One of the Insulate Britain activists who was jailed following the group’s incursions onto the highways of the UK has been transferred to the hospital wing of the prison she is currently in because she is on hunger strike.
Emma Smart declared that she would be embarking on a hunger strike upon her conviction, but the 44-year-old has now been moved to another part of HMP Bronzefield for her health, according to a statement issued by the climate action group.
Insulate Britain said: “Emma, who has today been in prison on hunger strike for 13 days, was moved out of her cell onto the hospital wing at HMP Bronzefield on Friday.
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“The prison is becoming increasingly concerned about her health.”
The group quoted Smart as having said: “The window of my cell in the hospital wing is blocked up and there is little natural light, in my previous cell I could see the birds and trees that line the prison fence. I have less time to go outside in the prison yard for exercise now.
“All of this is testing my resolve to continue, but I feel that not eating is the only thing I can do from prison to draw attention to those who will have to make the choice between heating and eating this winter.”
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The biologist, who is from Weymouth, has been on hunger strike for almost two weeks since she was sentenced to four months in prison for breaking a High Court injunction and protesting on the M25.
On Twitter this Friday, her sister Clare wrote on Twitter: “Day 9 of hunger strike,
“Emma is always so strong yet today she was tearful when she phoned. It is really tough to hear her sounding sad.
“The frustrating delays of not getting any of her belongings; her books, clothes, even her glasses for her to be able to comfortably read the emails that have been printed out.
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“Each day she is told that it will happen and each day passes without it.”
She went on to explain why Emma has taken on the hunger strike, claiming that she aims to persuade Boris Johnson and his government to insulate more council homes to improve conditions for those who live there, as well as significantly reducing the effects of climate change.
Clare said: “Emma is not eating in solidarity with those who will have to make the choice between eating and heating their homes this winter.”
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An HMP Bronzefield spokesperson told LADbible: "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 established procedures for dealing with any health-related matters to ensure appropriate care is provided."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News, Environment