I keep experiencing cognitive dissonance. It comes from reading government speeches and accounts that say one thing, set against a reality (much of which the
Author: shonaminson
For Nick
Have you time for a story? It’s about real people and real life. Jane was charged with a criminal offence and a court date was
The Government’s REsponse to Covid-19: Human Rights implications
Lockdowns both inside and outside prisons look like they will be part of our national life for some time, and it is not too late for changes to be made which prioritise children’s wellbeing in conjunction with public health in prisons.
Does every child have a right to family life?
It may well have been a proportionate response to stop physical visits on the 23rd March in the light of the public health crisis, but the total removal of the right to family life through contact with their parent, of every child with a parent in prison, extending now for 100+ days, seems to be neither reasonable nor proportionate.
Human Rights Committee hearing on the right to family life of children whose mothers are in prison 8th June 2020
I’m 10 years old. Mum has been away for 18 months . We didn’t go to see her because she was coming home every 2 weeks for 5 days until the virus. We haven’t seen her or dad for 3 1/2 months. Not even her face. Mum phones every day I can’t explain how it makes me feel. it makes me feel sad and confused.
I miss my mum. I want to hug her and I miss her so much
Not my Crime, Not my Sentence
”when can I see my dad?’, ‘will my dad get covid?’, ‘will my dad be ok mum?’. I can’t answer. Not one of them. As a mum I feel helpless listening to my children cry, holding them at night when they want to be held by their dad. They kiss his picture every night not knowing when they will get their next real kiss or cuddle. My disabled boy is continuing to lose weight fast, not wanting to eat, can’t express how he feels. All he says is ‘Dad, my Dad’. It’s heartbreaking. If my boy losses his fight he will have been without contact for 10 weeks without him touching or seeing daddy’s face.’
Dr Shona Minson 