PAS Self Help Toolkits
In 2013, the cuts to Legal Aid significantly reduced the number of solicitors practising Prison Law. In response to this – and with the vital support of The Legal Education Foundation – PAS created a range of Self Help Toolkits for prisoners to help them undertake some legal processes by themselves. Easy-read versions of the kits are also available, aimed at those with low literacy levels, English as a second language or learning disabilities (see below).
Also below are four Family Law Guides, created in association with Rights of Women. Publication of these guides was made possible with funding from BM Sir Halley Stewart Trust and The Wates Foundation. Design (and printing of hard copies) made possible with the kind assistance of Mayer Brown.
There are also two kits aimed at LGBT+ prisoners. These were kindly supported by The Tudor Trust and The Paul Cottingham Trust.
- The list of areas addressed by the Toolkits is as follows:
Categorisation Self Help Toolkit
Closed and Banned Visits Self Help Toolkit
Governors’ Adjudications Self Help Toolkit
Home Detention Curfew Self Help Toolkit
Mother and Baby Units Self Help Toolkit
Parole Board Delay Self Help Toolkit
Pre-Tariff Review Self Help Toolkit
A Prisoner’s Guide to LGB Rights
A Prisoner’s Guide to Transgender Rights
Property Self Help Toolkit Part One
Property Self Help Toolkit Part Two
Release on Temporary Licence Self Help Toolkit
- Easy-read versions available here:
Closed and Banned Visits Easy-read
Governor’s Adjudication Easy-read
Home Detention Curfew Easy-read
Mother and Baby Units Easy-read
Release On Temporary License Easy-read
- Family Law Guides (in association with Rights of Women):
Children and the Law: When Families Cannot Agree
Children and the Law: Parental Responsibility
Children and the Law: Adoption for Women Prisoners
Children and the Law: When Social Services are Involved