by Web Master | Jul 10, 2025 | News, Uncategorized
LEGAL ADVOCATE – RACIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
Burnaby, BC | Prisoners’ Legal Services is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and qiqéyt (Qayqayt) Nations.
Title: Legal Advocate – Racial Justice Program
Location: Primarily in-person at our office in Burnaby, with some remote work opportunities
Employment type: Full-time (approximately 35 hours/week)
Salary: $66,402/year
Application deadline: August 1, 2025 or until filled. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
Start date: As soon as possible.
Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) is looking for a passionate, strategic, reliable and empathetic person to join our efforts to protect the rights and dignity of people in prison as a legal advocate focusing on racial justice. The Racial Justice Advocate position is an opportunity to help advance systemic change while also providing direct legal support to racialized incarcerated people.
About us:
Prisoners’ Legal Services is a non-profit society providing legal assistance to people in federal and provincial prisons in British Columbia. We also engage in strategic litigation and advocacy on the prison justice issues brought forward by our clients to achieve systemic, anti-carceral change.
We are a team of lawyers and non-lawyers who believe that no one is disposable, and who work alongside and in solidarity with incarcerated people. We witness some of the harshest forms of state violence, and use the legal system’s tools to protect our clients from the abuses and degradations of prison. More information about our work is available at https://prisonjustice.org/.
About the position:
PLS’ Racial Justice Program combines individual legal services with litigation and advocacy on issues of systemic racism, including the mass incarceration of Indigenous people, the over-classification of Black and Indigenous people to higher security prisons, barriers to community release for Black and Indigenous prisoners, race-based harassment and discrimination by prison authorities, investment in prisons over community-based and Indigenous-run alternatives, and more.
The Racial Justice Advocate assists incarcerated clients, primarily by phone, with prison legal matters, focusing on issues that engage anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. Advocacy may involve summary advice, informal advocacy with prison authorities and others, written submissions, complaints to oversight bodies, representation at administrative hearings (such as Parole Board hearings), and more. Legal advocates have conduct of client files and are responsible for determining what services will be provided to a client and ensuring tasks are completed, deadlines are met, commitments to clients are honoured, and accurate records are kept. Legal advocates work under the supervision of a lawyer.
The Racial Justice Advocate works closely with the Racial Justice Staff Lawyer to identify trends, develop and pursue systemic litigation and advocacy, and promote the integration of individual client representation with systemic change work.
Qualifications & skills:
- Post-secondary education in law, criminology, social work, or related discipline, or equivalent education and experience;
- Strong writing, research, interviewing and negotiation skills;
- Ability to be a strong advocate for marginalized clients, including people with high mental health needs and people convicted of various crimes;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people in prison, lawyers, prison and parole officials, community partners, and others;
- Knowledge of colonialism and anti-Black and anti-Indigenous systems of oppression; strong commitment to social justice and anti-oppression work;
- Excellent judgment in matters of ethics and confidentiality;
- Interest in law and legal approaches;
- Intellectual curiosity and creativity, and an ability to think strategically;
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and to partner effectively and compassionately with incarcerated clients;
- Familiarity with concepts of cultural safety and humility;
- Self-directed and attentive to detail, with the ability to set goals and meet deadlines;
- Critical and anti-colonial approach to carceral systems;
- Ability to care for yourself and colleagues amidst challenging work;
- Knowledge of French an asset.
Working Conditions:
This is a primarily in-person position based at our office in an elevator building in Burnaby, BC, with some opportunities for remote work. Office hours are approximately 8:30-4:30 Monday – Friday, with periodic work outside these hours. Each advocate has their own office within our communal office space. There is a gender-neutral accessible washroom. Staff are unionized.
The position requires extensive phone communication, in-person and virtual meetings and hearings, and travel to prisons in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. A driver’s licence and as-needed access to a vehicle strongly preferred. A CPIC clearance will be required to visit prisons.
This position is dependent on grant funding.
Salary: $66,402/year, plus a comprehensive benefits package. Additional benefits include 20 paid vacation days, wellness days and professional development opportunities.
How to apply:
We are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice. We welcome and encourage applications from members of marginalized communities or communities that experience structural discrimination, including but not limited to Indigenous people, racialized people, people with (dis)abilities, and people of minority gender identities and sexual orientations.
As an employer, we strive to create an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process; please contact info@pls-bc.ca to request accommodations.
Interested applicants should submit a covering letter and résumé to:
Nicole Kief, Executive Director
Prisoners’ Legal Services/West Coast Prison Justice Society
info@pls-bc.ca
Please note “Racial Justice Advocate” in the subject line.
Closing date: August 1, 2025 or until filled. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
by Web Master | Apr 14, 2025 | News, News Releases
CPSBC has published a new practice standard, Treating Incarcerated Patients in Isolation, that highlights expectations for physicians who work in corrections to minimize health impacts related to solitary confinement.
The practice standard is based on the United Nations Mandela Rules, which outline principles for the dignified treatment of incarcerated people, including prohibitions on the use of isolation for people with an existing mental health disability and for anyone after 15 days. Research and patient cases have shown that isolation can be detrimental to health, causing and exacerbating symptoms of mental illness.
The practice standard supports CPSBC’s commitment to stop the cycle of Indigenous-specific racism. Over-incarceration of Indigenous Peoples is rooted in historical injustices, systemic racism, and the enduring impacts of colonialism. Indigenous Peoples often face harsher conditions, which can lead to severe mental and physical health consequences.
“While we know that physicians who work in corrections do not make decisions about an incarcerated person’s placement, the new practice standard is a tool that can assist their efforts to remove patients from harmful conditions of isolation,” said Dr. Patrick Rowe, registrar and CEO of CPSBC. “We expect physicians to balance their professional duties with their ethical obligations, and to prioritize human dignity and safety.”
The practice standard was developed in close collaboration with Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS), who represented Brent Crane in a complaint related to the role of a physician in his prolonged segregation in a BC correctional centre, and a Health Professions Review Board (HPRB) decision – BCHRPB 39. Rather than proceeding with a further review by the HPRB, CPSBC, Brent Crane and PLS agreed that the development of a practice standard would more constructively and prospectively address the concerns that were identified.
“Solitary is considered torture or cruel treatment by the United Nations if it is used for more than 15 days, or for any amount of time for someone with a mental health disability. Solitary can be fatal. CPSBC’s new practice standard is a significant first in Canada, requiring BC physicians who care for incarcerated people to comply with the Mandela Rules and to recommend the removal of a person from isolation if their mental health is negatively impacted, if they have an existing mental health disability or if they have been in solitary for more than 15 days,” said Jennifer Metcalfe, counsel for Brent Crane and past Executive Director of PLS.
“Segregation was really hard on my mental health. I am glad that physicians will have to be aware of how harmful segregation is. I hope this practice standard will prevent other people from suffering the way I did in isolation,” said Brent Crane.
The new practice standard was approved by CPSBC’s board and is now published on the website. Other medical regulators in Canada have shown interest in adopting a similar standard.
CPSBC acknowledges the efforts of those physicians working in corrections who reviewed drafts of the standard and provided their expertise, as well as the Indigenous lawyers and other advocates who work with incarcerated people who offered feedback throughout the development process.
Media inquiries:
Communications and Public Affairs, CPSBC communications@cpsbc.ca
Jennifer Metcalfe jennifer.e.metcalfe@outlook.com
Nicole Kief, Executive Director, PLS nkief@pls-bc.ca
by Web Master | Dec 16, 2024 | News
Prisoners’ Legal Services is a non-profit society providing legal assistance to people in federal and provincial prisons in British Columbia. We also engage in strategic litigation and advocacy on the prison justice issues brought forward by our clients to achieve systemic, anti-carceral change.
We are a team of lawyers and non-lawyers who believe that no one is disposable, and who work alongside and in solidarity with incarcerated people. We witness some of the harshest forms of state violence, and use the legal system’s tools to protect our clients from the abuses and degradations of prison.
Prisoners’ Legal Services is located in Burnaby, BC, on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and qiqéyt (Qayqayt) Nations.
We are currently hiring for the following positions:
by Web Master | Dec 16, 2024 | News
PRISONERS’ LEGAL SERVICES – INTAKE WORKER/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Burnaby, BC – Prisoners’ Legal Services is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and qiqéyt (Qayqayt) Nations.
Prisoners’ Legal Services is looking for an intake worker/administrative assistant who wants to use their skills to support the rights and dignity of people in prison.
About us:
Prisoners’ Legal Services is a non-profit society providing legal assistance to people in federal and provincial prisons in British Columbia. We also engage in strategic litigation and advocacy on the prison justice issues brought forward by our clients to achieve systemic, anti-carceral change.
We are a team of lawyers and non-lawyers who believe that no one is disposable, and who work alongside and in solidarity with incarcerated people. We witness some of the harshest forms of state violence, and use the legal system’s tools to protect our clients from the abuses and degradations of prison.
About this role:
The intake worker/administrative assistant is a critical role, acting as the first point of contact for incarcerated people with our office and triaging their needs with compassion and efficiency. PLS has two intake workers/administrative assistants who work in close partnership with one another.
Duties include:
- Answering calls from clients, entering information into our database, determining clients’ legal issues, directing calls to the appropriate staff member and taking messages;
- Providing clients with referrals to other agencies, sending public legal education material and providing limited legal information in specific identified areas;
- Answering other calls, taking messages, arranging couriers, sending and delivering faxes and mail;
- Maintaining accurate database and filing systems;
- Drafting letters;
- Tracking access to information requests and responses;
- Arranging legal aid lawyers to represent clients at hearings;
- Providing advocacy and litigation support to advocates and lawyers;
- In partnership with the office manager, ensuring facilities and IT systems are working;
- Keeping the office organized and tidy, vacuuming and taking out recycling and garbage.
Qualifications & skills:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people in prison, lawyers, and prison and parole officials;
- Desire to assist marginalized clients, including people with high mental health needs and people convicted of various crimes, and ability to speak with distressed clients in a calm and supportive manner;
- Ability to be discreet and to exercise excellent judgment in matters of ethics and confidentiality;
- Efficient and detail-oriented;
- Commitment to social justice and anti-oppression work;
- Grade 12 education;
- Comfortable with Microsoft Office;
- Ability to work well with others in a team setting;
- Experience in a legal environment and/or with record keeping and file management an asset; and
- Ability to care for yourself and colleagues amidst challenging work.
We are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion and we welcome and encourage applications from members of marginalized communities or communities that experience structural discrimination, including but not limited to Indigenous people, racialized people, people with (dis)abilities, and people of minority sexual orientations and gender identities.
This is an in-person position based at our office in Burnaby, BC.
Salary: $46,265, plus a comprehensive benefits package. Additional benefits include 20 paid vacation days, wellness days, and professional development opportunities.
Closing date: January 10, 2025 or until filled. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
Interested applicants should submit a covering letter and résumé outlining how their qualifications meet the position requirements to:
Nicole Kief, Interim Executive Director
Prisoners’ Legal Services / West Coast Prison Justice Society
info@pls-bc.ca
Please note “intake worker/administrative assistant” in the subject line.
