The Institute of Prison Law was founded in 1998 by Mark Leech & Elkan Abrahamson of AS Law Solicitors in Liverpool, with the intention of furthering the education, awareness and practice of prison law.  The Institute is accredited by both the Law Society and the Bar Council and is the only accredited CPD trainer to specialise solely in prison law - we provide training seminars, consultancy
and a 10 month course (one day per month) leading to the Certificate of Competency in Prison Law.

Mark Leech, Director of the Institute, is also Editor of the renowned Prisons Handbook, the definitive annual guide to the penal system of England and Wale and he is founder of UNLOCK, the National Association of Ex-Offenders.