around 200,000 children in England and Wales have a parent sent to prison each year. Once inside, families often struggle to maintain relationships due to distance, cost and limited visiting opportunities. Around 70% of people lose contact with friends and family when a loved one goes to prison. Yet prisoners who maintain family ties are 39% less likely to reoffend. Women leaving prison also face significant barriers to employment, with only 4% securing work within six weeks of release.

We run National Prison Radio and the Family and Friends Request Show, a weekly programme that helps people in prison stay connected with their loved ones through messages, song requests and voice notes. It provides a trusted, accessible way to maintain family relationships despite barriers to visiting. The show is produced and presented by women with lived experience of prison and creates paid training and employment opportunities in broadcasting for women leaving HMP Styal.