What is debt in prison and how does it work?

When we talk about debt in prison, we mean the debts that prisoners owe to each other. If the prison knows a prisoner is in debt and their safety is at risk, they will take action to keep the prisoner safe.

• Prisoners are not supposed to lend, borrow or trade items between each other, but this does happen and can sometimes result in prisoners owing debts to each other.
• Items that tend to be traded are  things like  vaping materials, prescription medication, clothes, food and other canteen.
• Prisoners who lend these items to others will often expect a lot more in return than was originally borrowed, which can make it difficult to pay the debt back.
• Prisons work hard to keep their prisons safe, but items like illegal drugs and mobile phones are also traded and can result in large debts building up between prisoners. 
• These items are sold by prisoners for much more in prison than they cost outside. People who sell these items in prison are often linked with criminal gangs in the community.
• Once a prisoner is in debt to another prisoner, it can be hard to get out of it, and not paying these debts can have consequences like bullying, blackmail and violence.

If you think someone is in debt you should: 

• Tell the prison straight away by contacting the Safer Custody number (or you can ring our helpline on 0808 808 2003 if you do not know the safer custody number)

Encourage the prisoner to:

• Speak to a staff member about it, so they can help
• Speak to a staff member to ask for help with drug misuse, if you think they are in debt because they are using drugs
• Only use the prison pin phones to make calls. If they have or are using a mobile phone this will be costing them a lot of money and could get them into trouble.

You should NEVER:

• Get involved in trying to pay back a prisoner’s debt for them. This could make the situation worse, and you could get into trouble yourself, both with the police or a criminal gang if they are involved in the debt.
• Transfer money into a prison money account or outside bank account for someone you don’t know, even if the prisoner tells you to. Tell the prison if this happens.

Phone the police and the prison straight away if you are being threatened or blackmailed by someone about a prisoner’s debt. You can also contact our helpline on 0808 808 2003 for further advice if you are concerned about prison related debt.

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Download and print our fact sheet:

Prisoner debt and money PDF