Guidance

Information pack for British nationals arrested or detained in Cameroon

Updated 20 April 2023

Chapter 1: Key points

Overview

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

This information pack aims to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Cameroon 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 High Commission (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 High Commission in Yaounde or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +237 650 46 06 52 or +44 (0)20 7008 5000 or contact us online.

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British High commission 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.

The British High Commission in Cameroon has details below:

Contact Details:

British High Commission

Avenue Winston Churchill,

P.O Box 547, Yaounde.

Tel: +237 +44 207 008 3355/ +237 650 46 06 52 (only during working hours).

Email: Bhc.Yaounde@fcdo.gov.uk. / Consular Yaounde Enquiries consularyaoundeenquiries@fco.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/government/world/cameroon/

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 Cameroon, notification by the authorities to the consulate is rare. If it happens at all, it normally won’t be for several days.

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
• in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards
• help to transfer money to you from your friends or family. In places where phone or postal services are not available we can also try to pass on messages and deliver letters to the prison (but generally we cannot arrange for delivery directly to you)
• in some circumstances we may be able to help you apply for a transfer to a prison in the UK

What we cannot do

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

First steps

Informing family members

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

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

Informing the UK police

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

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 translators and interpreters in Cameroon. 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 Cameroon

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

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

Family and friends are allowed to visit. The frequency and access to detainees differs from prison to prison and different rules apply to those in remand and persons who have been sentenced.

Generally, an authorisation or visit card must be obtained from the Legal Department of the location of the prison prior to any visit. While there is no standard limit to the number of visitors at a time, it is advisable for no more than two persons to visit the detainee. The visitors must present valid identification documents (e.g. ID or Passport).

The head of penitentiary administration can order the suspension of visits on disciplinary grounds. The prison manager may, for the preservation of evidence, disciplinary or security or reasons, also prohibit an inmate from meeting other persons for a period of 10 days renewable twice. In extreme cases, the detainee would be kept in a special cell.

What to expect when you visit

The visitor(s) should arrive at least one hour before the visit schedule. Upon arrival at the detention facility, visitor(s) will be searched and asked to surrender their IDs, which will be returned to them after the visit. The location of the meeting depends on the facilities in the prisons. Prisons in Cameroon do not have glass separators. The average length of each visit is 45 minutes. For information, prisons in Cameroon do not have catering facilities for guests nor vending machines.

What you can take on your visit

Visitors can bring food and clothing items. They will not be allowed to bring telephones and any communication device.

Visits: consular staff

We will visit you during our routine visits; you will have the opportunity to discuss any health issues, security concerns, your treatment in prison and any other general issues that you wish to raise with our Consular staff from the British High Commission. At each Consular visit, our staff will complete a “Visit Report Form”. If there is any information that you would prefer not to disclose to a Next of Kin you should let us know during the visit.

You can write to us at any time on matters that concern you.

Emergency trips outside of prison

It may be possible for detainees to attend the funeral of a first-degree relative (father, mother, sister, brother) but it is unlikely the detainee will be allowed to take a trip outside the prison for the illness of their next-of-kin. It will also depend on whether the inmate is on remand or sentenced.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

You must be informed of your rights, including the right to an attorney.

In the absence of an interpreter, you can insist on having one provided – but there is no guarantee that one will be provided.

Legal aid is available for offences that carry capital punishment.

You can be held for up to 72 hours without a charge. This period is renewable and is different when it relates to terrorism offences.

In principle, detainees are held in police/gendarme cells. You will have access to food and water (usually at your expense). However, most if not all police/gendarme cells do not have beds. You may ask to see a doctor. Your personal belongings will be taken and kept in the registry of the police/gendarme cell.

You will be allowed to make a limited number of phone calls without restriction to domestic or international numbers in theory, but this may not always happen.

You have the right to contact your family, obtain legal advice, arrange for your defence, consult a doctor, receive medical treatment, and take necessary steps to obtain your release on bail.

Appearing at court

When you are brought before a judge, you will be given the right to speak. If you do not have a lawyer, the State might appoint one for you under certain conditions. Irrespective of the location of the appearance in court, you are entitled to be tried in the language you understand best. However, this is not the case in practice – and the court does not provide a professional interpreter.

Initial arrival at the prison

Upon arrival at the prison, the prison authorities will check the remand warrant and enter your name in an entry register. The register may contain information such as the date of the remand, next court appearance and the offence. Once the registration process is completed, you will be subjected to bodily checks and personal belongings will be confiscated and returned once you are released.

You are allowed to make a limited number of phone calls (paid) without restriction to domestic or international numbers.

A social worker or nurse may interview you upon arrival. You will be allowed access to any duly prescribed medication essential for your wellbeing. You may keep and use your own clothing. The prison authorities do not provide toiletries.

Prison: conditions and daily life

The prisons in Cameroon are generally overcrowded. The Ministry of Justice 2019 Human Rights Report puts the average prison occupancy rate at 177%.

Accommodation

Sentenced prisoners and those on remand are held separately. There are no single prison cells- all cells are shared. The number of inmates in a cell is dependent on the size of the cell.  Some prisoners might be put into a segregated “protection” area of the prison. This could be because their alleged offence might otherwise put their safety at risk or because they are violent.

Cells have bunk beds with mattresses. Some cells have toilets in the dormitory while others are located outside.

Dormitories have windows, which provide natural light into the rooms.

Food and diet

Inmates have a right to a ration of food once a day, which the State has deemed sufficient to keep healthy and fit. The food provided must respect the customs and religions of the various inmates. Food is also provided or sold at the prison canteen or informally within the confines of each prison yard to supplement what is served to inmates. Inmates are allowed to arrange for food to be bought from outside or can be brought food by family and friends subject to the internal regulations of each prison. Drinking water (not clean) is available through supply is usually interrupted by maintenance works.

Hygiene

There is no limit on how many times a week prisoners can shower/bathe. Bathing facilities are communal. The prison authorities may provide some toiletries. Prisoners may buy additional toiletries from prison shops.

Work and study

Work is not compulsory for prisoners. Prisoners can study for qualifications while incarcerated.

Contact and languages

Except as a judicial, security or disciplinary measure, inmates are permitted to have contact.

There is no guarantee that you will be placed in a cell with other English-speaking inmates. Some of the prison guards speak English and very few prisons offer language classes. Some prisons are equipped with libraries.

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

Exercise

Each prison (subject to the internal regulations) offers socio-cultural activities services such as sports, recreational and cultural programs. These include handicraft training for inmates, educational classes for minors and adults, as well as books and works of art, recreational activities organised by either inmates or groups from outside the prison subject to approval from the prison’s authorities.

Climate

Cameroon has mainly two seasons: dry season (from December to April) and rainy season (from May to November). Depending on where you are in Cameroon, this might vary somewhat. Appropriate clothing for cold seasons is the responsibility of the inmate.

Religion

You have the right to practice any religion of your choice. Detention facilities are often staffed by religious ministers and the registrar keeps a list of the religious authorities who can be authorised to perform religious rites within the prison.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

The prison rules and regulations are explained to prisoners. Sanctions for breach range from manual labour to confinement. There is no reward system for good behaviour except for those close to the end of their prison terms.

The use of drugs is strictly prohibited by the Prison authorities. These rules are contained in the internal regulations of each prison and any violations can attract severe sanctions. The hygienic conditions of the prisons make the risk of contracting AIDS and hepatitis very high in case of intravenous drug use. There are no cultural expectations to bear in mind for detainees.

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

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

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

The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners

Private funds

While the FCDO does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, within certain limits, we may be able 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.

You may be able to receive money directly from family members via a lawyer (by depositing in lawyer’s bank account).

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.

Medical and Dental treatment

While you are detained, Cameroon is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. The Cameroon Prisons service has qualified personnel in the medical and dental unit. If you are unwell, you should ask to be seen by a doctor in the prison. For medical complaints that are serious, you may be taken to a government hospital.

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 have a right to send and receive mails/parcels, subject to the internal regulations of each prison and the strict control of the Prison Registrar and prison guards. It is strictly forbidden for you to receive containers, utensils, sharp or pointed objects. However, mail from lawyers and judicial authorities are exempt from any such control. You can receive books and magazines because there is no regulation barring them.

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 the same, you can keep track of anything that goes missing.

We regret that the British High Commission cannot accept mail for onward delivery. Any received will be returned to the sender.

Telephone calls

Telephone calls are strictly prohibited for inmates in Cameroonian prisons. We have been informed that it is not uncommon, however, for prison guards to accept bribes to allow access..

Making a complaint about mistreatment

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

Please note: the Prison Administration is under the Ministry of Justice. Décret n° 2004/320 of 8 December 2004 on the organisation of the government. According to a 1983 Ordinance, Ordinance N° 080 of 16 May 1983 concerning the disciplinary regime of Prison Administration Personnel, sanctions are to be applied to any prison officer who is guilty of torture or other ill-treatment of detainees.

Chapter 3: The Cameroonian judicial system

Overview

Cameroon is a bilingual system with the English Common Law operating in the two Anglophone regions of North West and South West Cameroon and the French Civil Law operating in the eight-francophone regions of Adamawa, Centre, East, Far North, Littoral, North, West and South. The main difference is that of the supplementary inquiry, which is carried out by the examining magistrate in Cameroon.

The State Counsel can either prosecute matters directly or forward them to an examining magistrate to carry out another preliminary inquiry.

The examining magistrate carries out preliminary inquiries for very serious offences classified as felonies and, in certain cases, misdemeanours.

After the preliminary inquiry, the examining magistrate may either enter a ruling, which commits you to trial or dismisses the matter.

If you are committed to trial with or without bail, you will be presented to the court periodically, until judgement.

The total time that you are detained awaiting trial will depend on the seriousness and complexity of the offence. However, it usually takes several months (possibly over a year) before a case comes to court for full hearing.

However, in matters that do not require preliminary inquiries you shall be presented to court earlier.

Prisoners have a right of appeal against their continuing detention.

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.

The constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness in court of an arrest or detention. The law states that except in the case of an individual discovered in the act of committing a felony or misdemeanour, the officials making the arrest must disclose their identity and inform the person arrested of the reason. Any person illegally detained by police, the state counsel, or the examining magistrate may receive compensation. The government does not always respect these provisions.

First steps

What should happen after you are arrested

An arrest shall consist of apprehending a person for the purpose of bringing him immediately before the authority prescribed by law or by the warrant.

You will be arrested if there is a suspicion that you have committed an offence. Remain calm and co-operate with the police. Do not be abusive or violent, as it will make things worse and could result in additional charges. Except in the case of a felony or misdemeanour committed in the act, the person arresting you should disclose their identity and inform you why you are being arrested.

It might be possible also for a third person to accompany you to the station so that they know where you are being detained.

It is an offence to resist arrest.

The police will ask you to provide various personal details, including your nationality. Following arrest, the police may detain you for an initial period of up to 48 hours to conduct investigations. This may be pushed to 96 hours in some cases, but that is the maximum they are legally allowed to keep you. Any extension requires the written approval of the State Counsel (Prosecutor) and may be exceptionally extended twice. Judicial police officers shall forward daily a list of persons detained at their police stations to the competent State Counsel.

If you have any questions on the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer. See for a List of translators and interpreters in Cameroon

How long you can be remanded in custody

Police custody is when a suspect is detained in a judicial police cell for a limited period of time and under the responsibility of a judicial police officer.

This is usually at the premises of the judicial police.

Except in case of a felony or a misdemeanour committed flagrante delicto, and unless strong corroborative evidence exists against you, a person with a known place of abode may not be remanded in police custody.

The period of custody may be extended for a maximum period of 8 days in cases of misdemeanour and felony.

Prisoners on remand and sentenced prisoners: differences

Sentenced prisoners and prisoners on remand are kept in the same prison.

After you are charged

If you are charged, you may be released on bail, with or without conditions. If you are denied bail, or cannot meet the conditions set there are four different instances where you can reapply for bail – and this depends on the nature of the offence. You could make an application for bail at the Judicial Police, to the State Counsel, to the Examining Magistrate or to the Court seized of the matter.

Bail

Normally you will appear before a magistrate 48 hours after your arrest unless another 48 hours are added for further investigations.

They will determine (a) whether you have been legally detained, and, if they are satisfied on that point, (b) whether you should be released on bail, or held on remand, until your next court hearing.

It is difficult, but not unusual, for foreign nationals to be granted bail in any country, including the UK. This is due to the flight risk that many of these prisoners pose.

Even where bail is granted, it is usual to retain the passport of a foreign national before releasing them from detention, to prevent them from 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.

If the charges against you are dropped because of insufficient evidence, you will be released.

In the (unlikely) event that you are allowed to leave Cameroon on condition that you return for your court case, please note that failure to comply could lead to the issuance of an international warrant by the judicial authorities if Cameroon.

If you are given bail, you will need to find sufficient funds to support yourself. Depending on your visa status, the local authorities may not be able to provide support. We cannot provide funding or find you a job.

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, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, a list of English-speaking lawyers is provided at the end of this pack. They may ask for an advance of their estimated legal fees before they will take on a case. The Consular office cannot give legal advice, pay your legal expenses, or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them. Negotiations shall be between you and the lawyer. The consular office can provide you with a list of local lawyers but cannot recommend a particular lawyer.

Prisoners Abroad can also supply information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

Trial

Trial is the process by which your case shall finally be determined in an open court of law. During this process, you are asked to sit in a dock to face the charges against you.

After you have been arraigned and taken a plea, the prosecution shall present the case against you by calling up one or many witnesses and/or present documents, which it possesses as evidence to prove its case. Your counsel can cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses and/or contest the evidence presented.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, it shall be the turn of your counsel to present your case in defence. During this phase, you are allowed to call your own witnesses and present documents to state your case. Please note that your case and witnesses shall be subject to a similar cross-examination by the prosecution.

When the prosecution and you have presented their respective cases, the judge shall render a verdict on whether you are guilty or not guilty.

Sentences

If you are found guilty of the offence as charged, the judge shall proceed to sentence you to a term in prison as prescribed by law.

However, the judge can use mitigating circumstances, the gravity of the offence and its discretion, to hand you a much lighter or suspended sentence.

Appeals

Any of the parties to a criminal procedure can appeal against decisions taken at the various stages, if they are not satisfied with the outcome.

You can appeal against a decision to reject bail, an interlocutory ruling during trial or the final judgment. There are time limits during which these various kinds of appeals must be filed. These time limits range from 48 hours to 3 months, but it is important to note that, you have 10 days to file the appeal if you are convicted and sentenced, at the court of First Instance or High Court.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

Early release

The Prison Service may apply to the court for a sentence to be reduced in cases of serious sickness, or good behaviour coupled with the near-completion of the term of imprisonment. Sometimes early release can occur by presidential decree.

Clemency or pardon

The law provides for rehabilitation which, unless otherwise provided by law, expunges a conviction for felony or misdemeanour. It puts an end to any accessory penalty and to any preventive measure except to confinement in a health institution and closure of an establishment. Rehabilitation may be as of right or by the judgment of the court. A convict may apply to the court for rehabilitation from a conviction. It may only be applied for after five (5) years in the case of a conviction for felony and after three years in the case of a conviction for misdemeanour.

An offender who has not had any further sentence of imprisonment for felony or misdemeanour may as of right be rehabilitated on the expiry of five, ten, fifteen or twenty years depending on whether it was a sentence of a fine, imprisonment of up to six months, sentence of up to two years or sentence of up to five years.

Applications for rehabilitation are addressed to the competent State Counsel who will forward the file with his opinion attached to the competent Court of Appeal.

Financial penalties

The accused may be sentenced to imprisonment and a fine or may be sentenced to a fine only.

Transfer to another prison within Cameroon

Inmates can be transferred from one prison to another based on a decision from the Ministry of Penitentiary Administration.

Various reasons for such a transfer are prison labour, security or disciplinary reasons, and on your own demand as mentioned above.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

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 more about transfers to the UK: In prison abroad: transfer to a UK prison

Release and deportation

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

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

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

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

Other sources of practical help back in the UK are:

The Salvation Army

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7367 4888

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

The Prison Fellowship

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7799 2500

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Your criminal record in the UK

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

Chapter 4: Additional information

Prisoners Abroad

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

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

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

Prisoners Abroad

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

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

89 – 93 Fonthill Road

London N4 3JH

UK

Email: info@prisonersabroad.org.ukWebsite: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk

Annex

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

FCDO guidance: Instruction for money transfer through the FCDO

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

List of Private Translators/Interpreters

Prisoners Abroad Forms