For more information

NAT (www.nat.org.uk) is a national charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. The report they wrote in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust, ‘HIV and Hepatitis inUK Prisons: addressing prisoners’ healthcare needs’ and their best-practice framework, ‘Tackling Blood Borne Viruses in Prisons’, are available from their website, along with other useful materials.

The Prison Reform Trust (www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk) works to ensure that prisons in the UK are just, humane and effective. It produces publications on all aspects of prison life which could be useful for prisoners with HIV.  

Nacro provides employment, housing and youth services across England and Wales to give offenders and those at risk of offending the skills, support and motivation they need to change their lives for the better. Find services and a series of leaflets offering advice for ex-offenders at www.nacro.org.uk.  Nacro’s Resettlement Plus Helpline can advise ex-offenders, prisoners, their friends and families, and people working with them about disclosing convictions, CRB checks, and finding work, housing and specialist advice services. Phone 020 7840 6464 or email helpline@nacro.org.uk (the helpline is open 9-5, Mon-Fri).

Clinks (www.clinks.org) is an organisation created to strengthen partnerships between voluntary and community-based organisations and the Prison and Probation Services in England and Wales.

Positively UK (www.positivelyuk.org) is a national charity providing peer support for people living with HIV, including prisoners. You can contact their helpline on 020 7713 0222. Their report HIV Behind Bars outlines their work in prisons.

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) issued National guidance on commissioning sexual health and blood borne virus services in prisons in 2011. (www.bashh.org)

Staffordshire Buddies (www.staffordshirebuddies.co.uk) provide trained volunteers who offer individual help and support in the community to people living with HIV, including local prisoners.

Prisoners’ Advice Service (www.prisonersadvice.org.uk) provides free and confidential legal advice to adult prisoners in England and Wales. Their website features factsheets on subjects useful to HIV-positive prisoners, such as transfers and making a complaint.

Bridging the Gap (www.btguk.org) is a charity that aims to reduce reoffending by helping discharged prisoners settle into the community after release. Bridging the Gap offers advice and support on benefits, accommodation, training and job hunting.

The Foundation Training Company (www.ftctraining.org) is a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in crime reduction through resettlement and reintegration of offenders. Staff work with prisons to offer advice and guidance to prisoners about opportunities after release.

Tomorrow’s People (www.tomorrows-people.org.uk) support hard-to-reach groups, including ex-offenders, to get into employment. Services include debt counselling, confidence training and CV writing.

Action for Prisoners' Families (www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk) work to reduce the negative impact of imprisonment on prisoners’ families. As well as lobbying for better conditions in prison they provide advice, training and support.

Women in Prison (www.womeninprison.org.uk) offer support for female offenders and ex-offenders. They offer advice on housing, education, mental health, legal rights, work, benefits, debt, domestic violence and more.