Remembering Louis Blom-Cooper, A Human Rights Champion – Rights Info

‘Lawyer and human rights champion Sir Louis Blom-Cooper passed away in London, aged 92, on September 19, 2018. Here are some of the ways in which Blom-Cooper blazed a trail for human rights.’

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Rights Info, 2nd October 2018

Source: rightsinfo.org

Why doesn’t prison work for women? – BBC News

Posted October 1st, 2018 in news, prisons, recidivists, women by sally

‘Women make up just under 5% of the prison population in England and Wales, yet they are more likely than men to reoffend. Why doesn’t prison work for women and what is being done to improve outcomes for them?’

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BBC News, 29 September 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

HMP Bedford inmates ‘effectively control’ jail – BBC News

Posted September 14th, 2018 in health & safety, news, prisons, violence by tracey

‘Inmates have effectively taken control at a violent and vermin-infested prison, a watchdog has warned.’

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BBC News, 13th September 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hate preacher Anjem Choudary, to be freed in weeks, is ‘still a threat’ – The Guardian

Posted September 12th, 2018 in incitement, Islam, news, prisons, release on licence, terrorism by tracey

‘The Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary remains a dangerous threat ahead of his imminent release from jail, the prisons minister has warned, as plans to train an “elite corps” of Muslim chaplains to de-radicalise extremist inmates were unveiled.’

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The Guardian, 11th September 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sexual assaults in women’s prison reignite debate over transgender inmates – The Guardian

Posted September 10th, 2018 in news, prisons, sexual offences, transgender persons by tracey

‘A leading prison reformer has said prisoners who have committed violent offences against women should not be able to transfer to women’s prisons if they have not legally changed their gender, after it emerged that a transgender inmate had sexually assaulted fellow prisoners after transferring to a women’s prison.’

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The Guardian, 9th September 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK wife killer to be repatriated to India – BBC News

Posted August 28th, 2018 in deportation, murder, news, prisons by sally

‘An Indian man currently serving a jail term in the UK for murdering his wife will be repatriated to India, a top prison official has told BBC Punjabi.’

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BBC News, 27th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Don’t release prisoners on Fridays, says Nacro charity – BBC News

Posted August 24th, 2018 in benefits, medical treatment, news, prisons by sally

‘Prisoners should stop being released on Fridays because it can prove hard for them to access benefits, medication and assistance, campaigners have said.’

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BBC News, 24th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prison population set to rise despite overcrowding crisis – The Guardian

Posted August 24th, 2018 in news, prisons, statistics by sally

‘Prisoner numbers are expected to rise by thousands over the next five years, according to estimates released amid warnings of a crisis in jails in England and Wales.’

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The Guardian, 23rd August 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Birmingham is just one of 15 prisons of ‘serious concern’ – the charts that show the state of our prisons – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 22nd, 2018 in contracting out, news, prisons, statistics by sally

‘Prisons in England and Wales have come under renewed scrutiny this week, after it was announced that HMP Birmingham is becoming the first privately-run prison to be taken over by the Government.’

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Daily Telegraph, 21st August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The government knew about horrific conditions at Birmingham prison, but didn’t care – The Guardian

Posted August 21st, 2018 in ministers' powers and duties, news, prisons, reports by sally

‘The chief inspector of prisons’ shocking report on HMP Birmingham shows that our prison estate is out of the control of authorities. The report found that inmates used drink, drugs and violence systematically. Prison gangs perpetrating violence could do so “with near impunity”. Staff experienced widespread bullying. While the inspectors were on site they witnessed an arson attack on a car in a staff car park.’

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The Guardian, 20th August 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Birmingham Prison taken over from G4S by government – BBC News

Posted August 20th, 2018 in contracting out, news, prisons by sally

‘Birmingham Prison is being taken over by the government from the private firm G4S, after inspectors said it had fallen into a “state of crisis”.’

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BBC News, 20th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prisoners face fresh crackdown on drugs, violence and phones – The Guardian

Posted August 17th, 2018 in drug abuse, news, prisons, telecommunications, violence by sally

‘Prisoners are to face a fresh crackdown on drugs, violence and smuggled mobile phones as part of a £10m drive to turn around 10 of the worst-performing jails in England.’

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The Guardian, 17th August 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Case Comment: R (Black) v Secretary of State for Justice [2017] UKSC 81 – UKSC Blog

‘Is the Crown is bound by the prohibition of smoking in most enclosed public places and workplaces, contained in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Health Act 2006?’

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UKSC Blog, 15th August 2018

Source: ukscblog.com

How many transgender inmates are there? – BBC News

Posted August 14th, 2018 in consultations, gender, news, prisons, reports, transgender persons by sally

‘The campaign group Fair Play for Women claimed 41% of transgender women in prison are convicted sex offenders.’

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BBC News, 13th August 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Inmate given 57p in compensation after his magazine was damaged by prison staff – Daily Telegraph

Posted August 13th, 2018 in compensation, freedom of information, news, prisons by sally

‘A prisoner was reimbursed 57 pence as compensation after a magazine they owned was lost or damaged by prison staff, as new figures reveal that over £1 million has been given out to convicts for lost property over the past five years.’

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Daily Telegraph, 13th August 2018

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Female offenders should be sent to support centres not prison, says report – The Independent

Posted July 25th, 2018 in detention, news, prisons, women by tracey

‘Female offenders should be sent to support centres rather than prison because they are normally far less dangerous than their male counterparts, a report has suggested.’

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The Independent, 24th July 2018

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Prisons squalid and dangerous due to staff cuts, report says – The Guardian

Posted July 12th, 2018 in health & safety, news, prison officers, prisons, reports, violence by sally

‘Prisoners in England and Wales are enduring some of the most disturbingconditions ever seen as violence and self-harm rockets due to stretched resources and staff shortages, the chief prisons inspector has said.’

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The Guardian, 11th July 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Justice Secretary launches fresh crackdown on crime in prison – speech – Ministry of Justice

Posted July 11th, 2018 in drug abuse, prisons, rehabilitation, sentencing, speeches by tracey

‘Justice Secretary launches fresh crackdown on crime in prison – speech.’

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Ministry of Justice, 10th July 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Prisoners to get phones in cells in bid to curb violence – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2018 in human rights, news, prisons, reports, telecommunications, violent disorder by sally

‘Thousands of prisoners will be able to make calls from their cells, as part of government plans to reduce violence and crime in prisons in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 10th July 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Stephen Lawrence killer David Norris to get damages – BBC News

Posted July 6th, 2018 in assault, compensation, Ministry of Justice, news, personal injuries, prisons by tracey

‘One of Stephen Lawrence’s killers has settled a claim with the Ministry of Justice after he was attacked in prison. David Norris suffered a broken nose and ribs at HMP Belmarsh in 2011 where he was being held on remand ahead of his trial for murder. He sued for damages, reported to be £10,000, after the assault.’

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BBC News, 6th July 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk