Guidance

Information pack for British nationals arrested or detained in Argentina

Updated 14 March 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.

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

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

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

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

Who we are

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

Contact details in Argentina

British Embassy Buenos Aires

Consular Section

Dr Luis Agote 2412

CABA, Buenos Aires

C1425EOF

Tel (24/7): +54 11 4808 2200

Consular Contact Form (found in our website below)

Website: www.gov.uk/world/Argentina

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 Argentina, notification by the authorities to the consulate normally takes place within 24 hours of arrest.

We can also:

• provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters.  See also Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid
• 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)

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 Argentina.

Legal assistance: lawyers

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

Consular assistance: fair treatment

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

Other organisations that can provide assistance

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

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Argentina

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

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

We advise family members to contact us well in advance so that we can inform the prison administration and work on the visiting program. Prison authorities may not be able to support visit requests made at short notice.

The prison will have to add the names of your visitors to the Prison Visiting list. Your visitors will have to provide a valid ID (E.g., passport).

We will provide information on visiting procedures and details of what visitors can bring to the prison, should family members decide to come to Argentina. This may vary from prison to prison. Your lawyer will also be able to provide this type of information.

Only family members can visit you; friends are not allowed.

Internal regulations will establish the frequency and duration of ordinary visits, typically based on your behaviour, the prison’s designated security level and the spaces available for this purpose.

If you have been penalised with a prohibition order that keeps you from receiving visitors or with permanent or non-permanent loss of individual quarters, you are entitled to a single two-hour visit from a next of kin who you will nominate upon being notified of your penalty.

Assistance visits may also be requested through health professionals and members or representatives of your religion, also diplomatic visitors and international institutions. For security reasons those persons will be checked as well as their belongings.

Those prisoners whose relatives or next of kin live in distant places, for example more than 100 km away from the prison, or if the prison is more than 300 km away from the place of residence of a spouse, children, parents, brothers/sisters or partner with visiting rights, the Special Visit regime may apply. If granted, you may be visited up to 5 consecutive days per month, for up to 3 hours each day. Consular staff can help your family to arrange this. The decision to grant these extra days is at the discretion of the prison administration.

What to expect when you visit

Each prison will have its own visit conditions (i.e. the use of a private meeting room or a communal area, how long the visit can last, guard’s presence during the meeting, etc.,) The FCDO will be able to provide such information ahead of the visit however, we cannot request that any of these conditions be changed or relaxed.

What you can take on your visit

Argentina has a large number of prison facilities and regulations about permitted items vary from one prison to another. Rules are frequently changed. Families should contact the FCDO in advance of their visit so we can provide them with an updated list.

Visits: consular staff

We aim to visit you every four months before you are sentenced, and every six months after trial. 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 us. 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.

If you would like us to visit you at any time outside of the established quarterly/bi-annual visits, you can either call us directly, ask a family member to contact us if you have regular contact with them, ask a prison social worker, a prison warden or your lawyer to contact us. We will do everything we can to come and visit you earlier whenever we have concerns about your health or welfare, including mistreatment.

We will let you know every time we intend to visit. In most prison facilities we are able to speak over the phone with you. We are usually able to call you and you can also call us.

Emergency trips outside of prison

Health care teams in prison provide some aspects of health care on site. When the health care teams in prison are unable to provide the assistance required, they can arrange outpatient consultations with specialists and emergency admissions in public hospitals for critical emergencies.

It is possible to make a trip outside of prison if an urgent situation arises (e.g. funerals and critical illness of a next-of-kin). You should contact your lawyer/public defender in order to submit this request to the authorities, who will assess each request on its merits.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

When arrested you should be informed of the reason why you are being arrested, you should be read all your rights and be informed that you may choose to remain silent (apart from giving your name and address) until you have spoken to your legal representative, after which the judge will take your declaration (you will probably be taken to court for this). You have the right to be assisted by an official translator for free. You can expect to spend at least 2 days at the police station once arrested, before being transferred to a prison. You should have access to food and water. The police should make an inventory of your personal belongings and keep them for you while you remain in detention.

As a detainee, you have the right to ask for your diplomatic representative and the police should call us if you ask for this. The Embassy cannot become involved in the legal aspect of your incarceration and cannot assume the role of a legal advisor. This task is reserved for your lawyer. Should you decline legal representation the choice and consequences are solely yours.

Appearing at court

The courts will inform you, your lawyer/public defender and the prison authorities of your charges.

You can be taken to court to be questioned several times during the 6-8 months (could be less or more in some cases) before the trial commences.

The Embassy cannot interfere with the Argentine Judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be adjudicated more quickly, ask the authorities to waive any penalties, give or pay for legal advice, start legal proceedings on your behalf, investigate a crime or prevent the local authorities from deporting you at the end of your sentence, even if you were previously resident in the country. Neither can we collect your belongings and/or monies, which might have been confiscated at the time of detention.

Read more information about The Argentine judicial system.

Initial arrival at the prison

After the first-stage judge passes the imprisonment or preventive custody sentence, you will be taken to a prison facility. On arrival, the Prisoner Reception Centre will check your personal data and the judge’s detention order. A new fingerprint card will be produced to certify your identity. You are likely to have your photo taken as well. All these documents will become your personal file.

When you first arrive, the authorities will take your money and personal belongings that you are not allowed for security reasons, for which you will be given a receipt. Keep the receipt in order for you to collect all your belongings once you leave prison.

You will be frisked on arrival to prevent any unauthorised substances or items from entering the facility. The storage of any belongings that are not part of the investigation, process, or evidence will need to be arranged privately.

The British Embassy cannot store your personal belongings on your behalf. Please note that your passport might be kept by the courts as evidence of the alleged crime or as a condition for your bail/parole. This measure is taken by the courts to prevent you from skipping bail.

A doctor will examine you to assess your general health and prescribe treatment, if needed. This will be the first entry on your medical record, where all medical appointments will be recorded. All of this will be reported to the judge in charge of your case.

Medical checks will be carried out by the prison health department in order to assess if you need any treatment for ongoing medical conditions (e.g. blood pressure, diabetes, HIV).

On arrival, you have the right to make a telephone call to a relative or next of kin to communicate your detention. You will be handed a brochure with the address of the facility, which you may give to your family. You may use the public telephones available at the compound within the established hours. Public telephones operate with cards, but you may also make a collect call (dial *19) which can be paid by the person receiving the call.

Another option is to send a letter by post, prepaying the stamp fee. The letter will be posted by the relevant prison office. It is important that on the back of the envelope you write your name and the address of the compound, to ensure that the letter is sent back to you if the recipient is not found. Please be aware that the prison authorities might read your letters before sending them to the recipient.

If, for any reason, you cannot contact your family, you may ask the Social Security Section or Division of your compound for help. We can always contact your family or friends on your behalf with your express consent.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Overcrowding is a problem in most Argentine prisons so you cannot expect a single cell as a matter of course. For this reason, a request to be moved from one prison to another cannot always be granted. You should raise this issue with your lawyer.

You are allowed to wear your own clothes with the exception of some colours like light blue, grey or black and you cannot wear hard shoes or boots. Women are not allowed to wear sleeve-less shirts or mini- skirts.

Very few prisons in Argentina offer a special section for foreigners, which are sometimes divided into different units (“pabellones” in Spanish).

Sleeping accommodation will vary from prison to prison.

Food and diet

Prison management will be responsible for providing food. Special meals will be based on the individual’s health and dietary requirements. The prison authorities have assured us that the food they provide is a balanced diet supplying the necessary nutritional requirements. You can supplement your diet by buying fruit and other food items from the prison canteen when available. Clean drinking water is available.

Hygiene

Personal hygiene is an imperative. Most Argentine prisons will provide basic toiletries and linen. Other items can usually be purchased directly from the prison canteen. Supply varies from one prison to another. If you need something in particular, ask whether your family can provide it.

You are responsible for keeping your living quarters clean.

Work and study

You will be encouraged to acquire and improve your working habits and qualifications for your future life outside prison through activities suited to your intellectual and physical abilities. Depending on your behaviour you may be allowed to work in the prison and earn some money.

Paid work is one of the rights and duties of a convicted prisoner and a right while you are awaiting a final sentence. If you work you still have to co-operate in general maintenance activities. You may use up to 30% of your monthly salary (called ‘peculio’) to buy authorised personal items, provided you have shown good behaviour. The full amount earned for your work, after statutory tax deductions, will be held in a reserve fund that will be given to you upon release. The salary you earn as a detainee shall not be less than 75% of the statutory minimum wage. If you have not yet been sentenced, you may use up to 80% of your salary and the remaining 20% will be kept as a reserve fund which will be given to you on release without a final conviction.

Your ability to work and the type of work you may be able to do will likely depend on local factors, including your location.

There is education available for illiterate prisoners or for those who have not reached the minimum level of education established by law. You will also be encouraged to access other levels of education offered by the prison’s Education Division. You will be awarded the relevant certificates and diplomas issued by official authorities, without any mention of the place where they were obtained. These certificates will enable you to continue your studies when you are released.

You may also participate in recreational programs, including sports, mainly team sports, and cultural activities. If you do not have the intellectual skills or physical conditions required, you may be exempted from participation in these activities.

In the library, you will find the necessary material for training and recreation.

Contact and languages

Depending on the prison (this only tends to happen in some of the prisons in Buenos Aires) you are likely to be put in a cell with other English-speaking inmates. The guards do not usually speak English. Also depending on the prison, you might have access to Spanish lessons.

Prisons often have a library with books available for inmates; you can also be part of recreational and cultural activities. Also, you will have access to radio broadcasts and TV shows, in compliance with the activities‟ schedule. Depending on the prison, you can have your own small TV set/radio. You can also have your own books to read.

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

Exercise

Prisoners are permitted to go outdoors a certain number of hours a day/week. This will depend on the facilities of each prison. Some prisons have a gym.

Climate

The climate in Argentina is very varied and you can find different climates depending on the location. Buenos Aires is hot and humid in the summer and moderately cold in winter.

The northern area of the country can be extremely hot in the summer and moderately cold and dry in winter, whereas the south can be extremely cold in winter and moderately hot in summer.

Religion

Prisons in Argentina are not staffed with their own religious ministers. However, prisoners are entitled to visits from their local/home clergy or Minister (e.g. Priest; Imam; Rabbi or equivalent).

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

It is widely known that drug trafficking between inmates in prisons is widespread. If you are caught with any kind of illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, etc) you will be punished accordingly. As a result you may lose your job or school place and might be sent to confinement for a period.

Tobacco cigarettes are allowed inside Argentine prisons.

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.

Money received from the UK will be converted into local currency. Consular staff will either make a deposit at the prison’s front desk (depending on our availability and distance from the prison). Alternatively we will transfer your funds to the prison as a Postal Mandate via Correo Argentino. Money sent to you will be deposited in your prison account. Please note that consular staff cannot be responsible for the loss of funds by the Prison Authorities.

If you are to work in the prison (this will depend on the prison - normally a Colonia Penal in the interior of the country offers more possibilities than a prison in the city of Buenos Aires) and are to receive a “Peculio‟ (small payment) as compensation, you will need to have a CUIL number (tax number). A proof of identity will be required by the authorities to issue you with one. Ask your lawyer, whom may have access to your passport which should be at the Court.

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, Argentina is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met.

Any prescribed diagnostic studies, medical treatment and medication will be supplied to you at no cost. You may also seek private health care, at your own cost.

If you need medical or dental treatment you should make an appointment to see the prison doctor or dentist. In some large prisons it can be difficult to get an early appointment but if the situation is urgent you should contact the prison social worker, who may be able to get you an appointment more quickly than through the normal channels.

Prison doctors are often the equivalent of GPs in the UK, so unusual or complex problems may be referred to a specialist outside the prison.

All medical attention to detainees is provided by the public health service, the Argentine equivalent of the UK National Health Service (NHS). As the system is relatively overwhelmed people can wait up to 2 months for a doctor’s appointment.

The transfer to a medical appointment outside prison will be handled by the prison authorities. There have been cases in the past were transfers were not available and appointments with doctors where missed.

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 and providing this is in your best interest. However, for data protection reasons, the GP may be limited as to what information can be released.

Letters and parcels

There is usually no limit to the number of letters you may send (if you have paid the postage fee) or receive. Please be aware that the prison authorities might read your letters before sending to the recipient.

In some prisons it is easier to receive mail than to send it. You can hand your mail to a Consular Officer during a consular visit as long as the contents are checked with you first, and the proper postal fee is already paid.

Please be aware that the Embassy will not forward letters from prisoners by post.

You can receive parcels from your family. Please be aware that parcels should be sent directly to the prison; parcels sent to the Embassy will not be forwarded to you. Parcels must have the name and details of the sender and the sender must be registered on the visitors list (Hall de Visita); otherwise the parcel will be refused.

Some items or objects may not be allowed by customs. The FCDO can help you confirm if the item/s you are planning on sending are likely to be accepted by customs however, this is ultimately a decision for the Argentine authorities.

Telephone calls

According to Argentine law, prisoners have the right to make phone calls. You can call anybody on the outside using a prison phone. Each prison facility has their own rules around the use of prison landlines. You may be required to purchase telephone cards to make both domestic and international calls. Mobile phones are strictly prohibited in Argentine prisons.

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.

You should also alert your lawyer if you would like to take legal action. The PROCUVIN (Procaduría de Violencia Institucional) is the government department that will take your formal complaint forward.

Chapter 3: The Argentine judicial system

Overview

The judicial system in Argentina is divided into two: Federal Courts and Provincial Courts also known as Ordinary Judicial Courts. Each system has lower courts, courts of appeal and supreme courts.

Most criminal offences in Argentina will be handled by the Provincial Courts (such us robberies, murders, sexual assaults, etc.) Ordinarily, there are up to 25 different judicial jurisdictions, depending on the location in country where the crime was committed and on the nature of the offences committed.

Because legal processes may differ from province to province we suggest that you consult with a professional legal adviser about the processes in place in the province where your case is being dealt with.

Offences such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and document fraud will be handled by the Federal Courts.

The FCDO cannot interfere with the judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be adjudicated more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties. The Embassy cannot become involved in the legal aspect of your incarceration and cannot assume the role of a legal advisor. This task is reserved for your lawyer. Should you choose not to appoint a private lawyer, the authorities will appoint a state lawyer – also known as Public Defender – for you. A list of private English-speaking lawyers is provided at the end of this pack.

First steps

What should happen after you are arrested

Police officers will read aloud the police caution (your rights) and only question you to establish your identity. Under no circumstances can a police officer question you about the events of your suspected involvement in a criminal offence.

You will be informed in writing (in Spanish) of the reason for the arrest, the location you will be transferred to and the details of the Court that will intervene in your case. You will be expected to sign this document as a way of acknowledging the information given.

In most cases, the Embassy will be informed of your detention once you have arrived at Court where the judge will take your initial statement. However, prosecutors should let you know about your right to contact the Embassy to inform where you are and why you are there. It is also your right to tell the police that you wish to contact the Embassy.

We aim to contact you within the first 24 hours of being notified of your detention, and to visit you as soon as possible after that. How soon we visit will depend on your location and the prison’s procedures.

Translation services may not be available immediately whilst in police custody. A consular officer may be required to assist (usually over the phone) to explain to you the circumstances of your arrest.  However, should you have any questions concerning the legal aspects of your arrest, you must contact your lawyer.

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

How long you can be remanded in custody

You should expect to be taken to court to give your statement within 24 hours of your arrest. In some cases, it can be up to 48 hours. Normally the judge will hear the accused and the witnesses. If you are still in detention after 48 hours and the hearing has not taken place, you should contact your public defender/lawyer immediately if you have not yet done so.

For all federal offences, the judge has 10 working days after the hearing to decide if the charges against you will be formalised and either order your immediate imprisonment or release you on bail. The judge may also decide not to charge you and release you immediately, but the prosecutor may continue with the investigation and eventually present further evidence to the judge and request that you are formally charged and, in some cases, imprisoned.

If the judge considers that there are enough reasons to believe you may flee justice or obstruct the investigation, you will be transferred to a prison facility and will remain in custody whilst you wait for the judge’s decision on charges. In some cases, this may not always be possible, and you may remain in police custody at a police station instead.

You should ask your lawyer about the possibility of requesting your release while the legal process is in progress, but note that this may not always be granted. According to local law, after being charged you could spend up to two years in prison without a conviction (waiting for trial). There are some exceptions to this, so we suggest you ask your lawyer.

The time spent in prison prior to your sentence will count as part of the total sentence to be served.

Prisoners on remand and sentenced prisoners: differences

There are no differences between sentenced prisoners and prisoners on remand.

After you are charged The courts will inform you, your lawyer/public defender and the prison authorities of your charges.

For drug trafficking offences you will be prosecuted by the prosecutor’s office. There will be three stages to your case:

1. Preliminary Search (“Etapa de Instrucción”)

Your case is handled by a judge (“Juzgado Penal Económico Federal” or “Juzgado Criminal y Correccional” depending on the case). In this initial stage of the process, the evidence is gathered and presented both by the defendant and the prosecutor. This stage is complete when the judge decides there are enough elements to confirm the charges and will pass on the case to the Tribunal for trial.

In most jurisdictions, the judge delegates the responsibility of investigating and accusing the suspect to the prosecutor, whilst the judge only oversees the proceeding to ensure it is carried out correctly. In fewer jurisdictions, the first instance judge holds this responsibility.

You are entitled to the assistance of a legal advisor from the time of arrest. If you decide not to appoint a private lawyer, a public defender (at no cost to yourself) will be appointed by the Argentine state. If you don’t appoint a private lawyer, it is likely you will be assigned a different public defender for each stage of the process.

This first stage is handled by a first public defender (“Defensor de Instrucción”).

NOTE: Private lawyers can be very expensive and cannot guarantee your release, but you are free to investigate this option. If you opt for a private lawyer, you will have to cover all legal costs. The Embassy cannot help you with this. If you wish to transfer funds from the UK to Argentina in order to cover legal costs, this transaction is to be processed through your commercial bank in the UK to the legal representatives.

You can be taken to court to be questioned several times during the following 6-8 months before the trial commences (could be less or more in some cases).

2. Oral Period Trial (“Juicio Oral”)

Your case is handled by an Oral Tribunal (“Tribunal Oral”). Once all the preliminary procedures are completed at the judge’s office (“Juzgado Penal Económico”) the case is forwarded to an Oral Tribunal. When the case “physically‟ leaves the judge’s office, a Tribunal is allocated by means of a draw. Your case will pass to that specific Oral Tribunal which will attend to your case. A date of trial will be set and a formal notification of the date of trial will be sent to you.

In a shortened law suit (“juicio abreviado”), the average sentence for drug trafficking is usually 4 to 5 years. This means that you understand and accept willingly and under no pressure all the charges against you, pleading guilty. If this is the case, you will not face an oral trial.

If you wish to stand for the long oral hearing (“juicio oral”) declaring yourself innocent, and you are found guilty, you may be convicted to a longer imprisonment. The time you have been remanded in custody will count as time served.

If you are being assisted by a public defender you will probably get a new one at this stage.

3. Execution of sentence (“Ejecución Penal”)

Once you have been sentenced, your case will pass to a third (and last) judge. Your case will now be handled by the Executive Court (“Juzgado de Ejecución”). This judge plays an important role in ensuring your rights are not violated during your serving.

If you are being assisted by a public defender you will probably get a new one at this stage. This stage covers the entire serving of your sentence.

Bail

When taking your initial statement (“etapa de instrucción”), the judge can decide to either:

• Formally charge you and order your imprisonment. Pre-trial imprisonment is an exceptional measure which only occurs when the judge understands there are reasons to believe you may obstruct the investigation or flee justice. It is common practice for judges to impose pre-trial imprisonment to non-resident foreign nationals.
• Formally charge you and release you on bail whilst you wait for trial.
• Not to charge you and release you. The prosecutor may continue with the investigation and eventually present further evidence to the judge and request you are formally charged and, in some cases, imprisoned.

If you have been charged, but released on bail whilst you wait for trial, the judge will impose several conditions to your release, including a “caución”. The judge will inform you of the consequences of failing your bail conditions.

There are different types of “cauciones” and the judge will have to ensure the one applied to you is feasible for you to comply with:

A. A sole statutory declaration where you make a promise that you will faithfully comply with the conditions imposed by the judge during your bail, called “Caución Juratoria”

B. An economic fine that you would only have to pay if you don’t comply with the conditions of release imposed by the judge. In order for this to work, you will be required to present one or more solidary guarantors. This is called “Caución Personal”

C. An economic fine that you will have to pay in advance, or mortgage a property up to a certain value fixed by the judge, as a way to secure payment if you don’t comply with the conditions of release. This is called “Caución Real”.

Amongst the conditions imposed by the judge to your release on bail, the judge can decide to retain your passport and/or ban you from travelling internationally.

If you are required to pay an economic fine to be released on bail, this will have to be paid to court. Your lawyer will be able to explain how the payment process works. The FCDO can assist you contacting friends and family who may be willing to help.

The FCDO cannot transfer bail funds.

Trial and legal assistance

Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid

You are entitled to the assistance of a legal advisor from the time of arrest. A public defender (at no cost to yourself) is appointed by the Argentine State unless you wish to appoint your own private lawyer.

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

Please note that private lawyers can be very expensive and cannot guarantee your release, but you are free to investigate this option. Neither the Embassy nor the British government will bear the expense of your private lawyer. If you wish to transfer funds from the United Kingdom to Argentina in order to cover legal costs, this transaction is to be processed through your commercial bank in the UK to the legal representatives.

Private lawyers will usually ask for an advance payment for their estimated legal fees before taking on a case.

The costs of a trial may vary from case to case and court will establish on the verdict who is responsible for paying these. Usually, the convict will be imposed the responsibility of paying the court fees and in some cases court can inhibit possessions of the accused at the early stages of a trial to prevent the individual from selling their assets. There is no legal aid in Argentina. If the convict has no funds to pay for the court fees, court may demand this is paid in the future if it is known to court that the convict has access to new funds or possessions.

Trial

Prior to trial, court hearings can take place anytime throughout the process to either question judicial impartiality, celebrate agreements with the prosecutor, admission of proof, requests of appeal, etc. It is only mandatory for you to be present in those hearings where the charges against you are read, when proof against you is presented and when you decide to give a statement.

It can take a several years for a case to be brought to trial. It will depend on the complexity of the investigation and on court’s workload.

On your trial day/s you will be taken to the court office where your case is being handled. There will be a Tribunal in charge along with the public prosecutor and your lawyer or public defender.

In the initial stages of the trial the case file is verified, and both parties (defendant and prosecutor) present the evidence they will use during the trial. The Tribunal will decide which evidence is admitted for trial and which evidence is dismissed.  Parties are allowed to request an additional investigation to include evidence that may have been omitted previously.

The debate stage begins, you will be required to give a statement and the evidence is exposed (including witness statements, statement of experts, read out of documents, etc).

Lastly, the closing speeches are presented and the Tribunal will resolve the case after a private and secret debate.

If you don’t speak Spanish the court will be responsible for hiring an interpreter to assist you during the trial.

Sentences

The judges from the Tribunal will vote taking all the admitted evidence into account and the allegations made during the trial. They must justify their decision based on the prescribed law and jurisprudence. The Tribunal can use a degree of discretion to determine a sentence, allowing them to apply a certain principle for a specific case, as opposed to other principles generally used. Sentences in Argentina differ and will depend on the seriousness of the crime.

The courts will inform you, your lawyer/public defender and the prison authorities of your sentence and appeal process.

Appeals

You have the right to appeal against your sentence through your lawyer or public defender. It is usual for the public defender to appeal against your first sentence; however, the appeal process is usually very slow and can sometimes lead to the appellant’s release being delayed until the appeal is decided. In such cases the lawyer’s opinion of the case is strongly recommended before proceeding.

The deadline for filing an appeal is of ten working days. Your lawyer should explain to you what are considered grounds for appeal.

Should new evidence come to light after a person has been found guilty, your lawyer can request through formal means for the original judgement to be reviewed.

It is common to see both the prosecutor and the complainant exercising their right to appeal a judgement in criminal cases.

Reaching the end of your sentence

Early release

The “benefits” system in Argentina is similar to parole in the UK. The advantage of being released on benefit is that you would be outside of the prison, for at least some of the time, until you have served the remainder of your sentence. This might seem much better than spending the rest of your sentence in prison. However, while the benefits system usually works quite well for those with  residency status, being released on benefit can be really difficult for non-resident foreigners. You should ask your lawyer about this and should you be entitled to apply, it is up to you whether you decide to do so - we can’t advise you either way.

Prisoners can apply for four different levels of ‘benefits’ according to how much of their sentence they have served (see box below). Please note that the British Embassy cannot ask the Argentine authorities to offer you benefits. This is something that you should raise with your lawyer.

The four levels of benefits

1. “Destacamento de Trabajo” (work benefit): you work outside the prison during the day and go back to the prison at night. However in some prison facilities you will be allowed to work inside the prison and earn a small income (that you can choose to partly collect during your detention – See Work & Study on page 13

2. “Regimen Abierto/ Destino a Establecimiento Abierto” (open prison): you live in a state-run community centre. You must work nearby and comply with the rules of the centre.

3. “Confinamiento” (confinement): a prisoner who has served three quarters of their sentence and has a record of good conduct can live outside the prison in a determined place. You must  comply with rules established by the court.

4. “Libertad Condicional” (parole): this benefit is granted for the final period of the sentence. You leave the prison and are supervised by a probation officer for a period equal to the remaining sentence.

Before deciding whether to apply, you should be aware that, if released on parole:

• You will probably not be able to work.
• You will not get money from Prisoners Abroad.
• The British government will not be able to give you financial support.
• Consular staff from the British Embassy will not be able to pass on “prison comforts” (e.g. money that your family has sent to you).
• Consular staff from the British Embassy will no longer be able to visit you.
• You will not get your passport back from the Argentine authorities, so you will not be able to leave the country.

So…

• You might be stuck in Argentina with no source of income. You might become destitute if you are unable to support yourself.

• You might also feel really isolated if you do not know anyone, and you might not able to communicate with people very well if you do not speak Spanish fluently.
• If you do apply for benefits, and you expect to get support from family or friends, you could warn them about the extra expense and ask them to save money in advance.

To be entitled to these benefits, you must not have committed serious crimes such as aggravated murder, sexual abuse, torture murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, terror attacks, drug trafficking, among others.

Clemency or pardon

There are two non-legal remedies available outside the legal system:

Presidential Pardon: The presidential faculty to diminish or pardon penalties related to federal offences.  The defendant, and/or any other interested party can request the Presidential Pardon for the defendant. It would require admission of guilt from the defendant.

Amnesty Law: Only available through a Law sanctioned by the Congress. It exempts those involved from criminal liability for the crimes committed.

Ask your lawyer for detailed information on how the political authorities in Argentina can give pardon/clemency to those found guilty of committing a crime.

Financial penalties

There are different types of penalties in Argentine Criminal law. Depending on the crime committed, you may be forced to face a financial penalty decided by the Judge.

Transfer to another prison within Argentina

If you have been tried and convicted you will probably be sent to a prison outside Buenos Aires (“Colonia Penitenciaria”) where you can expect to serve your sentence. Other transfer requests are most likely to be permitted when there are exceptional and compassionate reasons for doing so.

Transfer to a prison in the UK

There is no Prisoner Transfer Agreement between the UK and Argentina.

Release and deportation

As soon as you are convicted, the judge will notify the Immigration Authority who will automatically issue a request for your expulsion from the country. This request can be actioned or dismissed by the judge at any stage of your prison sentence and it will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You must speak to your lawyer about this.

If you are serving a sentence for a serious offence (ie. drugs) the judge will most likely dismiss the request and expect you to serve all of your sentence, after which the Immigration Authority can action your expulsion.

If the judge accepts the expulsion request whilst you are serving your sentence, Immigration will make the necessary arrangements to deport you back to the UK.

If you are expelled you will be sent back to your country of origin. If the UK is not your country of residence, the authorities can look at the possibility of sending you to your country of residence but this can take longer as they will require authorisation from your country of residence and this may not always be granted. Speak to your lawyer about this.

The criminal case against you will be closed once expelled. If you have permanent or temporary residence in Argentina it will most likely be revoked as soon as you are convicted.

The detainee’s transfer from Argentina to his/her country of origin or residence is considered a public burden. There is an Argentine law that forces the airline that has regular direct flights to the country of expulsion to fly the detainee at no cost. This means you will not have to pay for your departure ticket when you are expelled (unless there are no direct flights in which case you might be asked to pay for a leg of the journey). Foreigners who are expelled are banned from re-entering Argentina.

If you are a long-term resident of Argentina, your lawyer will be able to tell you whether you may be able to stay in the country at the end of your sentence.

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. Prisoners Abroad is a good source of support.

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

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

Other sources of practical help back in the UK are:

The Salvation Army

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7367 4888

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

The Prison Fellowship

UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7799 2500

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Your criminal record in the UK

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

Chapter 4: Additional information

Additional Information

Prisoners Abroad

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

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

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

Prisoners Abroad

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

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

89 – 93 Fonthill Road

London N4 3JH

UK

Glossary of terms

Useful legal terms

English	Spanish
Court	Juzgado
Trial	Juicio
Judge	Juez
Prosecutor	Fiscal
Lawyer	Abogado
Interpreter	Intérprete
Procurator	Procurador
Notary Public	Escribano
Legal Aid	Asistencia Jurídica Gratuita
Prison wing	Módulo
On remand	Preventivo
Sentenced	Condenado
Sentence	Sentencia
Appeal	Apelación
Prison Legal Advisor	Jurista
Prison Social Worker	Trabajador/a Social
Prison Guard	Funcionario
Written request (in prison)	Instancia
Prison Judge	Juez de Vigilancia Penitenciaria
Prison Court	Juzgado de Vigilancia Penitenciaria
Parole	Libertad Condicional
Prison Governor	Director
Bail	Fianza
Local Bar Association	Colegio de Abogados
Treatment Board	Junta de Tratamiento
Accounts Department	Peculio
Prison Shop	Kiosko
Valuables Department	Valores
Receipt	Recibo

Key phrases: English into Spanish

Introduction/Greetings/Directions/Questions

English	Spanish
My name is	Me llamo
I am… (E.g. I am English)	Soy…
The	El/La/Los/Las
A	Un/Una/Unos/Unas
It	Lo/la/le
I/We/Me	Yo/Nosotros/Yo
What/Which	Qué/Cuál
Left	Izquierda
Right	Derecha
Here	Aquí
There	Ahí
What day does the…	¿Qué día…?
I cannot…	No puedo…
Hello	Hola
Good afternoon	Buenas tardes
Good evening	Buenas tardes
Good night	Buenas noches
How are you?	¿Cómo estás?
Fine thanks and you?	Bien gracias, ¿y tú?
Excuse me	Perdone
See you later	Hasta luego
Yes	Sí
No	No
Please	Por favor
Thank you	Gracias
I don’t know	No sé
Could you repeat that more slowly?	¿Puedes repetir más despacio?
I don’t understand	No entiendo
I do not speak Spanish very well	No hablo muy bien español
I am sorry to bother you but…	Siento molestarte pero….
May I borrow your…	¿Me prestas tu…?
How can I obtain…?	¿Cómo puedo obtener…?
Is there any mail for me?	¿Hay correo para mí?
How much does this cost?	¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
Do you mind if I open the window?	¿Te importa si abro la ventana?
Do you mind if I smoke?	¿Te importa si fumo?
Could you kindly write that down for me?	¿Podrías escribir eso para mí por favor?
Do you have the correct time?	¿Tienes la hora correcta?
What is your nationality?	¿Cuál es tu nacionalidad?
The telephone is out of order	El teléfono no funciona
I do not have any means to buy…	No me puedo permitir comprar…
I would like to order…	Me gustaría pedir…
This is urgent	Esto es urgente
May I make an appointment to see…	¿Podría fijar una cita con…?
I need to see my lawyer	Necesito ver a mi abogado
Can I have list of local English-speaking lawyers?.	¿Me das una lista de abogados que hablen inglés?
Who is dealing with my case?	¿Quién está a cargo de mi caso?
Does the prison have a list of translators?	¿Hay una lista de traductores en la prisión?
Can I get bail?	¿Puedo pedir la libertad bajo fianza?
Can you tell me how long I will be held in police custody before I get transferred to a prison?	¿Me podrías decir cuánto tiempo estaré detenido antes de ser transferido a una prisión?
What must I do to get transferred to another prison?	¿Qué debo hacer para ser transferido a otra prisión?
Can you tell me how long my sentence is?	¿Me podrías decir cuánto tiempo durará mi sentencia?
Can you tell me the date my sentence finishes?	¿Me podrías decir la fecha en que mi sentencia terminará?
Can I move to Mr…..‟s cell as he speaks English?	¿Me puedo cambiar a la celda del Sr…., ya que habla inglés?
Can Mr… move into this cell?	¿Puede el Sr… cambiarse a esta celda?
I am very cold; can I have an extra blanket please?	Tengo mucho frío, ¿me das otra manta por favor?
When is the shop open?	¿Cuándo abre la tienda?
How much money do I have in my account?	¿Cuánto dinero tengo en mi cuenta?
What day does the doctor come? What time?	¿Qué día viene el médico? ¿A qué hora?
Is there any work that I can do?	¿Hay algún trabajo que puedo hacer?
I would like to work in the…	Me gustaría trabajar en el/la….
Can you show me what I must do?	¿Me puedes enseñar lo qué debo hacer?
Could I buy a Spanish/English dictionary?	¿Podría comprar un diccionario de inglés/español?
Can you contact the Consul for me?	¿Puedes contactar el cónsul para mí?
I want to make a complaint	Quiero poner una queja
Can I have permission for my family to send me….?	Me gustaría pedir permiso para que mi familia me envíe…
As I am not allowed visits, could I have a parcel of clothes sent to the prison?	Como no tengo permitido ninguna visita, ¿se me podría enviar un paquete de ropa a la prisión?
Are there any items which they are not permitted to send me?	¿Hay algo que no pueden enviarme?
I want to send this letter to…	Quiero enviar esta carta a…
Why are my letters taking so long to get to my family?	¿Por qué mis cartas tardan tanto en llegar a mi familia?
I have not heard from my family and I am worried about them	No sé nada de mi familia y estoy preocupado/a por ellos
How do I arrange a visit for my family?	¿Qué tengo que hacer para arreglar una visita de mi familia?
Can you confirm that my family has booked a visit for (a specific date)?	¿Podrías confirmar qué día ha reservado mi familia para visitarme?
May I have an extended visit as I do not get many and my family has to travel a long way?	¿Podría pedir una visita más larga ya que no recibo muchas visitas y mi familia tiene que viajar de lejos?
Could I go to the prison school to learn Spanish?	¿Podría ir a las clases de la prisión para aprender español?
Could you give this letter to Mr… cell no…. so he can translate it for me?	¿Podrías darle esta carta al Sr…. celda número… para que la traduzca para mí?

Time/days/numbers

English	Spanish
Today	Hoy
Tomorrow	Mañana
Morning	Mañana
Afternoon	Tarde
Night	Noche
Next week	La próxima semana
Next month	El próximo mes
Next year	El próximo año
Last week	La semana pasada
Last month	El mes pasado
Last year	El año pasado
Weekend	Fin de semana
Monday	Lunes
Tuesday	Martes
Wednesday	Miércoles
Thursday	Jueves
Friday	Viernes
Saturday	Sábado
Sunday	Domingo
January	Enero
February	Febrero
March	Marzo
April	Abril
May	Mayo
June	Junio
July	Julio
August	Agosto
September	Septiembre
October	Octubre
November	Noviembre
December	Diciembre
Spring	Primavera
Summer	Verano
Autumn	Otoño
Winter	Invierno
Christmas	Navidad
Easter	Semana Santa
New Year	Año Nuevo
National Holiday	Feriado
One (first)	Uno (primero/a)
Two (second)	Dos (Segundo/a)
Three (third)	Tres (Tercero/a)
Four (fourth)	Cuatro (cuarto/a)
Five (fifth)	Cinco (quinto/a)
Six (sixth)	Seis (sexto/a)
Seven (seventh)	Siete (séptimo/a)
Eight (eighth)	Ocho (octavo/a)
Nine (ninth)	Nueve (noveno/a)
Ten (tenth)	Diez (décimo/a)
Eleven (eleventh)	Once (décimoprimero/a)
Twelve (twelfth)	Doce (décimosegundo/a)
Thirteen (thirteenth)	Trece (décimotercero/a)
Fourteen (fourteenth)	Catorce (décimocuarto/a)
Fifteen (fifteenth)	Quince (décimoquinto/a)
Sixteen (sixteenth)	Dieciseis (décimosexto/a)
Seventeen (seventeenth)	Diecisiete(décimoséptimo/a)
Eighteen (eighteenth)	Dieciocho (décimoctavo/a)
Nineteen (Nineteenth)	Diecinueve (décimonoveno/a)
Twenty (Tweentienth)	Veinte (Veinteavo/a)

What time is it? ¿Qué hora es?

English	Spanish
7:00 am	Seven o’clock in the morning	Las siete de la mañana
7:30 am	Seven thirty in the morning	Las siete y media de la mañana
12:00 pm	Midday	Las doce del mediodía
13:00 pm	One o’clock in the afternoon	La una de la tarde
14:40pm	Two-forty in the afternoon	Las dos y cuarenta de la tarde
19:45pm	seven-forty-five in the evening	Las siete y cuarenta y cinco de la tarde
12:00am	midnight	Las doce de la noche (medianoche)

General vocabulary

English	Spanish
Cell	Celda
Bed	Cama
Individual cell	Celda individual
Shared cell	Celda compartida
Library	Biblioteca
Showers	Duchas
Toilet	Baño
Visiting rooms	Salas de visita
Guard/Warden	Guardia/Vigilante
Garden	Jardín
Reception	Recepción
Director	Director
Assisant Director	Ayudante del director
Shopkeeper	Encargado de tienda
Guard/Warden	Guardia/Vigilante
Telephone	Teléfono
Mobilephone	Celular
Books	Libros
Pen	Bolígrafo
Paper	Papel
Letter	Carta
Envelope	Sobre
Stamp	Sello/Estampilla
Soap	Jabón
Shampoo	Shampoo
Toothbrush	Cepillo de dientes
Toothpaste	Pasta de dientes
Deodorant	Desodorante
Toilet Paper	Papel higiénico
Wash	Lavar
Razor	Afeitadora
Shave	Afeitar
Towel	Toalla

Other items

English	Spanish
Shop/Canteen	Tienda/Cantina
Blanket	Manta
Radio	Radio
TV	Televisor
Playing cards	Maso de cartas
Ball	Pelota
Battery	Pila/Batería

Clothing

English	Spanish
Shirt	Camisa
Shorts	Pantalones cortos
Shoes	Zapatos
Socks	Medias
Jumper/pullover	Buzo/Pulóver
Jeans	Jeans
Vest	Chaleco
Underwear	Ropa interior
Trousers	Pantalones
T-shirt	Remera
Trainers	Zapatillas de deporte
Sandals	Sandalias

Sizes

English	Spanish
Small	Pequeño/a
Medium	Mediano/a
Large	Grande

Proper nouns

English	Spanish
British Consul	Cónsul británico/a
Britain	Gran Bretaña
British	Británico/a
England	Inglaterra
Scotland	Escocia
Wales	Gales
Northern Ireland	Irlanda del Norte

Family

English	Spanish
Friend	Amigo/a
Family	Familia
Mother	Madre
Father	Padre
Siblings	Hermanos
Sister	Hermana
Brother	Hermano
Daughter	Hija
Son	Hijo
Child	Niño/a
Husband	Marido
Wife	Mujer
Partner	Pareja
Cousin	Primo/a

Food/meals

English	Spanish
Breakfast	Desayuno
Lunch	Comida
Dinner	Cena
Meal	Comida
To eat	Comer
To drink	Beber
Knife	Cuchillo
Fork	Tenedor
Spoon	Cuchara
Tray	Bandeja
Glass	Vaso
Cup/Mug	Taza
Plate	Plato
Bottle	Botella
Coffee	Café
Tea	Té
Water	Agua
Milk	Leche
Powdered milk	Leche en polvo
Soda	Soda
Hot chocolate	Chocolate caliente
Fresh fruit	Fruta fresca
Apple	Manzana
Orange	Naranja
Banana	Banana
Meat	Carne
Steak	Bife/Carne de vaca
Lamb	Cordero
Chicken	Pollo
Pork	Cerdo
Ham	Jamón
Cheese	Queso
Bacon	Panceta
Fish	Pescado
Tuna	Atún
Cod	Bacalao
Sea food	Mariscos
Vegetables	Verduras
Cabbage	Repollo
Carrot	Zanahoria
Mushroom	Champiñón
Spinach	Espinaca
Green beans	Chauchas
Peas	Arvejas
Potato	Papa
Peppers	Pimientos/Morrones
Onion	Cebolla
Lettuce	Lechuga
Bread	Pan
Rice	Arroz
Pasta	Pasta
Butter	Manteca
Jam/preserve	Mermelada
Eggs	Huevos
Oil	Aceite
Salt	Sal
Sugar	Azúcar
Yoghurt	Yogur
Biscuits	Galletitas
Cereal	Cereales
Chocolate	Chocolate

Human Body

English	Spanish
Head	Cabeza
Skull	Cráneo
Hair	Pelo
Face	Cara
Eye/Eyes	Ojo/Ojos
Nose	Nariz
Mouth	Boca
Lips	Labios
Tongue	Lengua
Ear	Oreja (external) / Oído (Internal)
Neck	Cuello
Anus	Ano
Penis	Pene
Testicles	Testículos
Vagina	Vagina
Breasts	Mamas
Leg	Pierna
Knee	Rodilla
Throat	Garganta
Shoulder	Hombro
Chest	Pecho
Stomach	Estómago
Back	Espalda
Arms	Brazos
Elbow	Codo
Hand	Mano
Finger	Dedo
Thumb	Pulgar/Dedo gordo
Wrist	Muñeca
Hip	Cadera
Ankle	Tobillo
Foot	Pie
Heel	Talón
Toe	Dedo del pie
Limb	Extremidad
Muscle	Músculo
Bone	Hueso
Spinal Column	Columna vertebral
Rib	Costilla
Skil	Piel
Heart	Corazón
Lungs	Pulmones
Liver	Hígado
Kidneys	Riñones
Bladder	Vejiga
To Breath	Respirar
Blood	Sangre

Health problems

English	Spanish
An illness	Una enfermedad
A pain	Un dolor
An injury/wound	Una herida
An infection	Una infección
Abscess	Absceso
Angina	Anginas
Appendicitis	Apendicitis
Arthritis	Artritis
Asthma	Asma
A bite (insect)	Una picadura
Bronchitis	Bronquitis
Cancer	Cáncer
Concussion	Conmoción cerebral
An insect sting	Una picadura de insecto
Sun stroke	Insolación
Tuberculosis	Tuberculosis
Typhoid	Fiebre tifoidea
Ulcer	Úlcera
A wart	Una verruga
Cough	Tos
Cyst	Quiste
Diabetes	Diabetes
An epileptic fit	Un ataque epiléptico
Fever	Fiebre
Fracture	Fractura
A hernia	Una hernia
HIV/AIDS	Virus del SIDA
Liver attack	Ataque hepático/del hígado
Leukaemia	Leucemia
Malaria	Malaria
Migraine	Migraña
Depression	Depresión
Pneumonia	Pulmonía
Rheumatism	Reumatismo
A scar	Una cicatriz
A scratch	Un arañazo
Sprain	Esguince

Prescribed drugs/treatment

English	Spanish
Painkiller	Analgésico
Antibiotics	Antibiótico
Analgesics	Analgésico
Aspirin	Aspirina
Lice treatment	Tratamiento para piojos
Inhaler	Inhalador
Tablet/Pill	Pastilla/Píldora
Capsule	Cápsula
Cream	Crema
Injection	Inyección
Vaccine	Vacuna
Bandage	Venda
Sleeping tablet	Pastillas para dormir
Tranquiliser	Tranquilizante
Laxative	Laxante
Antiseptic	Antiséptico

Phrases related to body and health

English	Spanish
I need to see the Doctor	Necesito ver a un médico
I require medical assistance for the following reasons…	Necesito ayuda médica por las siguientes razones…
I don’t feel very well	No me siento muy bien
I am bleeding	Estoy sangrando
It is urgent	Es urgente
I have a pain in my…	Me duele el/la… Dolor moderado
Mild pain	Dolor moderado
Severe pain	Dolor fuerte
I have a cold/flu	Tengo un resfriado/gripe
I have a sore throat	Me duele la garganta
I have a fever	Tengo fiebre
I am allergic to…	Soy alérgico a…
I am having trouble to breathe	Tengo problemas al respirar
I have a cold	Tengo un resfrío
I have an upset stomach	Me duele el estómago
I am constipated	Estoy constipado/a
I have diarrhoea	Tengo diarrea
I have spots	Tengo ronchas
I have a rash	Tengo un sarpullido
I am diabetic	Soy diabético/a
I am epileptic	Soy epiléptico/a
I am coeliac	Soy celíaco/a
I have heart problems	Tengo problemas del corazón
I have ear ache	Me duele el oído
I have a headache	Me duele la cabeza
I have cramps	Tengo calambres
I have problems with my eyes	Tengo problemas en los ojos
I need to have my eyes tested	Necesito que me examinen los ojos
I am pregnant	Estoy embarazada
I have high/low blood pressure	Tengo la presión alta/baja
I have high cholesterol	Tengo el colesterol alto
Have you something for…	¿Tienes algo para…?
Do you have a bandage/paster?	¿Tienes una curita/venda?

Phrases which may be used by the doctor

English	Spanish
Where does it hurt?	Donde te duele?
Do you have a temperature?	Tienes fiebre?
Do you have any allergies?	Tienes alguna alergia?
Do you suffer from any other illnesses?	Tienes alguna otra enfermedad?
What medication do you take normally?	Tomas algún tipo de medicación?
Are you receiving medical treatment at the moment?	Estás recibiendo tratamiento médico en estos momentos?
What type?	De qué tipo?
Since when?	Desde cuándo?
Is this the first time you have had this problem?	Es la primera vez que tienes este problema?
Do you have a cold?	Estás resfriado/a?
What colour is the phlegm?	De qué color es la flema?
Are you a drug addict?	Tienes adicción a alguna droga?
How much do you weigh?	Cuánto pesas?
Step onto the scales, please	Súbete a la balanza por favor
Please, lie on the bed	Acuéstate en la camilla, por favor
Please, take off your shirt	Sácate la camisa, por favor
This is a prescription for…	Esta es una receta para…
You must take this medication…	Debes tomar esta medicación
…before you go to bed	… antes de irte a la cama
…three times a day	… tres veces al día
…in the morning and in the evening	… por la mañana y por la noche
Before/During/After your meal	Antes/Con/Después de la comida

Dental terms

English	Spanish
I need to see the dentist	Necesito ver al dentista
I have toothache	Me duele una muela/un diente
I have a broken tooth	Se me rompió un diente/una muela
A filling	Un empaste
Tooth decay	Caries
A tooth	Un diente (front), una muela (back)
A wisdom tooth	La muela del juicio

In Spanish all nouns have a gender, either masculine or feminine (for example, the word for ‘house’ (casa) is a feminine noun so ‘a house’/’the house’ is translated as ‘una casa’/’la casa’. The word for ‘book’ (libro) is a masculine noun so ‘a book’/’the book’ is translated as ‘un libro’/’el libro’).

The gender of the word will affect adjectives which refer to that word. For example, if you want to say ‘the red house’ you would say ‘la casa roja’. If you wanted to say ‘a red book’ you would say ‘un libro rojo’.

Where appropriate, the gender of each form of the word has been given below: masculine forms of the word are denoted by ‘(m)’, feminine by ‘(f)’. The plural form of the word (i.e when there is more than one of the object concerned) is denoted by ‘pl’. So, ‘these houses’ would appear as ‘estas casas (fpl)’ and ‘those books’ would appear as ‘esos libros (mpl)’.

Accents may appear above certain vowels, helping pronunciation by indicating where the stress should be placed in that particular word (e.g. prisión, miércoles, teléfono). In the absence of accents, words ending in either a vowel or …n / …s will have stress placed on the penultimate syllable (e.g. nosotros, transferido, urgente). If the word ends in a consonant other than …n / …s, the last syllable is stressed (e.g. necesitar, enfermedad, espanol)

To have	Tener
I have	yo tengo
you (singular) have	tú tienes
he/she has	él/ella tiene
we have	nosotros/as tenemos
you (plural) have	ustedes tienen
they have	ellos/as tienen

(In Spanish, there are two verbs which translate as „to be‟: „ser‟ and „estar‟. „Ser‟ is meant to convey something permanent (e.g. „I am English‟, „I am a man‟), and „estar‟ is meant to convey something more temporary like a mood or emotion (e.g. „I am ill‟, or „I am happy‟).

To be	Ser
I am	yo soy
you (singular) are	tú eres
he/she is	él/ella es
we are	nosotros/as somos
you (plural) are	ustedes son
they are	ellos/as son

To be	Estar
I am	yo estoy
you (singular) are	tú estás
he/she is	él/ella está
we are	nosotros/as estamos
you (plural) are	ustedes están
they are	ellos/as están
To want/I want	Querer/yo quiero
To need/I need	Necesitar/yo necesito
To feel/I feel	Sentir/yo siento
To have to/I have to	Tener que/yo tengo que
To see/I see	Ver/yo veo
To use/I use	Usar/yo uso
To speak/I speak	Hablar/yo hablo
To write/I write	Escribir/yo escribo
To go/I go	Ir/yo voy
To be able to	Poder/yo puedo
To give	Dar/yo doy

Prepositions

English	Spanish
After	Después
Before	Antes
During	Durante
Since	Desde
Until	Hasta
In/inside	en/dentro
Outside	Fuera
At	en
From	De/desde
On	en/encima
Under/below/beneath	Debajo
Above	Encima
Over	por encima de
Beside/next to/by	al lado de
Near to	cerca de
Through	a través
Towards	hacia
Behind	detrás
Between	entre
Opposite	en frente
With	con
Without	sin

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

FCDO guidance: Instruction for money transfer through the FCDO

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-prisoner-pack/annex-1-instruction-for-money-transfer-through-fcdo

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad

List of Private Translators/Interpreters

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad

Prisoners Abroad Forms

General leaflet

Authorisation form

Contact with your family and friends form

Craig Feehan fund application form