Hello all,

I have seen some questions about this previously, both on this site and others, so thought I'd share this information which I hope will be useful to you.

HM Prison & Probation Service have launched a Prisoner ID & Banking Programme (which has been active for just over a year now, I think) that is now available in over 80% of UK prisons. I myself used this programme around six months ago in order to setup a Bank Account ready for my release from prison, which happened about two months ago.

Prisoner ID and Banking programmes – New Futures Network 

This scheme is relatively easy for the prisoner to do - it involves filling out a few forms which then get sent onto the "Prisoner Banking Lead" in their prison (usually a senior member of staff), who provides written confirmation to the Bank of the prisoner's identification, at which point the Bank will open a Basic Bank Account for the prisoner.

A few things to note:

- Prisoners are only permitted to use this service if they don't have an existing Bank Account
- Banks will only offer their "Basic" versions of their products to prisoners
- Most prisons will only allow prisoners to apply for an account via the program in the last six months of their sentence


Generally, the prisoner needs to initiate the process of applying for the Bank Account by submitting a General Application to the Resettlement Team in their prison. Someone will then get in touch with them, giving them the forms (and hopefully offering to support them in completing them) before finalising their application. Please note it can take upto eight weeks for the application to be processed by the bank.

Hope this helps!