“PAS is a lifeline for so many prisoners”

An ex-prisoner with disabilities explains how PAS helped her:

“Before I spoke with PAS, I faced being disabled in prison and not [feeling like] I had any rights. I was told I wasn’t entitled to early release. I appealed but was told I was still not entitled to it.

“The children’s social worker recommended that I talked to PAS. You’re entitled to two appeals against the decision against early release, and PAS helped me to do that before the cut-off date.

“When my son was ill and rushed into hospital, I wasn’t allowed to see him, speak to him or anything, but PAS said they should not have done that.

“My life became a lot easier when I had been in contact with PAS. Nothing was too trivial that they wouldn’t speak to me. Even after I came out of prison they were still there for me. If I needed any help readjusting they were there.

“PAS were brilliant – they put me at ease. The trouble is the prisons don’t tell you about PAS. You have to find out about it in a different way. You are alone in there – although you make friends – but when you have PAS on your side you have got someone you can fall back on.

“Without Prisoners’ Advice Service, I would’ve been worse off than I am now with my health. My kids were also finding it hard, so it was better to be able to come home and be with them again. PAS is a lifeline for so many prisoners.”