Guidance

Information pack for British nationals arrested or detained in Togo

Updated 20 September 2024

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 Togo 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.

There is no British embassy in Togo. Consular assistance is provided by the British High Commission in Accra, Ghana, with assistance from our Honorary Consul in Lomé. You can also seek assistance from any EU embassy in Togo.

The British High Commission in Ghana’s details are:

British High Commission, Accra

Julius Nyerere Link

P.O. Box 296

Accra, Ghana

Tel: +233 302 213 200 option 2

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-accra

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 Togo, notification by the authorities to the consulate normally takes place within the first 24 hours after arrest. Once we are notified, we aim to contact you as soon as possible.

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 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 the authorities in Togo.

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 Togo

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

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

If your family or friends decide to visit you, we can assist them by providing guidance on visiting the prison, and what they can and cannot take in. You will be entitled to two visits a day: one in the morning, and the other in the evening.

What to expect when you visit

Visitors queue up following the order of arrival and are allowed a period of time to talk with their relative in custody.

It is advisable to give family and friends as much information as you can about what to expect when they reach the prison. They are likely to find the sight of you in a prison visiting area with guards all around a distressing experience.

What you can take on your visit

Visitors are allowed to bring all kinds of foods and essentials. Visitors will have to taste food brought in before it is released to their relative in custody. The prison guard will also check the food for the presence of prohibited goods.

Any object/tools/equipment that can harm or incite suicide are banned.

Visitors are allowed to bring clothing, detergents, toiletries and food items to supplement the food provided by the prison.

Visits: consular staff

We aim to visit you every quarter while you are under trial, though we may visit more often if it is necessary or in an emergency. A private visiting room can be requested but will only be provided subject to availability of space. If you are convicted, we will visit less often but will make an assessment of your vulnerability before deciding how often this will be.

If you have any health or welfare concerns, please discuss these with your prison welfare officer in the first instance or you can write to us at any time on matters of concern (British High Commission, P.O. Box 296, Osu–Accra) – but if it is urgent, it may be quicker to ask prison authorities to contact us on your behalf.

Emergency trips outside of prison

Trips outside of prison are not allowed in any circumstances. In the case of medical emergencies, hospital visits would be arranged by the prison.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

If you are arrested, you will first be taken to a police station where you will be told the reason for your arrest. After you are told, you will be allowed to call a lawyer and make a statement. Court hearings will be arranged to determine whether or not you are guilty. If found guilty, you will be sentenced to a term in prison.

Once arrested, you will be placed under custody on the instructions of the public prosecutor after your rights are stated to you. You will also be informed that you are entitled to have the assistance of a lawyer for your defence.

If the investigation is not completed within 48 hours, you will be presented to the public prosecutor who will judge according to the type of investigation. During this period, the police officer will have to find out the facts and circumstances in which the crime has been committed, gather the evidence and present them to the Prosecutor of the Republic.

You can only be remanded in custody whilst the authorities conduct their investigation.

You will be presented to court periodically, and the prosecutor has to satisfy the court that your continued detention is justified. The total time that you are detained awaiting trial will depend on the seriousness and complexity of the offence. But it usually takes several months (possibly over a year) before a case comes to court for full hearing.

You can be remanded for as long as the case is pending in court (unless granted bail).

While in remand you should be sent to court every other week. You however have the right to seek bail at any stage of your remand/detention.

Appearing at court

At the hearing, the floor is given to the victim to present their compensation claims before the public ministry representative who will make his submissions to charge and/or discharge.

The lawyer of the accused then pleads. Each party has the right to reply, but the defendant still has the last word. Finally, the Tribunal or the Court of Assizes (for crimes) makes its decision.

The accused person must be brought to court on every adjourned date.

Prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

More information about the Togolese judicial system can be found in Chapter 3.

Initial arrival at the prison

When you first arrive at the prison you will be searched thoroughly, and your personal details will be recorded. Afterwards, you will be allocated to a cell.

The police station will keep a register that includes your name, surname, day, date, and time of arrest, as well as the time of your release (if applicable). You must sign the register to confirm that the information recorded is correct; however, if you are unable or unwilling to sign, this will be noted in the register as well.

Detention at the police station cannot exceed 48 hours in the first instance, but it can be extended for another 48 hours with the approval of either the prosecutor or the judge.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prison conditions in Togo are considerably poorer than conditions in UK prisons.

There may be problems such as overcrowding, lack of adequate meals, clean drinking water and electricity and poor sanitation.

You must avoid breaking prison rules.

It is advisable to limit the amount of information about yourself, or your case, that you share with other inmates, no matter how friendly they may seem.

Accommodation

Some prisoners might be put into a segregated ‘protection’ area of the prison. This could be because they are young and unsure of the main prison, or because their alleged offence might otherwise put their safety at risk or because they are violent.

Food and diet

You will be provided with a small amount of food - this is unlikely to provide the type of balanced and nutritious diet available in the British prison system. You will need to supplement the basic food provision yourself by purchasing food in prison or arranging for food supplies to be sent to you by family or friends resident in Togo.

Hygiene

There is no restriction on the number of times a week a prisoner can shower; you can shower as often as possible, but this is regulated. Toiletries can be bought at the prison site.

Work and study

You are not allowed to work in prison, but you can study.

In Togo, prisoners can learn a trade but cannot undertake formal studies.

Contact and languages

Phone calls are allowed.

If you wish to speak to your lawyer or family, you will need to go through the Prison welfare officer. This is usually done by booking a time to make the call. Calls are however monitored.

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

Exercise

Prisoners are permitted to move around. Some prisons have a football pitch/athletic track.

Climate

The climate is hot and humid year-round. Heavy downpours are common in both rainy seasons .i.e. from April to July and in October. Warm clothing such as jumpers should be worn during rainy seasons, as it gets cold, but not as cold as in the UK.

Religion

Prisoners are entitled to take part in religious services of their choice. Prison service in Togo recognises and respects the right of prisoners to register and practice their faith whilst in custody. However, there are no specific rules as to practicing your religion and should you be of a different religion, the police are under no obligation to assist you in practising your religion. Detention facilities are staffed by prison officers.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

Prison rules and regulations are made clear to prisoners on arrival at the prison. There are different forms of punishments for different offences.

Drugs are prohibited inside Togolese prisons. This is the reason why the prison guard has to check every parcel, mail, food or equipment before allowing the person in custody to have access to it.

Drug abuse is a problem in some prisons. If you are caught holding or using drugs, punishment can be severe.

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.

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. You may be eligible for one of the three Prisoners Abroad Funds - the Craig Feehan Fund, the Vitamin Fund and/or the Medical Fund.

Medical and Dental treatment

While you are detained, the Togolese government is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. You may also receive a medical examination if needed.

If you need medical or dental treatment, you should make an appointment to see the prison nurse. The nurse can provide routine treatment. For more serious complaints you will be referred to the nearest public hospital. If a specialist is required, you will be referred to one. You will be required to pay for your medical treatment.

If you have a long-standing medical problem and have received treatment for it in the UK, it may be useful if you have your medical records, or at least a report, sent from the UK for the information of the prison service.

With your permission, we can make sure that any medical or dental problems you might have are brought to the attention of any police or prison doctor. We can also contact your GP in the UK, if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records.

Letters and parcels

You cannot receive and send mail directly. All mail has to pass through the head of prison who can censor it. There are rules about what you can and cannot receive. For example, pornographic materials are not allowed. Togo is a very conservative society so material which may be considered to be adult may be deemed pornographic. Prison authorities are obliged to deliver letters with minimum delay.

Tell your family and friends to always include your full name and prison number in the address. It is also a good idea to number all letters in sequence. If you do so, you can keep track of anything that goes missing.

Unfortunately, consular staff cannot accept mail for onward delivery. Any mail received will be returned to the sender.

You may receive parcels and your family may send you the following items:

• underpants (new, in their package, any colour)

• singlets (any colour)

• photographs

• regional or overseas newspapers

• wireless radio (battery powered – prisoners can send batteries or purchase some on site)

• books or magazines (these will be censored to meet standards of the Prison Service)

If you are not sure what other items are allowed, check with your welfare officer before asking for it to be sent. If not, you may find that you are not allowed to receive some or all of the contents of the parcel containing a prohibited item. Items brought in will be subject to scrutiny.

Telephone calls

If you wish to speak to your lawyer or family, you will need to go through the prison welfare officer. This is usually done by booking a time to make the call. All calls are monitored.

Making a complaint about mistreatment

You can make a complaint when you are introduced to the prosecutor or during your hearing in court. You or your lawyer can as well file a complaint in writing (letter format) to the prosecutor during review.

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 feel you have a justified complaint about prison conditions, raise it with the welfare officer or another superior prison official or the Senior Chief Officer (Administration) in the first instance. If this does not resolve the matter, contact consular staff and we will take action as appropriate.

Chapter 3: The Togolese judicial system

Overview

The Togolese judicial system and the UK judicial system have some similarities. For example, prisoners are presumed innocent until proven guilty; they have a right to legal representation, interpreter, fair trial and appeal. However, there are fundamental differences. For example, the Togolese judicial system is extremely backlogged, understaffed and a lack of resources means it is extremely hard to achieve anything quickly. The Togolese judicial system is very bureaucratic. Also, lawyers may charge large sums of money, make grand promises and deliver very little. Prisoners can remain in prison without having been sentenced for considerable periods.

Remember that you should never sign anything you cannot read. If you find yourself under pressure to sign, ask to speak to your lawyer.

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?

If you are arrested, restricted or detained you should be informed immediately in a language that you understand, of the reasons for your arrest and of your right to a lawyer of your choice.

You will either be remanded in custody or granted bail by the court or the police.

The police can grant you a police enquiry bail.

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

How long you can be remanded in custody ?

You can only be remanded in custody whilst the authorities conduct their investigation. You will be presented to court periodically, and the prosecutor has to satisfy the court that your continued detention is justified. The total time that you are detained awaiting trial will depend on the seriousness and complexity of the offence. But it usually takes several months (possibly over a year) before a case comes to court for full hearing. You can be remanded in custody for as long as the case is pending in court (unless granted bail). While in remand you should be sent to court every other week. You however have the right to seek bail at any stage of your remand/detention.

After you are charged

You must be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction. The preliminary court appearance shall be at the district or magistrate’s court. If you lack legal representation, the matter will be adjourned for you to obtain legal representation (not free). The court may ask a lawyer to step in and represent you if available.

The police may request that an interpreter be provided by the high commission for proceedings if you do not understand the local language (French). This is not a service the high commission can provide, and you will need to hire the services of an interpreter.

If you are charged and believe the charges are incorrect, you will be expected to follow court procedures to clear those charges. No extra time is given.

A prisoner is expected to enter a plea (not guilty until proven innocent or guilty).

Bail

You always have the right to bail. If bail is refused, you or your lawyer can appeal that refusal. If that application is refused, you can apply at a further stage of the proceedings.

Bail can always be granted subject to conditions primarily that you attend court for all hearings and inform the judge of all movements.

Bail conditions can be changed or removed on application directly or through your lawyer.

The consequence of breaching bail conditions is that it may be revoked.

In theory although bail can be granted in all cases, in practice, it is extremely rare to have bail granted with serious offences i.e., murder, rape or drug trafficking.

It is rare for foreign nationals to be granted bail. This is due to the flight risk that many of these prisoners pose. Even where bail is offered, it is usual to remove the passport of a foreign national before releasing them from detention, to prevent them leaving the country.

In assessing whether to permit bail, the judicial authorities are entitled to consider a person’s links to the country and how likely it is that they will flee. This means that foreign nationals are less likely to receive bail. Similar factors are considered in the UK, so we do not regard this as a form of discrimination. You may be asked to submit your passport to the courts as part of your bail conditions. British passports are property of His Majesty’s Government. If you want us to, we can formally request the return of your passport, however, this may have implications on your bail status. We cannot issue you a new travel document if your passport is held as a condition of bail without first asking for that passport to be returned.

If the charges against you are dropped because of insufficient evidence, you will be released and deported. The cost of which is borne by the State.

In the (unlikely) event that you are allowed to leave Togo on condition that you return for your court case, please note that failure to comply could lead to your being placed on an immigration blacklist and/or being extradited from the UK to stand trial.

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 a list of English-speaking lawyers.

Prisoners Abroad can also supply general (non-country specific) information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

If you do engage a lawyer, they may ask for an advance of estimated legal fees before they will take on a case.

Consular staff cannot give legal advice, pay your legal expenses or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them.

Trial

Pre-trial Proceedings

There are three principal stages in a criminal procedure in Togo:

• The Police investigation. Handled by police officers under the guidance of the prosecutor. It helps determine the nature of the offence, gather first case materials, and helps determine which procedure should be followed next by the Prosecutor.
• The instruction or judicial investigation (which is a secret process). Handled by the instruction judge, this stage is mandatory in case of serious offences. It is facultative in case of indictable offences, but it will usually be launched in case of complexity. The goal of this stage is to look deeper into the facts. The instruction judge has the power to do everything necessary to determine whether or not you are guilty. If there are enough grounds against you, they will be sent to Court for the judgement. If that is not the case, proceedings will be dismissed. The instruction is secret.
• The stage of judgment (the trial).

The “pre-trial” stage will cover the stage starting from the police investigation to the instruction or will be limited to the police investigation if no instruction is needed.

During the “pre-trial” phase, you have the right to be assisted by a lawyer at any time. Regarding the police interview, the police officers can ask all questions they believe to be useful. The inquiry is put in a Police record. The police record is an important tool for the procedure as it is the document that will help both the Prosecutor and the Instruction judge to know what to do next and how to handle the whole procedure.

During the instruction phase, the instruction judge will review in depth the preliminary investigations made by the police officers. He can send warrants to anybody that can assist him with further information such as witnesses. He can order all kinds of expertise (medical, technical, fingerprints, DNA test and so on).

During all these phases, you have the right to be assisted by a lawyer. You can refuse to answer if your lawyer is not present.

A sworn interpreter will assist you if you do not understand French.

Trial Proceedings

Trial proceedings will come either after the police investigation (summary conviction procedure) or after the judicial inquiry. This phase is public. Depending on the case, everything can be done the same day or after a certain number of hearings.

Ahead of the trial, the judge in court (also known as sitting judge) has access to the files of the case. He is supposed to review it before the trial.

The same applies to the prosecutor and the lawyers of the accused and the plaintiff.

When the trial starts, the sitting judge will first check the presence of all parties. If there are witnesses present, they will be sent to another room. The goal is to keep their testimony as neutral and objective as possible.

The judge will start by asking you some questions. After asking questions about your identity, the judge will always ask you if you accept the facts or not. Depending on your answer, the judge will ask further questions about the circumstances of the offence, the reasons and so on.

The judge will allow the prosecutor to interrogate you as well.

Following the prosecutor, lawyers will also interrogate you. After these “back and forth” questions, if there is nothing further to be asked, the plaintiff will submit his requests to the court.

After the plaintiff, if the prosecutor is convinced that you are guilty, he will present his demands to the judge. The prosecutor will request a particular penalty; however, the judge is free to go with the prosecutors’ demands or not.

The prosecutor can also ask the judge to dismiss all proceedings if he does not find enough grounds to proceed against you.

After the prosecutor, your lawyer will plead either for your innocence or ask the Court’s indulgence.

You will always speak last.

Sentences

• misdemeanours (1-2 years)
• second degree felony (not exceeding 10 years)
• first degree felony (maximum of a life term or less)

Some punishments in the criminal code include imprisonment, detention, fine, payment of compensation, liability of police supervision etc. There are no crimes punishable by the death penalty.

Appeals

From the day the court rules on the case, all parts involved have 15 days to make an appeal.

The appeal of the plaintiff may not reverse what has been decided on the criminal aspects of the case. It can only call into question any civil aspects.

The court of appeal can only revise the criminal sentence based on your appeal or the prosecutor’s appeal.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

There is no provision for reduction of sentence (remission) in Togo. However, there are presidential favours.

Early release

Normally, a prisoner must finish serving his sentence however, when a custodial sentence is given, there is a possibility for early release with good behaviour prior to the completion of your sentence on the basis of poor health.

The only other possibility for early release from serving a custodial sentence is where you are granted a pardon by the President of Togo.

Clemency or pardon

Pardon and clemency are prerogatives of the President of Togo. This pardon usually takes place on 27th April of each year (Togo Independence Day).

Financial penalties

Depending on the offence, fines are part of the sentencing system, especially in civil cases.

Transfer to another prison within Togo

Transfer to another prison within Togo is possible.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

A Prisoner Transfer Agreement exists between the UK and Togo.

To transfer to the UK, 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 about transfers to the UK: In prison abroad: transfer to a UK prison.

Release and deportation

Any British citizen serving a prison term may be liable for deportation to the UK at the end of that term.

Even those with Togolese resident status may find their visa revoked. In this event, you need to speak immediately to a lawyer. Dual British/Togo nationals are not however liable to deportation. Deportation may only take a matter of days, especially if your passport is still valid.

However, if your passport has expired, or has less than 6 months validity remaining, you might need to obtain a new passport before you can be deported. This could take several days, depending on what documentation you have. To avoid deportation delays, we recommend that you check your passport status well in advance of your release and deportation.

If you are deported, you may be excluded from returning to Togo for a given period. Depending on the severity of the offence you were imprisoned for, this might be a permanent exclusion.

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

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

Annex

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

Prisoners Abroad Forms