This article was originally published in the Drink and Drug News (DDN) April 2026 issue. You can access the issue in full via this link.
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For individuals that are struggling with drug or alcohol dependence and in contact with the criminal justice system, these interactions are often not a one-off. Without timely and effective support on release, the same pressures remain – and can lead to relapse, reoffending and a return to custody.
Behind so many of these individuals is a family coping with the consequences. Relatives can provide vital stability, but often at significant emotional and practical cost. Their experiences will vary when it comes to having a loved one in prison. For some, imprisonment brings anxiety about their loved one’s wellbeing – for others, it offers temporary relief, knowing their whereabouts and that they’re accounted for. That relief is often short-lived, as release can bring renewed uncertainty and strain.
Family-aware approach
Probation services are key to bridging custody and community, but their focus is typically on the individual. While this is understandable, it sometimes risks overlooking the constructive role families can play. Families are more than just bystanders in this process. They are often the first to notice signs of relapse, provide accommodation, support attendance at appointments, and offer encouragement. Yet they also experience financial strain, stress, and emotional overwhelm.
A more family-aware approach within probation could help create channels for relatives to be meaningfully involved and make the transition from prison to community more sustainable for both individuals and their families. one family told us about her experience engaging with probation services, pointing to how draining the process can be:
‘I’ve always made loads of phone calls to probation, to find out who the probation officer was, whether I’m still his next of kin, to ask for his permission to let me know if he goes to prison again’, she said. ‘I’ve found it incredibly emotionally stressful. I used to think “I’ve got to make a phone call” – and I’d have a couple of days being in a state about it before making the call. Then when I’ve done it, there’s all the fallout from that, just feeling emotionally exhausted and depressed. It takes a huge chunk out of you and your wellbeing.’
Why it matters
The importance of family connections in reducing reoffending has been highlighted before. The 2017 Farmer Review, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, concluded that strong family ties need to be ‘a golden thread’ running through the prison system and the agencies around it. It showed that when people in prison can maintain constructive relationships with their families, they are more likely to settle back into the community and less likely to return to crime. This reinforces the case for involving families in probation – not as an afterthought, but as a key stakeholder in the resettlement journey.
Increased government investment in probation is very welcome, particularly in expanding the workforce and its capacity to provide support. However, for individuals whose offending is driven by substance use, success often depends on what happens beyond formal supervision and compliance checks. It means connecting people to treatment, securing stable housing, and, where possible, rebuilding family relationships. Supporting families to set healthy boundaries when needed is also crucial, especially when the person’s behaviours puts them at risk. Understanding these dynamics could improve the effectiveness of probation interventions for both families and the individual.
Breaking the cycle
Reducing reoffending among individuals struggling with substance use is challenging, but there are opportunities to improve outcomes. This includes by strengthening links between probation, treatment providers, housing and family support services, by recognising and responding to the pressures faced by relatives and by giving them clear information and guidance. Across the justice system, the aim is clear – safer communities and fewer people trapped in cycles of crime. Families can play a crucial role in helping to achieve this, yes support for families in their own right is often overlooked. When they are informed, supported, and included, the chances of recovery increase.
While reoffending rates among people with drug or alcohol dependence remain stubbornly high, strengthening probation is a chance to change that. Not just by boosting workforce capacity and improving supervision, but by bringing families in from the very start and creating a more effective route to recovery. If we are serious about breaking the cycle of reoffending, families must be treated not as an afterthought, but as essential partners.
This article is based on the views and experiences of families Adfam has come into contact with as part of our work. If you’re part of a family experiencing the stress and uncertainty of someone’s time in custody, here are a few trusted organisations you can turn to for guidance and support:
- Adfam offers information and guidance for families affected by substance use. adfam.org.uk
- Prisoners’ Families Helpline (England and Wales) offers free, confidential emotional and practical support to families affected by imprisonment. prisonersfamilies.org
- Children Heard & Seen supports children and carers dealing with parental imprisonment through one-to-one work, peer groups, creative resources, and virtual sessions. childrenheardandseen.co.uk
- Nacro is a social justice charity offering advice, housing support, substance misuse recovery and resettlement services for ex-offenders and their families. www.nacro.org.uk