Familial impact of imprisonment and the community specialist practitioner

This paper examines the impact of imprisonment upon family members and illuminates the effects of imprisonment upon family health and wellbeing, the affect of shame and stigma and the lack of formal health and social welfare provision available to this distinct marginalised group. The dilemmas generated by the transition faced by families when someone receives a custodial sentence are significant and include physical and emotional loss, loss of social mobility and income stability, stigmatisation, stress and anxiety. The health visitor has a significant role to play in assessing and assisting families to acknowledge and meet the needs of this marginalised group within society. Research to inform practice is limited, and typically the research that is available is of poor quality, dated and has limited application to the UK. This paper provides a number of recommendations for community specialist practitioners and highlights the need for further research in this subject.