showed that when people in prison can maintain constructive relationships with their families, they are more likely to settle back into the community and less likely to return to crime. This reinforces the case for involving families in probation – not as an afterthought, but as a key stakeholder in the resettlement journey.
Increased government investment in probation is very welcome, particularly in expanding the workforce and its capacity to provide support.
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10 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • APRIL 2026 WWW. DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS. COM