Prisoners Face Losing Legal Aid

British prisoners could face losing entitlement to legal aid to help them pursue complaints against the prison service, according to new measures being considered by Ministers.

Justice secretary Chris Grayling said taxpayers' money was going to help prisoners bring forward "unnecessary legal cases", which could otherwise be dealt with by the prison service's own complaints system.

The Ministry of Justice said it could save £4m a year and cut the number of cases by 11,000.

Mr Grayling said: "I have been appalled that taxpayers pay millions of pounds every year supplying lawyers for prisoners to bring unnecessary legal cases. The vast majority of these types of complaint can and should be dealt with by the prison service's complaints system.

"After years spiralling out of control, the amount spent of legal aid for prisoners is being tackled. Legal aid must be preserved for those most in need and where a lawyer's services are genuinely needed."

The plan would mean restrictions on legal aid for cases such as appeals against place of incarceration, decisions to move prisoners or issues concerning visits and correspondence.

The Minister of Justice said cases such as those in which prisoners are appealing against sentencing or the location of parole hearings would still receive legal aid.

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "The government's proposals to further curtail legal aid for prisoners are profoundly unfair and will have negative consequences for society as a whole.

"The misuse of solitary confinement can exacerbate mental health problems and lead to lost lives. Access to behavioural programmes or help with resettlement can mean the difference between a prisoner going on to change their life for the better or to reoffend.

"An internal complaints system is no replacement for external scrutiny by the courts, while the already stretched prison ombudsman does not have the power to provide meaningful redress.

"Without prisoners being able to access legal aid, which has already been restricted to prevent frivolous claims, we may see a collapse in justice in the very place where it should be paramount – within prison walls."

(IT/CD)