Public Defender Service Obtains Overwhelming Client Satisfaction
Public Defender Service Obtains Overwhelming Client Satisfaction
4 October 2004
The Public Defender Service (PDS) has obtained almost 100% client satisfaction over the last year* according to their Annual Report 2003-04 released today by the Legal Services Commission.
On average 97% of clients were satisfied with the service they received and 98% would recommend the service to someone else. The Birmingham, Darlington and Pontypridd offices obtained 100% ratings in both these categories.
Gaynor Ogden, Head of the Public Defender Service, said: “I am delighted with the high level of client satisfaction achieved throughout the Public Defender Service. The fact that so many of the people we have helped over the last year rated our assistance so highly shows just how effective the Public Defender Service has become.”
The success of the service can be demonstrated by the case of Sarah Mills. When she was arrested in June 2003, she was self-harming and in obvious difficulties with depression. She already had previous convictions for arson and assault. PDS lawyer Sophie Miller arranged for Ms Mills to see a forensic psychiatrist, who diagnosed that she was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress syndrome.
With the assistance of the Probation Service, the PDS persuaded the court to grant her a community rehabilitation order in place of what would otherwise have been a custodial sentence. As a result, Ms Mills avoided imprisonment and received the appropriate assistance to help prevent her from re-offending in future.
Sarah herself said: ‘With the help of the psychiatrist and the support of the PDS I began to see what had caused me to self-harm and set fires. I’m now receiving care from my local health care trust and have since got myself a good job. I’m starting a family and am a much happier and more positive person.’
*All figures are based on the total responses received from client questionnaires.