At Emmmersons we spend a large part of our time helping victims. We help them obtain a divorce from a violent partner or an injunction to keep a violent or annoying person away.
Just because we also represent those charged with or convicted of criminal offences does not mean we do not understand what it is like to be the survivor of violence or abuse. Some people seem to think that as we represent those charged with criminal offences we have nob understanding of what it is like to be a survivor.
Prisoners are in a very vulnerable position. Prisons are crowded. No matter what you might read or hear they are not pleasant places. Violence is common. The use of drugs is common. Bullying is common.
A Prisoner may have rights but he or she is very much at the mercy of the attitudes and conduct of the prison Officers and the Prison Management. Rights only have value if they are recognised or, if not recognised, are enforced.
Prisoners can be moved away from their family to another part of the country without any explanation. They can be categorised or refused re-categorisation without any or with minimal information.
Trying to communicate with a prisoner can be difficult as his or her post is read, one cannot actually phone in and ask to be put through to a prisoner's cell.
Video conferencing is possible and allows a prisoner to communicate with his solicitor or barrister confidentially.
If you know someone in custody and they have a complaint about how they have been treated then you could suggest that they contact us.
What is it like to be in prison?
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