How we help | British Prisoners Overseas

There are a number of ways that we assist British prisoners abroad.

Advice and information

Our Prisoner and Family Support team provides advice, information and support to British citizens in prison abroad and their families. We provide a personal, friendly and confidential service. Our caseworkers speak at least one European language and can often liaise with prison authorities and lawyers overseas. We work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and are often in contact with British Consulates overseas. We also provide information about transfer back to the UK and also have a number of briefing papers on different topics. We can also respond to other specific requests for information, where appropriate.

Funds for essential needs

We make grant payments to those prisoners we are in contact with if they receive little or no financial assistance from other sources.

• We send funds to prisoners in developing countries to help them pay for essential items such as food, clothing and bedding.

• We currently fund a vitamin programme for British prisoners in twelve countries where dietary supplements to prison food are essential for survival.

• We have an emergency medical fund to pay for essential medication or treatment, which is not provided by the prison.

Other services to prisoners

Books, magazines and educational courses and materials
We send magazines and books to British prisoners all over the world. In many cases, our supporters are able to donate magazine subscriptions, which are then sent directly to the prisoner. We can, sometimes with the assistance of other organisations, provide educational courses and art materials. For more information please contact DirectServices@prisonersabroad.org.uk.

Pen pal service
All British prisoners overseas are offered the opportunity to correspond with our pen pal volunteers or with other prisoners. All correspondence is forwarded via this office. For more information please contact our Direct Services team at DirectServices@prisonersabroad.org.uk.

Freepost envelopes
We provide international freepost envelopes. A British prisoner overseas may use these, either to write to us, or to forward mail to family and friends via our office.

Newsletter
We send a newsletter three times a year to everyone that we are in contact with which contains useful information, articles written by staff, prisoners and other relevant organisations. Past editions can be viewed on our Newsletters page.