Guidance

The Gambia: prisoner pack

Updated 19 August 2024

Chapter 1: Key Points

Overview

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

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

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• the authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British Consulate (and must do so if you want them to).
• if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself. You should do this if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance.
• friends or family can also contact the local British high commission or 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.

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 The Gambia is located on Atlantic Road, Fajara (opposite the MRC).

Tel: +220 4492 200

Email: ukinthegambia@fcdo.gov.uk

Online enquiry form

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 020 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 The Gambia, notification by the authorities to the consulate normally takes place several days after arrest.

We can also:

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

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 The Gambia

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 give you a list of local English-speaking lawyers.. You should consider the benefits of local legal representation and discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. We cannot pay your legal or interpretation costs in any circumstance.

Consular assistance: fair treatment

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

Other organisations that can provide assistance

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

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in The Gambia

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

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

The prisons accept visits by family and friends, but visitors need to contact the prison and arrange an appointment before they go. The prison authorities have the right to refuse a visit if they believe the case might be prejudiced by it. When a visit is approved a visiting pass will be prepared and either sent to the visitor or left at the prison gatehouse for collection on arrival.

A convicted prisoner can have one visit per month for up to a maximum of 3 persons. You may be allowed extra or slightly longer visits if there are special or compassionate reasons e.g. distance travelled. Prisoners on remand are entitled to more generous privileges and visits than those convicted – this is always at the discretion of the prison authorities.

If family or friends want to visit you they should contact the British high commission before travelling, we will give them the address and telephone number of the prison so they can make an appointment for a visit. There are specified visiting hours (which are subject to change) which the prison will advise of when making the appointment.

The prison is open for visiting 09.00 – 15.30 Monday to Friday.

What to expect when you visit

Visitors must produce photographic ID upon arrival. This is then held by the prison officers and returned at the end of the visit.

There are small, very basic meeting rooms available which are not particularly private, guards will be present around the meeting rooms.

For the most part visits take place as planned but the prison reserves the right to cancel visits if circumstances deem it to be necessary.

There are no refreshment facilities or vending machines.

What can you take on your visit

Visitors are usually allowed to bring basic toiletries, newspapers and books. Anything being brought in will be inspected by the prison guards at the gate and items permitted into the prison are at the guards’ discretion. If visitors are intending to bring things into the prison it is worth speaking to the prison about what is allowed when making the appointment.

Food and clothing can be brought in to those on remand but not for convicted prisoners.

Visits: consular staff

A consular officer from the High Commission will aim to call or visit you as soon as possible following notification of your detainment.

We aim to visit you every two months while you are under trial, though may visit more often if it is necessary or in an emergency. If you are convicted we may visit less often but will make an assessment of your vulnerability before deciding this.

Should you need to contact us please ask the prison officers for assistance in making a call or for them to relay a message to us.

Emergency trips outside of prison

The only trips permitted outside of the prion are to attend court hearings and for medical care at a hospital. There is no provision for compassionate trips.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

The Penal Procedure Code does not provide for the police to read rights on arrest. However it does require that the reason for the arrest and the right to consult a legal practitioner should be given within 3 hours. Some local lawyers might offer legal aid or a pro bono service but this is at their discretion and decided on a case by case basis.

A detainee can be held in custody for 72 hours without charge. During this time most detainees will be held in police cells. However, if an accused person is remanded by the court the 72 hours’ time period would not apply and the accused would remain in detention until the case is concluded. Food and water are provided but the budget per detainee is very small and food will be local food which is not to everyone’s taste. For the most part police will allow visitors to bring food in. It helps to maintain a polite relationship with the police however trying the situation is.

A detainee can inform the police officers if they need medical attention and they will arrange for them to be transported to a public hospital.

A detainee can request for legal representation before answering any questions. When making statements do not sign anything you cannot read.

Once charged detainees are either released on bail, or taken to the remand section of the prison if bail conditions cannot be met.

There is no specified rule or law for complaints about police treatment. There is however a Complaints and Discipline Department under the Office of the Inspector General of Police where complaints can be lodged about any maltreatment received.

Appearing at court

After identification, the judge will state the charges for a plea to be entered. The detainee will be required to speak when asked questions or asked for their version of events.

A court appointed lawyer will only be made available if the detainee is charged with a capital offence. For all other charges it is up to the individual to source their own legal representation. As English is the national language in The Gambia all persons involved in the judiciary process will speak English.

Defendants are required to attend court hearings.

Read more information about the Gambian judicial system in Chapter 3.

Initial arrival at the prison

All new admissions will initially go to the reception to give their details and to be given the necessary information, rules and regulations about prison life. They are then placed in a temporary holding cell until they are finally assessed. The cells for those on remand are extremely crowded as trials in The Gambia are often very long-winded.

Should a prisoner have personal possessions with them, these will be kept by the prison authorities, any confiscated items will be recorded in the property book and signed in by the prisoner.

The reception officers will offer to call relatives to advise of the prisoner’s whereabouts but this is limited to local calls only (they do not have the budget to make international calls). They are happy to call the British high commission for you should international calls be needed, or if you have no one else to call.

Every new prisoner has to be interviewed by the prison nurse immediately after admission. Anyone with underlying health conditions who rely on medication they bring with them will be allowed to retain possession of their own medication (e.g. insulin etc.).

Should Social Welfare assistance be needed, social workers from both the prison and the Department of Social Welfare visit on a weekly basis.

Prisoners on remand can keep and use their own clothing, convicted prisoners are provided with prison uniforms on admission.

Toiletries are not supplied by the prison authorities, although they do supply soap once a week.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Accommodation

Sentenced prisoners and those on remand are held separately. Cells are shared by many and hugely overcrowded. The cells are large rooms which are filled to capacity with mattresses laid side by side. The number of people per room depends on the size of the room and the prison. Men and women are held separately.

Sleeping accommodation is basic and crowded, blankets and mattresses are supplied. There are fans in the cells but they don’t always work and getting them fixed or replaced is not easy.

The cells have an outside communal area which prisoners can access freely. There are basic toilets and washing facilities although the standards are not good. Electricity is erratic (this is a countrywide issue in The Gambia and not just a prison issue).

Food and diet

The prison relies on the Government approved menu. Prisoners are provided with three meals a day, meals are prepared on site and will be Gambian dishes which can be spicy; the quality is variable. Drinking water is provided (this is not bottled water).

Unless recommended by a doctor, food cannot be brought in from outside the prison. Any special food requirements would have to be discussed with the prison authorities.

There are more liberal arrangements for remand prisoners who are allowed to receive food brought in by family members.

There is a tuck shop at the main prison but is not well stocked.

Hygiene

All the bathroom facilities are communal and they are not in a good condition. There are no limits on the number of times prisoners can use them.

Toiletries are not supplied by the prison authorities, although they do supply soap once a week. Basic toiletries can be brought in by family and friends.

Work and study

Work is not compulsory, but is available to those that want it. The type of work available is based around their surroundings e.g. cleaning of cells and other prison areas, cooking meals etc. Prisoners are no longer subjected to hard labour. This is not paid work but each prisoner is entitled to earn a small amount at the end of each month which is given to them at the end of their sentence. The time spent working is variable.

The prison offers courses and study tools to inmates, and educational qualifications can be studied for. The types of courses available should be discussed with the prison authorities at the time as they do change.

Contact and languages

Due to the communal rooms and outdoor spaces prisoners have constant contact with other inmates housed in their particular area. Men and women are in separate areas.

There are some social and cultural activities on offer and participation in these activities is viewed positively by the prison authorities.

Detainees do have access to phones, upon approval by the authorities. Writing materials are available for training courses. There is no internet access. The prison has a library with English books available.

Exercise

Prisoners are permitted to go outdoors into their respective communal areas throughout the daytime. There are very limited exercise facilities available and there are no regular exercise sessions organised by the prison authorities.

Climate

The Gambia has a sub-tropical climate with sunshine throughout the year and average temperatures between 28°C and 35°C. There are two distinct seasons: towards the end of October the dry season begins and it’s not until mid-June that any rain is seen again, marking the start of the green season. During the dry season nights usually become much cooler from January to March.

Religion

Prisoners are entitled to take part in religious services of their choice and have the right to receive visits from a priest, rabbi or minister of their faith. The detention facility is not staffed by religious ministers.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

Prison rules and regulations are explained to prisoners upon admission. Forms of punishment applied are loss of remission/licence, isolation for a minimum period.

Certain behaviours (e.g. insulting or abusing staff) will be considered more serious. Prisoners should be respectful of their different religions.

There is a reward system with the possibility to earn privileges for good behaviour.

Drugs are a problem in the prisons and the punishments for possession vary depending on the type and quantity found. In most cases the matter is referred to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency for legal action and the offender will lose their privileges. There is no routine drug testing.

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

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

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

The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Private funds

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

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

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

Prisoners Abroad

Prisoners Abroad may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not receiving regular funding from other sources.

Medical and dental treatment

While you are in detention, The Gambia is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. There is a small and very basic clinic at the main prison but it does not have a resident doctor and often runs out of medication. They can treat minor complaints but for anything more serious or for emergency dental treatment prisoners are taken to the main public hospital in Banjul (Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital - EFSTH). As this is a government facility, treatment here is free. Medical facilities across the country are well below the standards usually found in most British hospitals.

EFSTH also has psychiatric staff to deal with mental health issues. Depending on the severity of the mental health disorder, the doctors might recommend a prisoner is moved to the mental health facility Tanka Tanka.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition and have received treatment for it in the UK, it might useful to have your medical records, or at least a report, sent from the UK for the information of the local doctor.

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

Prisoners are permitted to receive parcels and there are no set limits to the number of parcels allowed. Parcels and letters may be opened and checked before being passed on. Speak to the prison officers to ask what items are allowed in and how mail should be addressed before asking family and friends to send anything.

Telephone calls

Prisoners are only permitted to make telephone calls within the Gambia and this would usually only be for those that have relatives living too far away to visit easily. International calls cannot be made. Permission to make a call is at the discretion of the prison officers who will determine if the call is necessary.

As there are no telephone facilities for prisoners any calls are made using an officers phone and the officers phone credit hence the strict limits on making calls. Prisoners are not allowed to have their own mobile phones, they must be surrendered at reception during the admission process.

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.

Chapter 3: The Gambian judicial system

Overview

There are different courts with different criminal jurisdictions. The Courts of The Gambia are comprised of the Superior Courts which include; the Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; the High Court and the Special Criminal Court, and the Lower Courts which are comprised of the Magistrates Courts, the Cadi Court, District Tribunals and other tribunals established by an Act of the National Assembly.

The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal do not have original criminal jurisdictions, they are appeals courts. The High Court of the Gambia has an unlimited criminal jurisdiction to hear any criminal matter. The Magistrate Court of the Gambia has the jurisdiction to hear all criminal matters except those dealing with treason.

The different stages of a criminal trial are: the plea taking, the prosecution’s case, the defence’s case, the address and the judgement.

Although, the Constitution states a person charged with a criminal offence can elect to be tried by jury, this right has never been explored because of the Gambian societal setting and how people tend to know each other. Therefore, it is the Judge or Magistrate, or the presiding Officer that determines and issues a sentence in a trial unlike many other common law countries.

It is a constitutional requirement for all court hearings and pronouncement of judgments be done in public. Generally The Gambia, unlike other countries, does not have laws protecting witnesses or victims when giving evidence in court unless the victim or the offender is a minor. The Children’s Act of 2005 will then apply and the proceedings would be held by video. There is also a provision that grants the court the power to hear sexual offence cases by video.

An individual will be detained at the police station pending trial but once they are brought before court, the court could order for them to be remanded at the prison if bail is not granted.

Court cases in The Gambia are often long, drawn out affairs and multiple adjournments are common.

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

First steps

What should happen after you are arrested?

The Penal Procedure Code does not require the police to read rights on arrest. However it does require that the reason for the arrest and the right to consult a legal practitioner should be given within 3 hours. The police will help you to contact the British High Commission if you so wish and will allow you to contact a legal representative.

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

How long you can be remanded in custody

A detainee can be held in custody for 72 hours without charge. During this time most detainees will be held in police cells. However, if an accused person is remanded by the court, the 72 hours’ time period would not apply and the accused would remain in detention until the case is concluded. Once the trial begins the court will probably rule that the detainee be moved to a prison. Depending on the severity of the crime and the situation of the detainee, bail is a possibility.

After you are charged

Once formal charges have been laid, detainees are informed of their rights. However, legal aid is only available for capital offences, hence detainees should appoint a private lawyer for advice. If detainees believe the charges are incorrect, they have to speak to their lawyer to raise it at the court hearing. Detainees are expected to enter a plea when they are formally charged at the initial court hearing.

Bail

In the Gambia, there are bailable and non-bailable offences. Generally, offences that are punishable by death or life imprisonment are non-bailable. They will also take into account the likelihood of foreigners on bail leaving the country.

There are two main types of bail, police bail and court bail.

Bail is granted by the police based on certain conditions which could include execution of a fixed sum bond.

Court bail could also be granted with similar conditions. The Criminal Procedure Code states that the bail sum is fixed with due regards to the circumstances of the case and should not be excessive.

Should bail be denied, and the circumstances for which bail was denied change at a later date, bail may be applied for again. Bail is at the discretion of the Court.

If an individual jumps bail or breaks any of the bail conditions, the court has the right to order that the individual be re-arrested and brought before the court.

The FCDO cannot transfer bail funds.

Trial and legal assistance

Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid

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

Legal fees and timeframes for payment can be negotiated with the individual lawyers in criminal cases. They will also advise on the payment of court fees.

Legal aid is not available to non-Gambians except in the case of capital offences where the Court will appoint a lawyer.

Trial

The different stages of a criminal trial are:

Plea taking; the court reads the charge against the accused in a language they understand and allows them react by pleading guilty or not guilty.

Prosecution’s case; after a plea of not guilty, the Prosecution would present its case and call witnesses.

Defence’s case; once the Prosecution has finished presenting its case, the defence may then open their case and call witnesses.

Address; after the Prosecution and the Defence close their cases, both parties present the presiding officer with their closing arguments.

Judgment; after deliberation the court delivers their judgment which brings the trial to an end.

Court cases in the Gambia are often long, drawn out affairs and multiple adjournments are common.

Sentences

The Criminal Procedure Code outlines the type of sentences that a court can inflict on an accused person as follows:

• Death
• Imprisonment
• Corporal punishment
• Fine
• Payment of costs
• Payment of compensation
• Finding security to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, or to come up for judgment
• Forfeiture

A sentencing judge may order deportation, further information on this can be found later in this document under ‘Release and deportation’

Appeals

Once a criminal conviction is handed down, the aggrieved party has a right to appeal to a higher court depending on the circumstances of the case.

There are two types of appeals: ‘Appeal as of right’ and’ Appeal by leave of court’. It is important that you consult your lawyer and carefully consider whether you have proper grounds before deciding to lodge an appeal.

The deadlines to appeal are:

• 28 days from Magistrates Court to High Court
• 30 days from High Court to Court of Appeal
• 28 days from the Court of Appeal to Supreme Court

The number of appeals that can be pursued depends on where the case commenced. If, for instance, a case commences in the subordinate courts (i.e. the Magistrates’ courts, Cadi Court, District Tribunals, Rent Tribunals etc.) the appeal could then be pursued through the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. However, a leave of the court is needed to proceed to the Supreme Court.

If the case commenced in the High Court within its original jurisdiction, it could only be appealed to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

The Prosecution can appeal an acquittal if they believe there is reason to do so. During such an appeal, the accused person is obliged to attend court to answer the case against them. If this requires them to stay in country then they must do so.

Where the Supreme Court decides a case and passes judgment, the aggrieved party may apply for review of the judgment by the full panel of the court.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

Time spent on remand is deducted from any sentence. There is no formula for remission, as in the UK, for a deduction of ‘time off for good behaviour’. However applications can be made to the authorities, including the Head of State.

Early release

The Prisons Act, Laws of The Gambia, does not make specific mention of parole but there is provision for probation for young prisoners.

Clemency or pardon

The Constitution has given the President the power to grant pardon to people serving custodial sentences. The pardon is capable of absolving a convict of the crime charged in part or in whole or in substitute for a lesser sentence definitely or indefinitely.

There is no requirement for sending applications to be pardoned. A committee comprised of people from Prisons, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Defence, Health, Supreme Islamic Council and Gambia Christian Council etc. sit and decide based on various criteria to consider deserving convicts.

Financial penalties

It depends on individual cases. Financial compensation to victims, payment of costs and/or confiscation of proceedings from illegal means may be ordered by the court.

Transfer to another prison within The Gambia

There are only 3 prisons in the country, which are all over-crowded, and transfers cannot be requested.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

There is no transfer agreement between the UK and The Gambia.

Release and deportation

A sentencing judge may order deportation. Matters of national security, risk to the community, seriousness of the offence and likelihood of reoffending are the types of consideration which will weigh into the decision. The order for deportation would be made on sentencing.

When the prisoner’s sentence is completed they are released into the custody of the Immigration authorities where they will remain until flown from the country on the first available aircraft. Normally a person awaiting deportation will not be allowed visitors, but depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to arrange for consular staff to visit.

Deportation is not automatic and any attempt at deportation without an order of the High Court is unlawful.

There is no provision in the Immigration Act providing for representation during deportation. A challenge to an order for deportation could be made in a number of ways depending on the circumstances of the individual case.

• As part of the grounds of appeal to the Court of Appeal after sentencing.
• Judicial review after sentencing.
• An application to the Ministry of the Interior at a Ministerial level.
• Exceptionally a Presidential Pardon.

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

Annex

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

List of English-speaking lawyers in The Gambia

Prisoners Abroad Forms