The Cost to Families of Imprisonment and Release debated in the Scottish Parliament
Yesterday, Tuesday 7th March 2023, saw Members of the Scottish Parliament engage in a Members’ debate led by Rona Mackay, SNP MSP, about the cost to families of imprisonment and release.
Opening the debate, Ms Mackay, gave a powerful account of the difficulties facing children and families affected by imprisonment describing the “adverse ripple effects” of imprisonment for families as “immense”. The opening speech highlighted the key findings of the ‘Paying the Price’ report, funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, launched by Families Outside last year which showed the devastating financial cost to families of supporting someone in prison and after release. In asking what more can be done to support children and families with these issues, Ms Mackay pointed to the “common sense” recommendations set forth by Families Outside including reducing the costs of imprisonment for families, improving access to funds and financial support for families, placing people in prisons close to their homes, and reducing the stigma facing families affected by imprisonment. In concluding her speech, Ms Mackay noted: “We have the evidence, prison wrecks families, it creates, sustains and deepens poverty amongst children and families. They are guilty of no crime and we must do everything we can to support them.”
Other Members raised important points in the debate highlighting the stark financial and emotional hardships facing children and families affected by imprisonment, and calling for action to be taken to address the significant impacts of imprisonment for children and families.
Particular contributions included that of Collette Stevenson, SNP MSP, who drew attention to the “shocking” statistic that an estimated 27,000 children are affected by parental imprisonment each year in Scotland – twice as many as experience a parent’s divorce; whilst Emma Harper, SNP MSP, brought to Members’ attention the hugely expensive costs of paying for snacks at prison visits noting that a chocolate bar costing £1 from the vending machine in the Scottish Parliament costs £2.50 at HMYOI Polmont, rightly questioning why are the prices in Parliament and the prices in prison so different? Both Audrey Nicoll, SNP MSP, and Michael Marra, Labour MSP, focused on the challenges facing families post release, highlighting the importance of planning for release and the need for quality throughcare support.
Concluding the debate, Minister for Community Safety, Elena Whitham, acknowledged the significant and often unseen impact imprisonment has on families, stating: “I would like to say to everyone out there today who has a family member in prison, we have heard your voices loud and clear.”
Families Outside looks forward to working with Members to take forward action to support families with the costs of imprisonment and release.
You can watch a recording of the debate on Scottish Parliament TV here.