§ Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many prisons, borstals, detention centres and remand centres, respectively, a prison officer is designated a legal aid officer; what are the duties of these officers and what work, if any, is specifically excluded; whether they receive the legal aid solicitors' list; what training they receive; and whether they receive any special remuneration.
§ Mr. MayhewGovernos of all prison service establishments have the duty to appoint certain members of the staff as designated legal aid officers. In most establishments these are a members of the office staff and a small panel of senior prison officers. The number of officers and the amount of time they spend on these duties varies and depends on several factors including, for example, the size of the establishment. Designated legal aid officers are responsible for giving advice to inmates on how to obtain legal aid and have access to the legal aid solicitors' list. They are specifically instructed not to give legal advice. Training is provided by means of formal training courses. Legal aid officers do not receive any special remuneration.