Biba Sarkaria fights for parole and equal rights for Asian women prisoners
Biba Sarkaria, who has for years fought for the rights of women prisoners has been waiting over 19 weeks now to hear the outcome of her own parole application which she made in April 1999. Prison policy states that every prisoner will hear the result of their parole application within six weeks. So why asks Biba am I still waiting!
Biba says that in all the time she has spent in prison (over ten years) she has only ever seen one or two Asian women ever get parole, home leave, town visits, tagging, no matter what their circumstances. She herself has tried on many occasions to fight for home leave for Asian women who's fathers were dying or who's chidren were seriously injured but the authorities showed no compassion. However the same prison authorities (Cookhamwood) give white prisoners home leave, tagging, parole and all the best jobs in prison. While `we (Asian women) are even taken to the local hospital with handcuffs and three prison officers. Last time they did that to me I refused to go'. She goes on to say that Since April 1996 only one Asian woman at Cookhamwood has ever been given Home leave, and yet so many others have been refused and given flimsy reasons. One governor even said: `He was worried about his job if he allowed an Asian Woman Home leave'
While Biba awaits the outcome of her parole application, while suffering from acute backpain (the result of a protest she made against the racism at Cookhamwood), and a serious heart conditions (among other things), she is now also faced daily with the brutal decision of the prison authorities not to meet her request for specially prepared food. Biba who is a practising / baptised sikh needs to eat food prepared in conditions which are `hygenic and not mixed with foods forbidden by her religion (certain meat). Up to now Biba was able to prepare this food herself or get fellow prisoners to prepare it and it as she is one of the (83 out of 150) enhanced prisoners who is given privelege preparing her own food. However recently (May 1999), the kitchen in which she used to cook (often for many others), clean (and after many others) has been now allocated to seventeen additional inmates. For Biba this has meant that she can no longer cook there. The fridge is full of food which has been there for days, the floor has not been cleaned in weeks and every health and safety regulation is broken. When asked about the prison providing cleaners and health inspectors Biba replied: `theres only one cleaner and she only comes once a week and theres only so much she can do. As for inspectors, the only inspectors we see are the ones who come here, talk, smile, drink coffee and smoke cigarettes and then go away'
Asian women prisoners group is demanding that:
Prison authorities meet their legal responsibility with providing Biba Sarkaria (and others in a similar situation) with the food she needs;
A response from the parole board Biba Sarkarias application (fourth) for parole;
A response from all the people she has written to demanding an investigation into the racism at Cookhamwood prison.
Letters and faxes of protest should be sent to:
Parole and Lifer group
Terry McCarthy (Head of Parole Board) or fax to: Jon Irving, Parole Unit, Rm 126, Abell House, John Islip St, SW1 4LH London, Tel: 0171-217-5124 / 5216/3000
Lord Williams of Mostyn QC&
Minister Responsible for Oversight of Prisons and Probation
Fax 0171 273 2936
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
George Howarth
Minister Responsible for Prisons and Probation
Fax 0171 273 2565
The Home Secretary: Jack Straw
Fax: 0171-273-3965
Details: Asian women prisoners group, c/o Londec, Instrument House, 205-217 Kings Cross Rd WC1X 9DB Tel: 0171-713-7907
