Guidance

Tanzania: legal and prison systems

Updated 6 November 2023

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 Tanzania and who can help. Consular staff can provide a printed copy to those in prison or in custody.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• the authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British embassy, high commission or consulate (and must do so if you want them to)
• if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself. You should do this if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance
• friends or family can also contact the local British embassy, high commission or consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British embassy, high commission or consulate even if you do not want anyone to know that you have been arrested. This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British government which requires a mandatory notification to be made. 

Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK, and in British embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas. 

British High Commission Dar es Salaam Umoja House,
Hamburg Avenue, P.O. Box 9200
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania

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 Tanzania, notification by the authorities to the Consulate does not happen automatically. It is your right to insist that the British High Commission is notified. You can also ask relatives or friends to contact our consular staff at the British High Commission.

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.  See also the Legal assistance section.
• 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 Tanzania.

Legal assistance: lawyers

We cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime. However, we can provide information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can also give you a list of local interpreters and a list of local English-speaking lawyers. You should consider the benefits of local legal representation and discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. We cannot pay your legal or interpretation costs in any circumstance.

Consular assistance: fair treatment

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

Other organisations that can provide assistance

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

Detention conditions in Tanzania

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

We advise families or friends to contact us well in advance so that we can inform the prison governor and work on a visiting programme. Consular officers will accompany your family during their first visit to the prison; subsequent visits by your family will be unaccompanied.

In order to receive visitors you should provide the prison with the names of the people visiting you for them to be added to the Prison visiting list. We will provide information on visiting procedures and details of what visitors can bring should your family members decide to come to Tanzania.

All visitors must carry photographic identity documents (Passport, driving licence, etc) which will be checked before entering the prison.

What to expect when you visit

Arrangements vary prison to prison but in general visits will take place in a communal area though sometimes in a private office. Visitors should expect to have guards/prison staff in close proximity at all times and conversations monitored. Visitors will be asked to identify themselves on arrival with current photographic ID and will normally be asked to wait in a holding area before being taken inside the prison. Visits, if correctly organised, are rarely cancelled.

What you can take on your visit

Visitors may be allowed to bring toiletries, laundry products and reading materials. For those on remand, clothing and food can be brought with special authorisation or purchased at the prison shop on arrival.

Visits: consular staff

Consular staff from the British High Commission will visit you when you are first detained and aim to visit you quarterly thereafter. However, delays in obtaining authorisation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tanzanian Prison Service to visit British nationals in prison do occur and it has not always been possible to maintain this schedule.

We will liaise with family members/friends (where appropriate) to ensure we can monitor your welfare whilst we wait for authorisation to visit the prison.

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.

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.

If a visit is thought necessary outside of the quarterly schedule you should request the prison authorities make contact with the High Commission.

Prisoners are not allowed to make telephone calls so contact has to be in person. You can write to us at any time on matters of concern at

Consular Section, British High Commission Umoja House Garden Avenue PO Box 9200 Dar es Salaam

If it is urgent it may be quicker to ask prison authorities to contact us on your behalf.

Emergency trips outside of prison

Requests for such trips would be decided on a case by case basis. However, the consular team at the High Commission is not aware that permission for such a visit has been given in recent memory.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

You will be taken to a police station; after you arrive you may be questioned and the police will make enquiries. The police can detain you at the police station whilst this happens. If they wish to detain you for further enquiries without charge they have to have this authorised by the court or a senior Police Officer. The Tanzanian police will decide either to grant you bail or detain you. If you are taken into temporary detention you must be brought before a court by the end of the following day. The judge must either order your release or the court will remand you in custody.

While you are remanded in custody, the Police and State Attorney’s at the National Prosecution Service will investigate the alleged offence. They will consider whether there is enough evidence to charge you with a criminal offence. If there is not you should be released.

At the moment of your arrest you should be made aware of your rights; one of them is to have a phone call to speak to a family member. You should inform the authorities if you wish the British High Commission to be informed of your arrest.

Other rights include:-

1) Right to a legal advisor.

2) Right to an interpreter.

3) Right to know what you have been arrested for and on what grounds.

Please be aware that sometimes the police may contact the British High Commission without being told to, but it is more likely that the police will not contact the British High Commission. You can ask a family member/friend to do this on your behalf.

The officer that arrested you might want to take a statement from you. This has to be done with a translator or someone who can speak English.

You will be accused by the prosecutor’s office and if you can’t afford a private lawyer then you can ask for legal aid scheme (though this is very difficult especially for foreigners).

Appearing at court

Initial court appearances are normally relatively short as they are where the judge will decide whether you should be placed on remand or released on bail. You will be placed in a holding cell within the court until your case is called before the court. Proceedings can be in either English or Kiswahili. If in Kiswahili and interpreter will be provided by the court.

Read more information about the Tanzanian judicial system

Initial arrival at the prison

Depending on the judgment at court, you may be taken to prison. Any belongings that are not part of the investigation, process, or evidence will be sent to the prison, if there is enough space to keep them. It is unfortunately not unusual for some belongings to go missing right after arrest or during prison transfers.

The British High Commission cannot store your personal belongings on your behalf. The only property we can keep for you are your passport and driver’s licence. However, these are usually retained at the courts until the end of your sentence.

Please note that your passport might be kept by the courts as evidence of the alleged crime or as a condition for your bail. Prisoners are normally assessed by medical staff on, or shortly after, their arrival in the prison. Any medical conditions or medication required should be made clear at this point. Remand prisoners, generally, are allowed to retain their own clothing.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prison conditions in Tanzania can be very challenging in comparison to those in the UK. Overcrowding and poor sanitation are a major problem in all prisons and detention centres. Bottled drinking water is normally only available by purchasing it from the prison shop although tap water is usually provided. Food provided by the prison can be of a very poor quality. Families often bring additional food and water to the prisons for their loved ones, or send money to enable prisoners to buy additional items for themselves.

Accommodation

Overcrowding is a problem so you cannot expect a single cell as a matter of course. Sometimes even a mattress will not be available for you. Unfortunately the High Commission is not allowed to buy new mattresses; you will need to wait until the prison provides you with one. You should also be aware that conditions of toilets and showers are extremely poor in Tanzanian prisons. Most Tanzanian prisons will provide standard clothing and linen; other items can be purchased directly from the prison shop.

Food and diet

The prison authorities provide a basic diet mostly consisting of African foods like rice, ugali (typical Swahili meal made of maize) and beans. A special diet can only be provided on medical (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure) or religious grounds. This will need to be highlighted to prison authorities. This does not apply to vegetarians. You can supplement your diet by buying fruit and other items from the prison shop, when available.

Bottled drinking water is normally available to purchase from prison shops

Hygiene

Hygiene levels within Tanzanian prisons can be challenging and not to UK standards. Communal showers are normally available daily to prisoners. Only the most basic toiletries are supplied by the authorities. Anything above this is expected to be purchased via the prison shop.

Work and study

Convicted prisoners can study while in prison either by distance learning or under a special program within the prison. A prisoner cannot have formal employment. However, every prisoner who is found fit to work shall be required to carry out some work for rehabilitation purposes.

Contact and languages

Kiswahili is the predominant language used across the prison system but, as with much of Tanzania, a level of English is generally spoken. Mixing between prisoners is widespread during the day so language difficulties do not tend to be a problem.

According to Tanzanian law, no prisoner can have access to phones and you cannot make phone calls. If you are caught trying to use a mobile phone inside the prison you will be punished according to the prison’s regulations. However, phone calls are allowed under special supervision.

Prisoners are allowed to watch communally some programmes on television and listen to the radio. Books and magazines are allowed with prisons but are subject to approval by authorities.

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

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

Exercise

Most prisons organise indoor and outdoor games that prisoners are encouraged to participate in. The local weather conditions allows the majority of daytime activities to take place outdoors.

Climate

Climate very different to that of the UK and would normally be described as ‘tropical’ with temperatures and levels of humidity much higher than the UK. Torrential rains are common during the wet seasons of March to May and October to mid-December. Convicted prisoners will be supplied with a prison uniform. No other clothing is supplied by the authorities.

Religion

The constitution of the union government of Tanzania and the constitution of the semiautonomous government in Zanzibar both prohibit religious discrimination and provide for freedom of religious choice. The law requires the government to record the religious affiliation of every prisoner and provide facilities for worship for prisoners including visits of ministers of faith.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

New prisoners are made aware of rules and regulations on, or shortly after, their arrival. Failure to obey these will lead to sanction. This might be reduction or removal of privileges for minor offences but major breaches of rules face more serious punishment. 13 If you are caught with any kind of illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, etc) you will be punished accordingly. Drugs/medicines are not allowed unless prescribed by a medical doctor and approved for use by the prison medical staff. They will be administered by authorised personnel. Tobacco cigarettes/cigars are not

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

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

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

The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Private funds

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

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

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

Prisoners Abroad

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

Medical and Dental treatment

While you are detained, Tanzania is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met.

All prisoners are treated in prison medical facilities and, if the need arises, can be transferred to a Government hospital for further medication and treatment. Eye tests are made available but the provision of glasses is limited and may have to be provided privately. All medical attention to detainees is provided by the Tanzanian authorities is not equivalent of the UK National Health Service (NHS). People often have to wait a long time to get a 15 doctor’s appointment. Healthcare facilities within Tanzania are limited outside of Tanzania and outside of the private health sector are not comparable to UK standards. In case of medical emergencies you should make these known immediately to the prison authorities who will arrange treatment.

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

A prisoner is allowed to send letters every two weeks. There is usually no limit to the number of letters you may receive. The prison authorities are obliged to deliver letters with the minimum of delay. Please be aware that the prison might read your letters before sending to the recipient. If you are told you are not allowed to receive letters in English, you should notify a Consular Officer and we will communicate with the Director of the prison.

All letters sent to the High Commission are opened before they are given to prisoners to check for prohibited items. Consular officers will not read the contents (delays of up to 5 days are not unusual.) Our consular staff will reply to your written correspondence within our target of 20 working days (excluding postage time), but only if your correspondence is of what we consider to be a “serious nature”, e.g. if you have a serious health issue for which you need our help or if you have serious concerns for your safety please raise any issues with us during consular visits.

If you would like your family in the UK or elsewhere to email you, then please let them know that they may do so via our central email box: - BHC.Dar@fcdo.gov.uk . Please ask them to entitle their email with your full name together with the prison where you are detained.

Messages from prisoners to their family and friends can only be sent if they can provide the High Commission with an email address. The messages will be forwarded to the families in 20 working days. Please be aware that the High Commission will not forward letters from prisoners by post.

You can receive parcels from your family. Parcels must have the name and details of the sender and the sender must be registered on the visitors list; otherwise the parcel will be refused. Please be aware that these parcels should be sent directly to the prison. We will forward parcels from Prisoners Abroad sent to the High Commission to you.

Telephone calls

According to Tanzanian law, no prisoner can have access to phones and you cannot make phone calls. If you are caught trying to use a mobile phone inside the prison you will be 16 punished according to the prison’s regulations. However, phone calls are allowed under special supervision but only in exceptional circumstances and not for general contact.

Making a complaint about mistreatment

If you have been mistreated, please 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, please try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible photos of the injuries you received. You can submit a complaint to the prison authorities via the director of the prison but please consider whether you believe this will impact on your own safety and wellbeing. It is unlikely that any report submitted this way will be relayed to consular staff.

The Tanzanian judicial system

Overview

In Tanzania the criminal judicial system is similar to the UK. Please note, the systems on the mainland and the Zanzibar islands are separate entities. The legal system is largely based on common law but also accommodates Islamic or customary laws, the latter sources of law being called upon in personal or family matters. Tanzania adheres to and respects the constitutional principles of separation of powers. The Constitution makes provision for the establishment of an independent judiciary, and the respect for the principles of the rule of law, human rights and good governance.

The Judiciary in Tanzania has four tiers: The Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania, the High Courts for Mainland Tanzania, Magistrates Courts, which are at two levels, i.e. the Resident Magistrate Courts and the District Court, both of which have concurrent jurisdiction. Primary Courts are the lowest in the judicial hierarchy.

Verdicts are decided by the judge alone and not by jury. Trials within Tanzania can take longer that would be expected than in the UK. If you have been placed on remand you will be held in a designated prison during this period and brought to court as and when necessary.

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

You will be taken to a police station; after you arrive you may be questioned and the police will make enquiries. The police can detain you at the police station whilst this happens. If they wish to detain you for further enquiries without charge they have to have this authorised by the court or a senior Police Officer. The Tanzanian police will decide either to grant you bail or detain you. If you are taken into temporary detention you must be brought before a court by the end of the following day. The judge must either order your release or the court will remand you in custody. While you are remanded in custody, the Police and State Attorney’s at the National Prosecution Service will investigate the alleged offence. They will consider whether there is enough evidence to charge you with a criminal offence. If there is not you should be released. At the moment of your arrest you should be made aware of your rights; one of them is to have a phone call to speak to a family member. You should inform the authorities if you wish the British High Commission to be informed of your arrest. Other rights include:- 1) Right to a legal advisor. 2) Right to an interpreter. 3) Right to know what you have been arrested for and on what grounds. 18 Please be aware that sometimes the police may contact the British High Commission without being told to, but it is more likely that the police will not contact the British High Commission. You can ask a family member/friend to do this on your behalf. The officer that arrested you might want to take a statement from you. This has to be done with a translator or someone who can speak English.

You will be accused by the prosecutor’s office and if you can’t afford a private lawyer then you can ask for legal aid scheme (though this is very difficult especially for foreigners).

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

How long you can be remanded in custody

The Tanzanian judicial system can be slower than would be expected in the UK. This increases the possibility of prisoners being held longer on remand. There is no legal limit on the period a prisoner can be held on remand. After being formally charged a prisoner is taken before a court and a decision is made on whether they should be passed from police custody into the prison system. This is normally done within 48hrs following initial arrest.

The possibility of bail being granted is considered during the appearance in court. Overcrowding within the prison system means that most prison populations are a mixture of sentenced prisoners and prisoners on remand. Remand prisoners do have extra privileges such as not having to wear prison uniforms and greater access rights to their lawyers visiting.

After you are charged

When charged, which is likely to be at the Primary, District or Magistrate Court, the court will notify you of all the charges. At the hearing you are entitled to have a defence lawyer to act on your behalf and have a translator. Some court hearings (especially the High Court) can be in English or Swahili.

Bail

If you are charged with a serious crime like drug trafficking, murder, money laundering and robbery with violence, bail may not be granted. Crimes deemed to be ‘economic sabotage’ are not permitted bail. For less serious offences such as theft or minor assault bail may be granted. Conditions can be attached to bail such as surrendering your passport, bail bond or surety.

Your defence lawyer will be best placed to advice on this matter. Foreign nationals are usually required to surrender their passports to the court or police.

Bail is normally paid via the court but your lawyer is best placed to advise how this should happen. Bail conditions normally include reporting to either the court or 19 designated police station at least once a

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

Normally, if you hire a private lawyer they will ask for a cash advance for their estimated legal fees before they will take your case on.

The British High Commission cannot pay legal fees or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them.

Alternatively, in some situations your case will be taken by a public funded defence lawyer, and if later on you manage to hire a lawyer the case will be transferred to the new lawyer. Public defence lawyers can visit their clients when requested or when the need arises.

Trial

If you plead guilty you are likely to be sentenced at a court hearing. If you plead not guilty your case will be scheduled for trial. On your trial day you will be taken to the court office where your case is being handled. There will be a judge in charge of your case along with the public prosecutor and your lawyer or public defender. Some courts such as the High Court where serious cases are tried may be heard in English. If you don’t speak Kiswahili the court will be responsible for hiring an interpreter to assist you during the trial.

Long delays in bringing cases to trial are commonplace within the Tanzanian judicial system and length of trial proceedings tend to be much longer than would be expected in the UK. Judges can be assigned multiple cases concurrently and delays due to non-availability of judge or public prosecutors often happen.

Sentences

If you are convicted you will be sentenced by the Court. Sentences vary greatly in Tanzania and will depend on the seriousness of the crime. They range from a fine to a term of imprisonment. Your defence lawyer will be best placed to advice on length of sentences and on appeals’ processes. You should be aware that it is normal in Tanzania that time spent on remand is not taken into account when sentences include a term of imprisonment. Depending on the seriousness of the crime a deportation order maybe put in place on completion of your sentence.

Appeals

You have the right to appeal against your conviction or sentence through your defence lawyer. The State Attorney also has a right of appeal for the prosecution. Appeals are normally allowed if it is thought an error on a point of law has been made in the original trial process. Your appeal will be dealt with on the High court or Court of Appeal. Your defence lawyer will deal with your appeal. Reaching the end of your sentence

Reduction of sentence (remission)

If you are sentenced to a term of imprisonment, depending on the offence and the circumstances of the case, you may be eligible for early release.

Early release

A system of parole does exist within Tanzania but is dependent on many factors. Your lawyer is best placed to inform you what these are and if you qualify to apply for parole.

Clemency or pardon

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania can pardon any convicted prisoner in certain circumstances. Advice can be given to you by your defence lawyer.

Financial penalties

Fines can be imposed as part of sentencing and can be given in addition to a term of imprisonment.

Transfer to another prison within Tanzania

It is normal for prisoners to be detained in the region where the judicial process was completed. A request to change prison can be submitted would need to be justified on special conditions.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

Currently, it is not possible to transfer a prisoner to the UK, due to the fact that there is no Bilateral Agreement between the UK and Tanzania.

Release and deportation

Any prisoners released that have an expulsion order issued against them will be transferred from the prison to the Central Police Station, where they might be held under arrest until expelled from Tanzania. He or she will have to pay for their flight. The prisoner will be escorted to the airport by police officials until they are on a plane leaving Tanzania.

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. The only requirement is for the prisoner to go to the Central Police station to sign a declaration that s/he is leaving the country spontaneously. If necessary, the prisoner should apply online for an emergency travel document to allow travel to the United Kingdom. The consular section at the High Commission in Dar es Salaam can provide access to IT and telephone to assist with applications for an emergency travel document.

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 Teamwhen 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.

Additional information

Additional Information

In-country NGOs

Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC)

Tanzanian Network of Legal Aid Providers (TANLAP)

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

Useful legal terms

English	Swahili
Hello	Jambo
How are you?	Habari yako?
Fine thank you	Nzuri, ahsante
Thank you/thanks	Ahsante
Thank you very much	Ahsante sana
I am British	Mimi ni raia wa uingereza
Do you speak English	Unaongea kiingereza
I do not speak Kiswahili	Siongei Kiswahili
Inform British High Commission	Toa taafifa kwa Ubalozi wa Uingereza
Access to file	Fursa ya kuona jalada ( na mwanasheria)
Administration of Justice	Utawala wa sheria
Appeal	Kukata rufaa
Army	Jeshi
Blood test	Kupima damu
Police Officer	Afisa wa polisi
Chief Prosecutor	Mwendesha mashtaka
Chief Public Prosecutor	Mwendesha Mashtaka Mkuu wa Serikali
Complaints System	Mfumo wa kutoa malamiko
Criminal Code	Sheria ya mashtaka ya jinai
Criminal Court	Mahakama ya jinai
Deportation Order	Amri ya kuondolewa nchini
Duty of obedience	Jukumu la kutii
Evaluation of evidence	Tathmini ya ushahidi
Expert witness	Ushahidi wa kitaalamu
File	Jalada
Guilty	Kosa
High Court	Mahakama Kuu
Higher Regional Court	Mahakam kuu ya kanda
Interpreter	Mkalimani
Judge	Jaji
Judgement	Hukumu
Lawyer	Mwanasheria
Major Offence	Kosa Kubwa
Minister of Justice	Wizara ya sheria
Opposition	Upinzani
Police inspector	Police Mpelelezi
Power of Attorney	Hati ya nguvu ya kisheria
Prison	Gereza
Prison administration	Utawala wa gerezani
Prison court	Mahakama ya gereza
Prison Director	Mkuu wa gereza
Prison house rules	Sheria za gerezani
Prison news papers	Magazeti ya gerezani
Prison warden	Mjela
Prisoners	Wafungwa
Procedural complaint against official	Utaratibu wa kuandikisha mashtaka dhidi ya afisa
Proof of evidence	Kielelezo cha ushahidi
Prosecutors	Mwendesha Mashtaka
Public Prosecutors Office	Mwensesha Mashtaka wa umma
Punishment cell	Chumba cha adhabu
Regional state court	Mahakama ya Kanda ya Nchi
Registered(in state)	Kusajiliwa
Release	Kuachiwa huru
Release order	Amri ya kuachiwa huru
Representative of local authority	Mwakilishi wa serikali za mitaa
Secret service	Usalama wa taifa
Security	Ulinzi
Single judge	Jaji mmoja
Social worker	Afisa ustawi wa jamii
Sufficient suspicion	Tuhma za kutosheleza
Temporary detention	Kushikiliwa kwa muda
The accused	Mshtakiwa
To buy	kununua
To change money	Kubadili fedha
To deport	Kuondolewa nchini
To file an application	Kufungua jalada
Transfer to another prison	Kuhamishwa gereza
Treason	Uhaini
Valid/ legal	Halali kisheria
Visit	Kutembelea
Visiting permit	Kibali cha kutembelea

Useful words

English	Swahili
1	Moja
1	Moja
2	Mbili
3	Tatu
4	Nne
5	Tano
6	Sita
7	Saba
8	Nane
9	Tisa
10	Kumi
11	Kumi na moja
12	Kumi na mbili
13	Kumi na tatu
14	Kumi na nne
15	Kumi na tano
16	Kumi na sita
17	Kumi na saba
18	Kumi na nane
19	Kumi na tisa
20	Ishrini
30	Thelathini
40	Arobaini
50	Hamsini
60	Sitini
70	Sabini
80	Thamanini
90	Tisini
100	Mia
1000	Elfu moja
Food	Chakula
Apple	Tufaa
Banana	Ndizi
Beans	Maharage
Biscuits	Biscuti
Bread	Mkate
Cake	Keki
Chicken	Kuku
Coffee	Kahawa
Drink	Vinwaji
Eat	Kula
Egg	Mayai
Fruit	Matunda
Hungry	Njaa
Juice	Juici
Meat	Nyama
Milk	Maziwa
Omelette	Mayaii ya kukanga
Rice	Wali
Sausage	Sauseji
Sugar	Sukari
Sweet	Tamu
Vegetables	Mboga
Water	Maji
Cutlery	Vyombo
Cup	Kikombe
Fork	Uma
Knife	Kisu
Plate	Sahani
Spoon	Kijiko
Good Morning	Habari za asubuhi
Good Afternoon	Habari za mchana
Good Night	Usiku mwema
Day	Asubuhi
Week	Wiki
Month	Mwezi
Monthy	Kila Mwezi
Year	Mwaka
Today	Leo
Tomorrow	Kesho
Tonight	Leo usiku
Sunday	Jumapili
Monday	Jumatato
Tuesday	Jumanne
Wednesday	Jumatano
Thursday	Alhamisi
Friday	Ijumaa
Saturday	Jumamosi
Baby	Mtoto
Boy	Mwanaume
Child	Mtoto
Father	Baba
Girl	Mwnamke
Husband	Mume
Man	mwanaume
Mother	Mama
Wife	Mkwe
Woman	Mwanamke
Me	Mimi
My	Yangu
Yours	Yako
Her	yake
His	Yake
Their	Ya kwao
Them	Wao
You	Wewe
Yours	Ya kwako
Borrow	Mkopa
Close	Funga
Closed	Imefungwa
Come	Njoo
Door	Mlango
Give	Mpe
Here	Hapa
Indoors	Ndani
Inside	Ndani
Open	Wazi
Outside	Nje
Run	kimbia
Stand	Simama
Stay	Kaa
Stop	Acha
Turn	Geuza
Walk	Tembea
Head	Kichwa
Hair	Nyewele
Eye	Jicho
Eyes	macho
Eyebrow	nyusi
Eyelash	kope
Nose	Pua
Ear	Sikio
Hearing	Kusikia
Mouth	ndomo
First	Ya kwanza
Second	Ya pili
Third	Ya tatu
Fourth	Ya nne
Fifth	Ya tano
Sixth	Ya sita
Seventh	Ya saba
Eight	Ya nane
Ninth	Ya tisa
Tenth	Ya kumi
Half	Nusu
After	Baada
Before	Kabla
Later	Baadae
Now	Sasa hivi
Cold	Baridi
Heat	Joto
Hot	Moto
Rain	Mvua
Shade	Kivuli
Sun	Jua
Weather	Hali ya hewa
Wind	Upepo
Clothes	Nguo
Pullover	Sweta
Shirt	Shati
Shorts	Kaptula
Socks	Soksi
Trousers	Suruali
“T” Shirt	Tisheti
Sandals	Kanda mbili
Shoes	viatu
Trainers	Raba
Book	Kitabu
Cigarettes	Sigara
Dry	Kavu
Lighter	Cha kuwashia sigara
Pen	Kalamu
Scissors	Mkasi
Soap	Sabuni
Soap powder	Unga sabuni
Wash	Nawa
Wash hand	Nawa mkono
Washing	Kufua
Wet	Loa
Bucket	Ndoo
Scrubbing Brush	Brushi ya sugua
Shower	Kuoga
Toothbrush	Mswaki
Toothpaste	Dawa ya mswaki
Towel	Taulo
Dream	Ota
Rest	Pumzika
Sleep	Lala
Sleepy	Na one singizi
Wake	Amka
Bed	Kitanda
Bed Sheet	Shuka
Blanket	Blanketi
Mattress	Godoro
Pillow	mito

Annex

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/arrest-or-detention/arrested-abroad-advice-for-british-nationals

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

List of Private Translators/Interpreters

Prisoners Abroad Forms

https://www.prisonersabroad.org.uk/arrest-and-imprisonment