What We Do
The Prison Law Division, launched in May 2026, provides legal advice, assistance, and representation to individuals who are incarcerated at Grand Valley Institution or Beaver Creek Institution. We offer the following services:
- Representing clients at Disciplinary Court hearings
- Representing clients at hearings before the Parole Board of Canada
- Representing clients on habeas corpus applications
- Drafting grievances
- Providing legal opinions
- Conducting meetings with prisoner groups, including in collaboration with other Downtown Legal Services divisions to provide legal information about areas such as family law, employment, housing, and social benefits
The Prison Law Division also accepts referrals to represent individuals who are incarcerated at other institutions, and/or who are seeking assistance in proceedings before other courts and tribunals. We regularly engage in test case and systemic litigation, often together with other counsel and organizations. If you are counsel or part of an organization that works with incarcerated individuals and you wish to refer or discuss a meritorious case, we would be very pleased to hear from you. You can reach us directly through the main office line or by email.