Information Pack for British Prisoners in New Zealand

Transcription

1 Information Pack for British Prisoners in New Zealand Author British High Commission: Wellington Date 01 July 2015

2 Contents Introduction... 4 Who can help?... 4 About the British High Commission... 4 Who are the Consular Representatives?... 5 Contact Information... 5 First Steps... 7 Who will know I have been detained?... 7 What will my family be told?... 7 What will the Consulate do?... 7 Would I have a criminal record in the UK?... 7 Visits... 8 How do my family and friends arrange a visit?... 8 How many visits am I allowed?... 8 Consular visits... 9 What can visitors bring?... 9 Prison conditions/services... 9 Arrival at police station... 9 Arrival at prison... 9 General prison conditions How can I receive money? Can I work or study in prison? Can I receive medical and dental treatment? Food and Diet Mail/Parcels Can I make telephone calls? Leisure and entertainment Drugs How can I make a complaint about mistreatment? The New Zealand Judicial System Is the system the same as the UK? What should happen when I am arrested? For how long can I be remanded in custody? What happens when I am charged? What provision is there for bail? What kind of legal assistance is available What happens at the trial? Sentences/Financial Penalties How can appeals be made? What provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) e.g. for good behaviour? What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole? What provision is there for clemency or pardon? Is transfer to another prison within New Zealand possible? Is transfer to the UK a possibility? What are the procedures for release and deportation? Additional Information

3 After your release Prisoners Abroad Solicitors practising in New Zealand Annexes Disclaimer

4 Introduction Who can help? The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): The FCO is represented overseas by its Embassies and Consulates (High Commissions in Commonwealth Countries). Both employ consular officers, and one of their duties is to provide help and advice to any British National who gets into difficulty in a foreign country. About the British High Commission We are impartial; we are not here to judge you. We aim to make sure that you are treated properly and fairly in accordance with local regulations, and that you are treated no less favourably than other prisoners. We can answer questions about your welfare and about prison regulations but you must ask your lawyer or the court about legal matters. The attached information on how to obtain legal representation in New Zealand is provided by the British High Commission for your convenience, but neither Her Majesty s Government, nor any official of the Consulate, take any responsibility for the competence or probity of any firm/advocate on the list or for the consequence of any legal action initiated or advice given. We cannot get you out of prison, pay fines or stand bail or interfere with local judicial procedures to get you out of prison nor secure you an earlier trial date; we cannot investigate a crime. We have tried to make sure that the information in this booklet is accurate and up to date, but the British High Commission cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information. If in doubt contact a lawyer. 4

5 Who are the Consular Representatives? British High Commission Tony McLeod Consular Manager Tel: (04) Pauline Comber Consular Officer Tel: (04) Derek Foster Consular Officer British Consulate General, Auckland Tel (09) Contact Information British High Commission 44 Hill Street Thorndon Wellington 6011 New Zealand Tel: +64 (0) Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm Consular visiting hours Monday to Friday 9.00am to 1.00pm British Consulate General Auckland Level Queen Street Auckland 1142 New Zealand Tel: +64 (0) Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 1.00pm Website: 5

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7 First Steps Who will know I have been detained? The New Zealand authorities do not automatically inform us of the arrest of a British National but they are legally obliged to inform all detained foreign nationals of their right to consular assistance and to ask them if they want a consular officer be advised of their detention. It is therefore your right to ask the arresting officer to inform the British High Commission in Wellington as soon as possible of your arrest What will my family be told? Under the Data Protection Act we will not tell anyone that you have been detained, or on what grounds, without your permission. In New Zealand you do not have an automatic right to make a telephone call when you are arrested. But if you contact us we can, if you wish, ask the FCO in London to inform your next-of-kin in the UK of your arrest. We can also pass on any messages from you. What will the Consulate do? We aim to contact you 24 hours after we learn of your arrest and visit you if you request a visit. We will discuss with you what will happen next, provide you with information on British prisoners abroad and talk to you about any health issues, security concerns, your treatment in prison and any other general issue that you wish to raise with our consular staff. If there is any information that you would prefer not to disclose to a next of kin you should let us know during the consular interview. Would I have a criminal record in the UK? You should be aware that if you have been convicted for certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to inform the UK police. It is therefore possible that information about this offence may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer. 7

8 Visits How do my family and friends arrange a visit? If your family or friends decide to visit you, we can assist them by providing guidance on visiting the prison, and what they can and cannot take in. There is comprehensive guidance on this on the Corrections Department website at Visitors to prison must apply to be an approved visitor of a prisoner. People who want to visit first fill out an application form, which is followed by security checks. The form isn t available online, because it s up to the person in prison to decide who they want to visit them. If your family are travelling the long distance from the UK, we can also request extra visits for them. You should advise any potential UK visitors to contact us via the FCO in London, giving as much notice as possible. Each prison has its own rules regarding visits. Visits by UK family may be granted for around an hour each day, depending on the prison director: however this cannot be guaranteed, or taken for granted and the prison authorities may refuse visits by nonrelatives. The prison can also refuse visitors if you are being disciplined because of bad behaviour, or if a visit will prejudice your court case. Visitors should arrive around 30 minutes before each visit, and should bring their passport and travel documents for ID purposes. Visits are usually contact ones, with visitors and inmates allowed to sit at the same table in a sheltered area. It is advisable to give family and friends as much information as you can about what to expect when they reach the prison. They are likely to find the sight of you in a prison visiting area with guards all around a distressing experience. How many visits am I allowed? All people in prison are entitled to at least one visit each week for a minimum duration of 30 minutes. Each prison determines how many visits a prisoner can have and also how many visitors at each visit. Visits must be booked in advance. 8

9 Consular visits We will aim to contact you within 24 hours of being notified of your arrest. If you request a Consular visit, we will aim to do this within 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays). If distance makes it difficult for us to visit as soon as you would like, we will explain this and confirm a time period within which we will visit. If you are convicted, you are entitled to one further consular visit after sentencing. Please contact us direct to request this. After that second visit we will only visit again if there are exceptional compassionate circumstances. If you have any health or welfare concerns, please discuss these with your Prison Welfare Officer in the first instance. You can of course also contact us at any time, either by telephone, fax, or letter. If you telephone and we are not available, please leave a voic message and we will contact you. What can visitors bring? No valuables can be taken into prisons during visits, including mobile phones and jewellery (except religious items). No gifts are allowed. Prison conditions/services Arrival at police station You may be arrested if a Constable (or some other government official who has a power of arrest) suspects you have committed an arrestable offence or crime. Remain calm, and co-operate with the police. Don t be abusive or violent, as to do so may result in additional charges. It is an offence to resist arrest. The police will ask you to provide various personal details including your nationality. If you are charged, you may be released on bail, with or without conditions. If you are refused bail, or cannot meet the conditions set, you must be taken before a court where you can apply for bail. Arrival at prison Two types of prisoners can be sent to prison by the court. Sentenced prisoners have been convicted of a crime and given a term of imprisonment. Remand prisoners are being held while awaiting trial or sentencing. After being sentenced in court, prisoners will normally be held in the court cells until the end of the day. A group will then be transported to prison, where the receiving office processes them. 9

10 If a prisoner has property with them, it will be documented and processed at this point. If a prisoner has cash it will be deposited in their prison trust account. Prison clothing will be issued, although this varies between prisons. Part of the assessment process is used to determine where a prisoner will initially be placed in a prison. Many prisons will have a unit where new arrivals will spend their first days. New prisoners will be taken to the unit they have been assigned to and allocated a cell. This may be a single cell or a cell shared with another prisoner. Soon after they arrive in the unit, prisoners will be given an induction interview where they will be informed of the rules and regulations of the prison and the routine of their unit. Remand prisoners go through most of the same processes as sentenced prisoners but there are a few key differences. They are received at a prison and assessed in the same way as sentenced prisoners but are generally allowed to wear their own clothes while inside. They are kept separate from sentenced prisoners in units or wings only for remand prisoners. General prison conditions Prison conditions in New Zealand are generally on a par with - or in some respects better than - conditions in UK prisons. The Corrections Department NZ has further details see Needless to say, you should avoid breaking prison rules. You should refrain from discussing your case or sharing personal details with other inmates. Once you have been sentenced, you will be given a prisoner classification, which will dictate what you are allowed to do while in prison. Your movement through the different classifications will depend on your good behaviour and your willing involvement in day-today prison activities. Should you lose your classification at any time, we cannot intervene on your behalf. Some prisoners might be put into a segregated protection area of the prison. This could be for a number of reasons including their age, vulnerability or because of the nature of the charges they are facing. How can I receive money? The prison will open an account for you into which friends and family can transfer money (see below). Money earned from working in the prison will also be deposited into this account. There is a limit (NZ$200) on how much money can be in your account. 10

11 If your family and friends overseas wish to transfer money to you for prison comforts (phone cards etc), they can do so through the FCO in London. One transfer of funds of up to 100 can be made free of charge per month, any additional transfers will attract a surcharge which varies depending on the amount being transferred. They should send a Postal Order or cheque made payable to Foreign and Commonwealth Office, under cover of a short letter containing your details, to: Accounts Receivable Foreign and Commonwealth Office Corporate Service Centre PO Box 6108 MILTON KEYNES MK10 1PX If you would like a receipt, please include a stamped self addressed envelope. We recommend that you use Recorded or Special Delivery. Please ensure that you include a note briefly explaining who the money is for and why. (Alternatively you may use the payment slip on next page.) Friends and family are able to deposit money into your prison account in person if they visit, or if they are in the UK, they can transfer money to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office account. In addition Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity, can assist with funding for prison comforts and some medical care if you are not in receipt of any regular donations from other sources. The FCO will then send us authority to process the payment, and we will deposit the money into the prison bank account. The prison will transfer this into your prison account. The prison authorities usually only allow small deposits, as you are not allowed to accumulate a large balance (more than NZ$200) in your prison account. We suggest a maximum deposit of a time. Can I work or study in prison? It may be difficult for the prison to supply work to all prisoners because there are not enough jobs to go around. You may therefore have to wait a while before a suitable job is available. But if you are offered work while in prison, it is a good idea to accept this. It will give you something constructive to do with your time, and also enable you to earn a small wage which allows you to buy extra prison comforts. Prisoners can work towards five qualifications, providing they meet the eligibility criteria, please discuss this with your prison welfare officer: Open Polytechnic Certificate in Career and Self Development National Certificate in Employment Skills Open Polytechnic Certificate in Work and Life Skills NCEA Levels 1 and 2 11

12 Can I receive medical and dental treatment? If you need medical or dental treatment you should make an appointment to see the prison doctor or dentist. In some large prisons it can be difficult to get an early appointment, but if the situation is urgent your Prison Welfare Officer may be able to help. If you have a long-standing medical problem and have received treatment for it in the UK, it may be useful if you have your medical records, or at least a report, sent from the UK for the information of the prison doctor or specialist here. Food and Diet The prison authorities state that the food they provide is a balanced diet giving the necessary daily nutritional requirements. A special diet can only be approved where the prison doctor gives his authority on medical grounds. Vegetarians may fall into this category. If your religion requires you to have a special diet this is also usually allowed. Mail/Parcels You can receive and send mail directly, but there are rules about what you can and cannot receive. There is usually no limit to the number of letters you may send or receive. All letters are censored, but the prison authorities are obliged to deliver them with the minimum of delay. The local postal system is reliable, and transit time for Air Mail letters sent to the UK is usually several days. Tell your family and friends to always include your full name and prison number in the address. It is also a good idea to number all letters in sequence. If you do the same you can keep track of anything that goes missing. We regret that we cannot accept mail for onward delivery. Any received will be returned to the sender. You may receive parcels but the regulations vary from prison to prison. Your family may send you the following items: photographs (maximum 50, nothing illegal or offensive) regional or overseas newspapers If you are not sure what other items are allowed, check with the prison before asking for it to be sent. If not, you may find that you are not allowed to receive some or all of the contents of the parcel containing a prohibited item. Can I make telephone calls? You are allowed to make telephone calls using a phone card issued by the prison. You can make both international and local phone calls, subject of course to having funds available on the card. Leisure and entertainment Each prison in New Zealand has varying degree of leisure and entertainment facilities, these are based on good behaviour in accordance to the prison code of conduct. 12

13 Drugs Drug abuse is a problem in some prisons. If you are caught holding or taking drugs, punishment can be severe. If you inject drugs you also run the risk of contracting serious blood-borne infections, like AIDS and hepatitis. How can I make a complaint about mistreatment? On being advised of a prisoner s complaint, unit staff should immediately attempt to resolve the issue informally before the prisoner lodges a formal complaint. If the officer's attempt to resolve the issue with the prisoner is not to the prisoner's satisfaction, the prisoner is to be given a PC.01.Form.01 Prisoner complaint. The New Zealand Judicial System Is the system the same as the UK? New Zealand s legal system is similar to the UK s. The main reason for remanding you in custody is to ensure your appearance in court. You will be presented to court periodically, and the prosecutor has to satisfy the court that your continued detention is justified. The total time that you are detained awaiting trial will depend on the seriousness and complexity of the offence. It usually takes several months before a case comes to court for a full hearing. Prisoners have a right of appeal against their continuing detention. What should happen when I am arrested? You will be cautioned and told what you are under arrest for, given your rights in relation to anything you say and in relation to consulting and instructing a lawyer. You may be charged with other offences and crimes, not just the one you are initially arrested for. You will have your fingerprints and photograph taken and depending on the charge, other evidence to establish your identity such as a buccal swab. You will be searched and any evidence relating to the charge you face or anything that is valuable or that you may use to harm yourself will be removed. You will be asked to sign a receipt for that property and another document acknowledging that you have been given your rights. You will then either be given police bail or remanded in police custody to the next available court day. You do not need to provide any money to be bailed, you just need to sign a bail bond. You may wish to engage your own lawyer, but if you are not eligible for Legal Aid this will be at your own expense. A privately-engaged lawyer will usually ask for an advance of his/her estimated legal fees before they will take on a case. Consular staff cannot give legal advice, pay your legal expenses, or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them. We can provide you with lists of local lawyers from the Law Society, see page 20 but we cannot recommend a particular lawyer. There are further listings in the local White Pages of the phone book. 13

14 For how long can I be remanded in custody? The court may remand you in custody on a number of different grounds the most important of which is the likelihood that you will answer bail. The court may remand you in custody until the time of your trial but you have the right to be put before the court every 7 days to have the matter reconsidered. You may waive that right. In extremely rare cases people have been released without having to go to trial because it has taken the prosecution too long to prepare its case. This is usually at least a year. 14

15 What happens when I am charged? Formal Charging only occurs in the most serious cases in New Zealand. You will be read out the formal charge by a police officer at the police station and asked if you have anything to say in answer to the charge. What provision is there for bail? Normally you will appear before the Court on the next working day after your arrest. The Court will determine (a) whether you have been legally detained, and, if they are satisfied on that point, (b) whether you should be released on bail, or held on remand, until your next court hearing. It is rare for foreign nationals to be granted bail in any country, including the UK. This is due to the flight risk that many of these prisoners pose. Even where bail is offered, it is usual to remove the passport of a foreign national before releasing them from detention, to prevent them leaving the country. In assessing whether to permit bail, the judicial authorities are entitled to consider a person s links to the country and how likely it is that they will flee. This means that foreign nationals are less likely to receive bail. Similar factors are considered in the UK, so we do not regard this as a form of discrimination. In the (unlikely) event that you are allowed to leave New Zealand on condition that you return for your court case, please note that failure to comply could lead to your being placed on an immigration blacklist and/or being extradited from the UK to stand trial. If you are given bail, you will need to find sufficient funds to support yourself. Depending on your visa status, the local authorities may not be able to provide support. We cannot provide funding or find you a job. What kind of legal assistance is available? If you do not engage your own lawyer, you may be eligible for a Legal Aid lawyer free of charge. Legal Aid is an NZ Government legal service dealing mainly with family law and criminal legal matters. They provide free legal advice as well as court representation, and grants of legal aid funds to pay for a legal aid lawyer or a private solicitor. You must meet strict criteria in order to qualify for Legal Aid. Your income and financial means will be taken into account, as will the merits of your case, i.e. whether or not the case is likely to succeed. Your nationality is not a factor. Every prison keeps a Legal Aid visit book. Ask your Prison Welfare Officer to put your name in this book and you will be visited by a Legal Aid lawyer. For more information about Legal Aid, see contact details at page

16 What happens at the trial? There are often a number of pre-trial hearings before a matter goes to trial. These may include disclosure hearings, evidential arguments and discussions with the judge to decide the key points of difference between the prosecution and the defence. At the trial you will initially be asked how you plead. If you plead not guilty and it s a jury trial (rather than before a judge alone) a jury will be selected. Once the jury is selected the Crown will call evidence to prove the case against you beyond reasonable doubt. After the Crown closes its case the defence counsel may then call evidence to cast doubt upon the case. The Defence does not have to prove anything as you are considered innocent until proven guilty. All witnesses are first examined by the counsel who calls them, then crossexamined by the other counsel, then re-examined by the counsel or called them and then questioned by the Judge. Once the defence closes its case the Judge or the Jury will decide on you guilt or innocence. Sentences/Financial Penalties Sentences are set by Statute. Minor offences have a maximum term of imprisonment and a maximum fine. You may also be required to pay reparation to victims of your offending. More serious offences tend to only have a maximum term of imprisonment but there are a number of custodial sentences (such as home detention) which can be ordered which don t require detention in prison. Parliament also gives judges guidance about how to sentence offenders through the Sentencing Act and the courts themselves work very hard to ensure consistency in sentencing across the country. It is extremely rare for someone to be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment and many sentences are automatically commuted by one third at the time of sentence. How can appeals be made? Defendants may appeal to a higher court on both the Law and the Facts and can also appeal against sentence. You need to discuss this process with your lawyer. What provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) e.g. for good behaviour? These matters are all considered by the Parole Board What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole? The New Zealand Parole Board is an independent statutory body which considers when offenders can be released on parole. The Department of Corrections provides the Board s Administrative Support Services. The Board s paramount consideration as set out in the Parole Act 2002 must be the safety of the community. Victims who are registered with the Department of Corrections to receive information about an offender are entitled to be informed of forthcoming hearings and are invited to make oral submissions to the Board. For more information go to the New Zealand Parole Board's website: 16

17 What provision is there for clemency or pardon? There is no death penalty in New Zealand so clemency is not an issue. Pardons are exercised through the prerogative of mercy by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen. It only applies to the most serious cases. You need to discuss this process with your lawyer. Is transfer to another prison within New Zealand possible? The Department for Corrections regularly moves prisoners between prisons throughout the country to manage muster levels and to ensure that prisoners are located in facilities that are best suited to their individual needs. Is transfer to the UK a possibility? There is no prisoner transfer agreement between the UK and New Zealand. What are the procedures for release and deportation? Any British Citizen serving a prison term may be liable for deportation to the UK at the end of that term. Even those with New Zealand permanent resident status may find their visa revoked. In this event, you need to speak immediately to a lawyer. Dual British/New Zealand nationals are not however liable to deportation. If you are to be deported, at the end of your prison sentence you will be released into the custody of Immigration New Zealand, who will hold you in immigration detention whilst they arrange your deportation. This usually only takes a matter of days, especially if your passport is still valid. If your passport has expired, or has less than six months validity remaining, you might need to obtain a new passport before you can be deported. To avoid deportation delays, we recommend that you check your passport status well in advance of your release and deportation. If you are deported, you will be excluded from returning to New Zealand for a given period, which can range from three years to life. You will need to contact the New Zealand High Commission in London to arrange a visa before you travel. 17

18 Additional Information Prisoner Aid Rehabilitation Service You can contact the Prisoner Aid Rehabilitation Service, who are there to help you. They can pass on messages to us, or your family, and can explain to you how the prison system works. If you feel you have a justified complaint about prison conditions, raise it with your Prison Welfare Officer or another prison official in the first instance. If this does not resolve the matter, contact us and we will take action as appropriate. There is usually both a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister attached to each prison. In larger prisons they are on the permanent staff. They can often provide help or support. You can ask for a pastoral visit at any time. a) Prison Fellowship International Prison Fellowship (PF) is a Christian organisation that gives support and help to people of all religions and those with none. They have members in 112 countries. They can visit or write to prisoners, run fellowship groups, and provide religious material on request. If you are transferred back to a UK prison, PF can help with transport so your family can visit. They also work with ex-prisoners and their families through their local group network. The nearest office is in Wellington, details below. National Office: Lane Park Business Centre Lane Street, P.O. Box Upper Hutt 5140 New Zealand Toll free phone: Phone: Prison Fellowship England & Wales 77 Great Peter St, London SW1P 2EZ, United Kingdom Phone: Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland 39 University Street, Belfast, County Antrim BT7 1FY, United Kingdom niversity Street Belfast BT7 1FY, UK Tel: (0)

19 b) Prisoners Families and Friends Service Based in London, the PFFS is an independent voluntary agency that has been helping prisoners families for nearly 40 years. They provide advice, information and support to relatives or friends of prisoners. 20 Trinity St, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom Free phone Helpline for prisoners families: c) The Salvation Army They can arrange to visit prisoners overseas through their international service. Main UK and Republic of Ireland Office Telephone: (020) The Salvation Army UK and Republic of Ireland Territorial Headquarters, 101 Newington Causeway, London,SE1 6BN d) Fair Trials International Fair Trials aims to help individuals accused of crimes to understand and exercise their fair trial rights by providing information and referrals. If you are facing criminal accusations in New Zealand, we have a range of materials available for you online, and we also try to answer any specific questions you may have. Here is what we can and cannot do to help: Fair Trials can: Provide basic, practical guidance about criminal proceedings and defence rights for example, how to appoint a local lawyer; Provide you and your local lawyer with advice on fair trials guarantees under international law; and Help you identify local sources of support, including local lawyers, where appropriate. 19

20 Fair Trials cannot: Provide financial or welfare assistance; Act as your lawyer, provide legal advice specific to your case, or provide information on noncriminal law aspects of cases; Track hearings or appeal dates, or monitor your case; Provide translation services or receive original legal documents or evidence; Liaise with lawyers, your family, or consular services. After your release Sometimes people find that a new set of problems arises once they have left prison. You may find yourself ready for life on the outside but not prepared for living in the UK. Maybe you have never lived in Britain and have no ties there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may simply want to talk to another person who understands what you have been through, to help work out what to do next. Prisoners Abroad (PA) can only offer a resettlement service to those prisoners who have been in contact with them before they arrive back in the UK. It is therefore essential that you register before you are released so you are entitled to use the resettlement service. If you know your release date in advance, it is best to write and tell PA when you are likely to arrive and what help you think you might need. When you first arrive back in the UK, you can visit PA - see address on page 11 - on weekdays between 9.30am and 5.30pm for advice, to take a shower, use the temporary luggage store, make essential phone calls or use a computer. If you have no belongings PA may be able to help with toiletries and finding suitable clothing. If you have no money and nowhere to go, PA s Aftercare Service can help with advice on finding emergency accommodation in the London area claiming welfare benefits, including emergency benefit payments if you are destitute making appointments with doctors and dentists putting you in touch with local agencies if you are not returning to the London area later on you may want advice on housing, looking for work, applying for training or getting counselling. PA can refer you to the right agency. 20

21 Prisoners Abroad Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned overseas. It is the only UK charity providing this service and it is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or on remand. Prisoners Abroad is concerned with your health and welfare, both during your imprisonment and also on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family during your imprisonment. In order to access any services, prisoners must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form. Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer will vary from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on: your rights as a prisoner and issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK obtaining magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter writing to a pen pal learning the language of your country of imprisonment translation of documents grants for food if you are in a developing country and don t have funds from other sources grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you don t have funds from other sources preparing for release help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and assistance with the cost of visiting Prisoners Abroad Fonthill Road London N4 3JH UK Telephone: (0) or, for your relatives in the UK, Free phone (Mondays to Fridays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, UK time) info@prisonersabroad.org.uk Website: 21

22 Solicitors practising in New Zealand Persons seeking legal advice from any of the practitioners listed will be subject to the appropriate scale of fees of that practitioner. The High Commission makes no recommendation for any of the Names, companies or authorities contained on the following websites, nor is it responsible for any advice given. New Zealand Law Society: Phone (or if outside NZ) Legal Services Agency and the services that they provide (Legal Aid). If you are unable to access the links please contact Consular Services at the High Commission ( ). They will be able to provide you with a hard copy print out of the links relevant to where you are in New Zealand. 22

23 Annexes Annex 1: FCO leaflet: In prison abroad Annex 2: Prisoners Abroad authorisation form gust% pdf Annex 3: Prisoners Abroad family contact form Annex 4: Fair Trials International questionnaire and leaflets

24 Disclaimer This booklet was compiled by the Consular Section, British High Commission in Wellington. It is revised on a regular basis If any of the information contained in this booklet is incorrect, please draw inaccuracies to our attention so that we can make amendments. The British High Commission in Wellington is not accountable for the information provided in this booklet. Local proceedings are subject to change at any time. Thank you. 01 July