Prisons & Probation – Latest News:
- Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:00:11 +0000: Manchester Arena plotter’s alleged prison attack sparks call for US-style rewards system - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Report recommends adoption of US-style punishment and rewards for most dangerous inmates
A long-awaited report that examined how the Manchester Arena plotter was able to carry out an alleged violent attack on prison officers has recommended a new punishment and rewards system for the most dangerous inmates, similar to that used in a US Supermax jail.
David Lammy, the deputy prime minister, is facing demands to publish the report, which looks into why Hashem Abedi, who was jailed for life for helping his brother carry out the 2017 bombing, was able to target staff at HMP Frankland with boiling oil and homemade weapons in a planned ambush.
Continue reading... - Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:49:00 +0000: A heavy moral burden as Palestine Action hunger strikers risk death | Letters - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Dr David Nicholl and Dr John Kalk discuss medical ethics in relation to the care of prisoners on hunger strike, and Dr Jonathan Fluxman calls on Labour to act now before the worst happens
We are not involved in the medical management of the Palestine Action hunger strikers, though we have experience of previous such protests (Families of Palestine Action hunger strikers seek urgent meeting with Lammy, 22 December). The ethical issues are well established: respect for consent, confidentiality, assessment of mental capacity and vigilance for coercion within the doctor-patient relationship.
These prisoners have not faced trial, with some dates set as late as 2027. The damaging effects of prolonged remand on mental health are well known. In this context, voluntary total fasting may be perceived as their only means of protest against detention, so a valid advanced directive, which provides instructions for their medical management when they lose mental capacity, would be essential.
Continue reading... - Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:07:17 +0000: Families of Palestine Action hunger strikers seek urgent meeting with Lammy - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Justice secretary urged to ‘show a bit of humanity’ with protesters severely ill after refusing food for weeks
Families and supporters of Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers have pleaded with David Lammy to meet them in an attempt to end the impasse over the protest that has left some of them severely unwell.
On Monday, as the protest reached a dangerous stage, lawyers for the hunger strikers sent a legal letter claiming that by refusing a meeting the justice secretary had failed to comply with the Ministry of Justice’s own policy on handling of hunger strikes.
Continue reading... - Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:02:33 +0000: More than 75% of Labour, Lib Dem and Green voters think PM should open talks on joining EU customs union – as it happened - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
YouGov poll for the Times suggests even 40% of Conservative voters support such a move
Wes Streeting, the health secretary, used an interview with the Observer published at the weekend to suggest that he favours joining a customs union with the EU. This is something that Keir Starmer has ruled out.
But Labour supporters back Streeting on this. According to YouGov polling for the Times, 80% of people who voted Labour at the last general election say a future leader should open negotiations on joining a customs union with the EU.
Continue reading... - Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:30:07 +0000: The Guardian view on the Palestine Action hunger strikers: the government is trying to ignore this protest | Editorial - Prisons and probation | The Guardian
Doctors have warned that the lives of these prisoners are now in danger. Pretending this is not happening is not good enough
In 1981, IRA and other republican prisoners went on hunger strike in Northern Ireland, demanding the restoration of their political status. Ten would die; extraordinarily, their leader, Bobby Sands, had been elected as an MP by the time of his death. Margaret Thatcher took a hardline public stance. But by the end, behind the scenes, the government was looking for an exit, and public opinion had shifted significantly.
The lives of the Palestine Action-affiliated remand prisoners now on hunger strike are at growing risk. On Friday, two reached day 48 without food. (In 1981, one IRA prisoner – 29-year-old Martin Hurson – died on the 46th day.) Twenty-year-old Qesser Zuhrah is being treated in hospital after she reportedly collapsed at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. Amu Gib, 30, has also been treated. Three more have refused food for more than 40 days and another, who has diabetes, is eating only every other day. Two others have now ended their protest, one after hospitalisation.
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