Protesters Gather Outside Prison Against Expansion and Alleged Racism

London: HMP Full Sutton prison was picketed over the weekend by campaigners demanding an end to racism and the dumping of plans to more than double the number of people it incarcerates. The government is planning to create another 10,000 places in Britain’s prisons, on top of the 80,000 which already exist. Under its prison estates transformation programme, Full Sutton prison in East Yorkshire will be extended to create a “mega prison” holding 1,440 prisoners, instead of its current capacity of 597.

National organisation Campaign Against Prison Expansion (Cape) and campaign group Sisters Uncut Leeds are opposing the project. Action is being taken at prisons which are part of the expansion plans. More than 50 people marched to HMP Full Sutton on Saturday and demonstrated, including residents from the local community who are opposing the expansion. Campaigners are also protesting against the treatment of two prisoners incarcerated in Full Sutton, Kevan Thakrar and Dwayne Fulgence, who they say have been subjected to racist treatment and violence – allegations which the prison service denies.

Read more: Peter Lazenby, Morning Star, https://is.gd/tP9D3Q