Who we are
Patrons
Edward Fitzgerald CBE KC
His Honour John Samuels KC
Trustees
Dominique Webb (Chairperson)
Dominique Webb is currently Head of Programmes for GamCare, service lead for education and prevention of gambling-related harms for professionals and young people. Starting her career in advice work in the Citizens Advice network, Dominique subsequently worked in gender policy for the EHRC, and in Regeneration employment and skills before moving into Operations Director roles. She spent eight years as a board member of Merseyside Probation Trust until its dissolution in 2014, and spent two years as Director of Operations at the Women in Prison charity. Dominique believes that providing accurate and independent information and support is vital in enabling people to exercise their rights, especially in the complex and restrictive prison environment. She became Chair of the Trustees in October 2023.
Kassim Gaffar (Treasurer)
Kassim Gaffar completed an MSc in IT systems from London School of Economics and subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte in London. Kassim has worked in the financial services sector since 1997, having held a number of roles in the corporate and investment banking arm of HSBC. Kassim is currently Director of Techrun Technologies Ltd, a company that provides IT services to non-profit and social sector enterprises. Kassim also mentors a number of start-up businesses. He joined PAS as a trustee in July 2015.
Martine Lignon
After most of her career spent in Adult, Further and Higher Education, Martine turned to prisoners’ education, training and resettlement. She worked as Head of Learning and Skills at HMP Pentonville and HMP/YOI Isis. Then, under OLASS 2, she was the education provider for residents of HMP/YOI Holloway and HMP Pentonville, and East of London probationers. Once retired, Martine volunteered as employability trainer for The Refugee Council. She was a trustee of Women in Prison for some 20 years and the Chair of the Detention Advice Service for two years. She has been a participant in the Is it a Crime to be Poor? (ICP) alliance since its inception in 2020. Martine joined PAS as a trustee in 2012 and chaired PAS’ Board of Trustees from January 2014 to October 2023, before continuing with PAS as a trustee once more.
Katie Le-Billon
Katie Le-Billon is a Senior Philanthropy Manager at the leading children’s charity, NSPCC, working with high-value Trust and Foundations. She holds a master’s degree in Child Studies from King’s College, where her research focussed on supporting young people affected by crime and the prison system. She has also previously worked with St Mungo’s as as senior trusts and grants fundraiser and at the Howard League for Penal Reform as a research intern.
Hannah Kay
Hannah Kay is a senior occupational therapist at East London Foundation Trust, working within the East London Community Forensic Service. She holds a postgraduate diploma in occupational therapy from London Southbank University. Hannah realised her passion for advocating for those who have been through the criminal justice system whilst training. Hannah became a PAS trustee in March 2023
Joy Lewis
Joy Lewis Joy is a criminal defence barrister at 25 Bedford Row chambers in London, and was called to the Bar in 2014. Her practice covers all areas of criminal law, with an emphasis on serious violent crime, drugs offences and public disorder. She has extensive experience representing young and vulnerable clients, including those with mental health disorders. Joy became a PAS Trustee in April 2023.
Andrea Barba
Andrea Barba has a background in Clinical Forensic Psychology, and began her career as a mental health liaison and diversion practitioner across various Magistrates and Crown courts in London. In this role, she facilitated the diversion of individuals from court to hospital when they presented as unwell, and provided consultation to judges, solicitors and probation staff regarding the intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system to ensure the safeguarding of people in custody. Andrea also worked as Women’s Specialist, where she designed and delivered training on the specific needs of women in custody. As the LGBTQ champion, Andrea delivered training on the treatment of transgender people in custody, and made recommendations of policy reform within the National Offender Management Service to advocate for improvements in safety and respect of transgender prisoners. She currently works with a children’s charity, supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who have experienced trafficking and exploitation. Andrea became a Trustee at PAS in October 2023.
Peter Coll
Peter Coll is currently the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis at ITV Studios. He has worked in a number of roles at ITV, whom he joined in 2011. His background is in management accounting, and financial system implementation. Prior to joining ITV, he held various finance roles in organisations such as London Business School, BBC and Royal Mail. He holds a BA in Accounting with Computing from the University of Kent and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Peter became a Trustee at PAS in May 2024.
Staff
The Management Committee (Board of Trustees) has delegated the day-to-day management of PAS to its Director.
Director
Lubia Begum-Rob manages PAS and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation. Lubia supervises PAS staff, regularly reports to trustees and runs her own cases. She has been at PAS for 20 years and is a qualified Solicitor. Lubia was originally employed to undertake Race and Religious Discrimination casework, focusing on civil litigation and non-litigious complaints regarding ethnic and religious discrimination. In her role as Director, she continues to advise prisoners on ethnic and religious issues. Lubia runs a regular legal advice Outreach Clinic at HMP Belmarsh, the highest security prison in Europe.
Women Prisoners’ Caseworker
Kate Lill is the Women Prisoners’ Caseworker at PAS, having originated the role in May 2015. Women in prison have different experiences and needs to men, and often require specialist assistance. Kate offers legal advice, information and representation to women in custody, and also runs regular outreach advice clinics at HMPs Bronzefield, Downview, New Hall and Send. Kate previously worked at the Death Penalty Project and Prisoners Abroad, where she assisted British nationals in detention overseas. Kate qualified as a Barrister in 2010.
Outreach Caseworker
Nicki Rensten has been at PAS since 1998 and was PAS’ first outreach caseworker. Nicki delivers legal education and outreach sessions to male prisoners at a number of prisons across England and Wales. As well as providing advice and information on prison law via outreach sessions, Nicki is responsible for coordinating and providing responses to the email inquiries PAS receives via our website. She also takes on cases, both as a result of outreach and through other means of contact with PAS, as well as advising prisoners by letter writing and via telephone calls to our advice line.
Community Care Caseworkers
Marte Lund has a degree in Law and Human Rights from University of Essex. From April 2016 to June 2017 Marte was a legal volunteer with PAS. Before returning to PAS, she worked at Birnberg Peirce Solicitors, dealing with civil actions, inquests and Prison Law. Marte qualified as a solicitor in 2022 and began working at PAS in June 2023.
Michelle Yeo is a dual-qualified solicitor in Singapore and the UK. She graduated from the Law Faculty of the National University of Singapore in 2011 and has been practising since, first as a lawyer for the Singapore Government where she prosecuted and drafted legislation. She volunteered with PAS from 2018-2020 and then joined a Singapore private law firm in 2020. She was admitted to the rolls of England and Wales in 2021 and joined PAS as its Community Care Caseworker in October 2024.
Partnerships Manager
Jane Finnis is a Solicitor-Advocate. She previously worked in private practice, specialising in crime and Prison Law. Jane has worked at PAS since September 2015, initially providing maternity-leave cover for the Women Prisoners’ Caseworker. In September 2016, she was made PAS’ Partnerships Manager, responsible for managing the relationship between PAS and the various corporate law firms and universities that assist the charity to respond to the increasing amount of letters received from prisoners requiring advice. From July 2018, in addition to these responsibilities, she recommenced casework and now acts as a supervisor.
Advice Line Caseworker
Sabrina Boudra is the dedicated Advice Line Caseworker at PAS, having joined in March 2022. Sabrina is responsible for dispensing advice and support to adult prisoners in England and Wales who reach out to PAS for help using our telephone Advice Line. She has a degree in English and French law, and previously worked in academic research, and then as a legal researcher to a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. From November 2014 to March 2016, Sabrina was a legal volunteer with PAS, and is delighted to return to work for the charity.
Head of Fundraising & Communications
Geof Jarvis is PAS’ Head of Fundraising & Communications. He is responsible for the research and development of PAS’ funding sources and strategy. Geof has more than 13 years of experience in fundraising, working in the arts, health and trade sectors. Prior to that, he worked in arts administration and management. He holds degrees from The University of Stirling (BA Honours English Literature) and The Nottingham Trent University (MA Cultural Studies).
Fundraising and Communications Officer
Amelie Taylor is PAS’ Fundraising and Communications Officer, having started at the charity in May 2023. She is responsible for coordinating PAS social media content, recording data from PAS beneficiaries and writing Trust and Foundation applications. Amelie has ten years experience in Communications & Fundraising, having worked for various arts and social-justice charities across the South-West. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Cardiff University and is based in Bristol.
Office and Advice Line Manager
Ben Blackwell is PAS’ Office and Advice Line Manager. Ben manages the telephone helpline and is responsible for ensuring the smooth daily running of the office. In addition, Ben is in charge of payroll and manages PAS’ volunteers. Ben has been with PAS since 2010 and previously worked at Refugee and Migrant Justice.
Volunteers
Given our few staff and limited resources, PAS relies upon the help of volunteers to meet the demand for our services. We take on both Legal and Fundraising and Communications Volunteers.