GM free Prison diet - hunger strike success at Risley
The following press release descibes the reasons behind the recent hunger strike by Sharyn Locke at Risley Remand centre. Below the press release is an update including the happy ending to her demand for a diet free of genetically modified soya (or any other gentically modified ingredient).
Please note this press release is now old and was initially sent out last week.
PRELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELE
GM-Free Food Not Runways
PRISONER ON INDEFINITE HUNGER-STRIKE WHILE FELLOW ACTIVISTS ARE EVICTED
One of the Manchester Runway 2 protestors has gone on indefinite hunger strike and has demanded the right to a prison diet that is free of genetically manipulated foodstuff. Whilst nearby Manchester airport witnesses the forced eviction of protestors, Her Majesty's Prison Service has become the latest territory in raising awareness concerning genetically manipulated food.
Presently in HMP Risley near Manchester, for breach of punitive bailconditions, Sharyn Lock (BE4262) was quoted as saying:
"I will be hunger-striking for the right of prisoners to be guaranteed a diet free from genetically manipulated food."
"I will provide whatever help I can in researching and putting in placethis diet option, which I believe is viable."
A support group has been set up in support of Sharyn's stand - the GM-Free Prison Support Group stated that prisoners have a right to choose what they eat. The group believe that their campaign has a powerful resonance for the public at large:
"We are fighting for prisoners but really we are fighting for the publics right to GM-free produce. There is an analogy here between what is being forced on Sharyn and what is being forced on people in general - neither really have a choice, both are being denied the right to choose. This is patently unacceptable. The rights of prisoners cannot be ignored especially when their health and welfare are at stake and equally the interests of people cannot be ignored."
Whilst diets based on religious belief (eg. halal and kosher diets) and other ethical choices (eg. veganism) are fully recognised within the prison system, the choice to GM-free foods is not yet available to prisoners. The prison system now has the opportunity to make a positive contribution to this issue by recognising the right to choose a genetically free diet.
At the time of going to press the authorities had declined to comment at Sharyn's stance. However, the Governor of HMP Risley, Mr Johnson, did say that the prisons food policy was available to the public and he was open to discussion.
Just as the development of Manchester airport is advocated by big business for big business, genetically manipulated produce has been developed by companies such as Monsanto and Novartis in order to boost their profits and further their control of the agricultural industry by making farmers dependent upon their products.
The Manchester protestors acknowledge the holistic relationship between the two and have kept Manchester in the limelight of progressive action. As the struggle to highlight the needless and destructive development f Manchester airport escalates, those that are fighting it join their voices to the chorus of criticism that realise the dangers inherent in genetically engineered produce.
Information on genetically engineered foodstuffs can be obtained from:
Women's Environmental Network 87 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2BE, UK Tel: 0171 354 8823
Greenpeace Int Canonbury Villas, Islington, London N1 2PN Tel: 0171 865 8100
Online sources of information include:
Super Heroes Against
Genetix
http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/shag/
Earth First! online
http://www.wmin.ac.uk/hrcr/campaigns/ef!/toxmut.html
Greenpeace online
http://www.greenpeace.org/~uk/science/ge/index.html
For further details concerning Sharyn Lock's hunger strike contact:
GM-Free Prison Support Group : 0161 - 2244846
H.M.P. Risley : 01925 763871
UPDATE UPDATE
A statement had been handed into the governer who then came to see Sharyn and asked her to make a list of the GM free food that would be acceptable. On Saturday morning she was put on the hospital wing where the head nurse asked again what food was needed. Sharyn wrote list of known GM free foods (mainly adjusting a vegan diet). The nurse and kitchen staff spent all day getting a great salad together and brought it up to Sharyn. Although she had not eaten for five and a half days she refused to accept it as they could not gurantee that in future people asking for a GM free diet would be catered for so she gave the food to others on the hospital ward. As the governer was not available until the Monday the deputy governor Pat Nolan came to visit and asked for a ten second summary as to why she was on hunger strike etc. They both took a wander down to kitchen and chatted about genetic engineering etc. on the way.
The kitchen staff were all wonderful (as were the nurses) and went through the contents of the kitchen for a quick introduction into what may or may not contain GM ingredients. It was discovered that all the soya milk used for vegans at Risley is organic and therefore GM free and the beakfast cereal was GM free also, although the margerine and pitta bread could well have contained GE soya and oil though and so were refused.
Although the Deputy Governor was unwilling/unable to guarantee that future requests for a GM free diet would be catered for he did say that he saw no reason for future requests being turned down.
Sharyn enjoyed wonderful salads for the rest of her stay!
She has now been released.
For more info see contacts on press release above.
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