Most of what you’ll find on DoingTime relates to the prison and probation system in England and Wales, which shares one set of laws, sentencing rules, prison categories and release arrangements, run by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
If your loved one is in custody or under supervision in England or Wales, this is the right starting point. Scotland and Northern Ireland each run their own separate prison, probation and courts systems, with different rules on things like release, licence conditions and parole – if that applies to you, visit our Scotland or Northern Ireland pages instead (find them in the menu above).
Where to go next. Use the menu above, or jump straight to one of the main England & Wales sections:
- ROTL & Early Release
- Probation
- HMIP Annual Report
- Inspections, Complaints and the IMB
- Finding your Friend
- Alphabetic Prison Listing
- Prison Map
Everything else on the site – the general guides on visits, court, legal aid, staying in touch, and life after release – also applies to England & Wales, and is being reviewed section by section to note where Scotland or Northern Ireland differ.