Support in prison, on probation and after release — Easy Read

Get help from the start

At reception, ask for explanations of where you are, what happens next and how to request help. Say if you cannot read forms, follow spoken instructions or use the usual application system. Ask staff to record your communication and support needs and help you contact your solicitor. Being on remand is not the same as being convicted. This guide concerns adults; under-18s have different services and safeguards.

Keep your communication available

Explain how you understand questions and express pain, choices or distress. Ask about Easy Read information, extra time, an interpreter, suitable communication equipment and help with forms. Identify how an aid can be used safely within prison arrangements, and a usable alternative if access is restricted. An appropriate adult at a police station is a specific safeguard; it does not create an automatic right to the same person at every prison or probation meeting. Ask which communication support fits the actual process.

Ask the prison healthcare team

Tell healthcare staff promptly about medicines, epilepsy, diabetes, swallowing needs, mental health, substance dependence and any other important condition. Explain if a medicine or treatment has been interrupted. Ask for assessment, an accessible care plan and appropriate specialist referrals. Prison healthcare and prison officers have different roles: HMPPS must help enable access, while clinicians make clinical decisions. A learning disability does not automatically remove your ability to consent to treatment.

Ask about adult social care

If you need help with washing, dressing, eating, communication or other daily living, ask for a council care-needs assessment through the prison. In England, the council where the prison is located is responsible for assessing and meeting eligible social care needs under the relevant rules. Ask for an accessible decision and plan showing who will help, when and how to raise missing support. Healthcare assessment does not replace a social care assessment. Discuss any financial assessment and charges rather than assuming every care arrangement is free.

If you are unsafe or cannot get essential help

Tell an officer or healthcare worker immediately about abuse, bullying, a serious health problem or an urgent failure of care. Ask for the concern and response to be recorded. Families or friends worried about someone can contact the prison’s Safer Custody Team using the prison’s official contact details. A voicemail may not be checked immediately: explain urgency to prison staff directly where possible. Prison safeguarding arrangements differ from ordinary community procedures; ask who is responsible for action.

Prepare for release before the day

Ask the prison, probation, healthcare and social care teams for a joined-up plan. Cover where you will stay, travel, medicines and prescriptions, GP registration, communication aids, care visits, benefits, money and appointments. Confirm who will meet you or help you get to the first appointment. Ask who receives referrals and what happens if a service is not ready. A planned referral is not the same as confirmation that support will start.

Ask about NHS RECONNECT

RECONNECT helps eligible adults with identified health needs connect with community health and support services after custody. It provides coordination, advocacy and practical engagement support; it is not a clinical treatment service. Ask prison healthcare or probation how to contact the local team. People and their families can also ask about referral. The service assesses suitability and seeks the person’s agreement; it is not an automatic substitute for the care you need.

Understand your probation or licence

Ask your probation practitioner, sometimes called an offender manager, to explain the exact appointments, conditions and required activities in a way you understand. Request a simple timetable, reminders and suitable communication or access adjustments. Explain travel, health and support barriers early. If you cannot attend or have missed an appointment, contact the practitioner promptly and explain why; keep relevant evidence. Do not assume that a request for an adjustment cancels a condition or gives permission to miss an appointment.

Keep support working in the community

Confirm GP and relevant specialist contacts, council support and any agreed RECONNECT follow-up. Ask someone you choose to help organise appointments without taking over decisions. Tell services when an address, phone number or support arrangement changes, following any probation conditions about notification. Ask about education, paid work, housing and relationships as well as health. If the plan breaks down, contact the named teams promptly rather than waiting for a review date.

Choose the correct complaint and legal route

Ask for help using the prison or probation complaints process for treatment, access or administration concerns. Prison and probation complaints may need separate submissions. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman can consider eligible complaints normally after the full internal process; it does not overturn convictions or sentences. Clinical complaints use the relevant NHS process, and council care decisions use the social care route. Ask your solicitor promptly about a charge, sentence, licence, recall or legal deadline; a complaint does not suspend those requirements.

Getting support in prison and on probation

Ask for clear information

Keep communicating

Tell the healthcare team

Ask about daily care

Speak up if you are unsafe

Family and friends can raise concerns

Plan before release

Ask about RECONNECT

Understand probation meetings

Tell probation about problems

Check support after release

Use the right help route

What you can do next

More useful links