Lubia Begum-Rob has returned from maternity leave and is resuming her role as Race Discrimination Caseworker.

Naomi Lumsdaine, the locum Race Discrimination Caseworker at PAS, will now take up the new role of Community Care Caseworker. Naomi was appointed in the position in March, following an open interview process.

It has long been clear to the caseworkers at the Prisoners’ Advice Service that the enormous need for legal advocacy and assistance does not only concern treatment and conditions in custody. The Community Care Caseworker will be able to look at the role and responsibilities of health and social services and housing authorities in the resettlement process, advising through a mixture of outreach, telephone and letter advice about initiating the assessments of vulnerable prisoners prior to release, and taking legal action where appropriate.

Other organisations provide practical assistance to ex-prisoners, but, given the dereliction of duty that is so frequent in dealings with ex-prisoners both before and after they leave custody, oftentimes this is not enough, and these situations require a lawyer prepared to issue legal proceedings to ensure that obligations are met. This is where the Community Care Caseworker’s introduction will prove invaluable.