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How to find a prisoner and get help

There is support available if you are a prisoner or immigration detainee, or if you have a friend or family member in prison or immigration detention.

If you are concerned about the safety or well-being of someone in prison, you should contact the duty governor, orderly officer or safer custody team at the prison. You should make it clear that you are calling about the urgent welfare of an individual.

Find contact details for a prison, including how to arrange visits and how to stay in touch with prisoners.

You can also visit the Prisoners’ Families Helpline.

Find details for an immigration removal centre.

If you do not know which prison someone is in, you can use the find a prisoner service. The prisoner must give their permission for their information to be shared, unless the information is being requested by certain organisations such as the police or a solicitors’ firm.


Other organisations providing support

You can find out about organisations providing support to people in detention, their families and friends by visiting these websites.

Prisons: Prison Reform Trust

Immigration detention: AVID