By Doncaster prisoner on “death sentence” hunger strike
Thomas Reay, 39 and originally from Newcastle, is behind bars at HMP Doncaster. He was charged and sentence over a spate of armed robberies at bookmakers in the north east.
He was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence for the protection of the public under IPP legislation after being deemed a danger to the public.
He was subsequently ordered to serve a minimum of six years. Thus far, he has been in custody for 11 years.
IPP legislation means that prisoners may remain locked up indefinitely until they are no longer deemed a risk.
A public petition has been launched by Reay’s family calling for his release. The inmate has now also been on hunger strike for 17 days to highlight his case.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been written to and Reay is urging his supporters to take part in a protest outside HMP Doncaster.
Arrangements for this are being finalised.
A Facebook page has been set up providing daily updates on Reay’s hunger strike, which appear to have been written by the prisoner himself.
In one of his latest posts he said:
“I am loosing 2.2 pounds per day in weight and look like a ghost. I think the prison system and HMP Doncaster are going to push this to the very end.”
“It’s a death sentence.”
Public responses have varied, but many feel that the IPP system is unjust:
“IPP sentences are unjust and unregulated, and nothing has been done about it. Not having a release date allows people to be forgotten.”
Serco, which operates HMP Doncaster, said Reay is being seen daily by medical staff.
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