Going to prison or having a loved one in custody can feel isolating, but a wide network of charities, helplines, and advice services exists to support prisoners and their families through every stage of the process. This guide lists the organisations that can help, what they do, and how to contact them.
Emotional Support and Helplines
Samaritans
The Samaritans provide 24-hour confidential emotional support for anyone in distress. Prisoners can write to the Samaritans from any prison and receive a reply. The service is free and completely confidential.
NCT Action for Prisoners' Families
Provides support, advice, and information for families with a relative in prison. They run family support services, training for professionals, and publish resources for children of prisoners.
Prisoners' Families Helpline
A free helpline offering information and support for anyone with a family member in prison. They can answer questions about visits, money, transfers, and emotional support.
Legal Advice and Advocacy
Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS)
PAS provides free legal advice and representation for prisoners on sentence calculation, parole, prison law, and category reviews. They are independent of the Prison Service and do not charge.
Howard League for Penal Reform
A charity that campaigns for less crime, safer communities, and fewer people in prison. They provide legal advice for young people in prison and publish research on prison conditions.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)
The CCRC investigates possible miscarriages of justice and can refer cases back to the Court of Appeal. If you believe you were wrongly convicted, contact the CCRC after exhausting direct appeals.
Liberty
A human rights organisation that campaigns on issues affecting prisoners, including conditions, healthcare, and legal rights. They publish guides and occasionally take on strategic litigation.
Family and Children Support
Action for Children
Supports children and young people affected by parental imprisonment. They run services that help children understand what is happening and maintain contact with their parent.
Barnardo's
Runs programmes for children with a parent in prison, including family visiting support, mentoring, and advice for caregivers.
Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust)
Provides practical and emotional support for prisoners and their families, including visitor centres, family support workers, and children's services.
Storybook Dads and Storybook Mums
Runs programmes in prisons that enable parents to record themselves reading a story for their child. This maintains emotional bonds and helps children feel connected.
Housing and Resettlement
Nacro
One of the largest resettlement charities in England and Wales. Nacro provides housing support, education, employment advice, and mentoring for prison leavers.
St Giles Trust
Provides peer-led support for prison leavers, including housing, employment, and specialist services for vulnerable groups such as care leavers and victims of exploitation.
Shelter
The national housing charity. Shelter provides advice on homelessness, eviction, housing rights, and can help prison leavers access accommodation.
Crisis
A charity focused on ending homelessness. They run services for people at risk of homelessness, including some specifically for prison leavers.
Mental Health and Addiction
Rethink Mental Illness
Provides advice and support for people affected by mental illness, including prisoners and their families. They run helplines and local support groups.
Mind
The leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Mind provides information, advocacy, and local support services. Some local Mind branches work with prison leavers.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Both organisations hold meetings in prisons and provide a structured path to recovery from addiction. Contact details are available through the prison chaplaincy or safer custody team.
Doubletrees (Prison Fellowship)
A Christian charity that runs courses, mentoring, and support groups in prisons. Their work is not limited to Christians and includes family support and resettlement help.
Employment and Education
Catch22
Runs employability programmes for young people, including those leaving custody. They provide training, work placements, and mentoring.
The Prince's Trust
Offers programmes, grants, and mentoring for young people starting businesses or seeking employment after difficult starts, including prison leavers.
Skills for Life
The national programme for adult literacy and numeracy. Prison education departments deliver Skills for Life courses, and support continues through local colleges on release.
Financial and Debt Advice
StepChange
The UK's leading debt charity. They provide free, confidential debt advice by phone and online. Prisoners' families can contact them, and prisoners can write for advice.
Citizens Advice
Provides free advice on benefits, debt, housing, employment, and legal issues. Local Citizens Advice branches can help families of prisoners, and prisoners can write for advice.
Turn2us
A charity that helps people access welfare benefits and charitable grants. Their online benefits calculator and grant search are useful tools for families struggling financially.
Writing for Help from Prison
Most charities accept letters from prisoners, though response times vary. When writing:
Many charities are stretched and cannot respond to every letter. Prioritise the organisations most relevant to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family get free legal advice while I am in prison?
Yes. Many of the charities listed above offer free advice. Citizens Advice and the Prisoners' Advice Service are good starting points.
Are these services confidential?
Most are confidential, but some have safeguarding duties that require them to report serious risks to vulnerable people. Ask about confidentiality when you first contact them.
Can I access these services in any prison?
Yes, though some services are more active in certain regions. All can be contacted by letter from any prison.
What if I do not speak English well?
The Prisoners' Advice Service and some other charities can arrange translation. Your prison can also provide interpreter support for legal and medical matters.
Can charities visit me in prison?
Some charities have prison visitors who run programmes or provide one-to-one support. Ask the chaplaincy or education department what visiting services are available at your prison.
*Last updated: June 2026.*