Prison Law
If you are a victim of crime who wants advice about the perpetrator’s sentence
Legal aid for prison law does not cover advising a person who is not a prisoner. However some issues involving challenging a public body, such as challenging decision to move the perpetrator to open conditions, could be done by a solicitor who does public law.
Gov.UK legal aid lawyers search engine
This is a directory of all solicitors with a legal aid contract around the country – enter the town or postcode and tick ‘public law’.
If you are a prisoner looking for advice about the your own sentence
The following organisations provide legal advice or other support to prisoners:
Prisoner’s Advice Service – legal advice
Howard League for Prison Reform – legal advice
Women in Prison – non-legal support
Hibiscus – non-legal support especially for Black, minoritised and foreign national women in prison and immigration detention
JCWI (Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants) - Provide low cost legal casework service
Free helpline for foreign national prisoners: 020 7553 7468 10am to 1pm Wed.
To find a solicitor who specialises in prison law
Gov.UK legal aid lawyers search engine
This is a directory of all solicitors with a legal aid contract around the country – enter the town or postcode and tick “prison law”.
Chambers & Partners Directory
For the most highly regarded solicitors search the Chambers and Partners Directory of top ranked firms and individuals doing a search on ‘civil liberties and human rights: prison law’.
If you are in prison you will usually meet the financial means test for legal aid, but if you own a house or have other assets outside prison they will be taken into account.
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