{"id":147,"date":"2014-03-05T11:14:17","date_gmt":"2014-03-05T11:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.prisonersadvice.org.uk\/?p=147"},"modified":"2014-03-05T11:14:17","modified_gmt":"2014-03-05T11:14:17","slug":"press-release-judicial-reviews-against-cuts-to-legal-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prisonersadvice.org.uk\/wordpress\/2014\/03\/05\/press-release-judicial-reviews-against-cuts-to-legal-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Release \u2013 Judicial Reviews Against Cuts to Legal Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>MEDIA RELEASE<\/p>\n<p>Howard League for Penal Reform and Prisoners\u2019 Advice Service seek permission for judicial reviews against cuts to legal aid<\/p>\n<p>Date: Thursday 6 March 2014<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Time: To be confirmed<br \/>\nVenue: Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL<br \/>\nJournalists are welcome to attend<\/p>\n<p>Two charities will go to court tomorrow (6 March) to seek permission to challenge the government\u2019s decision to cut legal aid for prisoners.<\/p>\n<p>The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Prisoners\u2019 Advice Service (PAS) have taken legal action as a last resort after the Justice Secretary dismissed concerns that the cuts would undermine prisoners\u2019 rights and rehabilitation and cost the taxpayer more.<\/p>\n<p>The High Court has ordered the two separate but linked judicial reviews to be considered at an oral hearing.<\/p>\n<p>Although the two cases concern different aspects of prison law, they both challenge restrictions to legal aid for prisoners imposed by the government in December 2013.<\/p>\n<p>The first case argues that the removal of legal aid for a small number of important Parole Board cases is unlawful. The second argues that the removal of legal aid for a range of cases affecting prisoners\u2019 progress through their sentence towards release is also unlawful.<\/p>\n<p>The decision to cut legal aid for certain Parole Board cases was made without consultation. These cases affect prisoners serving life sentences and indeterminate sentences for public protection who can only progress to open conditions if the Parole Board advises that it would be safe for them to do so. This is important because, once in open conditions, prisoners can apply to do work and receive education in the community. This step is key for prisoners\u2019 rehabilitation and public safety. Making prisoners go through this stage without legal advice and representation is counter-productive.<\/p>\n<p>The second case to be considered by the court concerns the removal of legal aid for prisoners facing particular difficulties such as mothers threatened with separation from their babies, children and disabled prisoners who need a support package so they can be released safely, and mentally ill prisoners held in isolation. Managing people through long prison sentences is a skilful business which needs to be handled with extreme care so that they can resettle safely into the community.<\/p>\n<p>Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: \u201cOur legal team represents children and young people in prison. The removal of legal aid to help these children make fresh starts is contrary to the whole aim of the youth justice system which is to prevent reoffending.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese cuts will not result in savings for the taxpayer. On the contrary, they will result in increased costs as children remain in prison for longer than is necessary for want of a safe home to go to.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Deborah Russo, Joint Managing Solicitor at the Prisoners\u2019 Advice Service, said: \u201cPAS provides legal advice to all adult prisoners in England and Wales. We run an advice line and receive thousands of letters and telephone calls from prisoners each year. PAS also represents prisoners by taking on legal cases where appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe legal aid cuts to prison law have resulted in prisoners\u2019 access to justice being severely curtailed. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, the Chief Inspectorate of Prisons and the Parole Board have all expressed grave concern at legal aid being cut for prisoners.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese cuts are further isolating an already very marginalised sector of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Notes to editors<\/p>\n<p>1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.<\/p>\n<p>2. The Prisoners\u2019 Advice Service is an independent registered charity which provides legal advice and information to prisoners in England and Wales regarding their rights, the application of the Prison Rules and conditions of imprisonment.<\/p>\n<p>3. The High Court itself decided that the two cases should be argued at an oral hearing. This is different from most other requests for permission for a judicial review, which are either granted or rejected based on the strength of written submissions to the court.<\/p>\n<p>4. The Howard League for Penal Reform and the Prisoners\u2019 Advice Service are jointly represented in these cases by Simon Creighton of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, Phillippa Kaufmann of Matrix Chambers, and Martha Spurrier and Alex Gask of Doughty Street Chambers.<\/p>\n<p>Further information<\/p>\n<p>Rob Preece<br \/>\nPress Officer<br \/>\nThe Howard League for Penal Reform<br \/>\nTel: +44 (0)20 7241 7880<br \/>\nMobile: +44 (0)7714 604955<br \/>\nEmail: robert.preece@howardleague.org<\/p>\n<p>ISDN line available on 020 7923 4196 \u2013 uses a G722 system<\/p>\n<p>For enquiries outside normal office hours, please call +44 (0)7918 681094<\/p>\n<p>Deborah Russo<br \/>\nJoint Managing Solicitor<br \/>\nThe Prisoners Advice Service<br \/>\nTel: +44 (0)20 7253 3600<br \/>\nTel: deborah.russo@prisonersadvice.org.uk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MEDIA RELEASE Howard League for Penal Reform and Prisoners\u2019 Advice Service seek permission for judicial reviews 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