Insulate Britain will be holding a fast for 24 hours outside Downing Street to show solidarity with an inmate who is being moved from jail after a hunger strike.
Eco-activists claim that HMP bronzefield in Surrey has become more concerned about Emma Smart’s well being than ever before.
After being arrested for participating in the Insulate Britain road-blocking protests, Ms Smart (44) from Weymouth has stopped eating for 14 days.
A few supporters met at No. 10 today to begin a 24-hour fast. They are not blocking traffic like in past demonstrations which have angered motorists.
According to a spokesperson, Insulate Britain supporters will fast for 24 hours outside of 10 Downing Street with Emma in solidarity with those who have to choose between heating or eating in Britain in winter.
“This is her only choice in prison. It serves to show the weakness of refusing support for the most vulnerable.
It is expected that the No 10 Fasting will last 24 hours. Cold temperatures can make it difficult.
With their placards, the activists caused no doubt about who they were.
Andy Smith and Emma Smart were sentenced to a period of four months in prison
The group issued a statement yesterday in support of eco-activists who are currently behind bars.
From prison she spoke out saying: “The window of my hospital wing cell has been blocked and there is very little natural light. I can see birds and trees from my former cell.
I don’t have as much time now to get outside and exercise in the prison yard.
“All of it is testing me resolve to continue. But I feel that refusing to eat is the best thing I can do in prison to draw attention towards those who will need to make the decision between heating up or eating out this winter.
To call for fuel poverty action, supporters of Insulate Britain hold a fast for 24 hours outside Downing Street in London.
Protests were held in solidarity with Insulate Britain activist, who was among the people who have been sentenced for blocking roads and hunger strikes.
Smart was imprisoned with eight other people from Insulate Britain (pictured: An Insulate Britain protest) who were given sentences of between three and six months and were each ordered to pay costs of £5,000
Smart, 44 years old, is currently on hunger strike depuis being released from jail for her part in Insulate Britain’s disruption road blocking protests
Emma Smart, an activist for Insulate Britain, is being held in jail and on hunger strike. The group says she has been transferred to the hospital.
How does HMP Bronzefield look like?
Women who have been incarcerated over Insulate Britain protests, will be taken to HMP Bronzefield (Hampstead, Surrey)
HMP Bronzefield was Britain’s first prison designed for women, opening in Ashford in Surrey in 2004. There are four categories of Category A jails, each with a maximum capacity for about 130 persons.
Every wing includes a servery area for women, where they can collect their food and either take it home or eat on the wings. In each room, there are telephones. There is a healthcare center with 17 beds, as well as a unit for mother and child (12 women and 13 infants) up to the 18-month mark.
A nurse and doctor check the wellbeing of every woman that arrives in prison. After being searched, a nurse and doctor assess their welfare, the women are given a meal. The induction process begins on the next day. Some notable former prisoners include Rose West (murderer), Vanessa George (child abuser), and Fiona Onasanya, Labour MP.
A July 2016 study conducted by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons showed that prison inmates were typically offered around five different options for lunch and the exact same option for dinner. A prison lunch would consist of a wrap, sandwich or pasta with fruit, crisps, or biscuits. You could choose from pie, curry, or baked fish, as well as a selection of rice, vegetables and potatoes.
According to the most recent Bronzefield report by HM Chief Inspector for Prisons (2018), many prisoners were suffering from’significant mental problems’. Self-harm was high among inmates and violent incidents have increased substantially over the past four years. However, it concluded that it is an ‘overwhelmingly secure prison.
A second report, released in March 2019, found that an 18-year old inmate died in jail after giving birth in isolation. A probe discovered that the mother (known as Ms A) pressed twice on her cell’s bell to request a nurse, but no one came. An hour later, a prison officer shined a torch inside her cell. However, it found nothing extraordinary. The inmate claimed she was in constant pain at that time, and then passed out. She then woke up to discover her baby girl was alive.
“It is the most important thing in my life to not stand by and watch our government commit treason against the citizens of this country.
Smart was jailed with eight Insulate Britain activists. They were sentenced to between 3 and 6 months for violating an injunction that had been issued to the group in order stop road-blocking protests.
They were also each ordered to pay costs of £5,000. According to the court, activists in jail should be sentenced at most half their sentences.
Another group of nine Insulate Britain citizens were summoned by the High Court to be present at that court next month in contempt.
They could face unlimited penalties, asset forfeiture, and imprisonment sentences up to 2 years if found guilty.
Smart was released from jail earlier in the month and was taken to HMP Bronzefield, Ashford, Surrey.
When it was opened, in 2004, it was Britain’s first prison built specifically for women.
Maximum 572 women can be detained in the Category A jail. There are four blocks that can contain around 130 people.
A servery is available in each wing for women who wish to pick up their food. They can either go to the same wing as their husbands or return it to their bedrooms.
Each room also has a telephone. There is a healthcare center with 17 beds, as well as a unit for mother and child (12 women and 13 infants) up to 18 months of age.
Bronzefield is an privately-run prison that Sodexo manages.
An HMP Bronzefield spokesperson said: ‘While we don’t comment on individual cases, we take the health and wellbeing of all of those who live and work in our prisons very seriously.
“We have procedures in place to handle any type of health concern and ensure that appropriate care is given.”
MailOnline was contacted by Sodexo to get comment from the Ministry of Justice.
It comes as Smart’s sister, Clare, took to Twitter on Friday to raise concern about her sibling.
“Emma is strong, but today Emma was crying when she called,” she said. It’s really hard to hear her crying.
“The frustrating delays in not receiving any of her belongings: her books and clothes as well as her glasses so she can comfortably read emails printed from the printer.
She is assured that this will occur every day and it never happens.
Clare stated that Clare wanted her sister to speak out and to let her know the reasons behind her hunger strike.
She stated, “For those who are able act in solidarity to do so. It is important not to forget about.
“To believe that she continues to act, even from inside prison cells.
Smart and eight other Insulate Britain activists were arrested in October after being indicted by the High Court for National Highways.
Eco-activists claim that HMP Bronzefield, Surrey’s prison, staff have become “increasingly concern” about Emma Smart, one of their members.
Emma Smart from Weymouth announced through an Insulate Britain spokesperson that she will be on hunger strike
Smart, pictured here, was transferred to HMP Bronzefield (pictured here, with Andy Smith), which was Britain’s first women’s prison when it was opened in 2004.
Their global journey was broken up into four segments. They began their journey in France, Belgium and then went on to Germany, Denmark (Norway), Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Smart’s complete trip between 2012 and 2016.
Protests against the M25, Port of Dover, and major London roads were prohibited.
Transport For London received a fifth injunction, on October 8.
She spoke from prison last Wednesday, saying in an Insulate Britain statement: “Imprisoning anyone who disagrees with you is the mark bully, and we all know at our core that bullies are cowards.
“So to government, we say continue. Bring down all your top lawyers and the entire machinery of the state. We are not going to be intimidated.
“Our numbers keep growing, because people know we’re on the right side”
A short video of Emma can be found in an Insulate Britain web clip. It is believed that it was taken just before her sentencing. In this video, she defends what she did and calls for civil disobedience.
Emma Smart claimed that the proceedings had been ‘obscene’. She also glowed at National Highways barristers. The biologist, Andy Smith and Emma Smart have been accused of hypocrisy following a 81,000-mile trip around the world. Above: This is Andy Smith with the couple before they took off in their diesel-fueled Toyota Camry.
Emma Smart of Insulate Britain, 44, has previously called on more eco-zealots and to continue this extreme campaign.
Smart is an ecologist by trade and said that it was a very extreme campaign to get onto the motorway. However, we are in extreme circumstances so I felt I needed to do my best.
“I took the initiative, now we must all take action.” The only way to effect change is through nonviolent civil disobedience.
“We don’t have to keep nine people in jail, nor 20 prisoners, but we do need all of them. We are at risk of losing our freedom.”
Smart shares the video she shared with Twitter. She explains what led her to participate in the motorway protests of the mob earlier this year.
Speaking with a row of fence panels behind her, she said: ‘I don’t know what more I can do and then IB [Insulate Britain]came along, and this was the way that I could move up.
“It was quite an extreme campaign you know, getting onto the motorway, but we’re still in an extreme position and I felt that I needed to do whatever was necessary.
Protesters for Insulate Britain (back row, from left to left) Tim Speers and Roman Paluch; Emma Smart, Ben Taylor, James Thomas (front row, right) Louis McKechnie, Ana Heyatawin, Oliver Roc pose in a photograph before their High Court hearing
After admitting to violating an injunction against protesting, nine Insulate Britain eco-zealots were sentenced by the High Court
“So, I believe this is the right moment. We could have asked for something more from the government.
“But they chose not to release us. That has to be a powerful message for everyone. This is the right time. All we can do is fail to bring people together.
“I took the initiative, now we must all take action.” The only way to effect change is through nonviolent civil disobedience.
“We don’t need 9 or 20 people, so we need everyone to give their liberty if we want to avoid losing everything.”
Our life support systems have collapsed and the society is headed for collapse. You have a chance to be part of the change.
Emma addressed the court during her sentencing and said that she thought the proceedings were “obscene” and laughed at the barristers from National Highways.
After driving 81,000 miles across the globe, Andy Smith and her biologist husband drove 81,000 miles.