Tommy Robinson receives extensive privileges in prison despite security concerns
- Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is serving an 18-month sentence for contempt of court in HMP Woodhill, a high-security prison.
- He has been granted considerable privileges, including access to a laptop, lengthy phone calls, and numerous visits, due to fears for his safety.
- Robinson's legal team is challenging his segregation, arguing it is harmful, despite the Ministry of Justice's claims of his enhanced prison conditions.
In the United Kingdom, Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is currently serving an 18-month sentence for contempt of court at HMP Woodhill, a high-security prison. He was sentenced in October 2024 after admitting to ten breaches of a High Court order that barred him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee. Following his arrival at the prison, Robinson was placed into solitary confinement due to concerns about his safety, which include threats that he might be attacked or killed by other prisoners. This segregation, however, has been categorized as 'substantively more permissive' than typical solitary confinement. The Ministry of Justice indicated that Robinson has extensive access to communication and privileges, further complicating the narrative around his treatment in prison. He has been afforded access to a laptop for emailing, several hours of daily exercise, and has made over 1,250 social phone calls since a request for increased phone access was granted on March 11. Furthermore, Robinson has received visits from a daily member of the chaplaincy team and medical personnel from the NHS. The legal team for the Ministry of Justice reported that 120 people have been authorized to visit him, with over 80 visits already executed. His visiting schedule surpasses the minimum requirements for unconvicted prisoners, allowing him two hours of social visits four days a week. This situation has triggered a challenge by Robinson, as he claims that the segregation is adversely affecting him despite the provided amenities. His lawyer argued that Robinson's opportunities for work and social interaction are far less than what the Ministry of Justice claims, stating that Robinson has the chance to work only on Wednesdays for a limited time. His case has raised serious questions regarding the treatment of prisoners and the balance between safety and the rights of individuals incarcerated. As this legal battle unfolds, the courts must consider both the safety of the prisoner and the prison population, as well as the implications of a segregated regime that deviates from standard procedures.