This article draws comparisons between the dangers of gaol fever in the eighteenth century and the present day challenge of Covid 19. Many countries are releasing prisoners early to ease the crisis. With 1 in 4 prisoners worldwide incarcerated for drugs offences, a considerable number of prison release schemes specifically target the release of low-level drug offenders. This raises the question: if they can be released, why are low-level drug offenders in prison in the first place?
Rick Lines, Naomi Burke-Shyne and Giada Girelli.
Viewpoint, Health and Human Rights Journal, April 2020
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