Human Rights

The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees rights seen as fundamental in any free and democratic society. Since the Human Rights Act 1998 came into force (October 2000), it is unlawful for any public body, including the Prison Service, to act in a way that is incompatible with the Convention. An action for a breach of your human rights can now be brought in the UK courts and may lead to an award of compensation.

Cases concerning human rights have already had a massive impact on prison law. Areas likely to be affected in the future, thus giving more rights to prisoners, include overcrowding, recall procedures, adjudications, phone calls, tariff setting, medical treatment, searches, disabled prisoners, foreign prisoners and religion. If you feel that your human rights have been breached, please contact us and we will be pleased to advise you on what action can be taken.