Latest editorial
Britain’s poet laureate has slammed Tory attempts to lure her into a “media stunt” propping up their prisoner book ban while refusing talks on the issue with campaigners.
Carol Ann Duffy poured scorn on Justice Secretary Chris Grayling yesterday after his officials rejected calls for face-to-face talks with prison-reform campaigners over the widely reviled policy, which bans prisoners from receiving care packages of books, underwear and other essentials.
Mr Grayling has cited security concerns for the ban, adding that prisoners use their prison’s library collections. Critics say such collections are poorly maintained and prisoners are routinely denied their right to a library visit of at least 30 minutes once a fortnight.
MATTHEW HAWKINS relishes the literary output of autistic writers, and recommends its insight to readers both including and beyond the community themselves
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SALEEM BADAT and VASU REDDY introduce a new book about an outstanding interpreter of the world, and an activist scholar committed to changing society