Jailed UK climate protesters facing conditions reserved for extremists on release | UK criminal justice
Environmental protesters are given license conditions for release from prison that are supposed to be limited to cases of extremism.
Ella Ward, 22, was banned from attending any meeting or meeting other than worship without the permission of her probation officer, but the Department of Justice withdrew that requirement after she filed a legal challenge.
inside HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) policythe restriction falls under “specific extremism-related circumstances limited to such cases.”
The Guardian is aware of other environmental protesters who have been given the same restriction but are unable to speak out because they have also been given a separate restriction banning them from contributing “directly or indirectly” to any website.
This was also previously in the extreme category, but was removed when it was decided that it “may be suitable for gang-related criminals”.
Ward, from Birmingham, one of four Just Stop Oil activists who planned to glue themselves to the taxiway at Manchester airport, was given the same restriction on the website, but this was also removed by the Ministry of Justice following his legal challenge.
Aberystwyth University student released on license from prison in May sentenced to 18 months in prisonHe said of his release after nine months in detention: “It was a mixture of being very happy and excited to be out and seeing how restricted my freedoms would be when I got out. “There were a lot of things I could do while I was in prison that I couldn’t do as soon as I walked out the door.
“I know that we have seen massive escalation of repression over the last few years. I have been involved in direct action and civil resistance, and I see what is happening with Palestine Action detainees in particular right now.”
“We know they use extremism much more broadly, but to have it imposed on me personally was quite distressing. It felt like an extension of sentence as opposed to a genuine attempt to manage risk or protect society.”
People accused of crimes related to Palestine Action, including those awaiting trial for allegedly taking part in a protest against an Israeli arms factory near Bristol last year before the group was banned under terrorism legislation, say they have faced harsh treatment in prison because their alleged crimes have been described by prosecutors as having “terrorism links”.
Ward said his parole officer told him he couldn’t work at a coffee shop or even meet a friend there because political events might be held there.
Last month the Ministry of Justice withdrew judicial review proceedings against him after the Ministry of Justice agreed to lift troubling conditions, which include a ban on associating with people currently or previously associated with “any protest group”.
Another situation required him to live and sleep at his parents’ house due to a tagged curfew, which he said left him uncertain about whether he could form relationships with friends or family members.
Johanna McDavitt, an ITN lawyer representing Ward, said: “It is concerning to see the government using powers that should be reserved for criminal extremists to control and monitor the actions of those taking part in peaceful protests. We hope that the government will now review and reconsider these license conditions, which place serious restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of association.”
An HMPPS spokesman did not address the issue of excess when contacted by the Guardian but said non-standard license conditions were reviewed regularly and could be relaxed if they were no longer necessary.
