Court Is your loved one going to court? Expand Appearing in court can be stressful and confusing – for victims, defendants, witnesses, and for all of their families. Our volunteers are based in courts and can provide practical and emotional support in a number of ways. To find out more please click here.
Sentencing Find out more about how sentences are calculated. Expand Is the sentence given in court the time they will serve in prison? The sentence expiry date (the date on which it ends) is calculated from the date the sentence is given. All custodial sentences (apart from life sentences) include time served in prison and time served in the community, so the person will not be in prison for the whole of the sentence. Types of prison sentences Determinate prison sentences - fixed length of time Suspended prison sentences Concurrent and consecutive sentences Indeterminate prison sentences - no fixed length of time Life sentences Sentences for young people How much time will they spend in prison? For offences committed after April 4 2005 the prisoner will be released at the halfway mark of their sentence regardless of its length and is on license until the sentence expiry date, unless they have received: A life sentence. Indeterminate sentence for public protection. Extended sentence for public protection. What else might effect the amount of time served in prison? Time spent on remand may be deducted from the time spent in prison but time spent in police custody will not. If a prisoner breaks prison rules they may receive additional days in prison, meaning that their release or parole eligibility will be put back. Where will my loved one go? If their court appearance was in the past few days, you can ring the court and ask to speak to the cells, who will be able to tell you which prison they went to. If you are trying to trace a prisoner who has been in prison for some time, or someone who has been transferred to another prison, you can contact the Prisoner Location Service. They will only take queries in writing or by e-mail. It takes about 2 weeks as the Prisoner Location Service will check that the prisoner is happy for you to know where they are before they reply. Email: [email protected] Or Write to: Prisoner Location Service PO Box 17594 Birmingham B2 2QP You must include: your name, or the organisation you represent your date of birth your address including postcode name of the person you want to find the reason you want to find them - for example you’re their solicitor, or a family member any other names they may have used their date of birth To find out more about sentencing please click here.
Visiting prison Want to know more about visiting a loved one in prison? Expand Book your visit Online: Visit https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits Phone: Contact the prison directly How do I arrange a visit? Visiting procedures vary from prison to prison and whether the person you are visiting is on remand or is a convicted prisoner. To find out what the procedures are for a particular prison you can: Contact our helpline on 0808 808 3444 Visit the Inside Time website Phone the prison directly Call or email the prisons' visitors' centre if it has one Difficulty booking a visit over the phone? You may experience some difficulty booking a visit over the phone, and there can often be long waiting times, usually due to staff shortages and/or high demand. You can keep trying to reach the booking team, or you can try contacting the switchboard or visitors' centre - they may be able to tell you what the issue is and how long it is likely to last, but they will not be able to book a visit for you. Some prisons allow you to book your next visit while you are there or book by e-mail. Can I take children? Yes, children can be taken to visit someone in prison, unless the prisoner has been convicted of a child sex offence. In these cases, special rules apply. Some prisons have play areas within the visits hall, with toys and games and play workers which can help make the visit less scary. Some prisons may require ID for children as well as adults - you can check this by calling the visitors' centre or prison directly. Can I get help with the cost of visiting? If you are on a low income or receive benefits you may be entitled to financial assistance for the cost of visiting your relative in prison. Help is provided by the Assisted Prison Visits Unit (APVU). Click here for more information. What do I need to bring? When you visit a prisoner all visitors will need to have personal identification. Ideally this will be a passport or photo-driving licence.If you do not have these you can download a list of acceptable alternatives. Banned items Do not attempt to bring any of the following into prison during your visit: illegal drugs alcohol weapons a camera a mobile phone indecent or obscene material material that threatens the security of the prison material that is written in code If you are unsure what you can bring, contact the prison directly. Reception Visits When prisoners first arrive into the prison, they often make a telephone call to family or friends to let them know where they are. This should happen within the first 24 hours (though this is not always possible, see Staying In Touch section below for more info). Prisoners in a category B prison (or a prison that accepts prisoners going into custody for the first time either on remand or after sentencing) are entitled to a visit within the first 72 hours of their arrival - this is known as a reception visit, and it does not require a Visiting Order. It is the duty of the prison staff to inform all prisoners of this entitlement. A prisoner will not appear or be processed on the prison system until the first working day following a court appearance. Therefore, this is the earliest that someone will be able to book a visit. All visits need to be booked 24-48 hours in advance. Visitors should clearly state when they are booking that it is a reception visit. Can I give the prisoner money? You can send the prisoner money in the form of a postal order but you cannot give it to them during a visit. See more details in the Property and Money in Prison section below.
Categorisation Find out more about the different categories of prisoner and what they mean. Expand What is categorisation? All adult male prisoners are assigned one of four categories based on the likelihood of escape and the risk to the public if they did escape. They are: Category A: prisoners who would be highly dangerous to the public if they were to escape. Category B: prisoners for whom the highest security conditions are not necessary but for whom escape needs to be made difficult. Category C: prisoners who cannot be trusted in open conditions but who are unlikely to attempt to escape. Category D: prisoners who live in open conditions and who are trusted not to try to escape. What about women prisoners and young offenders? Unless they are category A, they are not subject to formal security categories, but are classified as suitable for open conditions or closed conditions. Are remand prisoners categorised? Unless they meet the criteria of category A, remand prisoners are not categorised, they are usually treated as category B. Unconvicted women and young people will be held in a closed prison. Once someone has been assigned a category does it remain the same throughout their sentence? Prisoners serving 12 months or more will have their category reviewed on a regular basis, usually every 3-6 months. If they are deemed less likely to attempt to escape and/or less risk their category may be changed to a lower one. The category can also be raised if a prisoner attempts to escape or their behaviour suggests that they pose more of a risk. Prisoners are often moved to a lower category as their release date approaches, as time in an open prison can help with readjustment for release. Can the prisoner appeal to have their category changed? It is not easy to appeal against categorisation. Prisoners are not told the reasons for their classifications and there is no formal appeal procedure. If the correct procedure was not followed or the decision is legally irrational then it is possible to challenge in the High Court. How does the security category affect the prisoners' sentence? The category determines where a prisoner will serve their sentence. The lower the category, the more freedom they will be allowed. Security will be much tighter in category A prisons, with visitors and mail being subject to more stringent checks.
Self-harm and suicide Are you worried about your loved one in prison and concerned that they may be at risk of self-harm or suicide? Expand If you have serious concerns about a prisoner who has expressed suicidal feelings or threatened to harm themselves in any way, please voice your concerns immediately. You can contact the prison and ask for the Duty Governor or Safer Custody department, and tell him or her about the issue. The switchboard should not refuse to put you through to the Duty Governor if you tell them a prisoner is suicidal, self harming or in physical danger. You can also contact the Prisoners' Families Helpline (0808 808 2003) and our volunteers will be able to get directly in touch with the prison. Will the prisoner be punished? No. If the prisoner is deemed to be at risk of suicide or self-harm the prison will ensure that they are correctly supported and monitored until they are no longer considered to be at risk. What help is available in prison? Prisoners can approach officers on the wing with problems or concerns - if the prison assigns personal officers, that would be the person to speak to in the first instance. If the prisoners prefer to talk to another inmate, many prisons have Listeners who are trained and supported by the Samaritans who will listen to them in confidence and who are available 24 hours a day. Who else can they talk to? Members of the Board of Visitors will visit the prison frequently and the prisoner can request to see one. Most prisons have a direct telephone link to the Samaritans and this can be accessed any time. They can also speak with one of the prison Chaplains.
Staying in touch Find out more about the ways you can stay in touch with your loved one in prison. Expand Letters You can contact a prisoner by writing to them. Normally there is no limit on the number of letters you can send. Most letters sent to and from prison are checked by prison staff. Prisons can’t open letters from solicitors and courts except in special cases, for example if they suspect a letter isn’t really from a legal adviser. You can complain to the prison if you think your letters are being read when they shouldn’t be, or if your letters aren’t reaching the prisoner. Telephone calls The prisoner has to call you using a prison phone. Prison staff can listen to and record most types of call. Some calls aren’t monitored, for example when a prisoner calls a legal adviser. - New arrivals The prison should allow new arrivals the opportunity to make a telephone call when they arrive to let their families know where they are. This may not happen if they arrive late in the evening or if the reception process takes a long time. Prisoners are not allowed mobile phones, so please bear in mind that if they have not written down or memorised their stored phone numbers, they may not be able to get in touch. Once in prison, the prisoner has to pay for telephone calls, so they will not be able to call until they have money in their account. Prisons operate a PIN system for the telephones which may take a few days to set up so this can cause a delay in them making contact. There may also be specific times of day when prisoners are able to use the phone, and they may have to queue. Email You cannot email prisoners directly, but some prisons use a service called Email a Prisoner. If you send a message this way, it will be printed out and delivered by prison staff. Each email costs 35p and you need to buy credit to use the service. In some prisons, prisoners can also reply through Email a Prisoner. Contact the prison to find out if they allow this. Secure Video Calls Some prisons offer a secure video call service called Prison Video. You will need to use the Prison Video app on your phone or tablet device to have a video call with someone in prison. The Prison Video app is available to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (or equivalent app stores outside the UK). HMPPS has produced a user guide and a list of frequently asked questions that will give you all the information you need to start using Prison Video. You can find this at https://www.prisonersfamilies.org/change-of-video-call-service Only people aged 18 or over can register for an account with Prison Video. Social Media Prisoners are not allowed to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter whilst in prison. Urgent messages Prison chaplains can usually pass on urgent messages, especially about things that could be upsetting for the prisoner such as a death in the family.
Property and money in prison Find out more about sending money and property to prison. Expand How do I send money to a prisoner? You can send a cheque or postal order and write the prisoners' name and prison number on the back. Most prisons have their own bank accounts an ask for cheques/postal orders to be made payable to 'HM Prison Service' or 'The Governor'. Call the prison directly beforehand to check which system they use. The money will be transferred into the prisoners' personal account. The amount of spending money the prisoner is allowed each week will depend on whether they are on remand or convicted, and the privilege level they are on. How can a prisoner get money to buy food in the canteen? Prisoners taking part in work or education are paid a weekly amount which varies according to the job or course they are doing. This, any money that they had with them on arrival to prison, and money they have been sent by family and friends, is held by the prison in a personal account. The amount they can spend weekly varies according to their privilege and if they are convicted or on remand. The standard weekly allowance for a convicted prisoner is £15. If the prisoner is transferred to another prison will their money and property go with them? Yes. This will be transferred to their account within a day or so. Will the prison provide clothes and toiletries? Yes. If there is no requirement to wear a prison uniform and the prisoner does not have suitable clothes, the prison is obliged to provide enough clean clothes in reasonable condition. This includes underwear and socks, as well as basic toiletries. Many prisons will provide this as part of a reception pack. It will also be possible to buy more from the prison shop or canteen. How much property is someone allowed to keep? Prisoners are usually allowed to keep about six cubic feet of property (two large boxes) plus one outsize item such as a sound system. A small number of prisons allow people serving long sentences to keep pet birds. There are some restrictions on property depending on the prison, e.g. glass picture frames and certain radios may be prohibited.
Transfers Find out what happens when your loved one is transferred to a different prison. Expand Prisoners may be transferred from one prison to another for a number of reasons. For example: Their security category has changed So that they can serve the final weeks of their sentence in a prison nearer their home The prisoners' sentence plan requires them to complete a course which is not available at the prison they are in They are behaving in a disruptive way Category A prisoners are routinely moved from time to time for security reasons For their own safety if they are being bullied If their main visitor has a medical problem making visits impossible Does a prisoner have a legal right to be transferred to a different prison if they wish? No. Usually, it is up to the Governor whether they are transferred, except for Category A prisoners or people serving a life sentence, in which case Prison Headquarters makes the decision. However, although there is no legal right, the Prison Service does have a location policy stating that contact between a prisoner and his/her family should be encouraged and that harmful effects of being removed from normal life are minimised. The prison also has an obligation to take reasonable steps to keep a prisoner safe, which may include a transfer if they are being bullied. How does a prisoner get a transfer? Prisoners can request a transfer through the request/complaints system, or on a special form provided by the prison for requesting transfers. Transfers will normally only be considered after the prisoner has served a few months at the prison they wish to leave. The time a transfer can take varies from prison to prison and circumstance. What if the request is refused? Transfers are not automatically granted and can be refused. If it is refused the prisoner can appeal through the requests/complaints system and is entitled to a response from the Prison Service Headquarters within 6 weeks. If they are still not satisfied they can write in confidence to the Prisons Ombudsman, but this must be done within a month of receiving the reply from the Prison Service Headquarters. Temporary Transfers It is possible for a prisoner who has been held a long way from home to save up visits for 6 months and apply for a temporary transfer to a local prison, usually for 28 days. Subject to the rules and visiting times of the local prison, the accumulated visits can be taken during that time. As with a permanent transfer, the prisoner must make the request and it is at the Governors' discretion. Can a prisoner be moved without the family's knowledge? A prisoner who is being transferred is entitled to send one free special letter to someone who vists them. They may, at the Governor's discretion, be allowed more than one letter and/or an extra telephone call. If there is not enough time to write or phone, which may be the case for Category A prisoners, they can leave details of people who need to know with the prison and they will inform them. If you have not been informed and you do not know where they are, you can contact the Allocations Unit of the prison, or write to the Prisoner Location Service, PO Box 2152, Birmingham B15 1SD. Provided the prisoner is happy for you to know where they are, they will be able to let you know within 3-4 weeks. What if I've come to visit and they are not there? If you have paid for your journey and arrived to find that your loved one has been transferred you can claim back your travel costs from the prison. If you paid for your journey with help from the Assisted Prison Visits Unit (APVU) then the prison will give you a note to send to them to claim for a visit to the new prison.
Drugs Want to know more about what treatment is available for drug addiction in prison? Or are you concerned that your loved one is using drugs? Expand Do prisoners get help for drug problems while they are in prison? Every prison offers some support for people with drug problems. Some prisons have their own rehabilitation programmes. Under certain circumstances prisoners may be transferred to another prison if the treatment they need is not available where they are. What is a CARAT Team? The Prison Service has set up CARAT teams which offer help to every prisoner who is identified as having a drug problem. Each prison has a designated CARAT team. CARAT stands for: Counselling: someone to talk to Assessment: making sure thetreatment they are offered is appropriate Referral: arranging for aprisoner to get help from other serviceswhen necessary Advice: making sure theyhave clear information about drug use andthe treatments available Throughcare: planning for support on release Will the prison know if someone has a drug problem? Every prisoner is seen by a doctor or nurse when they first arrive at prison, and they will hopefully pick up on any health issues the prisoner has at that time. They will usually be aware of the symptoms of withdrawal, for example, and common health problems associated with drug use. The prisoner also has a chance to raise any health concerns they may have. The prisoner may also have to provide a urine sample, which will be tested for the presence of drugs. Do they get any support while withdrawing? If a prisoner needs medical supervision while withdrawing they may be admitted to the health care wing, or detox unit, if the prison has one. If the medical staff feel it appropriate, they will prescribe medication to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. What if the prisoner asks me to take drugs in to him/her on a visit? Taking drugs in to a prison is against the law and is a serious offence. You will be arrested and could receive a prison sentence, and in any case will be banned from visiting for a minimum of three months. The inmate will also face disciplinary action which may affect their category, privileges and prison placement. Drug dogs When you visit prison they may have a drug dog, which is trained to recognise the scent of a range of drugs. They can do this just by walking past someone. The dog will be on a lead and controlled by a trained officer. If the dog detects the scent of drugs on a person it has been trained to indicate this by sitting down or standing in front of them. If you are picked out by a drug dog you may be searched to check if you are carrying drugs. If you are then you will be arrested. If you are not carrying drugs you may still have to visit in closed conditions. If a child is found to have drugs on them the parent or carer with them will be held responsible. Can I take in medication? If you have medication that you have to take with you, keep it in the bottle or packet you got from your pharmacist, clearly marked with your name. You will have to leave it in a locker unless it is something that may be needed urgently like an inhaler and even then you may have to leave it with an officer on duty in the visits room. For more information about drug use and what help is available visit our page on other help organisations.
Release - Family Concerns Is your loved one being released from prison? Get more information here. Expand I am worried they will offend again. What can I do? Be as supportive as possible. Talk to each other about your fears and potential temptations that may arise, and discuss how you can tackle them together. If drugs and alcohol are an issue they may need support from an external agency. If there are financial and debt concerns you may also need support from an external agency. Click here for information on who you can contact. Will prison have changed their behaviour? Everyone is different, but prison can have an effect on people's mood and behaviour for some time after release. Changes can be temporary whilst they adjust to life outside, however, the effects can be long term. What do I do if I am concerned about our relationship after release? If you are concerned about your loved one's mood or feel you could benefit from support there are a number of ways we can help. We can provide: Family Mentors who provide emotional support to families over the phone or face to face. Through the Gate Mentors who offer practical and emotional support to people being released from prison on issues including housing, finance, debt, childcare and substance misuse. Peer Support Groups where you can meet other people in similar situations and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a non-judgmental, friendly environment. You can also contact us on 0808 808 3444, Monday-Friday between 10am-5pm.
Tagging Find out more about Home Detention Curfew/Electronic Tagging Expand What is a Home Detention Curfew (HDC)/Tag? Some prisoners are released early subject to a curfew which requires them to be at home for between 9-12 hours per day, allowing them to live at home and to work during the final weeks of their sentence. They are given an electronic tag, a small device which is fitted to the ankle or wrist. The tag sends a regular signal to a monitoring centre which confirms the presence of the person in their place of curfew. If they are absent or try to tamper with the equipment the monitoring centre is alerted and the breach investigated. Who can be released on HDC? Whether someone in prison can get released on HDC depends on things like their sentence length, current and previous offences and their behaviour during this and previous sentences. Someone will not be eligible for HDC if any of the following apply: they are serving 4 years or more for any offence; they have been convicted of a sexual offence and are required to register; they are currently serving an extended sentence for violent or sexual offences; they are serving a sentence for failing to return on ROTL, absconding or escape; they are serving a sentence for breach of the curfew requirement of a Community Order they have ever been recalled to prison for failing to comply with HDC curfew conditions; they have ever been returned to custody by the court for committing an imprisonable offence during an ‘at-risk period’ of a previous sentence. they are currently serving a recall from early release on compassionate grounds; they are a foreign national who has been recommended for deportation by the court or they are liable to deportation and a decision to deport has been served. Even if they are eligible there are a number of reasons they could be ‘presumed unsuitable’. This includes: anyone with a history of sexual offending but not required to register; foreign national offenders liable to deportation but not yet served with a decision to deport; anyone who has been recalled for poor behaviour during a previous period of HDC plus, anyone serving a sentence for any of the following categories of offence: - Homicide - Explosives - Possession of an offensive weapon - Possession of firearms with intent - Cruelty to Children - Racially aggravated offences - Terrorism How long does Home Detention Curfew last? HDC lasts a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 3 months for those serving less than 12 months, and a maximum of 4 and a half months for those serving 12 months to 4 years. Those serving between 3 and 4 months become eligible for HDC after 1 month in custody. Those serving 4 to 8 months become eligible after serving a quarter of their sentence and those serving more than 8 months and less than 4 years become eligible 4 and a half months before their automatic or conditional release date. Time spent on remand counts towards eligibility. If they meet all the criteria will they automatically get HDC? No. Before HDC can be granted the prisoner has to undergo a risk assessment and interview which involves the prison, probation service and police, and sometimes doctors, social services and victims. It will take into account their prison record, previous convictions and the suitability of their home address. If HDC is refused, the person will be told this and given the reasons why. What is a suitable home address? The probation service on the outside will be asked to check the address the prisoner has given, and this will form part of the risk assessment. They may want to visit the family to assess the effect HDC might have on them and to ensure that everyone living at the address is aware of all the implications of having someone on HDC living there. Do they have to stay at the same address? The duration of the curfew must be spent at the same address. This can only be changed in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Governor. The new address will be subject to the same checks and the person may not move in until it has been approved. What if they need to leave the home during curfew hours? One-off absences can be granted in special circumstances subject to prior approval. These can include: Attending a wedding or funeral of a close relative Unexpected medical appointments Job interviews or attendance at job club or benefit office Attendance at court as a witness or defendant The person will have to provide proof of the reason for their absence. Regular commitments such as attending a place of worship, shift work or education can be accommodated and should be taken into account when the curfew hours are initially set.
Release - Housing Are you concerned about accommodation after release? Expand What can a prisoner do if they have lost their accommodation and need to find somewhere to live on release? Start working on it as soon as possible. Making applications, and waiting for decisions can take many months – it is never too early to start applying. There may be someone at the prison who can provide lists of housing providers, eg. a resettlement centre or the probation department, but it will be up to the prisoner to do most of the legwork and contact organisations and fill in the forms. NACRO have a resettlement helpline (0300 123 1999) who will be able to provide lists of housing providers locally. It can take a long time to secure suitable housing, and so it may be necessary for a newly released prisoner to live in a hostel temporarily. It can take several days to secure a hostel place, so the prisoner really needs to start making enquiries well before their release date if they do not have anywhere to live when they leave. In some cases, Pact can provide Mentors who can work with prisoners on release to arrange housing and finance. To find out more about Pact's Mentors please call our team on 0808 808 3444. What if they will be looking after children? The prisoner will need to contact their local council before release and they should arrange housing if possible, but if the council are not able to offer housing s/he will need to go to the council’s homeless persons’ unit with proof that s/he is caring for the children (eg child benefit book) and proof that s/he has just been released from prison. It may be necessary for the family to be housed in a bed and breakfast or hostel until a suitable home becomes available. It is possible the council will refuse to house people with rent arrears or an anti social behaviour order against them. They may offer to refer the person to Social Services for them to try and find accommodation. If the council cannot help, the prisoner should contact a housing advice agency such as Shelterline (0808 800 4444).
Release - Financial Concerns Want to know more about what financial support is available on release? Expand In some cases, Pact can provide Mentors who can work with prisoners on release to arrange housing and finance. To find out more about Pact's Mentors please call us on 0808 808 3444. Does the prison give money on release? If they have served a sentence of 15 days or more they will receive a discharge grant, although this is a small amount. Prisoners who will be homeless on release, and who have co-operated with the probation department in the prison to try and find accommodation, should get a higher rate if they need to pay for accommodation in advance. This only applies to commercial rents, not if they are renting from a friend or family member who is not a commercial landlord. Is the discharge grant automatic? Prisoners should be given a form to sign for the grant about two weeks before their release date. However, it is occasionally overlooked, so if they do not get this form they should ask for it. What about clothes to wear when they come out? Some prisons will provide a basic set of new clothes for released prisoners, but some will just give them back the clothes they were wearing when they went in. They can apply for a Community Care Grant (CCG) at the local Jobcentre Plus if they already receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA,) Job Seekers Allowance (JSA,) Income Support or Pension Credit, but this is not automatic. They can appeal against a refusal. Are there grants available for anything else? If the prisoner is eligible to receive Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance on release, claims can be made up to 6 weeks in advance for grants to buy furniture, household equipment and cover connection charges and travel costs. A recently released prisoner may be able to apply for a crisis loan if their discharge grant runs out before their claim comes through. They should claim at the Jobcentre Plus office and should get a decision the same day, or the following day. If turned down, they can ask for a review of the decision. It is a loan, however, and will have to be paid back out of their benefits afterwards. Are newly released prisoners entitled to benefits? They are, but will need to make a claim as soon as possible when they come out. Most released prisoners will be claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), unless they are unable to work due to sickness or disability, in which case they will claim Income Support. They will need to attend an interview at their local Jobcentre Plus and complete a JSA claim form. The prison may be able to arrange for them to get the form before release, if not, they should contact their local Jobcentre themselves and ask for one to be sent to them. Those on a low income who are paying rent may be able to claim Housing Benefit. If they will be working, but their income is low and they have children or a disability they may be entitled to Working Tax Credit. Can prisoners get their National Insurance paid? National Insurance contributions will not be credited to people for their time in prison, unless they are acquitted or their conviction is quashed. They do have the option of paying extra contributions to bring them up to date when they start working again.
Making a complaint Expand About the prison If you would like to make a complaint about the prison, in the first instance you should write to the Governor. You should receive a reply to your letter within 28 days. If you are not satisfied with the reply, you can contact that prison’s Independent Monitoring Board (IMB). The IMB is an independent panel of people from the local community who are there to monitor how the prison is run. If you are still not satisfied you can write to the Prison Service Headquarters and/or your MP. About Pact Pact is committed to putting the people who use our services first. If you are unhappy with any of our services we would like to hear what you have to say. If you would like to give us feedback please click here.