In everyday conversations with young people, questions about arrest, court and prison often come out slowly, especially when the person involved is someone they love. What’s the Story? offers clear, age-aware information for teenagers trying to make sense of a parent, sibling or close relative being arrested, charged or sent to prison.
When a teenager has just seen a brother, parent or close relative arrested, finding clear words for what has happened can be difficult for everyone around them. The booklet follows Jenny’s story as her older brother Mike becomes involved with drugs, is arrested, goes through the pre-trial period and faces the possibility of prison.
Written for young people aged 12 to 16, it explains stages such as arrest, charge, bail and remand in straightforward language. Short definition boxes help with legal terms, while quotes from other young people show the mixed feelings that can come up, including worry, confusion, anger, shame, relief and uncertainty.
The visible contents show sections on Jenny’s Journey, Arrest, Waiting, In prison, Coming Home and where to go for help. Alongside the story, the booklet includes research-based points about the impact of imprisonment on families, including practical changes such as moving home, school disruption, money worries and media attention.
Parents, carers, social workers, teachers, youth workers and family support practitioners could use it to open a conversation with a teenager affected by imprisonment. It may be useful at home, in school pastoral support, in a youth session or before a prison visit, giving young people permission to ask questions without feeling blamed.
Practical suggestions are included, such as speaking to a trusted adult, confiding in a friend, remembering it is not the young person’s fault, and contacting ChildLine. The booklet was produced by Families Outside and is shaped around young people’s own experiences of having someone close to them in prison.
