THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF PRISONERS ABROAD
The NCWPA is an independent charity established in 1979 to work for the welfare of British prisoners in foreign jails. We receive grant support from the GLC, the Home Office, and private charitable Trusts, as well as donations from the public. Our work is divided into two main categories; casework and general work.
CASEWORK
All the work we do for prisoners is on a completely confidential basis. We offer immediate advice
the families and friends of
to
people who have been arrested abroad. In many cases they do not know where the person is, how to contact the Foreign Office in London or the relevant Consulate abroad, or what to expect of them. From our experience we can often give advice on questions such as how to choose or intruct ૧ lawyer, what sentence to expect, or the possibilities of bail in a particular country. We can, if they wish, put them in touch with other families in the same position or with prisoners returning from that country, who can share their experience and offer comfort and support.
Whether we have been contacted by friends or family here, or the individual writes to us directly having heard of us through the prison grapevine, we write personally to every prisoner. They can then contact us if they need particular help. Very often the prisoner maintains a continuing correspondence with us throughout his sentence.
The specific work. we do for individual prisoners varies enormously. As well as dealing with foreign and British lawyers, and prison and judicial authorities, we have regular contact with other welfare agencies, and statutory and non-statutory bodies such as the Probation Services, the Social Services, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and drug rehabilitation centres.
If a prisoner is ill or in trouble, we contact the relevant Consulate so that they are aware of the problem and can intervene on the spot.
Where appropriate, we support applications for parole, remission, pardon, etc., with letters to the relevant authorities. We have list of volunteers willing to translate for us into most foreign languages.
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We have developed a penpal group who write letters to prisoners who have little or no support from home and are particularly isolated. The psychological pressure of imprisonment in a foreign country is much greater than that of custody here. Even as small a thing as a regular letter can make a big difference to someone's frame of mind.
In many countries prisoners are expected to buy from their own resources such basic requirements as medicines, soap, and even food. If the prisoner or family has no money then considerable hardship can result. A small regular grant can mean the difference between hunger and an adequate, if basic diet. We have now established a Prisoners' Relief Fund from which we make small grants to prisoners' in real need. We raise funds separately for this
purpose.