Tessera

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

A long-ish thread on racial disproportionalities in the use of force in prison - and why this makes yesterday’s decision to authorise the use of PAVA spray in children’s prisons all the more appalling - please do read and share 🙏

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

🧵 Yesterday Govt published an evaluation of the use of force - including PAVA spray - in adult prisons from 2018 to 2023 It shows - starkly - the fact that you are significantly more likely to have force used against you in prison if you are Black than white

Figure 4 from this document showing disproportionate use of force of all kinds against Black people in prison https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68093394e4d2b76ccfb527a0/Use_of_Force_Evaluation_Report.pdf

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

A long-ish thread on racial disproportionalities in the use of force in prison - and why this makes yesterday’s decision to authorise the use of PAVA spray in children’s prisons all the more appalling - please do read and share 🙏

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

🧵 Yesterday Govt published an evaluation of the use of force - including PAVA spray - in adult prisons from 2018 to 2023 It shows - starkly - the fact that you are significantly more likely to have force used against you in prison if you are Black than white

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

🧵 Yesterday Govt published an evaluation of the use of force - including PAVA spray - in adult prisons from 2018 to 2023 It shows - starkly - the fact that you are significantly more likely to have force used against you in prison if you are Black than white

Lottie @sellottie.bsky.social · last yr.

Important campaign against a barbaric decision which will - per the government’s own evaluations of PAVA in adult prisons - fail to deter violence in YOIs and instead further damage fragile trust between children in custody and staff

The Howard League@thehowardleague.bsky.social · last yr.

The Ministry of Justice has announced the introduction of PAVA spray for use against children in prison. The Howard League will take whatever steps necessary, including legal action, to challenge this decision. Please support our crowdfunder 🙏 www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-th...

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

The decision to use PAVA in children’s prisons “represents a serious escalation in the use of force that is permitted against children” - @thehowardleague.bsky.social in @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/article/c464...

Pepper spray to be used in youth custody after surge in assaults

Youth offender institutions, whose inmates are as young as 14, are the most violent part of the prison system

thetimes.com

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

In adult prisons, Black men are significantly more likely to be sprayed with PAVA than white men - in fact, this is more than 5 times more likely for Black men under 25 We are deeply concerned that this disproportionality will be mirrored in children’s prisons

The Howard League@thehowardleague.bsky.social · last yr.

The Ministry of Justice has announced the introduction of PAVA spray for use against children in prison. The Howard League will take whatever steps necessary, including legal action, to challenge this decision. Please support our crowdfunder 🙏 www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-th...

The Howard League @thehowardleague.bsky.social · last yr.

The Ministry of Justice has announced the introduction of PAVA spray for use against children in prison. The Howard League will take whatever steps necessary, including legal action, to challenge this decision. Please support our crowdfunder 🙏 www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-th...

Stop the use of PAVA spray on children in prison

The Howard League is a national charity campaigning for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.

crowdjustice.com

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

We can’t stand by and let this happen Please support @thehowardleague.bsky.social’s fundraiser to challenge this decision 🙏 www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-th...

Stop the use of PAVA spray on children in prison

The Howard League is a national charity campaigning for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.

crowdjustice.com

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Govt has just has announced that PAVA spray will be authorised for use in children’s prisons Hard to imagine a more profound failure than arming prison officers in the name of keeping children safe Follow @thehowardleague.bsky.social for updates across the day howardleague.org/do-not-let-p...

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

“We condemn the decision to introduce PAVA spray into children’s prisons” - @thehowardleague.bsky.social The Howard League will take whatever steps necessary, including legal action, to challenge this decision howardleague.org/news/howard-...

The Howard League | Howard League responds to use of PAVA against children in prison

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to condemn the government’s decision to introduce PAVA spray for use against children in prison, announced today (Thursday 24 April).

howardleague.org

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Govt has just has announced that PAVA spray will be authorised for use in children’s prisons Hard to imagine a more profound failure than arming prison officers in the name of keeping children safe Follow @thehowardleague.bsky.social for updates across the day howardleague.org/do-not-let-p...

The Howard League | Don’t let PAVA spray be used on children

PAVA spray: Join the Howard League campaign against its use on children in prison

howardleague.org

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Catching up on my reading list - it’s been a while since I posted anything but I’ve enjoyed quite a few new books of late This was my favourite by far👇💙📚 Wondering what to start on next - anyone got any recommendations?

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Book 53/? - Greta and Valdin by Rachel R Reilly I absolutely loved this. It’s funny, smart, moving and interesting. It’s mostly about relationships - with family, partners, places, self. Highly, highly recommended 💙📚

A photo of this book resting on a pink surface against a dark teal wall. The book is pink, with a large mesh shopping bag - full of limes and starting to tear - dominating the page. The title is in bold letters above and below the lines. The author’s name is in red bold font below.

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Another glorious book from the #WomensPrize long list. I adored this👇 💙📚

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Book 41/? - Amma by Saraid de Silva Extraordinary. It weaves together the experiences of three generations of one family, across time and place, fractured and bound by history and trauma, dealing with sexual and racial violence. Lyrical and evocative, hopeful as well as heartbreaking 💙📚

Screenshot of this book cover. It is an ombré rainbow from pink to blue to yellow to green in ice-cream shades. On the front is a beautiful tree in black, with branches and leaves spreading symmetrically across the page. Out of the bottom of the trunk is the title. The author’s name is below, against the green.

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Anyone in charge of the Scottish history curriculum?!👇🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Book 40/? - Clear by Carys Davies Beautiful, tender, this short novel aches with compassion and loneliness and hope. 150 pages of perfection As well as its humanity, it did more for my interest in Scottish history and language than a school-career of lessons. Put this on the curriculum! 💙📚

A copy of this paperback resting on a grey tartan rug (with an orange stripe). The cover is largely of a grey, tumultuous sky, which gives way to a foggy sea and up close, a dark rowing boat and a person in shadow leaning against it, their arms crossed.

The book title is in bold blue letters across the middle; the author’s name on the bottom right hand side in a brighter blue. There are multiple reviews across the page:

- “Riveting” Sarah Jessica Parker
- “a tender, humane book” Sunday Times
- “A masterful, discreetly sublime book” Hernan Diaz
- “A writer of immense talent” Guardian
- “not to be missed” Annie Proulx

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

So glad to have the Women’s Prize long list to work through - I’ve already read a few but plenty new names to add to my wish list! This was an excellent start👇 #WomensPrize2025 💙📚

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Book 38/? - Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris I chose this from the Women’s Prize long list and found it extraordinary Set amongst the horrors of the siege of Sarajevo, it is brutal and beautiful Deeply moving - I can’t get it out of my head 💙📚

A screenshot of the cover of this book. It is a beautiful, colourful scene that could be flowers but when you focus you realise they are flames and explosions - a riot of yellow, orange, red, pink, green, purple and black. The title and author’s name are in a simple white font in the middle.

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

If you usually find audiobooks a struggle, I couldn’t recommend this more👇 The accents (oh the accents!) - I could never have brought this to life so vividly in my own head. Loved it 💙📚

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Book 30/? - Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon This is the PERFECT audiobook - read by the author with so much life and humour. It’s so clever, educational even, and so bloody funny One of those ones where you find you miss the characters when you’re finished - highly recommended #BookSky

A copy of this book in hardback, resting on a yellow chevron-striped wool blanket. The book is bright yellow, with a large black jug on the front. There are two naked men in black - one on the left of the jug is touching the side of it. The other, with a beard, rests against the right of the jug, looking spent.

The title is in large, white, embossed letters in the middle of the jug. The author’s name is written in script below the title.

There are three reviews on the jug:
- “Bold and totally unexpected. I was hooked from the first page” Douglas Stuart
- “Madly ambitious. Shockingly funny. Just glorious” Emma Donoghue
- “Very special, very clever, very entertaining” Roddy Doyle

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

After a lovely half-term, I’m catching up on this little (pleasurable) job I have set myself, of documenting everything I read this year A small flurry is incoming This inserted itself at the top of my list due to glowing reviews - I enjoyed it👇

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · last yr.

Book 28/? - The Boyhood of Cain by Michael Amherst I listened to this across one long, jet-lagged day. It was everything the reviews acclaim - evocative, beautiful, searing. I found the protagonist frustrating, ridiculous, sometimes unbearably sweet Highly recommended #BookSky #TheBoyhoodOfCain

Screenshot of the audiobook cover. It is a cream square, with a small photo in the centre - the photo is of a small child in shadow, wearing a backpack, looking across a misty meadow at a building. The sun is low and golden, the sky changes from pale yellow to anaemic blue.

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 2y ago

👩‍⚖️No other country with assisted dying requires judicial review. While several questions remain on the assisted dying bill, the coming amendment improves safety standards, having judges in a more suitable position, @gideonsalutin.bsky.social explains👇 www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

Judges' smaller role in assisted dying will strengthen safety

SMF's Gideon Salutin explains why Kim Leadbeater MP's proposed changes to assisted dying bill will improve safety standards.

smf.co.uk

Dignity in Dying @dignityindying.org.uk · 2y ago

It's only right that @kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social responds to the evidence heard in Committee and works to improve the Bill. This proposed change strikes a balance between choice for dying people and building in safety measures.

The Guardian (@theguardian.com)

I’m changing my bill to ensure people have the right to a dignified death – here’s how | Kim Leadbeater…

buff.ly

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

My favourite book this year - highly recommended👇

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Book 25/? - My Friends by Hisham Matar I LOVED this. The audiobook is read by the author and it is utterly beautiful. His voice and words are poetic and resonant, so soothing even as he deals with war and exile and heartbreak I now want to read everything he’s ever written! #BookSky #MyFriends

A screen grab of the cover of this book from audible. The background is a black and white photo, wither real or staged, which I think depicts the protest outside the Libyan embassy in London from 1984 where the protestors were shot and PC Yvonne Fletcher was killed. There is a young man with dark hair and thick eyebrows, staring just past the camera. There is a yellow circle in the middle of the image, on top of which the author’s name in red is bold. The book title is below in white.

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

I posted my list out of order and it’s really annoying but the main thing is that you should read this - immediately - if you haven’t already. So good

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Book 25/? - My Friends by Hisham Matar I LOVED this. The audiobook is read by the author and it is utterly beautiful. His voice and words are poetic and resonant, so soothing even as he deals with war and exile and heartbreak I now want to read everything he’s ever written! #BookSky #MyFriends

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Set across one soaked day in a suffocating neighbourhood, I’m not sure Arlington Park could have felt more apt. I hadn’t read Rachel Cusk before. I was left both impressed and wincing by how precisely and mercilessly she skewers middle class suburbia and its unhappy mothers. Brutal #BookSky

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Book 26/? - Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk “The rain fell at the window. It was so grey, so grey and unavailing! It was like sorrow: it seemed to preclude every possibility, every other shade of feeling.” This pretty much sums up both the book and the month of February #BookSky #RachelCusk

A photo of a paperback copy of this book sitting on a walnut brown table. The cover is an anaemic eggshell blue with a large photo of a goldfish in what looks like the inside of a plastic bag (like if you won it at a fair). The title is in simple black caps at the top of the book and the author’s name at the foot.

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

It’s been a while since I read something that made me laugh out loud Ideally it wouldn’t have been a noisy snort in a busy restaurant but these things happen I guess

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Book 23/? - The History of My Sexuality by Tobi Lakmaker This made me laugh out loud on several occasions (including the paragraph in the photo). Somehow both bleak *and* uplifting #BookSky #Reading

A copy of this book in paperback sitting on a walnut sideboard. The book is a bright blue, with a darker blue outline of someone with short hair and open eyes lying down, resting their head on their outstretched arm, gazing at another person, who has small rosebud lips and long hair. The title is pink, the author’s name yellow. There is a review that says “Funny, joyous and wholly irreverent” - Irish Times

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

The sky and the rain and the sea have blurred into one another like a watercolour today

A photo of the skeletal West Pier in Brighton, which is surrounded by grey-blue water and sky

Dignity in Dying @dignityindying.org.uk · 2y ago

"It is extremely important to get the details of the legislation right, and enhance it where necessary...but we must also not lose sight of the fact that the current legal situation is unacceptable and deeply problematic" www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Assisted dying amendment requires doctors to raise all other options first

Proposed change follows concerns by experts about protection from coercion and measuring mental capacity

theguardian.com

Matthew England @matthewengland.bsky.social · 2y ago

Rolling news: Kim Leadbeater tables 56 amendments to assisted dying bill • strengthening training requirements, inc on capacity • requiring doctors to draft a detailed report assessing a patient • leaving forms to regulations Summary below ⬇️ www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...

Assisted dying - The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Rolling news

Stay informed with updates and analysis on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as it moves through Parliament. Learn about the debates, procedures, decisions, and key milestones shaping the a...

hansardsociety.org.uk

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Tessa Hadley is both insightful and brutal - this novella is *wonderful* I turned the final page and wanted to go back to the beginning again Highly recommended👇👏

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Book 22/? - The Party by Tessa Hadley This is outrageously good. When it comes to the indignities & agonies of not yet being/ knowing yourself, this was full of acute observations (that landed like arrows) The worst bit was the decrepit mam who had “let herself go” at FORTY THREE. Ouch. #BookSky

An overexposed photo of the hardback of this book, resting on a white surface against a yellow/white wall. The cover is an image from an open window, with a snowy scene outside. The snowy branches of an otherwise bare tree take up the foreground, a snowy house is beyond on the other side of the street. There is a yellow patterned curtain running along the right hand side of the cover. The title and author’s name are in a simple serif font in white.

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Great to see prisons charities still joining Bluesky! Welcome to @prisonadvice.bsky.social 👋 You can find lots more in this #CriminalJustice starter pack, inc: @thehowardleague.bsky.social @prisonersadvice.bsky.social @prisonersed.bsky.social But lmk if I’ve missed anyone! go.bsky.app/2sQ9xmz

Post nicht verfügbar.

Janey Starling @janeystarling.bsky.social · 2y ago

📢 LAWYERS!📢 Since 2 high-profile baby deaths in women’s prisons, there’s been a sea change in the sentencing of pregnant women. But there’s much more to be done - and we need criminal & public lawyers to do it! Come & find out how you can help on 5 March 🌟✨ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/human-righ...

Human rights of pregnant women, mothers and children in the justice system

Join the Human Rights Lawyers' Association for an empowering and important discussion in the run up to International Women's Day 2025.

eventbrite.co.uk

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Great to see prisons charities still joining Bluesky! Welcome to @prisonadvice.bsky.social 👋 You can find lots more in this #CriminalJustice starter pack, inc: @thehowardleague.bsky.social @prisonersadvice.bsky.social @prisonersed.bsky.social But lmk if I’ve missed anyone! go.bsky.app/2sQ9xmz

Post nicht verfügbar.

Gemma Abbott @gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

And with this, I’ve finished my stack of books from Christmas! Here is my next “to read” pile - any suggestions of what to put at the top of my list? #BookSky #ReadingList #BookRecommendations

A pile of books stacked on a walnut table. From bottom to top:

- Murakami, The City and its Uncertain Walls
- Gabriel’s Moon, William Boyd
- There Are Rivers In The Sky, Elif Shafak
- Glorious Exploits, Ferria Lennon
- The Party, Tessa Hadley
- Arlington Park, Rachel Cusk
- The Late Americans, Brandon Taylor
- Regarding the Pain of Others, Susan Sontag
- Levitation for Beginners, Suzannah Dunn

Gemma Abbott@gemabbott.bsky.social · 2y ago

Book 21/? - The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri I was given this by my brother in law - a lovely gift 💝 The characters felt real, their ordinary lives both beautifully & agonisingly mundane (belying the detached third person narrative) I feel a bit heart sore having finished it! #BookSky #TheNamesake

Photo of a paperback of this book resting on a grey wool background. The book is colourful - with an orange stripe, moving into black then pink, then green then darker blue. The title is in white capitals and the author’s name below. Across the top it says “With a new afterword” and along the bottom “winner of the Pulitzer Prize”. In the middle it says in small white writing “Extraordinary - The Times”