Prison Walkthrough - Keeping in touch

Frequently asked questions
 
  • When can a prisoner contact their legal representative if they wish to appeal against their conviction / sentence?
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    The prisoner should tell the officer when they first arrive in prison that they intend to appeal against their conviction or sentence. 

  • When can a prisoner contact their Solicitor to apply for bail if they are remanded to prison?
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    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. 

  • Can family and friends find out where a prisoner is being held?
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    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:

    • Full name and date of birth for prisoner
    • Your relationship to them
    • 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.

  • Are there any external organisations who can help?
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    Samaritans works to support prisoners throughout the UK in two ways:

    • 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.
    • 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.

  • Are there any organisations to help the families of prisoners?
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    The National Prisoners Families Helpline exists to provide the families and friends of prisoners with free and confidential information and support.

  • If the prisoner is feeling anxious or depressed who can they speak to?
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    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.

  • Can prisoners keep in contact with their friends and family by post?
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    The prisoner is entitled to one postage paid letter each week or two if they have not been convicted. Further stamps can be bought from the canteen. Extra free letters can be asked for in a number of circumstances e.g. if there are family problems or the prisoner is arranging a job on their release. Prisoners should check this with the Prison Officers who can answer questions about this. The prisoner will be allowed to buy one extra letter at Christmas and also up to 12 Christmas Cards and stamps from the Canteen.

    Letters being sent by the prisoner to their solicitor will not be read by Prison staff unless the prison thinks that these letters break the law in some way. Letters to solicitors can be sealed and the words Prison Rule 39A written on the envelope. This also applies to letters to Courts. 

  • If the prisoner is feeling worried about something who should they talk to?
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    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. 

  • Can prisoners keep in contact with their family by telephone?
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    Some prisons still use a phone card system but the majority are using a pin number system. Prisoners are given a unique number, which they key in when using the telephone to speak to family and friends. The cost of these phone calls is taken out of any money the prisoner earns working in prison. Prison Officers may listen to some conversations and some may be taped. 

  • How much visiting time is a prisoner allowed?
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    A convicted prisoner will be allowed at least two visits lasting one hour or more every four weeks. Un-convicted prisoners (commonly referred to as Remand Prisoners) are able to have three visits a week. Many prisons try to let the prisoner have more than this and most prisoners can earn extra visits under the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme. 

  • What is a visiting order?
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    This is a form sent by the prisoner and lists all the people coming to visit including children under the age of 10. There can be up to three adults (children aged 10 or over count as an adult) and they must visit at the same time. 

  • What should visitors do with the visiting order if they are unable to visit at that time?
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    Visitors who can't come should send the order back for the prisoner to re-use or save.

  • Is there any help available to visitors with the cost of travel to the prison?
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    The Assisted Prison Visits Scheme can help close relatives and partners of prisoners with the cost of travel. Full details are available in a pack which should be available from prisons and, local benefits offices. You can also apply directly to the Assisted Prison Visits Unit at:

    PO Box 2152
    Birmingham
    B15 1SD

    You can telephone on 0845 300 1423 or text phone on 0845 304 800.
    The help line is open between 10.15-11.45 and 14.15-15.45.

  • Can visitors give gifts to prisoners at visits?
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    Before bringing in any items for prisoners, visitors should check with the prison. Prisoners can not hand items to visitors without permission from the prison before the visit. Any visitors bringing drugs into the prison will be reported to the police.

  • What can visitors who are worried about a prisoner do?
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    If Visitors have concerns over the health of a prisoner they should tell a member of the prison staff. If the visitor cannot speak to one of the prison officers immediately then the visitor should contact the prison governor.

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