British nationals in detention or prison overseas

If a relative or friend has been detained or held in prison overseas, this is the support we can give.

If your relative or friend has asked us to, we will tell you as soon as we can, that they have been detained or held in prison. However, to protect their confidentiality, we will not provide any details of the detention or arrest, or tell you how to contact them, unless they have given us permission.

Prison conditions

We can provide general information about the country involved, prison conditions and the local legal system.

We can put you in touch with the prisoners’ welfare charity, Prisoners Abroad.

If the prison where your friend or relative is being detained agrees, we can pass on any money you want to send to buy prison ‘comforts’, use the phone and so on.

In many countries, mail sent or received by the prisoner will be opened and read by the authorities, and phone conversations may be monitored.

If you are arrested or detained in custody in Beijing consular district, we will aim to contact you within 48 hours of being told of your arrest or detention. We cannot get you out of prison or detention, nor can we get special treatment for you because you are British, but we will be there to support you and to take an interest in your welfare.

We can provide you with a list of English speaking lawyers and basic information about the local legal system. However, we cannot give you legal advice, start legal proceedings, investigate a crime, or pay for any of your costs.

If you would like us to, we can contact friends or family on your behalf, and pass on any messages. We can also help arrange for friends and family to send you money.

Further detailed information can be found in Information for Imprisoned British Nationals .