What is “Remand Period”?
Once a suspect has been arrested and charged with a criminal offence, the period during which the case is being prepared is called the remand period.
What is the difference between “Bail” and “Custodial remand” during the remand period?
Bail
There is a presumption in favour of bail being granted for criminal matters, unless there is good reason not to be. Common reasons for refusing bail are:
- The defendant may fail to turn up for their trial
- The defendant may interfere with witnesses
- The defendant might commit further offences before their trial
Custodial Remand
Custodial remand means spending the remand period in prison.
Visiting a prisoner on custodial remand
These prisoners are allowed more privileges than convicted prisoners, for example they can wear their own clothes and have more frequent visits without a visiting order.
Remand visits must be pre-booked. The times and days for prisoners’ visits vary in each prison. The statutory requirement is 90 minutes visiting time every week and this can be divided into either daily or three days a week.
Sentence
If the Defendant is on bail and receives a custodial sentence, s/he will be taken down to the cells and then conveyed to prison to start serving their sentence.
NOTE:
When the Judge passes sentence s/he can order that any time spent on custodial remand or under certain conditions of bail, for example tagged curfew, can count towards time to be served in prison.
In Prison
Once sentenced, there will be a standard reception procedure when at prison. It will involve queuing, dealing with paperwork and property and having a photo taken.
At reception the prisoner will be provided with a Prison Number, which is the same number if the prisoner was already on remand to sentence or if they change prisons.
Family need to know this number as soon as possible to help book visits and/or to write to the prisoner.
All convicted prisoners are allowed one visit every two weeks and a reception visit within the first month. The length of a visit can vary depending on how busy the day is, but it should be at least half an hour.
Prisoners may need to send out a visiting order for the reception visit or their family may be able to book without one – check directly with the individual prison.
After the first reception visit all visitors will require a visiting order to book their visit. Those serving a short sentence often remain at the prison local to the Court where they appeared. Other prisoners will probably be moved (sometimes a long way from home) according to the security category given on reception.
Assisted Prison Visits Scheme
If your close family is on benefits or a low income they may be eligible for assistance with the travel costs of visiting a prison.
Useful Contacts
1. HM Prison Service website
http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk
2. Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service
20 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB
Tel: 020 7403 4091/9359 Fax: 020 7403 9359
Freephone: 0808 808 3444
Web: www.prisonersfamiliesandfriends.org.uk
Email: info@prisonersfamiliesandfriends.org.uk
3. Prison Advice and Care Trust
Suite 5, City Cloisters
196 Old Street London EC1V 9FR
Phone: 020 7490 3139
Web: www.prisonadvice.org.uk
Email: info@prisonadvice.org.uk
4. Assisted Prison Visits Unit Action For Prisoners’ Families
PO Box 2152
Unit 21 Carlson Court
Birmingham B15 1BR
Tel: 0845 300 1423
Tel: 020 8812 3600
Web: www.actionpf.org.uk
Email: info@actionpf.org.uk
5. Prisoners’ Families Helpline
116 Putney Bridge Road,
London SW15 2NQ
Tel: 0808 808 2003
Fax: 020 8871 0473
www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk
