Kathryn Reece-Thomas recently represented Mr. C, who had been detained under an IPP sentence with a 7-year tariff, served in 2017. Despite being represented in four previous reviews with no success, Mr. C instructed Kathryn to seek his release.

At the outset of the case, there was little support for Mr. C’s progression. However, Kathryn worked tirelessly to achieve his release. Upon reviewing the case papers, it became apparent that Mr. C had not been given the necessary course to demonstrate risk reduction since his last review. Kathryn immediately contacted the prison to request that the course be provided. When no clear confirmation was given that the course would be offered before the hearing, Kathryn issued a letter before action, threatening a Judicial Review if the course was not made available in time.

Subsequently, Mr. C was transferred to another prison where he was given access to the course, which he successfully completed. At the hearing, Kathryn persuaded the panel that Mr. C’s successful completion of the course, Mr C post tariff status and his excellent behaviour should allow them to direct release. This argument was accepted, and the panel directed Mr. C’s direct release from closed conditions.

Mr. C is now on licence following his release. This decision not only marked a major victory for Mr. C but also highlighted Kathryn’s unmatched ability to navigate complex cases and achieve results where others had failed.

Bethany Hughes recently achieved a significant milestone in her work, successfully securing the release of a client who had been serving an Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection (IPP). The client had spent over 14 years in closed conditions, far exceeding his original tariff. His case sheds light on the profound challenges of the IPP system and the importance of addressing the individual needs of those within it.

 The client, diagnosed with dementia, had never experienced release and faced unique challenges that highlighted the need for structured and compassionate care. Recognizing this, Bethany worked to ensure his transition from indefinite imprisonment to a supported living arrangement, where his needs could be better addressed in a more appropriate environment.

 In advocating for his release, Bethany demonstrated that continued detention served little purpose beyond monitoring, something that could be more effectively managed outside of prison in a highly supportive, non-custodial setting. The case stands as a testament to the importance of taking a compassionate and individualised approach to justice, particularly for those with complex health conditions.

Kathryn Reece-Thomas also represented Mr. X, who had been detained in the High Secure Estate serving a life sentence. At the time, Mr. X had served 20 years post-tariff and had undergone 18 reviews by the Parole Board without ever instructing legal representation. As a result, he found himself at an impasse within the system, with limited progress. Recognizing the need for expert legal intervention, Mr. X instructed Kathryn to take on his case.

Kathryn immediately set about securing Mr. X’s first oral hearing in years, a critical step that had been denied to him for far too long. At the hearing, she employed her exceptional legal skills and in-depth knowledge of parole procedures to argue convincingly that Mr. X should be downgraded to a Category D prisoner. Kathryn's persuasive advocacy left the Parole Board with no choice but to agree, and they made the recommendation for his downgrade.

Mr. X was elated by the outcome, which represented a significant step forward in his progression through the system. He felt a renewed sense of confidence, knowing that he now had a solicitor of Kathryn’s calibre fighting on his behalf. This decision not only marked a major victory for Mr. X but also highlighted Kathryn’s unmatched ability to navigate complex cases and achieve results where others had failed.