Arrested or in prison in Burkina Faso

The British High Commission in Ghana can offer help but will not be able to get you out of prison or get you special treatment because you’re British. Find out what help the embassy or consulate can offer.

Family and friends can contact: 

• the British High Commission in Ghana 
• the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000

British High Commission Accra 

Finding a lawyer and translator 

Finding a lawyer

You should carefully consider when appointing a local Burkinabe lawyer. Discuss all costs with them in advance. 

Prisoners Abroad has information on appointing a lawyer and legal aid (not specific to Burkina Faso).

Private lawyers 

Check the list of local English-speaking lawyers if you want to appoint a private lawyer. British High Commission staff can provide you with a paper copy of this list. 

You should consider the benefits of obtaining local legal representation and discuss all costs with the lawyer before engaging their services. They may require an advance payment of their estimated fees before taking on your case.

Legal aid  

Legal aid may be available through some law firms that offer such assistance. The conditions for eligibility, including income or other requirements, as well as the scope of support provided, are determined by the individual law firm.  

You are therefore advised to contact the relevant law firm directly for further information.

Court-appointed lawyers 

If you do not appoint a private lawyer, you can ask for a court-appointed lawyer. A public defender is appointed only for proceedings before the felony trial judge.

Finding a translator or interpreter

You have the right to an interpreter. If you do not understand the language used in the legal proceedings, you will be provided with an interpreter free of charge.

Do not sign any documents unless you understand them. You may need a translator to help you read French documents about your case. 

You may also need an interpreter to help you communicate with your lawyer at your trial or for prison visits. 

See our list of English-speaking translators or interpreters in Burkina Faso.

What happens when you’re arrested in Burkina Faso 

You will first be taken to a police station where you will be told the reason for your arrest. You should be informed immediately, in a language you understand, of the reasons of your arrest and of your right to a lawyer. If you do not understand the local language in which the process is conducted, you may be provided with an interpreter which comes at no cost.  

The police must tell you in English (or a language you understand): 

• why you’ve been arrested 
• that initial proceedings against you have started 
• your rights

You can be arrested and taken to a local police station: 

• because of an existing arrest warrant 
• where there are grounds for issuing an arrest warrant 
• if you’re caught in the act of performing a crime 
• if it’s expected you’ll leave the country to escape justice 
• if your identity cannot be confirmed 

Do not sign any documents unless you understand them – you must be given an interpreter if you ask for one.

Your rights 

After being informed of the allegations against you, you have the right to:

• be examined by a doctor
• contact and receive visits from a family member or someone close to you
• free assistance from an interpreter if you do not understand or speak the language used in the proceedings
• be represented by a lawyer at your own expense

The court will hold hearings to determine whether you are guilty of the offence. If you are convicted, you may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

Remember that you should never sign anything you cannot read or understand. If you find yourself under pressure to sign, ask to speak to your lawyer.

How long can you be held for in police custody

You may be held in police custody for up to 72 hours, depending on the decision of the prosecutor or investigating judge. The police must keep a written record of your detention.

For example, if you’re detained for terrorism or organised crime: 10 days extendable up to a total of 25 days as follows: 

• extendable by 5 days, under authorisation from the prosecutor
• in exceptional cases, the 15-day period can be extended by up to 10 more days with written approval from President of the Court of Major Jurisdiction upon request by the prosecutor of Faso or investigating judge

Going to court 

At the end of your period in police custody, you will be brought before either the prosecutor or the investigating judge, depending on the circumstances of your case.

The prosecutor will ask you about your identity and the allegations against you. In cases involving a flagrant misdemeanour, the prosecutor will decide whether to bring charges. If they decide not to prosecute, you will be released and the case closed. If they decide to prosecute, they may take one of two courses of action:

• to issue a pre-trial detention warrant and bring you before the correctional court within 15 days. In this case, the first hearing is before the trial judge
• refer the case to an investigating judge for further investigations. In this case, your first appearance is before an investigating judge (IJ). The IJ will read the charges against you and decide whether or not to subject you to judicial examination. The IJ will inform you of your right to legal representation as well as your right to remain silent. The IJ will decide whether to place you under pre-trial detention or judicial control during the investigation after receiving the prosecutor’s submissions and hearing your statement and/or that of your lawyer

You must be brought before the court at each hearing. The prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

You must be brought before a court within 72 hours of your arrest. The examining judge will review your case and decide whether you will:

• be remanded in custody pending trial
• be required to pay a fine
• be released without charge

Being put on remand 

You may be put on remand if you’re strongly suspected of committing an offence.  

You will be held in a detention facility or prison until you are formally charged by the prosecutor or, depending on the circumstances of the case, the investigating judge.

How long you can be on remand for 

The maximum period you can be held on remand is:

• 2 years for a misdemeanour
• 4 years for a felony

The investigating judge may extend your pre-trial detention if they consider it necessary.

Bail 

You have the right to apply for bail in all cases. There are no exceptions.

You will normally appear before a magistrate on the next working day after your arrest. The magistrate will decide whether you have been legally detained and, if so, whether you should be released on bail or remanded in custody until your next court hearing.

In assessing whether to permit bail, the judicial authorities are entitled to consider a person’s links to the country and how likely it is that they will flee. This means that foreign nationals are less likely to receive bail. You may be asked to submit your passport to the court as part of your bail conditions. If your passport is being held by the authorities as a condition of bail, we cannot issue you with a replacement travel document.

If the charges against you are dropped because of insufficient evidence, you will be released and deported. The cost of which should be borne by the government of Burkina Faso. 

If you are allowed to leave Burkina Faso on the condition that you return for your court case, you must do so. If you fail to return, you could be placed on an immigration blacklist and/or extradited from the UK to face trial.

If you are granted bail, you will need to find sufficient funds to support yourself. Depending on your visa status, the local authorities may not be able to provide support. We cannot provide funding or find you a job. 

You will likely wish to engage a lawyer; they may ask for an advance of their estimated legal fees before they take on your case. 

Consular staff cannot give legal advice, pay your legal expenses or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them. We can, however, provide you with a list of local lawyers. 

Arriving at prison 

When you first arrive at the prison you will be searched thoroughly and your personal details will be recorded.

Personal belongings 

Prison officers will keep your personal belongings until you are released. After your belongings have been recorded and stored, you will be assigned to a cell.

Your prison cell 

Sentenced prisoners and prisoners on remand are held separately. Cells are shared, as there are no single-occupancy cells. Male and female prisoners are housed in separate areas. You may be held in a separate protection unit if the offence you are accused of could put your safety at risk, or if your behaviour is considered a risk to others.

Cells have bunk beds with mattresses. Dormitories have windows that allow natural light into the rooms.

Contacting the British High Commission 

Tell the prison if you want the British High Commission to know you’re in prison.

Your rights

Prison rules and regulations are made clear to you on arrival at the prison.

There are different forms of punishments for different offences.  For minor punishments, you can either be denied visitors or sent to another cell. For more serious offences, you may either be sent into isolation or tried by the regional commander.

Visits from family or friends 

Before traveling to Burkina Faso, friends/family should consult FCDO travel advice for the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings. 

You or your family or friends can ask your lawyer, or the prison directly, about visitor rules. 

How many visits you’re allowed 

You can only receive visitors during weekends and holidays from 9am to 5pm. Visits are supervised by prison staff to prevent the exchange of information or the transfer of items. Visits can last up to a maximum of 15 minutes. Once permission is granted, there is no limit on the number of visits you can receive.

During the visit 

Visitors are seen in order of arrival and each visit is limited to a set period of time. They will be searched and phones and other electronic devices must be handed over to prison staff. Phones and identity documents are returned at the end of the visit. Foreign nationals visiting prisoners are usually provided with a meeting room, and a prison officer will be present during the visit.

What visitors can take with them 

Visitors may bring food, clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, bedding, newspapers, books (provided they do not contain prohibited content), tobacco and other permitted items.

Items cannot be handed directly to the prisoner. They must be given to the prison administration for inspection before being passed to the prisoner in the visitor’s presence.

Visits from British High Commission staff 

We aim to visit you every 3 months while you are awaiting trial, subject to the safety of our staff. We may visit more frequently if we consider you to be vulnerable. If you are convicted, we will usually visit you less frequently. Before deciding how often to visit, we will assess whether you are vulnerable and what support you may need.

If you have any health or welfare concerns, please discuss these with your Prison Welfare Officer in the first instance. Alternatively, you can write to or phone the consular section if there are issues you would like us to raise with the prison authorities. You can also raise any concerns with your lawyer, who can contact us on your behalf if necessary.

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

Money 

The British High Commission does not provide financial assistance to prisoners. 

There are two 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) 

Money transfers from family or friends 

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 by post. 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (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. 

How to make a complaint about mistreatment 

The British High Commission can help if you have been mistreated or abused. We will take all complaints seriously. Please tell us before making a complaint. We will ask for your permission before taking any action.

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, take photos of the injuries you received. 

If you feel you are being mistreated by other prisoners, you may raise a complaint with prison officers, who are also Judicial Police Officers.

If you feel you are being mistreated by prison officers, you should direct your complaint to the judicial authority that imposed your sentence. You should also inform consular staff and your lawyer.

Your investigation and trial in Burkina Faso 

Burkina Faso’s judicial system is based on the French legal system. Unlike the UK’s common law system, it operates under a civil law system.

Burkina Faso has ratified most major human rights treaties. However, it does not always meet its obligations under the rule of law. The judicial system faces shortages of staff and resources, which can result in delays and make it difficult to process cases within a reasonable timeframe. As a result, legal proceedings may take longer than you would expect in the UK.

Burkina Faso follows a monist approach to international law. This means that both national laws and international agreements accepted by the state can be applied by the courts. International conventions take precedence over national legislation, but not over the Constitution.

Remember that you should never sign anything you cannot read. If you find yourself under pressure to sign, ask to speak to your lawyer.

The British High Commission cannot interfere in the Burkinabe judicial system. It cannot ask for your case to be heard more quickly because you are British, or request that the authorities reduce or waive any penalties.

Choice of court 

• the Court of Major Jurisdiction: generally hears misdemeanour cases  
• the Appeals Court: hears felony cases 
• the correctional chamber of the Court of Major Jurisdiction: hears misdemeanour offences, as well as cases involving terrorism, terrorism financing, organised crime, corruption and related offences
• specialised courts: hear cases involving economic and financial crime, organised crime, and terrorism offences

Start of your trial 

Pre-trail proceedings  

You will be brought before the court, where your personal details and the charges against you will be presented. If you are not ready to proceed to trial, the case may be adjourned to a later date.

The prosecutor may refer a case directly from the police to the trial judge if:

• the offence is a flagrant misdemeanour
• the prosecutor is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. In this circumstance, there is no pre-trial hearing

In any other case, the process will involve the prosecutor referring the case to an investigating judge (IJ). 

At the initial hearing, the Investigating Judge (IJ) will decide whether you should be placed under judicial examination.

After hearing submissions from the prosecutor and from you or your lawyer, with you speaking last, the judge may:

• order your release
• place you in pre-trial detention
• place you under judicial supervision

The prosecutor may appeal the IJ’s decision. If an appeal is lodged, the case will be referred to the Investigating Chamber of the Court of Appeal.

Outcome of appeal

If the Investigating Chamber finds that the facts under examination do not constitute a felony, misdemeanour or lesser offence, it may dismiss the case. If this happens, you will be released and any judicial supervision order will be lifted.

If the Investigating Chamber determines that the facts constitute a misdemeanour or lesser offence, it will refer the case to the appropriate court, either the misdemeanour court or the police court.

If the Investigating Chamber determines that the facts constitute a felony, it will indict you and refer the case to the felony court or chamber.

If the Investigating Chamber rules on an appeal against pre-trial detention, the case will be returned to the Investigating Judge (IJ) for further proceedings, regardless of the outcome of the appeal. This may involve one or more hearings to prepare the case for trial.

If, at the end of the investigation, the Investigating Judge (IJ) decides that the case should proceed to trial, they will determine which court will hear the case. The case will then be returned to the prosecutor, who will refer it to the appropriate trial court.

If the Investigating Judge (IJ) dismisses the case on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence to proceed, the prosecutor may appeal the decision. If an appeal is lodged, the case will be referred to the Investigating Chamber for review.

In criminal proceedings, you are required to attend criminal court hearings. If you do not attend a trial hearing, the court may order that you be brought before it.

For misdemeanour offences punishable by a fine or a prison sentence of less than two years, you may or may not choose to be represented by a lawyer.

Trial proceedings 

Trial before the Court of Major Jurisdiction (misdemeanour court)

The president of the court will review all evidence, ROIs, and other case documents.

In cases of flagrant misdemeanours, if the court considers that there is insufficient information to reach a decision, it may adjourn the case to a later hearing for further investigation. The court may also order your release, with or without judicial supervision.

The court will call you before it, verify your identity and explain the decision that referred the case to the court. It will also record the presence or absence of any person with civil liability, the victim, the civil party, witnesses, experts and interpreters, where relevant.

The court will then direct witnesses to wait in a separate room before asking you to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

During the hearing, the prosecutor presents their submissions. You, the other parties to the case and your lawyers may also make submissions.

At the end of this stage of the proceedings, the civil party presents its claim, the public prosecutor makes their submissions, and the person with civil liability may be heard if necessary. Your lawyer will then present your defence.

The civil party and the prosecutor may respond to the defence, but you always have the right to speak last.

The court may deliver its judgment at the end of the hearing or adjourn the case and deliver the judgment at a later date.

Trial before the felony court 

Any objections relating to procedural irregularities that occurred before the hearing, other than those already addressed in the final indictment order, must be raised before the court begins hearing arguments on the substance of the case. Otherwise, you may lose the right to raise them later.

The evidence is then presented and examined. You will appear before the court without restraints and will be accompanied only by guards to prevent any attempt to escape.

The President instructs the court clerk to read out the list of witnesses called by the prosecutor, the defence and, where applicable, the civil party, whose names have been properly notified to the court.

The court then directs the witnesses to withdraw to the designated witness room before calling you to appear before the court.

The President asks you to listen carefully while the indictment is read aloud and instructs the clerk to read it clearly.

The President will then inform you that, throughout the proceedings, you have the right to make a statement, answer questions or remain silent.

You will then be questioned and asked whether you plead guilty or not guilty.

Before giving evidence, witnesses take an oath to speak without hatred or fear and to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Witnesses then give their evidence orally. The President may allow a witness to refer to documents while giving evidence.

After each witness has given evidence, the President may ask questions. The public prosecutor, your lawyer and the lawyer representing the civil party may also question the witness.

The civil party, or their lawyer, is then heard, followed by the prosecutor’s submissions. Your lawyer will then present your defence. The civil party and the prosecutor may respond to the defence, but you always have the right to speak last.

Once all parties have been heard, the President declares the hearing closed.

The President reads out the questions that the court must decide. This is not necessary if the questions are already set out in the indictment order, or if you or your lawyer waive the right to have them read aloud. The President will then inform the parties of the date on which the verdict will be delivered, after which the court will retire to deliberate.

On the date set for the verdict, the President will call you before the court and read out the court’s answers to the questions it has considered. The President will then announce the court’s decision, which may result in your conviction, discharge or acquittal.

Sentences 

The sentence will be determined by the court. Possible sentences include:

• second-degree felony – imprisonment for between 11 days and 15 years
• first-degree felony, which carries one of the following penalties:
  • imprisonment for between 5 and 20 years
  • life imprisonment
  • the death penalty (although no executions have been carried out since the 1970s)

Depending on the offence, a fine may form part of the sentence. There are two types of financial penalties in criminal law. They are:

• a fine payable to the State
• compensation or damages payable to the victim

If you are sentenced to pay a financial penalty and fail to do so, you may be imprisoned as a consequence of non-payment.

Making an appeal 

Appeals must be made within 15 days after the judgment. You may appeal either at the Office of the Clerk of the Court which passed the sentence, or by writing a letter to the clerk of the prison if you’re in prison. 

There is no right of appeal on the merits of a criminal conviction. The highest court can review a criminal case only on points of law or procedural issues, and not the facts of the case.

Prison conditions in Burkina Faso 

Prison conditions in Burkina Faso are considerably poorer than those in UK prisons. There may be issues such as overcrowding, inadequate meals, limited access to clean drinking water and electricity, and poor sanitation.

You should comply with prison rules and regulations at all times.

When you first arrive at the prison, you will be searched and your personal details will be recorded.

Letters and packages 

You cannot send or receive mail directly. All letters and parcels must pass through the prison administration, except correspondence with a magistrate or lawyer. The prison administration must be able to understand the contents of any correspondence. Letters written in English must therefore be translated into French. Letters must not contain symbols, drawings or coded messages.

Tell your family and friends to always include your full name and prison number in the address. It is also a good idea to number all letters in sequence so you can keep track of anything that goes missing. 

We cannot accept mail for onward delivery. Any mail received for this purpose will be returned to the sender.

Receiving packages 

You may receive parcels and your family may send you the following items: 

• underpants (new, in their package, any colour) 
• singlets (any colour) 
• photographs 
• regional or overseas newspapers 
• wireless radio (battery powered – prisoners can send batteries or purchase some on site) 
• books or magazines (these will be censored to meet Prison Service)

If you are unsure whether an item is permitted, check with your Welfare Officer before asking for it to be sent to you. If a parcel contains a prohibited item, you may not be allowed to receive some or all of its contents.

Checks on your mail 

Prison authorities are likely to open, read or censor your mail.

Telephone calls 

You do not have access to personal phones. However, you may be able to make calls using telephones provided by the prison, as often as circumstances allow and provided you can afford the cost. There is no access to the internet.

Medical and dental treatment 

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

If you need medical or dental treatment, you should make an appointment to see the prison nurse. The nurse can provide routine treatment. If you require or request a medical examination, you will be taken to public physicians (usually police physicians). You may also be taken to private clinics or physicians at your own expense and at the discretion of the prosecutor. If he deems it necessary, even at the request of a family member, the prosecutor can appoint a physician to examine you at any time during your detention. You have the right to request a medical examination 72 hours after your detention.

If you require treatment for a serious medical condition, you may be granted judicial authorisation to receive care outside the prison. You will be accompanied by two prison officers during any external medical visit.

If the Prison Service cannot meet the cost of your medical treatment, you may need to seek financial assistance from your family or a religious organisation.

Existing conditions 

If you have a long-term medical condition and have received treatment in the UK, it may be helpful for your medical records, or at least a medical report, to be sent from the UK for the prison authorities to review. With your permission, the FCDO can help facilitate this.

If you have concerns about your health or the medical treatment available to you, you should raise them with consular staff and your lawyer.

You must tell the police if you take any prescription medicines or other regular medication. If you do, you will normally be allowed to continue taking it as prescribed.

With your permission, we can ask the police or prison doctor to take account of any medical or dental conditions you may have. We can also liaise with your GP in the UK if the police or prison doctor requests your previous medical records and sharing them is in your vital interests.

Emergency trips outside prison 

Trips outside of prison are not allowed in any circumstances. In the case of medical emergencies, hospital visits will be arranged by the prison. 

Food and diet 

You will be provided with a basic food allowance, which is unlikely to offer the same balanced and nutritious diet available in the UK. You may need to supplement this by buying food within the prison or arranging for family or friends in Burkina Faso to send food supplies to you. You will normally receive two meals a day provided by the state. Drinking water is usually available from the mains supply or a mechanised borehole.

Showers and hygiene 

There is no limit on how often you can shower. You may shower as frequently as you wish. Toiletries can be purchased within the prison.

Work and study 

You may be eligible for day release after serving half of your sentence. This allows you to work outside the prison during the day and return to the prison in the evening. The prison may retain part of your earnings, which is typically around 30,000 CFA francs.

Some prisons also offer work opportunities within the prison, such as carpentry, tailoring and gardening.

Books, languages, activities and study 

You can request local language materials through the British High Commission including language textbooks and dictionaries from Prisoners Abroad.

Courses and study 

Opportunities to study while in prison are limited. However, some prisons offer French and local language classes. With the necessary authorisation, you may be allowed to sit certain examinations outside the prison under the supervision of two prison officers.

Exercise 

There is no formal entitlement to time outdoors for exercise. However, you are allowed to move around the prison grounds. Some prisons also have facilities such as a football pitch or athletics track.

Religion 

You can practise your religion while in prison. The prison service in Burkina Faso recognises and respects prisoners’ right to practise their faith while in custody, as far as this is possible within the constraints of the prison environment.

Mobile phones 

You are not allowed to use a personal phone while in prison. However, if you need to contact the British High Commission, your lawyer or your family, the Welfare Officer may be able to help.

Transferring to another prison 

Transferring to a prison in the UK 

There is no prisoner transfer agreement between Burkina Faso and the UK. 

Transferring to a prison in Burkina Faso 

The prison authorities may transfer prisoners between prisons in Burkina Faso for disciplinary reasons or for operational reasons, such as overcrowding. You can also request a transfer to another prison within Burkina Faso, although approval is at the discretion of the prison authorities.

Early release 

A sentence enforcement commission, chaired by a magistrate, is responsible for deciding applications for early release.

If you are a first-time offender, you must have served at least one-third of your sentence before you can be considered for early release. If you have previously been convicted of an offence, you must have served at least two-thirds of your sentence.

The available forms of early release are:

• parole
• day release for work
• placement outside the prison, for example to work in a public administration role

Reduction of sentence (remission) 

A reduction in sentence can only be granted through a presidential pardon. After a final judgment has been issued, an application may be submitted to the Minister of Justice together with a report from the prison administration.

The Minister of Justice then forwards the application, along with their opinion, to the President for a decision. You may make up to 3 applications for a presidential pardon.

Clemency or pardon 

There are 2 forms of clemency available:

• Presidential pardon: this may be granted on an individual or collective basis. For an individual pardon, an application must be submitted through the Minister of Justice. Collective pardons are usually granted at New Year and apply to a group of prisoners without the need for an application
• amnesty: granted through a law passed by the National Assembly

Release and deportation 

You can contact the British High Commission if you need assistance after your release. In most cases, you will be deported.

Deportation 

A sentence may include deportation from Burkina Faso to the UK. A deportation order may prohibit you from returning to Burkina Faso for between 5 and 10 years, or permanently.

If a deportation order is made, you will be escorted to the airport to leave the country. You are responsible for paying for your flight. If you fail to comply with the deportation order, you may be arrested and prosecuted.

Adjusting to life in the UK after leaving prison can be challenging. While you may feel prepared for life outside prison, you may find it more difficult to adapt to living in the UK. You may never have lived in the UK before, have few or no connections there, or have lost contact with family and friends. You may find it helpful to speak to someone who understands your experiences and can help you think about your next steps.

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 Resettlement Service can help with: 

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

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

Other sources of practical help 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.

Getting a passport 

Make sure your British passport is valid. If you need an emergency travel document for your journey home, contact the British High Commission before you are released.