A Long Stretch

This report, based on a consultation with 133 men and women between the age of 18 and 75, serving long prison sentences in 38 prisons in the UK, explores the impact that a range of relationships (and their absence) have on the lives of people serving long sentences. It examines how a range of factors support or hinder people’s ability to maintain, rebuild and develop supportive relationships whilst in prison; as well as sharing insights and potential solutions which can inform policy and practice.

This report forms part of PRT’s National Lottery Community Fund funded Building Futures programme that, since 2020, has been exploring the experiences of people serving long-term prison sentences. The programme has defined its long-term cohort to include those men that will spend 10 or more years in prison and eight years or more for women.