The Brief: Prison Law Explained

Lisa is in a women’s prison and says they’ve not had hot water on her wing for 4 weeks. Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama tells her what she can do. And another listener asks whether the prison service has a duty to put him in a prison near his family. Guest presenter Sol sits in. 

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In October 2018, Prisons Minister Rory Stewart announced that officers in adult-male prisons would be equipped with PAVA: a synthetic pepper spray, which temporarily incapacitates those it is used on. Now government has released a report on PAVA’s pilot in 4 prisons last year. We go over the key findings and Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama tells us what you can do if you think PAVA has been misused. We also answer another question about Home Detention Curfew.

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We respond to a message from Paul in HMP Durham. He has been in and out of prison over 30 times and wants to know what support he should be getting to help with his mental health problems. Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama is in the studio to answer this and another question about recall.

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In October 2018, Prisons Minister Rory Stewart announced that officers in adult male prisons would be equipped with PAVA: a synthetic pepper spray, which temporarily incapacitates those it is used on. It was introduced following a trial to help reduce serious harm to prisoners and staff. John in HMP Holme House has asked how you can appeal if you think it is being misused.

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Solicitor and prison law expert Claire explains prison classifications from A to D, and tells us what you can do if you are refused Cat D Open Conditions.

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We’ve had another letter about Home Detention curfew– the scheme that allows some people to be released before the midpoint of their sentence, while wearing an electronic tag. Alan in HMP Lindholme is serving two concurrent sentences and wants to know what that means for his HDC date.

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Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama explains criminal appeals, following a letter from Mel at HMP Risley about new evidence.

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Visits from friends and family are precious inside. The prison can make you talk through a glass window – like in American films, but without the phone. They can also stop someone from visiting altogether. Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama explains closed visits and banned visits and tells us how you can appeal them.

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For many people in prison, like those on recall or indeterminate sentences, getting out means going through the parole process. Justin at HMP Bullingdon has written in asking what you can do if you do not agree with the contents of your parole dossier. Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama is here to answer Justin's question.

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Every year thousands of people are brought back into prison without committing a further offence. Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama gives us the lowdown on recall. 

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