Ministry of Justice facing legal action over 'detrimental' prison environment
But the Justice Secretary and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland is standing by his decision to stop visits
Last updated 1st Apr 2021
Seven families are taking legal action against the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), after Greatest Hits revealed that potentially thousands of children have been cut-off from parents in prisons for more than a year.
According to the families, replacing physical visits with limited video calls may have breached the right to a family life, under the European Convention on Human Rights.
But the Justice Secretary has stood by his decision to stop visits, claiming it has "saved lives".
Robert Buckland, who is also the South Swindon MP, said he made a "choice" around whether to protect prison staff and visitors during the pandemic. He believes the MoJ made the "right choice".
'A detrimental effect'
However, the Shadow Justice Minister thinks the decision to curb visits may have caused mental health problems among prisoners.
Karl Turner is worried that could risk a rise in reoffending.
"When prisoners are treated that way, locked up for 23 hours, that has a detrimental effect," Mr. Turner said.
"When they do get out of prison, at some point in the future, they could be a massive drain on society".
Campaign group 'The Howard League for Penal Reform' also shares Mr. Turner's concerns, adding that the tough conditions for prisoners could tear families apart.
Chief Executive Frances Crook said men could especially struggle to reintegrate with their families, after being kept in "solitary confinement" for so long.
She predicts marriages could break down and more prisoners turn back to a life of crime, because of the intense pressures on their psychological wellbeing.