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Visiting a prisoner: visiting times, keeping in touch by email, telephone or letter, banned items and sending money to a prisoner by debit card or online bank transfer
Letters You can contact a prisoner by writing to them. Write the person’s…
Prisoners are not allowed to access social networking websites (such as…
You must not send or give anything to a prisoner that: is indecent or…
You can send money to someone in prison by making an online payment by…
You can make an online request to visit someone in prison in most cases.…
The range of prison sentences a court can give - including suspended, fixed-term, indeterminate and life sentences.
If you’re sent to prison for 2 or more crimes, you’ll usually get a…
A suspended prison sentence is served in the community instead of in…
A determinate prison sentence is for a fixed length of time. It includes a…
An indeterminate prison sentence does not have a fixed length of time.…
If you’re found guilty of murder, a court must give you a life sentence. A…
If you’re under 18 you’ll be treated differently to adults by a court. You…
What to expect if you're sent to prison - prison rules and regulations, healthcare and education, prisoner rights
When someone arrives at prison they have at least one interview and…
Prisoners who follow rules can earn privileges. This is called the…
Prisoners are entitled to the same standard of healthcare and treatment as…
Staff are trained to spot prisoners at risk of bullying, suicide or…
Women who give birth in prison can keep their baby for the first 18 months…
Courses are normally available to help prisoners get new skills, for…
What happens to benefits if you or someone in your family goes to prison or is on remand.
When to tell a potential employer, university, college or insurance company about a criminal record, when it becomes 'spent' and what shows up on a DBS check.
How a prisoner is released - including Parole Board hearings, resettlement schemes and temporary release on licence
The prison system would have collapsed entirely by summer if not for the Government’s decisive action to keep the public safe, new analysis has revealed.
Employment Appeal Tribunal Judgment of Lord Fairley on 21 January 2026.
How to book and make a secure video call with somebody in prison.
Local processes for finding a lawyer, your rights, going to court, visits and money, trials, the legal system and prison conditions.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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