Gaie Delap, a 77-year-old protester, is back in prison due to issues with her electronic tag, raising concerns about her treatment and health.
Bristol: So, here’s the scoop. A 77-year-old woman named Gaie Delap, who protested with Just Stop Oil, is back in prison. Why? Her wrists were too small for the electronic tag they tried to put on her.
Gaie was sentenced to 20 months in August for her role in some protests on the M25 last year. She was released early on a home detention curfew, but things took a turn when they couldn’t fit the tag on her ankle due to a health issue.
They tried to tag her wrist instead, but that didn’t work out either. So, on December 5, they issued a warrant for her arrest, even though Just Stop Oil said she was following all the rules.
It gets worse. Gaie has health problems and even had a stroke before her trial. She faced some rough treatment in prison, including being handcuffed to a bed while in the hospital. The warrant was issued while she was getting treatment, which seems pretty harsh.
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil said Gaie acted out of concern for her family and the environment, especially after the government announced new oil and gas licenses despite extreme heat and climate issues last summer.
Her family is really upset about her being sent back to prison. They believe it’s cruel and unnecessary, arguing that there are better options than a tag. They think if she were a man, this wouldn’t even be an issue.
They’re calling on people to reach out to the Justice Secretary to change this decision. The Ministry of Justice insists they have to enforce the law, but it seems like there should be a better way to handle this situation.
It’s a real head-scratcher, and many are questioning why resources are being wasted on keeping Gaie in prison when there are alternatives available.