Pro-Palestine activist attempts suicide in UK prison due to isolation

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Charlotte Head, 29, was recently released on bail after serving 18 months in pre-trial detention. She had been arrested along with other activists affiliated with Palestine Action, a group that claims to target weapons manufacturers and companies associated with Israel’s war crimes.

Head, who previously worked as a charity worker supporting victims of domestic violence and volunteered at refugee camps in Calais, was convicted of no crime but served beyond the UK’s usual six-month pre-trial detention limit. She was released three weeks ago after being granted bail.

During her time in prison, Head reported experiencing difficulties with administrative tasks, including arranging visits from family and friends, which she claims were inconsistent with previous accounts. Her barrister likened her to a suffragette, highlighting the challenges she faced.

Head also spoke about her experiences of depression and isolation while incarcerated. In August 2025, she attempted to take her own life at Foston Hall prison, citing feelings of powerlessness and lack of agency due to being used as a “political play piece.” She was taken to an emergency department, where she was handcuffed to a prison officer, before being returned to prison the following day.

Head’s experiences have highlighted concerns about the UK’s prison system, particularly regarding conditions and censorship. In 2025, 29 people died in UK prisons under circumstances described as “self-inflicted,” while there were approximately 75,000 incidents of self-harm reported.

Palestine Action, founded in 2020, aims to counter Israeli war crimes by targeting weapons manufacturers and companies associated with them. The group’s main target is Elbit Systems, a subsidiary of Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, which produces drones used in the Gaza Strip conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera