South Africa: legal and prison systems
Information on legal and detention systems, in South Africa, for British nationals abroad.
Documents
Details
This guidance explains how to:
- arrange visits
- send money to a prisoner
- apply for a transfer to a UK prison
This information is not meant to be definitive, and is not a substitute for independent legal advice. Neither His Majesty’s Government nor its staff take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information, nor accept liability for any loss, costs, damage, or expense that you might suffer as a result of relying on the information. The information contained in this guide is general and factual. You should contact local lawyers for independent legal advice.
Updates to this page
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Includes updated information on visiting prisoners, compassionate leave, prison conditions, bail, release and deportation.
Update history
2026-08-25 12:18
Information reviewed and is up-to-date
2025-07-15 14:56
Includes updated information on visiting prisoners, compassionate leave, prison conditions, bail, release and deportation.
2024-08-15 10:31
As permissible items for sentenced and unsentenced prisoners differs across prisons, updated to advise visitors to contact the prison to get a list of items allowed.Updated to include to whom prisoners can make an application for compassionate leave, however this is not easily obtained.
2023-07-28 12:00
Guidance reviewed – information on visiting and parcel privileges removed. Website for the Department: Correctional Services included for information on visitation processes. Structural and layout changes made to the document.
2022-02-18 09:09
The information in this pack has been updated to reflect the most relevant information provided.