Last reviewed: July 2026
Prison Guide: Your Starting Point for UK Prison Advice
Whether someone you love has just been sentenced, you are trying to work out which prison a family member might be sent to, or you are looking for a plain-English explanation of parole, licence conditions or the 2026 sentencing reforms, this page will point you to the right guide. We write for people who are worried, confused, or simply need clear information quickly – not for lawyers, and not for people who want jargon.
Understanding a sentence
The first thing most families want to know is what a sentence actually means in practice: how long will they really serve, when might they be released, and what is the difference between the headline sentence read out in court and the time actually spent in custody. Our custodial sentence explainer covers determinate, indeterminate and suspended sentences, and our Sentencing Act 2026 guide covers the biggest change to release rules in a generation, including the new earned progression model that came into force on 22 March 2026.
Understanding prison categories
Adult men in England and Wales are held in one of four security categories, A to D, and women are categorised separately as either closed or open conditions. Where someone is sent affects visits, work opportunities and how quickly they can move towards release. Start with our prison categories overview, then read the category-specific guides for Category A, Category B, Category C and Category D (open) prisons.
Staying in contact and sending support
Families ask us constantly about visits, phone calls and sending money. Our guides on prison phone calls and sending money to a prisoner explain exactly how the systems work, what is allowed, and common pitfalls that delay contact.
Release, licence and parole
Most people serving a standard determinate sentence are released automatically at a fixed point in their sentence and serve the rest on licence in the community. A smaller number – mainly those serving life sentences, extended sentences or certain historic indeterminate sentences – must apply to the Parole Board, which independently assesses risk before deciding whether release is safe. Read our guide on why prisoners get parole for a plain-English walkthrough of that process.
| If you need to know… | Start here |
|---|---|
| How long will they actually serve? | Custodial sentences explained |
| What do the 2026 sentencing changes mean? | Sentencing Act 2026 guide |
| Which prison will they be held in? | Prison categories explained |
| How do I call or visit them? | Prison phone calls |
| How do I send money? | Sending money to a prisoner |
| When could they be released? | Parole and release |
- Assuming a sentence length is the same as time actually served – most people are released well before the end of the headline sentence, then serve the rest on licence.
- Confusing being on remand (awaiting trial) with being a convicted, sentenced prisoner – the rules on visits, categorisation and release are different.
- Assuming every prisoner sees the Parole Board – most standard determinate sentences are released automatically with no hearing.
- Believing the 2026 earned progression release point applies to everyone – it excludes people convicted of the most serious offences, such as rape, terrorism and murder.
A note from someone who has been through it
Prisonguide.co.uk was founded by Daniel Hockey, who served a sentence himself, moving from HMP Wandsworth through to open conditions at HMP Ford, and later wrote about the experience in his book The Secret Prisoner (2021). That first-hand experience shapes how we write: we try to explain things the way we wish someone had explained them to us or our families at the time. Read more about Daniel.
Is this an official government website?
No. Prisonguide.co.uk is an independent information site. For official guidance, always check GOV.UK and HM Prison and Probation Service directly, or speak to the establishment, a solicitor, or the Prisoners’ Families Helpline.
Where do I start if someone has just been sentenced?
Read our custodial sentence guide first to understand what type of sentence they have received, then move on to the prison categories guide to understand where they are likely to be held, and the phone calls and visits guides to work out how to stay in touch quickly.
Is the information on this site legal advice?
No. We provide general information, not legal advice. For advice specific to a case, contact a solicitor, the Prisoners’ Advice Service, or the Prison Reform Trust.
