Statistically, Black people are 4.2 times more likely to die from Covid-19. The unequal impact of the Covid-19 crisis on people from minority ethnic background is highly significant. With individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds being at higher risk, the pandemic has highlighted clear racial inequalities in the criminal justice system (CJS).
A lack of information and transparent communication from the HM Prison and Probation Services (HMPPS) has further made prison staff become more apprehensive about returning to work.This sentiment is mirrored for BAME staff outside of the prison system.
This distrust prompted the collective voice of the voluntary organisations led by Black, Asian and minority ethnic people to write their call to action to Dr Jo Farrar, CEO of HMPPS. Their paper, fully supported by the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3), identified five key areas for action to help address the challenges within the HMPPS’ recovery planning process.
1) Safeguarding measures
The introduction of risk assessments will ensure the safe return of BAME prison workers. Providing a clarity on the present measures such as the availability of tests and protective equipment for HMPPS staff and BAME led charities is needed. The possibility of redeploying staff and working from home should also be considered.
2) The financial sustainability of the BAME sector in the CJS
With the majority of BAME-led charities being smaller, funding opportunities are taken up by larger and more mainstream CJS charities. BAME-led regional charities outside of London also have less support and opportunities. With an increase in demand for their services during this pandemic, they ask for transparency on funding opportunities and higher support from HMPPS.
3) Engagement with the BAME sector
Working together with HMPPS on its recovery planning process is vital, as BAME charities are stakeholders in decisions within the CJS. Strengthened communication is necessary as they feel isolated with this lack of communication.
4) Consider the disproportionality in the recovery process
All prisoners’ needs need to be taken into consideration, but it is also important to recognise the specific support required by BAME prisoners. The sector would like to offer them with remote tailored support throughout and beyond the crisis.
5) Transparency and accountability
A concerning plea is the continuous demand for transparency and an improvement on communication between the BAME sector and HMPPS. Many BAME organisations feel ‘over-used and under-valued’, and their trust within HMPPS is weakened by this lack of communication.
RR3 regards these calls to action as a ‘task of eradicating discrimination based on race and ethnicity’. If that is the case, then HMPPS should clearly respond to this well-supported report into their recovery planning process. The report displays the support the BAME sector wants to give to its community in the CJS. With this continued lack of communication, HMPPS will continue to disappoint and ignore the BAME community and will erode the little trust they had.
The BAME sector needs to be heard. We are at a critical juncture on the issue of equality and HMPPS should surely act on their asserted ‘personal passion for equality’.