Justice Action

Justice Action was asked to respond to the Federal Government's Prisoners Legal Service Review. The following is the JA Submission

Introduction
Thank you for giving Justice Action the opportunity to make submissions in relation to the current review of the Prisoners Legal Service.

We offer the following comments and recommendations and would genuinely like the opportunity to make a further submission directed more at the present effectiveness of the PLS. In order for us to do that we ask that we be provided with a current overview of the present PLS workings including any specific annual/monthly reports.

This Forum was held on 14/10/08 following a Law and Justice Foundation report to improve prisoner access to legal assistance. Justice Action was present and presented a statement.

 

This Forum was held on 14/10/08 following a Law and Justice Foundation report to improve prisoner access to legal assistance. Justice Action was present and presented a statement.

 

This Forum was held on 14/10/08 following a Law and Justice Foundation report to improve prisoner access to legal assistance. Justice Action was present and presented a statement.

 

1. LawAccess – probably the best starting point for general information about law. Includes a website and free telephone advice service: 1300 888 529. http://wwwwaccess.nsw.gov.au/

2. Law & Justice Foundation (www.lawfoundation.net.au ) – great website for information about courts, parliament etc – good for getting your hands on the law – acts and cases.

3. AustLII  www.austlii.edu.au – the most comprehensive website for discovering the law across Australia (and even some overseas law)

Justice Action was asked to respond to the Federal Government's Prisoners Legal Service Review. The following is the JA Submission

Introduction
Thank you for giving Justice Action the opportunity to make submissions in relation to the current review of the Prisoners Legal Service.

We offer the following comments and recommendations and would genuinely like the opportunity to make a further submission directed more at the present effectiveness of the PLS. In order for us to do that we ask that we be provided with a current overview of the present PLS workings including any specific annual/monthly reports.

The Legal Needs Of Prisoners and People Recently Released from Prison

Background
The Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales (NSW) proposes to conduct a study into the legal needs of prisoners and people recently released from prison. This project is part of the Foundationís broader research program into the access to justice and legal needs of economically and socially disadvantaged people in NSW. Specifically, the Access to Justice Research Program examines the capacity of different groups of disadvantaged people to:

1. Obtain legal assistance (including legal information, basic legal advice, initial legal assistance and legal representation);
2. Participate effectively in the legal system (including access to courts, tribunals, and formal Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms);
3. Obtain assistance from non-legal advocacy and support (including non-legal early intervention and preventative mechanisms, non-legal forms of redress, and community based justice)
4. Participate effectively in law reform processes.