Prisoners rely on three main forms of communication with the outside world: phone calls, letters (including emails) and visits (since the Covid pandemic, including video calls). All this is subject to numerous petty restrictions, even without the imposition of the ‘terrorism designation’ which takes the interference to a new level.
In 2022 the Prison Service introduced the Authorised Communications Controls and Interception Policy Framework and in 2025 expanded its provisions to implement Enhanced Contact Vetting (ECV) for so-called terrorist prisoners. The policy states that anyone subject to ECV will be limited to a maximum of 20 social contacts who are ‘subject to certain checks and approval’ by the Joint Extremism Unit and Counter Terrorism Policing ‘before communication can begin’. Changes to a prisoner’s contact list can only be made every three months and anyone on the list will be reviewed again every three years. The restrictions apply to visits, telephone calls, video calls and written communication, including emails. While there are already restrictions across the board on the number of phone contacts a prisoner can have, and systems for vetting visitors, such a restriction on the number of people someone can write to or receive mail from is unprecedented within the British prison system in modern times.
It has long been a tradition for those supporting political prisoners to send them supportive mail by the sack load. Irish prisoners of war in British prisons, for example, could always count on receiving Christmas and birthday cards from across the world. We heard recently from Ian Roberts, one of the Keysight Three, another group of pro-Palestine activists being held in custody following direct action against a company which makes radar and 5G technology for Elbit. Ian writes:
‘Prison is very oppressive and dehumanising, the system tries to crush your spirit and make you voiceless… The support from outside has been a constant source of love and humanity. Emails and cards are really appreciated and from my heart, thank you all for taking the time.’
FRFI opposes all censorship and restrictions on communication. We have always encouraged our readers to write to political prisoners, and will continue to do so.
Please send cards and letters to the Filton 4:
Fatema Zainab Rajwani A9201FD, Lottie Head A9213FD, Leona Kamio A9246FD – all at HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford TW15 3JZ
Samuel Corner A9197FD, HMP Belmarsh, Western Way, Thamesmead, SE28 0EB
For details on how to write to the Keysight 3 see @free_the_ks3 on Instagram
