VickiCardwellwarnsoftheforgottenconsequencesoflockdowninprison
A month ago the government announced a scheme to temporarily release certain people from
prison, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these releases are vital to slow the spread of the
virus in prison, it is essential to remember those still living in prison, isolated almost entirely from
human contact, locked in their cells for 23 hours a day.
Spark Inside CEO Vicki Cardwell has published an article in Byline Times, a news website and
newspaper reporting on issues not covered elsewhere. The article warns of the effects of lockdown
on people remaining in prison.
It is hard to overstate the mental health toll of our overcrowded prisons, which are sadly the perfect petri dish for COVID-19. The result? Tens of thousands of people on 23 hour bang-up, face-to-face family visits cancelled, education stopped, chapel closed, gym – an essential mood-lifter and morale booster – off.
Spark Inside is committed to ensuring people in prison are not forgotten during this public
health emergency.