Prisoners Legal Service (PLS)

Prisoners Legal Service (PLS) is a statewide specialist service of Legal Aid NSW. 

PLS can provide advice, minor assistance and representation to prisoners. Our service is free and confidential.

Criminal law matters

We can represent you at:

• hearings at the State Parole Authority
• life sentence determinations
• segregation appeals
• visiting magistrate hearings.

We can provide free advice and minor assistance in matters like:

• bail
• legal aid
• appeals
• parole
• classification and other prison issues

Family law matters

The type of family law matters we may be able to assist with are:

• Child Protection (when children are removed from their Mums and Dads by DCJ formerly known as Docs)
• Adoption
• Family law where Mums and Dads can’t agree between themselves on parenting matters or who the children will live with
• Mediations post-release
• Child Support payments
• Divorce
• Dividing the family home and property when a relationship ends.

Legal Aid NSW’s family law team can also tell you whether legal aid will be available in any of the matters listed above if they are listed before the court.

Our lawyers either visit or arrange video link or telephone conferences with prisoners in all NSW gaols. 

You can contact us by:

• pressing #2  on the Common Auto Dial List (CADL) and ask for PLS.  This is a free call. Sometimes this phone service will be restricted to the following hours:
  • Morning: 10am to 12pm,
  • Afternoon: 2pm to 4pm. 
• asking the Functional Manager or SAPO to put your name on the list to Legal Aid.
• writing to: Prisoners Legal Service, PO Box 695 Parramatta NSW 2124.

Friends and family of prisoners can contact Prisoners Legal Service on 02 9066 6046 during business hours, or by emailing PLS@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.