Support During of Immediately Following an Arrest
If you're present during the arrest of someone you know, care about, or want to support here are a few ways you can provide essential support in that moment.
1 / Give Them Cash
No joke! Giving them a bit ($20-$40) cash to have on their person means they have a bus or taxi ride home after court if there's no one to give them a ride, and maybe even some food. If they aren't released on bail, the money ends up in their prisoner trust account and let's them immediately purchase items from canteen isntead of waiting for a separate deposit to be processed.
2 / Remind Them of Their Rights
Remind them the ONLY information they need to share with police is their name, date of birth, and current address.
3 / Keep Track of Them
Make sure you keep track of them in the system - and let them know you will. This can help ease anxiety and isolation. Ask the arresting officer if they're being held for bail or released on a recognizance, and what station they are being taken to.
4/ Lawyers
If you know a good lawyer, offer to tell them the name in case they want to use private counsel. They only need to remember the name - the police can look up the number. If they say they're going to use that lawyer, give that lawyer a call yourself and let them know the person was arrested and intends to use them, as well as which police division is holding them. It's useful to know the person's legal name and birthday.
5/ Offer Pet/Child Care
If you can, offer pet or child care for the person - or ask them who else to contact for that.
6/ Sureties
Try to find a surety for the individuals, or consider being one yourself, in case it's necessary. Sureties are individuals who promise to supervise someone arrested in order to have them released from detention. Sureties will need to attend bail court, and should be put in touch with duty counsel or private counsel as soon as possible.
7/ Go to Bail Court
If you can, attend the bail hearing in person or online. This will help you keep track of what's happening to the person, but also potentially show support (it's nice to see someone cared enough to come to your bail hearing). If you can drive them home afterwards, or take them out for a hot drink or meal that's always appreciated. You could also bring their favourite comfort snack, in case they're released.
8/ Offer Direct Support
Make concrete offers of support to the person when they're released from court: a homecooked meal, a visit to help clean or debrief, child or pet care to give them a break - anything concrete you can offer yourself. It's important your offers are explicit and within your ability & capacity.Explicit offers show thought, care, and help someone imagine ways they can reeive support. See our "Court Support" section for more information.
9 / Offer Prison Support
If the individual is denied bail or kept in custody, see our "Prisoner Support" Section for more information on how you may be able to support them moving forward.