Prisons & pandemics /Malcolm X the philosopher (E328)

One of the most dangerous places in Britain to be today is jail. With rising levels of crime, violence, overcrowding, lack of rehabilitation and now, in the midst of a pandemic the dangers have never been more acute. Today there are 281 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among prisoners and 82 cases among staff. With 7,000 now self-isolating, severe regime restrictions have been put in place resulting in a double lockdown for prisoners. It looks like a recipe for disaster for both staff and inmates, so we asked Mark Fairhurst, National Chair of the Prison Officers Association, just how needs are being met to ensure the safety of everyone. 

Malcolm X was known as the “angriest Black man in America.” One of the most iconic and inspiring figures in modern history he was also one of the most enigmatic. Few understood fully Malcom X’s political philosophy which changed over time from his early activism to his conversion to Islam. Dr. Michael Sawyer, Professor in Race, Ethnicity and Migration Studies, has just published a new book, ‘Black Minded: The Political Philosophy of Malcolm X’, which moves the study of this iconic figure from biographical subject to serious thinker placing him firmly within the canon of political philosophers. He joined Sputnik by Skype to tell us more.

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