Cheap Prison Calls:
A Support Guide For Family Members In Prison

Maintaining a contact with a loved one in prison is crucial for their emotional well-being and successful reintegration into society. However, the cost and logistics of staying in touch can often be overwhelming. This guide provides a insight into the various stages you may go through before, during and after their prison sentance. We highlight costs, and practical tips for families to keep these connections strong and being able to support your loved one during this tough time. Whether you're looking for affordable communication methods or preparing for time in prison this guide will help you navigate the challenges and maintain vital relationships during this tough period.

Being Arrested & Charged

Once you have been arrested and the police questioning has finished the police must decide if there is enough evidence to charge you with the alleged offence. Depending on the severity of the offence, the police decide whether they can lay charges or whether this must be done by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The police can also decide to issue the person arrested with a formal caution.

When someone is charged with an offence they are given a charge sheet with the details of the offence for which they are being charged, the date of their court appearance and any bail conditions that have been set. If the police do not feel they have enough evidence to make a charge then they will either release the person with no further action and the case will be dropped or they will delay making a decision until further information has been gathered.

A person cannot normally be held by the police for 24 hours without being charged or released. In the cases of more serious offences a further 12 hour detention can be granted by a senior police officer and police can apply to a Magistrates Court to hold the suspect for up to 96 hours (four days). If arrested under more serious charges such as suspicion of terrorism a judge can authorise the police to hold the person for up to 14 days.

If the police do not have enough evidence to charge someone they may only be detained if the police believe further detention will allow them to obtain the evidence they need to bring charges. If an investigation is continuing, the police can bail someone without charge to return to the police station at a fixed time and date in the future.

When someone is waiting for a court hearing or a trial, they might be given bail. Bail allows them to be released from custody until the hearing or the trial.Someone charged with an offence can be given bail at the police station. The police will release them from custody until their first court hearing.

They might have to agree to conditions like:
- Living at a particular address
- Not contacting certain people
- Giving your passport to the police so you cannot leave the UK
- Reporting to a police station at agreed times

If they do not follow these conditions, they can be arrested again. They will be held in custody until they are given another court hearing.

If someone breaks their bail conditions, they will be arrested and held until they are given another court hearing. The court may refuse further bail applications in a circumstance like this. If the person on bail fails to attend court without reasonable excuse, they will be arrested and taken to prison until their hearing.

A caution is used to deal with those who have committed less serious offences and have admitted their guilty. Cautions allow the police to deal with you quickly and simply by removing the need for the case to be heard in court. The person will be warned that any further offences will be taken to court and they may be prosecuted.

Cautions are given to those over 10 years old where:
- There is evidence that the person is guilty
- The person admits to committing the crime
- The person agrees to being cautioned – if they do not agree then they are likely to be charged.

A caution is not a criminal conviction so will not go on a person’s criminal record. It will, however, be recorded on the police database and may be considered in court if the person is tried for another offence. Cautions can show on standard and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

If the police do not have enough evidence to charge someone they may only be detained if the police believe that further detention will allow them to obtain the evidence they need to bring charges. If an investigation is continuing, the police can bail someone without charge to return to the police station at a fixed time and date.

If you are remanded into police custody has the right to the following and the custody officer must explain these:
- Free legal representation (usually known as a duty solicitor).  
- A phone call to inform someone that they’ve been arrested.
- Medical help if they are feeling ill.
- The right to read the Codes of Practice which explains what the police can and cannot do.
- A written notice telling you about rights, such as, regular breaks, meals, use of toilet. (You can ask for interpreter to explain the notice or ask for it to be in your chosen language.
- While someone is in custody, they can be searched and possessions will be kept by the police custody officer.

A person in custody is entitled to legal advice and a duty solicitor can be allocated or the individual can call a solicitor of their own choice. They are entitled to speak to their legal representative in private whether this is face to face or via the telephone and this can be at any time, day or night.

People under aged under 18 or those with a learning disability or mental health issues should not be interviewed or searched without the presence of an ‘appropriate adult’. This can be a parent, family member, friend, social worker or teacher. If there is no suitable person available, the police may select someone from a list of volunteers to perform the task. The appropriate adult should be there when the police read out the person’s rights, when they are interviewed and if they are cautioned or charged. An appropriate adult cannot provide legal advice but can provide support and act as a witness.

If you do not speak or understand English the police will arrange for someone who speaks the same language to help. The interpreter will record the police questions and any responses in the person’s own language. They will then be able to check and sign to confirm that it is an accurate record of the interview.

If the person is deaf then the police will arrange for a sign language interpreter to assist.

When taken to custody it is your human right that the cell and bedding should be clean and warm and there should be access to toilet facilities. If the police have taken clothes from you while you are in custody, they should provide something else to wear. The person in custody is entitled to up to three meals per day and drinks where necessary.

See Gov.uk – Being arrested: your rights for more information.

Going To Court

At this stage you will receive a letter with the details with you or your family member’s hearing. This will include the date and time of the hearing. It is important to be punctual and arrive at court on time for your court case. Most court cases are listed in a court room for a morning or an afternoon session. A morning session typically begins at 9.45am and an afternoon at 1.45pm. However this may vary between courts. It is best to phone the court you will be attending and ask to speak to ‘listings’. They will then be able to tell you in advance as to what time the case has been listed.

There are a number of different courts that you should be aware of:

Magistrates Court‍
The Magistrates Court is the lowest level of court – all criminal cases will come before a Magistrates Court for trial or referral to a higher court. At the Magistrates Court the case may be heard by either two or three Magistrates or a District Judge. In a Magistrates’ Court a defendant’s guilt and subsequent sentence is decided by the Magistrates or a District Judge. District Judges are legally qualified either as barristers or solicitors and work full-time as judges. There isn’t a jury in a Magistrates Court.

Magistrates are trained volunteers from all walks of life. They are not required to have any legal training and are assisted in court by a legal adviser. Magistrates generally sit in ‘panels’ of two or three. All members of the panel have equal decision-making powers but only one member, the chairman, speaks in court and presides over proceedings. District judges may also hear cases in a Magistrates Court. They usually deal with the longer and more complex matters coming before the Magistrates Courts.

Magistrates cannot normally send people to prison for periods of time over six months (or 12 months for consecutive sentences). The upper limit of the fine they could impose used to be £5,000 but from 12 March 2015 there is now no cap on the fine a magistrate can impose. Magistrates can also impose a community sentence, like doing unpaid work in the community, and can also give a combination of punishments – e.g. a fine and unpaid work in the community. If the court decides the sentence should be for longer than 6 months, it can pass the case to the Crown Court for sentencing.


Crown Court
Crown Courts deal with serious criminal cases which include:
- Cases sent for trial by Magistrates’ Courts because the offences are ‘indictable only’ (i.e. those which can only be heard by the Crown Court)
- ‘Either way’ offences (which can be heard in a Magistrates’ Court, but can also be sent to the Crown Court if the defendant chooses a jury trial)
- Defendants convicted in magistrates’ courts, but sent to the Crown Court for sentencing due to the seriousness of the offence Appeals against decisions of Magistrates’ Courts.

At the Crown Court the case will be heard before a judge and jury. The jury is made up of twelve people who know nothing about the trial before they come to court. It is their job to listen to all the evidence presented and to decide whether or not the accused is guilty. The judge will then decide the punishment for the offence.  A defendant charged with an ‘either way’ offence may chose to have their case heard in a Crown Court before a jury if they wish.

Judges working at Crown Courts or as District Judges at the Magistrates Court are legally qualified either as barristers or solicitors and work full-time as judges. As a result a Judge can sit alone but there will usually be a legal adviser present to assist where necessary. A Judge will normally wear a gown and wig in a Crown Court.


‍Youth Courts
A young defendant aged between 10 and 17 will be dealt with in the youth courts. Young defendants that are aged between 10 and 13 are classified as children and 14 – 17 year olds are termed as young persons, or juveniles.

Children under the age of 10 are viewed as being below the age of criminal responsibility and will not be taken to court. Instead they may become the subject of civil care or supervision proceedings such as child safety or child curfew orders or made a ward of court. If the child or young person commits an offence that would warrant a sentence of 14 years or more had they been tried as an adult then the case will be heard at the Crown Court.

Youth Courts are part of the Magistrates Courts and are used to hear cases of those who aged 11-18 years old. Magistrates serving in a Youth Court will have had specific training to enable them to deal with young people effectively. This will include using language that is easier for young people to understand. Youth Courts are usually laid out differently to adult courts being smaller and less formal. Only the child’s parent or guardian will be allowed in the court to accompany the child, the general public are not permitted in the court room. If the child or young person is under the age of 16 then their parent or carer must be in attendance.


At the court there will be a number of cases listed at the same time and your case may not necessarily be the first. The order with which cases are heard depends on whether all the relevant paperwork has arrived at the court room, whether the defence solicitors are present, whether the defendant has attended and other considerations including the number of cases involving a defendant appearing from custody and a number of other factors that are out of your control. It is worth arriving a little earlier than the time listed as you will have to pass through a security process including a gate similar to that found in airports and usually a secure search procedure. Bags and other items such as coats are passed through an X-ray machine. You will also be searched using a hand-held metal detector.

If a pre-sentence report has been ordered at an earlier hearing and the defendant is on bail they may have to attend earlier than the time the case is listed to be interviewed by probation. The defendant will already be aware of this.If you intend to drive to the court that there may only be limited parking available. Search in advance and phone up and check with the court whether there is parking nearby and if you need to pay for it. If you are accompanying the defendant, whether by car or by public transport, leave enough time to get to the court. Judges are not normally very sympathetic to late comers and may issue a warrant for their arrest.

When you first arrive at court you should find the court room that the case will be heard in. Each court is staffed by a member of staff known as an usher. They are there to ensure cases are called on in order and to assist those seated outside the court to know when they can come in. Introduce yourself to the usher when you first arrive and tell them which case you are there to see. You can then take a seat outside the court and they will come out and announce the name of the defendant when the case is ready to begin. The facilities available to families at courts vary across the country – all have at least toilets and refreshment facilities. The Court finder website has detailed information on the facilities at all courts in England and Wales. All courts should have disabled access and toilet facilities. In addition, courts generally offer enhanced hearing access and welcome guide dogs for the visually impaired. If you have a disability that may affect you when attending court it is worth contacting the court in advance so that special arrangements can be made. You can also visit the court’s website or speak to your solicitor about disabled access.

Most courts do not have childcare facilities, it is best to enquire with the individual court prior to attending. Children under 14 years of age are not normally permitted in a public gallery or courtroom without the Judge’s permission. Babies and small children must be supervised by an adult at all times. This means that if you attend with a child and no-one else is available to look after the child you will not be able to enter the court room. Court staff are not permitted to supervise children on behalf of a family member under any circumstances. If your family member requires a translator the court will provide one. There is no obligation for the court to provide translation services for those attending in support.

Being Sentenced

There are a number of different outcomes that can happen on the day, but if you do find yourself being sentanced it's important be educated and well versed on the process that is about to happen.

There are a number of different types of prison sentence available to a court. Read the sections on determinate sentences, extended sentences, and life sentences to find out more. For each crime there are a range of sentences available and the judge or magistrates have to decide which type of sentence is right. When a prisoner is released from prison will depend on the type of sentence. The majority of prison sentences passed in court will include time to be served in prison and time to serve in the community. This means that a prisoner will not spend the whole of their sentence in prison. The exceptions are life and extended sentences which are regulated by different rules. A number of things can affect the length of time someone will spend in prison. This includes the date the offence was committed, the length of the sentence, whether a Home Detention Curfew (HDC) is granted and whether any extra days are added as the consequence of positive adjudications.

The rules governing when a prisoner is released vary depending on the length of the sentence and when the offence was committed. The rules changed on 1 February 2015 for sentences under two years.For offences committed on or after 1 February 2015, those who are over 18 years who receive a determinate sentence of at least 2 days but less than 2 years will be released on licence half way through their sentence. They will be on licence until the end of their sentence, with an additional period of post-sentence supervision. This is to ensure that all prisoners for sentences under two years are supervised for a period of 12 months.

Prisoners who are sentenced to two years or more will serve half their sentence in prison and serve the rest of the sentence in the community on licence.  While on licence, a prisoner will be subject to supervision, and the licence will include conditions. If a prisoner breaches their conditions, they may be recalled to prison. Prisoners serving sentences of three months or more, with exceptions for people convicted for violent, sexual, and other specific offences, may also be eligible for release on a home detention curfew (HDC). This allows a prisoner to be released up to 180 days (six months) before their automatic release date. The prisoner will be electronically tagged, and a curfew will be imposed.

If the prisoner breaches the curfew, they can be recalled to prison.Extended sentences were introduced to replace the previous IPP sentences and are only given to prisoners aged 18 or over who are considered a significant risk to the public.

An extended sentence may given to a prisoner aged 18 or over when:
- They are guilty of a specified violent or sexual offence
- The court assesses the prisoner as a significant risk to the public of committing further specified offences
- A sentence of imprisonment for life is not available or justified; and the prisoner has a previous conviction for an offence listed in schedule 15B to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 or the current offence justifies an appropriate custodial term of at least four years.

The judge decides how long the prisoner should stay in prison and also fixes the extended licence period up to a maximum of eight years. The prisoner will either be entitled to automatic release at the two thirds point of the custodial sentence or be entitled to apply for parole at that point.If parole is refused the prisoner will be released when their prison term ends. Following release, the person will be subject to the licence where he will remain under the supervision of the National Offender Management Service until the expiry of the extended period. The combined total of the prison term and extension period cannot be more than the maximum sentence for the offence committed.

Extended sentences can be quite complex dependent on the specifics of the case, it would be recommended to speak with the prisoner’s solicitor, or to check via the justice website for further details. When a court passes a life sentence (sometimes called an indeterminate sentence) it means that the person with a conviction will be subject to that sentence for the rest of their life.  A judge must specify the minimum term (sometimes called the tariff) a prisoner must spend in prison before becoming eligible to apply for parole. The only exception to this is when a life sentence is passed with a ‘whole life order’ meaning that such an prisoner will spend the rest of their life in prison.  A life sentence always lasts for life whatever the length of the minimum term. Parliament has decided that if a person is found guilty of murder, a court must give them a life sentence. A person may also be given a life sentence for offences such as rape or armed robbery. The judge will set a minimum term (the tariff) an prisoner must serve before they can be considered for release by the Parole Board. The prisoner will only be released once they are no longer deemed to pose a risk to the general public. If released, an person with an conviction serving a life sentence will remain on licence for the rest of their life. They may be recalled to prison at any time if they are considered to be a risk to the public. They do not need to have committed another offence in order to be recalled. For the most serious cases, a person may be sentenced to a life sentence with a ‘whole life order.’ This means that their crime was so serious that there is no minimum term set and that they will never be released from prison.

There are a number of crimes for which the maximum sentence for the offence, such as rape or robbery, is life imprisonment. This does not mean that all or most people convicted of those offences will get life.Indeterminate, extended and life sentences do not have a fixed prison term attached. They are given for the most serious crimes if the Judge believes that the prisoner poses a threat to the public and usually contain a minimum term, known as a tariff, which the prisoner must serve before being considered for release. The actual date of release is decided by the Parole Board in consultation with the prison.Life sentences are imposed for murder and some other serious crimes such as rape or armed robbery. The law states that all convictions for murder must receive a mandatory life sentence, whilst for other serious crimes the Judge has the power to impose a discretionary life sentence as the maximum penalty. For the most serious crimes Judges have the option to order a whole life tariff which means that the prisoner will stay in prison for the rest of their natural life. Fewer than one percent of lifers receive whole life tariffs. Today around 60 prisoners are on whole life tariffs. It is expected that the vast majority of lifers will therefore be released at some point.

Previously Judges could also impose indeterminate sentences known as Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) which had no fixed term. In May 2012 the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act abolished IPP sentences and from December 2012 no new IPP sentences have been imposed. Around 6,000 prisoners were sentenced under IPP from their introduction in 2005 to 2012. Prisoners who were sentenced to an IPP sentence will continue under the terms of this sentence.Extended sentences replaced IPP sentences and are given to those considered a significant risk to the public. Extended sentences have a recommended tariff. Once the tariff has been served prisoners on extended sentences will be assessed and, if judged still to be a danger, can then be kept in prison for up to and extra eight years. These sentences are given for violent or sexual offences.

What is a tariff? Most prisoners when sentenced to life will receive a set ‘tariff’ which is the time they must serve in prison before they will be considered for release. The tariff is set by the judge following the procedures of the Sentencing Council.

Prisoners given life sentences will start their prison sentence, like other prisoners, in a local prison. They will then usually be transferred to a category B prison which has facilities for lifers. A prisoner will usually spend around three to four years here before moving to a category B training prison and then on to a category C prison. Once work to tackle the offending behaviour and training has been undertaken preparations are made for release. It is possible for a lifer to eventually move to a category D or open prison, but this would only usually be considered after their first parole review. Time in an open prison will give a prisoner who has spent a long time in custody a chance to readjust and prepare for life back in the community. Lifers are likely to move around the country during the course of their sentences which can make it hard for families to visit.

All lifers have a sentence plan which is reviewed every year by staff at the prison. The plan will address issues such as their offending behaviour and assess their behaviour in prison.  A plan might recommend that an individual undertake an anger management course or a substance abuse course. Each lifer should be able to see the plan and have an opportunity to discuss their progress with staff.

There should also be a space on the plan for them to make their own comments on the suggestions made. Someone serving a life sentence should expect to have their progress reviewed at regular intervals. The prisoner’s personal officer, the lifer liaison officer, a probation officer and other people, such as education or work officers, will feed in to the review and the prisoner will be able to see and offer feedback on the assessment. If the prisoner is judged to have progressed this can result in a change in category or movement to a new prison. Three years before the end of the tariff the case will be referred automatically to the Parole Board for consideration. At this stage the Parole Board does not have the power to recommend release but they can recommend that a prisoner is suitable to move to open conditions. When the review starts the prison will be asked to compile a parole dossier on the lifer containing reports similar to the ones prepared for progress reviews, details of the offence, details of the lifer’s personal history (including previous convictions), and the lifer’s progress within the prison. The prisoner will be allowed to see these reports and make representations to the Board. The Board will carry out the review and either decide against release or transfer or arrange a Parole Board hearing. Parole Board hearings are arranged to allow the Board to find out more about the case by talking directly to the prisoner. They usually take place if the Board are considering transfer or release or would like to clarify details of the review. The prison will arrange for the prisoner to attend the hearing which will also be attended by prison staff, psychologists, witnesses and others involved in the case. Once the review and hearing is complete the Board will make a decision and write to the prisoner. The prisoner has the right to appeal against the decision by seeking a Judicial Review.

For further information on the parole process see Gov.uk – Getting parole If parole is granted a prisoner serving life will be released on a licence which will last for the rest of their life. This licence will contain standard conditions and some conditions that are specific to the individual. The standard conditions will include living at a specified address, reporting to a probation officer and not to leave the country without permission. The specific conditions are designed to reflect an individual’s own circumstances and might include a requirement to attend a certain course or not to enter a certain area. There may also be a condition not to contact the victim of the original offence. Failure to adhere to these conditions can result in a prisoner’s recall to prison.The Victim’s Charter states that the Probation Service must contact the victim or their family within two months of sentence. The victim or their family can ask to be informed when the prisoner is to be moved, released or to go on an escorted absence or release on temporary license. They can express any worries they have concerning the prisoner’s release and these will be taken into account when license conditions are set.

Once They've Been Sentenced,
Where Will They Be Taken?

The answer to this question will depend on the area of the country the case is being heard in and the specific court at which the hearing has taken place. In most cases a court will allocate prisoners to a prison in the local area. There are normally specific prisons that support specific courts.However it may be that on some occasions the local prison is full or that the situation of the prisoner requires they be sent to a specific institution that may be a bit further away. For example, female prisoners from across the North West will, in the main, be taken to HMP Styal in Cheshire as it is the only female institution in the area.The solicitor handling the case should be able to tell you the name of the prison to which your loved one has been taken. If your loved one’s court appearance was in the past few days, you can ring the court and ask to speak to the cells, who will be able to tell you which prison they went to.If you are trying to trace a prisoner who has been in prison for some time, or someone who has been transferred to another prison, click here to find out more about locating a prisoner.

‍Once a prisoner has been taken back to the court cells it usually takes a bit of time before they are transferred from the court to a local prison. On arrival at the prison they will then be interviewed and logged onto the prison system. It is only possible to book a prison visit once this process is complete and it may be the following day before a prisoner’s details appear on the computer system. Consequently it is unlikely that you will be able to book a visit for the same day. However it should be possible, with the exception of cases falling just prior to a weekend, to book a visit within 48 hours of a court appearance.When a prisoner first arrives at prison they go through an induction process known as ‘reception’. The reception procedure ensures a prisoner has everything they need and identifies any issues such as medical conditions that may require medication, or mental health issues that may need to be addressed.

The first thing to occur is the listing of a prisoner’s property. A prisoner will be allowed to keep certain items with them but anything else is labelled and stored for safe-keeping. Any items stored by the prison should be returned on release.Once this is complete a prisoner is then allowed to take a shower and will be allocated their prison number.

The prisoner will then be interviewed by a member of the healthcare team who will assess the prisoner’s wellbeing to ensure they receive the proper care they require whilst in prison. This includes finding out what medication they are currently taking and ensuring where necessary they receive any immediate treatment. The information provided by the prisoner is treated as confidential.

The healthcare assessment is followed by a reception interview conducted by a prison officer or member of the probation service. During the interview the officer talks through the basic procedures, addressing any questions a prisoner might have and identifying any further issues. A ‘personal’ or ‘group’ officer is assigned to the prisoner who is their first point of contact should they require any additional advice or support or if they need to make a complaint.

The final stage of a prisoner’s reception involves an induction presentation which focus’s on informing the prisoner about the way the prison works, the services available to them and the responsibilities that each prisoner must undertake to fulfill. A prisoner on remand is treated according to the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Accordingly they receive greater entitlement to privileges such as visits and money and the regime differs. In general prisoners on remand are held separately to convicted prisoners although due to space constraints it may be necessary at times for an un-convicted prisoner to share a cell with a sentenced prisoner.

Their First Days In Prison

We understand that when someone you care about goes to prison you have lots of questions and uncertainties. It can be difficult to imagine what your loved one will be doing on a day to day basis. Below is some information about what daily life is like in prison.

Prisoners will typically have access to:
-A library
- A gym
- A faith room and chapel
- A health care centre and pharmacy
- Kitchens
- A college
- Common areas for socialising
- A Visits Hall with cafe/tea bar for visiting families

A prisoner's daily routine will vary depending on the prison regime and the facilities available in the prison. Find out more about UK prisons by visiting our A-Z of UK Prisons.

There are incentive Schemes is in place to help prisons stay safe. It works through encouraging prisoners to behave well by rewarding positive behaviour. On arrival into prison every prisoner will be given an Incentive rating. A higher Incentive rating means more rewards can be enjoyed. A lower Incentive rating means that they will not be allowed some of the things they enjoy. No matter what the behaviour of a prisoner, they will always have access to the things they need such as food, showers and toiletries.

Basic is the lowest rating. This rating will be given if rules are broken often or very seriously. If your family member has this rating they will be provided with access to basic entitlements. Refusing to engage with purposeful activities (for example, work) may also mean your family member is on Basic.

Standard is the rating that everyone gets on entering prison. This is the level most prisoners are on. Prisoners on the standard level can enjoy a range of privileges. Prisoners can earn more rewards by behaving well and making a positive contribution to the prison community.

Enhanced is the highest rating a prisoner can achieve and means they will get the best rewards and privileges because of their positive behaviour, their positive contribution to the prison community and being a good role model for other prisoners. This can be achieved by:​
- Behaving well and following the rules
- Helping other prisoners and staff

When a resident arrives in prison they will be asked about their education, qualifications and what additional education they may want or need. Prisons have a variety of courses on offer, delivered by highly skilled tutors, and many of them provide residents with industry recognised qualifications.

When your loved one arrives in prison they will have their physical and mental health checked in the first 24 hours so the prison can make sure that they get the medication, information and support they need during their stay.​ For more information about healthcare in prison, click here.

Staying Safe In The Prison System

Prisons have a duty to keep all the people in their care safe, and Governors and prison staff work hard to make sure that they provide an environment in which everyone feels safe and supported. There are a number of different things in place to make sure this happens.

All prison staff are trained to create a safe environment by engaging with the people in their care.  As well as providing supervision, they offer support when it is needed.. Each prisoner has a particular prison officer – known as their key worker – with whom they have a regular conversation in which they can raise any issues of concern to them.

Prisons also have a dedicated team of staff whose job it is to keep the prison safe for everyone, called the Safer Custody Team. They have specific responsibility for managing the risks of people harming themselves or other people, or of being harmed by others. All prisons have a direct telephone number for their Safer Custody Team that friends and families can call if they are worried about a prisoner. The Safer Custody Team will work with the relevant departments in the prison, such as healthcare or key workers, to make sure the prisoner is safe.

As well as prison officers, people in prison have access to a range of other staff, including healthcare workers, chaplains and psychologists, who can help and support them.  Some trusted prisoners work as peer supporters, so that prisoners can get assistance from people who understand their situation from the inside, for instance the Samaritans train prisoners as Listeners to offer emotional support to their fellow prisoners who are in emotional crisis.

Prison staff supervise the prison environment and use their interpersonal skills to manage any conflict or incident that arises: they always attempt to resolve a situation by talking with the person who is presenting a risk first, and only intervene physically or use protective equipment as a last option to maintain the safety of everyone involved.

Some members of prison staff wear body video cameras. This is to help make sure that incidents are responded to safely and with the minimum amount of intervention.  Some staff may be carrying PAVA (a spray used to incapacitate individuals for a short period of time). This is only used in the most extreme situations and can allow prison staff to bring incidents to a close safely for everyone. Prisons must record when PAVA has been used and why, to make sure it is used appropriately.

If you have any worries or concerns about the safety of a loved one in custody, click here where you can find emergency contact details for all prisons in England and Wales. If you have a general concern, you can ring the Prisoners’ Families Helpline on 0808 808 2003.

Preparing For Release

There are acutally a number of factors that may effect the release date of a prisoner serving a standard sentence. This includes the length of sentence and the date of the offence. There are other contributing factors that can have an impact on when a prisoner will be released, but not case is unique and there is no one fit solution.

Home Detention Curfew or HDC  which are more commonly referred to as ‘tagging’ enables some prisoners to be released early subject to a curfew, which is monitored electronically, for a minimum of nine hours a day. It allows them to live at home or at an alternative approved address and is designed to help prisoners prepare for life after their release. A prisoner can be released on a Home Detention Curfew up to 180 days prior to the halfway point of their sentence (depending on the length of the sentence). Prisoners serving sentences for certain offences are automatically ruled out. For more information on Home Detention Curfews, please click here.

Time spent in prison on remand will also be deducted from the overall custody portion of the offence. Time spent in police custody is not taken into account.

Adjudications in prisons are similar to disciplinary hearings. The main purpose of adjudications is to help maintain order, control, discipline and a safe environment by investigating offences and punishing those responsible. It also ensures that the use of authority in the establishment is lawful, reasonable and fair. Adjudications are carried out by either prison governors or independent adjudicators. Independent adjudicators have the power to impose up to 42 extra days in prison for each finding of guilt. Whilst extra days can take the time served in prison over the halfway point of the sentence it can never exceed the original sentence expiry date. However, if a prisoner commits a further imprisonable offence whilst in prison, they can reasonably expect to serve a further sentence either consecutively or concurrently to the one they are already serving.

The Early Removal Scheme (ERS) allows eligible prisoners, who are liable to be removed from the UK at the end of their custodial term, to be removed up to 135 days before their release date, depending on the length of their sentence. Under the scheme prisoners must serve a minimum of 30 days, or one quarter of their sentence, before becoming eligible to be removed.

Prisoners given sentences of more than 4 years whose offence was committed before 4 April 2005, and prisoners given extended sentences for the public protection (EPP/IPP) for offences committed on or after 4 April 2005, will only be released subject to approval by the Parole Board. The Parole Board considers whether these prisoners are safe to release into the community once they have completed the minimum time they must spend in prison.

‘Tariff’ is the term used to describe the mandatory period of time a prisoner serving a life or IPP sentence must serve in custody prior to being considered for release. No prisoner serving a life or IPP sentence should expect to be released at any point prior to their tariff expiry date. There is no guarantee that a prisoner will be released once the tariff has been served. Release is dependent on the level of risk the prisoner would pose to the general public if in the community.

Up until March 2010, there was a scheme in place whereby certain prisoners could be released up to 18 days prior to the halfway point in their sentence providing they had served at least two weeks in custody. This scheme is no longer in operation in England and Wales.

Contrary to popular myth and belief there is no such thing as ‘time off for good behaviour’. A prisoner will never be released earlier than their conditional release date (with the exception of those released on HDC or under the ERS). A prisoner can, however, have days added to their sentence as a consequence of an adjudication.We understand that this can be a new and unnerving experience and hope that this guide has provided enough information and context to answer any questions you may have had about this process. At Prison Call we stay committed to providing cheaper calls to prisons, and helping you to stay in touch with your family or friends during this difficult period.