This piece was written by Brandon for our most recent overseas newsletter. He shares some advice on what to expect when back in the UK, which we thought you might like to read as it gives an interesting perspective on the initial period after deportation.

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I have written several articles for Prisoners Abroad about my resettlement and how extremely beneficial their support can be during this time. This time, I’d like to share with you my experience of first arriving in London and what you can expect.

Prisoners Abroad will give you details of and directions to your emergency accommodation. You will more than likely will be staying at a number of different locations while the resettlement team sort out a permanent housing solution for you and this will feel like a slow and frustrating process, but in the grand scheme of things it’s fast.

You may be anxious to stop living out of a suitcase and get on to your permanent housing but I will encourage you to try and enjoy your moving around London and to take the time to acclimatise yourself to London and the outside world again. During this time, you will get used to the city and will see and experience new things.

For example, I had no clue as to the British underground tube system nor the bus system. I was very intimidated to the point where I started to suffer from anxiety, so when my resettlement officer told me to take the tube up to their office, I freaked out.

But they were able to walk me through it over the phone and I hopped on following their instructions and found my way all by myself. I was so proud of myself.

Next, I had to find the Prisoners Abroad office from the tube station. Well, when I went into prison, Google Maps wasn’t a thing. Once again, my resettlement officer had me pull up the app whilst on the phone, explained how it worked and I was able to find my way.

As you are moved between different accommodation, you have to find your own way. Of course, your resettlement officer will give you directions, but when you are actually on the road walking it’s a different business. Pretty soon, though, a strange thing happens. Because of your sense of achievement, overcoming all these little obstacles, you start to feel like you belong again. You start to feel like you are part of all this now and mentally you get a big boost.

Even better, because you have been moving to different parts of London, you start to get to know the bus route, the tube, little places to get stuff, and so much more.

You also meet people at your accommodation and you start learning even more. You might meet some nice people and the next thing you know, you are up and down going with them to places and free events you knew nothing about.

Within two months I promise you, you’re a regular Londoner moving around like you were always here. The ugly prison thing, it becomes just a bad memory. So when you get here guys, don’t get frustrated with the situation while you’re waiting for your own place. Cherish it, because strangely enough when it’s over and you’re in your own place, yes that’s ideal, but you will miss the little adventure of moving around, meeting people and getting to know new places.

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Offering a guiding hand

Prisoners Abroad supports people who return to the UK after prison; we find them somewhere to stay, provide grants for food and travel, and help them take the vital steps to a new life.

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