Guidance

Lebanon – Prisoner Pack

Updated 15 April 2024

This information is not meant to be definitive, and is not a substitute for independent legal advice.  Neither His Majesty’s Government nor its staff take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information, nor accept liability for any loss, costs, damage, or expense that you might suffer as a result of relying on the information.  The information contained in this guide is general and factual.  You should contact local lawyers for independent legal advice (see page [21]).

1. Information Pack for British Nationals detained or imprisoned in Lebanon.

British Embassy Lebanon 06 March 2024

Contents

Chapter 1: Key points

• Overview
• First Steps

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Lebanon

• Visits
• Police custody and initial arrival at prison
• Prison: conditions and daily life
• Prison: access to help and services

Chapter 3: the Lebanon judicial system

• Overview and first steps
• Trial and legal assistance
• Reaching the end of your sentence

Chapter 4: Additional Information

• Additional Information
• Prisoners Abroad
• Glossary of Terms
• Annexes

1.1 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, but they cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of jail, or pay for services such as a lawyer.  Information about who we can help, including the circumstances in which we can assist dual nationals, is available at: Support for British nationals abroad.         

This detention information pack is designed to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Lebanon and who can help.  A printed copy is provided to those in prison or in custody, and an online version is available at:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lebanon-prisoner-pack . We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• The authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British Consulate (and must do so if you want them to).

• Even if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself, and should do so, particularly if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance.

• Friends or family can also contact the local British Consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 1500.

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British Consulate even if you don’t want anyone to know that you have been arrested.  This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British Government which requires a mandatory notification to be made. 

Who we are

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

The British Embassy in Lebanon:

Tel: +961 (0)1 960800 / Fax: +961 (0)1 960855 / Email: Beirut.consular@fcdo.gov.uk

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

Address: British Embassy, Serail Hill, Army Street, Beirut, Lebanon

Working Hours: Monday to Thursday: 08.00 – 16:00, Friday: 08.00 – 14:00

You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on 020 7008 1500

What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help.  Once notified of your arrest or detention, consular staff will aim to contact you as soon as possible so that we can assess how we can help you.  We then aim to provide assistance according to your individual circumstances and local conditions: our priority is to provide assistance to those British nationals overseas that need our help the most.

In Lebanon, notification by the authorities to the Consulate normally takes place the next working day.

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

We can also:

• provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters
• provide general information about the country, detention conditions, and the local legal system.
• provide general information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, and welfare services.
• keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting or by telephone/letter. The frequency of contact will depend on local conditions and your personal circumstances.
• tell the police or prison doctor, with your permission, about any medical or dental problems including medication.
• put you, or your family, in touch with a prisoners’ welfare charity called Prisoners Abroad.
• in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards.
• help to transfer money to you from your friends or family.  In places where phone or postal services aren’t available, we can also pass on messages and deliver letters to the prison (but generally we cannot arrange for delivery directly to you – see page [15]).

What we can’t do

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

1.2 First Steps

Can you / will you tell my family? 

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

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

Will the UK Police be informed?

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

Do I need a lawyer?  / How can I find a lawyer?

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

Can you get me out?

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

Who else can help me?

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

1.3 Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Lebanon

Visits – friends and family

Can my family and friends visit me? How can I arrange a visit?

Policies varies in different prisons. Prison visiting dates and times are different at different prisons but usually three days a week.

In order to visit Roumieh Prison, visitors must first obtain a prison visiting permission slip from the Ministry of Justice.

If you are a convicted prisoner, visit permits can be granted by the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, the Prison Governor, the Commander of the section of the Central Prison and the Gendarmerie Commander for prisons within his jurisdiction.

If you are a detainee, visit permits can be granted by the State Counsel’s Office.

Your lawyer may ask to see you at any time without any restrictions. If you are being visited by your lawyer, either you or he can request that it take place without supervision.

If you are given disciplinary punishments in accordance with prison’s regulations, you will not be allowed visitors. In addition, if you are in solitary confinement only the judge who ordered your confinement can allow you visitors.

What can visitors expect?

Usually only your parents will be allowed to visit.  However, exceptions can be made and other family members may be allowed to visit. Visitors may be asked to show their ID.

You may be granted one to three visitors each week depending on the severity of your crime. In one day you can only receive one visitor.  The visit must not exceed fifteen minutes.  Prison guards will be present.

What can visitors bring?

Visitors may be permitted to bring food items, clothes, magazines and medication. Policies will vary depending on the prison.

Visitors are not allowed to bring harmful or prohibited objects that create threat to the safety and security of the prison. These prohibited objects include arms, explosives, poisonous substances, drugs and alcohol.

Consular visits

The Consul or a member of her staff will aim to contact you (by telephone or in person) within 24 hours of notification of your arrest. We will try to visit you as soon as possible afterwards, ideally within 48 hours, if you wish us to do so. If you are sentenced and are serving a prison sentence, we will visit you at least twice a year, unless there are specific reasons to visit you more frequently.

Emergency trips outside of prison

It may be possible to make a trip outside of prison if an urgent situation arises, such as funerals. However, prior approval should be granted by the relevant judge.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

1.4 Arrival at the police station & basic rights

If you are arrested you should ask that the British Embassy be informed as soon as possible.  You should be permitted to make one or two phone calls from the police station to family, friends, your lawyer or the Embassy. Police should tell you the charges and your rights. An interpreter will be provided to translate into English if needed.

If you are arrested at the airport you will spend some time in a police cell near the airport. For drugs offences, you will be taken from the airport to cells in Hobeiche Police Station. Whilst there, police will gather evidence and interrogate you. You may also have to undergo a drugs test, either a urine sample, or a blood test and sometimes both.

Depending on the severity of the offence, you will remain in the police anti-narcotics cell for a few days after which you can expect to be taken to a remand prison, normally Roumieh Prison.

For other offences, you will not usually stay in a police station for longer than 24 hours. The police will pass the details of your arrest to the General Prosecutor.  He will then decide whether to release you or transfer your file to the First Instance Court or the Investigation Judge

Appearance at court

You will normally be seen by the General Prosecutor within 24 hours but you can be held on remand indefinitely without specific charges being brought.  Should you be sentenced later, time served on remand would be counted as part of your sentence

When you are charged, you will be sent either to the First Instance Court (usually for the less serious crimes) or the Investigation Judge (for the more serious crimes).

If you do not have a lawyer when you come to trial and cannot afford one, you may request legal aid.  Your request will be presented to the “Lawyers Syndicate” for consideration and if it is accepted that you have no funds to pay, a lawyer will be appointed to help you.  However, legal aid is difficult to obtain in Lebanon, especially for foreigners.

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

Initial arrival at the prison

If you find yourself transferred to prison, you will share a cell with other people. Prisons in Lebanon are overcrowded and prisoners are often held together in large rooms. You may have access to your belongings if the police do not consider them evidence. Your passport and other identification will be taken away but should be returned to you when you leave prison.

Prison: conditions and daily life

In Lebanon, prisons and detention centres are chronically overcrowded. The World Prison Brief ranks the Lebanese prison and detention system as the 34 most overcrowded in the world. Severe overcrowding in prisons and detention centres has resulted in conditions that pose a significant threat to the health, safety, and dignity of detainees.

Only Roumieh prison out of 24 detention centres was purposefully built for detention, partly explaining why detention centres fail to meet the United Nations Minimum Standards Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).

This report on detention and the Lebanese criminal justice sector, is submitted by the following NGOs:

ALEF act for human rights (ALEF)
Lebanese Centre for Human Rights (CLDH)
Association for Justice and Mercy (AJEM)
Proud Lebanon
Restart Centre for rehabilitation of victims of violence and torture

Accommodation

Conditions in prison are cramped and overcrowded. Under the supervision of prison wardens, long-term inmates normally organise other prisoners.

Mattresses and blankets are available but often have to be shared with others. Facilities for heating water are scarce. There are basic cooking and clothes washing facilities, which can be used at a cost.

Food and Diet

You will be given three meals a day.  Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are allowed special diets on the prescription of the prison’s physician. Special diets shall be at the prisoner’s own expense or provided through family.

You can get meals from outside.  These must pass inspection, meet prison requirement and be eaten during regular mealtimes.

There is usually a prison shop from which you can order food, soft drinks and cigarettes if you have money to pay for these items. The cost of any items bought from the prison shop will then be deducted from your account.

Hygiene

Showers are few and far between and often prisoners are not able to shower on a daily basis, only to have a wash.

You can buy toiletries from the prison shop.

Work and Study

You may be able undertake courses. The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Affairs and NGOs, occasionally organise educational programs and workshops for prisoners.

You may follow a school programme and sit exams with the prior agreement of the appropriate authorities, including education.  You may be able to enrol in a university program if the university accepts your registration and exempts you from attendance.

Contact and Languages

You will have access to the prison’s library which contains educational books, such as books of literature, sociology and hygiene.

You will likely be put in a cell with other English-speaking inmates.

You cannot make calls from the prison. We have in the past been allowed to take a mobile phone for a prisoner to make a short international call to his or her family.  Policies on phones calls differ in different prisons.

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

Exercise

You will be allowed to go to the prison yard every day for three hours.  You can receive books and magazines for entertainment, but not daily newspapers.

Exercise facilities are not available in the prison.

Climate

The climate of Lebanon is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, humid winters. The prison authorities do not provide clothing.

Religion

You are entitled to take part in religious services of your choice. However, detention facilities are not staffed by religious ministers.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

You will be able to get medication through the prison’s pharmacy on prescription of the prison’s physician. If you need of over-the-counter drugs, such as mild painkillers, you can request these through the prison guards.

Guards will administer the prescribed dosage.  You will not be permitted to keep any medication.

If your health requires that you take drugs that are not granted by the prison or are unavailable locally, with the prison’s agreement you can purchase them from outside or have family provide.

1.5 Prison: access to help and services

How can I receive money?

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

• Private Funds: Deposited to you by your family or friends. See Annex A  for instructions on how to send funds.

• Prisoners Abroad: Depending on where you are detained, if your family can’t support you financially, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials (enough for one hot meal a day).

• The British Government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Private funds

While the FCDO does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, we may be able, within certain limits, to send you money from your family.

The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) operates a “Prison Comfort” system for money transfers to prisoners. Please ask your family to get in touch with the FCDO in order to arrange this.

We are unable to receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash.

Prisoners Abroad

In addition, Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity, may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not in receipt of any regular donations from other sources. Please specify here whether prisoners are eligible for one of the three Prisoners Abroad Funds (the Craig Feehan Fund, the Vitamin Fund and the Medical Fund).  See Chapter 4 for more details.

Please note that we can only advance funds to the person overseas once your payment has cleared in our account.

1. Electronic Bank transfers

Payment by electronic/internet bank transfer can be made either using online or telephone banking, or at your local bank or building society.

For all bank transfers, you will need to include the following details:

Bank:                                     National Westminster Bank

Account Name:                      FCDO Multi Vote

Sort Code:                             60-70-80

Account Number:                   10012362

Reference:                             FCDO case reference number, surname and first name of the person you are sending the funds for, plus country name if possible,

                                             e.g.     11-THB-123456 SMITH JOE - THAILAND      or

                                             CON-1234 SMITH JOE – THAILAND

IBAN                                     GB56NWBK60708010012362

SWIFT/BIC                            NWBKGB2L

You may also need our bank address which is:

National Westminster Bank, Government Banking, CST PO Box 2027, Parkland, De Havilland Way, Howich, Bolton, BL6 4YU

1. By Post

Payments by Postal Order, Bankers Draft, Building Society Cheque or personal cheque should be crossed and made payable to “The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office”.  They should be sent to:

Accounts Receivable

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Corporate Service Centre

PO Box 6108

Milton Keynes

MK10 1PX

We recommend that you use Special Delivery.

Please ensure that you include a note briefly explaining who the money is for, why you are sending these funds and quoting the FCDO case reference number.  You may wish to use the payment slip on the next page.

If you would like a receipt, please include a stamped addressed envelope.

Please note that it can take approximately 15 days for personal cheques to clear and for payment to be received.  Please write the cheque guarantee number and expiry date, and the FCDO case reference number, on the back of the cheque.

We are unable to receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash.

To: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
FCDO case reference number:
Date:
Please find enclosed funds for:
Full Name:
Country/place the above is in:
Amount enclosed:
Fee to be deducted:
Payment method:
My name is:
My address is:

We are obligated to charge for this service. The fee is dependent on the amount that you wish to transfer, as follows:

Amount being sent	Fee
One monthly payment up to £100	Free
Each additional payment or amount of £ 0.01 - £ 99.99	£10
Each additional payment or amount of £ 100 - £ 499.99	£30
Each additional payment or amount of £ 500 and above	£80

Can I receive medical and dental treatment?

While you are in detention, Lebanon is responsible for ensuring your basic medical needs are met. If you need medical or dental treatment you should ask to see the prison doctor or dentist.  Basic medical attention is free of charge.

English-speaking social workers visit the prisons and can help with problems or pass messages to consular staff.

If you need special treatment or assessment, you will be transferred to external hospitals.

In case of medical emergency, you should notify the prison warden.

With your permission, we can make sure that any medical or dental problems you might have are brought to the attention of any police or prison doctor.  We can also liaise with your GP in the UK, if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records and this is in your vital interests.

Mail/Parcels

Mail cannot be sent direct to the prison from the UK. Friends and family can send mail, emails and small parcels to the Embassy which we can then deliver. We cannot forward mail on your behalf to the UK.

All letters and parcels are opened and checked by prison staff.

Can I make telephone calls?

You cannot make calls from the prison. We have in the past been allowed to take a mobile phone for a prisoner to make a short international call to his or her family.  Policies on phones calls differ in different prisons.

How can I make 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.

1.6 Chapter 3: the Lebanon judicial system

Overview and first steps

Is the system the same as the UK?

Courts in Lebanon deal with either criminal or civil matters.  Each has three levels of seniority: First Instance, Appeal and Cassation. Juries are not used in trials.

The law recognises three categories of criminal acts: contraventions or minor offences, misdemeanours or offences, and crimes or felonies. Legal proceedings and process depend on the nature of the crime. They may be initiated either by the victim or his heirs or by the Public Prosecution Office.

When referred a case, the Public Prosecution Office may transfer the file to the First Instance Court (for contraventions and minor misdemeanour) or to the Investigation Judge for further investigation (for felonies and major misdemeanours).  It may also decide to reject the claim and in such case, the victim may raise a civil action in recovery of damages only.

When referred a case, the Investigation Judge may either refer the case to the Accusatory Chamber (for major misdemeanours and felonies) or modify the charges and refer the files to the first Instance Court (for contraventions and minor misdemeanour) or reject the claim.

For contraventions and misdemeanours, the First Instance Court will proceed with the file and issue a judgment in that respect which judgment may be appealed against before the Court of Appeal. If necessary, the First Instance Court’s decision may be further appealed against before the Criminal High Court of Cassation.
When referred a case of major misdemeanours or felonies, the Accusatory Chamber may either find the accused guilty and transfer the file to the Criminal Court, or decide to acquit the accused.

The Criminal Courts will in turn either convict the accused party, modify the charges or acquit him. A judgment rendered by the Criminal Court can be appealed against before the Criminal High Court of Cassation.

Sentences vary as follows:
Contraventions:

• Imprisonment
• Fines

Misdemeanours:
Imprisonment with forced work

• Imprisonment
• Forced Residence
• Fines

Felonies:

• Death penalty
• Perpetual Imprisonment with forced work
• Perpetual Imprisonment
• Temporary Imprisonment with forced work
• Temporary Imprisonment
• Banishment
• Forced Residence

• Civil degradation.

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

What should happen when I am arrested?

If you are arrested at the airport you will spend some time in a police cell near the airport. Police should tell you the charges and your rights. For drugs offences, you will be taken from the airport to cells in Hobeiche Police Station. Whilst there, police will gather evidence and interrogate you. You may also have to undergo a drugs test, either a urine sample, or a blood test and sometimes both.

Depending on the severity of the offence, you will remain in the police anti-narcotics cell for a few days after which you can expect to be taken to a remand prison, normally Roumieh Prison.

For other offences you will not usually stay in a police station for longer than 24 hours. The police will pass the details of your arrest to the General Prosecutor.  He will then decide whether to release you or transfer your file to the First Instance Court or the Investigation Judge

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

For how long can I be remanded in custody?

You will normally be seen by the General Prosecutor within 24 hours but you can be held on remand indefinitely without specific charges being brought.  Should you be sentenced later, time served on remand would be counted as part of your sentence.

What happens when I am charged?

When you are charged, you will be sent either to the First Instance Court (usually for the less serious crimes) or the Investigation Judge (for the more serious crimes).

If you do not have a lawyer when you come to trial and cannot afford one, you may request legal aid.  Your request will be presented to the “Lawyers Syndicate” for consideration and if it is accepted that you have no funds to pay, a lawyer will be appointed to help you.  However, legal aid is difficult to obtain in Lebanon, especially for foreigners.

Remember, you should never sign anything you cannot read. If you find yourself under pressure to sign, ask to speak to the British Embassy.

What provision is there for bail?

In general there is no bail granted to foreigners. The risk of flight is too great.

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

1.7 Trial and legal assistance

What kind of legal assistance is available?

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, a list of English-speaking lawyers is provided at the end of this pack. Prisoners Abroad can also supply information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

Consular staff can provide you with a list of lawyers who speak English. Normally, if you hire a private lawyer he will ask for a cash advance on his estimated legal fees before taking your case.

The British Embassy cannot pay legal fees or guarantee a lawyer that you will pay them.  Consular staff cannot give legal advice.

What happens at the trial?

There is no jury system in Lebanon. Trials are heard by the Investigating Judge or members of the court or both

Sentences

How can appeals be made?

The accused have the right to appeal their sentence to the Appeal Court Judge through their lawyers.  This must be done within 15 days of the sentence being handed down.

1.8 Reaching the end of your sentence

What provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) e.g. for good behaviour?

In certain circumstances, you, your lawyer, or the Prison’s Governor can submit a request for sentence reduction.  This could be based on your good behaviour, an assessment of the threat you would pose should you be released and the severity of the crime for which you were convicted.

What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole?

Under certain circumstances, you could be released early. You should expect to serve at least half your sentence.

In addition, in the case of severe illness or handicap you could be released early.

What provision is there for clemency or pardon?

The President of the Lebanese Republic can grant clemency.

An Amnesty Act, if it is applicable to the crime of which you have been convicted, would also secure your early release.

What about any financial penalties?

Any financial penalties arising from your conviction must be paid within thirty days. The Judge may rule that payments must be made in one settlement or multiple instalments.

Is transfer to another prison within Lebanon possible?

Prisoners can be transferred by either the Minister of Interior or the Head of the Police Department for disciplinary, health or personal reasons, or to reduce overcrowding.

Is transfer to the UK a possibility?

No, there is currently no Prisoner Transfer Agreement between Lebanon and the UK.

What are the procedures for release and deportation?

The Director of the Prison submits the release order to the General Security office (Surete Generale) which is responsible for deportation. Prisoners are not allowed to stay in Lebanon after release.

Prisoners are transferred to the cells in the Migration Office at Surete Generale and are held there while their deportation is arranged (usually 2-3 days). Prisoners should have a passport and air ticket ready to avoid delays.

Sometimes people find that they face difficulties adjusting to life in the UK once they have left prison. You may find yourself ready for life on the outside but not prepared for living in the UK. Possibly you have never lived in the UK and have no connections there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may simply want to talk to another person who understands what you have been through, to help you consider what to do next.

If you are registered with Prisoners Abroad you can visit Prisoners Abroad when you first arrive back in UK for advice, to take a shower, use their temporary luggage store, make essential phone calls or use a computer. If you have no belongings Prisoners Abroad may be able to help with basic toiletries and finding suitable clothing. If you know your release date in advance it is best to write and tell your caseworker when you are likely to arrive and what help you think you might need. If you have no money and nowhere to go, Prisoners Abroad’s Aftercare 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 020 7367 4888, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM, or contact your local Salvation Army branch – and The Prison Fellowship, UK Helpline 020 7799 2500, Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM.

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

1.9 Chapter 4: Additional Information

Additional Information

2. Annexes

Annex 1	List of English speaking lawyers
Annex 2	List of private translators/interpreters
Annex 3	FCDO leaflet: In prison abroad
Annex 4	FCDO leaflet: Support for British nationals abroad
Annex 5	Prisoners abroad authorisation form
Annex 6	Prisoners abroad family contact form

Prisoners Abroad

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

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

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

Prisoners Abroad
89 – 93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
UK

Telephone:                                                      00 44 (0)20 7561 6820
or, for your relatives in the UK, Freephone:       0808 172 0098

(Mondays and Tuesdays 9.30 am to 6pm, and Wednesdays to Fridays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, UK time)
Email: info@prisonersabroad.org.ukWebsite: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk

Glossary of Terms

3. Useful legal terms – English into recognised Lebanese Dialect   

English	Sounds like	Arabic
Appeal	Istinaf	استئناف
Application form	Talab	طلب
Case	Kadhiya	قضية
Case number	Rakam Al Kadhiya	رقم القضية
Complaint	Shakwa	شكوى
Court	Mahkama	محكمة
Deportation	Tarhil	ترحيل
Deposit	Amanat	أمانات
Embassy	Safarah	سفارة
Hearing session	Jalset Al Istimaa	جلسة الاستماع
Indictment	Al Touhma	التهمة
Interpreter	Moutarjim	مترجم
Judgement	Hokm	حكم
Lawyer	Mohami	محامي
Money	Noukoud	نقود
Notary	Katib Al Adel	كاتب العدل
Plaintiff	Al Modaii	المدعي
Police	Shorta	الشرطة
Power of attorney	Wikeleh	وكالة
Prison director	Mudir Al Sijn	مدير السجن
Prosecutor	Alnaib Aleam	النائب العام
Release	Efraj	أفراج
Sentence	Oukoubit Al Hokom	عقوبة الحكم
Residency	Iqameh	إقامة

4. Key phrases – English into recognised Lebanese Dialect

English	Sounds like	Arabic
Hello	Marhaba	مرحبا
My name is	Esmy	إسمي
Good morning	Sabah Al Khair	صباح الخير
Good evening	Masaa Al Khair	مساء الخير
Please	Min fadlak	من فضلك
I don’t know	Ma baaraf	ما بعرف
Thank you	Shokran	شكرا
I am sorry	Ana asif	أنا أسف
How much does this cost	Kam Youkalif hatha	كم يكلف هذا
Yes	Naam	نعم
No	Laa	لأ
Could you write that down for me	Hal Yomkin an taktob zalek lee	هل بمكن ان تكتب ذلك لي
What time is it	Edaych el seaa	إديش الساعة
I am cold	Ana bardan	أنا بردان
I am hot	Ana Har	أنا حار
This is urgent	Hatha Aegel	هذا عاجل
I want to call the Embassy	Urid alaitisal bilsafara	أريد ألإتصال بالسفارة
I want to call my lawyer	Urid alaitisal bimouhamiyeh	أريد ألإتصالة بمحاميً
Can I have some water	Hal astatieh alhusul eala baed alma’	هل أستطيع الحصول على بعض الماء
I need a doctor	Ahtaj ila tabib	أحتاج الى طبيب
I need medication	Ahtaj ila dawa’	أحتاج الى دواء
Can I make a phone call	Momken aamal Itisal hatifi	ممكن أعمل إتصال هاتفي
Can I meet with management	Momken shoof el idara	ممكن شوف الادارة
When am I going to court	Mata Azhab ila Almahkama	متى أذهب الى المحكمة
Can I have my money	Momkin taatini Nokoudi	ممكن تعطيني نقودي
I want to make a complaint	Urid El Takaddom Bichakwa	أريد التقدَم بشكوى
I am hungry	Ana jooan	أنا جوعان
I am thirsty	Ana atchan	أنا عطشان
Water	Maa	ماء
Juice	Assir	عصير
Bread	Khobz	خبز
Chicken	Djaj	دجاج
Meat	Lahmeh	لحمة
Fruits	Fawakeh	فواكة
I am diabetic	Andi sokari	عندي سكري
I have high blood pressure	Andi daghet dam	عندي ضغط دم