HMP Leeds death could have been prevented by information sharing – BBC News
‘A prisoner may not have died if information was passed on about his suicidal thoughts, a coroner has said.’
BBC News, 24th October 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: prisons
Family of vulnerable man found dead in Dorset prison demand reforms – The Guardian
‘The family of a vulnerable prisoner found hanged in his cell have called for improvements in how inmates with mental health issues are cared for after an inquest jury concluded there was a string of failings in his care.’
The Guardian, 20th October 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Domestic violence: Scheme stops abusers writing to victims from jail – BBC News
‘A scheme to stop jailed domestic abusers terrorising their victims from prison should be rolled out nationwide, a senior figure has said.’
BBC News, 7th October 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Jail terms of 20+ years ‘quadruple’ in England and Wales over past decade – The Guardian
‘The number of people sentenced to more than 20 years in prison has quadrupled over the last decade, figures have shown. Given the increase in average tariff lengths handed down by courts, this figure is expected to continue to rise substantially over coming years.’
The Guardian, 3rd October 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Fear of more baby deaths as ministers stand firm on jailing pregnant women – The Guardian
‘Experts have warned that more babies could die in prison owing to the government’s expansion of female prison places and ministers’ refusal to grant multiple requests to end the incarceration of pregnant women.’
The Guardian, 23rd September 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Ministry of Justice overhaul as prison population predicted to hit nearly 100,000 – Daily Telegraph
‘The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is being overhauled in anticipation of a “bow wave” of more than 20,000 extra jailed criminals who will push the prison population to a post-war high of nearly 100,000 by 2026.’
Daily Telegraph, 19th September 2021
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Human Rights for Working Prisoners – by Virginia Mantouvalou – UK Labour Law
‘A few days ago it was highlighted in the press that the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers was in discussions with the Ministry of Justice. The aim of these was to explore how prisoners could be used to cover labour shortages, one of the many reported effects of Brexit. The scheme under which this could be done is the “Release under Temporary License”, which permits certain categories of prisoners who are on day release to work. Another group of prisoners who could work in this context are those with long sentences that are coming towards the end of these and who are idle for years while in prison.’
UK Labour Law, 8th September 2021
Source: uklabourlawblog.com
Misconduct in public office – ECtHR reviews foreseeability of common law offence – UK Human Rights Blog
‘On 6 July 2021 the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) published its judgment in the case of Norman v UK (Application no. 41387/17). The case concerned Mr Robert Norman, an officer at Belmarsh prison, who in 2015 was convicted of misconduct in public office for passing a variety of information to a tabloid journalist in exchange for money. The ECtHR found that, in Mr Norman’s case, the offence itself did not constitute a breach of Article 7 ECHR (no punishment without law): Mr Norman’s conduct was sufficiently serious for it to have been foreseeable that it would constitute a criminal offence. The ECtHR also found that the newspaper’s disclosure of Mr Norman’s activities to the police, and his subsequent prosecution and conviction, did not breach his rights under Article 10 ECtHR (freedom of expression).’
UK Human Rights Blog, 6th September 2021
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
Striking the Balance – Carmelite Chambers
‘Criminal justice practitioners will be well versed on the difficulties overcrowding, gang affiliation and substance misuse pose to the safe management of prisons. However, as society gradually opens its eyes to the fluidity and diversity of gender the prison estate has been forced to confront a new challenge. In July 2019 “The Care and Management of Individuals who are Transgender” Policy (“the Care Management Policy”) was published.’
Carmelite Chambers, 19th August 2021
Source: www.carmelitechambers.co.uk
Leeds prison punished inmates by restricting showers, report finds – The Guardian
‘Prisoners were unlawfully prevented from showering daily as punishment for poor behaviour, with shielding and self-isolating inmates also unable to do so, according to a damning report.’
The Guardian, 12th August 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Smitten prison officer helped inmate lover escape – BBC News
‘A former prison officer has been jailed for forming a relationship with an inmate and helping him escape.’
BBC News, 10th August 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Fifty-two prisoners in close supervision units ‘that may amount to torture’ – The Guardian
‘Fifty-two people are being held in prison units in England and Wales in conditions that a UN human rights expert has said may amount to torture, the Guardian has learned.’
The Guardian, 26th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Complete removal of hope’: an inmate on life in a close supervision centre – The Guardian
‘Case study: Kevan Thakrar says the high suicide and self-harm rates in CSCs are no surprise.’
The Guardian, 26th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
MP questions transfer of children from Rainsbrook secure centre to youth jails – The Guardian
‘Children held in a condemned youth jail for vulnerable offenders have been moved into unsuitable alternative custody, a committee has been told. About 30 children previously held at the privately run Rainsbrook secure training centre are being transferred into alternative custody arrangements following calls for urgent action over problems at the unit.’
The Guardian, 13th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Trans women in female jails policy lawful, High Court rules – BBC News
‘It is lawful for transgender women to be housed in female jails in England and Wales, the High Court has ruled.’
BBC News, 3rd July 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Ministers remove children from private youth jail after American contractor fails to fix ‘serious’ flaws – The Independent
‘The UK government is removing all children from a troubled jail for youths run by an American company after some were locked in their rooms for more than 23 hours a day.’
The Independent, 17th June 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Public inquiry opens into Met police killing of unarmed Jermaine Baker – The Guardian
‘A public inquiry into the death of an unarmed man shot by a Metropolitan police marksman during a foiled prison break has heard that a bug in the getaway car picked up the occupants saying they did not have a real gun.’
The Guardian, 14th June 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
How Can Respecting the Right to Religion for Prisoners Make A Real Difference? – Each Other
‘Over the past twenty years, the proportion of prisoners from religious minorities has steadily increased. EachOther asks how can listening to minority voices improve the right to religion in prisons?’
Each Other, 8th June 2021
Source: eachother.org.uk
Women offenders being released to homelessness – MPs – BBC News
‘Thousands of women are being released from prison each year without adequate help, a group of MPs and peers say.’
BBC News, 8th June 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
New Acts – legislation.gov.uk
2021 c. 24 – Fire Safety Act 2021
2021 c. 21 – Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021
2021 c. 20 – Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021
2021 c. 19 – Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021
2021 c. 18 – Prisons (Substance Testing) Act 2021
2021 c. 16 – Education and Training (Welfare of Children) Act 2021
2021 c. 15 – British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Act 2021
2021 c. 13 – Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Act 2021
2021 c. 12 – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021
Source: www.legislation.gov.uk
