At the core of our work is our vision, mission and values.

Vision

Our vision is of a world where the health, welfare and human rights of British people in prison abroad are protected so that they and their families survive with dignity, face the future with hope and build a positive life on return to the UK. 

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Mission

Our mission is to protect, support and advocate for the health, welfare and human rights of British citizens in prison abroad, easing the isolation and deprivation they and their families experience, protecting them from homelessness and destitution when they are released and return to the UK, and supporting them to integrate so that they desist from crime and have a positive future. 

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About our work

Prisoners Abroad is a human rights and welfare charity providing humanitarian aid, advice and emotional support to people affected by overseas imprisonment. We assist British citizens during their incarceration, when they return to the UK and need access to resettlement services, and we also support their family and friends throughout the trauma.

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.

Prisoners Abroad also helps family members affected by a loved one’s imprisonment by providing one to one support as well as hosting family support groups around the country and arranging overseas visits. Our work extends to a resettlement service that supports those who return back to the UK; 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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Values

We are non-judgmental - we believe everybody deserves to have their human rights and dignity upheld and that no one should be subject to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment. We support British citizens whether convicted or unconvicted, guilty or innocent, regardless of the offence, and solely on the basis of need.

We are inclusive - people affected by overseas imprisonment are at the heart of everything we do. We challenge discrimination, stereotypes and unfairness wherever we see it. We do not do things to people; we work with and alongside them. We treat everyone fairly, so everyone feels welcome and valued.

We are courageous - our founders were courageous when they set the charity up in the 1970’s, and we continue to challenge perceptions towards the people we support. We believe in what we do and stand up for what is right. We never stop believing in a better future for British people in prison overseas and their families, and we are optimistic for their futures.

We are pragmatic - we translate our belief in human rights into practical life-saving actions. We are aspirational in what is possible but honest about what we can and can’t do.

We are responsible - we have a sense of duty in advocating for people when nobody else does. We take a long-term approach and see the bigger picture. We behave ethically, have effective governance, are transparent in how we work and protect people’s privacy. We spend our funds and use our resources responsibly to achieve maximum impact and value for money. We develop trusted and respected partnerships with a range of key stakeholders, and we work with and alongside the UK government, but we are an independent charity.