The importance of family to our criminal justice system cannot be understated. And yet it all too often remains an afterthought.

While multiple governments have committed to harnessing the power of family to change lives in the system, researchers heard – from prison staff, police officers, frontline charities, and the families and children themselves – that these sound intentions have rarely translated into meaningful change on the ground.

This three year study of our criminal justice system adds the voices of prisoners and their families to the evidence base on family and meaningful employment, to inform policy and practice.

Published in March 2022 by the Centre for Social Justice.