Get involved Campaigns Country of the Month We highlight how breaking often lesser-known laws around the world can get you into trouble abroad. We focus on a country each month. Don't get caught out - have fun and be Travel Aware. June '20 Belgium Travel Advice According to Belgian law, you must have some form of identification with you at all times. Possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs are serious offences. Read travel advice in full. May '20 China Travel Advice There are extremely severe penalties for drugs offences in China, including the death penalty. The Chinese authorities undertake random drug testing on foreign nationals including on entry to the country. In addition, Chinese laws and procedures relating to the arrest and detention of suspects of crime are different from in the UK. Always read travel advice in full prior to travelling. April '20 South Korea Travel Advice Penalties for possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs can result in long jail sentences and heavy fines. This applies even to personal use of small amounts of marijuana. British nationals have been detained solely on the basis of drug tests. Carry some form of identification at all times and make sure your next-of-kin details have been entered into the back of your passport. Read full travel advice. March '20 Ireland Travel Advice Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of even small quantities can lead to a long term of imprisonment. Don’t offer to carry any items for anyone else when entering or leaving Ireland. Article Read Lucy's article about being Imprisoned in Ireland. February '20 Romania Travel Advice It is illegal to change money on the streets. You should change money only in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels. Even seemingly small things like this can get you into trouble when you are abroad. Always check the travel advice page for the country you are visiting. Article Read Esther's article about staying Risk-free in Romania. January '20 Switzerland Travel Advice It's always useful and worthwhile to check the laws of the country you are travelling to. Article Read Kiana's blog on How to Stay Safe in Switzerland. Lily tells us of what to mindful of when travelling to Switzerland. December '19 Jamaica Travel Advice All prison sentences are served in Jamaica. Prison conditions are harsh. There are penalties for all drug offences, including those involving Marajuana ('ganja'). Every year many British nationals are arrested for attempting to traffic ganja and other drugs. Read more detailed travel advice. Article You've been told - 'Don't be a Jerk in Jamaica' written by Isobel T Read about what it's like to be Jailed in Jamaica by Guyanne S November '19 Cambodia Travel Advice If you’re arrested and convicted of a crime in Cambodia you can expect a long prison sentence. Pre-trial detention can also last many months. The conditions in Cambodian prisons are extremely poor and overcrowded. This is not somewhere you want to get caught out. Ensure you are up to date with local laws and customs before you go. Article How to keep calm and calamity free in Cambodia - written by Kiana Salamian. Every wondered what life in a Cambodia prison is like? Read Guyannes article on captivity there. October '19 Peru Travel Advice Key advice from the Foreign office states: More than 10 British nationals are currently in prison in Peru, most of them for drugs offences. Drug smugglers face long terms of imprisonment and conditions in Peruvian prisons are unpleasant. Pack your luggage yourself and keep it with you at all times. Read what else you need to know. Article Why are hundreds of foreigners incarcerated in Peruvian Prisons? Read the article. September '19 Indonesia Travel Advice Don’t get involved with illegal drugs. Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs are serious offences in Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy and those caught face lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty, usually after a protracted and expensive legal process. British nationals have been caught and jailed for drug offences in Indonesia. Police often raid venues (particularly in Bali) known to be frequented by foreigners. Be sensible when travelling, read extensive advice. Article The land of paradise - tips for travelling in Indonesia by Naina Mangtani. August '19 Hungary Travel Advice Carry your passport at all times when in Hungary; you must be able to show some form of ID if requested. A photocopy is not acceptable. Hungarian laws on the possession and use of drugs are strict. Read more travel advice. Article Are you hungry for Hungary? Read about how to stay safe when you get there. July '19 - Cyprus Travel Advice Cyprus has a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy towards drugs. If you are caught with any type of narcotic you will receive either a prison sentence or a hefty fine. Interestingly, 41.5% of the prison population is comprised of foreign nationals. Read more about how to stay safe whilst travelling. Article The Prison Scene: how not to be behind bars in Cyprus. Read the blog by Kirsty Fitzpatrick. June '19 - Mauritius Travel Advice Punishments for drug smuggling can be severe. Trafficking and possession of any illegal drugs carry heavy sentences. Prosecutions take a year or more to come to court, with detention until the trial. Bail is not usually granted for drug-related crimes, regardless of the type of drug. Read more. Article Scott Angell writes about Trouble in Mauritius, and what you should look out for to stay safe. May '19 - Vietnam Travel Advice British nationals make over 280,000 visits to Vietnam every year. If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. The Vietnamese legal system is not well developed and the standard of prisons is very poor. You could be prevented from leaving the country for an unlimited period without being charged. Article Bethany McAtee on Holiday Ideas that are Illegal in Vietnam. April '19 - Japan Travel Advice Penalties for most offences tend to be more severe than in the UK. Detention, including for minor offences, is generally longer than in the UK and prison regimes in Japan are very strict. Check the Foreign Office website for more information. Article Read Bethany's tips for avoiding jail in Japan. Article Matthew Fallon explores: Avoiding trouble with the law and what to expect if you are detained in The Land of the Rising Sun March '19 - The Netherlands Travel Advice British nationals make more than 2 million visits to the Netherlands every year, half of whom are visiting Amsterdam. Most visits are trouble-free. But not all are. Read advice from the Foreign Office on what to be aware of when travelling overseas. NB: Additional information on all European countries due to Brexit - important reading to keep you in the loop before and after 29 March. Article Read Rhian's tips for how to stay within the laws in Amsterdam. February '19 - Italy Travel Advice Approximately 3 million British nationals visit Italy every year. Most visits are trouble-free but it is always sensible to be aware of any changes in the law or local customs when you leave the UK. Article Read Caitlin Bodfish's blog advising (with a humerous twist) 'how not to get arrested in Rome'. January '19 - Philippines Travel Advice Prison sentences in the Philippines are severe. The judicial system can result in long-term detention until a court hearing takes place. Detention facilities are far below UK standards. Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind. Penalties for importing and using illegal drugs are particularly severe. Read full travel advice on the foreign office website before you travel. Article Detainees sleep at Manila City Jail in Manila, Philippines, Oct 31, 2018. Misery and overcrowding are worse than ever in the Philippines’ pre-trial jails, with guards so outnumbered that gangs increasingly keep the peace. Blog Holidaying in the Philippines: what to know before you go. Ellie Collet writes about when a dream holiday could turn into trouble in paradise. December '18 - Thailand Travel Advice Check the local laws and customs prior to travelling to Thailand to make sure you stay safe. Article A local's guide to Bangkok: travel like a local with these top tips. Stay safe and aware no matter how you experience different places. Blog I'm on holiday, so anything goes - right?! - Matt Gray writes frankly about how to be aware of local laws and customs. November '18 - Poland Travel Advice Updates and information about the things you should be wary of before heading to Poland. Offences, punishments and conditions The drink driving limit is lower than it is in the UK, at 20 milligrams of alcohol to 100 millilitres of blood. You can be imprisoned for up to two years for this offence in Poland. Being drunk in public as well as jaywalking are also offences and these carry a fine. Prison conditions in Poland can vary, there have been reports of brutality used in prisons, with guards using excessive force when dealing with prisoners. Blog Thinking about A Winter Break in Warsaw? Megan Hart has some tips October '18 - Portugal Travel Advice Taking an Autumn break? Last summer sun? Portugal might be the place for you, but make sure you check out the Foreign Office website for travel advice before you go! Blog Read Lily Ross' blog about what to watch out for in Portugal. Lisbon is slowly becoming one of the most popular European cities for tourists, and there is no mystery as to why. Gaby Heaton outlines the little-known laws there so you don't get caught out! September '18 - Sri Lanka Travel Advice Read the travel advice on the Foreign Office website before travelling to Sri Lanka. August '18 - Denmark Travel Advice Denmark's local laws and customs section. Blog Read what Imogen Hill has to say about Denmark's cultural quirks and obscure laws. July '18 - Russia A popular country to visit this month due to the World Cup 2018. Travel Advice Russia travel advice. Article An article explaining that thousands of prisoners in Russia are to expect an early release under a new law that would count time spent awaiting trial towards a jail sentence. June '18 - France France is currently one of the most popular destinations for British travellers, with around 17 million Brits visiting the country each year. Travel Advice Local laws and customs in France. Blog France: five of the country's laws. Stories Kenisha tells us how one bad decision changed her life. May '18 - Egypt Travel Advice Read up on the local laws and customs before taking a trip. Blog Look after yourself in Egypt by Emily Abbott April '18 - India Travel Advice Find out what you should look out for before heading off to India. Blog Five important laws and customs to know if visiting India as a woman - read the blog by one of our student ambassadors. Stories 'I try to be the rainbow in someone else's cloud...as many people have been the rainbow smiling on my cloudy days' Jane writes from India. Stats We are currently supporting 18 people in India. Conditions in Indian prisons are often poor, which means there is a greater need for our survival grants which allow people to buy fresh food and clean water - essentials to stay alive and well. Have a look back at our month focusing on prisoners for our 40th anniversary, which outlines the grants we offer to British people detained in developing countries. March '18 - USA Blog US: The Complex and Varying Marijuana Laws in the United States - by Michaela Hernychova Statistics We are supporting 243 people in USA at the moment, this is 24.3% of our client group. Stories Desmond's story: he was deported from America in 2016, having been out of the country for three decades. Travel Advice USA foreign travel advice - read before you travel February '18 - Austria Blog Five tips from an Austrian - written by Zahra Rahman Visiting Austria - here's a head's up from Laura Williamson Travel Advice Travel Advice from the Foreign Office January '18 - New Zealand Blog By Emma Watkins on How to Travel in New Zealand, whilst staying #travelaware! December '17 - Germany Article An ever-increasing challenge of communicating with loved ones. Blog Five ways to act like a native in Germany by Rosie Wright Statistics - people we are supporting in Germany We currently have 32 British prisoners that we are supporting in Germany (making it 7th in terms of client numbers) In most countries, prisoners with drug offences are typically the largest group. In Germany, however, 38% of current prisoners are detained on fraud-related offences (half of these being detained for tax-related fraud). The longest sentence length of the people we are currently supporting is 15 years. The average sentence length for current British prisoners in Germany is 9 years This year, 9 detainees in Germany have received language learning materials to help them communicate in prison. Provision for healthcare for prisoners in Germany is generally good – although people who have no form of insurance are asked to cover part of the cost. Prisoners Abroad has only made one Medical Fund payment to a prisoner in Germany in the past 4 years. Link to the foreign office website Local laws and customs information November '17 - Australia Blog An Aussie's guide to the Ashes - read Beth's blog about travel to Australia this year Stories Mark's story 'the beautiful present' Foreign office advice Read the travel advice for Australia - updates on legality of e-cigarettes and updates on local laws and customs October '17 - United Arab Emirates Article #makememoriesnotmistakes - read one of our student ambassadors blogs about Dubai travel Foreign office advice This month UAE is the focus - read their travel advice. Stories A quote from David Haigh, who we supported when he was imprisoned in the UAE. “Without Prisoners Abroad I wouldn’t be here. They have saved my life. Prisoners Abroad was there for me when no-one else was.” Read more about David's story here. September '17 - Turkey Article In conjunction with World Tourism Day read our article about Turkey. Foreign office advice This month we're looking at Turkey - download the prisoner pack. Stories "The fact of knowing that there are people out there who have never met me but still care; people who do not sit in judgement or castigate; people who remind one that there is goodness in the world." MV - Turkey August '17 - Spain Article Spain! Read about the laws and what to watch out for when travelling there. Foreign office advice Our Travel Aware country of the month is Spain. Download the Foreign Office prisoner pack. July '17 - Greece Article July's country of the month is Greece - read about the things you may not have known about in relation to being travel aware! Foreign office advice Check out FCO travel - travel advice from the Foreign Office. You can download the Foreign Office's prisoner pack for our Travel Aware country. Stories “I would like to give appreciation for all your support … and especially for helping my family to visit. It was amazing to see them even if only for 20 minutes. In that time we could discuss your support and how it helped us to understand what we will be going through after my release. We believe that we couldn’t make it without your help and support. Thank you.” –A prisoner in Greece June '17 - Croatia Article Our Travel Aware country of the month is Croatia! Read our article about what to look out for if you're out there. Should you be arrested in Croatia, you can learn more about which steps to take next here. Foreign office advice Going to a festival in Croatia? Read FCO travel before you go. Prisoner Pack - The Foreign Office has published updated guidance for British prisoners in our Travel Aware country of the month Croatia. Blog Or check out student ambassador Olivia's blog about drugs at festivals. May '17 - Morocco Article Morocco Needs More Prisons to Accommodate Soaring Number of Inmates, Official Says. During an intervention at the Justice, Legislation and Human Rights Commission in the House of Councilors, Morocco’s upper house of the Parliament, Mohamed Saleh Tamek, the Delegate General of the Penitentiary and Reintegration Administration, revealed that the number of inmates in the country has exceeded 80,000 prisoners. Find out more. Article Travelling to Morocco can be an incredibly diverse and rewarding experience – although care should be taken to #TravelAware. Morocco – Diverse Natural Beauty, Cultural Attractions, and Unique Laws. Find out what to look out for in Morocco. Foreign office advice Read the foreign travel advice for Morocco This prisoner pack is given to a British citizen in prison in Morocco Stories In the words of a family member of a man detained in Morocco: ‘He left when his son was 3 months old, now his son has met him and is able to identify him as his dad… Our daughter is very close with her dad; this keeps me going knowing that once a year she will be able to see her father’. To read the story of Ray Cole, a Briton imprisoned in Morocco for homosexuality, click here. For more information and advice, read about Prisoners Abroad’s Travel Aware campaign.