Political Prisoner Letter Writing Guide
There are currently 19 UK political prisoners for Palestine beind held across Britian. Their only “crime” is taking direct action against Israel’s arms trade in Britain, and the genocide happening in Gaza. Some of them are subjected to arbitrary restrictions, and degrading treatment. Their visitation rights are restricted, and mail is being withheld from them.
Writing to prisoners is a very important part of prisoner support. It is a way to show your solidarity, as well as vital to building strong movements in which we take care of each other. Also, contact with the outside is essential to helping overcome the feelings of isolation a prisoner will experience, especially if they have just been locked up and are having to adjust to new surroundings and the intimidating features of their new daily life. – Brighton ABC
Letter writing may seem like a small act, but it can have a big impact – for everyone involved. Not only do letters provide an important form of connection, but when prisoners receive mail, it is a message to them that they have support and are not forgotten. Likewise, writing may have a big impact on you – it may change the way you think about prisoners, it may challenge assumptions you have, and you may learn important things about yourself in the process. – Bent Bars Project
There are 10,200 Palestinian political prisoners held in Israel. There are 270 child political prisoners. 3,443 prisoners are in administrative detention – held without trial, without having committed an offence, and without time limit. Prisoners are subjected torture and other ill-treatment. They are deprived of adequate medical care. They are held in isolation and in solitary confinement. Since October 7 2023 at least six prisoners have died in unclear circumstances.
One of the most powerful forms of resistance has been the hunger strike. Palestinian prisoners have used hunger strikes for decades to demand basic rights. These hunger strikes have inspired the whole world and shown even when someone is locked away, their spirit can still challenge injustice. On 2 May 2023 Khader Adnan died after an 87-day hunger strike protesting his detention without trial.
When we support political prisoners in the UK, we join the same tradition of solidarity. We connect our struggles, we honour their history, and we stand with everyone who has sacrificed for justice. This history reminds us that prisons cannot take away dignity, not when people refuse to be silent, and not when communities like ours continue to stand beside them. – FOA
Links to further information, statements, additional addresses and guides:
Writing a Letter (general guidance)
Don’t write anything that could incriminate you or the other person e.g. anything related to the specific charge they are facing, or a message like ‘well done’. Other political prisoners have faced negative treatment when such messages have been written. Prison staff will read all correspondence before passing the letter on to the person it is meant for.
Do share your support and solidarity for them, and your hope for the future. It’s great to include messages that offer strength and comfort to the person. Let them know they are not alone. You can include poems, quotes or reflective verses that offer you comfort or strength.
Keep it simple: Letters of support don’t need to be long or complicated – often a simple message of support, a short postcard, or a drawing is perfect. Just the act of writing sends a powerful message to the person and to the prison holding them. Think about what you want the person receiving your letter to feel – strength, hope, lifted spirits?
Handwritten letters are the best way to make a personal connection. We recommend plain paper, and just writing or drawing, no stickers, no collage, to increase the chances of the letter getting through.
All letters will be photocopied before being passed to the prisoners so use black/blue ink to write the main bulk of the letter.
Do not include your full name or address on the letter. Include your first name to make it personal. It can be made up if you prefer.
Publically available addresses
Kamran Ahmed – A9280FE – HMP Pentoville, Caledonian Rd, London N7 8TT
A beloved son, brother, carer, and political prisoner. Kamran, a quiet young man from East
London. Before his unjust arrest and imprisonment, Kamran was the sole carer for his elderly and frail parents who now struggle daily without his support. Their lives have been turned upside down, and they miss their son dearly. Kamran was not only a devoted son but also a pillar of his local community. As the neighbourhood mechanic, he helped friends, family, and even strangers with their vehicles, only accepting very little payment for his time. His generosity, humility, and willingness to help others made him loved and respected by all who knew him. His absence has left a deep void in both his family and his wider community.
Teuta Hoxha – A9261FE – HMP Petersborough, Saville Rd, Westwood, Peterborough, PE3 7PD
T recently found a sticker that sums her up: Sarcasm, it’s how I
Hug! Currently re-reading Mansoor Adayfi’s memoir Don’t Forget Us Here which she recommends to everyone. Likes to read about most things except nature – learnt to knit in prison.
Heba Muraisi – A9275FE – HMP New Hall, New Hall Way, Flockton, Wakefield, WF4 4AX
Heba is a young Yemeni woman from London and current political prisoner for Palestine. Resistance and solidarity are in her blood; her grandfather was a freedom fighter in Yemen. Heba also has family in Gaza who she hasn’t heard from since December 2023 when they were making the journey to Rafah. Before being ripped away from her community and unjustly imprisoned, Heba cared for her disabled mother, and she continues to support her from prison.
Umer Khalid – A4415FH – HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0AE
Umer was on hunger strike for 12 days in December 2025, from 4th to 16th December. Despite state persecution and isolation, Umer remains defiant, reminding us of our duty to act: “We must now continue to crush the protective skull of Zionism, which is the UK’s political and military support, under the weight of our collective mobilisation and action”.
He asks us, “Are you on the outside afraid of consequences when this life is so short? So let them keep us here as long as they want, because you can’t imprison resistance and you can’t kill a revolution. Liberation is a promise and victory is coming insha’Allah.”
Jon Cink – A1063FH – HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Rd, Ashford, TW15 3JZ
“We know first hand that repression does make the ground in which resistance grows more fertile. But we also know that to resist is to act. And action is always a choice, not a consequence that we can merely anticipate… Everyday [is] a new opportunity for defiance!”
Qesser Zuhrah – A9259FE – HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Rd, Ashford, TW15 3JZ
Qesser has been incarcerated as a Filton24 political prisoner for almost a year. She was raided at dawn in mid-November 2024 when she was just 19 years old. Qesser is an undergrad UCL social science student who loves history, politics and is unwavering in her commitment to global liberation. She enjoys reading and writing poetry, political analysis and historical books such as One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El-Akkad, Perfect Victims by Mohammed El-Kurd, I Saw Ramallah and Greater than The Sum of Our Parts by Nada Elia. She also has a great sense of humor.
Amu Gib – A1064FH – HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Rd, Ashford, TW15 3JZ
Amu reflects on their time in prison in a recorded message on their 30th birthday. Their first words are, “It’s not my birthday, it’s the 707th day of a genocide against Palestine.”
“Maybe I do have one wish,” they say, “that every year of my life will act as a handful of sand in the gears of this imperialist killing machine. And that we live to see the day it eventually, inevitably, grinds to a halt. Free Palestine.”
Lewie Chiaramello – A1123FH – HMP Bristol, Cambridge Rd, Bristol, BS7 8PS
On 24th November, Lewie joined the hunger strike on alternate days, despite being type 1 diabetic.
Yulia Brigadirova – A9276FE – HMP Styal, Styal Rd, Wilmslow SK9 4HR
“For everything that Yulia cares about, she gives her all. When she is home, she is regularly raising money for Trans Mutual Aid Manchester by making bracelets, and proactively supporting fellow renters and workers in our precarious world. She loves her closest ones fiercely and will go to any length to protect them. She cares about all animals, and would never kill a spider. She likes to read, from Terry Pratchett to Shon Faye. She gets a glint in her eyes when, in her trademark furry hat, she wanders through the snow that she grew up with. In the spring she takes joy in the blossom trees and the daffodils.”
Moiz Ibrahim – A2826FH – HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Rd, Lewes BN7 1EA
Moiz is a Sudanese member of our community who has been engaged in community work for years, standing in solidarity with Palestinian, Sudanese and all oppressed people’s struggles.
Please note, whilst the addresses for Ellie, Sam, Lottie, Fatema Zainab, Jordan and Zoe are available, we do not recommend writing to them as their trial is ongoing and it is unlikely they will receive letters at this time.
If you would like to write to someone who’s address is not publically available, use Rebels in Prisons Shareable Contact Details
Organising a letter writing event
Planning
Find a Venue
Consider cafes, pubs, libraries, community centres, radical bookshops, etc. Your council website will usually have a searchable directory of various halls for hire, some of them may be very affordable, but they may also be reluctant to host anything “political”. Venues which host other Palestine-related events are your best chance. Enquire at multiple venues and well in advance.
You can also host a private session amongst friends and families at home or in public spaces.
Publicise your event
Share information about your event on social media. Share it with other local groups organising for Palestine in your area. Your venue may share it on their social media, and may also allow you to advertise it on site.
Canva is a free tool you can use to create an image and Outsavvy is a free ticketing tool (you do not have to ticket your event).
Get supplies
You will need paper, pens, envelopes*, and stamps*. Regular 2nd class stamps are sufficient – not large letter. Letters are usually scanned before being sent to prisoners, and therefore black and blue pens on white paper are recommended.
For making postcards you will need felt tip pens or coloured pencils, and blank postcards. You can get those in stationery shops and online – search “A6 blank postcards”.
*Please note: If you are using e-mates to send your letters, you do not need envelopes or stamps.
On the day
Lay out pens and paper on the tables.
Display the following information: profiles of UK prisoners for Palestine, information about Palestinian prisoners, Do’s and Don’t for letter writing, some inspiration for postcard making. This information can be printed and shared or you can also link to this guide to save on printing.
You may choose to start and end the event with grounding exercises and shared reflections. Discuss the long tradition of letter writing and consider why it is important to each of you to continue this powerful act.
Some suggested prompts:
- What does solidarity mean to you personally?
- How can ordinary people show courage in the face of injustice?
- Why is it important to connect the struggles happening here in the UK with those happening in Palestine?
- What kind of world are we fighting for, and what will it take to get there?
- What keeps you motivated to stand up for justice, even when progress feels slow?
- How can we make sure our solidarity continues beyond today?
- How can our communities support families of political prisoners more actively?
More prompts can be found in the FOA Guide.
If you are using E-mates to post – encourage people to write one letter one one paper (single sided) for easier processing.
You can provide a donation tin on the day to cover postage (if any money is leftover, use it to replenish your stock for your next event or donate it to Rebels in Prisons Solidarity Fundraiser.
Count and take photos of all letters you send for future reference. Letters have been arbitrarily delayed or withheld from the prisoners in the past so it’s good to keep track.
Sending Letters
You can send the letters in two ways.
1. Post
Put the address on an envelope using this format:
Prisoner’s Name
Prisoner’s Number
Name of Prison
Prison Address (including City and Post Code)
If you would like them to have the opportunity to write back, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
2. E-mate
This is a prisoner emailing system. You top-up to send letters. Letters can be typed out and/or you can also scan your hand written letters. Please note: PDFs cannot be attached, only images (e.g. JPEG). But free software exists to save PDFs to images.
eMates – the hassle free way to keep in touch
You first register them as someone you would like to send a letter to and then you can write them a letter. It is also possible to tick a box that allows them to reply (you will be charged for this)
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Parents for Palestine for the guidance and support they have provided.
We note that prisoner information is regularly changing and will endeavor to keep this guide up to date. If you notice any of this information is incorrect, please get in-touch.