How should I introduce Prisoners Abroad at a first consular visit? Expand At a first consular visit, a prisoner is likely to have a lot of questions and expectations. They might be very emotional and find it difficult to take in lots of new information. It isn’t always easy to explain all the support that is out there, and who can help with what. The important things to stress are that we are a welfare charity, we are confidential and we are independent from government, including the FCO. Like consular officers, we are non-judgemental. We might be able to help prisoners with essential funding, reading materials, international freepost envelopes and translations, as well as providing support to their families. The support that Prisoners Abroad offers varies from country to country. If you are unclear about how Prisoners Abroad works with detained British citizens in a particular country, please contact us at cases@prisonersabroad.org.uk
What if a prisoner does not want to sign up for Prisoners Abroad support? Expand Prisoners Abroad is a voluntary organisation so no-one is obliged to sign up if they don’t want to. However, we do ask that you make it clear to a prisoner that, if they do not sign up, neither they nor their family will be able to get support. Additionally, the prisoner will not be eligible for help resettling in the UK if they have not signed up prior to their return to the UK.
Can the families of prisoners get help too? Expand We have a range of family support services and are in touch with nearly 2,000 people every year who know someone in prison abroad. We have a helpline number 0808 172 0098 that is free to call from the UK. Where the FCO can provide information and updates, Prisoners Abroad can spend more time providing emotional support and updates. If you are in touch with a family member who may need a listening ear, then please do tell them about us and encourage them to get in touch.
What financial assistance is available to prisoners? Expand In developing countries, Prisoners Abroad may be able to offer our Craig Feehan Fund (CFF), which is a small grant to help prisoners buy basic essentials. Amounts vary slightly from country to country and funds are sent quarterly through the FCO. We can only send CFF funds if the prisoner is not receiving regular financial assistance from friends or family. In approximately fifteen developing countries where prison conditions are among the most challenging, Prisoners Abroad may also be able to provide funds for vitamins. This is a separate grant from the CFF funding and consular staff use the funds to buy vitamins to take into the prison. Our medical fund is available to prisoners in any country in the world. However, we can only pay for treatment if the prison authorities do not pay for the required treatment or medication and the prisoner’s friends and family are not in a position to help financially.
When should I contact Prisoners Abroad? Expand It is likely you will need to contact Prisoners Abroad after your first consular visit to send the prisoner’s forms. It is also important to contact Prisoners Abroad if the prisoner is moved to a different prison, released from prison, bailed or transferred to a UK prison. If the FCO doesn't advise us when a prisoner’s circumstances change, then we may not find out for many months. This can result in wasted funds on postage. Likewise, if their health situation changes, or they need funding for medication, please let us know. Lastly, if a prisoner may be coming up for release in the next few months please keep us informed. We can send them information about resettlement and returning to the UK so they have time to plan for this.
What is the best way to contact Prisoners Abroad? Expand Prisoners Abroad works closely with the FCO so we have a dedicated email address for FCO staff: cases@prisonersabroad.org.uk. You can contact us here at any time with general questions, forms for new prisoners, or updates. Alternatively, you can phone us during office hours on 020 7561 6820.
Am I able to visit the Prisoners Abroad office in London? Expand Yes! We encourage consular staff to visit our offices to get a more in-depth introduction to all areas of our work. Please contact us a few weeks in advance to arrange the meeting with one or two of the caseworkers.
Is there a minimum amount of time that a prisoner has to be registered before they are deported, in order to receive help with resettlement? Expand We don’t give an absolute cut-off point for signing up, and we consider each case individually. But the general rule is to get the authorisation form and resettlement needs assessment forms to us as early as possible. We may not be able to provide a full resettlement service to those who have signed up at the very last minute, or whose needs suggest they would be better helped by more specialist organisations.