The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all areas of public life and has changed the way the legal professions work. The impact of the changes in prisons has been particularly acute for our clients and for practitioners in crime and civil alike. In this two-part discussion we explore the changes to the prison regime during the lockdown, consequent infringements on human rights and the impact on the criminal justice system, as well as the ways that parole hearings have had to adapt during these challenging times.

Recording
To view a recording of the webinar ‘Prison & Parole Hearings in the Age of COVID-19‘ please click the link. If you have any questions in advance for counsel or any other queries please don’t hesitate to contact Sean Collum on 020 7427 7088 or via email s.collum@pumpcourtchambers.com

Speakers

Siân Beaven

Siân Beaven is a specialist criminal practitioner. She has developed a practice prosecuting and defending in all areas of general crime following completion of pupillage at a specialist Criminal and Regulatory chambers in October 2018.

Siân also accepts instructions in professional disciplinary matters, appearing regularly before the NMC on behalf of registrants. She has also developed a practice in prison law, appearing regularly for prisoners in parole hearings and having represented the Claimant in a successful Judicial Review against the Parole Board of England and Wales.

Alejandra Llorente Tascon

Alejandra Llorente Tascon is a specialist Criminal practitioner. She has a busy criminal practise, frequently appearing in the Crown Court and the Courts Martial on behalf of the Defence and the Prosecution. Alejandra’s practice encompasses a wide range of offences including sexual offences, serious violence, drugs, dishonesty offences, road traffic matters, regulatory matters, and POCA. Furthermore, she has experience in dealing with youth and vulnerable defendants and complainants, as well as those with mental health issues.

Killian Moran

Killian is a solicitor specialising in public law. He has particular experience in public law claims against the Parole Board and arising out of issues in detention. He represents prisoners at Parole Board hearings and has experience in representing prisoners who require reasonable adjustments during Parole Reviews, making representations to the same effect.

Recently, Killian has been instructed in a Parole Review by the litigation friend of a prisoner. This followed a successful judicial review of the Parole Board on the same topic and is the first case of its kind within the jurisdiction of the Parole Board.

Bethany Jackson

Bethany is a caseworker at Kesar & Co Solicitors. She specialises in public and private law claims arising out of breaches of the Equality Act 2010. She advises clients who have suffered discrimination, bringing successful claims for damages. Bethany has a particular interest in issues arising from detention and the prison estate having completed her Masters in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice.

During the upheaval caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Bethany advised clients in cases concerning the approach of prisons to the management of the virus. One such case coincided with notable policy changes regarding how offenders should be transferred safely between prisons.