The Liverpool Prison Visitors Group

We are a group of volunteers concerned with the welfare of foreign nationals in detention. Many of them remain detained, sometimes for years, even after their original sentence has ended.

Our activities are supported by kind donations from individuals and groups from throughout the UK; especially the Society of Friends (Quakers).

What We Do

This varies depending on the needs of the detainee. Most of the work involves assisting detainees finding solicitors and interpreters, if they need them. Most of our works involves securing the release of immigration detainees being held beyond their sentence.

We also facilitate contact with the detainee's family, and aim to see if the detainees are treated well .Our members sometimes accompany the detainees to immigration tribunals and bail hearings. We can make the detainees aware of their rights, and refer them to people who can help them further.

We DO NOT provide legal advice, but act simply as a point of contact for the detainee with the outside world, especially with other people and institutions with legal means to help the detainee. Most of our work however, does involve finding solicitors able to assist immigration detainees.

Whom We Visit

We see any foreign national who requests a visit from us. Because we see foreign nationals seeking asylum, we focus on nationals from countries outside the EU, especially from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Where

For the Liverpool area, we mainly visit detainees at Walton and Altcourse: