Support on release
Our solicitors have been working for a very vulnerable 17 year old with learning problems who had been in prison for 3 years. He was not coping well with custody. He had a parole hearing coming up and all the professionals in the prison system and the youth offending team were supporting his release – but only if he had suitable accommodation with intensive support. We made a referral to his home local authority but had to take judicial review proceedings before the authority would agree to assess him and provide services both as a child in need and then after his 18th birthday as a vulnerable adult.Â
His learning difficulties and background meant that he hardly communicated. He formed a strong relationship with our lawyer but it still consisted mostly of agreeing to statements and the word “yeah”.
Eventually, just days before the parole hearing, a package of accommodation and support was identified by the local authority with an undertaking to continue to fund the placement after our client’s 18th birthday for as long as he needs it. Parole was granted on the basis that he would go to this very supportive placement. He is now settling in and getting used to life in the community. He has just turned 18.
The end of the story is that our solicitor talked to him yesterday to find out how he was getting on. He said “I am happy now”.
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October 14, 2009
Tags: youth justice Posted in: Children and young people, Uncategorized
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2 Responses
The legal team at the Howard League for Penal Reform are utilising the law to achieve great breakthroughs for individuals, partiucularly those who cannot easily navigate through the crimnal justice system alone. A moving story with a great ending, the League’s work ought to be extended and more widely supported.
What an excellent result for the Howard League’s legal team and how shocking that a 17 year old with learning problems had spent 3 years in prison in the first place!
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