Working with other agencies

Prisoners Abroad works with a number of other agencies to ensure we deliver a high-quality service to those who most need it. These partnerships help us to ensure that other resources our service users can gain access to specialist help, expertise and resources that will have a positive impact on the lives of British prisoners.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

We have a close working relationship with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Their overseas consular staff inform all newly-arrested British Citizens about Prisoners Abroad and how we can help them during their incarceration. We are also a partner of the FCO’s Know Before You Go campaign, which seeks to educate and inform travellers about the potential risks whilst overseas, to ensure that fewer people are arrested in find themselves in difficulties whilst on holiday.

Since 2002, in partnership with the FCO, we have employed a human rights adviser. Natalie Wease is the current adviser. She advises both organisations on complex human rights issues, including the death penalty, prisoner rights and fair trial matters.

The Metropolitan Police

We work with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that ex-prisoners who may pose a risk to the public are supported in an appropriate manner. We do this with our service users’ consent and co-operation. When necessary, we attend meetings under the multi-agency public protection arrangements to discuss how best to ensure the safety of the individual and the public. Our aim is for the individual to resettle and have the opportunity to live a new life free of crime.

Heathrow Travelcare and Gatwick Travelcare

These voluntary organisations work with distressed people at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. When ex-prisoners arrive back in the UK they usually arrive at one of these two airports – and they will often arrive with nothing except the clothes on their backs. For those without family here, and who are unfamiliar with London, the experience can be very disorientating. In prison, they would have been told what to do and where to be for every minute of the day. On the outside, the total freedom and number of choices they have to make can be quite bewildering. We send them information beforehand, telling them to ask any airport official to point them towards the offices of Travelcare, where their social workers will reassure and advise them, and give the ex-prisoner directions to our office as well as money for the fare. Travelcare will also notify us to expect their arrival, so that when they do get here we are ready to welcome them and begin the resettlement process.

St Mungo's

St Mungo's mission is to house, support and care for vulnerable and excluded people who either have been, or are at risk of, sleeping rough and homelessness. Many ex-prisoners returning to the UK fit into this category, and can benefit from the support offered by St Mungo's. Where appropriate we will refer people to St Mungo's to continue the resettlement process.

Fair Trials International

Fair Trials International work with people who have had their fundamental rights abused and/or have suffered a miscarriage of justice in a outside their home country. This means that we are often supporting the same individuals, and often face similar challenges in our work.

Cross-Border Transfer Unit

The Cross-Border Transfer Unit of the Ministry of Justice is responsible for people who transfer to the UK prison system from an overseas jail. We liaise with them on behalf of any clients who wish to transfer to ensure that their application is dealt with as speedily and fairly as possible.