Andy Aitchison
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andyaitchison.bsky.social
Andy Aitchison
@andyaitchison.bsky.social
Freelance documentary #photographer, working since 1991. Covering most subjects, Climate solutions, Unions, Campaigns, Social & Criminal Justice, specialise in photographing in UK prisons. Visit my website: www.andyaitchison.uk for more.
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
Amazing story in The Times. Reform UK failed to pay VAT to HMRC on its sales (tickets, merchandise). About £400k in all.

Not tax avoidance. Not tax evasion. They just didn't realise when you sell stuff you have to charge VAT.
October 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
Pleased to chair an APPG on Miscarriages of Justice meeting on Dr Lucy Welsh & Dr Amy Clarke’s research into experiences of accessing justice through the CCRC. It was a powerful & insightful discussion on what more must be done to remove barriers & deliver real reform.

📸 @andyaitchison.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
What a great film! Well worth 2 mins of your time to know a little bit more about some of the incredible work that goes on to support those affected by the IPP scandal. Great to see the pictures I made a few years back for @ungripp.bsky.social on display again in a new venue.
Last week we relaunched our exhibition at the Labour Conference ‘IPP sentences - Abolished but not gone’

Thank you to @lungtheatre.bsky.social for partnering with us for this event and the ones to follow.

Film by: instagram.com/immanentproduc…

Photos by: @andyaitchison.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
A man on the streets of the UK is asked about the “problem of immigration” and dismantles talking points with ease.
September 2, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I've spoken to so many people inside prison who are on IPP and recalled for various reasons, most are not crime related but simple mix ups propelled by a lack of probation staff to support them. Something has to change. Re-sentencing is a good start.
Prisoners freed from IPPs and other long-term sentences are dogged by stigma and feel “set up to fail” on their release, with an “overwhelming” threat of recall if they fail to comply with complex license conditions, report by @prtuk.bsky.social warns

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
IPP prisoners are dogged by stigma and ‘set up to fail’ on release, report warns
Exclusive: Prisoners have revealed their struggle to find housing and employment while living under an ‘overwhelming’ threat of recall
www.independent.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 8:03 AM
I managed to capture the great work of @giveabookorg.bsky.social on a recent trip into HMP Isis, the first few hours in a cell with nothing must be an incredibly difficult time, having access to something to read is essential.
📸 Captured inside HMPYOI Isis by @andyaitchison.bsky.social.

📚 For 3 years we’ve run the project - Isis: A Reading Prison - to raise the profile of reading across the prison.

🙏 A huge thank you to @manwithbooks.bsky.social, The Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund & HH Wendy Joseph QC for their support.
August 29, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Absolute despair that this still has to be shouted about.

When will killing of children, health workers and starving people trying to get food stop?

Another important campaign I worked on for Oxfam with the incredible Lisa Rutherford.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Our Médecins Sans Frontières staff are being killed in Gaza. Why are UK ministers enabling that? | Natalie Roberts
Britain has a duty to act morally, and stop supporting this genocide, says Médecins Sans Frontières UK executive director Dr Natalie Roberts
www.theguardian.com
July 14, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
Solar panels can be installed on flats thanks to work from Emergent Energy's Reg Platt. He says taxpayers foot clean energy upgrade bill.
Should taxpayers pay for solar panels to be installed on homes?
www.bigissue.com
June 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Great to attend the launch of this report last night, let's hope this is another step in the right direction towards re-sentencing and releasing those serving IPP sentences.
Here are some of the members of a working group we convened to explore ways to end the IPP scandal. Have you read their recommendations yet?

The report was launched last night in the House of Lords, and you can read it here: howardleague.org/publications...

📸 @andyaitchison.bsky.social
June 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
Here are some of the members of a working group we convened to explore ways to end the IPP scandal. Have you read their recommendations yet?

The report was launched last night in the House of Lords, and you can read it here: howardleague.org/publications...

📸 @andyaitchison.bsky.social
June 24, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
‘Keir Starmer must end the injustice of indefinite sentences today’

www.independent.co.uk/voices/edito...
Keir Starmer must end the injustice of indefinite sentences today
Editorial: There are thousands of people in prison in Britain with no release date, serving sentences that were abolished in 2012
www.independent.co.uk
June 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
"A panel convened by the Howard League will urge the government on Monday to take 'long overdue' action to restore hope to 2,614 inmates still trapped under the outlawed jail terms, which have been described as a 'monstrous blot' on our justice system."

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
New hope for end to ‘cruel experiment’ of indefinite jail terms
Exclusive: Top justice experts urge government to finally end IPP sentences with a string of new measures
www.independent.co.uk
June 22, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
PCS marchers are in the midst of the action on the @peoplesassembly.bsky.social march in London today, alongside our splendid balloon. Photo by @andyaitchison.bsky.social #WelfareNotWarfare
June 7, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
There are 87,864 people in prison in England and Wales today.

Explore the 'Prison Watch' section of our website for more information about the prison population: howardleague.org/prison-watch/

📸 @andyaitchison.bsky.social
June 2, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
Scandalous.
As the UK faces its driest spring in 69 years, water companies are « simply praying for rain ».
Meanwhile, they’ve handed £85bn to shareholders since privatisation.
We are being scammed. It's time to bring water back in public hands.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Drought conditions already hitting UK crop production, farmers say
Environment Agency recommends rationing water as UK sees driest start to spring in 69 years
www.theguardian.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Andy Aitchison
Coaches Michael and Frank are busy preparing to deliver Black Hero's Journey in HMP Isis to mark Black Inclusion Week between 12th - 18th May!

Read our Black Hero's Journey Report to find what makes this programme so powerful: www.sparkinside.org/news/black-h...

📸: @andyaitchison.bsky.social
May 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
One of the projects I'm most proud of in my career is another step closure to the goal. Thank you @tricksterprince.bsky.social for all your hard work on this, can't wait to see what the team at @bluecoatpress.bsky.social come up with.
In among the madness, I'm delighted to have submitted the manuscript for our forthcoming book Incarcerated: Contemporary Photography from the Victorian Prison to @bluecoatpress.bsky.social.

Incarcerated brings together @andyaitchison.bsky.social powerful photographs of HMP Lincoln and Liverpool.
May 2, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Fantastic work @sparkinside.bsky.social So important.
Big shoutout to our team in HMP Highdown for their recent Hero's Journey programme success!

Every single person signed up for one-to-ones with coaches Alex Whitton and Caterina Declas after the group work 👏🔥

📸: @andyaitchison.bsky.social
April 30, 2025 at 12:36 PM
A very worrying story, if certain officers are treating their colleagues like this how do we think they are treating the people locked up? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Black ex-prison officer says he has flashbacks after extreme racist abuse at Kent jail
Exclusive: Uzo Mbonu describes being targeted and ‘completely isolated’ by colleagues at HMP Swaleside
www.theguardian.com
April 28, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Finally a sensible solution. Accepting people in France could stop the dangerous small boats overnight and give people a much safer way to get to the UK.
British officials have confirmed a pilot scheme is being considered to deport migrants who cross the English Channel, in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in France with legitimate claims

news.sky.com/story/uk-in-...
UK in talks to swap small boat migrants for asylum seekers in France
The government has confirmed "discussions" are taking place with the French government to "explore options to increase returns to Europe".
news.sky.com
April 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
this post is brilliant for their social media account, whoever does Comms for the @maryrosemuseum.bsky.social deserves a pay rise. I had no idea it was that far down.
On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked,

"If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?"

Allow our scaled diagram to explain...
April 16, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Muslim prisoners in England more likely to be subjected to force, charity finds
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Muslim prisoners in England more likely to be subjected to force, charity finds
Freedom of information requests reveal disproportionate use of batons and rigid handcuffs for Muslims behind bars
www.theguardian.com
April 16, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Really proud of the work I have done over the last 8 years with the @shannontrust.bsky.social, great to see their fantastic mentors getting official accreditation for their hard work. They really are changing lives.
insidetime.org/uncategorise...
Accreditation for Shannon Trust literacy mentors
Prisoners who volunteer as Shannon Trust mentors to teach other prisoners to read will receive nationally-recognised qualifications under a scheme introduced by the charity. The awards, accredited …
insidetime.org
April 13, 2025 at 3:52 PM