Social care behind bars

Social care and social work are too often absent from the UK's prisons despite an abundantly obvious level of need. And because of cost restrictions, political considerations and prison culture, which gives security the highest level of priority, this is unlikely to change in the near future. Yet social workers are making a vital contribution to the lives of offenders, ex-offenders and their families, which this special report sets out to reflect. Posted 2 August 2011

'Poor' care in prisons
40% of prison governors say that social care in their prison is poor or below average. Community Care investigates.

Slideshow

The state of social care in prisons in pictures.

Social workers in YOIs
The use of social workers by young offender institutions is increasing. We investigate the work they do at YOIs.

Social care in prison
Despite the overall lack of social care in the UK's prisons, which damages the life chances of prisoners after release, there are pockets of good practice.

The Bill that means higher caseloads
The Legal Aid and Sentencing Bill will increase the looked-after child population and also introduces some 'perverse incentives' for councils looking to cut costs.

Skills and qualities
What are the skills and attributes required by social workers who practise with prisoners and ex-prisoners?

Prison visits
How social workers should plan and carry out prison visits, understanding the prison culture, establishing proper communication channels with staff and remaining safe.

Island leads the way
The Isle of Wight is keen to use more social workers to support prisoners in its three prisons.

Women in prison
Juliet Lyon on why, so often, imprisoning women is the wrong, most damaging and costly option for courts.

Mental health services
How social workers can help reduce reoffending rates among and improve the lives of prisoners with mental health issues who misuse substances.

Families affected by imprisonment
How social workers have a vital role to play in ensuring families remain together when a parent is in prison – a role that can reduce reoffending rates.

Youth Justice cuts
Former Youth Justice Board chair Rod Morgan on why cutbacks in youth justice could have some positve results.

Social work in secure settings
A head of social work at a low secure hospital on why social workers play such a vital role in upholding the rights of residents of secure settings.