Our work in prisons

Samaritans works to support prisoners throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland in a variety of ways:

1. Listener schemes. Samaritans volunteers select and train prisoners to offer confidential emotional support to their fellow inmates.

2. Prisoners can contact Samaritans by telephone. There are a number of different arrangements for prisoners to contact Samaritans by telephone but all prisons should have direct lines to either the local branch or the national number.

3. Correspondence Branch. Where prisoners find it difficult to use the telephone or are uncomfortable with talking face to face with Listeners or Samaritans, they can write to Samaritans at: Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA

4. Where no Listener scheme is in operation, Samaritans volunteers visit the prison to offer face to face support.