Visiting a parent in prison is hard for any child. The journey is long. The building is intimidating. The routine is unfamiliar. And the parent at the other end of the visits hall is not in the kitchen making tea — they are sitting at a numbered table in a uniform with an officer twenty feet away.
But the evidence is clear. Children who maintain regular contact with an imprisoned parent do better at school, settle better at home and recover faster from the trauma of separation. The prison estate knows this. Every public-sector prison in England and Wales runs some form of children's visit programme designed to make the experience as normal as possible.
This guide covers every type of children's visit available in 2026, how to prepare a child of any age, what to bring, what to expect, and how to keep the relationship strong between visits.
Types of Children's Visit
There are four main formats:
Not every prison runs every format. Family days and play visits are organised by the family services team or charity partners like Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust) or Barnardo's.
Standard Visits with Children
Children of any age can attend any standard visit if they are on the prisoner's approved visits list. Practical points:
The biggest challenge is keeping young children settled for 60–120 minutes in a controlled environment. Bring small quiet activities — a colouring book, a small toy approved by the visits team — but check in advance what is allowed inside the hall.
Family Days
Family days are the gold standard. They are usually held quarterly and run for 3–4 hours, often with food, planned activities, photo opportunities and a more relaxed atmosphere. The whole family eats together. Children play. Officers fade into the background.
Eligibility usually requires:
Booking is competitive — places fill within hours of release. Ask the prison's family services team how the booking system works at your specific establishment and get on the mailing list.
> **Insider tip:** A printed school photo and one of the child's drawings, sent in by post the week before a family day, gives the parent something to talk about and reference during the visit.
Play Visits
Play visits are usually for children under 10 and run as a separate session — typically a Saturday morning or weekday afternoon during school holidays. The format:
These visits are often the most emotionally rewarding and the easiest for young children to handle.
Preparing a Child for a Prison Visit
Preparation depends on age. The principle: tell the truth, in age-appropriate words, before the visit.
**Under 5:** Keep it simple. "We're going to see Daddy. He lives in a special building because he made a mistake. We have to follow some rules but it's still Daddy."
**Ages 5–10:** More detail. "Daddy is in prison, which is where people stay when they break the law. He's safe. We can see him today and have a hug at the start. Then we sit and talk and play."
**Ages 11–16:** Treat them as old enough to know the basics. Discuss the offence in simple terms if asked. Acknowledge it might feel weird. Let them ask questions.
**Teenagers:** Privacy and choice matter. Some teens want to visit alone with the parent. Ask what they want.
Books that help: "Visiting Daddy" and "Visiting Mummy" published by Pact, available free from many prison family services teams or directly from the charity.
What to Bring for a Child
Do not bring:
After the Visit
Children often need time to decompress. Common reactions:
Plan a calm activity for the rest of the visit day. Avoid loud or busy plans.
Keeping the Relationship Strong Between Visits
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children visit a parent in prison alone?
No. A child under 18 must be accompanied by an approved adult on the prisoner's visits list. Some local authority arrangements exist for older teens in care.
What age should a child first visit?
There is no minimum age. Babies can attend from a few weeks old. Use your judgement based on the child's temperament and how the parent will react.
Are family days free?
Yes. Standard visits and family days are free. The visits canteen sells refreshments at modest prices.
Can I take a baby to a high-security prison visit?
Yes, but expect a more thorough search of the changing bag and tighter rules on what you can bring inside.
What is Storybook Dads?
A charity that records imprisoned parents reading bedtime stories which are then sent home as CDs or digital files. Available in around 100 UK prisons.
Will the visit be cancelled if my child cries or is loud?
No. Visits halls expect children. Officers will only intervene if a child is in distress for a long period or behaviour disrupts other families.
Can older children speak to the parent in private?
Not usually during standard visits. Family days sometimes allow short one-to-one chats. Purple Visits video calls can be arranged with just one child on camera.
*Last updated: April 2026.*