PRESS RELEASE

Prisoners Abroad is thrilled to have received funding from the Sir Halley Stewart Trust to deliver a new project: ‘Mental health support after imprisonment abroad’.

Over the next two years, we hope to improve the mental health and wellbeing of this often-excluded group of people, enabling them to navigate their resettlement in the UK successfully. We know that people face complex emotional and psychological challenges due to trauma, loss, social exclusion and the impact of deportation, which can feel challenging to overcome without the tailored support offered by our resettlement service.

When I arrived at the airport, I knew no-one and had one small bag containing all of my possessions. Having someone to contact was invaluable, just someone to initially talk to who knew my situation was really, really, important. I'm not sure I would still be here if I had not had the support of Prisoners Abroad. They have always been there for me and provided great support when I have needed it. 

– Someone deported from Australia after release

A lot of people were not fighting for me, but Prisoners Abroad were. I’m now in a nice place and I feel like a human again. I know that Prisoners Abroad are there if I need them, which is a relief. It would have been rough without them and I probably would have ended up back in jail. I finally feel safe, and I’m trying to make something of myself and give back to society too.

– Someone deported from the USA after release

As part of the project, we will offer trauma-informed 1:1 and group counselling for people returning to the UK after imprisonment overseas, delivered by a qualified counsellor consultant. They will shape the project alongside our current resettlement team, including referrals to mental health services where further clinical support is required.

Director of Resettlement Support, Charlotte Flinterman, says:

This project represents a chance for us to develop our resettlement support in response to the acute needs of the people we exist for. We know that in order to reintegrate into society after a prison sentence abroad, people need the ability to process their experiences in a safe environment with the support of professionals who can provide them the tools to navigate the unique situation in which they find themselves.

We are thankful to the trustees of the Sir Halley Stewart Trust for their support with this project.

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To find out more information on the counsellor role, please view the consultancy information pack. The deadline for submissions of interest is 10am on Friday 17th July 2026.

Self-employed consultancy - Counsellor 

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Learn more about our advocacy work:

A right to support when returning to the UK

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