Read on Twitter
THREAD: This week, the UK Government announced new national lockdown measures.
What do these restrictions mean for people in prison and what are we calling for?
What do these restrictions mean for people in prison and what are we calling for?
Lockdown in prison means in-person visits are cancelled and women can be in their cells for upwards of 23 hours a day with limited time outside to contact loved ones, exercise, shower and access healthcare.
We've seen consistent reports of declining mental and physical health, increasing rates of self-harm and specialist services being shut out of prisons, leaving women without the support they need. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-june-2020
Medical research shows that it is impossible to adhere to Government guidance of social distancing in prisons due to overcrowding and limited access to adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(20)30086-3/fulltext
We are renewing our calls on the Government to #Release2SaveLives.
Radically reducing the prison population will help to curb the spread of coronavirus, enabling women to safely isolate in the community with their loved ones.
Radically reducing the prison population will help to curb the spread of coronavirus, enabling women to safely isolate in the community with their loved ones.
The Government must also invest in community-based services, like Women's Centres, that are continuing to provide vital support to women leaving prison during this time.
If you are currently supporting a loved one in prison, please visit the following link for official Government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-and-prisons#prison-visits-in-england
For updated information on how our services are operating during this time, please visit our website: https://www.womeninprison.org.uk/news/update-to-women-in-prisons-covid-19-service-delivery-model-january-2021
