At HMP Forest Bank we understand that having a loved one in custody can be a difficult time for families, especially when there are children to consider. The prison families team are dedicated to supporting both you and your loved one during their custodial sentence. 

What we do:
The families team offers a wide range of support, including practical advice, meaningful and effective support and interventions to maintain positive family ties. 

What to expect: 
Family pathway workers are friendly and experienced and have a genuine passion for providing a supportive and non-judgemental service. Whether it is reassurance, advice,  guidance, or more complex  requirements, the support offered is dependent on individual circumstances and tailored to meet individual needs.

How to access support:
Call 0161 925 7000 (ask for the families team)
Email: fbfamilies@sodexogov.co.uk 
Knock on the door of the families team offices (located in the visitor Centre and the back of the visits hall). 

Family Sessions and Interventions
For those wanting more family contact, the team also offer several family sessions (for all ages) designed to help build and / or maintain family ties. Family sessions are delivered in addition to a prisoner’s social visits allocation.

Prisoners can apply for family sessions internally. Alternatively, prisoners or their families can express their interest to a family pathway worker. 

The following sessions take place in either the families team room or in the visits hall: 

Baby Bonding: An opportunity to bond with your baby in the quieter families team room. For ages 0-11mths.
Family TV: A family session targeting children aged 4-17yrs old giving families the opportunity to watch TV together. 
Tots TV: A fun play session for children aged 1-4yrs. Prisoners are encouraged to engage in age-appropriate activities with their child. 
Games Session: For children aged 5-17yrs. We have a range of games consoles and board games for families to play.
Family Sports: Families are invited to attend a mini sports session in the visits hall and are encouraged to leave their tables and engage in a range of sports activities. Suitable for all ages. 
Story Book Dads: Prisoners record a bedtime story for their child (with sound effects and music added). There is no age limit in place, but we recommend this for younger children.
SWAPS: Enabling families to learn more about each other by completing fun activity sheets that are then ‘swapped’ with one another. Prisoners complete their sheets and then post copies out to family members. No age limit in place but more suitable for slightly older children. 
Family Days: We currently offer 4 x family days per year in the visits hall. We currently run a morning and an afternoon session and  encourage families to have fun and leave their table to engage in crafts and sports activities. A buffet, drinks and family photos are provided free of charge. 
(Please note this event that has an attendance criteria).