2 pm to 4.30 pm 19th July 2017
Ison Harrison, Duke House, 54 Wellington Street. LEEDS LS1 2EE
The aim of the event is to provide prison law practitioners with an opportunity to refresh and update their knowledge in relation to recent prison law judgements.
- Chaired by Kushal Sood (Trent Centre for Humane Rights)
Speakers:
- Dr.Laura Janes (APL / Howard League for Penal Reform) – HL / PAS Legal Cuts Challenge
Laura will discuss the legal challenge brought by the Howard League for Penal Reform and the Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS). In April the Court of Appeal ruled that cuts to legal aid for prisoners are unlawful because they are inherently unfair.
Before the hearing at the Court of Appeal, the government agreed that legal aid would be available for cases concerning: mother and baby units; resettlement;licence conditions; and segregation through an exceptional funding scheme.
This left five key problems for the court to consider: pre-tariff reviews by the Parole Board where the Board does not have the power to direct release but advises the Secretary of State for Justice whether the prisoner is suitable for a move to open conditions; categorisation reviews of Category A prisoners; access to offending behaviour programmes and courses (“OBPs”); disciplinary proceedings where no additional days of imprisonment or detention can be awarded; and placement in close supervision centres (“CSCs”).
The court found that the high threshold required for a finding of inherent or systemic unfairness has been satisfied in the case of pre-tariff reviews by the Parole Board, Category A reviews, and decisions as to placement in a CSC.
This is a significant victory but what are the implications for prison law practice?
- Jude Bunting (Doughty Street Chambers) – Case Law Update
This Event is Free for Members of the APL and £30 for non-members.
If you are considering joining the Association the cost of this event will be refunded against the cost of APL Membership.
Please contact administrator@associationofprisonlawyers.co.uk for further details.
Members Booking page (password required)
Non-Members Booking Page