A leading expert on prisoners' rights and the Quaker Chaplain to HMP Wandsworth will speak about what can practically be done about 'inhumane and degrading' conditions within the facility, in the latest in a series of public events exploring Quaker concerns in South West London. 

Wandsworth Prison was recently in the headlines following the escape of a remand prisoner accused of terror offences. The high-profile man-hunt drew attention to conditions experienced by inmates, which was the subject of a recent highly critical report by its Independent Monitoring Board. In addition to highlighting 'inhumane living conditions' and an 'unsafe' environment, it pointed to chronic staff shortages and overcrowding.

In Prison Reform: 200 years on from the Gaols Act speakers Liz Bridge, Quaker Chaplain at HMP Wandsworth and Dr Steve Foster from Coventry University will address the dilemmas in recognising and protecting prisoners' rights and propose practical ways to alleviate the conditions in HMP Wandsworth.

Steve says 'Prisoners' rights are difficult to protect due to the focus in this country of the news media, the public, politicians and even judges on punishment rather than rehabilitation.'

Liz says 'If prisoners are lonely, depressed or mentally ill there is absolutely nothing for them to do except brood, which makes things even worse. Human contact and small home comforts such as games, wind-up radios or even socks can make a huge difference to the mental state of prisoners.'

Quakers have advocated and worked for prison reform, most famously with Elizabeth Fry who was instrumental in the passage of the Gaols Act 1823 which set new standards for the humane treatment of prisoners. The most extreme cruelty of the 19th century penal system is long gone, but the dire state of English prisons leaves no room for complacency about progress. 

The event will be held at Wandsworth Quaker Meeting House, 59 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PT at 7pm, doors open at 6.30pm, on Tuesday 5 December.

• Liz Bridge is the Quaker Chaplain at HMP Wandsworth and founder of the Wandsworth Prison Welfare Trust. A career tax expert, she began visiting the prison to teach a money management course to men being released, and later joined the Prison Chaplaincy Service, visiting men who had attempted suicide and self-harmed.

• Dr Steve Foster has taught law at Coventry University for many years, and specialises in human rights, specifically the legal and human rights of prisoners. He has published widely in various journals, been editor in chief of the Coventry Law Journal for 26 years and written over 300 articles, case notes and chapters in texts.

Entry to the event is free and open to all, and refreshments will be provided. It is the latest in a series of events organised by Quakers in South West London. Previous events have addressed the climate crisis, the status of refugees and asylum seekers, and nuclear disarmament. A dialogue on AI and ethics is planned for January 2024.

• The Quaker faith is rooted in Christianity and is also knows as the Religious society of Friends. See the Quakers in South West London website for more information quakersinswlondon.org or visit our FaceBook page. 

• The Independent Monitoring Board's latest report can be seen here: Wandsworth 2022-23 independent monitoring report

For further information on this press release contact Tim Cowen on [email protected] or 07720 412413.