News and Media Blogs People-focused values By Kate Lill, trustee of Prisoners Abroad Kate joined our board of trustees in April 2024, having previously worked for Prisoners Abroad as a Human Rights Advisor in the early 2010s. For International Volunteer Day on 5th December, we thought you might like to read this piece from her, which perfectly sums up the values of our community and the impact we can all have as individuals. I grew up in a household where we were encouraged to be empathetic to all and help those less fortunate. It is, perhaps, therefore not surprising that I ended up with a career supporting vulnerable people. Prisoners are one of the most marginalised groups in society, who many believe deserve no support, but in fact require the most, and without charitable provisions provided by the likes of Prisoners Abroad, they have none. In September 2011, I joined Prisoners Abroad as their Human Rights Adviser. I had not heard of the organisation before I saw the advertised position, but I was instantly drawn to their purpose. I was excited at the possibility of working for an organisation where everyone shared the same people-focused values, without judgement, and I could make a real difference. In my three years at Prisoners Abroad, I witnessed first-hand how vital the support they provide to those detained overseas and their family and friends is, such as grants for life-saving medical supplies, vitamins and clean drinking water; reading materials to reduce isolation; advice on how a legal system works; or just a friendly ear to listen. And the support doesn’t stop there. Prisoners Abroad continues to assist those who are released and returning to the UK, often after many years in prison, who may not have local connections, including family. Not only do they deliver this practical support, but they always do it with compassion and a shoulder to lean on. Prisoners Abroad are the only charity that do this work, and without them, British nationals would be considerably worse off. Ten years later, I am now on the Board of Trustees. Having spent those years working for another charity who represent prisoners in the UK, I have realised that legal representation alone is not enough. People in prison require holistic support and this is where Prisoners Abroad is unique. You cannot underestimate what appear to be smaller offerings - yet are not. I have just finished writing Christmas cards that will be sent out to British nationals across the world. Having worked in the criminal justice system for over 15 years, I am only too aware of how awful prison is, wherever you are in the world, but the isolation, anxiety and despair is exacerbated when overseas, and even more so at this time of year. Something as small as a card shows that person that they have not been forgotten and gives them hope for the future, something I was told frequently when I visited service users in prisons abroad. This is vitally important when many cannot see an end to their suffering. I’ve now been a trustee for over six months, and I can confidently say it has been incredibly rewarding. I wanted to do more than I currently do in my day job and hoped that my experience and knowledge, particularly of criminal justice systems and prisons around the world, could be useful to the charity in some way. I understand the issues affecting service users, which I can use to support the team maintain and develop their strategic aims going forward. I hope that I am living up to my promise. I fundamentally believe that people should not be defined by a mistake or overly punished for the often-impossible circumstances they find themselves in. A deprivation of liberty should be only that; it should not deprive a person the protection of their human rights. Everyone deserves to be treated humanely, equally and given the opportunity to live as healthy and happy a life as they can. Prisoners Abroad provide all of this to their service users, and I am very grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to support them in doing so. What Prisoners Abroad do is invaluable, and I am so pleased that I can play a small part in what they do. Being offered a lifeline can change everything. Prisoners Abroad translates human rights law into practical life-saving actions by providing prisoners access to vitamins and essential food, emergency medical care, freepost envelopes to keep in touch with home and books and magazines to help sustain mental health. Can you help to support our life-saving work by donating today? Donate Manage Cookie Preferences