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Crime Solicitors

PET challenge to education restrictions on prisoners (24 September 2014)

Date: 24/09/2014
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, PET challenge to education restrictions on prisoners

The Prisoners' Education Trust (PET) is warning that restricting the number of books prisoners can have in their cells is harming the potential for prisoners to gain an education while serving their sentences.

The Prison Service has restricted the number of books prisoners can have in their cells to 12.

The measure is intended to prevent relatives of prisoners from sending books to prisons.

However, the government has repeatedly stressed its commitment to rehabilitating and educating offenders to help reduce rates of re-offending – and help prisoners gain employment when they leave prison.

PET has said in a report Brain Cells: Listening to Prisoner Learners that restricting books to prisoners is having a detrimental effect on distance learners in prisons – and others who need access to specialist books to continue their studies.

PET is also calling for prisoners who choose to study in prison to be paid the same rates as prisoners who undertake work in prison. HMP Brixton is one prison which has introduced pay parity for those who undertake a vocational qualification while in prison, BBC News reports.

PET conducted a survey in September 2013 for the report and found that, of the 343 prisoners questioned, 58% said improved access to books would help them learn – while 69% said education in prison had helped them to cope with prison life.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors regularly attend police stations, courts and prisons and can advise prisoners on their rights while in custody – including advising on access to services such as health and mental health care in prison.

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors are one of the UK’s leading providers of Legal Aid services and can advise on appeals against conviction and sentencing – as well as Parole Board applications.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges and prisoners’ rights in custody, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For out-of-hours legal advice on criminal charges and representation during police interview under caution, call the Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers Out-of-Hours Hotline on 07920 077057.


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