Specialist prison law advice, from people who know the system
Prison Law Assist was set up to give prisoners and their families accurate legal advice and timely representation on custody-related matters, at a fair, fixed price.
What we do
We provide advice and representation on prisoner rights and a wide range of prison and custody-related legal matters sought by prisoners and their families. That includes protecting prisoner rights, working to ensure fair treatment, and challenging discretionary decisions through formal representations to prisons and formal complaints where things have gone wrong.
Every case starts with the paperwork done properly
Representations, complaints and appeals only carry weight if they're built on the right foundation: the prisoner's authority, the correct establishment and prison number, and a clear account of what's happened. Getting the basics right from the first call is what gets a case decided on its merits, rather than rejected on a technicality.
Who we are
Our team is made up of specialist prison law advisors, including an experienced former solicitor and other legal case support staff with knowledge of the criminal justice system and custodial matters. We work with a wider network of criminal justice professionals, and engage directly with prisons, probation, and oversight bodies including the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and the Ministry of Justice on our clients' behalf.
How we work
If you're in custody
You can contact us by letter, on an authorised phone call, or by text message. We respond quickly and will always tell you plainly whether we think we can help before any fee is agreed.
If you're family or a friend
You can call, text, WhatsApp or email us, or use our contact form. To act on someone's behalf we'll need their authority, which we can talk you through when you get in touch.
What we'll need from you
- The prisoner's full name, prison number and the establishment they're held at
- Details of the offence(s) and sentence
- What's happening and what you'd like help with
With those details we can usually give initial advice and assistance on the first call.