We see evidence that people in #prison turn first to their families when they are in need. Investing in family support provides the right conditions for reoffending-free (re)integration on release and reduces the experience of poverty, stigma and exclusion of both the prisoner and their families. And all families matter, whatever the offense of their family member in prison. Yet, when mum or dad, a partner, son or daughter is sentenced to prison, those left behind often have no idea what support is available nor how to take this first step towards connecting with a local network. This is particularly true if contact with their family member in prison has broken down.

UpFamilies was presented as an inspiring practice to a high level forum of prison, probation and civil society representatives, organised by #UNODC in Central Asia, OSCE and USAID as part of global EU-UN (UNODC-UNCCT-UNCTED) initiative "Supporting the Management of Violent Extremist Prisoners #VEP and the Prevention of Radicalization to Violence in Prisons" in Kazakhstan. Thanks to Torben Adams for the opportunity!