Who Can Help?

The prisoner has a drug problem:

ADFAM
25 Corsham Street
London N1 6DR
Tel: 020 7553 7640
Adfam is the National charity for the families and friends of drug users. They have an online database of local support groups.
www.adfam.org.uk/

If you need information about drugs:

National Drugs Helpline - Talk to Frank
Tel: 0800 77 66 00 (Freephone - 24 hour)
www.talktofrank.com/

If you're depressed:

Depression Alliance
212 Spitfire Studios
63-71 Collier St
London N1 9BE
The Depression Alliance provides publications about depression, treatment and how to cope. Also self help groups.
www.depressionalliance.org/

If you are feeling distressed, depressed or have feelings which you think may lead to suicide:

The Samaritans. National number, local call rate.
Tel: 08457 90 90 90. (24 hour)
www.samaritans.org/
email:
write to: Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling FK8 2SA

If you think that a prisoner is at risk from suicide or self-harm:

Telephone the prison, explain that you think there is a risk of suicide or self harm and ask to speak to the Duty Governor. If you are not able to speak to the Duty Governor then the Chaplaincy should be able to help. If you do not feel confident enough to do this, please call:

Prisoners' Families Helpline free on 0808 808 2003. Helpline staff will try to get through to the prison for you and call you back.

If you are bereaved:

Cruse Bereavement Care is a national charity providing information, advice, counselling and support for people affected by bereavement.
Helpline: 0844 477 9400
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/ email:

Young people affected by bereavement can contact 0808 808 1677 or visit www.rd4u.org.uk/ a website by young people for young people.

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence:

Women's Aid and Refuge have set up a free and confidential helpline to help women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
Helpline 0808 2000 247
You can also email them at

Or write to: PO Box 391, Bristol BS99 7WS
www.womensaid.org.uk/
www.refuge.org.uk/

If the Prisoner is in a female establishment and needs support and help with resettlement:

Women in Prison provide a wide range of resettlement and education services to women in prison and after release across England.
347-349 City Road
London
EC1V 1LR
Tel: 0207 841 4760
Freephone Advice Line: 0800 068 6368
www.womeninprison.org.uk/

If you are bringing up children alone or your partner is absent:

Home Start provide Support and practical help for families with a child or children under 5:
2 Salisbury Road,
Leicester LE1 7QR
Tel: 0116 233 9955
Freepohone: 0800 068 6368 for details of your local scheme.
www.home-start.org.uk/

Gingerbread
255 Kentish Town Road, London NW5 2LX
Information on a range of issues, free publications and local groups. Specialist benefits advice for single parents.
Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline: Free confidential information: 0808 802 0925

Gingerbread Single Parent Information Online
www.gingerbread.org.uk/information

If you have any parenting issues:

Parentline Plus offers help and information for parents and families via a range of services including a free confidential
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
www.parentlineplus.org.uk/

If you are a Grandparent caring for the Prisoner's children:

The Grandparents' Association has various services which include an advice line where advisors can help with legal advice, welfare benefits and guardianship.
Advice line: 0845 4349585 (local rate)
www.grandparents-association.org.uk/

If you are worried about the mental health of a child or young person:

Young Minds offers a helpline and other support services for parents and other family members concerned about a child's emotional well-being. The helpline offers information and support and can also arrange a free call-back from a professional adviser.

It offers a wide range of publications for young people, parents and families, on issues including self-harm, separation anxieties, eating disorders, depression, bullying etc. Helpline: Freephone 0800 018 2138 www.youngminds.org.uk/

If you are worried about the mental health of an adult:

Mind is a mental health charity working in England and Wales. It has a confidential helpline offering help on a range of mental health issues and can give you information on your local Mind services. It also provides a legal service.
Mindinfoline: 0845 766 0163 (local rate)
15-19 Broadway,
London E15 4BQ
Tel: 020 8519 2122,
fax: 020 8522 1725
email:
www.mind.org.uk/

The Prisoner is in custody abroad:

Prisoners Abroad
89-93 Fonthill Road,
Finsbury Park
London N4 3JH
Tel: 020 7561 6820
A caseworker can provide advice, information and support. They are often the point of contact with the prison and lawyers overseas. They run family days annually in London and Manchester so families of those imprisoned abroad can meet.
Helpline: Freephone 0808 172 0098
www.prisonersabroad.org.uk

The Prisoner is isolated or lonely:

The New Bridge
27a Medway Street
London SW1P 2BD
Tel: 020 7976 0779
New Bridge befriends isolated prisoners and can arrange penfriends and visits.
www.newbridgefoundation.org.uk/

Resettlement Information:

NACRO Park Place
10-12 Lawn Lane
London SW8 1UD
London SW9 0PU
Helpline: Freephone 0800 018 1259 (Resettlement Information and Advice Service) or 020 7840 6464.
Information on housing, employment and resettlement for prisoners after release.They also produce in partnership with Action for Prisoners' Families "Outside Help", a booklet which provides practical information for the families and friends of prisoners.
www.nacro.org.uk/

Employment Issues:

The Apex Trust
Apex Charitable Trust
St Alphage House,
Wingate Annexe
2 Fore Street,
London EC2Y 5DA
Tel: 020 7638 5931
Fax: 020 7638 5977
Jobcheck Helpline: 0870 608 4567
www.apextrust.com

Helpline for advice and information on employment issues, when convictions become spent, CRB checks, where to get training advice and guidance. Helps people with criminal records to obtain appropriate jobs by providing them with the skills they need.

Help with housing:

Shelter is a national charity which can help with any housing issues.
Helpline: Freephone 0808 800 4444
Information is also available from its website:
www.england.shelter.org.uk/

General Advice:

Citizen's Advice Bureaux
Your local CAB can help with problems concerning housing, benefits or welfare. It should be listed in the telephone book or on its website.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

If you or the prisoner has served in any of HM Forces or the National Service (even for 1 day):
Contact SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Families Association)
Confidential support line: 0800 731 4880 Or by freepost, Freepost,
P O Box 1312
Pewsey
Wiltshire SN9 6NN
Help is also available for peoples' families including widows or widowers.
www.ssafa.org.uk/

If you are worried about debt:

The National Debtline can give expert free, independent and confidential advice over the phone and send callers in debt a self-help information pack free of charge.
Helpline: Freephone 0808 808 4000
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk

If you have any immigration questions:

The Immigration Advisory Service is an independent non-government organization providing information to immigrants or asylum seekers. You can also email at

Information about immigration and asylum law can also be found on their website, where you can also find the location of your nearest advice service.
www.iasuk.org/

Legal Advice:

Law Centres can help with legal advice on welfare, discrimination, housing and criminal justice matters. They should be listed in the phone book or local library, or contact:
Law Centres Federation
18 Warren Street
London W1P 5DB
Tel: 020 7387 8570
www.lawcentres.org.uk/

Community Legal Advice can offer information and legal advice on benefits, housing, debt, education or employment. It also produces a series of information leaflets on different areas of law can also supply a list of solicitors in your area.
Helpline: 0845 345 4345 (local rate)
www.clsdirect.org.uk/

Information about prisoners' rights and conditions in prison:

Prisoners' Advice Service
PO BOX 461 99, London EC1M 4XA
Tel: 020 7253 3323 or 0845 430 8923
PAS can provide information about prison rules, conditions and treatment of prisoners. It does not deal with appeals against conviction or sentence. The enquiry MUST come from the prisoner.
www.prisonersadvice.org.uk/

Prison Reform Trust
15 Northburgh Street
London EC1V 0JR
Tel 020 7251 5070
It works for better conditions in prison. It can deal with enquiries about various aspects of imprisonment. They also have an advice service for prisoners and their families.
www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/

Legal advice for children and young people(up to 21):

The Howard League for Penal Reform is an independent charity campaigning for penal reform. They have a free helpline that offers legal advice to children and young people in prison. The number is: Freephone 0808 801 0308 and children can call from the prison.
www.howardleague.org/

Help for young muslim prisoners or their families
The Muslim Youth Helpline is a confidential email and telephone support service which can help muslim prisoners with problems they may face in prison.
Helpline: 0870 774 3528 www.myh.org.uk/

If you're unhappy with press coverage of a case or are being asked to sell your story The MediaWise Trust
University of the West of England
Oldbury Court Road
Bristol BS16 2JP
Tel: 0117 939 9333
Advice and support to those affected by inaccurate or unfair press coverage and those considering selling stories.

www.mediawise.org.uk/

Some useful othre website addresses:

To find courts Addresses:
Her Majesty's Court Service website with court addresses, phone numbers and additional information about individual courts around the country.
www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/HMCSCourtFinder/
or call 0845 456 8770

Hotels:
Listings of Hotels in the UK and Worldwide. www.s-h-systems.co.uk/

Bed and Breakfasts:
Listings of bed and breakfast accommodation near individual prison establishments.
www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk/accommodation-near-prisons.asp

Alternative Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
www.bnbserve.co.uk/
or call 0117 373 8329

Prisons:
Take a virtual prison tour.
www.cjs.online.gov.uk/

Her Majesty's Prison Service Website.
General information about prisons, facilities visiting etc.
www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/

(January 2009)