Key Words

App

An app is an application form used by prisoners in England and Wales to make requests within the prison.  These can range from applications for jobs or courses, transfer to another prison or access to other services such as medical appointments

Arrest

Being taken into custody (police station or prison) because of suspected involvement in a crime.

Appeal

A legal process in which someone who is found guilty of a crime is seeking a re-evaluation of the verdict or of the sentence they received. In some countries, refusal of bail can also be appealed.

Bail

A legal arrangement allowing for the person’s release from custody while they await trail. Bail may only be granted if certain conditions are met, such as paying a security/bond to ensure that the accused will appear in court for their trial. It is often refused to foreigners as they are deemed to be a flight risk.

Commissary/Canteen

This refers to the in-prison shop to which prisoners have access, to enable them to purchase items such as food and toiletries.

Conditional release

When a prisoner is released from prison before the full sentence has been completed. For example, if a person is sentenced to three years and gets out after two years. It is usually granted for good behaviour or demonstration of rehabilitation and there are generally conditions attached such as curfews or mandatory meetings to attend. It is called different things in different countries and not all countries have it.

Consulate

A consulate is a smaller diplomatic mission than an embassy but offers the same service and exists either where an embassy has not been established or in conjunction with the official embassy (for example, there is an Irish Consulate General of Ireland Boston as well as the Embassy of Ireland, Washington.

Embassy

The main official governmental representation of a country abroad (for example the Irish Embassy in Paris, France). It represents the country’s interests and its citizens abroad. It has similar functions to a consulate in addition to dealing with the official diplomatic relationship between the two countries. For a full list of Irish Embassies and consulates visit – https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies/

Expulsion

Removing someone from a country as a form of punishment for a crime they have committed.

Extradition

The transfer of a person from one legal jurisdiction to another, usually because the person is suspected of or has been charged with a crime that is directly linked to a different state or country than the one they were arrested in.

Deportation

A process whereby a person is required to leave a country by its courts or the government and is sent back to their home country (for example, deporting an Irish citizen from the United States and sending them back to Ireland). It is usually because they have broken the law or have no legal right to be in the country, such as if their visa has expired.

Isolation (solitary confinement, box, special housing unit/SHU)

When a prisoner is kept in a cell where they have little to no contact with other people. This could happen for the protection of the prisoner or the protection of other prisoners. Isolation can also be used as a form of punishment for prisoners.

Lawyer

A legal professional that can represent a person or a party in a court of law. They are also qualified to give legal advice.

PIN

In prisons in England and Wales, prisoners are given a Personal Identification Number (PIN) which they must use when they want to make a phone call.  Prisoners must have money in their PIN account in order to make a call.

Probation/parole

Probation is when an offender is allowed to live within their community instead of or after a certain time in prison. There are conditions that must be respected such as not committing any other crimes and meetings with probation officers.

Remand

When a person is kept in custody or on bail until the date of their trial. If the person is thought to be at risk of reoffending or dangerous to others they will be kept in custody as opposed to on bail. Depending on the country and the offence the person is charged with, people may be remanded for months or sometimes a year or two before going to trial.

Repatriation

The transfer of a sentenced prisoner from one country to serve their remaining sentence in another country. Prisoners are generally only transferred to a country where they hold citizenship or residency.

Safer Custody

The Safer Custody team in prisons in England and Wales are responsible for identifying and supporting prisoners who are at risk of harm to themselves or others or who are at risk of harm from others.  Prisoners can ask to speak to the Safer Custody team and families or others who are concerned for a prisoner’s safety can inform the Safer Custody team of their concerns.

Solicitor

A legal representative (similar to a lawyer) who can offer legal advice and perform legal services such as drawing up contracts or appearing in court.

Trial

A legal process where a person is tried for a crime that was committed. The aim is to determine whether the person is guilty of the offence(s). The guilt is determined by a judge or jury by assessing evidence and accounts presented to the court. It is a formal and sometimes lengthy process.