The impossible injustice of Talha’s extradition and detention

Syed Talha Ahsan
Talha Ahsan

originally by: The New Statesman
published: 21 February 2013

In theory, what has happened to Talha Ahsan should not be possible. It might come as a surprise to many to learn that Ahsan, a British national judged to be “extremely vulnerable” by a psychiatrist, is currently in pre-trial detention in a so-called “super-maximum security” prison in the United States.  

Ahsan is being held at Connecticut supermax prison, which is the subject of a recent documentary by Yale Law School entitled The Worst of the Worst.

Continue reading

This lays bare the problems faced by detained black men

Police Celloriginally by: Voices – Matilda MacAttram
published: 19 February 2013

Jonathan Andel Malia is the latest in a long line of black men to die in custody.

While by no means an exclusively black issue, the cases of Kingsley Burrell-Brown, Sean Rigg, Olaseni Lewis, Fitz Hicks, Mikey Powell, Roger Sylvester and now Jonathan Andel have highlighted the problems faced by detained black men – particularly those held in the mental health system.

Continue reading

Police keep jobs after Lloyd Butler passed away in their care

Lloyd Butler
Lloyd Butler

originally by: Birmingham Mail  
published: 25 January 2013

Two police officers filmed making insulting remarks about a man who later died in custody will keep their jobs despite being found guilty of misconduct.

Lloyd Butler, from Tile Cross, died aged 39 at Stechford police station in August, 2010 after being arrested after his family called 999 due to concerns about his behaviour while drunk.

An independent hearing into officer’s conduct on that night found Sergeant Mark Albutt guilty of gross misconduct for failing in his duty of care.

Continue reading