The Brief: Prison Law Explained
Prison Radio Association
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The Brief is a legal show, broadcast into prison cells in England and Wales on National Prison Radio. It is a chance for listeners to get their legal questions answered, with subjects ranging from parole, to lost property and appeals.
It is hosted by Hilary Ineomo-Marcus, who has served a prison sentence, and solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama. Funded by The Law Society. For more information about National Prison Radio visit www.prison.radio and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/prisonradioassociation
Available episodes
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Oldest first
Jul 16, 2019
The IEP System - Episode 23
The Incentives and Earned Privileges system (IEP) affects everyone in prison, and for this final episode of The Brief, solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama talks us through how it works. What positive behaviour do you need to display to progress through the system?
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Jul 16, 2019
Cell Searches - Episode 22
Why do cell searches happen, and is there a procedure which should be followed? Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama talks us through the different levels of searches and what should be involved in a cell spin.
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Jul 16, 2019
Getting Your D-Cat - Episode 21
The prison categorisation system can be confusing, so on this week’s The Brief, solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama talks us through how it all works, and what it takes to get to D-Cat (open prison).
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Jul 16, 2019
Mental Health - Episode 20
To mark Mental Health Week 2019, we explore what support should be available for prisoners with mental health issues. Plus, solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama takes us through the basics of Parole.
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Jul 16, 2019
Older People in Prison - Episode 19
The percentage of people in prison aged over 50 has increased by 150% since 2002, making this the fastest growing demographic group in the prison estate. On this week’s The Brief, solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama explains what prison rules apply to older people in prison.
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Jul 16, 2019
Adjudications - Episode 18
Adjudications can get you extra days on your prison sentence. So what are they, what behaviour can lead to them, and who decides the outcome? Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama gives us the low down
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Mar 15, 2019
Parole Adjournments- Episode 17
Nathan in HMP Holme House asks what to do if you parole keeps getting adjourned and whether you can apply for compensation.
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Mar 15, 2019
Representing Yourself While in Prison- Episode 16
This week solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama gives us an introduction to representing yourself if you have a claim to make while in prison.
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Mar 15, 2019
Remand and Appealing HDC - Episode 15
If you don’t get bail, you are remanded in prison before court. But how long can you be kept on remand before being given a second court? That’s this week’s question from Daniel. And another listener asks how to appeal if you are denied Home Detention Curfew.
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Mar 15, 2019
Criminal Charges in Prison and Food Rationing- Episode 14
What happens if you are charged with a criminal offence whilst in prison? Do you have to get an adjudication too? That’s Paul’s question on this episode. And Jason in Exeter has got in touch to say that he thinks there is a law preventing rationing of milk and bread in prison. Is he right and are people in prison getting enough?
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Mar 15, 2019
No Hot Water and Proximity to Family- Episode 13
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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Feb 1, 2019
PAVA update and HDC- Episode 12
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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Feb 1, 2019
Mental Health and Prison Recall- Episode 11
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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Feb 1, 2019
Pava and Parole- Episode 10
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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Feb 1, 2019
Being refused D-Cat- Episode 9
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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Feb 1, 2019
Home Detention Curfew and Concurrent Sentences- Episode 8
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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Feb 1, 2019
Criminal Appeals- Episode 7
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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Jan 31, 2019
Prison Visits- Episode 6
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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Jan 31, 2019
The Parole Dossier and HDC - Episode 5
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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Jan 31, 2019
Recall- Episode 4
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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Jan 31, 2019
Prison Complaints- Episode 3
How do you make a complaint if you can’t get a complaint form in prison? That’s the question from Mel at HMP Risley. Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama has the answer.
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Jan 31, 2019
Property and Lost Property in Prison- Episode 2
You aren’t allowed much in prison – so when your stuff goes missing or gets damaged it can be extremely stressful. Solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama tells us what to do about lost property in prison.
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Jan 7, 2019
Home Detention Curfew - Episode 1
In this first show, solicitor and prison law expert Claire Salama answers questions from men and women in HMPs Brixton and Styal on Home Detention Curfew – a scheme that allows some people to be released before the midpoint of their sentence while wearing an electronic tag.
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