Just Released From Police Custody
What to do if you have just been released and you are still in crisis, unsafe, unsupported, confused, or have nowhere safe to go.
Leaving custody can be a high-risk moment. You do not need to sort everything at once. Start with the most urgent thing you need right now.
If You Are Not Safe Right Now
If you might hurt yourself, hurt someone else, or you feel unable to stay safe, this is urgent.
You do not need to explain everything perfectly. This sentence is enough to start:
“I have just been released from police custody and I am not safe right now.”
What Do You Need Most Right Now?
Choose the option that feels closest. You can come back and choose another one afterwards.
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For housing, homelessness, or nowhere safe to stay.
Go to this section → -
For panic, suicidal thoughts, distress, shame, fear, or feeling out of control.
Go to this section → -
For missed medication, withdrawal, injury, physical symptoms, or urgent medical advice.
Go to this section → -
For bail conditions, court dates, paperwork, restrictions, or legal advice.
Go to this section → -
For needing someone with you, someone to call, or somewhere safer to be.
Go to this section → -
For when everything feels too much and you just need a first step.
Go to this section →
I don’t have somewhere safe to go
If you have just been released and do not have somewhere safe to stay, focus on getting to a safer place and contacting housing support.
What You Can Do Right Now
Contact your local council homelessness team
Ask for an emergency homelessness assessment
Go somewhere public and safer while you make calls, such as a hospital, police station, or 24-hour public space
If you feel unsafe, call 999
What You Can Say
“I’ve just been released from custody and I don’t have anywhere safe to stay.”
Who Might Help
NHS 24 if your mental health is also at risk
I’m Still in Crisis or Not Coping
Release does not mean the crisis is over. If you are still distressed, unsafe, panicking, suicidal, or unable to cope, seek support now.
What You Can Do Right Now
Call 111 and ask for urgent mental health support
Ask about your local crisis team
Go to A&E if you feel unable to stay safe
Contact someone you trust and ask them to stay with you
What You Can Say
“I’ve just been released from custody and I’m in mental health crisis.”
Who Might Help
Breathing Space, if you are in Scotland
I Need Medication or Medical Help
Do not wait if this feels urgent, especially if you have missed medication, feel physically unwell, are injured, or may be withdrawing from alcohol or drugs.
What You Can Do Right Now
Call 111
Go to A&E if symptoms are serious
Tell someone if you have missed medication or are withdrawing
This is especially important if:
you have missed medication
you are withdrawing from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other substances
you feel physically unwell
you have injuries
you feel confused, detached, or out of control
What You Can Say
“I need urgent medical advice after being released from custody.”
Who Might Help
I don’t understand what happens next
If you have been given paperwork, bail conditions, a court date, or restrictions, try not to guess what they mean. Legal advice matters here.
What You Can Do Right Now
Contact a solicitor
Check any paperwork you were given
Look for bail conditions, court dates, restrictions, or reporting requirements
Ask someone you trust to help you read it if you feel overwhelmed
Do not ignore dates or conditions, even if you are struggling
Look For:
Bail conditions
Court dates
Restrictions
Who to contact
Any requirement to attend somewhere
What You Can Say
“I don’t understand my bail conditions. Can you explain them simply?”
Who Might Help
Breathing Space, if you are in Scotland
I don’t feel safe being on my own
If being alone makes things feel more dangerous, focus on getting near another person or into a safer place.
What You Can Do Right Now
Call someone you trust
Ask someone to stay with you
Go somewhere you will not be alone
Keep your phone charged and nearby
Avoid alcohol or substances right now
If that is not possible:
Call 111
Go to A&E if you cannot stay safe
Call 999 if there is immediate danger
What You Can Say
“I’ve just been released and I don’t feel safe being alone. Can you stay with me or call me?”
I’m not sure what I need
That is okay. You do not need the right words before you ask for help.
Start Here:
Call 111
Say clearly that you have just been released from police custody
Tell them if you are not coping, unsafe, homeless, injured, withdrawing, or confused
Ask what support is available now
What You Can Say
“I’ve just been released from police custody and I’m not coping.”
If there is immediate danger, call 999 instead.
If you’re supporting someone
If someone has just been released from police custody, focus on safety, stability, and support. You do not need to fix everything at once.
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Ask:
Do they have somewhere safe to go?
Are they alone?
Are they at risk of harming themselves or someone else?
Do they seem confused, panicked, ashamed, withdrawn, or out of control?
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Have they eaten?
Have they slept?
Have they taken medication?
Are they withdrawing from alcohol or drugs?
Do they have their phone, keys, money, and paperwork?
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Help them:
Contact NHS 24 on 111
Contact housing support if they have nowhere safe to stay
Contact a solicitor if they do not understand what happens next
Stay with them or help them get somewhere safer
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withdrawal or silence
intense shame or panic
risk-taking behaviour
saying goodbye or giving things away
talking as if there is no way forward
increased use of alcohol or substances
What You Can Say
“I’ve just been released from police custody and I’m not coping.”
What Often Goes Wrong Here
This is an important and risky point. People can be released from custody while still distressed, unsupported, homeless, confused, or without a clear plan.
People are released without a clear support plan
Mental health needs are missed
There is no safe place to go
Housing, healthcare, and legal needs are treated separately
Family or loved ones may not know what has happened
The person may feel shame, panic, anger, or hopelessness after release
What Matters Most Right Now
You do not need to solve everything today.
Get somewhere safer.
Do not stay alone if you feel at risk.
Take one step at a time.