Government Organisations

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APVU Assisted Prison Visits Unit
If you are aged 18 or over and on a qualifying income, you may be able to get help with the cost of travel when visiting a close relative or partner through the Prison Service, Assisted Prison Visits Scheme.
	PO Box 2152, Birmingham, B15 1BR	Tel: 0845 300 1423 Fax: 0121 626 3474 Email: assisted.prison.visits@hmps.gsi.gov.uk Textphone: 0845 304 0800

CCJS Center for Crime and Justice Studies
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) is a charity which aims to inform and educate about all aspects of crime and the criminal justice system from an objective standpoint, and in accordance with the Centre's values. We hope to encourage and facilitate healthy debate and understanding of the complex nature of issues concerning crime.
	School of Law, Kings College London, 26-29 Drury Lane, London. WC2B 5RL	Tel: 0207 848 1688 Fax: 0207 848 1689 Email: ccjs.enq@kcl.ac.uk

CCRC Criminal Case Review Committee
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is the independent public body set up to investigate suspected miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Commission assesses whether convictions or sentences should be referred to a court of appeal.
	Alpha Tower, Suffolk St', Queens Way, Birmingham. B1 1TT	Tel: 0121 633 1800 Fax: 0121 633 1823

Charities' Commission
The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales.
		Tel: 0870 333 0123
Liverpool Office	20 Kings Parade, Queens Dock, Liverpool. L3 4DQ	Fax: 0151 703 1555 [Liverpool]
London Office	Harmsworth House, 13‑15 Bouverie Street, London. EC4Y 8DP	Fax: 020 7674 2300 [London]

CICA Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a Non-Departmental Public Body which administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Since its introduction in 1964, it has provided some tangible acknowledgement of society’s sympathy for innocent victims of violent crime or those injured trying to apprehend criminals or prevent a crime.
Freephone		Tel: 0800 358 3601
Glasgow Office	Tay House, 300 Bath Street, Glasgow. G2 4LN	Tel: 0141 331 2726 Fax: 0141 331 2287
London Office	Morley House, 26‑30 Holborn Viaduct, London. EC1A 2JQ	Tel: 0207 842 6800 Fax: 0207 842 0804

HMPS HM Prison Service
Her Majesty's Prison Service serves the public by keeping in custody those committed by the courts. Our duty is to look after them with humanity and help them lead law-abiding and useful lives in custody and after release.
	Cleland House, Page Street, London. SW1P 4LN	Email: prisons.dg@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Home Office

	2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF	Tel: 0870 000 1585 [09.00 to 17.00] Textphone: 020 7273 3476 Fax: 020 7273 2065 Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
	Prison library service	Tel: 0208 760 1711

Law Society

The Law Society is the regulatory and representative body for 116,000 solicitors in England and Wales. We have important public responsibilities:

	Regulating and setting standards for solicitors to make sure they deliver a good and ethical service to consumers.
	Representing solicitors.
	Supporting solicitors to help them achieve the standards expected of them, and deliver good service.
	Influencing law reform to achieve a better system of justice.

113 Chancery Lane,
London. WC2A 1PL

Tel: 0207 2421 222
Fax: 020 7831 0344
Minicom: 0870 600 1560
Front Desk – Enquiries: 02073 205 954
Email: Info.services@lawsociety.org.uk

Magistrates Association
The Magistrates' Association has over 29,000 members, and represents over 80% of serving volunteer magistrates. Others such as justices' clerks, liaison judges and solicitors also receive the Magistrate magazine. The Association's national office is based in London and has a staff complement of ten full-time and two part-time employees. Membership is organised through the branch structure, from which the Council Representatives are drawn. Many Council Representatives also serve on various Standing Committees looking at specialist areas of interest to the magistracy. There is a team of Honorary Officers - a Chairman and two Deputy Chairmen who are elected by Council, and the Treasurer who is elected at the October Annual General Meeting.
	28 Fitzroy Square, London. W1T 6DD	Tel: 020 7387 2353 Fax: 020 7383 4020 Email: communications@magistrates-association.org.uk Email: finance@magistrates-association.org.uk Email: membership@magistrates-association.org.uk Email: secretariat@magistrates-association.org.uk Email: training@magistrates-association.org.uk

Prisons Ombudsman Probation Ombudsman
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is appointed by the Home Secretary and investigates complaints from prisoners and those subject to probation supervision, or those upon whom reports have been written. The Ombudsman is completely independent of both the Prison Service and the National Probation Service (NPS). The current Ombudsman is Stephen Shaw, and a team of deputies, assistants, investigators and other staff supports him. The Ombudsman is also responsible for investigating all deaths of prisoners and residents of probation hostels and immigration detention accommodation.
	Ashley House, 2 Monck Street, London. 1T 2BQ	Tel: 0207 276 2876 Tel: 0845 010 7938 [lo-call] Fax: 020 7035 2860 Email: mail@ppo.gsi.gov.uk

SPS Scottish Prison Service
Justice is at the heart of safer, stronger communities. Our justice system underpins strong communities, where the values of fairness, tolerance and respect can flourish. The Scottish Prison Service is an integral part of the justice system. Our communities rely on it not only to keep prisoners in custody but also to prepare them for release. SPS has a vital part to play in our efforts to reduce re-offending and to make Scotland a safer place.
	Calton House, 5 Redheughs Rigg, Edinburgh. EH12 9HW	Tel: 0131 244 8745 Email: gaolinfo@sps.gov.uk

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Updated 13^th April 2005; please inform us of any errors.
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