FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. About Justice Defenders
What is Justice Defenders?
Justice Defenders is a community of people with lived experience that understands, implements, and shapes criminal justice through legal education, practice, and convening.
Where do you work?
In 22 prisons across Kenya and Uganda. Expansion pilots include the United Kingdom and the United States.
Who founded the organisation?
Justice Defenders was founded by Alexander McLean in 2007.
How are paralegals and lawyers trained?
Our paralegals are trained in-house through a structured programme delivered by our team of law graduates and practising lawyers, with additional teaching from local and international legal professionals. The training covers criminal procedure, constitutional rights, legal ethics, case preparation, and client support inside prisons.
Those who go on to qualify as lawyers study for the University of London LLB by distance learning, supported by Justice Defenders tutors, volunteer barristers, and visiting faculty. Their legal education follows the same academic standards as any LLB student globally, with examinations independently set and marked by the University of London.
You can read more about our legal education and practice model.
Are you a registered charity/NPO?
Yes. Registered in the UK, USA, and relevant African jurisdictions.
Justice Defenders is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1121764). Registered office: Bryden Johnson, Kings Parade, Lower Coombe Street, Croydon CR0 1AA, UK
Justice Defenders (USA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 36-4787320). Registered office: 2093 Philadelphia Pike #6214, Claymont, DE 19703, USA.
Read more about our governance.
How is your work different from legal aid?
We build legal capacity inside prisons, equipping prisoners and prison officers to become defenders of justice who provide direct legal services where it is needed the most.
2. Impact and results
How many people have you supported?
As of November 2025, We have worked on more than 170,000 legal cases, leading to over 69,000 releases to date. 700 people have trained with us as paralegals; 67 prisoners and prison officers completed their law degrees from prison. 2 have become practicing lawyers.
See the full overview on our Impact
How do you measure impact?
Case outcomes, remand-time reductions, successful appeals, legal-education progression, and systemic improvements inside partner prisons.
How do donations make a difference?
Philanthropy funds legal offices inside prisons, the training of paralegals, casework and representation, and access to internationally accredited legal education. These interventions and the impact they make possible would not exist without donor support.
How are funds allocated across countries and programmes?
According to caseload volume, programme maturity, and specific legal-education or legal-practice needs.
3. Legal education and practice model
How does someone apply to study law in prison?
Applications are coordinated inside each partner prison. Candidates are assessed on literacy, track-record of service, commitment, and space within the cohort. Selection is managed jointly by prison staff and Justice Defenders.
Who delivers the training?
Training follows a blended model. Daily instruction is led by prison-based facilitators and Justice Defenders legal officers and law tutors; specialist sessions are delivered by external lecturers and legal mentors; academic standards are overseen by the University of London for the LLB.
How do prison officers participate?
Officers fulfill a key role in facilitating operations in our prison-based legal offices. They also enrol and study alongside incarcerated students. This dual-cohort approach builds shared legal capacity, improves relationships inside prisons, and strengthens institutional understanding of the law.
How does legal representation inside prisons work?
Paralegals based inside legal offices provide advice, case preparation, drafting, plea-bargain guidance, and equip clients for self-representation in partnership with qualified advocates. They operate under supervision, supported by our legal team and national legal-practice requirements.
What safeguards ensure quality and ethics?
Quality is maintained through internal case reviews, ongoing supervision by qualified lawyers, adherence to national legal-practice rules, and structured training in ethics and professional standards. Regular monitoring visits and peer reviews ensure compliance and consistency.
4. Events, visits, and partnerships
Can I visit a programme site or prison?
We regularly convene in prison with incarcerated paralegals, prison officers, and visiting justice partners to share meals, stories, and purpose. These gatherings are designed to cut through distance, hierarchy, and institutional barriers so that people can encounter one another as peers working toward a shared vision of justice.
If you would like to take part in future convenings, you can express interest by emailing support@justice-defenders.org
How can my organisation collaborate with you?
Collaboration can take many forms. Partners contribute financial support, pro bono legal expertise, training, capacity-building, research, and technical assistance delivered inside prisons and through our legal offices. Some co-host convenings that bring together incarcerated paralegals, prison officers, and justice leaders to share learning and strengthen systems.
Learn more
Can I host an event or invite a speaker?
Yes. We regularly participate in events with universities, law firms, faith communities, and philanthropic partners. Speakers may include legal officers, advocates, or graduates of our prison-based programmes, depending on availability.
Find out more
5. Donations and financial support
How can I make a donation?
You can donate online through our Donate page, where you’ll find options for credit/debit card and PayPal. Bank transfers and foundation/DAF gifts are also accepted.
How do I set up a recurring donation?
Select the monthly option when making a gift on the Donate page.
How do I update or cancel my monthly donation?
Open your most recent emailed donation receipt and click Manage your donation. If you can’t locate the receipt or the link doesn’t work, email support@justice-defenders.org and we’ll assist you.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Donations are tax-deductible in the UK (Justice Defenders, Charity No. 1121764) and the USA (Justice Defenders USA, 501(c)(3), EIN 36-4787320).
Do you accept stock, DAF, foundation, or wire transfers?
Yes. We receive gifts from donor-advised funds, foundations, and through stock or wire transfers. For instructions, contact support@justice-defenders.org
Can I sponsor a student or legal office?
Yes. Support opportunities include sponsoring LLB students, prison-based legal offices, or specific programme needs. For instructions, contact support@justice-defenders.org
Can I leave a gift in my will?
Yes. You can learn more about our legacy programme here.
For direct assistance, contact giving@justice-defenders.org
6. Website, accounts, and communications
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe?
Use the link in any Justice Defenders email. You can also join or remove yourself via the newsletter form on our website.
I’m not receiving emails — what should I do?
Check spam or promotions folders and mark our address as safe. If the issue continues, contact support@justice-defenders.org
Contact Information
How do I update my contact details?
Email support@justice-defenders.org with your new information. Updates are processed promptly.
Press, Media, and Speaking Requests
Who do I contact for interviews, press materials, or speaker requests?
Email press@justice-defenders.org
Please include your outlet, deadline, and the nature of your request.
7. Governance, safeguarding, and transparency
What safeguarding policies do you follow?
A cross-jurisdiction safeguarding framework applies to all staff, volunteers, paralegals, advocates, and programme participants. It sets standards for conduct, reporting, case management, and escalation in every country in which we operate.
Full policies are available on the Safeguarding section of the Governance page.
How do you ensure financial accountability?
Independent annual audits, board-level financial oversight, strict internal controls, and compliance with the charity regulators in England & Wales and the United States. Financial policies, audit reports, and regulatory filings are available on the Financial Accountability section of the Governance page.
Where can I find your annual report and audited accounts?
All annual reports, audited statements, and statutory filings can be downloaded from the Annual Reports & Accounts
Who sits on your board?
Current board members, along with short biographies and committee roles, are listed here