Lucy Connolly, who was jailed for 31 months over a tweet ahead of last summer’s riots, has again been refused temporary leave to spend time with her daughter and sick husband. The Telegraph has the story.
Lucy Connolly, who was jailed for 31 months for inciting racial hatred in a tweet, has been told by prison bosses she will not be released on temporary licence (Rotl) despite being described by one prison expert as an “ideal candidate” for such home leave.
Documents seen by the Telegraph have previously suggested the 42 year-old childminder from Northampton faced being refused Rotl amid concerns over public and media interest in her case rather than any apparent failure to meet the criteria for temporary release.
In her plea for Rotl, Connolly cited a deterioration in her 12 year-old daughter’s school behaviour which is “totally out of character” and the stress being placed on her sick husband, Ray, a Tory councillor, who is suffering from bone marrow failure.
A HM Prison Service spokesman declined to comment on individual cases but said: “To be eligible for temporary release, prisoners must be compliant with all prison rules.”
The prison service refused to say why Connolly had been rejected for Rotl but noted there are rules that dictate any contact with the media needs to be signed off by the prison governor.
Adam King, Connolly’s barrister, who is leading her legal attempt to appeal against her sentence, said: “We don’t have the full details but this strikes me as very unfair and needs to be challenged.”
Connolly’s husband said: “I am very disappointed that my wife Lucy has yet again been denied Rotl. I’m disappointed this is what our country is becoming. Our 12 year-old daughter is struggling and she needs her mummy at home.
“This decision is not based on evidence in my opinion. Lucy is a good and kind person who has been a model prisoner. She has helped other inmates on the path to reform.
“Lucy has been entitled to Rotl since November but they have turned down every request. It’s not nice to think they’ve got it in for Lucy but when she sees other prisoners who have done far worse crimes – like killing a child by dangerous driving – getting out, you think they’re still making an example of her.
“Lucy was really calm when they told her she didn’t get Rotl this time and would only be able to apply again in 12 weeks. Lucy has asked to be transferred back to Peterborough prison which is much nearer us. I hope they grant that so I can take our daughter to see her mummy once a week.”
Rotl is not a straightforward legal right but is considered a privilege. Prisoners can appeal against a decision through the jail’s internal complaints procedure and ultimately to the prisons and probation ombudsman. It cannot, however, be typically challenged in court but inmates can sue for alleged abuse of prison powers. …
The only offenders who are excluded under prison rules include category A prisoners, many serving time for violent, terrorist and sexual crimes; those formally listed as escape risks; and suspects facing extradition. …
Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform UK, said: “Lucy is a political prisoner and this decision confirms it; utterly disgraceful.”
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