My family member got arrested – what happens now? Expand If your family member has been arrested, then they will be taken to the police station and will be asked questions to find out whether they broke the law. The police will look after them and will follow rules about how to interview them. They can get free help and advice at the police station. You won’t be able to visit your family member at the police station. After the interview, the police will need to decide if there is enough evidence to show that they broke the law – if they think that there is, then your family member will go to court. The court date could be the next day, or it could be some months away. Your family member usually will be able to come home whilst they wait to go to court, but there may be some rules that they have to follow. Sometimes they are not allowed to come home before going to court, and instead have to stay in prison until they go to court. If so, you will be able to visit them in prison.
My family member has to go to court – what happens here? Expand Your family member will first go to a “Magistrates Court”. There is no jury here – instead the case will usually be decided by 2 or 3 “magistrates”, who are trained volunteers. Sometimes it will be decided by one judge. Sometimes after the Magistrates Court, your family member may have to also go to the “Crown Court”. Here there is both a judge and a jury. The jury is made up of 12 ordinary people who will decide if they think your family member broke the law. If they decide that they did, then the judge will decide the punishment for this. If you are older than 14, you can go into the court room. If you are under 14, you are not normally allowed in, but sometimes the judge will allow it. If you go to court, you are not allowed to bring a camera in. Your mobile phone must be switched off and should not be used. You are also not allowed to bring food and drink into the court room.
What is prison like for my family member? Expand Your family member will follow a routine when in prison. They may spend their day working, where they can do things like gardening or painting. They may go to education where they can learn new skills and get qualifications. They also will have some time to relax, where they can go to the gym, watch TV and make phone calls.
Can I talk to my family member Expand Your family member will be able to call you on the phone when they have credit. There will usually be set times when your family member can use the telephone. Unfortunately, you cannot call your family member but in some prisons you will be able to leave a voicemail that they can pick up.
Can I visit my family member? Expand If you are under 16, you will need an adult to accompany you to prison. This adult does not have to be a relative. If you are aged 16-18, then you might be allowed to visit without an adult, but sometimes there are reasons why this is not allowed. If you do visit alone, you will need written permission from your parent/guardian.
What is visiting prison like? Expand Lots of prisons have a “Visitors Centre”, which is a building outside of the prison where you can go before your visit to have a break, and leave your things behind. You can’t take anything into the prison with you except for some loose change, so you will need to lock up your bag, mobile phone and other belongings. You will then go through security – this is just like security at an airport. You may have to wait a lot as visits can be quite busy and it can take a time to get through. When inside, you get into the Visits Hall, where you will be able to see your family member.
Want to know more? Expand If you have any other questions, call our helpline for free on 0808 808 3444 or email hearourvoice@prisonadvice.org.uk.