FAQs

  • Prison issued clothing is usually a polo shirt, sweatshirt and trousers or jeans. The prison can also provide underwear and socks if needed.

    Their clothing and bedding will be cleaned by the prison laundry.

    Basic hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes are also provided. 

  • Those in custody can order some small items from the prison canteen. This varies between establishments, but generally things like stamps, toiletries and snack items will be on sale.

    Those in custody can also provide feedback to the establishment on items they would like added to canteen  list. 

  • When your loved one comes into custody, they will go through an admission process where they can discuss any issues/concerns or questions they may have. Your loved one will be advised on who they can go to for support i.e. healthcare, visiting and regime. Some establishments have ‘peer supporters’ who are those in custody who have specific training in how to support and guide those entering custody.

    All halls have prison officers your loved one can talk to, there is also support from the Chaplains in establishments.

    Your loved one will also have access to an in-cell telephone and can call support organisations such as Samaritans and breathing space at any time at no cost. 

  • Yes. Each prison has NHS-operated healthcare facilities with doctors, nurses, and dentists. All prisoners are seen by a doctor within 24 hours of admission.

  • This may be possible under certain circumstances. 


    Please contact the prison directly to make such a request. Prison phone numbers can be found on our prison information pages.

Home Detention Curfew (HDC)

  • HDC is an opportunity for people in custody who qualify to serve the end of their sentence at home or another suitable address. The HDC process is designed to support people in custody from prison back to living in the community.
    People released on an HDC licence are monitored by wearing an electronic tag on their ankle linked to monitoring equipment installed at the identified address.

    Being released on HDC means your loved one will have to stay in the approved address each night (usually 19:30 -07:30) and comply fully with set licence conditions. They can go to work while out on HDC and curfew times may be altered to support this.

    If your loved one is eligible to apply for HDC, they will be provided with an application form to complete around ten weeks before their HDC qualifying date. If they need any support completing this form, they should speak to a member of staff.

    Once they have completed and returned their application form, their suitability for release on HDC will be assessed. We will seek information from other partners and where necessary will ask Community Based Social Work to visit the address they wish to stay at to ensure it is suitable.
    Once all this information is returned a decision will be made on their HDC application. Your loved one will be informed in writing of the decision. 

    Please note that individuals are not eligible for HDC if they:
    1.    Are a Registered Sex offender.
    2.    Are subject to deportation.
    3.    Are currently serving a section 17 recall.
    4.    Are subject to hospital direction.
    5.    Have an extended sentence.
    6.    Have a supervised release order.
    7.    Have an untried warrant.
    8.    Are serving non-offence term consecutively to their offence term.

Integrated Case Management (ICM)

  • ICM is a process which involves staff, social workers and other service providers working with your loved one to ensure:

    • a smoother return to the community upon release;
    • a reduced risk of re-offending and returning to prison in the future

    ICM falls into 2 main categories, Enhanced and Standard:

    Enhanced ICM – Prisoners serving 4 years or more and all prisoners who are subject to post release statutory supervision.

    Standard ICM - Prisoners who are serving less than 4 years and not subject to post-release supervision (mainly short-term prisoners). Access to supports on a voluntary basis will be identified and offered.

    As part of their sentence management, your loved one will be assigned a Personal Officer who will deal specifically with any issues which may not be catered for through normal request channels. He / she will also be responsible for reporting behaviour, conduct and progression through various written summaries.

  • Case Conferences will be held to assess and manage their risk, examine their progress, and consider what interventions are required to ensure a successful outcome. This could mean referrals to partners that would support your loved one’s wellbeing whilst in custody.

  • The meeting is led by an SPS ICM Coordinator and can comprise of:

    • Personal Officer 
    • Person in custody
    • Social Work 
    • Psychology 
    • Family member (if person in custody wishes to have their loved one present)

  • We will ask your loved one if they would like a family member to attend the meeting. If they are content, an invitation will be sent with the details you may need to attend. Please be advised that we can only send an invite if the person in custody consents to this.