Information & News

Prisoners Abroad produces a number of reports and information leaflets covering a wide range of relevant topics. To print off copies of these please go to the following sections:

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Country Specific Information

Children affected by imprisonment

Christmas 2007

Prisoner poetry

Forms for Consular staff

Prisoners Abroad wins the Longford Prize

On Friday, 23rd November 2007, The Frank Longford Charitable Trust will award the prestigious Longford Prize to Prisoners Abroad for its 'determination, humanity and courage in the face of public indifference and hostility'.

The international charity, which works with British prisoners overseas, their families and returning prisoners, wins the overall award on the eve of its 30th anniversary.

The Longford trustees and director were impressed with all of the charity's work, but given the lack of statutory provision, they particularly noted its work with former prisoners on their return to the UK.

Many deported British citizens arrive back at Heathrow or Gatwick, sometimes with only the clothes they wore as they left prison, to immediate destitution and homelessness.

People often return to the UK, having left as children without a National Insurance number, without a passport or any identification. They are more likely to be met with blank stares from the local authority staff than any access to housing or income support.

Peter Stanford, The Longford Trust's director,

We are delighted to celebrate this charity and its staff, not only for its work with very vulnerable people but also its efforts on behalf of society. It tackles this work with determination, humanity and courage in the face of public indifference and hostility.

John Walters, the organisation's chair,

It is encouraging to receive such prestigious acknowledgement for the unpopular and hard work our staff tackle every day. We know that the support we give to former prisoners offers them a real hope for a crime-free future. Without our help to secure appropriate housing and income, our clients would be more likely to reoffend, simply to survive.

D's adoptive American father failed to complete his adoption process in the US and, when he finished his probation (non-prison) sentence for a cannabis offence, was deported to the UK when he was 25. On his arrival Prisoners Abroad tried to secure housing for him, who is registered blind, but despite his disability was turned down by the local council. Prisoners Abroad paid for a temporary hostel for him before helping him secure permanent accommodation.

I will never be able to go to my sisters' weddings, meet my new-born nieces and nephews or go to my parents' funerals. Without Prisoners Abroad I would have carried on being homeless without any money. I had already spent my first two weeks moving from pillar to post. I have had to build a life from scratch and with Prisoners Abroad's help I am now doing that.