The Princess of Wales visits prison

The Princess of Wales has visited HMP High Down Prison in Surrey to see how projects to help people overcome addictions support those in jail.

High Down is a men’s prison with around 1,100 inmates. During the visit, the princess heard about how prisoners and their families are being supported during their struggles with addiction. Kate observed how the Forward Trust , of which she is patron, works with those in the criminal justice system to help them get over these obstacles. This included walking through what a normal visit to the jail is like for the families from start to finish. Including the required security process to enter the grounds.

Prisoners shared with the princess how their journey with addiction began. They also discussed how the programmes provided by both the prison and charity are helping them. Some of these options include The Bridge, an intensive abstinence-based program. There is also Stepping Stones, an intervention program for those whose drug or alcohol use is at harmful or dependent levels. Then there is a third project to help prisoners – Family Ties. Through a series of workshops, prisoners learn how they can restore communication and trust with their loved ones.

Before she left, the Princess spent time in The Clink, a restaurant training prisoners in hospitality. She got a chance to speak with those who work with and volunteer for the charity in the hospital as we ll as hear how they have been supported and able to recover and manage their addictions.

Addiction was one of the first issues Kate began to advocate for after her 2011 marriage to Prince William. Since then, she has also focused on mental health and particularly, its impacts on young children. She became patron of The Forward Trust in June 2021 when the charity merged with Action on Addiction, one of her first patronages in 2012.

U.K. Addiction Awareness Week takes place from 28 October to 4 November. This year’s theme is the idea of “Everybody Knows Somebody.” It aims to stress that anyone can be impacted by addiction.