BEST, Supporting Foreign Nationals in HMP Wandsworth

BEST is a voluntary organisation dedicated to visiting foreign nationals in HM Prison Wandsworth, South London. It was founded in 1996 to support people held in detention centres or in prison who were seeking sanctuary and required befriending and support. We focus on this group because they are particularly vulnerable and often have to cope with serious difficulties and anxieties without support from friends, relatives or having anyone to talk to.

We visit everyone in this category who requests a BEST visit for as long as they want our visits to continue. Where possible we also try to support detainees after their release from prison.

We liaise closely with other organisations working with foreign prisoners and detainees and, where suitable, refer cases to colleagues specialising in associated areas such as law, health care, housing etc., as required.