By Feminist Justice Coalition
At HMP Eastwood Park, a troubling case has emerged that raises urgent questions about accountability, human rights, and the treatment of vulnerable women in custody. A formal complaint has been lodged against Probation Officer Natasha Price, alleging persistent misconduct, obstruction of healthcare access, and abuse-paralleling behaviour in her supervision of Ms Farah Damji.
Ms Damji, currently battling aggressive stage 3 HER2-positive breast cancer alongside complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has faced repeated barriers to essential healthcare and rehabilitation planning. These failures, documented in detail, may constitute breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.
Key Allegations
- Neglect of Sentence Planning
Officer Price failed to produce a statutory sentence plan, rejecting a completed plan from HMP Bronzefield by Emily Bunje, (who had complied with the deadline of 19 September), without evidence or alternatives. This denial has stalled Ms Damji’s progression and undermined her rights. - Obstruction and Delay
Promised delivery of the updated sentence plan on 13th October never materialised. Seven weeks later, the plan remains overdue, with Officer Price dismissing the need for SAPROF risk assessment and engagement with Women’s Estate Psychological Services, to which Ms Damji agreed that Price had initially insisted upon, saying they are no longer necessary—an act described as gaslighting and dangerous neglect. - Failure to Progress Special Purpose Licence (SPL)
Ms Damji’s application for SPL, critical for accessing experimental chemotherapy (PHESGO), has been obstructed. Despite documented hospital appointments, Officer Price denied receipt of forms, demanded duplicates, and failed to acknowledge submissions. - Abuse-Paralleling Behaviour
Reports highlight dismissive and intimidating language, failure to delegate caseloads, missed appointments, which included making an appointment knowing full well that she would be absent for jury duty, others on her caseload knew of this, but she failed to tell Ms Damji—all contributing to a pattern of systemic neglect. - Previous Findings of Misconduct
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has previously upheld complaints regarding The Probation Service treatment of Ms Damji. This latest complaint underscores a continuing pattern of misconduct and persecution of Ms Damji. - Defamation of Character
- Officer Price has instructed other prisoners to avoid Ms Damji because she will publish their stories in The View Magazine without their permission and keep the £50 that is paid for contributions to the magazine for herself. This is denied by The View Magazine, which obtains the consent of all content by prisoners and ensures payment is effected 30 days post publication to each author.
A Call for Accountability
Officer Price’s behaviour amounts to misconduct in public office and a serious violation of professional standards. Ms Damji has now requested a new probation officer, citing dishonesty and obstruction.
The demand is clear:
- Immediate investigation into Officer Price’s conduct
- Reinstatement of Ms Damji’s sentence planning process
- Urgent progression of her SPL application to ensure access to life-saving treatment
This case is not just about one woman—it is about the systemic failures of a probation service that continues to deny vulnerable women dignity, healthcare, and justice.