Guidance

Information for British nationals detained or imprisoned in Belgium

Updated 16 April 2024

1. Chapter 1: Key Points

1.1 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 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

This information pack is designed to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Belgium and who can help. A printed copy is provided to those in prison or in custody. We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

1.2 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)
• even if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself, and should do so, particularly 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 don’t 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.

1.3 Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London, and in British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates overseas.

The British Embassy in Belgium can be contacted on 0032 (0)2 287 6211 or email consularsection.brussels@fcdo.gov.uk

The address is:

British Consulate General
Avenue d’Auderghem/Oudergemselaan 10
1040 Brussels

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 00 44 (0)20 7008 5000.

1.4 What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help. Once notified of your arrest or detention, consular staff 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 Belgium, the authorities usually notify the consulate within 24 hours.

Once we are notified, we aim to contact you as soon as possible.

We can also:

• provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers and 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
• provide information on how to transfer money to you from your friends or family
• in some circumstances we may be able to help you apply for a transfer to a prison in the UK

1.5 What we can’t do

• get you out of prison or detention
• help you get special treatment
• offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime
• pay for any costs as a result of being arrested
• forward you packages sent by friends or family
• prevent authorities from deporting you after release

1.6 First Steps

Informing your family

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

If you are not sure about informing your family, we can help you consider the impact that not doing so might have. 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. It is therefore possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check was carried out by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances in which information about you may need to be shared by ourselves or authorities in Belgium.

Hiring a lawyer

Although we cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime, we can offer basic information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can give you a list of local English-speaking lawyers. You will want to consider the benefits of local legal representation and to discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. In no circumstances can we pay your legal or interpretation costs.

If you have a complaint

We cannot get you out of prison or detention, nor can we get special treatment for you because you are British. However if you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards we will consider whether to approach local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.

Other sources of support

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

2. Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Belgium

2.1 Visits - friends and family

How to arrange a visit

Visit procedures and prison rules may vary slightly from prison to prison according to capacity, overcrowding, offence category etc. Every visit is at the discretion of the prison director. If visitors need to travel to Belgium to visit you, they should be sure that the correct visiting procedures with the individual prison have been followed before booking travel.

Blood relatives and in-laws, guardians, spouses, legal or de facto cohabitants, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts (all relatives up to the second degree) are allowed to visit you if they can provide proof of relationship. You are seen by the prison directors upon first arrival at the prison and you may then give the names of your partner/children/parents so that they can be added to their visitors list.

Other visitors are admitted only after prior authorisation by the prison director. You must submit a written request - a specific form - to the director, together with a motivation letter and a copy of the visitor’s ID card/passport (these can be sent to the detainee by post), after which the director will make a decision. If you receive an approval from the director, the visitors will need to follow up with copies of their documentation (listed below) and a visiting time must be booked in advance. For the visit itself, they will need to bring the originals of the documents of which they have already sent copies:

• immediate family: evidence of identity (passport/ID card) and proof of their relationship to you (for example, copy of birth/marriage certificates)
• other family members: evidence of identity (passport/ID card), birth certificate, proof of relationship and in some cases a criminal record check (if resident in the UK this should be from the ACRO Criminal Records Office

Depending on the prison rules and situation, a prisoner may not be able to have family and friends visiting at the same time, or at all. Again, this needs to be checked before visitors come over.

Visiting days and times and booking arrangements differ from prison to prison. Most prison administration offices (greffe/griffie) will speak and understand sufficient English to help with these procedures. However, if you or your family/friends need help with arranging a first visit, consular staff, lawyers and prison social workers can also assist with these arrangements.

It is not necessary to re-apply for a visit permit if you transfer to another prison in Belgium.

Children can visit usually only 1x per month, by prior request. Check with prison social workers when visits are allowed. There is also the possibility of an ‘extended visit’ for family members living abroad. This must be requested through a specific form. The number of times an ‘extended visit’ is allowed per week or month, as well as the length of the visit, can differ per prison.

Visiting arrangements when on remand

Visit applications should be submitted to the examining magistrate (onderzoeksrechter/juge d’instructions) in charge of the case. An examining magistrate can refuse permission for a visit even by the closest members of family. The application process is different according to which stage the case is at:

• during the 15 days appeal process: visit application must be submitted to the procureur du roi/procureur des konings at the court at which the trail took place
• during the appeal court stage of the judicial proceedings applications must be made to the procureur général/procureur-generaal at the appeal court in the same way as stated above
• after sentencing (once all appeal procedures are completed), all visit applications must be made to the prison director

On remand, there are no visiting rights for the first 3 to 5 days after arrest. Then depending on prison facilities, usually 2 times per month in the first month (behind glass), after that 2 to 3 times per week.

What visitors should expect

You register as a visitor at the prison reception. After showing your valid ID, the porter will register you. You will hand over your identity document for safekeeping. A photograph will be taken of you and put on your visitor’s badge.

If you have items with you that you want to hand over to the detainee, you must report it. They will check that you are not carrying any prohibited items. Any items you are not allowed to give away will be taken into custody. You will get them back when you leave prison.

You will then go through a metal detector. Jewellery, packages, cigarettes, certain shoes, clothes with metal or belts will all be detected. Therefore, think about your clothing in advance to make the visit as smooth as possible. Handbags or luggage are not allowed in the prison. You can therefore store items in a locker.

You may wait in the waiting room until the guard escorts you to the visiting room. This may be the visiting room, or the room for undisturbed visits if you had requested it.

At the end of the visit, you will return to the prison reception. Here you will hand in your visitor’s badge and get your identity card back.

What visitors can take into the visitors room

• objects authorised by the management
• your personal locker key
• tokens, coins or a bank card to buy a drink or sweets in the visiting room
• medicines, you will need to present a certificate from your doctor stating that you should always have these medicines with you
• baby equipment (food and a maximum of three nappies)

Rules of conduct

• always go straight to the table indicated by the porter in the visiting room
• you should always wear your visitor’s badge visibly
• you do not smoke in the visiting room
• you must not hand anything to the detainee or to other visitors, except with the permission of the staff member in charge of supervision. If you do not comply with these rules, the director may decide that your visit is over

What visitors can bring

Belgium has a large number of prison facilities and regulations about permitted items vary from one prison to another and may change due to circumstances. For example, in some prisons, postal packages are not allowed to be sent to the prison – these packages are refused and sent back. In some prisons, visitors can take one plastic bag with “clothing” for the prisoner on each visit.

It is therefore advisable for the visitor to contact the prison by telephone or for the inmate to ask internally about which specific items may be sent or brought in.

The detainee may request in writing that items be brought in. As soon as the request is approved, the detainee can inform his social network about which items have been approved and can thus be brought or sent.

2.2 Visitors - consular staff

The Belgian authorities are legally obliged to inform you of your rights to have contact with the British embassy. They should also inform the British consulate of your detention.

We will aim to contact you in writing within 24 hours of being notified of your arrest, excluding weekends and public holidays. We will send you information about what we can and cannot do for you, including how to request a consular visit. We will ask for your consent to speak to people you nominate, about your situation. We cannot communicate information about your detention and welfare, even to family or friends, without your consent to do so. Where we agree to visit you, we will do so as quickly as possible (excluding weekends and public holidays) and we will tell you the date of our visit. If distance makes it difficult for us to visit as soon as you would like, we will explain this and confirm a time period within which we will visit.

Though we cannot telephone you directly, we can remain in touch with the prison and welfare officials and we will provide you with a point of contact so that you can call us. You may request further visits and we will assess your request according to your health & welfare and anything else that may be relevant.

You can write to us at any time on matters of concern. Our address is:

British Embassy
Consular Section
Avenue d’Auderghem/Oudergemselaan 10
1040 Brussels

2.3 Emergency trips outside of prison

You may be granted an exceptional exit permit to make a trip outside of prison if an urgent situation arises (for example, funerals and critical illness of a prisoner’s next-of-kin), but only within Belgium (and under strict conditions). It is the detention management service that assesses the risks and decides whether an exit can be granted. It is never allowed to go abroad during such an exit.

If you have not yet been convicted, an exit can only be provided under police escort (also only within Belgium). It is the investigating judge who decides whether the gravity of the situation allows this.

2.4 Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arrival at the police station and basic rights

At the moment of your arrest you should be made aware of your rights.

You have the right to a confidential consultation with a lawyer and legal assistance during the interview with the police. You may ask for a lawyer of your choice to be contacted. If you do not have a lawyer of your own or this lawyer is unable to attend, you can ask for a lawyer from the bar association’s pool of duty lawyers to be contacted. If you comply with certain legal conditions, this legal aid is either completely or partially free of charge. You may ask for the form that sets out the conditions for legal aid. As an adult defendant, you can waive this right. If you yourself feel that you do not need a lawyer, you can say so. Minor suspects cannot waive this right.

You have the right to be told about the offences on which you will be interviewed – the police must communicate the reason for your arrest to you.

You have the right to remain silent. At no point can you be forced to incriminate yourself. After you have stated your identity, you may choose to make a statement, answer the questions asked or remain silent.

You have the right to let someone know that you have been arrested. You are entitled to have a third party notified of your arrest, for example, a family member or your Embassy/Consulate.

You have the right to medical assistance. You are entitled to free medical assistance if required. You may ask to be examined by a doctor of your choice. If so, this is at your own expense.

You have the right to the assistance of an interpreter. If you do not understand or speak the language, or if you have hearing or speech impediments and if your lawyer does not understand or speak your language, you are entitled to a sworn interpreter during the confidential consultation with your lawyer. This help is free of charge. If you wish to speak a language that is different from the language of the proceedings, a sworn interpreter will be called up to assist you during the interview. This help is free of charge. You may be asked to write down your statement in your own language.

If possible, the interview may be filmed to monitor the interview proceedings. This is decided by the interviewer, the public prosecutor or the examining magistrate. At the end of the interview, you will be provided with the text of the interview for you to read. You may also ask to have it read to you. You will be asked if there is anything you would like to change or add to your statement.

You cannot be detained by the police for more than 24 hours.

2.5 Appearance at court

Within 48 hours, you will either be released or taken before the examining magistrate who will decide whether or not you are to remain in custody and whether or not to issue an arrest warrant. The examining magistrate is obliged to hear you on the matter first. During this interview you are entitled to be assisted by your lawyer. The examining magistrate will hear your comments, or those put forward by your lawyer, about the fact that a warrant may be issued for your arrest. You may waive your right to assistance from a lawyer only if you are of legal age. If the examining magistrate issues a warrant for your arrest, you have the following rights:

• you have the right to speak to your lawyer without limitation
• within 5 days after the arrest warrant is issued, you will appear before the Committals Chamber, where you may challenge your arrest and the fact that you are being held on remand
• the day before the hearing of the Committals Chamber you will be allowed to consult your case file
• unless you have been given a verbal translation of the arrest warrant, you may request a (written) translation of the relevant passages of the arrest warrant if you do not understand the language in which the proceedings are to be conducted. You will need to submit a request with the Court Registry of the Court of First Instance within three days after the arrest warrant was issued. This translation is free of charge
• your lawyer can explain more about this procedure with greater detail
• you may notify the Consulate/Embassy of your arrest

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

2.6 Initial arrival at the prison

Registration

You will be registered in the prison upon your arrival and must hand over all items you are carrying that are not allowed in the prison. You will then be given a receipt. However, you can ask someone from outside the prison to come and collect these items.

Informing family

Every prisoner has the right to inform their family about their incarceration. Therefore, you will be allowed one three-minute national or international phone call free of charge within 24 hours of your incarceration in prison.

Information

You will receive information about your rights and duties, about the rules in force in prison, about medical, legal, psychological, social and family assistance. You will also be informed about how to speak with a chaplain or moral counsellor.

Belgian prisons have many foreign prisoners who do not understand Dutch or French. In such cases, the prison administration calls on other people who do speak the language of the prisoner, such as a member of staff, a chaplain, or a visitor, for example.

Meeting with the director

You will have a meeting with the prison director within 24 hours of your arrival. The director will inform you about your personal file and the general rules that apply in the prison. The director also provides you with brochures and leaflets giving you general information about the prison.

Meeting with welfare services

Within four days after you arrive at the prison, a member of the psycho-social services in the prison has a meeting with you regarding how to seek social, psychosocial, legal and family assistance.

Meeting with the doctor

The prison doctor will give you a medical examination within 24 hours of your arrival.

2.7 Prison: conditions and daily life

Overcrowding is a general problem in Belgian prisons, therefore a bed might not be available and you might only be given a mattress. Food is basic but acceptable and dietary requirements are generally respected. Medical facilities (doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists) are of good standards and easily accessible. Other facilities (for example, gym, library), although available, are not always easily accessible.

Belgian prisons will provide food, bedding, clothes, towels, paper, pen, envelopes, 1st class stamp as well as a starter kit containing basic toiletries: soap, shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste, shaving material and comb. Other items can be purchased directly from the prison shopping list which most prisons offer or from the prison canteen.

Accommodation

Overcrowding is a serious problem in many Belgian prisons. There are single cells and shared cells. The cells are furnished, and you will receive bed linen, towels and work clothes.

Due to overpopulation, 3 people may have to sleep in a 2 person cell, with a mattress being placed on the floor at night.

Cells are small and don’t always have toilets and running water. Showers are available outside the prison cells. You can decorate your cell while respecting the rules of order and security of the prison. As far as the prison rules allow, you may keep certain personal items with you, such as glasses, writing utensils, posters, photos, jewellery, books, magazines, etc.

People on remand are normally held separately to sentenced prisoners, however dependent on the size of the prison and capacity, you may meet sentenced prisoners.

There will be a window with a level of natural light but a restricted view.

Food and diet

You will receive three meals a day. In most prisons food is basic but acceptable and composed according to the standards of a balanced diet. A special diet can only be provided on medical (for example, diabetes, allergies, high blood pressure etc…) or religious grounds. This does not apply to vegetarians. You can supplement your diet by buying fruit and other items from the prison shop (canteen) when available.

Hygiene

On arrival you will receive some free toiletries such as soap, a toothbrush, toilet paper. It is also possible to buy toiletries at the prison shop (canteen). It is not always possible to have a daily shower. Shower/bathing facilities are basic and communal.

The maintenance and cleanliness of the cell is the prisoner’s own responsibility.

Work and study

In some prisons paid work is available. However, it is difficult for the prison to supply work for all prisoners as there are not enough opportunities available and some jobs require specific skills (for example, hairdresser, cook, electrician). You may find it worthwhile putting your name down for any of the variety of training, educational and/or work offers available not only as a diversion from prison routine, but also to give yourself a better understanding of the prison system as well as possible hygiene privileges (for example, daily showers). If you work you will earn a very limited salary (pocket money). Belgian National Insurance contributions and prison upkeep costs will be deducted from this pay and the remainder is placed in your prison account.

You can apply for work by filling in a work application and sending it to the prison direction. You must have been in prison for at least one month and must not have incurred any recent (serious) disciplinary penalties. There are waiting lists for jobs, so it can take a while before you can start. Sometimes this is already discussed during your first meetings with the psycho-social services and the directors. In that case, the management can immediately put you on the waiting list for work.

Training courses are organised through external support services and are always advertised through posters/flyers. Some prisons have an education coordinator who can inform and guide you about studies or support you in working out an individual training path (distance learning, self-study etc…). If there are any questions about this, you can always send a report to the psycho-social services and they can make an application or refer you to the right external service.

Contact and languages

Contact with other prisoners is allowed during ‘yard time’.

Guards usually, but not always, understand and speak English. Some prisons provide language classes.

You can borrow books from the prison library or order newspapers and magazines at your own expense to read in your cell. If you have a radio or television set, you can listen to and watch these, or play games on a game console. When a television is provided, one per cell - you will need to pay per month to watch any available channels. You can also participate in social and cultural activities organised by non-profit organisations in prisons. The offer varies from prison to prison. Some examples: painting course, drama workshop, music class, flora-artwork course, etc.

There is the possibility to request local language materials through the post from Prisoners Abroad (including language textbooks and dictionaries).

Exercise

You have the right to spend at least one hour daily outdoors on the prison’s yard and they can also take part in sports for at least two hours a week. You can use the fitness room, play football or basketball in the gym or participate in classes (yoga, dance, etc.).

Climate

The weather in Belgium is comparable to the UK, with a pleasant climate in summer time, but sometimes more extreme weather conditions in winter, with cold temperatures and icy winds. You are provided with clothing in prison. In some prisons, you are allowed to wear your own clothing which should allow you to adapt your clothing to specific weather conditions.

Religion

You have the right to practice your own religion or follow your beliefs individually or in groups. You can participate in group activities organised by the recognised religious services. You can also write letters to and receive letters from the representative of your religious community.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

On arrival you are given information about the rules and regulations that apply in prison. Prisoners must generally follow current rules and the staff’s directions.

Order and security in a prison are very important, you are not allowed to carry some items: torches, candles, oil lamps, photographic, film and video equipment, binoculars, telescopes, transmitting and communication equipment, USB sticks, floppy disks, MP3 players (unless the prisoner needs them for training purposes), animals, items prohibited by law, mobile phones and accessories, cash money and vouchers, bank cards and identity documents, weapons and alcoholic beverages.

The possession, use and trafficking of drugs are strictly forbidden in all Belgian prisons. If you are caught with any kind of illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, etc.) you will be punished accordingly. Belgian prisons have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy.

Tobacco cigarettes are allowed and can sometimes be purchased in the canteen.

You may be searched during your stay in prison, for example before and after visits. For security reasons, your cell may be searched too.

If you break the rules, you can be given a disciplinary punishment in the form of a warning, a fine or a period in a disciplinary cell (solitary confinement).

If you cause damage to government owned property, this may be deducted from your compensation for labour.

2.8 Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

It is forbidden to post money to a prison or to have cash money, cheque books or bank cards in your cell. The prison will open an individual account for you upon arrival for personal use. Money earned from working in the prison will also be deposited into this account. You can check the balance of your account by phone.

You can receive and transfer money from and to any person outside the prison. However, financial transactions between prisoners are prohibited for security reasons unless exceptionally authorised by the director.

There are two ways in which you may be able to receive financial assistance while in prison.

• private funds: deposited to you by your family or friends. See below for instructions on how to send funds
• Prisoners Abroad: depending on where you are detained, if your family can’t 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 British government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners

Private Funds

While the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, we may be able to, within certain limits, send you money from your family. This Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) “Prison Comfort” system is for money transfers to prisoners from friends/family. If no other options are available, the British embassy or consulate may be able to help with this. There may be a charge for this service.

It is quicker and easier to send a bank transfer directly to any Belgian prison and we highly recommend this method. The sender may incur a fee for international transfers and you will receive the money quicker. The prison authorities will provide you with an internal information sheet with instructions on how to set up the transfer which you can send to your family. It will include the BIC and IBAN codes for the prison. The British Consulate can also provide this information if required. The person sending the money must reference all money transfers with your prisoner number, surname and first name. Failure to do so will result in the prison rejecting the transfer. We recommend that the person checks with their bank the charges for international bank transfers which can be quite high.

Prisoners Abroad

In addition Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity, may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not in receipt of any regular donations from other sources. You can apply for the Vitamin Fund and the Medical Fund.

Receiving medical and dental treatment

While you are in detention, Belgium is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. Prisoners must be able to enjoy the same health care as in a free society. The care is adapted to their specific needs and to the prison environment. The prison employs nurses, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists and physiotherapists. They provide medication and treatment to ensure that the prisoner feels good both physically and mentally.

Prisoners are given a medical examination on arrival in prison. If, subsequently, you wish to see the doctor (docteur/dokter or médecin), dentist (dentiste/tandarts), or psychiatrist (psychiatre/psychiater) you will need to make a written application by completing a report-note (rapportbriefje) addressed to the medical services and giving the reason why you need to see a doctor. A simple diagram may help you to indicate your problem. In most prisons you are allowed to consult an external doctor of your own choice but you have to send an application (by using a report-note addressed to the director) to the prison director who will have to approve it.

Some prisons have a hospital where you can be treated. For more serious medical problems you may be transferred to an external hospital.

Psychological and psychiatric counselling

A team of psychologists and social workers is available to provide psycho-social support. This team also prepares you for psycho-social re-integration and evaluates your probation proposals. Every prisoner, on entering prison, will meet with a member of the psycho-social team.

Internees, are people who have committed a crime and have been declared irredeemable by the court, they receive appropriate guidance in prison. In some prisons they stay in a separate department and therefore live separately from the other prisoners. A care team in the prison provides therapeutic care and supports them. The team consists of a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, psychiatric nurse, exercise therapist and educator. Based on an individual treatment plan, they want to improve the mental, social and physical condition of the internees through conversations and activities and thus facilitate their placement in a psychiatric institution or their reintegration into society.

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 liaise with your GP in the UK, if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records and this is in your vital interests.

Mail and parcels

Each prison operates its own procedure. In some prisons, if you are on remand the rules are stricter than after sentencing. Unless otherwise stipulated you have the right to send and receive an unlimited amount of letters. Received mail may be checked and censored. There is an exception for any mail received from or sent to certain authorities (for example, lawyers, government ministers, judicial authorities, and the Consulate/Embassy) provided this is clearly mentioned on the envelope. For security reasons, the Belgian prison authorities will not allow prisoners to receive parcels by post – this normally also applies to books and newspapers, although newspapers are sometimes accepted if they are sent through a subscription arrangement.

Visitors may deliver a parcel, as long as the item(s) are on the list of acceptable items available from the prison.

Certain items of clothing (for example, coats, suits) requires prior authorisation from the prison director. In some cases it is possible to send a parcel of clothing to a local association of prison visitors (Justitieel Welzijnswerk/Services d’Aide Sociale aux Détenus) who will then deliver the clothes to the prison.

During a short period at Christmas prisoners may receive one food parcel, but there are restrictions on the type of food and the weight of the parcel. The food must always be shop bought and still in its original sealed wrapping. The prison director will inform the prisoners of full details of the arrangements in advance of the Christmas/Easter period.

Letters to and from family and friends

The mail that prisoners receive from their family and friends is checked to make sure it does not contain any prohibited items or substances. The mail may only be read if the prison management fears for the order and security of the prison. The director may then decide not to deliver the letter or enclosed items to the inmate and take them into custody. He notifies the prisoner accordingly. The prisoner will get them back upon release.

In principle, mail sent by prisoners is not checked. However, if the director suspects that there is a danger to order and security, he may have the mail checked and possibly not sent. It will be returned to the prisoner.

In certain cases, the investigating judge may prohibit a suspect from exchanging correspondence with certain persons.

Letters to and from lawyers

You may send and receive unlimited letters to and from your lawyer. The prison does not check this correspondence.

Letters to and from consulates and embassies

You may also send and receive letters to and from a consular or diplomatic official of your country. These letters are not checked either.

Telephone calls

Telephone calls can be made daily, every other day or according to the individual prison’s rules and regulations. Telephone cards must be used which can be bought at the prison. If you don’t have any money, you can request a free call to your lawyer/embassy via the social worker. Normally, you can call any telephone numbers unless the investigating magistrate decides otherwise or when there is an internal security risk (for example, chance to escape). In those cases some numbers may be blocked or checked in advance.

You are allowed to make calls to landlines and mobile phone numbers at your own expense. The phones are located in the corridor where the prison cells are. You are given a personal code which you enter, this pays your telephone calls through your individual prison account.

The warden may deny all or part of your right to make phone calls if there are indications that the phone call may compromise order or security.

The investigating judge may also prohibit a prisoner from making telephone calls in specific cases.

One free call at the start of detention

You have the right to make one three-minute national or international telephone call, free of charge, within 24 hours of your detention in prison.

Monitoring of calls

Phone calls cannot be stored or listened to. The management can only look at who and how long a prisoner called.

Telephone calls to a lawyer, consulate/embassy

You have the right to telephone your lawyer or the consulate/embassy daily between 08:00 and 20:30 at your own expense.

Mobile phones are not allowed in prison and their use will be punished.

How to make a complaint about mistreatment

If you have been mistreated, 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 inform you of 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 photos of the injuries you received.

You have several possibilities to report an alleged mistreatment:

• you can communicate your complaint orally or in writing directly to the psycho-social services, the supervisors of the guards or the directors, for example, if there are problems with officers on wing or fellow prisoners
• you can turn to the ‘Supervisory Committee’. In each prison there is a ‘Supervisory Committee’ that carries out independent supervision of the prison, the treatment of the prisoners and the observance of human rights. The committee can listen to prisoners, give advice and information and mediate between the prisoners and the prison direction to solve concrete problems. More information is available on their website
• you can complain to the ‘Complaints Committee’. if you want to complain against a disciplinary sanction imposed by the direction, or against individual decisions of the director, you can do so at the Complaints Committee. More information is on this online leaflet on ensuring your rights are respected (PDF,198KB)
• you can ask the prison administration (‘griffie/greffe’) to inform the local (neighbourhood) police officer that you want to speak to them. The police officer will then call you to file a complaint
• you can write directly to the public prosecutor

3. Chapter 3: the Belgian judicial system

3.1 Overview and first steps

The Belgian judicial system is different to the UK judicial system.

Prosecution

In the Belgian system, it is the examining magistrate (juge d’instruction/ onderzoeksrechter) who proceeds with the investigation of assumed offences. The examining magistrate manages the investigation whether an assumed offence has been committed and decides to such effect the measures of investigation in charge and in discharge. Once this investigation is completed the file is transmitted to the public prosecutor who decides what (if any) charge is to be brought against a person. The case is submitted to the Council Chamber (Chambre du Conseil / Raadkamer) who decides whether or not the case will be submitted to the Criminal Court (Tribunal Correctionnel/Correctionele Rechtbank). It is possible to appeal against the decision of the Council Chamber (Chambre du Conseil/Raadkamer).

Remand (détention préventive/voorlopige hechtenis)

Prior to the first hearing by the examining magistrate, the individual can have a confidential meeting with a lawyer, when the facts committed by such individual could lead to his remand. The person may be detained for up to 48 hours. The person is informed orally of the remand with delivery within 48 hours of the whole copy of the act of remand by any agent of the public order empowered to proceed thereto, or the registrar of the juge d’instruction or the director of the prison. If an arrest warrant is issued the suspect will be held in remand for five days. After 5 days, the mandate is subject to the control of the Council Chamber, who can extend the arrest warrant for 1 month. Extensions of the suspect’s detention period is possible until judgment. After two extensions of one month, the detention will be extended by 2 months each time.

Belgian penal procedure may allow the person charged with an offence to remain at liberty (for example, on bail). However, non-Belgian residents are rarely granted bail because of the difficulty of guaranteeing that the accused will present him/herself for further investigation and trial.

The period between arrest and trial can be quite long and can vary greatly (from a few months to a few years). It is not possible to obtain priority for British nationals, nor is it possible for a consular officer to attend the instruction proceedings, but a consular officer may attend the trial held in the criminal court (court which decides if the person is guilty or not, whether or not the charges are justified and what sentence the suspect gets, for example, prison, fine, release without fine) - of course without intervention in court. An interpreter is provided by the court for any interviews that you have with the examining magistrate and for the trial itself.

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.

What happens when you are arrested

You will be taken to a prison facility. It is possible that you will spend one night at an airport holding cell or police station but an accused person may only be detained for 48 hours without a hearing (known as an administrative arrest).

At the moment of your arrest you should be made aware of your rights – one of them is the right to make a phone call to speak to a family member/your embassy. You should tell the authorities if you wish the British Embassy/Consulate to be informed of your arrest.

The officer who arrested you might want to take a statement from you. This has to be done with a translator or someone who can speak English and in the presence of a lawyer (see also Section 2.4 Police custody and initial arrival at prison).

Should you have any questions concerning the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer. A list of local English-speaking lawyers is provided at the end of this pack

Length of remand in custody

In theory custody can be indefinite. In practice, and depending on the severity and complexities of the case, it averages from 2 to 6 months. Release may be granted when the period of remand appears to be excessively long.

You can be remanded monthly, after two consecutive extensions of one month, the remand will be extended by two months (instead of one) each time.

Charging

The courts will inform you, your lawyer/public defender and the prison authorities of your charge. If you don’t have a private lawyer you will be assisted by public defenders (pro deo lawyer) who will defend your case.

Bail

Applications for bail (caution/borg) are unlikely to be accepted in the case of a person who faces serious charges or who is usually resident outside Belgium, and only then against a large cash deposit.

Belgian penal procedure may allow the person charged with an offence to remain at liberty (for example, on bail). However, non-Belgian residents are rarely granted bail because of the difficulty of guaranteeing that the accused will present him/herself for further investigation and trial.

The FCDO is not able to facilitate the transfer of bail funds.

3.1 Trail and legal assistance

Legal assistance

There are two types of legal assistance:

• private
• pro deo (free legal aid)

If you want to hire a private lawyer, see our list of English-speaking lawyers. Prisoners Abroad can also supply information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

Some private lawyers will ask for a cash advance for their estimated legal fees before they will take on your case. The British Consulate/Embassy cannot pay any legal fees or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them.

If you are unable to pay for legal representation you may be entitled to free legal-aid (avocat désigné d’office/pro-deo). These are appointed but they may be ‘means tested’.

Should you wish to apply for a change of lawyer, you should write to the president of the local law society (bâtonnier/stafhouder) whose address you can obtain from the prison. The prison social workers are often able to help with this. Where a prisoner has initially been represented by a legal-aid lawyer and has appealed against a decision of the Tribunal de Première Instance/Rechtbank van Eerste Aanleg it will be necessary to re-apply for a further legal aid lawyer through the Appeal Court.

The lawyer is entitled to be present at the police interview and at the interview with the examining magistrate. The lawyer usually visits the person in prison.

Should you be allocated a legal aid lawyer and then nominate a private lawyer, the legal aid lawyer has the right to charge you lawyer’s fees for any services rendered.

To find a lawyer/legal aid you can also consult: Dutch speaking lawyers or French speaking lawyers.

3.2 Trial

On your trial day you will be taken to the court office where your case is being handled. Your case may be heard by the Tribunal Correctionnel/Correctionele Rechtbank (Criminal Court), at the Tribunal de Première Instance/Rechtbank van Eerste Aanleg (High Court), or the Cour d’Assises/Hof van Assisen (Assize Court).

There will be a judge in charge of your case along with the public prosecutor and your lawyer or public defender. If you don’t speak French/Dutch/German (languages spoken in Belgium) the court will be responsible for hiring an interpreter to assist you during the trial. The sentenced person or the civil party may lodge an appeal within 15 days (see Section 3.4 How can appeals be made?).

3.3 Sentences

Sentences vary in Belgium and will depend on the seriousness of the crime, the degree of guilt and the judge in charge. Your lawyer/public defender can advise on length of sentences and on appeals’ procedures.

3.4 Appeals

Appeals should be made in writing within 24 hours of sentencing, via the prison administration (greffe/griffie). After the judgment you have 15 days to appeal.

In the case of prosecution, cases are heard by the Tribunal Correctionnel/Correctionele Rechtbank (Criminal Court), at the Tribunal de Première Instance/Rechtbank van Eerste Aanleg (High Court) or the Cour d’Assises/Hof van Assisen (Assize Court). The sentenced person or the civil party may lodge an appeal within 15 days, the Procureur du Roi/Procureur des Konings within 25 days. The customs authorities can lodge an appeal within 10 days of a decision taken by these courts. No appeal against any part of the sentence can be lodged after the expiry of this period. When the appeal is lodged, the prisoner may be transferred to the remand centre closest to the relevant Appeal Court.

A recourse before the Cour de Cassation/Hof van Cassatie (on grounds of erroneous interpretation of law) is possible against a final decision, but this must be done within 15 days. An appeal of this nature is specifically a review of whether Belgian law has been correctly applied.  The facts of a case are not reviewed and it is purely focused upon the application of the law. 

In the case of a judgment in absentia, not only appeal but also recourse before the Court which rendered the judgment can be lodged within the 15 days the sentenced person is aware of the judgment.

3.5 Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

There is no provision for reduction of sentence by submitting an appeal. However, sentences often provide that the penalties or part of them do not have to be executed when there is no other penal sentence.

Early release or parole

A law of 17 May 2006 has created a ‘Tribunal de l’Exécution des Peines’ (Enforcement Court). It is a law containing many provisions summarised below.

The Tribunal de l’Exécution des Peines (Enforcement Court) deals with:

• limited detention: permission for the prisoner to leave the prison for periods of maximum 12 hours to prepare the conditional release or for professional or family reasons
• electronic control: the prisoner has to stay at a given residence but their liberty to go anywhere is under control (the detainee is tagged with an electronic bracelet)
• conditional release: see information below
• provisional release in order to leave the country

The Department of Justice remains competent for the following limited permissions:

• the limited permissions to leave for situations such as family duties, medical reasons
• the interruption of imprisonment for maximum 3 months for serious and exceptional reasons which require the presence of the prisoner

The proceedings are as follows:

• the prisoner makes the application for limited detention or electronic control and the director of the prison gives his opinion. The conditional release and the measure of getting free to leave the territory is on the basis of the opinion of the director of the prison, without needing prior application by the prisoner. Afterwards the public prosecutor gives his opinion
• the Tribunal de l’Exécution des Peines (Enforcement Court) renders its judgment

Conditional release:

For sentences of 3 years or less conditional release is given provided there are not the following objections:

• the prisoner has no means to live
• risk of causing damage to the physical integrity of third parties
• risk of importuning the victims
• attitude of the prisoner towards the victims

For sentences of more than 3 years the objections are:

• impossibility of social reinsertion
• risk of committing new offences
• risk of importuning the victims
• attitude of the prisoner towards the victims

A plan of social reintegration has to be submitted to the tribunal.

When the judgment is negative, the tribunal fixes a date when the prisoner may enter a new application.

Clemency or pardon

In Belgium, clemency/pardon can only be given by the King. An appeal for clemency/pardon has to be made in writing to the King’s Cabinet.

Financial penalties

Release is only on condition that all outstanding fines and possible court costs etc. have been met.

Transfer to another prison within Belgium

Transfer to another prison within Belgium is possible. Transfer to a prison from the remand centre once sentenced happens as a matter of course. The application for transfer from one prison to another should be made through your lawyer and prison director by using an application form on which the reasons for the transfer request are stated. It usually helps/speeds up the transfer process if your lawyer or public defender requests a priority transfer, for example on the basis of mistreatment experienced. Your lawyer/public defender should write directly to:

Directie Detentiebeheer (DDB)
Interne Rechtspositie
Willebroekkaai 33
Brussels 1000

DDB decide on prison transfers.

Transfer to a UK prison

A prisoner transfer agreement exists between the UK and Belgium.

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. You should be aware that even if the sentencing State agrees to your transfer then 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 residents there.

The transfer process usually takes between 6 to 8 months to complete.

You will need to out your request in writing to the Belgian prison director and inform the British Embassy Brussels.

To find out more about transfers to the UK: Arrested or detained abroad

Procedures for release and deportation

Financial penalties

Release is only on the condition that all outstanding fines and possible court costs etc. have been met.

Deportation

This depends on the conditions of release. Once the Ministry of Justice has agreed the release, the Belgian Foreign Affairs Department will decide how it will take place, and what time-frame is applicable, i.e:

• deportation (under police escort)
• 5 day notice (own mode of transport)
• 24 hr notice (own mode of transport)

When deported you are escorted by the police. Any released prisoners who have an expulsion order issued against them will be ordered to leave the country of Belgium by their own means and within the set time-frame and conditions of release. If the prisoner is released and they don’t have an expulsion order issued against them, they can leave the country at any time at their own expense.

Extradition

Once the detainee consents to the extradition, the UK authorities have 10 days to collect the prisoner.

This can be extended by a further 10 days only. All EU member States participate in the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) Scheme. This is a streamlined revision of the extradition process, i.e. the EAW replaces the extradition.

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. Possibly you have never lived in the UK and have no connections there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may simply 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 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 it is best to write and tell your 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 has an aftercare service that can help with:

• advice on finding emergency accommodation in the London area
• advice on 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 020 7367 4888
Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM
or contact your local Salvation Army branch

The Prison Fellowship
UK Helpline 020 7799 2500
Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM

UK criminal record

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 therefore possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer.

4. Chapter 4: Additional information

4.1 Volunteer workers

There is a network of volunteer workers in Belgium who are part of an external organisation called “Justice Welfare Work” (JWW) (Justitieel Welzijnswerk – Services d’Aide Sociale aux Détenus). JWW is a counselling service – their volunteer workers can visit you in prison and may help you to find your way in the supply of support and services existing in the prison, concerning well-being, health, culture, sport, education and employment.

You can also contact them when you have questions about:

• incarceration and the consequences for you, your family, friends
• work, income, residency
• administration, sick-fund, union
• civil parties
• rehabilitation

You can apply/contact them by writing a report-note (rapportbriefje) which you should submit to the prison director or your social/welfare worker in the prison.

4.2 Plea Bargaining

Check with your lawyer/public defender which procedures are in place in Belgium regarding Plea Bargaining.

4.3 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 and issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
• obtaining magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
• learning the language of your country of imprisonment
• translation of documents
• grants for food if you are in a developing country and don’t have funds from other sources
• grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you don’t have funds from other sources
• preparing you and information 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

info@prisonersabroad.org.uk

89 - 93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7561 6820
0808 172 0098 (Freephone)
Mondays to Fridays 9:30am to 4:30pm (UK time)

4.4 Glossary of Terms

Useful legal terms and key phrases - English into Dutch and French

General

English	Dutch	French
Hello	Hallo	Bonjour
Goodbye	Tot ziens	Au revoir
Please	Alstublieft	S’il vous plait
Thank you	Dank u wel	Merci
Yes	Ja	Oui
No	Nee	Non
Today	Vandaag	Aujord’hui
Tomorrow	Morgen	Demain
Yesterday	Gisteren	Hier
Next week	Volgende week	La semaine prochaine
I understand	Ik begrijp het	Je comprends
I do not understand	Ik begrijp het niet	Je ne comprends pas
What is this?	Wat is dit?	Qu’est-ce que c’est?
What should I do ?	Wat moet ik doen ?	Que devrais-je faire?
Can you help me?	Kunt u me helpen?	Pouvez-vous m’aider?
Thank you for your help	Dank u voor uw help	Merci de votre aide
To make a request	Een aanvraag doen	Faire une demande
Prison	Gevangenis	Prison
The prison director	De gevangenis directeur	La directeur de la prison
The social worker	De sociale assistent	L’assistant(e) social(e)
The lawyer	De advocaat	L’avocat
The court	De rechtbank	Le tribunal/le cour
The examining magistrate	Onderzoeks rechter	Le juge d’instruction
The public prosecutor	De procureur	le procureur
Visit	Bezoek	Visite
(Prison) Cell	Cel	Cellule
Good behaviour	Goed gedrag	La bonne conduite

Days

English	Dutch	French
Monday	Maandag	Lundi
Tuesday	Dinsdag	Mardi
Wednesday	Woensdag	Mercredi
Thursday	Donderdag	Jeudi
Friday	Vrijdag	Vendredi
Saturday	Zaterdag	Samedi
Sunday	Zondag	Dimanche

Months

English	Dutch	French
January	Januari	Janvier
February	Februari	Février
March	Maart	Mars
April	April	Avril
May	Mei	Mai
June	Juni	Juin
July	Juli	Juillet
August	Augustus	Août
September	September	Septembre
October	Oktober	October
November	November	Novembre
December	December	Décembre

Numbers

English	Dutch	French
1 One	Een	Un
2 Two	Twee	Deux
3 Three	Drie	Trois
4 Four	Vier	Quatre
5 Five	Vijf	Cinq
6 Six	Zes	Six
7 Seven	Zeven	Sept
8 Eight	Acht	Huit
9 Nine	Negen	Neuf
10 Ten	Tien	Dix
11 Eleven	Elf	Onze
12 Twelve	Twaalf	Douze
13 Thirteen	Dertien	Treize
14 Fourteen	Veertien	Quatorze
15 Fifteen	Vijftien	Quinze
16 Sixteen	Zestien	Seize
17 Seventeen	Zeventien	Dix-sept
18 Eighteen	Achttien	Dix-huit
19 Nineteen	Negentien	Dix-neuf
20 Twenty	Twintig	Vingt
21 Twenty one	Een en twintig	Vingt-et-un
22 Twenty two	Twee en twintig	Vingt-deux
23 Twenty three	Drie en twintig	Vingt-trois
30 Thirty	Dertig	Trente
40 Forty	Veertig	Guarante
50 Fifty	Vijftig	Cinquante
60 Sixty	Zestig	Soixante
70 Seventy	Zeventig	Septante
80 Eighty	Tachtig	Quatre vingt
90 Ninety	Negentig	Nonante
100 Hundred	Honderd	Cent
200 Two hundred	Twee honderd	Deux cents
300 Three hundred	Drie honderd	Trois cents

Postal

English	Dutch	French
Mail	Post	Courrier
Writing paper	Briefpapier	Papier à lettres
Pen	Pen	Stylo
Stamp	Postzegel	Timbre
I would like to buy a stamp	Ik wil graag een postzegel kopen	J’aimerais acheter un timbre
Have I received any letters?	Heb ik post ontvangen?	Y a-t-il des lettres pour moi?
Have my letters been sent?	Zijn mijn brieven verstuurd?	Est-ce que mes lettres ont été expédiées?
I would like to write to my family	Ik wil graag naar mijn familie schrijven	J’aimerais écrire à ma famille
How much does it cost to send a letter to the UK	Hoeveel kost het om een brief naar het VK te sturen?	Combien coûte une lettre pour le Royaume-Uni?

Food

English	Dutch	French
Meal	Maaltijd	Le repas
Breakfast	Onbijt	Le petit-déjeuner
Lunch	Lunch/middagmaal	Le déjeuner/le repas de midi
Dinner	Avondmaal/Avond eten	Le diner/le repas du soir
Meat	Vlees	La viande
Fish	Vis	Le poisson
Potatoes	Aardappelen	Des pommes de terre
Vegetables	Groenten	Des légumes
Egg/Eggs	Ei/Eeieren	Un œuf/des œufs
Milk	Melk	Le lait
Tea	Thee	Le thé
Coffee	Koffie	Le café
Bread	Brood	Le pain
Pasta	Pasta	Les pâtes
Rice	Rijst	Le riz
Sugar	Suiker	Le sucre
Salt	Zout	Le sel
Pepper	Peper	Le poivre
Do you want something to eat?	Wil je wat eten?	Voulez-vous quelque chose à manger?
What are we having to eat today?	Wat eten we vandaag?	Que mangeons-nous aujourd’hui?
Have you finished eating?	Ben je klaar met eten?	Avez-vous fini de manger?
I am a vegetarian	Ik ben vegetarisch	Je suis végétarien/ne

Time

English	Dutch	French
What time is it?	Hoe laat is het?	Quelle heure est-il ?
It is 8/eight o’clock/8 am	Het is 8/acht uur	Il est 8/huit heures
It is 3 o’clock/3 pm	Het is 3/drie uur	Il est 15/quinze heures
At 10 am	Om 10/tien uur	A 10/dix heures
At 4 pm	Om 4/vier uur	A 16/seize heures

Health

English	Dutch	French
Health	Gezondheid	Santé
Hygiene	Hygiene	Hygiène
Ache/pain	Pijn	Mal
Headache	Hoofdpijn	Mal de tête
I feel well	Ik voel me goed	Je me sens bien
I feel ill	Ik voel me slecht/ziek	Je me sens malade
I feel better	Ik voel me beter	Je me sens mieux
The doctor	De dokter	Le médecin/le docteur
The dentist	De tandarts	Le dentiste
I would like to see the doctor/dentist	Ik wil graag de dokter/tandarts zien	J’aimerais voir le docteur/dentiste
Soap	Zeep	Le savon
Toothbrush	Tandenborstel	Le brosse à dents
Toothpaste	Tandpasta	Le dentifrice
Towel	Handdoek	La serviette
Clothes	Kleren/kleding	Les vêtements
How and when can I wash my clothes?	Hoe en wanneer kan ik mijn kleren wassen?	Comment et quand pourrais-je laver mes vêtements?
I would like to have a shower	Ik wil me graag douchen	J’aimerais prendre une douche
When will it be possible to have a shower?	Wanneer is het mogelijk me te douchen?	Quand sera-t-il possible de prendre une douche?
Barber/hairdresser	De kapper	Le coiffeur
I would like to have my hair cut	Ik wil mijn haar graag laten knippen	J’aimerais me faire couper les cheveux

Money

English	Dutch	French
Money	Geld	Argent
Have I received any money	Heb ik geld ontvangen?	Ai-je reçu de l’argent
How much money is left?	Hoeveel geld is er over?	Combien d’argent reste-t-il
How much does it cost to buy..?	Hoeveel kost…?	Combien coûte…?

Hobbies/Free time

English	Dutch	French
Free time/Hobbies	Vrije tijd/hobbies	Loisirs
Book	Boek	Le livre
Reading	Lezen	La lecture
Are there any English books?	Zijn er engelse boeken?	Y a-t-il des livres anglais?
Television/ TV	Televisie/ TV	La télévision
Television channel	TV zender	La chaine de télévision
Can I watch television with you?	Mag ik tv kijken met jou?	Puis-je regarder la télévision avec vous?
Sport	Sport	Le sport
Football	Voetbal	Le football
Weight-lifting	Gewicht heffen	Les halteres
Cigarette	Sigaret	La cigarette
To smoke/smoking	Roken	Fumer
I would like to buy some cigarettes	Ik wil graag sigaretten kopen	J’aimerais acheter des cigarettes

Work

English	Dutch	French
Work	Werk	Le travail/un emploi
To work	Werken	Travailler
Is there any possibility of getting work?	Is het mogelijk om te werken?	Y a-t-il une possibilité d’obtenir du travail
How do I apply for work?	Hoe vraag ik werk aan?	Comment dois-je faire pour demander du travail?
Will I receive a salary for work?	Zal ik geld verdienen met het werk?	Est-ce que je recevrai un salaire pour le travail?
How much will I earn?	Hoeveel zal ik verdienen?	Je gagnerai combien?

Annexes

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

FCDO guidance: Send money to someone in prison

Prisoners Abroad Forms

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

List of Private Translators/Interpreters