Guidance

Liberia: prisoner pack

Updated 22 March 2023

Chapter 1: Key points

Overview

If you are a British national, and are arrested or detained in another country, consular staff will do what they can to help you. However, we cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of jail, or pay for services such as a lawyer. Information about who we can help, including the circumstances in which we can assist dual nationals, is available at: Support for British nationals abroad. You can also request a paper copy from consular staff.

This information pack aims to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Liberia and who can help. Consular staff can provide a printed copy to those in prison or in custody. We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• the authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British embassy, high commission or consulate (and must do so if you want them to)
• if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself. You should do this if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance
• friends or family can also contact the local British embassy, high commission or consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British embassy, high commission or consulate even if you do not want anyone to know that you have been arrested. This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British government which requires a mandatory notification to be made.

Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK, and in British embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas.

Contact details for British Embassy, Monrovia:

Leone Compound, 12th Street Beach-side

Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia

24 Hours Service Tel: +44 (0) 1908 516 666

Email: [email protected]

You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help. When we are notified of your arrest or detention, we will aim to contact you as soon as possible, so that we can assess how we can help you. We then aim to provide assistance according to your individual circumstances and local conditions. Our priority is to provide assistance to those British nationals overseas that need our help the most.

In Liberia, notification by the authorities to the embassy normally takes place within 24 hours after arrest, but this will depend on whether they have the detainee’s consent.

We can also:

• provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers
• provide general information about the country, detention conditions, and the local legal system (including if legal aid is available)
• provide general information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, and welfare services
• keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting or by telephone/letter. The frequency of contact will depend on local conditions and your personal circumstances
• tell the police or prison doctor, with your permission, about any medical problems including medication
• put you, or your family, in touch with a prisoners’ welfare charity called Prisoners Abroad
• in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards
• help to transfer money to you from your friends or family. In places where phone or postal services are not available we can also try to pass on messages and deliver letters to the prison (but generally we cannot arrange for delivery directly to you)
• in some circumstances we may be able to help you apply for a transfer to a prison in the UK

What we cannot do

• Get you out of prison or detention
• Help you get special treatment because you are British
• Offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime
• Pay for any costs because you have been arrested
• Forward you packages sent by friends or family
• Prevent authorities from deporting you after release

First steps

Informing family members

If you want us to, we can tell your family or friends that you have been detained and provide them with information about how to contact you. With your consent, we can also keep them updated on your wellbeing.

If you are not sure about informing your family, we can help you consider what the impact of not doing so might be. For example, it may cause them distress if they do not know where you are, or cannot contact you. It can also be a disadvantage to you if you need someone to send you money or act on your behalf while you are detained.

Informing the UK police

If you are accused of certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to share information about your arrest with UK police. Information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances when information about you may need to be shared with authorities in Liberia.

Legal assistance: lawyers

We cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime. However, we can provide information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can also give you a list of local interpreters and a list of local English-speaking lawyers. You should consider the benefits of local legal representation and discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. We cannot pay your legal or interpretation costs in any circumstance.

Consular assistance: fair treatment

We cannot get you out of prison or detention, or get you special treatment because you are British. If you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards, we will consider whether to approach the local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.

Other organisations that can provide assistance

We can put you, or your family, in touch with Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity which supports British citizens detained overseas and their families.

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Liberia

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

You should consult FCDO travel advice before you travel to Liberia for the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.

Your lawyer can visit you at any time, i.e. there is no schedule restriction. But your family and friends are allowed to visit only during official visiting times – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am to 4pm. There is no strict limit to the number of family members and friends able to visit, but visitors can be reduced due to prevailing security conditions such as the number of prison officers available to guard the visit. To visit, friends and family do not require a permit. Visitors such as humanitarians will do. Visitors are not allowed to carry cell phones, alcoholic beverages, narcotic drugs etc. for their prisoners.

What to expect when you visit

Visits take place in a communal visitation hall. Visitors will be searched before their entry into the prison compound, to ensure no prohibited items are being carried. Generally during visits, a visitor is allowed to see you for 10-15 minutes, but can be for longer, if there have not been many visitors that day. A longer visit can be arranged when a family member has travelled from abroad, if the request is made in advance . Visits often take place as planned, during which time a guard is not to listen to conversations. The guard/prison officer will monitor from a little distance to ensure items being exchanged/given to the prisoner are permitted.

What you can take on your visit

A visitor can take food, letters/parcels on their visit for the detainee. Searches are conducted on all items before being allowed into the facility. Cell phones, alcoholic beverages, and drugs are all prohibited.

Visits: consular staff

We aim to visit you every quarter while you are under trial. Once you’re detained, the prison authorities will inform the embassy within 24 hours and we will reach out to you. We may visit more often if it is necessary or in an emergency, for example if we are concerned about your health or welfare including mistreatment. If you are convicted we may visit less often but will make an assessment of your vulnerability before deciding this.

As there are visiting schedules, consular staff will aim to visit you during one of those schedules. We will arrange to speak to you on the phone every couple of months where possible. During routine visits you will have the opportunity to discuss welfare concerns, health issues, security and other general issues that you wish to raise with us. At each visit, we will complete a “Visit Report Form” and, with your permission, will pass on updates to your family or friends.

You can write to us at anytime on matters that concern you and address it to: British Embassy, 12th Street beachside, Leone Compound, Sinkor, Monrovia. Or contact us at +231 (0) 777530320

Emergency trips outside of prison

It is possible to make a trip outside of prison if an urgent situation arises, such as funerals and critical illness of a prisoner’s next-of-kin.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

When detained, you will be informed of the reasons for your detention. As Liberia is an English-speaking country, all communications/conversations are recorded and carried out in English.

In Liberia, you have several basic rights including the “Miranda right” which compels an arresting officer to inform you that anything you say during your arrest could be used against you in a competent court of law in Liberia. You have the right to a lawyer and for that lawyer to be present at all stages of the interrogation. You can request a meeting in private with a lawyer. Access to a lawyer generally means the right to a telephone conversation with family or a friend or the physical presence of a lawyer during interrogation. However, interrogation can take place without your lawyer present, with your consent.

The police may detain you for up to 48 hours without making a formal arrest. If you are suspected of committing a minor offence you may be released while awaiting trial, without posting bail (on your own recognisance). If, however, the alleged crime is of a serious nature, such as aggravated assault, fraud, rape etc., you may be formally arrested, charged and detained.

You will appear before a Liberian public prosecutor within 48 hours who will determine if a prosecution is warranted. If they believe that the information produced by the interrogation agency is incomplete, they may order your release or order further investigation while you remain in detention. During this process, you have the right to consult with your lawyer, family and friends.

After 48 hours in police custody, you will be transferred to a prison under court authority if you were unable to secure a bond on your first appearance in court.

When you are charged, you are then taken before a competent court, the pre-trial detention (the period that you are held in prison prior to sentencing), which can last from a few days to several weeks or months, depending on the scope of the charge.

While in prison you are allowed to receive money up to 100 Liberian dollars. The remaining is surrendered to the prison superintendent where it is recorded and kept safely. Withdrawals are only made when you are released or have a genuine need that warrants withdrawal in part or whole.

Your personal belongings are taken from you and recorded in the prisoner property ledger and a receipt is given to you. In the event that you want those items to be given to a relative or friend to keep on your behalf, the prison officers will do so.

Prisons in Liberia are seriously over-crowded with limited electricity and access to water. Many do not have in-cell toilets.

The basic rights of a detainee include the right to see a doctor; right to not make a statement; the right to a lawyer; and the right to a fair trial.

Appearing at court

In Liberia prosecution commences if any of the following occurs (whichever is first):

• The filing of an indictment against the accused by the public prosecutor
• The issuance of a warrant of arrest, summon, or notice to appear, provided that the warrant is expected, or the summon or notice to appear is served to you within a reasonable period after issuance

Most trials are held in public.

The accused has the right to a lawyer of their choice during court appearances. If the lawyer is not available, the trial may not proceed without legal representation for the accused, except if the right is waived. The judge will hear the case.

If you are unable to secure the services of a private lawyer, the Liberian government usually provides a public defence attorney at the expense of the state. While there are defenders available, they are limited in number. Organisations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Prison Fellowship visit prisons regularly and may assist with communications to lawyers. The Embassy can also provide a list of lawyers if necessary.

Initial arrival at the prison

When you arrive at the prison you’ll be taken to the admission area to be briefed on the rules and regulations of the prison, searched and routinely documented. If you have brought valuables with you, they’ll be taken and recorded in the prisoner property ledger and a receipt will be given to you. You will then be sent to a cell, which is selected based on your gender, nature of crime, etc.

You have the right to make a telephone call upon arrival at the prison. This is made using the general phone. For prison compounds that do not have one, an arrangement could be made to use one of the officers’ or administrators’ private phones and pay a reasonable amount. Calls can be placed to domestic numbers as well as international numbers. With this, you may choose to contact the British embassy for assistance, if you have no one else to call.

In some prisons, such as the Monrovia Central Prison- ‘South Beach’, you’ll have access to a clinic and nurses. That means you’ll have access to prison-provided doctors upon arrival. A number of prisons do not have a clinic, and therefore prisoners are taken to a nearby health facility for treatment. If you rely on specific medication that you took with you to prison, you’ll be required to hand it over to the prison clinic/administrator to be kept and administered as prescribed. Toiletries are provided by the prison authorities.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prisons in Liberia are seriously over-crowded with limited electricity and access to water. Many do not have in-cell toilets. Mobile phones, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed in prisons in Liberia.

You are allowed to make phone calls to your relatives and/or lawyers. There is no limit to the number of calls allowed. However, there is limited access to communications equipment. Prisoners are sometimes dependent on staff, or organisations like ICRC and the Liberian Red Cross, to assist with communication.

See the Amnesty international 2018 report on Liberia’s prison conditions and other human rights concerns.

Accommodation

Prisoners who have been sentenced and those on remand are held separately, usually in different cells at the prison. There are shared cells in Liberia but based on age, sex, nature of crime etc. Prisons or over-crowded with limited electricity, access to water and in-cell toilets.

Mattresses and blankets are sometimes provided in cells, but there are some prisons that do not have bedding and prisoners instead sleep on mats.

Food and diet

In prison you are entitled to 2 meals a day. This is usually rice-based with little protein. Special diets are made available, if for health reasons. You may choose to supplement your diet by buying food from a prison shop and it is advisable that you do so in order to remain in good health. Most prisons do not have access to pipe-borne water. Therefore drinking water is obtained from hand pumps.

Hygiene

There is no limit on how many times in a week you can shower/bathe. Shower/bathing facilities are communal but to prisoners within a particular cell. The conditions of showers/toilets are poor, and not kept to a high standard of hygiene. Toiletries are supplied by the prison authorities.

Work and study

If you are considered a low risk prisoner you are allowed to work and assist in daily chores such as cooking; cleaning the wards and the compound; fetching water; farm work etc. However, there is no earning scheme available.

Prisons in Liberia do not have the capacity to offer courses to inmates but self-study is allowed.

Contact and languages

Prisoners that are placed in the same cells have contact with one another. If there is a dispute between 2 prisoners, they are placed in separate cells and their contact with other inmates is monitored. Prisoners are highly likely to be put in a cell with other English-speaking inmates as English is the country’s official language. The guards usually speak English. Unfortunately, prisons do not provide language classes.

Detainees have access to phones but cannot keep a personal phone in their cell. They also have access to writing materials. The prisons do not provide internet access but if a prisoner wishes to privately pay for this, it is allowed.

The prisons in Liberia do not have a library. Prisoners can order books/magazines/newspapers from outside. Prisoners are allowed to watch a television. There are no specific cultural and social activities on offer at the prison.

You can request local language materials through the post from Prisoners Abroad (including language textbooks and dictionaries).

Exercise

You’ll be permitted to come out of cells, but within the compound, during the day for exercise. There is a wide and open space for exercise in the compound but there is no extra exercise equipment in the prison. Regular exercise is organised by the prison authorities.

Climate

The climate in Liberia is very different to that of the UK. For example, it is very hot and humid. The clothing provided is appropriate for the weather.

Religion

As Liberia is a secular state, you are entitled to take part in religious services of your choice. You have the right to receive visits from a priest or minister of your faith. Some detention facilities in Liberia are staffed by religious ministers.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

Prison rules and regulations are explained to prisoners on arrival. Certain behaviours like insulting or abusing staff are not encouraged.

There is a reward/ranking system with the possibility to earn privileges for good behaviour. For example, for good behaviour 3 days can be subtracted from each month of your remaining sentenced time. This is called remission. Good behaviour can also be rewarded through different programs such as the opportunity to engage with administrative work for offices in the prison.

There are reports of drug use at some prisons in Liberia. The prison authorities routinely test prisoners for drugs. If prisoners use drugs/possess drugs/sell drugs/receive drugs they may face consequences such as access to visitor-family or friends being removed, or denial of remission.

Safety issues, such as fire outbreaks, rarely occur.

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

There are 2 ways you may be able to receive financial assistance while in prison:

• Private funds: deposited to you by your family or friends.
• Prisoners Abroad: depending on where you are detained, if your family cannot support you financially, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials (enough for one hot meal a day).

The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Private funds

While the FCDO does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, we may be able, within certain limits, to send you money from your family or friends. Please note that you cannot have cash sent to you in the post.

The FCDO operates a ‘Prison Comfort’ system for money transfers to prisoners. Ask your family or friends to get in touch with the FCDO to arrange this.

We cannot receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash.

In Liberia, prisoners are only allowed to receive up to 100 Liberian dollars. The remaining is surrendered to the prison superintendent where it is recorded and kept safely. Withdrawals are only made when the prisoner is released or has a genuine need that warrants withdrawal in part or whole.

Prisoners Abroad

Prisoners Abroad may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not receiving regular funding from other sources. Prisoners are eligible for the Vitamin Fund and/or the Medical Fund but this should be channelled through the prison administration.

Medical and Dental treatment

While you are detained, the Liberian government is responsible for ensuring that your basic medical needs are met. The healthcare system in Liberia is challenged as there is limited drug supply and doctors in the country.

Prisons are usually congested and overcrowded, and with that comes a high possibility of contracting infectious diseases. There is also a high risk of contracting Malaria while in prison given Malaria is the prevalent sickness in Liberia.

Some prisons have clinics or nurses but there are no dentists. If a prisoner wants to meet with a doctor/dentist, they can inform a prison officer who will then place a call to the prison doctor or prisoner’s private doctor/dentist on their behalf. The prison authorities only provide general medical treatment. Specialised treatment is done at the expense of the prisoner. If a prisoner needs specialist treatment/assessment they are taken to the nearby hospital. For minor treatment, prisoners can access private healthcare while in prison. There is no psychiatrists/psychologists available at the prisons

Prisoners can get glasses if they require them.

Prison authorities may contact your GP in the UK, if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records.

Letters and parcels

Prisoners are allowed to receive mail/parcels subject to scrutiny and clearance by the prison authorities. There is no limit on the number of parcels/letters a prisoner may send or receive. Senders may avoid including certain items such as paper clips. Senders should address the letter/parcel by writing the full name of the prisoner on the front; and including their own address on the back.

Telephone calls

Mobile phones are not allowed in prisons in Liberia, and will be confiscated by the prison authorities if found. Prisoners are allowed to make phone calls to their relatives and/or lawyers. There is no specification on number of calls allowed. However, there is limited access to communications equipment. Prisoners are dependent on staff or organisations like ICRC and the Liberian Red Cross to assist with communication.

Prisoners can pay guards an affordable amount for telephone calls if the prison does not have a free general phone, and prisoners will be required to register the number they want to call.

Making a complaint about mistreatment

If you have been mistreated, you should inform consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you, to check on your welfare, discuss the allegations, and explain any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider. With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally-accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible take photos of your injuries.

If you have a complaint against a guard/prison officer, you should inform your prison supervisor. But if the complaint is against the supervisor himself/herself, you should complain to the prison superintendent immediately or while he/she is on round.

Chapter 3: The Liberia judicial system

Overview

There are different levels to the judicial system in Liberia, which starts with magisterial courts, to circuit courts, and finally to the Supreme Court. Courts in Liberia have trail by judge and trial by jury – which is based on the nature of the offence. If you committed a grave offence such as fraud, murder, rape, destruction of property etc., you will have the right to choose if you want trial by judge or jury. But if you committed a misdemeanour or minor offence, trail will be by judge and will begin at the magisterial court.

You must enter a plea – either guilty or not guilty. However, in capital offence cases, even if you entered a plea of guilty, the court may reject the plea and request your accuser provide more evidence. There are key stages a case will go through. It begins with investigation and goes to arrest – the stage at which police charges you and forwards you to court. If the offence is one which is not bailable, you would remain in pre-trail detention until a verdict is passed.

There are 4 Terms of Court in Liberia: February Term, May Term, August Term, and November Term. Each term runs for 42 days with the possibility of extension. So a trial might take the court a whole term or perhaps beyond for a verdict to be made. During this process, and if the accused is not bailed, he or she will be kept in prison located depending on where the crime is alleged to have been committed. Under the Criminal Procedure Law and Article 21 of the Constitution of Liberia, the rights of prisoners are guaranteed throughout the legal process.

The FCDO cannot interfere with the judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties.

First steps

What should happen after you are arrested?

Under the laws of Liberia, a detainee has the right to be informed of the reason for their arrest and to be represented by a legal counsel at all stages of the legal process. A detainee also has to be informed of their Miranda rights including the right to speak to a lawyer and even call overseas. If the detainee chooses, he/she may inform the authorities at this point if they wish the British embassy to know. All conversations will be in English. They will be detained at the police station/in temporary detention facilities for 48 hours after which they should be forwarded to court.

If you have any questions on the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer. See for a list of local English speaking lawyers in Liberia.

How long you can be remanded in custody

If the offence you are accused of is non-bailable, you will be in jail while on remand for the entire period of the trial/legal process. But if it is bailable a bond that guarantees your presence in court every day will be filed. The court has the right to deny bail requests, especially if the court has fears that you may escape.

You will be moved to a prison based on what time the Magisterial court issues the writ of arrest as without this writ the prison cannot admit you.

Prisoners on remand and sentenced prisoners: differences

There are differences between sentenced prisoners and prisoners on remand. Prisoners on remand are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty so they tend to be placed in slightly better conditions, such as easier access to phone calls etc., while sentenced prisoners have much more limited rights. Prisoners on remand and those sentenced are kept in the same prison but not the same cells or bloc.

After you are charged

Once formal charges have been laid, you must enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. At this point you have the right to be informed of your basic rights including the right to notify a third person, the right to access to a lawyer, the right to challenge the lawfulness of your detention, the right to remain silent, not to incriminate yourself as anything you say could be used against you in court, etc. All these will be stated in English as English is Liberia’s official language.

Bail

Bail is determined based on the nature of the offence. A felony or major crimes are not bailable. Even if the offence is bailable, the court has to be satisfied that you will not escape before allowing you to be bailed. Bail is rarely offered to foreigners due to concerns they will leave the country. Sometimes the court keeps a detainee’s passport if bail is granted to mitigate the flight risk.

If bailed and you do not adhere to the bail conditions, an order of arrest may be issued.

Cash bail can be paid to the bank while property bail and insurance bail are paid to the court. If you accept, the FCDO may assist you with contacting friends and family who may be willing to help.

The FCDO cannot transfer bail funds.

Trial and legal assistance

Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, see for list of English speaking lawyers in Liberia. Prisoners Abroad can also supply general (non-country specific) information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

Most private lawyers will ask for a cash advance for their estimated legal fees before taking on a case. Costs of trials vary from US$ 750, to over US$ 1500.

Legal aid is available in Liberia. The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) and the Government of Liberia provide legal aid by appointing public defenders. For a detainee to benefit from this, they must either meet the financial eligibility, or be a foreigner (as foreigners are assumed to be vulnerable – not having any family or relatives in Liberia). However, legal aid is not obtained for all disputes.

A defendant does not have to make an extra application for legal aid as he/she will be asked in court if they have a lawyer. If not, a lawyer is then offered.

Trial

The phases in a trial begin with a pre-trail conference, after which arraignment/reading of indictment is done. Prosecution then provides its theory to a jury, Parties assemble documents into evidence, legal argument is made and defence issues motion for judgement of acquittal. If judge denies such motion then defendant has to defend innocence. After which, the jury issues a verdict (opinions of no less than 9 of the jurors).

Cases are brought to trial once you are indicted and your case is placed on the court’s docket.

Sentences

Fines and imprisonment are the penalties often handed down. British nationals will not be automatically deported to the UK upon release, as Liberian laws states that once you have served your sentence, all rights are restored including your right to live in Liberia.

Appeals

60 days after the rendition of final judgement is the deadline for appeals. If the 60th day fell on a holiday, then the deadline is moved to the next day (not working day) instead. After a judgement is passed, one can file for new discovery also called the ‘appeal right’ for the original judgement to be reviewed, should new evidence come to light after you were found guilty. There are grounds for appeal, for example: weak evidence/evidence not strong enough; observatory miss-steps; suspicious movement and/or interaction between the judge and your adversary; and reasonable doubts. Prosecution also has the right to appeal a judgement.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

Provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) in the case of good behaviour. 3 days are subtracted from each month of a prisoner’s time.

Early release

The Parole Board grants parole based on good behaviour. Sometimes, the ruling issued by the court gives a prisoner the right to parole at certain times, such as after every 3 months etc. This remains true even as the UK is not part of the EU.

Clemency or pardon

Prisoners may be granted a pardon.

Financial penalties

Fines are often imposed as a financial penalty.

Transfer to another prison within Liberia

Transfer to another prison within Liberia is possible.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

There’s no Prisoner Transfer Agreement existing between the UK and Liberia.

Release and deportation

It is not common practice for foreigners who have committed offences and served their sentence to be deported, as all rights including the right to live in Liberia are restored.

However, if you do return to the UK on release, sometimes people find that they face difficulties adjusting to life in the UK once they have left prison. You may find yourself ready for life on the outside but not prepared for living in the UK. You may not have lived in the UK before and have no connections there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may want to talk to another person who understands what you have been through, to help you consider what to do next.

If you are registered with Prisoners Abroad, you can visit Prisoners Abroad when you first arrive back in UK for advice, to use their temporary luggage store, make essential phone calls or use a computer. If you have no belongings Prisoners Abroad may be able to help with basic toiletries and finding suitable clothing. If you know your release date in advance you should tell the Prisoner and Family Support Team when you are likely to arrive and what help you think you might need. If you have no money and nowhere to go, Prisoners Abroad’s Resettlement Service can help with:

• advice on finding emergency accommodation in the London area
• claiming welfare benefits, including emergency benefit payments if you are destitute
• making appointments with doctors and dentists
• putting you in touch with local agencies if you are not returning to the London area

Later on you may want advice on housing, looking for work, applying for training or getting counselling. Prisoners Abroad can refer you to the right agency.

Other sources of practical help back in the UK are:

The Salvation Army

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7367 4888

Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, or contact your local Salvation Army branch

The Prison Fellowship

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7799 2500

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Your criminal record in the UK

We will not normally pass on information about your case to a third party without your consent. However, if you’re arrested for certain serious offences, such as child sex abuse or drugs crimes, our staff must tell other relevant UK authorities. It is possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer.

Chapter 4: Additional information

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned abroad. It is the only UK charity providing this service. It is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or awaiting charge or trial. Prisoners Abroad supports your health and welfare during your imprisonment. It can also provide support on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family when you are in prison. To access any services, you must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form.

Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer varies from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:

• your rights as a prisoner
• issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
• getting magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
• learning the language of your country of imprisonment
• translating documents
• grants for food if you are in a developing country and do not have funds from other sources
• grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you do not have funds from other sources
• preparing for release
• help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and, in a few cases, assistance with the cost of visiting
• Freepost envelopes to help you stay in touch with others

Prisoners Abroad

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7561 6820 or 0808 172 0098

Mondays to Fridays, 9:30am to 4:30pm (UK time)

89 – 93 Fonthill Road

London N4 3JH

UK

Glossary of terms

Useful legal terms

Term	Meaning
Clemency	the process whereby a convicted person is set free by the President of Liberia when that convict is about to serve a sentence or has served a portion of their sentence

Prisoner

a person who’s convicted of a crime

Detainee

a person who has not been tried and found guilty but is in the custody of the police

Arraignment

the stage at which an indictment is read and the accused is allowed to plea guilty or not guilty. It’s therefore the stage at which trial begins

Jury trial

a trial comprising judges, petit jury (a composition of 12 persons who try a case) and grand jury (a composition of 15 persons who issue indictment). Both the petit and grand juries work is to look at the issues of facts as the judges look at the issues of law

Bench trial/judge trial

trial handled exclusively by judges who look at issues of facts and issues of law

Annex

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

Prisoners Abroad Forms