Pro bono program aims to connect inmates with legal help
A new program is designed to help prison inmates in Saskatchewan navigate their legal issues.
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan recently started the Inmate Legal Assistance Panel Program, which is aimed at helping inmates in jails across Saskatchewan deal with issues inside institutions including discipline charges, segregation, access to health and dental care, or being banned from communicating with family. Carly Romanow, executive director and staff lawyer with Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, said the program connects volunteer lawyers with inmates needing assistance and so far has helped 50 inmates deal with issues inside jails.
“We were getting an increase of calls from inmates across the province within provincial institutions and federal institutions,” Romanow told paNOW. “And basically, no one was helping out … there’s a big gap in services for all these inmates.”
Institutional charges can have severe effects on prison inmates, Romanow said, and can lead to longer-term issues as well.