Prison Advice & Guides

Honest, practical advice for anyone dealing with the UK prison system.

Prison Life

What's Prison Like in the UK?

An honest, no-nonsense look at what daily life in a UK prison actually involves — from the routine to the reality.

What Are Prison Showers Like in the UK?

Everything you need to know about showering in UK prisons — from privacy arrangements to practical tips.

UK Prison Categories Explained — A to D

Navigating the UK prison system starts with understanding security classifications. Our guide breaks down Categories A through D, explaining what each level means for inmates and their families.

Prison Food & Canteen — What to Expect in the UK

Life behind bars is defined by routine, and nothing is more central to that routine than prison food UK regulations and the weekly canteen sheet.

Mental Health Support in UK Prisons

Navigating the mental health landscape within the UK prison system can be daunting. This guide explores available services, the ACCT process, and how families can advocate for prisoners.

How to Book a Prison Visit in the UK

Step-by-step guide to booking a prison visit in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

How Much Do Prison Phone Calls Cost in the UK?

A breakdown of current phone call costs in UK prisons, including how the system works and ways to keep costs down.

How to Email a Prisoner in the UK

Communicating with a loved one in custody is vital. This guide explains how to use the Email a Prisoner service, including costs, security, and photo attachments.

How to Send Money to a Prisoner in the UK

Navigating the financial side of the UK prison system can be overwhelming. This guide explains how to send money to a prisoner using the official government service safely.

How to Send Clothes to Someone in Prison

Navigating the rules for sending clothing to UK prisons can be a logistical headache. This guide explains the Property Earned Privileges (PEP) scheme and how to ensure your parcel is accepted.

How to Find Someone in Prison in the UK

How to locate a prisoner in the UK using official services, with step-by-step instructions and alternative methods.

Prison Release Dates — How Sentencing Actually Works

Navigating the complexities of the UK prison system. We explain how prison release dates are calculated, including fixed-term sentences, life sentences, and the role of the Parole Board.

What to Expect at a Magistrates' Court in the UK

A straightforward guide to attending magistrates' court — what happens, who's there, and what to expect if you or someone you know has a court date.

What Happens on Your First Day in Prison?

Walking through the prison gates for the first time is a daunting experience. This guide explains the reception process, cell allocation, and initial phone calls.

What Can You Take Into Prison in the UK?

Going to prison is a daunting experience. Knowing exactly what you are permitted to bring with you can make those first 24 hours more manageable. This guide covers the essential property rules for UK prisons.

How to Prepare for a Prison Sentence: The 30-Day Checklist

A practical, day-by-day checklist for the month before a custodial sentence — what to sort, who to tell and the small details most people forget.

What to Wear to Court on Sentencing Day

What to wear to a UK Crown Court or Magistrates' sentencing — practical, judge-friendly choices that also survive prison reception.

Telling Your Employer You're Going to Prison

When and how to tell your employer about a prison sentence — your legal obligations, what to put in writing, and how to protect a return to work.

Telling Your Children You're Going to Prison: Age-by-Age Guide

An age-by-age guide to telling your children you're going to prison — what to say, what to avoid, and how to keep the relationship strong from inside.

Sorting Your Finances Before Prison: Rent, Bills and Benefits

Step-by-step guide to closing down or pausing your finances before a prison sentence — bills, benefits, rent and bank accounts.

Power of Attorney Before a Prison Sentence

How to set up a Power of Attorney before going to prison so a trusted person can manage your finances, property and post while you're inside.

What Happens to Your Pets When You Go to Prison

How to arrange care for dogs, cats and other pets before a prison sentence — fostering, rehoming, charities and the choices to make in advance.

Self-Surrender vs Being Remanded: What to Expect

The difference between handing yourself in and being remanded after court — what each route involves, what to bring, and what happens on day one.

HDC Tag (Home Detention Curfew) Explained

A comprehensive guide to the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme, explaining how the HDC tag works, eligibility requirements, and the assessment process for UK prisoners.

Reception, Induction and Your First 72 Hours in Prison

An hour-by-hour guide to the first 72 hours in a UK prison — reception, the first night, and what induction actually involves.

How the IEP Scheme Works: Basic, Standard and Enhanced

The Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme explained — Basic, Standard and Enhanced levels, what each entitles you to, and how to progress.

Texting a Prisoner: Full Guide to the Email-A-Prisoner Texting Service

Email-A-Prisoner lets you send a message to someone inside in minutes rather than days. Here is how it actually works in 2026.

Prison Voicemail: How to Leave a Message for Someone Inside

Prison Voicemail is the closest thing to leaving a normal voice message for someone inside. Here is exactly how it works.

Purple Visits Secure Video Calls: Booking and Tips

Purple Visits is the official secure video-call service for UK prisons. Booking is fiddly the first time — this guide walks you through it.

Sending Photos to a Prisoner — What's Allowed in 2026

Photos are one of the most precious things a prisoner can receive — but the rules on what is allowed are stricter than most families realise.

First Prison Visit: What to Wear, ID and What Not to Bring

Your first prison visit is daunting. This guide walks through dress code, ID, search, the visits hall, and how to use the time well.

Children Visiting Prison: Family Days and Play Visits

Children can — and should — visit a parent in prison. Here is how family days work, how to prepare a child, and what makes the visit go well.

Closed Visits Explained: When and Why They Happen

Closed visits — behind a glass screen with no contact — are one of the most distressing things families face. Here is when they apply and how to fight them.

Inter-Prison Visits Between Two Prisoners

When two members of the same family are both in prison, an inter-prison visit lets them meet face to face. Approval is rare but possible.

Going to Prison for the First Time: A Complete UK Guide

Everything a first-time prisoner needs to know about a UK sentence — from the courtroom to the wing, written plainly and without scare stories.

What to Pack for Prison: Sentencing Day Bag Guide

A clear checklist of what to bring to court if you might be sentenced to prison — and what will only be confiscated.

How Long Will I Actually Serve? UK Prison Sentences Explained

Sentence length and time actually served are rarely the same thing. Here is how UK release rules work in 2026.

Coping Mentally in Your First Week in Prison

The first week inside is the hardest. Here is what helps, what to avoid, and where to get real support.

Your Rights as a New Prisoner in the UK

You keep more rights than you lose when you go to prison. Here is what you are entitled to from day one in England and Wales.

What Happens on Sentencing Day? From the Courtroom to Prison Reception

A step-by-step guide to sentencing day in the UK — from the moment the judge passes sentence to your arrival at prison reception.

Which Prison Will I Go To? The UK Prison Allocation Explained

How the Ministry of Justice decides which prison you are sent to — from categorisation and security level to geography and availability.

Prison Jobs, Education and Training: Earning and Learning Inside

Everything you need to know about working and studying in a UK prison — from workshop jobs and pay rates to education courses and qualifications.

Healthcare, Prescriptions and the NHS in Prison

How the NHS works inside UK prisons — from continuing your prescriptions and accessing dental care to hospital appointments and mental health support.

Adjudications and Discipline: What Happens If You Break Prison Rules

A complete guide to the prison adjudication system — what happens when you are accused of breaking rules, how hearings work, and what punishments you could face.

How to Request a Prison Transfer in the UK

A practical guide to requesting a prison transfer in the UK — valid reasons, the application process, what to expect and how to appeal a refusal.

Vulnerable Prisoners and Protected Status in UK Prisons

Understanding vulnerable prisoner status in UK prisons — what VP means, how it affects your placement, and the rules governing protected wings.

Open Prisons and Category D: What to Expect

Everything you need to know about Category D open prisons in the UK — eligibility, day release, work placements, and how open conditions actually work.

Preparing for Release from Prison: A Complete Guide

A complete guide to preparing for release from a UK prison — what happens on discharge day, licence conditions, housing, benefits and employment support.

How the Parole Process Works in England and Wales

A complete guide to the UK parole system — eligibility, the Parole Board review process, risk assessment, hearings and what to expect.

How to Maintain Family Relationships in Prison

Practical advice for prisoners on keeping family bonds strong through visits, phone calls, letters and maintaining trust with children and partners.

Prison Money, Canteen and Banking Explained

Everything you need to know about money in UK prisons — wages, canteen, sending money in, banking and managing your finances inside and on release.

Legal Aid and Solicitors in Prison: Your Rights to Representation

How legal aid and solicitor representation work in UK prisons — eligibility, advice surgeries, changing your lawyer, appeals and judicial reviews.

Remand vs Sentenced: What Is the Difference?

The key differences between remand and sentenced prisoners in the UK — rights, conditions, time limits on remand, and what changes after you are sentenced.

Religion, Faith and Belief in UK Prisons

Your rights to practise religion and faith in UK prisons — worship, chaplaincy, dietary requirements, religious items and multi-faith provision.

Women in Prison: What Female Prisoners Need to Know

A practical guide for women facing prison in the UK — female prisons, mother and baby units, healthcare, visits and how women's custody differs from men's.

Young Offenders and Under-21s: What to Expect in Youth Custody

A guide for under-21s facing custody in the UK — youth offending institutions, education requirements, safeguarding and how youth custody differs from adult prison.

Foreign Nationals in UK Prisons: Immigration, Deportation and Support

A guide for foreign nationals facing prison in the UK — deportation, immigration detention, consular support, prison transfers and your rights inside.

Self-Harm, Suicide and Crisis Support in Prison

How to get help for self-harm, suicidal thoughts and mental health crisis in UK prisons — safer custody, ACCT, Listeners and crisis support services.

Drugs, Alcohol and Addiction Support in Prison

A guide to drugs, alcohol and addiction in UK prisons — mandatory drug testing, detox programmes, methadone treatment and support for staying substance-free.

Housing and Homelessness After Prison Release

A practical guide to finding housing after release from a UK prison — emergency accommodation, council housing, probation hostels and private renting.

Benefits, Universal Credit and Financial Support After Prison

A guide to claiming Universal Credit and other benefits after release from prison — eligibility, how to apply, and what financial support is available.

Employment and Criminal Record Disclosure After Prison

A practical guide to finding work after prison — DBS checks, spent convictions, disclosing your criminal record and employers open to hiring ex-offenders.

What Happens to Your Finances, Debts and Property When You Go to Prison

A practical guide to managing money, debts, mortgages, rent and property when you are sentenced to prison in the UK.

Support Services, Charities and Helplines for Prisoners and Their Families

A directory of charities, helplines and support services for prisoners and their families in the UK — practical help, advice and emotional support.