HMI Prisons publish a document titled Expectations which contains the criteria against which they inspect prisons. The latest (fifth) edition of the criteria for the inspection of prisons in the male estate was written July 2017 and since September 2017 it has been in use by inspectors.

Reports are normally published about 5 months after the inspections have taken place.

From the HMIP web site:

‘We are publishing Expectations exclusively online and hope that this more interactive and user-friendly format will increase its utility to those working in prisons. Each expectation area is presented alongside other relevant resources, good practice examples and short summaries of the relevant human rights standards.’

In terms of outcomes for the children and families of offenders, Expectations provides an invaluable resource for all workers.  It acts as a guide - setting out the standards that are expected, as well as a checklist to ensure that the required processes, activities and resources to support the families of offenders are in place.

Below are some examples of indicators taken from:

Rehabilitation and release planning - Children and families and contact with the outside world

Prisoners and their families can access interventions for improving parenting and relationship skills.

There are appropriately skilled family support workers who provide support to prisoners and their families. They develop individual plans as necessary, including for release.

Access to special/enhanced visits is not determined by incentives and earned privileges (IEP) status.

Prisoners receive advice on how to support their child through the experience of parental imprisonment.

There are effective systems to collect feedback from prisoners and visitors (including children) about their visits experience.

Expectations can be downloaded from here.