Handbook for Travellers in the justice system
A handbook for Travellers trapped in the criminal justice system has been produced by Gavin Wilkinson, a forensic psychologist who works in health and criminal justice, along with members of the Travelling community.
Wilkinson tells us that, despite only making up an estimated 0.1 per cent of the UK population, 5 per cent of people in prison identify as Roma, Gypsy and Traveller (RGT). He says that entrenched inequalities and social exclusion, as well as preconceptions from the police and courts, are factors that have led to this over-representation.
He also finds that Travellers can suffer unequal hardship in prison due to low literacy, mental illness, limited access to services, and racism from staff and other prisoners. According to research by the Irish Chaplaincy, many RGT prisoners enter jails unable to read or write, with little or no employment skills, and leave feeling even more socially isolated. Finding it difficult to reintegrate back into society, and because of prejudicial license conditions, they are too frequently recalled to prison.
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) has created a Traveller support group, intended to provide a space for RGT ex-prisoners to feel safe and supported whilst assisting them to access vital services.
In addition to this support group, the CCJS has co-produced a Traveller handbook – which can act as a directory of services – to support both Travellers and the professionals that work with them.
There’s nothing though, to stop Roma, Gypsy and Traveller inmates from being helpful, sympathetic to and supportive of, other inmates. That would a good reputation to get and to have, I humbly think. Just as an ancillary, to getting better at fighting your corner, i mean.