(BOP) - On April 21, 2023, the Justice Department issued a press release announcing an innovative pilot program to provide civil legal services to incarcerated individuals in select Bureau of Prisons women's facilities. A collaborative effort between the Office for Access to Justice, Bureau of Prisons, and National Institute of Corrections will address the barrier to successful reentry caused by unmet civil legal needs such as debt collection, access to benefits, or child custody matters.
Director Peters said, "Partnering with the Office for Access to Justice is a crucial step in breaking down barriers to provide important legal access to adults in custody. Some of the most vulnerable individuals in need of legal resources will now be afforded the opportunity to have access. The initial pilot, serving our women in custody, is significant as it will continue to support our gender responsive, and trauma informed focus, while addressing the additional barriers women also face."
The Civil Legal Services Pilot Program will start to offer services on a limited scale - on particular issues in certain facilities - with the purpose of evaluating the feasibility and utility of expanding services across all BOP facilities.
"Addressing legal concerns while people are still in custody is a major step forward in promoting successful community reintegration. And beginning the pilot with women continues our important work on equity and inclusion," said National Institute of Corrections Acting Director Dr. Alix McLearen.