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How we can support you if you’re going to prison

During a difficult time, the last thing you want to worry about is your bank account. This guide will help make things feel a bit clearer, and help you get things prepared.

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Preparing your payments

Getting your finances in order before you go can make a big difference. It can help keep your money safe and make things easier for you and your family while you're away. Here’s a checklist to get you started:

Talk to your providers: let companies (like utility providers and landlords) know your situation so they can update their records.
Cancel unnecessary payments: review your account and cancel any Direct Debits or standing orders you no longer need.
Set up essential payments: ensure Direct Debits are in place for essential bills, like rent or mortgages, to keep things running smoothly.
Review subscriptions: contact any subscription services you use to cancel payments made via your debit card.
Get on top of any debt: if you can, try paying off existing debt to prevent it from mounting up while you serve your sentence. If this isn't possible and you are worried, get in touch with your lender so they are aware of your situation.
Check your balance: make sure there’s enough money in your account to cover any ongoing bills in your absence.

Help with your Monzo borrowing

We understand that your circumstances change if you’re entering custody. If you have an outstanding balance, a loan, or use Monzo Flex, our dedicated team is here to help find a solution that works for you.

The best way to get in touch with us is via in-app chat to discuss your circumstances with a financial difficulties specialist and find out how we can support you.

You can contact us directly here.

If you can’t chat to us through the app, you can also email us (help@monzo.com) or phone us (0800 802 1281)

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Giving a trusted person access to your account

Since you won’t be able to see your account while you’re in prison, setting up access for a trusted person (like a family member) is an important way to ensure your bills are paid.

The most practical options are usually Ordinary Power of Attorney or Read only informal access.

Ordinary Power of Attorney: This is the fastest legal solution for managing day-to-day finances, like paying bills or making transfers. Since you’re still able to sign documents before you go into custody, you can typically grant this authority quickly.
Read only informal access: This is a good option if you don't want someone managing your money, but do want us to be able to talk to them about your account.

To help you decide which is right for you, we have a handy guide that should answer any questions you might have.

What to do if you need help looking after your account

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Communicating with us once you’re in custody

You won’t be able to access your account when you’re in prison. If you need to talk with us, you’ll need to do so by letter. Please make sure to include your full legal name, date or birth and your prisoner number when you write to us. That helps us make sure we’re talking to the right person.

Our postal address: Monzo Bank Limited, Broadwalk House, 5 Appold St, London, EC2A 2ER

Regaining access to your account once you’re out of prison

Once you’ve been released from custody, we'll be here to help you regain access to your account.

You can contact us directly here. If you can’t chat to us through the app, you can also email us (help@monzo.com) or phone us (0800 802 1281)
We’ll verify your identity, lift any account restrictions, and re-enable your app access. If you need a new bank card, let us know.

Helpful FAQs

What happens to my account while I’m away in prison?

When you go to prison, we’ll secure your account to keep your money safe. This means that no unauthorised person can access your funds or see your balance unless you’ve formally set up Trusted Access.

If you haven’t already set this up, your account will stay private and protected until you're released.

Why can I only communicate with you via letter?

We need to be 100% sure we’re talking to you. Because prison phone calls are managed through a central system, we can't use our usual security checks to verify your identity. Using a letter—including your full name, date of birth and prisoner number—is the most secure way for us to communicate while you're away.

Getting your bank statements for Legal Aid

If you’re applying for Legal Aid, you’ll likely need to provide bank statements as part of your case. Here’s how to find and download them (including your Pots) directly from the app:

Go to Home: Tap Home in your app’s menu bar.

Open the menu: Tap the three dots underneath your card.

Select Statements: Tap Bank statements.

Filter your search: Choose the date range you need for your application.

Pick your format: Choose PDF, CSV, or QIF (PDF is usually best for legal documents)