Information Pack for British Prisoners in Honduras
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1 Information Pack for British Prisoners in Honduras Author British Embassy Guatemala City Date May 2015
Transcript of Information Pack for British Prisoners in Honduras
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Information Pack for British Prisoners in Honduras
Author British Embassy Guatemala City Date May 2015
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Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 4
Who can help? ........................................................................................................................... 4 About the Embassy .................................................................................................................... 4 Who are the Consular Representatives? ................................................................................... 4 Contact Information ................................................................................................................... 5
First Steps ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Who will know I have been detained? ....................................................................................... 5 What will my family be told? ...................................................................................................... 5 What will the Consulate do? ...................................................................................................... 5 Would I have a criminal record in the UK? ................................................................................ 6
Visits .............................................................................................................................................. 7 How do my family and friends arrange a visit? .......................................................................... 7 How many visits am I allowed? .................................................................................................. 7 Consular visits ........................................................................................................................... 7 What can visitors bring? ............................................................................................................ 7
Prison conditions/services ............................................................................................................. 7 Arrival at prison .......................................................................................................................... 7 General prison conditions .......................................................................................................... 7 How can I receive money? ........................................................................................................ 8 Can I work or study in prison? ................................................................................................... 8 Can I receive medical and dental treatment? ............................................................................ 9 Food and Diet ............................................................................................................................ 9 Mail/Parcels ............................................................................................................................... 9 Can I make telephone calls? ..................................................................................................... 9 Leisure and entertainment ......................................................................................................... 9 Drugs ....................................................................................................................................... 10 How can I make a complaint about mistreatment? .................................................................. 10
The Guatemalan Judicial System ................................................................................................ 11 Is the system the same as the UK? ......................................................................................... 11 What should happen when I am arrested? .............................................................................. 11 For how long can I be remanded in custody? .......................................................................... 12 What happens when I am charged? ........................................................................................ 13 What provision is there for bail? .............................................................................................. 13 What kind of legal assistance is available ............................................................................... 13 What happens at the trial? ....................................................................................................... 13 Sentences ................................................................................................................................ 14 How can appeals be made? .................................................................................................... 14 What provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) e.g. for good behaviour? ............................................................................................................................... 14 What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole? ........................................................ 14 What provision is there for clemency or pardon? .................................................................... 14 What about any financial penalties? ........................................................................................ 14 Is transfer to another prison within Guatemala possible? ........................................................ 14 Is transfer to the UK a possibility? ........................................................................................... 15 What are the procedures for release and deportation? ........................................................... 15
Additional Information .................................................................................................................. 17
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Prisoners Abroad ......................................................................................................................... 18 Glossary of Terms ....................................................................................................................... 19
Useful legal terms .................................................................................................................... 19 Key phrases – English into Spanish ........................................................................................ 19
Annexes ...................................................................................................................................... 29 List of Lawyers……………………………………………...……………………….29 List of Translators and Interpreters……...………………………………………..34 In Prison Abroad leaflet……………………………...……………………………..37 Prisoners abroad family contact form……………………………...……………..39
Disclaimer…………………………………………………………………………………….40
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Introduction Who can help? The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): The FCO is represented overseas by its Embassies and Consulates (High Commission 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 Embassy 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 list of lawyers is provided by the British Embassy 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 Embassy cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information. If in doubt contact a lawyer. Who are the Consular Representatives? Lourdes Taylor Vice Consul [email protected] Aditi Castillo Consular Assistant [email protected] Leonardo Casco Fortin Honorary Consul Tegucigalpa [email protected] Edgardo Dumas Honorary Consul San Pedro Sula [email protected]
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Matthew Harper Honorary Consul Roatan [email protected] Contact Information British Embassy Guatemala City 16 Calle 0-55, Zona 10 Edificio Torre Internacional Nivel 11 Tel. +502 2380-7300 Fax. +502 2380-7339 [email protected] https://www.gov.uk/government/world/guatemala Working hours: Monday to Thursday: 07:30 to 12:30 / 13:30 to 16:30 Fridays: 07:30 to 11:30 First Steps Who will know I have been detained? As soon as a British citizen is arrested and detained in Honduras, the Honduran authorities must let the detainee contact the British Embassy in Guatemala and/or one of the British Honorary Consuls in Honduras. But we are frequently not informed within 24 hours. It is essential that you inform the British Embassy and/or one of our Honorary Consuls in Honduras as soon as possible after your arrest. It is your right to do so. You may also be able to make a phone call to the Embassy or to family (with a covering charge). What will my family be told? For reasons of confidentiality we are not permitted to tell anyone that you have been detained or what the charges are without your permission. However, should you wish to inform your family, we can make contact with them through our colleagues in the FCO in London. We can give your family or next of kin advice on prison procedure, regulations, and how you are doing. We can also pass on any messages from you. What will the Consulate do? We aim to make contact with you within 24 hours of being notified of your arrest. In case they wish to transfer any money to you, we can tell your next-of-kin how to transfer money through the FCO in London. Money for prisoners should be sent to: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Desk Officer for Guatemala Consular Directorate Old Admiralty Building London SW1 2PA Tel: 020 7008 0169
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If you have dual nationality and are imprisoned in the country of your other nationality the British Consul cannot assist you formally, under international law. However, Consular staff will provide whatever informal assistance the local authorities will allow. Your relatives and friends can contact the above address for advice from the FCO in London. Would I have a criminal record in the UK? You should be aware that if you are arrested for certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs crimes, our staff must inform other relevant UK authorities. The information about the criminal offence will be sent to the ACPO Criminal Records office in the UK. It is therefore possible that information about this offence may appear if a criminal records check were carried out by a prospective employer for example.
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Visits How do my family and friends arrange a visit? We advise the family to contact us well in advance so that we can inform the prison governor and work on the visiting programme. Consular officers will accompany your family during their first visit to the prison; the subsequent visits by your family will be unaccompanied. Visitors must identify themselves when they arrive at the prison by showing identification document containing a photograph (e.g. passport). This is held by the prison and returned at the end of the visit. Visitors will be searched before entering the prison. Visitors receive an ink stamp on their hand or arm before entry. How many visits am I allowed? You are only allowed to be visited by your wife, husband and children on weekends. You may be allowed receive other visitors if there are special or compassionate reasons (for example, distance). Visitors enter into the prison itself and prisoners can spend time with visitors in the patio or in their cells. Consular visits We hope to visit you every 3 months. You will be called to the prison administration offices during a consular visit. Strike action in prisons has seriously disrupted our visits in the past. You can also contact us by telephone. Prisoners in Honduras can receive monthly deliveries of funds and letters via the Embassy and/or Honorary Consuls. What can visitors bring? Visitors can bring prison comforts. All bags and parcels will be searched before entry and authorities have the right to withhold items they deem to be unacceptable (amongst others, weapons, knives, alcohol, drugs, clothes made of black fabric, sunglasses, caps, canned food, grapes, apples, etc). However, restrictions on what visitors bring into the prison are not always respected (upon payment of a fee to the guard).
Prison conditions/services In this chapter you will find information on daily life in a Honduran jail. Prisoners say that nothing is guaranteed as things can change on a whim, so the advice of more experienced prisoners, plus your own common sense, in essential for survival. Arrival at prison When someone is arrested they are taken to prison in the first instance. Any belongings that are not part of the investigation, process, or evidence will be sent to the prison, if the prison has enough space to keep them. It is unfortunately not unusual for some belongings to go missing right after arrest or during prison transfers. The British Consulate/Embassy cannot store your personal belongings on your behalf. The only property we can keep for you are your passport and driver’s licence. General prison conditions There are several prisons in Honduras. Over-crowding is a major problem. The number of inmates to each cell entirely depends on the size of the cell and the number of prisoners in the particular prison. Women’s prisons are separate to the men’s.
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Each cell has a toilet and wash basin. Showers are mostly separate and shared with the other cells. Hot water is rarely supplied. Clothes washing is possible at large outside sinks (concrete stands) in the “patio”. Clothes lines also available in the patio. If you experience serious harassment, threats or violence you should report this to the Embassy as soon as possible. It is our responsibility to take up allegations of mistreatment against a British national. However, we will only raise concerns with the prison administration if you request that we do so. Money buys everything inside the prisons; therefore, sanctions are imposed on an arbitrary fashion. How can I receive money? Prisoners say the key to survival is money. In Honduran prisons you pay for everything. However, we strongly advise prisoners not to make it evident if they have access to regular funds (keep cash deliveries to a minimum, always make them through the Embassy, advise visitors/family not to send/deliver expensive gifts or large parcels). Foreign prisoners are always considered to be very rich; as a result they are sometimes targeted by gangs within the prison as a good source of funds and therefore are more likely to be the victims of theft and extortion. At worst a prisoner could be targeted by drug pushers whose aim is to get ‘wealthy’ prisoners addicted to drugs so they become a source of ready funds. Incurring debts inside the prison, especially for drugs, invariably buy trouble. Daily interest rates on debts are usually extremely high. Prisoners Abroad can help prisoners who have no other financial support, by sending a monthly sum grant via the Embassy for the purchase of food and other essentials. Let the Embassy know if you need this support, or write directly to the Prisoners Abroad. It is also possible to transfer money through the FCO in London and avoid paying bank charges (on smaller transfers). Money for prisoners should be sent to: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Desk Officer for Guatemala Consular Directorate London Tel. +44 20 7008 0192 We strongly advise against making transfers through money transfer agencies. Can I work or study in prison? Since all transactions in prison are based upon payment, there are many ways that prisoners can try to supplement their income. Prisoners have for example sold second hand clothes, given English lessons, traded in goods (e.g. food). There is little in the way of official employment, certainly for those who do not speak Spanish. In addition, due to long waiting lists (and the need for good connections), there are minimal opportunities to get jobs in the carpentry workshop, which are the most popular options. Other alternatives are performing cleaning duties or working as food distributors. These jobs not always paid. Some voluntary work can be found (i.e. at the carpentry workshop - you can sell what you make).
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Can I receive medical and dental treatment? If you need medical or dental treatment you should ask to see the prison doctor or dentist. There is an appointment list and pass system. Depending on number of patients, prisoners can either be assisted the same day or after 2-3 days. Basic medical attention is free of charge. It is unlikely that you will be treated by a doctor who speaks English. Prison doctors are often the equivalent of GPs in the UK, so unusual or complex problems may be referred to a specialist outside the prison (usually at a State Hospital). Very often medicine is not available in the prisons. In such instances you or the prison doctor should contact the Embassy. The cost of prescribed medication has to be covered either by the prisoner or, if a prisoner qualifies, through Prisoners Abroad´s medical fund. Medical centres in the prison are generally very poorly resourced. 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 your doctor in the UK. Your UK doctor can send the report, via the Embassy, addressed to you. Food and Diet There is minimal provision of food within the prison. Prison food is free but is rarely sufficient to fulfil your dietary needs. You will need funds to pay for supplements to your diet, which can be bought at elevated prices from the prison shop (run by other inmates as a source of income), or from the cafeteria and restaurant (opened on visiting days). It is cheaper to pay by cash and if credit provided, interest is charged. The prison food is usually prepared by other inmates and supplied twice a day typically contains a combination of soup, rice, beans, potatoes, eggs, spaghetti, and chicken/meat (meat is provided only once a week). Most British prisoners have commented that they cannot live off the prison food alone as it is not very tasty or nutritional. Prisoners Abroad can supply prisoners with vitamin supplements, if requested. If products are not found in the prison shop, prisoners can request them from outside at greater expense and they are usually asked to pay a commission to the person who purchases the food for them. Mail/Parcels Friends and family can send mail and parcels to the Embassy and we deliver to the prison. The Embassy is not able to forward mail on your behalf back to the UK. All letters are opened and checked by prison staff before they are given to prisoners. Mail cannot be sent directly to the prison from the UK since there is no postal system in the prison. Can I make telephone calls? This depends on the prison. Usually there is no access to a telephone. It is not possible to receive calls. Telephone calls can be made only when they are strictly necessary and under the supervision of the prison authorities. Leisure and entertainment Learning the language: Speaking Spanish will help you understand what is going on, communicate your needs and also ease the boredom and mental isolation of prison life. If you have the funds to pay for learning materials the Embassy can help you buy them. There is also the possibility of funding for education courses through Prisoners Abroad. If you are interested, you should write to them for further information.
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Most prisons have a gym, but often they are not properly equipped. In the “patio” or on the exercise yard, prisoners play football, volleyball and basketball. In the women’s prison aerobics is very popular. In spite of the fact that prisons are called “rehabilitation centres”, there is no rehabilitation system. Workshops are usually either full or ill-equipped. It therefore falls to the prisoner to occupy their time during the day. Teaching English to other prisoners is possible, but not all inmates are interested or can afford to pay for tuition. Drugs Drugs are freely available within Honduran prisons, although officially prison authorities deny this. Do everything you can to find other ways to cope with life in prison and avoid consuming drugs. Possession and sale of drugs are regarded as a crime and therefore could be prosecuted for that crime also. Not only will drug consumption weaken further your state of health, but drug taking invariably results in the creation of personal debts. These debts will attract accelerated rates of interest and if not paid off, could result in serious verbal and physical harassment. How can I make a complaint about mistreatment? There is no official complaint procedure in place for mistreatment cases in Honduras If you wish to file a complaint please write to the Embassy/Consulate or let us know during the consular visit so that we take your concerns forward.
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The Honduran Judicial System Is the system the same as the UK? In short, no. Although on the face of it there are many similarities. For example, prisoners are presumed innocent until proven guilty, they have a right to legal representative, interpreter, fair trial and appeal. However there are fundamental differences. For example, there is no jury system and judicial processes are not always correctly followed. In addition, the Honduran judicial system has been through difficult periods and as a result it is extremely hard to achieve anything quickly. On the whole the Honduran judicial system is very bureaucratic. Also, lawyers can charge outrageous sums of money make grand promises and deliver very little. Prisoners can remain in prison without having been sentenced for well over a year. The system is also notoriously corrupt. Remember, you should never sign anything you cannot read. If you find yourself under pressure to sign, ask to speak to the British Embassy and/or one of the Honorary Consuls. What should happen when I am arrested? If you are arrested at the airport you will initially spend some time in a police cell near the airport. Police should read the charges and your rights. Whilst you are there police will usually gather evidence and interrogate you; of which you are no obligated to answer any question or interrogation. You will be taken from the airport to cells located in the Airport Police Station, where a state prosecutor will start the first phase of investigation. Although the law states that you are allowed to immediately appoint a lawyer and interpreter, in the case of drug offences, this will only be permitted shortly before giving your statement. You will then be placed on remand. Under Honduran law you should be taken straight to the remand prison once the Judge has submitted a detention order. However, in reality there is no limit on the length of time you can be held in prison (the Provisional Detention Centre - CDP). Also under Honduran Law if you are arrested, the Police has the obligation to take you to a Judge within 24 hours after detention. Only interrogations that take place in front of a Judge will have legal validity in trials. It is not recommended to give your statement until you have an attorney appointed to represent you. In both places, Police and Provisional Detention Prison, you will share a cell with possibly several people. You will not be allowed to keep your possessions, for security reasons and to prevent the theft by other prisoners. Your passport and other identification will be taken away. These can be difficult to retrieve afterwards, although we will try and get them back, since your passport is officially property of the British Government. In some instances you will not give a statement until you are moved from the police station. All very much depends on the availability of judges, lawyers and interpreters, and the speed in which the authorities investigate your case.
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Remand and sentenced prisoners are not segregated. There are basic clothes washing facilities. There isn’t a public phone, and also is not possible to receive calls in the prison, but visitors are permitted certain days of the week. . Some of the main prisons in Honduras are: Centro Penal El Porvenir Centro Penal La Ceiba, Atlántida Centro Penal de Tela, Atlántida Centro Penal Trujillo, Colon Centro Penal de Comayagua, Comayagua Centro Penal de Santa Rosa de Copan Centro Penal San Pedro Sula, Cortes Centro Penal Puerto Cortes, Cortes Centro Penal Choluteca, Choluteca Centro Penal Danli, El Paraíso Centro Penal Marco Aurelio Soto Centro Penal Puerto Lempira Centro Penal La Esperanza Centro Penal La Paz, La Paz Centro Penal Marcala, La Paz Centro Penal Gracias, Lempira Centro Penal de Ocotepeque Centro Penal de Juticalpa, Olancho Centro Penal de Santa Bárbara Centro Penal de Nacaome, Valle Centro Penal de Yoro, Yoro Centro Penal El Progreso, Yoro Centro Penal de Olanchito, Yoro Centro Penal de Cefas Men and women’s prisons. All male and women prisons are heavily overcrowded. You will be allocated to a sector within the prison. The conditions are extremely poor and mattresses and blankets are not always available. Food is provided by the prisons authorities and there are basic clothes washing facilities. A shop sells food at inflated prices. Outside the main cities you will usually be held in a local police station and possibly moved to the nearest prison once evidence has been gathered, charges pressed and an adjudication given. For how long can I be remanded in custody? According to Honduran law, the remand period, in which the state prosecutor leads the investigation of your case could be one year, depending on the crime. If you have committed a major offense the penalty is over 6 years. You could spend 2 years imprisoned without being convicted. In some cases investigations can be extended. Also some measures can be applied, such as bail, non-economic alternatives as established in Art. 173 of the Criminal Procedural Code, such as: house arrest and others.
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Time served on remand will be counted as part of your sentence. You will be able to wear your own clothes and will not be expected to work. You can receive visitors on the days specified by the prison authorities. What happens when I am charged? The prosecutor presents charges within 24 hours, along with an Indictment to the Judge, requesting a maximum of 6 days for the preliminary investigation of the crime and requesting the first hearing. The lawyer and the accused are immediately notified of the prosecutor’s judgement. According to Honduran law, a first hearing before a Judge should take place within 24 hours. At this hearing the prosecutor defends his accusation. All parties can also present more evidence and immediately after the hearing, the judge should announce his decision. In practice, this does not always happen immediately after the hearing (it is often much longer). The Judge will give his resolution. After the above initial phase, the next stage of the trial begins before another tribunal. You may wait months for a second court hearing and could have waited for more than two years until you were sentenced. What provision is there for bail? There is usually no provision for bail for foreigners. Also bail depends on the charges against you. What kind of legal assistance is available Consular staff cannot give legal advice, but they can provide you with a list of lawyers, some of whom speak English. You can hire a lawyer for yourself at any time after your arrest; a list of lawyers for Honduras is included in this information pack. Normally, if you hire a private lawyer he will ask for a cash advance on his estimated legal fees (which may be very high) before he will take your case on. The British Embassy cannot pay legal fees or guarantee to a lawyer that you will pay them. If you cannot afford a private lawyer you can apply at any time for a public defender. The Court must appoint a Legal Aid/Pro Bono Lawyer (Defensor Público) if you do not have funds to hire a private lawyer and you are charged with a felony. Legal aid lawyers are free of charge but they rarely speak English and their ability varies. On the whole, given their heavy workload, Pro Bono lawyers make very little effort to compile evidence and move a case forward. If you are not satisfied with legal aid lawyer you may formally request to change him (in writing), but you will only have the choice of another Legal Aid lawyer from the same institution, working under similar conditions. As in any country, some lawyers are better than others (paying a large fee does not guarantee that you will get a good lawyer). If you do decide to pay for a lawyer, it is wise to agree a flat fee for the whole case before they begin work or you may find yourself facing ‘extra expenses’. Ex-prisoners advise talking to other prisoners as they often know which lawyers to avoid and what hidden costs there might be. What happens at the trial? There is no jury system in Honduras. Trials are heard by the court (usually made up of three legal representatives), Officer of the Tribunal, the secretary of the tribunal
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(court), the prosecutor, the lawyer, the accused, and the translator/interpreter. It is compulsory that the entire above are present at the court hearing, otherwise it will be delayed. All documents related to a case and further evidence must be submitted to the president of the court. The trial will be heard in Spanish. You will need to appoint and pay for an interpreter. Consular staff cannot act as interpreters. However, included in this pack a list of interpreters. Consular officers can attend court hearings as observers. Sentences After the court hearing, a sentence is given by the secretary of the court. How can appeals be made? The accused have the right to legal remedy the sentence to a High Court through their lawyers. However, the legal remedy process is very slow (sometimes a full year) and can lead to delays in finalising a sentence. It is worth seeking a second opinion before taking the decision to abrogate or review a sentence. Be wary of lawyers who will happily take a case to legal remedy so they can remain on your pay roll. What provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) e.g. for good behaviour? There is at present no provision to negotiate a reduction in sentence. However, you will have the right to appeal the sentence by presenting a special appeal. What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole? This is a very bureaucratic process and it is subject to many conditions. You must talk to your Lawyer about progressive Regime that consists of a group of activities for the reduction and social adaptation of the condemned. What provision is there for clemency or pardon? Application for amnesty or pardon can be made to Congress. However, those convicted of crimes such as torture, drug trafficking, terrorism, and 'heinous crimes' including aggravated homicide, aggravated rape and robbery resulting in death are not eligible for amnesty/pardon. It is possible to apply for clemency only on medical grounds if a prisoner falls terminally ill whilst in prison in Honduras. But this is a long process. Firstly the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has to support the clemency plea. Then a request for clemency is made by the British Ambassador to the Honduran Secretary of Foreign Affairs, after which an application for clemency has to be approved by the Honduran Parliament. What about any financial penalties? Normally the Honduran authorities waive financial penalties imposed on foreigners; however should they choose to do so, they could enforce a standard fine upon release. Is transfer to another prison within Honduras possible? Yes, if the authorities and local prison directors authorise the transfer. If you have been convicted you will be allocated to a prison to serve your sentence. Transfers to
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other prisons are only permitted when there are exceptional compassionate or medical reasons for doing so. Prison authorities are reluctant to transfer prisoners who want to escape debts incurred in a prison. If you are interested in a transfer, please speak to the Embassy who can raise your request in writing with the prison authorities. Is transfer to the UK a possibility? No. What are the procedures for release and deportation? Honduran Law does not entail the obligation of deportation given that deportation is not part of the sentence. It would be an accessory decision that would need to be ordered by the Judge.
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CRIMINAL PROCESS PHASES
PREPARATION TIME - Complaint
- Preliminary Investigation - Indictment - First Hearing
INTERMEDIATE STAGE - Formalization of the charges - Reply to the Charges - Preliminary hearing - Sentence announced by Judge
PUBLIC TRIAL - Preparation for the Debate, - Trial, - Deliberation - Sentence
CONTESTING PERIOD Judgment can be contested in the following ways: - Cassation - Review of the sentence
SENTENCIA FIRME Y EJECUTORIADA Sentence to become final and enforceable
JUDGMENT AND ENFORCEABLE - Sentence to become final and enforceable if you pass the deadline for the cassation or review.
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Additional Information EG: Volunteer Workers EG: Plea Bargaining [This section is to be used for any additional information specific to your country that has not be covered in the above sections. For example the Embassy in Lima works with a network of volunteers in the prisons so a section on Volunteer Workers could be included here.]
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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 89 – 93 Fonthill Road London N4 3JH UK
Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 7561 6820 or, for your relatives in the UK, Freephone 0808 172 0098 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, UK time) Email: [email protected] Website: www.prisonersabroad.org.uk
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Glossary of Terms Useful legal terms Key phrases – English into Spanish Abrogation (annulment / cassation) Casación / revocación Access to file (by Lawyer) Acceso al expediente Accomplice Cómplice Accused (with charges) Imputado Acquitted Absuelto Adjudication Fallo / sentencia Administration of justice Administración de Justicia Amnesty Amnistía Anti Narcotics Police Station Jefatura de Antinarcóticos Appeal Apelación Appeal for error Apelar por error Appeal or complaint Apelación o queja Application Aplicación Application forms (prison) Formulario de aplicación Army Ejército Assessment of evidence Evaluación de pruebas y evidencias (pruebas
materiales, testimoniales y documentales) Blood test Exámen de sangre Board of prison governors Comité Cell Celda Charge Acusación / alegato Chief Prosecutor Fiscal Superior Civil party in criminal trial Parte civil en juicio penal Clemency Indulto Complaints system Sistema de denuncias / demandas Completed file Expediente completo Compulsory prosecution Enjuiciamiento obligatorio Consent Consentimiento Convicted Condenado / sentenciado Conviction Condena / sentencia Corporal Cabo / corporal Country ban (order issued which prohibits a person who has been deported or expelled from returning)
Prohibición de regresar al pais
Court appearance Comparecencia ante el tribunal Court file reference Referencia del expediente del juicio Courthouse Tribunal / Juzgado Criminal code Código de Procedimiento Penal Criminal code procedure Código de Ejecución de penas y rehabilitación
social Criminal Court Tribunal Penal Criminal prosecution Enjuiciamiento penal Criminal record Record policial Custody hearing Instrucción Fiscal Custody order Orden de prisión preventiva Danger of absconding Peligro de fugarse Danger of interfering with the course of justice Peligro de interferir con el procedimiento de
justicia / procedimiento legal Danger of repeated criminal offences Riesgo de reincidencia
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Deportation Deportación Deportation order Orden de deportación Dismiss charges Descargar / descartar cargos o acusación Duty of obedience Deber de obediencia Early freedom Pre-libertad Ecuadorian Prison Service DNRS (Dirección Nacional de Rehabilitación
Social) Escort Escoltar / escolta Expert Witness Testigo Expulsion Expulsión Extradition Extradición Federal Police Policía Nacional Fever Fiebre File Expediente Final public trial Juicio (público) Food poisoning Intoxicación estomacal Greater Criminal Court Corte Suprema de Justicia Guarding (a prison) Custodia en la prisión Guilty Culpable Hand cuffed Esposado Hearing (first) Primera audiencia High Court Corte Superior de Justicia Higher Regional Court Corte Superior de Justicia (provincial) Human rights Derechos humanos Hunger strike Huelga de hambre Imprisoned Detenido / encarcelado / recluído Imprisonment Detención / encarcelamiento / reclusión Imprisonment after conviction Encarcelamiento después de ser sentenciado /
condenado Indictment Denuncia / acusación / proceso Insubordination to officer Desobediencia a la autoridad / insubordinación Interpreter Intérprete Investigation Investigación / Indagación Jeopardise Poner en peligro Judge Juez Judgement Sentencia / juzgamiento / dictámen Judgement Final and enforceable Sentencia en firme y ejecutoriada Judicial Police Policía Judicial Jurisdiction (Criminal) Entities Órganos de la Jurisdicción Penal:
Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ)/ Salas Especializadas de lo Penal de la CSJ / Cortes Superiores de Justicia / Jueces Penales / Tribunales Penales.
Juvenile prison Cárcel de menores Lawyer Abogado Lawyers´charges Honorarios del abogado Lay Judges Disponer los jueces Lay Judges Court Disponer los jueces del tribunal Legal Aid / Pro Bono Lawyer Defensor Público Legal Clerk Empleado jurídico / legal Legal remedy Recurso legal Local prison rules Reglas carcelarias Local State Court Tribunal Penal
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Major offence Delito mayor Malnutrition Desnutrición Marital Visit Visita conyugal Minimal (guilt) Culpabilidad mínima Ministry of Justice Corte Suprema de Justicia Minor offence Delito mínimo Misdemeanour Falta / mala conducta Mistreatment/ Torture Maltrato / tortura Money earned in prison Dinero ganado en prisión Notary Notaría Officer of the Court Funcionario de la Corte/Juzgado Opposition Oposición Out-of-court settlement Resolución Parole (conditional release) Libertad condicional Pay off debts Pagar deudas Penal order Reglamento penal Penal proceeding Trámite/procedimiento penal Penitentiary system Sistema penitenciario / carcelario Permanent (indefinite) detention Detención en firme Permit, entitlement Permiso / calificado / acreditado Personal money in prison Dinero personal Physical examination Exámen físico Plaintiff Demandante Police Headquarters Intendencia General de Policía Police Officer Oficial de Policía Power of Attorney Poder legal Preliminary detention Aprehensión Presiding Judge Juez dirigente Presumption of innocence Se presume inocente Preventive detention Prisión preventiva Prison Prisión / cárcel / centro carcelario Prison administration Administración carcelaria Prison Assessment Unit Departamento de Diagnóstico y Evaluación Prison court Comitiva de la prisión Prison Director Director de la prisión / centro de rehabilitación
social Prison house rules Reglamento interno de la prisión Prison rules regarding supervised visit Reglas de la prisión referente a las visitas
supervisadas Prison Warden Guía/guardia penitenciario / guardia carcelario Prisoners Presos / internos (inmates) Private prosecution Enjuiciamiento privado Procedural complaint Denuncia procesal Proceedings Proceso legal Proof of evidence Pruebas de evidencia Prosecution Enjuiciamiento/ procesamiento Prosecutor (Public) Fiscal Provision Suministro Public Prosecutor’s Office Fiscalía Punishment cell Celda de castigo (calabozo) Raids Requisas Register (in State) Registro / matrícula
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Rehabilitation Rehabilitación Release Salir en libertad Release order Boleta de libertad / boleta de excarcelación Remand (sending a person accused of an alleged offence into custody to await trial)
Detención provisional
Remand prison CDP (centro de detención provisional) Remedy of appeal Recurso de apelación Remission Perdón / absolución Repatriation Repatriación / traslado Representative of the Local Authority Representante de la autoridad local Riot Motín / disturbio / alboroto Riot squad Grupo de amotinamiento Roll call Tomar lista (in the morning and at night) Security Seguridad Small Police Station Jefatura de policía Social Worker Trabajador(a) Social State officials including prison Warders Trabajadores públicos, incluyendo guardias /
guías penitenciarios Statute of Judicial Organisation Estatuto / Decreto / Reglamento de una
organización judicial / legal Stomach bugs Infección estomacal Strike Huelga / paro Sufficient suspicion Suficientes pruebas (fundamentos de
imputación) Surety (money required for a remand prisoner to be released on bail)
Fianza
Suspended sentence Sentencia suspendida Temporary detention Detención temporal The accused El Acusado To buy Comprar To change money Cambiar dinero To deport Deportar To file an application Archivar el expendiente Transfer Agreement (Strasbourg Convention)
“Convenio de Traslado de Personas Condenadas” - Convención de Estrasburgo (repatriación)
Transfer to another prison Traslado a otra prisión Treason Alta traición Valid or legal Válido o legal Visit permit Permiso para visita Warden Guardia (guía) Wing Pabellón Alphabet Sounds Like
A,a A B,b Be C,c Ce D,d De E,e E
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F,f Efe G,g Ge H,h Ache I, I I J, j Jota L,l Ele M,m Eme N, n Ene O,o O P, p Pe Q,q Qu R, r Ere S, s Ese T, t Te U,u U V,v Ve X,x Equis Z,z Zeta K,k Ka W,Y Doble Ve, Ye
Useful words
1 Uno 2 Dos 3 Tres 4 Cuatro 5 Cinco 6 Seis 7 Siete 8 Ocho 9 Nueve 10 Diez 11 Once 12 Doce 13 Trece 14 Catorce 15 Quince 16 Dieciseis 17 Diecisiete 18 Dieciocho 19 Diecinueve 20 Veinte 30 Treinta 40 Cuarenta
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50 Cincuenta 60 Sesenta 70 Setenta 80 Ochenta 90 Noventa 100 Cien 1000 Mil
Slang/other words
Food Comida Apple Manzana Banana Banana Plátano/ Guineo Beans Frijol Biscuits Galletas Bread Pan Cake Pastel Chicken Pollo Coffee Café Drink Beber- Tomar Eat Comer Egg Huevo Fruit Fruta Hungry Ambriento Juice Jugo Meat Carne Milk Leche Omelette Huevos Revueltos Pancake Pancake Rice Arroz Sausage Salchicha Sugar Azúcar Sweet Dulce/ caramel Vegetables Vegetales Water Agua
Cutlery Cubiertos Cup Taza Fork Tenedor Knife Cuchillo Plate Plato Spoon Cuchara Good Morning Buenos días Good Afternoon Buenas tardes Good Night Buenas noches
25
Day Día Week Semana Month Mes Monthy Mensual Year Año
Today Hoy Tomorrow Mañana Tonight Esta noche
Sunday Domingo Monday Lunes Tuesday Martes Wednesday Miércoles Thursday Jueves Friday Viernes Saturday Sábado Spring Primavera Summer Verano Autumn Otoño Winter Invierno
Baby Bebé Boy Niño Child Muchacho Chico/ patojo Father Papá Girl Niña Husband Esposo Man Hombre Money Dinero Plata Mother Mamá Wife Esposa Woman Mujer He El I Yo Me Yo My Mio Yours Tuyo, vuestro Her De ella His De él
26
Their De ellos Them Ellos You Tú Yours Tuyo , vuestro
Borrow Pedir prestado Close Cerrar Closed Cerrado Come Venir Debt Deuda Door Puerta Give Dar Here Aqui Indoors Dentro de Casa Inside Dentro Open Abrir Outside Afuera, exterior Run Correr Stand Posición, puesto Stay Quedarse Stop Detenerse Pare Turn Vuelta Walk Caminar
Head Cabeza Hair Cabello Pelo Eye Ojo Eyes Ojos Eyeball Globo Ocular Eyebrow Ceja Eyelash Pestaña Eyelid Párpado Nose Nariz Nostril Fosa nasal Ear Oido Oreja Hearing Escuchando Mouth Boca
First Primero Second Segundo Third Tercero Fourth Cuarto Fifth Quinto
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Sixth Sexto Seventh Séptimo Eight Octavo Ninth Noveno Tenth Décimo
Half Mitad Medio In half En la mitad
After Después Before Antes Later Luego Más tarde Now Ahora
Climate Clima Cold Frio Heat Calor Hot Caliente Rain Lluvia Shade Sombra Sun Sol Sunshine Luz solar Weather Tiempo Wind Viento
Briefs Ropa interior Clothes Ropa Pullover Chumpa Suéter Shirt Camisa Shorts Bermuda Shorts Socks Medias Calcetines Trousers Pantalones "T" Shirt Camiseta
Sandals Sandalias Chanclas / chancletas Shoe Zapato Trainers Zapatillas Tennis / Zapatos deportivos /
Zapatos de caucho
Ashtray Cenicero
28
Book Libro Cigarettes Cigarrillos Cigarros Dry Secar Lighter Claro Bien iluminado Pen Lapicero Pencil Lápiz Scissors Tijeras Soap Jabón Soap powder Jabón en polvo Wash Lavar Wash hand Lavador Lava manos Washing Lavado Lavando Wet Húmedo
Bucket Balde Scrubbing Brush Escoba de Fregar Shower Ducha Toothbrush Cepillo de dientes Toothpaste Pasta dental Pasta de dientes / Dentífrico Towel Toalla Dream Sueño Rest Descanso Sleep Dormir Sleepy Cansado Somnoliento Wake Despertarse
Bed Cama Bed Sheet Sábana Blanket Cobija Mattress Colchón Pillow Almohada
29
Annexes Annex 1: List of English-Speaking Lawyers
List of lawyers in Honduras
Prepared by British Embassy/Consulate Guatemala City
www.gov.uk
The following list of lawyers has been prepared by the British Embassy in Guatemala City for the convenience of British Nationals who may require legal advice and assistance in Honduras. It is provided on the understanding that we, the British Embassy do not assume or undertake any legal responsibility, to you, or those affected, if you choose to take it into account when instructing a local lawyer. Further and alternatively, we cannot accept any liability to any person or company for any financial loss or damage arising from the use of this information or from any failure to give information. Our aim is to provide our customers with as much relevant information to enable them to make better informed decisions but our lists are not recommendations and should not be treated as such.
List of lawyers in Honduras Updated: 12/05/2015 This list is in alphabetical order
Lic. Angel Ramon Mena Baide Lic Ricardo Mena Pineda Bufete Mena Baide Edificio Perez Estrada 3er Nivel 10 Avenida, 5 Calle Barrio Epenque San Pedro Sula, Honduras Tel. 2550-1554 2550-3600 Mobile. (504) 3394-7840 Email. [email protected] This company has told us the following things:
• they have English speaking staff • they are affiliated to Corte Suprema de Justicia • specialisations are in Labour, Criminal, Mercantile • they have they can provide legal aid • They don’t have experience representing British nationals • they cannot provide pro bono service • staff speak English, Spanish • they cover Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula • don’t have international offices
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Bufete Casco Lopez Abog. Daniel Casco Lopez Abog. Leonardo Casco Fortin Lic. Ricardo Casco Fortin Col. Reforma CII Principal No. 2402 Tegucigalpa, Honduras Tel. (504) 2237-6577 / 2238-6459 Fax. (504) 2238-3361 Email. [email protected] [email protected] This company has told us the following things:
• they have English speaking staff • they are affiliated to Corte Suprema de Justicia • specialisations are in General, Corporate, Business Law • they have experience of representing British nationals • they can provide legal aid • they cannot offer a Pro Bono service • staff speak English, Spanish • they cover whole country of Honduras • they don’t have international offices
Carlos Lopez Contreras Angelica Lagos Col. Tepeyac Calle Yoro Casa 2403, despues de la COEP Tel. (504) 2231-1893 / 2232-6502 Fax. (504) 2232-6502 Email. [email protected] Email. [email protected] This company has told us the following things:
• they have English speaking staff • they are affiliated to Corte Suprema de Justicia • specialisations are in International rights • they don’t experience representing British nationals • they can provide legal aid • they cannot offer a Pro Bono service • staff speak English, Spanish • they cover whole country of Honduras • don’t have international offices
31
Edgardo Dumas Castillo Colonia Moderna 1a. Calle Boulevard Los Proceres Entre 20 y 21 Avenida Casa 112 B San Pedro Sula, Honduras Tel. (504) 2550-2337 Fax. (504) 2550-6145 Email. [email protected] [email protected] This company has told us the following things:
• they have English speaking staff • they are affiliated to Corte Suprema de Justicia • specialisations are in Labour, Corporate • they have experience of representing British nationals • they can provide legal aid • they cannot offer a Pro Bono service • staff speak English, Spanish • they cover the whole country of Honduras • don’t have international offices
Jose Ramón Paz Consortium Centro America Abogados Colonia La Estancia, Final Boulevad Morazán 1ª. Calle #304 – Torre Consortium I Tegucigalpa, Honduras Tel. (504) 2221-1002 Fax. (504) 2221-0535 Email. [email protected] www.consortiumlegal.com This company has told us the following things:
• they have English speaking staff • they are affiliated to Corte Suprema de Justicia • specialisations are in Mercantile, Civil, Labour mainly, but they cover all areas • they have experience of representing British nationals • they can provide legal aid • they can offer a Pro Bono service • staff speak English, Spanish • they cover the whole country of Honduras • They have international offices • Do you have international offices? Yes, they have international office in all
Central America
32
Leonel Medrano 14 Ave. 8 Calle Noroeste Barrio Los Andes San Pedro Sula Tel. (504) 2552-5902 2552-7039 2553-4589 No Fax Email. [email protected] www.bmi.hn This company has told us the following things:
• they have English speaking staff • they are affiliated to Corte Suprema de Justicia • specialisations are in Mercantile, Civil, Family, Corporate • they have experience of representing British nationals • they can provide legal aid • they cannot offer a Pro Bono service • staff speak English, Spanish • they cover the whole country of Honduras • don’t have international offices
Mario Mejia Cobos 11 Avenida 13Calle Sur Oeste Edificio Solis Barrios Paz Barahona San Pedro Sula, Honduras Tel. (504) 2553-0491 Email. [email protected] This company has told us the following things:
• they have English speaking staff • they are affiliated to Corte Suprema de Justicia • specialisations are in Mercantile, Labour • they have experience of representing British nationals • they can provide legal aid • they cannot offer a Pro Bono service • staff speak English, Spanish • they cover Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula • don’t have international offices
33
Feedback Form for Customers
If you do decide to use any of the lawyers on this list, we would like to hear from you. While there is no obligation on your part to provide feedback on the services you receive, any feedback you can give us is helpful.
Once completed, please return the form to the Embassy by post to 16 Calle 0-55 Zona 10 Edificio Torre Internacional Nivel 11, Guatemala City or by email to [email protected] Thank you for your help.
1. Name of firm: Name of lawyer:
2. Date of contact:
Are any of the details on our list regarding this provider wrong? (e.g. address, telephone number, etc.)
3. What service did you need?
4. Why did you need this service? Please circle the appropriate boxes below: (a) If the service provided English speaking services, how would you rate the standard of English? Excellent Good Average Poor Very Poor (b) How would you rate the professionalism of the staff? Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
(c) How would you rate the overall service received? Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
(d) How would you rate the value for money? Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
5. Do you have any other comments?
We would like to share this information with other customers but if you would prefer it not to be seen by others please tick the box □
34
Annex 2: List of Private Translators/Interpreters
List of translators and interpreters in Honduras
Prepared by British Embassy, Guatemala City
www.gov.uk The following list of translators and interpreters has been prepared by the British Embassy, Guatemala City for the convenience of British Nationals who may require these services and assistance in Honduras. It is provided on the understanding that we the British Embassy/Consulate) do not assume or undertake any legal responsibility, to you, or those affected, if you choose to take it into account when instructing a local translator or interpreter. Further and alternatively, we cannot accept any liability to any person or company for any financial loss or damage arising from the use of this information or from any failure to give information Our aim is to provide our customers with as much relevant information to enable them to make better informed decisions but our lists are not recommendations and should not be treated as such.
List of translators and interpreters in Honduras Updated: 13 May 2015 This list is in alphabetical order.
Feedback provider’s name: Tel. No.: Email: Date:
Leopoldo Arismendy Rodríguez Ardón Residencial la Cañada 1ra Ave. Bloque AC Casa No. 6204 Tegucigalpa, Honduras Tel. (504) 2245-8379 Email. [email protected] [email protected] This company has told us the following things
• specialisations are in Translation English, Spanish • they have experience of representing British nationals • staff speak English • they cover Tegucigalpa
35
Feedback Form for Customers
If you do decide to use any of the translators and interpreters on this list, we would like to hear from you. While there is no obligation on your part to provide feedback on the services you receive, any feedback you can give us is helpful.
Once completed, please return the form to the Embassy by post to 16 Calle 0-55 zona 10, Edificio Torre Internacional Nivel 11, Guatemala City or by email to [email protected] Thank you for your help. 6. Name of firm: Name of
translator/interpreter:
7. Date of contact:
Paul D. Schiftan Tegucigalpa, (did not provide address as the best way to contact is by telephone or email) Tel. (504) 2221-9041 Mobile. (504) 9977-1561 Email: [email protected] This company has told us the following things
• specialisations are in Interpretation and Translation, in English and Spanish • they have experience of representing British nationals • staff speak English • they cover all Honduras
Ricarto Amato KM 5 Carretera El Latillo Teguigalpa, Honduras Tel. (504) 2211-8211 Mobile (504) 9992-0510 Email. [email protected] This company has told us the following things
• specialisations are in Interpretation and Translation, in English and Spanish • they have experience of representing British nationals • staff speak English • they cover all Honduras
36
Are any of the details on our list regarding this provider wrong? (e.g. address, telephone number, etc.)
8. What service did you need?
9. Why did you need this service? Please circle the appropriate boxes below: (a) If the service provided English speaking services, how would you rate the standard of English? Excellent Good Average Poor Very Poor (b) How would you rate the professionalism of the staff? Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
(c) How would you rate the overall service received? Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
(d) How would you rate the value for money? Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
10. Do you have any other comments?
We would like to share this information with other customers but if you would prefer it not to be seen by others please tick the box □
Feedback provider’s name: Tel. No.: Email: Date:
37
Annex 3: FCO leaflet: In prison abroad
AUTHORISATION FORM Prisoners Abroad: Authorisation Form Page 1 of 2 March 2012
89 – 93 Fonthill Road London N4 3JH T +44 20 7561 6820 F + 44 20 7561 6821 email [email protected] www.prisonersabroad.org.uk
Charity Number 1093710
Under the provisions of the 1998 Data Protection Act Prisoners Abroad needs your permission to hold information about you in order to work with you while you are detained.
What information do we collect about you? We collect information when you register with us or make a request for our services. The information we hold about you will include details of your current situation, your alleged offence, any health problems and any other information you provide. We appreciate that some of the information you provide will be of a highly sensitive nature. All information given to us is confidential and will only be shared with any other person or agency where you have given us authorisation to do so. We will only be able to discuss your case with the family members or friends whose names and details you have given to us (please see separate form). How information about you will be used Prisoners Abroad provides our services on the basis of need, so we will collect the information you provide to make an assessment of how we can help you while you are detained overseas and when you return to the UK afterwards. Sometimes we will need to share information about you and talk about your case to other relevant organisations so that together we can work out how to help. Examples of these situations might be: • discussing health problems with the prison authorities where you are detained so we can request suitable treatment on your behalf; • discussing your case with your legal representative so we can update you on any progress; • checking your financial situation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) so we can provide you with a grant; and/or • discussing your transfer with the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) so we can update you on any progress in your application. We have a strict confidentiality policy and will not share any information about you with anyone else unless we have your permission.
Information about your overseas conviction Information about your sentence and conviction is passed on by foreign authorities to the UK completely independently of whether you sign the Prisoners Abroad Authorisation form. Likewise, British citizens will not be able to avoid deportation from the sentencing country by choosing not to sign this form. Access to your information and correction Please contact us if you have any questions about our policy. You may also request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998 We want to make sure that your personal information is accurate and up to date. Please advise us if you change your address or believe any of the other information we hold concerning you is out of date or inaccurate. Registering with Prisoners Abroad If you would like to be in contact with us and continue to receive our services, please read the declaration over the page, fill out the form and sign before sending it back to us. You may withdraw your permission at any time. If you do not sign the form or withdraw permission at a later date, it will affect our ability to work with you in the future. For example, we need to confirm your nationality with the FCO so that they can help us to deliver any financial assistance, so if you do not sign you will not be able to receive any of our grants or services while you are detained. Similarly, we require confirmation of your alleged offence from the FCO in order to work with you when you return to the UK, so if you do not sign the form you will not be able to access our Resettlement service.
Macintosh HD:Users:sigridpineda:Downloads:Prisoners pack for Honduras.docx
AUTHORISATION FORM Your declaration I understand the following: You will hold the information I have provided for the time that I am in receipt of Prisoners Abroad’s charitable services. After this time you will destroy all personal information held about me in accordance with your policy. You will check the information I have provided with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to verify details of my nationality and of my alleged offence. A copy of this form will also be sent to the FCO. You may check further details of my arrest, alleged offence, sentence and detention, and any other relevant information concerning my current situation with the FCO and certain other organisations, or give information about me to them in order to: • make sure the information I provide is accurate • carry out work in connection with your charitable services (e.g. in providing me with services and any grants and advocating on my behalf) These other organisations include prison authorities and social workers where I am detained, my legal representatives and any other organisation that I have authorised to act on my behalf (e.g. Fair Trials International, NOMS). I declare that the information I have given on this form is correct and complete. If I give information that is incorrect or incomplete you may withdraw services. Please complete this part of the form, sign and return it to the address below.
Prisoners Abroad 89 – 93 Fonthill Road London N4 3JH UK T +44 20 7561 6820 F + 44 20 7561 6821 [email protected] www.prisonersabroad.org.uk Charity Number 1093710 Your first name(s): ________________________________ Your surname: ________________________________ Prisoner number: ________________________________ Date of birth (dd/mm/yy): ________________________________ Name of Prison: ________________________________ Prison Address: ________________________________________________________________ Country ________________________________ Are you: (please tick)
Male Female Alleged offence (what have you been accused of?): ________________________________________________________________ Signed:__________________________ Date:___________________________
UNCLASSIFIED
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Annex 6: Prisoners Abroad family contact form
CONTACT WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS Prisoners Abroad 89 – 93 Fonthill Road Finsbury Park London N4 3JH T 020 7561 6820 F 020 7561 6821
email [email protected] www.prisonersabroad.org.uk Charity Number 1093710
Family members often contact Prisoners Abroad to ask us to find out information on behalf of their loved one in prison, to confirm where the person is being held, to check on money transfers, etc. Please write below the names of any family and friends who you would like us to talk to about your case. By signing this form you are giving us your authorisation to discuss your case with them, if they contact us. They should be over 18.
Prisoners Abroad’s strict confidentiality policy means we can only pass information of this kind to your partner / family if you have given us specific permission to do so. We will not share any information with loved ones or anyone else (we cannot even confirm if we are in contact with you) unless you have named them below. You can continue overleaf if you want to name more than two people. Name: Name: Address: Address: Postcode: Postcode: Their Relationship To You Their Relationship To You Prisoners Abroad will:
• Send your relatives initial information about our services (including a newsletter and booklet about ways we help families)
• Share information / speak to them about your case at their / your request • Liaise, where appropriate, with prison authorities / social workers etc. on your family’s
request • Give your loved one the opportunity to receive our newsletter three times a year
Prisoners Abroad will not:
• Phone your family to tell them you are in prison - you should ask the Foreign Office to do this if you cannot.
• Contact them proactively, unless absolutely necessary
I (please print name), ___________________________________hereby agree that Prisoners Abroad can discuss the details of my case, and any other information relating to my personal circumstances, with the members of my family as named above, except where instructed otherwise. Name of Prison: _____________________________________________________________ Country: _________________________________________________________________ Signed: ____________________________________________Date:________________
UNCLASSIFIED
40
Disclaimer This booklet was compiled by the Consular Section, British Embassy Guatemala City. 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 Embassy in Guatemala is not accountable for the information provided in this booklet. Local proceedings are subject to change at any time. Thank you. May 2015
