Prison Walkthrough - Arrival
- Can prisoners wear their own clothes?
- What will a thorough search involve?
- How will prisoners know that their property is safe?
- If the prisoner is concerned for their own safety at any point, will they be placed in secure accommodation?
- When can a prisoner contact their legal representative if they wish to appeal against their conviction / sentence?
- When can a prisoner contact their Solicitor to apply for bail if they are remanded to prison?
- Can family and friends find out where a prisoner is being held?
- Are there any organisations to help the families of prisoners?
- Can prisoners wear their own clothes?
- Will prisoners have to get their hair cut?
- How can prisoners let their family know where they are?
- If the prisoner is feeling worried about something who should they talk to?
- Are there any external organisations who can help?
- If the prisoner is feeling anxious or depressed who can they speak to?
- What do prisoners with drugs or alcohol addiction problems do?
- What kind of medication can I take into prison with me?
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Can prisoners wear their own clothes?
Women prisoners are encouraged to wear their own clothes. Male prisoners are usually issued with uniform clothing, depending on which level of the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme they are on. Remand prisoners are generally allowed to wear their own clothes.
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What will a thorough search involve?
A strip search will mean that the prisoner removes their clothes and is searched for drugs or weapons. This is carried out with as much respect as possible for an individual's dignity and privacy.
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How will prisoners know that their property is safe?
Property is kept locked away in an area that only prison officers have access to.
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If the prisoner is concerned for their own safety at any point, will they be placed in secure accommodation?
Some prisoners are kept in separate units away from the main area of the prison for their own protection or in the interests of good order or discipline within the prison. This can be for a number of social reasons, including convictions for sexual offences.
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When can a prisoner contact their legal representative if they wish to appeal against their conviction / sentence?
The prisoner should tell the officer when they first arrive in prison that they intend to appeal against their conviction or sentence.
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When can a prisoner contact their Solicitor to apply for bail if they are remanded to prison?
The Prisoner should give the name of their solicitor to the Prison Officer when they first arrive, letting the officer know that they would like to apply for bail.
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Can family and friends find out where a prisoner is being held?
If someone has just been remanded into custody or sentenced to imprisonment, relatives or friends can contact the court in which they were sentenced. If they have been in custody for a few weeks you can write to the Prisoner Location Service, PO Box 2152, Birmingham B15 1SD but you must give the following information:
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Full name and date of birth for prisoner
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Your relationship to them
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Why you want to make contact
The prisoner will be contacted and if they agree the location will be made known to you. This process will take 2-3 weeks and is only available via the post.
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Are there any organisations to help the families of prisoners?
The National Prisoners Families Helpline exists to provide the families and friends of prisoners with free and confidential information and support.
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Can prisoners wear their own clothes?
Women prisoners are encouraged to wear their own clothes. Male prisoners are usually issued with uniform clothing, depending on which level of the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme they are on. Remand prisoners are generally allowed to wear their own clothes.
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Will prisoners have to get their hair cut?
Prisoners’ hair will not be cut without their consent.
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How can prisoners let their family know where they are?
Prisoners will be allowed to send a letter, or make a phone call to let their family know where they are.
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If the prisoner is feeling worried about something who should they talk to?
Prisoners should talk to a prison officer about anything worrying them, especially the prison officers on their wing or unit or their personal officer. Prisoners trained as Listeners are available to help in some prisons. You could also talk to a member of the healthcare team or the multi faith chaplaincy team.
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Are there any external organisations who can help?
Samaritans works to support prisoners throughout the UK in two ways:
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Samaritan volunteers visit local prisons:
- Some branches operate visiting projects, where volunteers offer emotional support directly to prisoners face to face. Prisoners are welcome to contact Samaritans themselves in the normal ways.
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Prisoner Listener schemes:
- Volunteers from some branches go into prisons and select, train and support prisoners to listen to their fellow inmates. These Listeners befriend fellow prisoners in line with the values of Samaritans.
There are also a number of organisations offering help and support to Prisoners and their families. Visit our support page for links to relevant organisations.
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Samaritan volunteers visit local prisons:
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If the prisoner is feeling anxious or depressed who can they speak to?
Prisoners who are feeling anxious or depressed should talk to either a prison officer or to a member of the healthcare team. Prisoners trained as Listeners are available to help in some prisons. You could also talk to a member of the multi faith chaplaincy team.
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What do prisoners with drugs or alcohol addiction problems do?
Tell the healthcare workers who see them when they arrive. Treatment programmes are available in many prisons to help with these problems.
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What kind of medication can I take into prison with me?
On arrival the prisoner should let the prison officers know of any medication they have to take. They will not be able to keep medication in their possession. The prison doctor will prescribe medication. If the doctor approves any medication it will be given out by the healthcare centre.