Justice Secretary David Lammy has declined a meeting with pro-Palestine prisoners who are on a hunger strike, as confirmed by Prisons Minister James Timpson. Timpson stated that neither he nor the Deputy Prime Minister will meet the prisoners, emphasizing equal treatment for all inmates. He highlighted the prison system’s ability to handle hunger strike incidents, with over 200 occurrences annually in the past five years.
Amid concerns about the well-being of the inmates, eight Palestine Action activists on hunger strike, facing charges related to group activities, have been taken to hospitals. Supporters revealed that some prisoners have abstained from food for more than 45 days, leading to severe health risks.
Despite calls from 51 MPs and peers for Lammy to meet the prisoners’ legal representatives, Timpson reiterated the principle of treating all prisoners equally and respecting the judiciary’s independence. He urged the hunger strikers to cooperate with healthcare professionals and resume eating for their recovery.
Regarding the prison service’s response to hunger strikes, Timpson assured that established processes, including collaboration with NHS partners, effectively manage such situations. He clarified that decisions on supporting hunger strikers, including potential force-feeding, are made by healthcare professionals based on medical assessments.
In a parliamentary session, Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn criticized the Ministry of Justice for not providing a substantive response to the situation, stressing the government’s responsibility for prisoners’ welfare and medical care during protests.
Labour MP John McDonnell suggested the appointment of an independent mediator to facilitate dialogue between hunger strikers and authorities, aiming to prevent a potential tragedy. Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell affirmed the government’s commitment to prisoners’ well-being and expressed willingness to find a constructive resolution to the issue.
The government’s approach to addressing the hunger strike situation in prisons aims to prioritize the health and safety of all inmates while upholding the principles of justice and fairness.