The first 48 hours in prison
If someone was taken down in court today, this page is for you. Here is what is happening to them right now, why you have not heard anything, and what actually helps.
What is happening to them right now
From the court cells they go by van to a nearby prison, often arriving late in the evening. On arrival they go through reception:
- Checks and paperwork. Their things are logged and stored. They keep very little at first.
- A health check. This is where medication, health problems and drug or alcohol needs should be raised.
- A short first night chat about how they are coping.
- Usually one quick phone call or some free credit to tell someone where they are. If your number is not in their head or the queue is long, this does not always happen on day one.
They spend the first nights on an induction wing. Over the next days they learn how everything works: the The prison phone system. They can only ring numbers that have been checked and approved first, which takes days. Calls cost money from their credit. , how to put in An app is a written request for anything: a visit, a phone number, healthcare. Everything inside starts with an app, and apps take days. , and the The weekly shop. They order snacks, toiletries and phone credit from a list, paid from their prison account. One order a week, with a deadline. . This induction can take a week or more. Most of the scary early silence is just this process grinding through.
Why they have not rung you
Prison phones only ring numbers that have been approved, and approving your number takes days. They also need credit, which needs money in their account. A first call within 1 to 3 days is normal. A week of silence at a busy prison is not unusual, and it does not mean something is wrong.
Five things you can do today
- Keep your phone on and answer unknown numbers. Prison calls show as withheld. They cannot leave a voicemail and you cannot ring back.
- Find out where they are. No word within 48 hours? Use the free Find a Prisoner service. You need their full name and date of birth.
- Get their prisoner number from the first call or letter. It unlocks everything: money, visits, emails.
- Send money with the free official service, Send money to someone in prison. Even £10 makes the first week much easier. It pays for phone credit.
- Write a letter today. Post is slow but needs no approval, and a letter waiting for them matters more than you would think. Write your phone number in it clearly so they can get it approved. Many prisons also take Email a Prisoner messages, which arrive faster.
If you are scared for them
Ring the prison and ask for the Safer Custody team. Tell them about medication, health problems, or any fear of self harm. The prison must act on this, and calls from family genuinely do get people checked on. If you cannot get through, the Prisoners' Families Helpline is free: 0808 808 2003. If you are frightened for their mental health, read worried about their mental health inside.
Another door worth knowing: the prison chaplain. Chaplains see new arrivals in the first days, whatever their faith, and they help people with no faith at all. They can check on someone for you, and they are often the fastest way to pass on urgent family news, like a death or serious illness at home. Ring the prison and ask for the chaplaincy.
The next questions
Once you know they are safe, the next question is nearly always "when will they get out?" Our release date tool gives you an answer in under a minute, including time off for remand. If the sentence is under 4 years, try the tag checker too. And when the calls start and the strange words begin, keep what prison words mean handy.
Common questions
How long before they can phone home?
Usually 1 to 3 days for a first call. New arrivals normally get one short call or some free credit at the start. But their own phone account, with your number approved on it, can take up to a week. Silence in the first days is normal. It very rarely means something is wrong.
How do I find out which prison they went to?
From court, people usually go to the nearest local prison, but not always. If you have not heard within a couple of days, use the free Find a Prisoner service on GOV.UK. You need their full name and date of birth, and they have to agree to their location being shared.
Can I send money straight away?
Yes, through the GOV.UK service called Send money to someone in prison. You need their prisoner number and date of birth, so this usually becomes possible after the first call or letter. Money means phone credit and canteen from week one.
When can I visit?
If they are on remand (still waiting for the case to finish) you can usually visit within days, and you do not need a visiting order. If they are convicted, they must send you a visiting order first, which can take a week or two. You will need ID and their prisoner number to book.
I am scared about their mental health. What do I do?
Ring the prison and ask for the Safer Custody team. Every prison has one and this is exactly what it is for. Tell them your worries and they must check on the person. Inside, there are also Listeners, prisoners trained by Samaritans, available day and night.
Want to know when the rules change?
The release rules change in Autumn 2026. We will email you when it happens. Otherwise just a short update every few months. No spam, ever. Stop any time.
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