Prisoners' Advice Service

Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS) is a London-based registered charity in England and Wales that provides free, confidential legal advice and representation to prisoners regarding their rights, the application of prison rules and conditions of imprisonment.

The charity takes up prisoners’ complaints about their treatment inside prison by providing free advice and taking legal action where appropriate. PAS provides assistance on an individual and confidential basis, taking legal action where appropriate.

PAS was set up in 1991 by organisations working with prisoners, including Liberty, the Howard League for Penal Reform and Nacro. Due to increasing demand for legal advice, a new charitable organisation was required to deal with the large number of requests for legal advice that they were receiving from prisoners.^[1]

The organisation runs the Prisoners’ Legal Rights, which produces a quarterly bulletin entitled ‘Prisoners’ Rights’. Membership includes prisoners, solicitors, barristers, academics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).^[2]

PAS history: key events

1991-2000

1991 PAS was set up by organisations working with prisoners, including Liberty, the Howard League for Penal Reform and Nacro, to deal with the increasing demand for legal advice throughout England and Wales. Vicky King was appointed as the first case worker.

1993 Simon Creighton became PAS' first solicitor.

Cases taken on by PAS led to Prison Service allowing prisoners to see their parole reports, and be given reasons for refusal.

PAS successfully applied to the Legal Services Commission for a franchise to operate a legal aid scheme, and the organisation began taking on its own litigation.

1994 The Incentive and Earned Privileges Scheme, and Mandatory Drugs Tests was introduced, resulting in a rise in demand for advice from PAS.

1996 PAS legal staff wrote a key text book on prison law.

1997 PAS began to provide detailed information leaflets, and starts to distribute the Prisoners’ Legal Rights Group Bulletin. PAS was able to take volunteers due to increased space.

2001-2009

2004 Unique legal outreach at men’s prisons began.

Race Discrimination Caseworker post established.

2005 Women Prisoners’ Caseworker post established.

2006 Settled two claims for damages for racial discrimination. First time damages PAS has obtained for prisoners under the Race Relations Act.

2007 Unique legal outreach at women’s prisons began.

2009 Community Care Caseworker post established.

2010-2015

2010 PAS’s first case at the Supreme Court

2011 PAS was granted permission to challenge the Prisoners' Earnings Act.

PAS won LALY award for Best Legal Aid Firm.

PAS successfully brought change in prison policy around confiscation orders.

2012 PAS awarded the Longford Prize.

PAS received a grant from Big Lottery Fund.

Childcare Resettlement Leave case won by PAS clients.

PAS successfully defended prisoner's right to keep legal reference book.

2013 PAS was nominated for the Una Padel Awards, run by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.

2014 Shortlisted for the Liberty Human Rights “Close to Home” Award.

Awarded Centre of Excellence status, by the London Legal Support Trust.

References

External links

Online