The Law Society of England and Wales is calling on the UK government to ensure that prisons meet human rights standards.
The call comes as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) publishes new research on worsening conditions in the UK’s overcrowded prisons and immigration centres, which fail to meet international and domestic human rights standards.
The NPM’s report also details the long detention periods in hospital for people with autism and learning disabilities, with no access to therapeutic care. It also raises concern over people allowed to be held indefinitely in immigration centres.
“The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) protects everyday rights, such as being treated with dignity by state authorities or having public services that act for our common good. These rights have served us time and again,” said Law Society of England and Wales president Mark Evans.
“Article 3 of the convention – an absolute right that no one shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment – is an important right for everybody in the UK.
“We urge the government to address the concerns raised in this report and ensure that everyone is able to access their rights under the ECHR.
Mark Evans added: “The Law Society has been lobbying on the Mental Health Bill, which protects people with learning disabilities or autistic people from being detained inappropriately. This protection must be extended to all types of hospital detention.
“Legislation should be in place to ensure that mental health patients have access to justice, as well as the dignity and respect they deserve.
“Prison lawyers play a crucial role in supporting those in terrible conditions in prison, but their numbers have been dwindling alarmingly,” concluded Mark Evans.
“The government has finally announced that prison law legal aid fees will increase. This is a step in the right direction but annual reviews of fees and cost-of-living increases are needed to stabilise the future of the profession.
“Sustained funding and reform are needed across the criminal justice system, which is currently failing the public it serves.”
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.