During this Covid 19 pandemic there were concerns about overcrowding in prisons and the logistics of social distancing, as well as the impact on prisons through the spread of the virus. These are unprecedented times and require unprecedented measures. It came to light that the Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland, was aiming to release 4000 prisoners who were deemed low-risk and close to release.
So far, as indicated by Lucy Frazer, QC MP (Inside Time June issue) only 81 prisoners have actually been released. At a time of crisis when saving lives (a government slogan) is a priority, this seems like a measly proportion of the government’s target.
The continuous echo of how our economy will suffer as a result of this disease raises the idea that allowing low-risk detainees to go out to work within the community as fruit pickers or in other such types of work would benefit the economy and provide the individual with a meaningful use of time. This could be a productive move in reducing the number of prisoners and helping the economy during this outbreak, a positive sentiment all round.
There needs to be more transparency and clarity by the government and the justice system concerning the release of prisoners during the pandemic. There is too much talk and speculation creating a ‘Chinese whispers’ rhetoric that filters down through the people in charge and creates false hope among the prison population.
This virus would have a field day if allowed to spread in our jails, so it is very important to protect people from it. There has been a lot of talk about saving lives and how lives matter recently, and surely that applies to everyone in society. Doesn’t it?
