Guidance

Information pack for British nationals arrested or detained in Catalonia, Spain

Updated 23 May 2024

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, but they cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of prison, 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 in our guide: Support for British nationals abroad.

This information pack aims to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Spain 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 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 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 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 London, and in British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates overseas.

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 Spain, notification by the authorities to the Consulate normally takes place within 24 hours or the next working day.

We can also:

• provide a list of English-speaking lawyers
• provide, on request, a list of official translators/interpreters
• 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 or dental 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 Spain.

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: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk

Detention conditions in Spain

In Catalonia, the prison system is run by the local autonomous government. The department in charge is called the Secretaria de Mesures Penals, Reinserció i Atenció a la Víctima.

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

Glass visits (Locutorio)

Glass visits can be booked by family members and friends who have been authorised by the prison.

Glass visits are carried out in a booth (locutorio) where there is a glass panel between the prisoner and the visitor. Prisoners are permitted one glass visit, of 40 minutes duration, per week (or, in some prisons, shorter visits of 20 minutes duration may be possible twice a week). A maximum of four visitors, including children and babies, are allowed at each visit. Please note all visitors must present their original passport on arrival as identification.

The very first glass visit cannot be booked. Family members can turn up on the assigned visiting day for that prison wing (módulo) provided they present documentary proof of relationship with the prisoner and wait until a booth becomes available. Visitors will be registered by the prison authorities and will be fingerprinted and photographed.

Glass visits by friends (not family) require prior authorisation from the prison authorities. Therefore the prisoner must submit a request in writing (instancia) providing the friend’s details and passport number. Once they have been authorised by the prison authorities, friends can turn up on the assigned visiting day for that prison wing (módulo) and wait until a booth becomes available. Visitors will also be registered by the prison authorities and will be fingerprinted and photographed.

Subsequent glass visits can be booked at the time of visiting, but only if the subsequent visit is for the following week.

Visitors must report to reception area at least 30 minutes before their arranged visit time. Those intending to deliver a parcel must report to the visitors’ reception area at least 45 minutes beforehand.

If a prisoner is transferred to another prison the visitor may need to register and provide documentary proof of relationship with the prisoner again.

Due to the number of prisoners in custody, the larger prisons are very strict on observing visiting regulations. There are slight differences in visiting arrangements between Spanish prisons. For further information, please contact the British Consulate.

Open visits (Vis a Vis)

Open visits must be requested by the prisoner.

The prisoner must submit a request in writing (instancia) to the prison requesting an open visit, and must provide a choice of three possible dates along with the family member’s name and surname, relationship and passport details. The prisoner must also provide proof of the relationship. The visit must be approved by the prison authorities before travel arrangements are made. The prisoner will be notified of the date and time and it is their responsibility to inform the visitor.

Open visits are for family only and they take place in a private room without direct supervision by wardens. Prisoners are permitted open visits once a month, for a duration of one hour, and are allowed a maximum of four visitors, including children and babies. There are different types of open visits (e.g. conjugal, family), so the prisoner should check with the prison which are available to them.

On the first visit family members must present documentary proof of relationship with the prisoner. Visitors will be registered by the prison authorities and will be fingerprinted and photographed.

Visitors must report to reception area at least 30 minutes before their arranged visit time. Those intending to deliver a parcel must report to the visitors’ reception area at least 45 minutes beforehand (normally parcels can only be delivered at the time of making glass visits, but prisoners who only receive open visits can request authorisation for a parcel to be delivered at the time of an open visit).

If a prisoner is transferred to another prison the visitor may need to register and provide documentary proof of relationship with the prisoner again.

Due to the number of prisoners in custody, the larger prisons are very strict on observing visiting regulations. There are slight differences in visiting arrangements between Spanish prisons. For further information, please contact the British Consulate.

How friends/family should register with the prison

ID & Documentary proof of relationship is how to prove that there is a family relationship between the prisoner and relative and whose kinship and identity has been verified by the prison. Documentary evidence may consist of a passport, relevant birth / marriage / civil partnership / certificate, children’s birth certificates, Spanish family book (Libro de Familia), change of name by deed poll, etc.

In the case of a common-law relationship it will be necessary to provide documentary proof of relationship, e.g joint tax declaration, statements for shared bank accounts, shared residential leases, bills for shared utilities accounts, such as electricity, gas or telephone, or other documents as proof of living together, etc.

Prisons do not expect certificates to be translated into Spanish but original copies must be shown. It is at the discretion of the prison authorities which documents will be accepted as proof of relationship.

What to expect when you visit

Visitors may be searched. It is advisable not to carry metallic items to avoid activating the metal detector alarm. There are vending machines in the visitors’ reception areas. Glass visits are not normally directly supervised, and open visits take place in a private room without direct supervision by wardens.

What you can take on your visit

Visitors are not usually able to take anything, with the exception of certain items for babies (for example, personal hygiene). Prisoners will be informed of prohibited items, which include money, food, alcohol, keys, telephones, etc.

Visits: consular staff

Consular staff aim to visit prisoners who are on remand once every year, and also once after sentencing, unless there is an urgent issue (related to health or welfare) which we cannot assist you with by letter or telephone in which case we would aim to arrange a visit as soon as possible.

In order to request an earlier visit, prisoners can call or write to the British Consulate or it might be quicker to ask the prison to contact us on your behalf (prisoners will normally need to submit a written request – instancia - to the prison).

When consular staff request visits, the prison will seek the prisoner´s written consent to the visit.

Due to COVID-19 and related measures and restrictions, the above information may vary at any time and the prison authorities may replace visits with increased telephone and/or videocalls.

Emergency trips outside of prison

If an urgent situation arises (for example, birth of a child, death or serious illness of your next of kin) you can request permission to make an emergency trip outside of prison. If you are on remand the request must be submitted to the judge at the court where your case sits. If you have been sentenced, the request must be submitted to the Prison Judge (Juez de Vigilancia Penitenciaria). Your lawyer may be able to assist with this. Consular staff may also be able to assist if you need supporting documentation (for example, from a doctor or funeral director).

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

Following arrest, you should be informed, in English (if necessary via an interpreter), why you have been arrested. Adults can be held in police cells for up to 72 hours maximum (under 18 years old for up to 24 hours) by which time you must either appear before a judge or be released. The only exception is terrorism where a person can be held up to 5 days.

Legal representation & interpreters

A lawyer must be present when you make a statement before the police or the judge. If arrested for a traffic offence, you can in some circumstances choose not to have legal representation.

You can appoint a private lawyer of your choice or you can ask for a legal aid lawyer (abogado de oficio).

If you choose a legal aid lawyer, he/she will give you the form to apply for legal aid. However, legal aid is means tested and if you do not qualify, you may have to pay for the legal aid lawyer’s services at a later date.

Legal aid lawyers are not required to speak English.

When making any statement, you have the right to be assisted by an interpreter if you do not speak Spanish. Interpreters are provided by the police or the court and their services are free of charge.

Whilst held in police custody

A detainee’s rights are guaranteed under Article 17 of the Spanish Constitution. A lawyer can advise you of these rights and the police will give you a form outlining your rights, in English, following your arrest.

You have the right to see a doctor.

You have the right for someone of your choice to be informed of your arrest unless Article 527 is applied (incommunicado detention). Your lawyer can advise on this.

You have the right for your local British Consulate to be informed of your arrest and to speak with a consular officer if you wish to, unless Article 527 is applied (incommunicado detention). Please note, the British Consulate will only inform family or friends of the arrest if you give your consent for us to do so. If you are a minor the police will inform your parents or legal guardians or, if they are unable to do so, they will notify the Consulate.

You do not have to make a statement if you do not wish to, or you can declare that you will only make a statement before the judge.

When in police custody, a lawyer is not there to defend your case, only to ensure that the correct legal procedures are carried out and your fundamental rights are guaranteed. You can speak with your lawyer in private before making a statement (or before declining to make a statement), unless Article 527 is applied (incommunicado detention).

Your personal belongings, including mobile phones, money, will be held by the police and you will be given a receipt for these. The belongings will accompany you to court and, if released by the judge, they will be returned to you, unless they are kept as part of the court´s investigations. If you are committed to prison, your belongings will be held by the prison´s security office (valores).

Appearance at court

Following arrest, if you are not released by the police after making a statement, you will appear before a judge within 72 hours of arrest (24 hours in the case of a minor). The only exception is terrorism where a person can be held up to 5 days.

You can appoint a private lawyer of your choice or you can ask for a legal aid lawyer (abogado de oficio), under Spain’s legal aid system. Legal aid lawyers are not required to speak English. Legal aid is means tested and if you do not qualify you may have to pay for the legal aid lawyer´s services at a later date.

You have the right to be assisted by an interpreter free of charge.

More information about the Spanish judicial system can be found in the Spanish judicial system section below.

Initial arrival at the prison

On arrival at a prison, the prisoner has the right to immediately communicate their situation to family and a lawyer via a telephone call. The telephone call on arrival is free but an in-country call only is permitted. If the prisoner does not know anyone in Spain or cannot remember the telephone number and wish to communicate their situation, they can request to use their free telephone call to contact the nearest British Consulate for assistance. The prisoner must provide consent to consular staff to pass on information to the person of their choice.

Non-Spanish prisoners will be asked if they wish their Consulate to be informed of their arrival at prison. If a prisoner declines, and subsequently changes their mind, they should inform the prison in writing (via instancia) that they do want their Consulate to be informed and to receive consular assistance.

On arrival, whether on remand or after sentencing, a prisoner will be searched and routinely documented. All money, jewellery and/or other valuables, medicine and toiletries should be declared and handed to the authorities. They will be kept in the prison’s security office (valores) until the prisoner is released or transferred elsewhere, and a receipt will be given to the prisoner.

At the time of transfer to another prison in Spain, belongings may also be transferred, but if these exceed the permitted volume or weight they will need to be transferred separately by a messenger service and prisoners will have to pay for this service. If prisoners are unable to pay, the process can take longer as the prison authorities will have to pay for the service. These belongings can also be collected in person by someone nominated and authorised by the prisoner, usually someone on their visiting list or their lawyer.

On arrival, the prisoner will be interviewed by the prison´s medical service. Any medication must be declared and the prison doctor will decide whether the prisoner can keep it or whether it must be kept in the infirmary. The doctor should be told of any ongoing medical condition and it may be helpful to provide the prison medical staff with previous medical records.

The prisoner will also have interviews with different professionals (social worker, educator, prison legal adviser).

The prisoner may keep and use their own clothing, after being washed on arrival and if it is considered suitable by the authorities. But if it is deemed unhygienic the clothing can be confiscated and the prisoner will be provided with officially issued garments. Basic toiletries are also provided by the prison authorities.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prisons in Spain are generally comparable with prisons in the UK. In Spain there are three types of imprisonment: Closed Regime (régimen cerrado), Ordinary Regime (régimen ordinario) and Open Regime (régimen abierto).

• Closed regime: These prisons have close supervision with long confinement in cells, and with minimal privileges for prisoners. Prisoners whose behaviour has been particularly violent will be kept in the closed regime
• Ordinary regime: The majority of prisoners will serve their sentence under the ordinary regime unless prisoners are placed in a high security prison and are charged with a serious offence
• Open regime: These prisons allow prisoners greater freedom and benefits such as working outside the prison, special leave. Only prisoners who have served two thirds of their sentence and whose behaviour has been exemplary would be eligible for the open regime

All prisoners are classified into one of three grades. These grades determine the extent of privileges (temporary leave, work facilities, etc) that can be obtained within the prison system:

• Grade 1: These prisoners have the least privileges
• Grade 2: After conviction, and usually within two months of the prison authorities having received official notification of an irrevocable sentence (free of appeals), the Prison Board will classify prisoners and most will then be placed in Grade 2. Bad behaviour can result in being placed in Grade 1 or temporary withholding of a classification
• Grade 3: These are prisoners who have displayed exemplary behaviour and are approaching the end of their sentence

Insulting or aggressive behaviour towards prison staff is considered a serious offence and can result in reclassification and loss of any privileges at any grade.

A Prison Board is responsible for the internal affairs of the institution. The Prison Treatment Board (Junta de Tratamiento) regularly reviews individual cases to determine the classification and eligibility for parole of prisoners. Legal matters within the prison are the responsibility of the Prison Judge (Juez de Vigilancia Penitenciaria) who will normally pay regular visits to prisons within their district.

Under Spanish law, this Judge is responsible for ensuring that all prisoners serve the correct sentence, that their rights are observed and that the institution’s internal procedures accord with the law.

Accommodation

Overcrowding is a problem in some prisons. Cells will generally be shared use, with bunk beds, a toilet, washbasin, running water and electricity.

In those prisons which hold both remand and sentenced prisoners, the accommodation is not normally separated, however this may vary in some prisons.

Food and diet

Prison inmates are entitled to 3 meals a day with a total of 3000 calories for healthy people and 3,500 for those under 21 or over 60. Special diets are available when prescribed by the prison doctor. Any prisoner with special dietary requirements because of religious or other valid reasons may ask the doctor to prescribe these. Tap water is available, or bottled water can be purchased at the prison shop. Alcohol is strictly forbidden.

Hygiene

The shower facilities are communal, and in general there is no limit to how many times prisoners can bathe (within the daily permitted hours). Basic toiletries are provided by the prison. Prisoners can also buy toiletries at the prison shop.

Work and study

Prisoners can apply to work whilst in prison, within each prison’s possibilities (availability of work positions). It may be difficult for some prisons to supply work to all prisoners, as often there are not enough vacant job opportunities. Prisoners may also be asked if they wish to carry out tasks voluntarily (cleaning, etc) and their collaboration will be taken into account when jobs become available.

Prisons have educational facilities. The prison will also accept arrangement for postal studies through the UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia) which is the Spanish Open University.

Prisoners should ask their educator (educador) which courses are available at each prison.

Contact and languages

In general, prisoners can enrol in language classes, and libraries hold reading materials in other languages. If English-speaking reading/learning materials are not available, prisoners can contact their local British Consulate who will ask Prisoners Abroad whether they can supply reading and/or learning materials.

Prisoners can take part in sports, cultural and social activities at the prison.

Exercise

Gym facilities are available in the prison, and prisoners can generally spend time outside. Some prisons may also organise sports activities.

Climate

The climate varies in the different regions of Spain. It is in general a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers, except for coastal areas which can be hot and humid. Winters are generally mild and rainy, though in some areas extremely cold temperatures can be reached. If a prisoner does not have clothing appropriate for the weather, items of clothing can be handed in by family/friends, can be purchased by the prisoner, or the prisoner can ask the social worker for assistance to obtain more appropriate clothing.

Religion

Most prisons will have a resident Spanish speaking Roman Catholic priest. Any British prisoner who would like to be visited by an English-speaking priest or any other religious representative/ minister of religion of any denomination should contact the nearest British Consulate who will try to arrange this on their behalf.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

On arrival, prisoners will be provided with the prison’s rules and regulations, which should be available in English.

Drugs are prohibited items in all Spanish prisons. Severe sanctions will be faced by those caught consuming or in possession of drugs.

There may be a limit to how much food can be kept in the cells, so prisoners should check with the prison staff.

Sanctions may also be given for the consumption of alcohol, attacking or abusing other prisoners, actions which affect the safety of the prison, possession of any prohibited items, disobeying or showing disrespect to the prison staff, organising or taking part in protests or riots.

Sanctions can include temporary suspension of activities, communications, denial of special leave, transfer to another wing, isolation.

Good behaviour may be rewarded with extra communications and/or visits.

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

There are two 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.

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.

Funds can also be sent to a prisoner via the prison bank account which is managed by the prison accounts department (peculio). Consular staff can provide the prison bank account details.

For prisoners to be able to receive money transfers, the sender must be their lawyer or a family member whose relationship and identity has been verified by the prison. The sender must forward a copy of their passport and documentary proof of relationship to the prisoner. Money transfers from anyone else will be subject to approval by the prison Governor (Director).

The sender must include, in the bank transfer, the full name and surname of the prisoner, and the prisoner’s prison number (NIS), as registered on the prison system. If not, payment will be rejected by the accounts department (peculio) at the prison.

Most prisons will only accept a maximum of two bank transfers per month.

Bank-to-bank transfer:

In order to carry out a bank-to-bank transfer the sender must include the following information, if not the funds will not be deposited to the prisoner’s bank account:

Beneficiary: Name of prison [Centro Penitenciario……] [insert name]

Name of receiving bank: XXXX

Account number: XXXX-XXXX-XX-XXXXXXXXXX

Concept/Description: The prisoner’s full name and prison number (NIS) as registered on the prison’s system must be included in this section otherwise the prison authorities will reject the payment.

For bank transfers made from the UK, the sender will also need to include the IBAN number and the Swift Code of the account.

Swift Code	IBAN	Bank*	Branch	D.C.	Account Number
XXXXXXXX	ESXX	00XX	XXXX	XX	XXXXXXXXXX

If the sender does not have the prison bank account details, please contact the nearest British Consulate in Spain.

It is also possible to send a prisoner an online deposit (between 10€-30€) via www.mytelio.es which can only be used to make telephone calls. The payee’s telephone number must be an authorised mobile number, the prisoner´s prison number (NIS) must be provided, and payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard.

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 donations from other sources. See further information on Prisoners Abroad below.

Medical and dental treatment

While you are in detention, Spain is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met.

Prisoners are entitled to the full facilities provided by the Spanish Health Service. But there are restrictions with dental treatment in Spain; the only free facilities are for emergency treatment and extractions. Any fillings, caps, false teeth etc, must be paid for privately by the prisoner. As long as the prisoner has the funds, they can receive such treatment, although it may sometimes be necessary to transfer the prisoner temporarily to another establishment which has the appropriate facilities.

The prisoner may request a private dentist of their choice to visit the prison, if the treatment is not available from the usual prison dentist. Visits by a private doctor may also be authorised. In both cases the prisoner must cover the costs/fees and submit a request in writing (instancia) to the prison Governor (Director) quoting the name, address and Professional Association of Dentists/Doctors number (Número de Colegiado) of the dentist/doctor concerned.

Routine access to a prison doctor can be obtained by adding the prisoner’s name to a list displayed in each wing. Most prisons have their own infirmary facilities but there are provisions for accommodating serious cases in special wards of state hospitals. If the prisoner does not want to attend a medical/hospital appointment outside the prison, they should refuse to do so well in advance and in writing (instancia). Sanctions can be imposed by the prison authorities on those who refuse to attend appointments without giving prior notification. If a hospital appointment coincides with a family visit, the prisoner should request that the time of the visit be changed.

With a prisoner’s permission, consular staff can make sure that any medical or dental problems are brought to the attention of the police or prison doctor. We can also liaise with a prisoner’s GP in the UK, if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records.

Letters and parcels

The privacy of a prisoner’s mail is guaranteed by the Spanish Constitution. But a prison officer can require that a particular letter be opened in his/her presence to prevent contraband. Prisoners may receive and send as many letters as they wish. There is an exceptional provision for censorship against a specific court order which could limit the amount of correspondence a prisoner may receive. This may also result in a delay in the sending or receiving of mail as censored correspondence may be sent to the Central Prison Board for translation into Spanish before being passed on to the prisoner. This is, however, exceptional and up to the Judge to decide through a court order. Prisons do not accept letters sent by registered post or recorded delivery.

The sender should include the full name, surname, prisoner’s prison number (NIS) as registered in the prison´s system, and the prison’s full address. Also, the sender’s name and address should be clearly visible on the back of the envelope, otherwise the letter will not be delivered to the prisoner. Any envelope containing more than just the actual letter (e.g. photographs, paper clips, etc) may not pass the security checks and may be sent directly back to the sender by the prison authorities. Please also note that prisons do not accept parcels which have been sent by post.

Telephone calls

Prisoners can apply to make telephone calls and can submit a list of up to ten numbers and names they wish to call. Please note that if a prisoner wishes to call the British Consulate, this telephone number will be one of the ten numbers permitted. Within 30 days of being taken to prison, prisoners have to submit a telephone contract/invoice for each of the numbers on their list. Each contract/invoice must show the name of the contract holder and the telephone number. This is so the prison authorities can verify the details of those people the prisoner wishes to call. International landlines and contract mobiles are accepted. Please note that pay-as-you-go mobile telephone numbers will be refused.

A minimum of two calls per week are allowed and in some prisons the maximum amount will vary, but usually up to eight. Extra telephone calls can sometimes be earned taking on unpaid work in the prison.

Prisoners are not allowed to have mobile phones, and sanctions will be issued in the event a prisoner is found to be in possession of a mobile phone.

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.

Police

If a detainee or prisoner has been mistreated by the police, they can file a formal report (denuncia) at the nearest Duty Court (Juzgado de Guardia) accompanied by a lawyer if possible. The report should include any medical examination reports and photographs of injuries following the incident or they should ask for a medical examination by the Official Court Doctor (Médico Forense) who could take photographs of the injuries.

Alternatively the detainee or prisoner can send a letter of complaint to the relevant police force:

Mossos d’Esquadra (Autonomous Police)

You can write a letter or download a complaint form in English from:

The Mossos d’Esquadra website. See the instructions leaflet and present the complaint to the Mossos d’Esquadra in any of the following ways:

• in person or by post at the registry offices of the Directorate General of the Police (Travessera de les Corts, 319-321, 08029 Barcelona) and in the Department of Interior (Diputació, 355, 08009 Barcelona)
• by email to: [email protected]

National Police or Guardia Civil

Letters of complaint should be addressed to the Provincial Police Headquarters (Comisario Jefe) or Guardia Civil Barracks (Comandante Jefe) under whose jurisdiction the police station (Guardia Civil or National Police) falls.

The addresses of the different Provincial Police Headquarters/Provincial Guardia Civil Comandancias can be found on: www.policia.es/_es/dependencias_localizador.php www.guardiacivil.es/en/institucional/directorio/index.html

Complaints can also be submitted by post or by email on the Guardia Civil website:

Click on ‘Services’, then ‘Atención al Ciudadano’ section and follow the instructions under ‘Quejas y Sugerencias’.

Letters of Complaint about the Municipal Police (Policía Local)

Municipal Police fall under the jurisdiction of each Town Hall. Letters should be addressed to the Mayor or the Councillor responsible for Citizens’ Security (Regidor de Seguretat Ciutadana). Please see the relevant municipal website for further information.

Letters of Complaint about Autonomous Police (Basque Country and Catalonia) should be addressed to the Presidential Ministry and Interior (Consejería de Presidencia e Interior) of the corresponding Autonomous Community (Comunitat).

Prisons

Each prison has a Prison Judge (Juez de Vigilancia Penitenciaria) who investigates complaints made by prisoners. Prisoners wishing to complain about mistreatment by prison staff should put their complaint in writing in a sealed envelope addressed to the Prison Judge and leave it in the wing’s mailbox for outgoing post. Sealed envelopes addressed to the Prison Judge should not be opened by prison staff without valid reason.

Both prisoners and detainees may also wish to instruct a lawyer to take up their allegations with the relevant Spanish authorities. British Consulates in Spain are able to provide a list of English-speaking lawyers (a copy of the list is also provided with this leaflet).

If appropriate, the British Consulate will consider approaching the local authorities if prisoners and detainees are not treated in line with internationally-accepted standards.

The Spanish judicial system

Overview

The Spanish legal process for criminal cases is different from that in the UK. But, as in the UK, the Judiciary is independent of the Government and all foreign nationals have (Personal Liberty) rights guaranteed under the Spanish Constitution.

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

Upon arrest, a person should be informed of the reason for their arrest and of their rights. If they have insufficient knowledge of Spanish an interpreter should be insisted upon. Under the terms of the UK-Spain Bilateral Convention, the police will normally inform the nearest British Consulate of the arrest of a British national. Consular staff will then offer consular assistance to the detainee as soon as possible.

If you have any questions on the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer. See Find a lawyer in Spain

How long you can be remanded in custody

There is a maximum period for which an accused person can be held in prison without trial: up to 12 months for alleged offences punishable by a term of three years imprisonment or less and up to 24 months for offences punishable by a term of three years and one day or more.

If the investigating Judge is satisfied that there are valid reasons for the police not being able to complete their case against the accused within the timeframe, or there is reason to believe that the accused will escape the Court’s jurisdiction if released, the Judge may extend the pre-trial detention period by an additional 6 and 24 months respectively. This means in effect that a person can be held on remand for up to 4 years. If the accused person appeals their sentence, they can be held awaiting appeal for up to half the sentence imposed. If the appeal has not been heard by this time the accused must be released pending the result of the appeal.

Prisoners on remand and sentenced persons: differences

In those prisons which hold both remand and sentenced prisoners, the accommodation is not normally separated, however this may vary in some prisons.

After you are charged

Please see below under ´Trial´ section.

Bail

Provisional release (libertad provisional) may be granted with bail or without bail. Libertad provisional is the temporary release from police custody or from prison of the accused person awaiting trial. The accused may be be required to pay security money or bail (fianza) as a condition for their release. If the accused person wishes to apply for bail, they should consult a lawyer who will need to submit an application on their behalf to the court.

The FCDO cannot transfer bail funds.

Trial and legal assistance

Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, a list of English-speaking lawyers is provided with this leaflet. Prisoners Abroad can also supply information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

In Spain, legal aid (asistencia jurídica gratuita) is a means-tested mechanism that helps members of the public who can demonstrate insufficient financial means, to meet the costs and fees of legal proceedings and court litigation. If you are initially assisted by a legal aid lawyer but subsequently hire a private lawyer, you may be asked to pay the costs incurred by the legal aid lawyer.

What is legal aid?

In Spain legal aid (asistencia jurídica gratuita) is a right for members of the public who cannot afford the costs of a trial. Legal aid may cover the following costs:

• pre-trial legal advice
• procurators’ and lawyers’ fees
• court Fees
• costs of publishing announcements in official journals
• deposits required for lodging certain appeals
• experts’ fees
• affidavits
• an 80% reduction in the fees for notarial deeds and certificates from the land registry
• translation and interpretation services

Who can benefit from legal aid in Spain?

• Spanish citizens
• nationals of other Member States of the European Union
• any other foreign national has the right to legal aid in Spain if they can demonstrate insufficient means for litigation, and provided they are resident in Spain or are able to show an automatic qualification regardless of residence
• public-interest associations, foundations, and employment law cases may also qualify for legal aid in Spain

Useful vocabulary:

Procurator (Procurador): This is the professional legal representative who is responsible for formal communications with the court, delivery of briefs at the court office etc.

Lawyer (Advocat): This is the legal professional who would usually provide the substantive legal advice, prepare the case, briefs and evidence, and speak to the judge in court on your behalf.

Depending on the type and value/importance of the matter, either or both of these may be required to represent you in a court case. In order to represent you, they must have a “Litigation Power of Attorney” (Poder para pleitos) from you which you have to sign in front of a Notary Public (Notario) or in front of the Court Officer.

Trial

Please bear in mind before attending trial that the following proceedings may take place whilst on remand in custody in prison:

Fast trials

Fast Trials (juicios rápidos) are applicable in cases where the accused has been caughtin the act of committing an offence or in cases of domestic violence, robbery, theft and traffic offences. The offences to be judged must not be punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than five years, and a police report (atestado policial) is also necessary.

The investigation steps are carried out by the Duty Court (Juzgado de Guardia), which is also in charge of the intermediate phase of these proceedings and it will then send the file to the local Trial Court, which will be in charge of the trial phase.

Minors

Offences committed by minors between 14 and under 18 years old are investigated and judged by Minors Courts (Juzgado de Menores). The Public Prosecutor (Fiscal) has an important presence throughout the whole proceedings and especially during the investigation phase. The measures that can be imposed in the sentence, if the minor is found guilty of the offence, are above all aimed to re-educate the minor to prevent future offences, although they may involve imprisonment in a Minors Detention Centre for serious cases.

Trial phase

In cases where the maximum penalty prescribed by law is five years imprisonment or less, the trial will be held at the local Criminal Court (Juzgado de lo Penal), heard by a single professional Judge, and legal representation for the accused is mandatory. In cases where the maximum penalty is over five years, it will be held in the appropriate Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial) and heard by a panel of three professional Judges and legal representation for the accused is again mandatory.

Serious cases which are deemed to be crimes against the State (e.g. major drug trafficking and certain monetary offences), or crimes in which there is a universal jurisdiction principle (genocide, crimes against humanity, extradition hearings, etc) are dealt with by the Central Courts at the National Court (Audiencia Nacional) in Madrid.

Juries are appointed for trials dealing mainly with crimes against persons, breach of trust/confidence by civil servants, defamation, personal freedom and the environment. Such trials are held only at Provincial Courts and the jury is composed of nine members and one presiding Judge. The jury will simply declare guilt or innocence, and the judge then passes sentence. Seven out of the nine votes are needed to “prove” a verdict by majority. Five votes are needed for “not guilty” verdicts.

The trial itself will normally be significantly shorter than its equivalent in the UK. It will usually take place in open court and judgement (fallo) is normally announced within a month through official notification to counsel and defendant. The accused must personally appear at the trial. If he/she fails to do so, the case will be kept active and a search and arrest warrant (busca y captura) issued.

Sentences

This is the phase during which the enforcement of the punishment takes place.

Depending on the severity of the crime found to have been committed, the following penalties may apply:

• fine and/or victim compensation
• exclusion orders, or orders not to approach a person (orden de alejamiento)
• disqualification (such as driving or public office etc) (inhabilitación)
• prison (sentences of less than two years’ imprisonment may be suspended)

Appeals

A judgement issued by the Local Criminal Court can be appealed (recurso de apelación) before the Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial) by either the defence or the prosecution. If the trial has taken place at the Provincial Court (i.e. if the penalty could be over five years’ imprisonment), the judgement can be appealed at the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo) know as a cassation appeal (recurso de casación). Any such appeal must be filed within five days from the notification of the judgement to the Procurator. Decisions of the Supreme Court are final. Only if it is asserted that a Constitutional right has been violated can an appeal be lodged with the Constitutional Court.

Should new evidence come to light after a person has been found guilty, there is a provision for the original judgement to be reviewed. A petition for revision can, in these circumstances, be lodged with the Ministry of Justice who, if it accepts that there is a case, would instruct the Public Prosecutor to pursue the petition before the Supreme Court.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

It is sometimes possible in cases of good behaviour or community work. However, a lawyer is best placed to advise on whether it may be possible to appeal against a sentence.

Early release

Parole is subject to certain conditions such as good behaviour, undertaking routine tasks as may be required by the authorities (e.g. on cleaning rosters), and participation in any specified education or welfare programmes. All prisoners will become eligible for parole (conditional release) on completion of three quarters of their sentence (or two-thirds if exceptionally well behaved). This concession is submitted by the Prison Board to the the Secretaria de Mesures Penals, Reinserció i Atenció a la Víctima for approval. Failure to observe any conditions, which could include regular reporting to the Court, would usually result in re-arrest to complete the sentence and possibly result in further charges.

Clemency or pardon

Prisoners can apply for a pardon from the King. Letters need to be addressed to the Minister of Justice. Pardons are discretionary and in practice very rare.

Pardons can either be complete or partial (a reduction in the sentence). It is not necessary to have a lawyer to apply for a pardon but prisoners may wish to seek legal advice before doing so.

Financial penalties

Depending on the severity of the crime, a fine and/or victim compensation may be imposed. If any financial penalties ordered by the courts are not paid, the accused may be subject to “subsidiary personal liability” (i.e. required to serve time in prison in lieu of the fine - prisión sustitutoria). It is also advisable to consult a lawyer about any financial penalties.

Transfer to another prison within Spain

The Central Prison Board (Instituciones Penitenciarias), except for Catalonia and the Basque Country, is in charge of transfers between prisons. Prisoners can request to be transferred to another prison on the basis of having family ties.

Please note that the Central Prison Board can likewise transfer without prior notice to any prison in Spain for logistical reasons. The British Consulate cannot intervene with this process.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

Under the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons a British prisoner in Spain may apply to serve the remainder of his/her sentence in the United Kingdom. To be eligible for such a transfer the sentence should be final (i.e. not subject to an appeal). Also there should normally be at least six months left to serve (NB: it is currently recommended to have at least 18 months left to serve to allow for the time it takes for the application to be processed). The offence for which the prisoner was convicted must be recognised as a criminal offence in the UK, and he/she must have no other outstanding court cases in Spain.

All transfers must be requested by the prisoner, and agreed by the local authorities and the relevant authorities (initially the Ministry of Justice) in the UK. Requests should normally be made directly to the Spanish Prison Governor. Alternatively, the prisoner may wish to write to the nearest British Consulate who would pass the letter on to the Ministry of Justice in London. The Ministry of Justice at Cross Border Transfer Section would then deal directly with the Spanish Ministry of Justice. The cost of the fare back to the UK must be met by the prisoner but arrangements can be made to pay it back at a later date once in the UK.

For information about Prison transfers you can ask either the prison authorities where you are serving your sentence or your nearest British Consulate.

You can also write to the relevant UK authorities:

England and Wales

Operational Services Group (OS)
Central Operational Services Directorate
HM Prison and Probation Service
9th floor, 1 Ruskin Square
Croydon
CR0 2WF
Telephone: 07540 266945

Email: [email protected]

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Prison Service
Operational Management Division
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT4 3SU
Telephone: 028 9052 5065 (General Enquiries)

Email: [email protected]

Scotland

Scottish Prison Service Headquarters
Communications Branch
Room G20
Calton House
Redheughs Rigg
Edinburgh
EH12 9HW
Telephone: 0131 244 8745

To transfer, you must:

• be a British citizen or have close family ties with the UK (normally through permanent residence in the UK)
• not be awaiting trial
• have exhausted all appeals against your conviction and/or the length of your sentence; or have waived your right to an appeal
• have at least 6 months of your sentence left to serve when you apply for transfer
• have no outstanding fines or other non-custodial penalties

The offence you were convicted for must also be a criminal offence in the part of the UK you wish to be transferred to: England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The authorities in the sentencing country may refuse your request. Even if the sentencing country agrees to your transfer, the UK authorities may also refuse your request. Reasons for this might include if you have not lived in the UK for a number of years and you have no close family living there.

To find out more about transfers to the UK: In prison abroad: transfer to a UK prison (a copy of the leaflet is provided with this leaflet).

Release and deportation

Release on full completion of sentence will usually be unconditional, unless specified otherwise at the time of the trial, and the prisoner will be free to remain in Spain or return to the UK as long as they are not subject to an expulsion order (see note below on expulsion). Consular officers would be grateful if prisoners or their family could let the British Consulate or Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office know when they are released or expelled to help keep our records up to date.

Prisoners who remain in Spain following at least six months’ imprisonment, either after provisional release on bail or on completion of their full sentence, may be entitled to unemployment benefit if they have previously worked in Spain or the UK in the previous six years. Those not eligible for unemployment benefit may be entitled to other benefits if their income is less than a certain amount. Released prisoners should make enquiries immediately on release at the local Jobcentre (Instituto Nacional de Empleo INEM) and register as unemployed. An application for benefits has to be made within 15 days of release (excluding Sundays or Public Holidays). Requested documents include a certificate issued by the Director of the prison confirming time spent in prison, proof of income, bank details, passport and a NIE (certificate issued by the Spanish police with an identity number for foreigners).

Foreign prisoners may be encouraged to apply for expulsion instead of serving short sentences in Spain. It is important to note that this is not an entitlement and is only granted at the discretion of the courts. Prisoners should seek advice from their lawyer or the prison legal advisor (jurista).

There is also the possibility of applying for expulsion to the UK at the time of being granted release before completion of full sentence (libertad condicional), or being classified into third grade within the prison system. Prisoners should seek advice from their lawyer or the prison legal advisor (jurista).

In both cases the person will be prohibited from entering Spain or any other country in the Schengen area for a set period of time of up to ten years. If they arrive at a Spanish or any other Schengen country border before the prohibition period has ended, they will be sent back to the UK. If they come to the Spanish authorities´ attention on Spanish territory, they may be sent back to prison to complete the remainder of their Spanish sentence. Prisoners should discuss with their lawyer, or the prison legal advisor (jurista) the implications of a prohibition order and the process for future cancellation of the order at the time of application. It should be noted than failure to pay fines may also result in arrest on arrival at a Spanish airport or within Spain.

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 the UK for advice, to take a shower, 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 your consular caseworker 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 Aftercare 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 – www.salvationarmy.org.uk UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7367 4888 Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, or contact your local Salvation Army branch

The Prison Fellowship – www.prisonfellowship.org.uk 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.

Additional information

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned overseas. It is the only UK charity providing this service and it is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or awaiting charge or trial. Prisoners Abroad is concerned with your health and welfare, both during your imprisonment and also 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 during your imprisonment. In order to access any services, prisoners 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 will vary 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

Prisoners Abroad 89 – 93 Fonthill Road London N4 3JH UK

Email: [email protected] Website: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7561 6820 or 0808 172 0098 Mondays and Tuesdays 9.30am to 6pm (UK time) Wednesdays to Fridays 9.30am to 4.30pm (UK time)

Glossary of terms

Useful legal terms

English	Spanish	Catalan
Court	Juzgado	Jutjat
Trial	Juicio	Judici
Judge	Juez	Jutge
Prosecutor	Fiscal	Fiscal
Lawyer	Abogado	Advocat
Interpreter	Intérprete	Intèrpret
Procurator	Procurador	Procurador
Litigation Power of Attorney	Poder para Pleitos	Poders per a pleits
Notary Public	Notario	notari
Legal Aid	Asistencia Jurídica Gratuita	Asistencia juridica gratuïta
Prison wing	Módulo	Mòdul
On remand	Preventivo	Preventiu
Sentenced	Condenado	Condemnat
Sentence	Sentencia	Sentència
Appeal	Apelación	Apel·lació
Prison Legal Advisor	Jurista	Jurista
Prison Councillor	Educador	Educador/a
Prison Social Worker	Trabajador/a Social	Treballador/ra social
Prison Guard	Funcionario	Funccionari
Written request (in prison)	Instancia	Instància
Prison Doctor	Subdirector Médico	Subdirector medic
Prison Judge	Juez de Vigilancia Penitenciaria	Jutge de vigilancia
Prison Court	Juzgado de Vigilancia Penitenciaria	Jutjat de Vigilancia Penitenciaria
Parole	Libertad Condicional	Llibertat condicional
Prison Governor	Director	Director
Bail	Fianza	Fiança
Local Bar Association	Colegio de Abogados	Col·legi d’advocats
Treatment Board	Junta de Tratamiento	Junta de tractament
Accounts Department	Peculio	Peculi
Prison Shop	Economato	Economato
Receipt	Recibo	Rebut
Administration Department	Régimen	Règim

Key phrases - English into Spanish

I don’t understand	No entiendo
The telephone is out of order	El teléfono no funciona
I do not have any money to buy…	No tengo dinero para comprar…
I would like to order…	Me gustaría pedir…
This is urgent	Esto es urgente
May I make an appointment to see…	¿Podría fijar una cita con…?
I need to see my lawyer	Necesito ver a mi abogado
Can I have a list of local English-speaking lawyers?	¿Me das una lista de abogados que hablen inglés?
Who is dealing with my case?	¿Quién está a cargo de mi caso?
Does the prison have a list of translators?	¿Hay una lista de traductores en la prisión?
Can I get bail?	¿Puedo pedir la libertad bajo fianza?
Can you tell me how long I will be held in police custody before I get transferred to a prison?	¿Me podrías decir cuánto tiempo estaré detenido antes de ser transferido a una prisión?
What must I do to get transferred to another prison?	¿Qué debo hacer para ser transferido a otra prisión?
Can you tell me how long my sentence is?	¿Me podrías decir cuánto tiempo durará mi sentencia?
Can you tell me the date my sentence finishes?	¿Me podrías decir la fecha en que mi sentencia terminará?
Can I move to Mr…..’s cell as he speaks English?	¿Me puedo cambiar a la celda del Sr…., ya que habla inglés?
Can Mr….. move into this cell?	¿Puede el Sr… cambiarse a esta celda?
I am very cold, can I have an extra blanket please?	¿Tengo mucho frío, me das otra manta por favor?
When is the shop open?	¿Cuándo abre la tienda?
How much money do I have in my account?	¿Cuánto dinero tengo en mi cuenta?
What day does the doctor come? What time?	¿Qué día viene el médico? ¿A qué hora?
Is there any work that I can do?	¿Hay algún trabajo que puedo hacer?
I would like to work in the…	Me gustaría trabajar en el/la….
Can you show me what I must do?	¿Me puedes enseñar lo que debo hacer?
Could I buy a Spanish/English dictionary?	¿Podría comprar un diccionario de inglés/español?
Can you contact the Consulate for me?	¿Puedes contactar el consulado para mí?
I want to make a complaint	Quiero poner una queja
Can I have permission for my family to send me….?	Me gustaría pedir permiso para que mi familia me envíe…
As I am not allowed visits, could I have a parcel of clothes sent to the prison?	Como no tengo permitido ninguna visita, ¿se me podría enviar un paquete de ropa a la prisión?
Are there any items which they are not permitted to send me?	¿Hay algo que no pueden enviarme?
I want to send this letter to…	Quiero enviar esta carta a….
Why are my letters taking so long to get to my family?	¿Por qué mis cartas tardan tanto en llegar a mi familia?
I have not heard from my family and I am worried about them	No sé nada de mi familia y estoy preocupado/a por ellos.
How do I arrange a visit for my family?	¿Qué tengo que hacer para solicitar una visita de mi familia?
Can you confirm that my family has booked a visit for (a specific date)?	¿Podrías confirmar qué día ha reservado mi familia para visitarme?
May I have an extended visit as I do not get many and my family has to travel a long way?	¿Podría pedir una visita más larga ya que no recibo muchas visitas y mi familia tiene que viajar de lejos?
Could I go to the prison school to learn Spanish?	¿Podría ir a las clases de la prisión para aprender español?
Could you give this letter to Mr… cell no…. so he can translate it for me?	¿Podrías darle esta carta al Sr…. celda número … para que la traduzca para mí?

Annexes

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad – advice for British nationals

FCDO leaflet: In Prison Abroad: Transfer to a UK prison

Find a lawyer in Spain

Prisoners Abroad: General leaflet

Prisoners Abroad: Authorisation form

Prisoners Abroad: Contact with family and friends form