Information and research
APF provides information about and for prisoners' families as well as disseminating good practice and research findings about the effects of imprisonment on family life and reoffending. Our work is based on the evidence that imprisonment damages family life, can cause long-term harm to children of offenders and that positive relations between prisoners and their families is a key factor in reducing the risk of reoffending.
If you know of, are producing, or you are taking part in a piece of research that you think is relevant to APF's work, please let us know. Email us at info@actionpf.org.uk. Below you will find downloadable briefings and factsheets on a variety of subjects, reading suggestions for students, researchers and practitioners, and useful links.
More about Information and research
New study on the effects of parental imprisonment on boys' delinquent development and mental health
APF collaborates with Dr Joseph Murray at Institute of Cambridge on new research. Find out more .
APF Information for Children and Families
APF has carried out research and produced information booklets and storybooks specifically for the children and families of prisoners. We have recently produced two downloadable briefings for the families of serious and sex offenders. Go to the Family Zone to find out more.
Research
Find out more about forthcoming, current and past research on our research page.
Families on Trial
Prisoners' Families and Friends (PFFS) have produced a DVD called Families on Trial with five different true stories of families' experience of imprisonment. Go to the PFFS website to order a copy. Go to Families on Trial website to watch clips from the DVD.
Useful Links
Our links page contains web site addresses for many organisations and statutory bodies. Our Overseas Links page lists several international organisations which work with prisoners' families. You may also find the links below useful.
HM Prisons Inspectorate - you can download recent Inspection reports here
Prison Reform Trust - Download a copy of the Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile
London School of Economics - Mannheim Centre for Criminology
'APF seems to manage to combine the 'bigger picture' work, campaigns, etc. with a practical approach to implementing good practice'.
Factsheets and briefings
Research has found that maintaining family contact reduces the likelihood of reoffending and helps with finding employment and housing on release.
In recent years the number of prison visits has fallen despite an increasing prison population.