Bedford Row Family Project: Holding the Suffering Summary Report

Abstract

The services provided by the BRFP embrace an ecological perspective (Bronfenbrenner 1979) in that they see each person, not as an isolated individual but as a member of a family and of the wider community. Consequently, the BRFP seeks to offer a comprehensive range of supports not only to the person who is/was imprisoned but also to his/her family. This family orientation approach recognises the importance of supporting the family unit, and seeks to support family relationships and to prevent recidivism by nurturing connections, by ‘keeping the family together’ and ultimately by increasing the likelihood that the person in prison will engage.