This 77-year-old climate activist should never have been jailed – and now faces a Kafkaesque struggle to get out | Zoe Williams

Gaie Delap, 77, remains imprisoned for protesting with Just Stop Oil. She received a 20-month sentence for climbing a gantry over the M25. Released on home detention, her electronic tag couldn't be fitted due to a medical condition and size limitations. The failure to find a suitable tag led to her return to prison. This situation highlights a systemic failure by Serco, the government contractor. Delap's imprisonment is criticized as unjust and disproportionate. Her actions were part of a climate activism campaign using non-violent direct action. Such actions are historically crucial for social and political change. The government's handling of her case is viewed as undermining progressive politics. The author argues that the government's response is inconsistent with supporting climate action.