WHY ARE WE DOING THIS
Taylor is a trans masculine person currently incarcerated on an indefinite IPP sentence. IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) sentences were introduced in 2005. Under the legislation, people would be sentenced to an initial ‘tariff’ (minimum time that must be served) and, after that point, their release would be decided by the parole board. Although the sentence was abolished in 2012, those who were already inside remain on the IPP. 90% of IPP prisoners have served their original sentence and are still waiting to be released.
Taylor is still in prison, 12 years after he was sentenced to a minimum of 4 years. He has no release date. Even if IPP prisoners manage to convince the parole boards that they are no longer a “danger to the public”, the sentence carries a 99 year license, meaning that they face arbitrary conditions on their freedom and can be recalled to prison at any time for something that’s not even considered a “crime”.
Taylor is a survivor of abuse and violence. He has complex mental health needs that have not been met. His time in prison continues to exacerbate his trauma as he is subject to transphobia, medical neglect and physical assault. Taylor has a directions hearing with the Parole Board on Tuesday 5th May where the board will inform Taylor what he needs to do to qualify for release. But Taylor has already served three times the length of his tariff. He has completed so many courses, and jumped through so many hoops. The constant waiting continues to have an incredibly negative impact on his mental health. He has made many attempts on his life.
The 23.5 hour lockdowns imposed during the current global pandemic are exacerbating his state of distress. Due to his multiple complex medical conditions, he has a compromised immune system and is at risk of being badly affected by Covid-19. With prison guards circulating the prison without the appropriate PPE and the terrible hygiene standards inside, the chances of contracting Covid-19 are high.
Taylor has served triple his sentence. The Parole Board must give directions for immediate release, not for Taylor to jump through more unobtainable hoops or navigate the opaque bureaucracy.
Free Taylor now!
TAKE ACTION
1) Use our email tool: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/fao-parole-board-in-the-case-of-claire-taylor-a7974ax
2) Tweet at the Parole Board with a photo of you & a selfie that says FREE TAYLOR. Links to generate tweets:
3) Send us photographs of you & your signs so we can pass them onto Taylor: freedom4Taylor@gmail.com or Instagram @prisonpandemic
DRAFT EMAIL
Subject: FAO Parole Board in the Case of Claire Taylor A7974AX
CC: Emails: Info@paroleboard.gov.uk
I am writing to implore you to give directions for the release of Claire Taylor A7974AX when the parole board convenes on Tuesday 5th May.
I am aware that Taylor (a transgender prisoner who uses “he and him” pronouns) was given a minimum sentence of four years and is now in his twelth year in custody. He has complex mental health needs that the prison service are unable and unwilling to meet. The 23.5 hour lock downs imposed during the current global pandemic are exacerbating his state of distress.
Due to his multiple complex medical conditions, he has a compromised immune system and is at risk of being badly affected by Covid-19. With prison guards circulating the prison without the appropriate PPE and the terrible hygiene standards inside, the chances of contracting Covid 19 are high.
Taylor has close friends on the outside who are committed to ensuring he has accomodation in Bristol and to support him in ensuring he receives the emotional support he needs.
The Parole Board must give directions for immediate release.
Best wishes,
DRAFT TWEETS
@parole_board Taylor has already served three times his minimum sentence, and has met so many previous requirements for release imposed earlier - instead of imposing further requirements for release, I urge you to release him immediately #FreeTaylor #FreeThemAll4PublicHealth
@parole_board IPP sentences have been abolished in the UK, why are people still incarcerated indefinitely? Why has Taylor been stuck in prison for 12 years, when his minimum sentence was only four years? He must be released now #FreeTaylor #Release2SaveLives
@parole_board Taylor has complex medical conditions compromising his immune system & is at a high risk of getting Covid-19 as he remains trapped inside a hotbed for the virus - he must be immediately released, not have further conditions imposed on him #FreeTaylor
@parole_board the newly imposed 23.5 hour a day lock-downs are having a debilitating impact on Taylor’s mental health - these conditions are Solitarty Confinement as defined by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. Release him now! #FreeTaylor #Release2SaveLives