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Legal Assistance

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In many countries, Prison Fellowship is coming to the aid of poor prisoners by providing legal assistance to those who cannot afford to pay for the services of a lawyer.
Facilitating Prisoner Releases in Liberia
Recently, PF Liberia aided the release of 36 prisoners held for more than 180 days without trial in Monrovia Central Prison and Kakata Prison Centre.
Assisting Foreign Prisoners in Chile
For several years, PF Chile staff and volunteers noticed the difficulties faced by foreign prisoners in Chilean prisons. Most were in prison for drug trafficking and faced many difficulties in obtaining the necessary legal assistance. In 1998, PF Chile began providing this assistance through it legal department.
Defending the Poor
On the day he was released from prison he began looking for work. He knew his family had suffered during his time in prison and he desperately wanted to begin providing for them again. It was difficult going. Then one afternoon, a few days later, the police came and accused him of committing a robbery in the area. He was summarily arrested and dragged off to prison. As an ex-prisoner, his guilt was readily assumed. Unable to afford legal help, his conviction is all but assured. His situation is bad, and his family’s welfare is worse than ever. He feels totally isolated, forgotten and alone.

Spotlight

View these items of interest from www.pficjr.org

Saving New Zealand-- the Role of the Church and Faith-Based Organizations in Criminal Justice

What is Human Valorisation?

Improving Conditions in Overcrowded Prisons

Restorative Justice at Work

Sycamore Tree Project®

Communities of Restoration

What is restorative justice?

Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behaviour. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders.

Practices and programs reflecting restorative purposes will respond to crime by: (a) identifying and taking steps to repair harm, (b) involving all  stakeholders, and (c) transforming the traditional relationship between communities and their governments in responding to crime. more