PAS Friend Launches New Book in support of Reading Charity

Frankie Owens, author of Little Book of Prison, upon which PAS advised, launches his new work, Why I Chase Comedians And Other Bipolar Tales in Portsmouth on Thursday 23rd June 2022 at the John Pounds Centre.

The book, “deals with the extremities of the bipolar condition — highs, lows, in-betweens — allowing readers to understand its overwhelming nature.

“Written in the style of his acclaimed Little Book of Prison, this new work follows a relapse when the author (founder of the Read and Grow Society and by now a respected, law-abiding exponent of Criminology and Literacy) finds himself back in prison following a manic episode.”

The event will be a celebration and will include wine tasting, live music, stand-up comedy and guest speakers.

Please RSVP to books@readandgrowsociety.org, and state whether you would like to attend in person or as a virtual guest.

All funds generated by the sales of the new book will be donated to the Read and Grow Society, which is committed to giving people the life long gift of literacy in as little as three months. Its motto is, “If you can Read you can GROW.”

PAS is 30!

And we’re delighted to announce an in-person event on 25 November to celebrate.  Speakers will include Simon Creighton and a longstanding member of staff, who will look back over the last 30 years, detailing the highs and lows that the charity has weathered. 

There will also be a performance from spoken-word artist, Kirk-Ann.

The event is being held at the London offices of White & Case. Drinks will be served from 5.30pm, with opening remarks at 6pm. Carriages 8.30pm.

If you would like to attend the event, and have a drink or two on us, please e-mail your details to list@prisonersadvice.org.uk

PAS is most grateful to White & Case.

City Bridge Trust New Supporter

PAS is delighted to acknowledge the support of City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder, which gives out over £25 million every year to good causes across the capital. The trust, this week, came aboard as a supporter of our resettlement work in London with an award of £45,000.00 over five years. 

Only 50% of people released from prison between March 2019-20 had settled accommodation on release. 17% were homeless or sleeping rough. (PRT Factfile Winter 2021)

Vulnerable prisoners are often released back into the community with no accommodation arrangements made for them. PAS is frequently asked for assistance where prisons – and other bodies – are failing to meet their legal responsibilities towards women, disabled, chronically ill and elderly prisoners with health or social care needs, including sourcing appropriate accommodation for them upon release. 

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 means that prisons and probation providers are now required by law to refer people who might be at risk of becoming homeless to the local housing authority. (PRT Factfile Winter 2021)

Resettlement assists soon-to-be-released vulnerable prisoners in obtaining supported accommodation to house them safely and appropriately upon release. We are able to secure a variety of accommodation for London prisoners, whether self-sufficient housing with minimal aid, or a care home where constant assistance is provided. 

PAS’ Women Prisoners’ Caseworker Takes Part in Podcast on Subject of Imprisoned Fathers

Ahead of the launch of PAS’ new Self-Help Toolkit, Fathers in Prison: Contact with Children, the toolkit’s author, Rose Harvey-Sullivan, Barrister at 7BR, and Kate Lill, PAS’ dedicated Women Prisoners’ Caseworker, took part in 7BR’s podcast, Part Heard, on the subject of imprisoned fathers.

Listen to the podcast here.

WIP Campaign to Stop New Prison Places for 500 Women

Women In Prison (WIP), our partners in setting up the Women Prisoners Justice Group (WPJG) have begun a digital campaign to keep up the public pressure on the Government to stop the 500 prison places for women that it is planning to build.

“Building more prison places will only shatter more lives and unnecessarily separate families. We know 95% of children have to leave their home when their mother goes to prison, as women are often primary carers.

“Under current plans, children will visit overnight in prison, rather than mothers being released to spend the night with their children. We cannot let this happen.

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN