Environmental protesters are given license conditions upon release from prison, which are believed to be limited to extremism cases.
Ella Ward, 22, was banned from attending any meetings or gatherings other than religious services without permission from her probation officer, although the Justice Department lifted that condition after she filed a lawsuit.
IN HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Policythe restriction falls under “specific conditions associated with extremism… which are limited to these types of cases.”
The Guardian is aware of other environmental protesters who are subject to the same restriction, but they cannot talk about it because they are also subject to a separate restriction that prohibits them from making “direct or indirect contributions” to any website.
It was previously also categorized as extremism, but was dropped when it was decided “it might be suitable for gang-related offenders.”
Ward of Birmingham, one of four Just Stop Oil activists who planned to stick herself to a taxiway at Manchester Airport was subject to the same website restriction, but it was also lifted by the Ministry of Justice following her legal action.
Aberystwyth University student released from prison on license in May on the same day she was given 18 months in prisonwho spent nine months in custody, said of her release: “It was a mixture of obvious happiness and excitement about being released, and seeing how much my freedoms would be curtailed when I got out. There were a lot of things I could do while I was in prison that I couldn't do once I got out of the gate.”
“I know that over the last couple of years we have seen a sharp increase in repression. I was involved in direct action and civil resistance, and especially observed what was happening to the Palestinian Action prisoners. at the moment.
“We know they use extremism much more widely, but to have me personally accused of this was very disappointing. It felt like prolonging the punishment rather than a real attempt to manage the risk or protect the community.”
People accused of crimes linked to Palestine Action, including those awaiting trial on charges of taking part in an action against an Israeli arms factory near Bristol last year before the group was banned under terrorism legislation. say they were mistreated in prison because their alleged crimes are described by prosecutors as having “connections to terrorism.”
Ward said her probation officer told her she couldn't work at the cafe or even meet a friend there because political events were being held there.
Last month, she withdrew a lawsuit against the Justice Department after it agreed to drop abusive conditions that also included a ban on communicating with anyone currently or previously associated with “any protest groups.”
She said it left her unsure whether she would be able to socialize with friends or family members, although another condition required her to live and sleep at her parents' house with a tag-controlled curfew.
Joanna McDavitt of ITN Solicitors, who represented Ward, said: “It is alarming that the Government is using powers that should be reserved for extremist criminals to control and monitor the activities of those taking part in peaceful protests. We hope that the Government will now review and reconsider its use of these license conditions, which place serious restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of association.”
An HMPPS spokesman would not address the issue of extremism when contacted by the Guardian, but said non-standard license conditions are regularly reviewed and can be relaxed if they are no longer necessary.
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