Leading you to a healthy lifestyle the National Newspaper for Prisoners A ‘not for profit’ publication /57,000 copies distributed monthly / ISSN 1743-7342 / Issue No. 142 / April 2011

Fea Ne w tu re

Matt Vanstone the 2011 English Indoor Rowing champion offers his monthly workout

......................... Page 46

Disney in bid to run British prisons

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World Exclusive By Noel Smith

The 26th Annual Awards were held at Buckingham Palace on 15th March and presented by HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Butler Trust. Jacqui Saradjian received an Award (citation page 11) and also HRH The Princess Royal’s Prize for Outstanding Achievement at HMP Whitemoor together with a plaque and cheque for £1000. Awards and Citations Page 11

Jeremy Moore represented Barry George in his successful appeal proceedings and subsequent re-trial where he was acquitted.

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The Butler Trust Annual Award Ceremony 2010-11

Inside Time understands that the Disney Corporation of America has shown strong interest in bidding for the four prisons which have recently been put out for tender to the private sector. HMP Birmingham, HMP Doncaster, HMP Featherstone and HMP Buckley Hall have also attracted bids from G4S, who presently run four prisons in the UK. It is believed that the Disney Corporation, which already runs the 7 Dwarfs Juvenile Correctional Centre in Guatemala, and the Steamboat Willie Maximum Security facility in Ohio, are looking to expand their holdings by bidding for the four British jails. A spokesman for the Corporation, Mr Jiminy Cricket, gave a little whistle before telling a Commons Tendering Committee ‘Our reputation is Snow White, you may say because we are dealing with real human beings we always let our conscience be our guide.’ A POA spokesman said ‘This is just plain Goofy’. The Ministry of Justice was unavailable for comment.

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Keep the money, I want to vote!

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I have noted the opinions of commentators and politicians with regards to the prisoners vote issue, and the main irony is that the ‘against’ camp say that as prisoners, we do not have the right to influence policies that govern society. We now find ourselves, as a nation, in direct conflict with the European Court of Human Rights, to the extent that our government will probably reject the Court’s directive. Not only in refusing prisoners the vote, but also refusing to compensate us for the breach. This means that, even without having the vote, we are now having a huge impact on British politics, not only in this country but also in the rest of Europe. The government’s stance on prisoners’ votes seems even more puerile when you actually examine the heart of the issue. The ethos of our prison system is, allegedly, to rehabilitate prisoners and turn them into law abiding and productive members of society, and one way of doing this is to give prisoners a vested interest into who governs that society. The widely-held view that prisoners are in a class removed from the rest of society may be true on a physical level, but it is a very short-sighted view when you consider that most prisoners are going to be released at some point. Cameron trumpets rhetoric about his ‘big society’ and how he wants ‘social inclusion’ and mobility, but almost in the same breath he can talk of ‘feeling physically sick’ when confronted with the idea of prisoners being allowed to vote. What’s it all about? My claim for compensation, against the government for refusing to let me vote in the last general election, is already with the ECHR, but, if I had a choice, I’d take being allowed to vote over the money any time.

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Prisoners should have voting rights

........................................................ Brian Uttley - Former prisoner The EU court say prisoners should have the right to vote but the British government is taking no notice. But why? Is it because prisoners have committed a crime? Or just because they are in prison? I wrote to Nigel Farage, of UKIP (the United Kingdom Independence Party, of which I am a member) asking why prisoners shouldn’t have the vote? He replied with – ‘Should Eric Illsley, the late MP for Barnsley, be allowed to vote in the upcoming by-election? I think not!!!’ But this begs the question, why not? Eric Illsley fiddled his expenses whilst an MP, a criminal offence for which he is now serving a term of imprisonment. Let us suppose that instead of imprisonment he was given a large fine, community sentence, or even a suspended prison sentence. He would then have been able to vote in the by-election on the 3rd of March, even though he is no longer an MP. Let’s go a bit further – suppose that he was given bail pending an appeal. He would still be free to vote whilst on bail. So we can conclude that it is not the fact that he has committed a crime that bars him from voting, but the fact that he is in prison. Is this because he cannot physically attend a polling station? But neither can service personnel, but they are allowed to vote. I pointed out to Mr Farage that the party that promises to give the vote to prisoners would have thousands of new members overnight! Every year thousands of people are sent to prison, and thousands are released. All have family, friends and even sympathisers, and yet no party seems willing to back prisoners voting rights and harvest the extra votes. The tabloids stir the pot by screaming ‘Murderers, Rapists, and Paedophiles!!!’ at every opportunity, as if these were the only people in prison, but I think the political parties are missing a golden opportunity here.

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Not welcome in Dave’s ‘Big Society’

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Email a Prisoner John Roberts

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I have tried to get my right to vote and, like many others, the Ministry of Justice have ‘struck out’ my claim. But, just to rub salt in the wound, I have had a letter from the Queen’s Bench Division charging me £76 in costs, to be paid within 14 days of the judgement. I assume that all other prison claimants have had the same? I have absolutely no way of paying this cost as all my assets were seized by the MoJ after my ‘proceeds of crime’ hearing. I have written back asking if I can pay £1 per week out of my prison wages or whether they can defer payment until I am released from prison. At worst they can make me serve a bit more prison time for not paying, which will cost them more in financial terms than the £76 they’re after, and all because I believe that I should be a part of Dave’s ‘Big Society’. This just serves to emphasise the fact that we are not welcome in society, no matter how much lip-service is paid to the rehabilitation of offenders.

Editorial Note:

MoJ shoots itself in the foot over votes fiasco

It has come to the attention of Inside Time that the Treasury Solicitors, acting on behalf of the MoJ, are making a claim for costs, of £76 per prisoner, against each one of the 588 prisoners who claimed compensation over the government’s continued refusal to allow them the right to vote under the Hirst No 2 ruling. They have received letters from the Treasury Solicitor informing them they have 14 days to pay. This seems particularly stupid and spiteful considering that prisoners, due to their poor financial status, were granted Fee Exemption Certificates in order to lodge their claims. It works out that the MoJ are demanding a total of £44,688 from these prisoners, and the usual penalty for non-payment will be an extra 28 days in prison. This would work out at a cost to the taxpayer of £3,452 per prisoner serving an extra 28 days, a total of £2,029,776!

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Star Letter of the Month Congratulations to Tony Coughtrey - HMP Wayland who wins the £25 cash prize for this month’s Star Letter

We should hang our heads in shame

..................................................... Tony Coughtrey - HMP Wayland I have read your paper from the very start and always enjoyed it, but now I’ve been compelled to write in for the first time. I am in my 18th year in prison, having been sentenced to life at the age of 18 in 1992. I have been no angel and a lot of my time has been spent on the circuit in the dispersals. I have been restrained by staff on many, many occasions, sometimes justified and sometimes not. But I have come to accept the brutality of some prison staff as a way of life. What compelled me to write was the article about the suicide of Adam Rickward (March issue), who took his own life after being restrained at the age of 14. Now I don’t claim to know all the facts of this case, but let’s

A picture of my life

........................................................ Name Withheld - HMP Winchester I write in response to Nicolas Davis’ letter (March issue) regarding the riot at HMP Ford. I too have been stitched up. I was ghosted from Ford on the 5th of January, though I was not in any way involved directly, or indirectly, in the riot. And this was acknowledged by the security department at Ford. So, what was I swagged for, I hear you ask? I was chucked back into closed conditions in a B Local prison for giving the peace sign to a trespassing press photographer lurking in the field at the side of the nick. I was on A wing and I am an IPP prisoner and I feel as though I’ve been subjected to the ‘cos we can’ attitude of the prison system. When I gave the peace sign to the photographer I wasn’t glorifying the riot, and he waved at me first. Unfortunately, when the picture appeared in the papers the authorities chose to interpret it as me ‘giving it a victory for the lads’ gesture, and shipped me out. I wasn’t anywhere that I wasn’t supposed to be and in fact it was the tabloid photographer who was trespassing on prison property. When the tabloids published this photo they pixilated most of the faces of the other lads, but not mine. Because of that the Lifer Manager at Ford put in my record that because I had ‘chosen to pose for a photograph’ my security/ risk level had increased to a level that cannot be monitored in a D cat establishment! And, as if to add insult to injury, I’ve had every stitch of clothing and personal items seized by the police and the rest of my property has been sent to storage at Branston. I never gave permission for my photo to be used by the press and my human rights have been blatantly abused, as well as losing all the progress it has taken me years to attain. I’ve now got to sit here until at least September, my next parole hearing date. So thank you Mr Photographer, I hope you got well paid for that photo, because it has certainly cost me a lot.

Mailbag

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just stop and think about this poor boy for a moment, he was a child! This boy was restrained by some over-zealous, tough staff from SERCO. I have no doubt that these plastic screws were recruited from the local dole queue, with no experience of dealing with troubled teenagers, and also having minimal training once employed. They bent this kid up with relish, enjoying the fact that something exciting was finally happening to break the boring routine of the day. Adam was then placed in solitary confinement, unable to deal with the emotions of what has happened to him he writes a heartbreaking note to his loved ones and then kills himself. Where were the SOCIAL WORKERS? Where were the COUNSELLORS? Where the hell was anyone for this kid? It makes me so sad and angry. The death of Adam Rickward never even made the national news! A 14 year old kid dying in prison, we should all hang our heads in shame because we, as a society, allow children to be locked up in prison.

We allow profit-making companies like SERCO to take charge of our most vulnerable and troubled children. They employ staff on minimum wages who have no experience in child care and who use violence to control the children. Think about Adam, who was scared and lonely and on his own in his time of need. I was first locked up on remand at 14, and experienced solitary. I remember the fear the staff put into me. They made me call them ‘sir’ and I was slapped and punched, by grown men, if I forgot to comply. At the lowest point I thought about committing suicide, in the block alone, unable to talk to anyone, but I didn’t have the guts to do it. Adam must have been under so much pressure to commit that final act when he had his whole life ahead of him. My heart goes out to him and his family – my message to his family is that your son was a great lad at heart; you only have to read his note to see this. Keep fighting SERCO all the way and get the justice that you and Adam deserve. Don’t let them tarnish your son’s name. We MUST stop children dying in British prisons. It’s a travesty of justice.

If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (concise and clearly marked) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. To avoid any possible misunderstanding, if you have a query and for whatever reason do not wish your letter to be published in Inside Time or appear on the website, or yourself to be identified, please make this clear. We advise that wherever possible, when sending original documents such as legal papers, you send photocopies as we are unable to accept liability if they are lost. We may need to forward your letter and /or documents to Prison Service HQ or another appropriate body for comment or advice, therefore only send information you are willing to have forwarded on your behalf.

Contents Mailbag ......................... pages 2-9 Newsround .............. pages 10-15 Diary ........................... pages 16-17 Not April Fools ................. page 18 Comment ................... pages 19-30 Mother’s Day Messages ..................................... pages 30-31 Thoughts for the Day ....... page 32 PSI Updates ...................... page 33 Family Welfare ......... pages 34-35 News from the House .................................. pages 36-37 Legal Comment .. pages 38-40 Legal Advice .................... page 41 Legal Q&A Health

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If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB.

The blind leading the blind

Prescott should wake up Not so independent? .....................................................

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John F Kelly - HMP Garth

Diane Loughran - HMP Styal

Your front page headline, ‘Something of a Time Bomb’ (February issue) served to define the expression ‘the blind leading the blind’, and illustrates the fraudulent practise being dispensed by trainee psychologists as a so-called science. Imagine the country’s outrage if every school recruited only trainee teachers and each score of the same were purportedly under the supervision of a single qualified teacher? If any other job, much less a profession, boasted 20 apprentices under a single qualified tradesman, frankly nobody would trust them with even the simplest task. Not if they were plumbers, joiners, engineers or especially drivers, navigators, even lawyers. Yet somehow, it is perfectly okay with pseudo-science. They believe they are totally unaccountable. That psychologists are not properly supervised and believe themselves unaccountable was highlighted by your ‘Fit to practise’ mailbag in the same issue. In business, or any other profession, the supervisor and/or employer are accountable in law for the malpractice of their staff, however junior they may be.

I had to write about this as I have never laughed so much in my life! And if I didn’t laugh I’d end up in a nut house. I was watching the news the other morning and John Prescott was being interviewed, and he was upset at the very thought that someone could breach his human rights! He said people had been listening in on his phone calls and possibly looking at his emails, in breach of article 8 of the European Court of Human Rights.

Piers Ravenhill - HMP Edmunds Hill

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These charlatans have increasingly continued to decree that they know better than the eminent and most learned trial judges and inevitably believe that they get the tariff wrong when sentencing. Is it any wonder the suicide rate in prison is mounting alarmingly? Unaccountability dictates this cannot be the fault of the psycho babes. Surely such unceasing and unabashed arrogance would not withstand a proper legal challenge? And another thing, are the lawyers who advertise themselves as IPP specialists getting money for old rope? After all these years the amount of IPP prisoners who have been released amount to about one for every ‘IPP specialist’ law firm. Yet the firms always claim there is a specialist team there working for you. They can’t be much bleeding good judging by their results!

Gilfoyle is not the only one

..................................................................................................................... Dennis Hudson - HMP Whatton Following Charles Hanson’s article about the restrictions put on Eddie Gilfoyle by the Parole Board (February issue), which were eventually lifted, I personally know of two determinate sentence prisoners who, having maintained innocence throughout their sentences, have had license conditions imposed stating they are not allowed to criticise their verdict, the police or the judicial system to the media. Everyone knows that under the previous government the scales of justice were tilted considerably in favour of conviction, at the cost of fairness and justice, but why are the Probation Service going to such lengths to hide the fact? What are they afraid of?

Article 8: Right to Respect For Private And Family Life (1) Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence. (2) There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic wellbeing of the country for the prevention of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. Apparently someone has been listening to Prescott’s phone calls and he was livid! Well, how does he think we feel? Our rights are breached every day. How would he feel if he had to deal with our breach of human rights within this system? Article 2-Right to life, Article 3-Prohibition of torture, Article 4-Prohibition of slavery and forced labour, Article 5-Right to liberty and security, Article 6-Right to a fair trial, Article 7-No punishment without law, Article 8-Right to respect for private and family life, Article 13-Right to an effective remedy, Article 14-Prohibition of discrimination, Article 17-Prohibition of abuse of rights, Article 19-Establishment of the court. These breaches are against my, and many others, human rights. The government do not pay any attention to any of the human rights unless it affects them personally. Another way of twisting the law to suit them. My phone calls in prison are listened to and recorded, my legal mail is opened all the time, even though I’ve had a complaint about it upheld. I wonder what Prescott would do if all these breaches applied to him? Probably have a fit! Yes, Mr Prescott, breaches of this kind are criminal acts.

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Since arriving in this prison, last December, I’ve experienced major problems with both sending and receiving mail. After exhausting all other avenues with nothing but frustration I put in an app to see the IMB – not my usual port of call after 8 years inside, but perhaps a sign of my desperation. I would like to give you the gist of my conversation with the IMB member who eventually turned up a couple of weeks after my app went in. I use the term ‘conversation’ loosely as I actually had to shout through my locked cell door so loudly that everyone on the landing could hear everything I was saying! It went something like this … IMB: ‘Hello, Mr Ravenhill? You put in an application to see the IMB? ’ Me: ‘Yes’ IMB: ‘Ok, well I’ve spoken to the governor earlier today and was told there is an internal memo on its way to you, regarding your application for ROTL, which, unfortunately, has been refused due to the circumstances of your removal from Standford Hill’ Me: ‘Right. And how do you know that’s why I asked to see the IMB? ’ IMB: ‘Well … because I went to see …’ Me: ‘Because, for your information, it isn’t why I asked to see you. I wanted to talk to you about something completely different, actually.’ IMB: ‘Oh, ok. Shall we start again then? ’ Me: ‘No, I don’t think we will. Unless, that is, you’d like to tell me whether you think it’s ‘independent’ of you to receive an application from an inmate asking to see you, and then make your first port of call the governor’s office, where you proceed to discuss a private matter that is none of your business unless I choose to make it so? ’ IMB: ‘Well … I just assumed that …’ Me: ‘Thanks for coming. Goodbye.’ Throughout my sentence I’ve heard a lot of people moaning and complaining about the IMB, but I always keep an open mind and will give anybody a chance. However, what I experienced here means that I will never again speak to the IMB, given the shocking nature of how my app was dealt with – discussing my business with prison staff before me, allowing an entire landing to be party to what should have been a private conversation, and clearly being very cosy with the prison governor. And I have to advise all other prisoners to think very carefully before putting in an app to see the IMB.

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British ‘justice’ - don’t make me laugh .................................................................................................................... John Twomey - HMP Frankland

Police: A law unto themselves .................................................................................................................... Toni Evans - HMP Low Newton I write in reply to the letter by Andrew Spense (Mailbag – February) regarding the police being a law unto themselves. I recently attended an EDL demo at Preston where I was punched 3 times in the face by a male police officer. My injuries were bad enough to warrant X-rays for a suspected fractured cheek bone whilst I was in custody. I was also slapped across the face by a female police officer and had my face rammed into the floor by the same officer as I was being kneed in the body by a different male officer. I was also sprayed 3 times with CS gas, all whilst being held in handcuffs and leg restraints. All of this was captured on CCTV. I am charged with assaulting two officers, a female officer sustained hair loss after I grabbed her by the hair in the initial struggle, and a male officer suffered two small abrasions on his knuckles (obviously my fault from leaving my face in the way of his flying fist!). My injuries consisted of two black eyes, burst lips, severely swollen cheekbone and numerous bruises all over my body. I also suffered hair loss from being dragged into the cell by my hair. I am a mother of three children, who stands 5 foot and 8 stone wringing wet, and yet 6 police officers claim I committed ABH and assault on them! When I get out I will be YouTubing the CCTV footage from my case so that the world can see what the British police are really all about. I would be interested to hear from other protestors who have received similar treatment from the police. No action has been taken against the officers who beat me so viciously. But I am in prison.

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I read the Aziz Rahman / Jonathan Lennon article about fraud trials in the March issue of Inside Time with great interest. They mention that the first non-jury trial has already taken place, allowed by the 2003 Act, ‘where there is a clear and present danger’ of jury nobbling, and that convictions against all defendants were secured. It is imperative and fair that your readers should be made aware of the grave miscarriage done to us at that ‘trial’, as I was one of the four defendants. We were forced to have the basic human right to a fair trial by twelve of our peers denied on totally secret and fabricated evidence. All of our legal teams, and ourselves, know that the real reason for meting out this barbaric type of justice is financial. How can a High Court Judge (Justice Treacy) ever be regarded as a ‘peer’ to people like us who attended state schools (sometimes) and grew up on bomb sites and council estates?

being accused of it. Nobody on our defence teams, or anyone independent of police, prosecution and judge, has ever seen any evidence which shows any interference with the jury on our part. We have asked for a police force (not the Met) or any other independent body to conduct an inquiry into the allegations of jury tampering. Surely the jurors themselves should be asked if any approach had been made? We then challenged the prosecution to charge us with perverting the course of justice so we could have a trial and hear the evidence; after all, stopping our trial was costing the taxpayer millions of pounds (the combined cost of our 3 trials has been estimated at £28 million, excluding the debacle in front of Judge Treacy with no jury). It is wrong that these people can hide behind PII (Public Interest Immunity) and then punish us without giving us sight of any evidence.

The thing everyone should be wary of is the deafening silence following our convictions in a truly unfair process. Without going into too much detail here (as anyone can obtain a transcript of our day in court) on the 5th of December 2008 when our jury trial was stopped, it was a normal day and the prosecution case had finished. It was a Friday and the morning was filled with discussions on how long our defence would take to be presented as the jury had already sat for 6 months. Our QCs asked if we, the defendants, could all go home for the weekend as the legal arguments could continue without us being there. Judge Roberts suggested the prosecution drop robbery charges on Glenn Cameron (my brother-in-law and co-de)and also made suggestions favourable to me, and gave them a couple of hours over lunch to work out the detail. The Prosecution agreed that we, the defendants, could go home for the weekend.

We appealed the decision to try us without a jury, something that has not happened in this country in over 400 years, and were refused leave to appeal to the Supreme Court by Lord Chief Justice Judge. So, after 2 failed attempts by the police/prosecution to secure a guilty verdict in our case via a jury of our peers, the Flying Squad got us in front of Judge Treacy and we were all found guilty without benefit of a jury. Our case eventually got to the Court of Appeal, in front of Lord Chief Justice Judge and two others, and we lost. Once again all information against us was subject to PII. We have recently appealed the decision of the Court of Appeal, because LCJ Judge heard that appeal against himself! That’s British justice for you in a nutshell.

I returned to the court after lunch to find out whether the prosecution had taken the judge’s advice. Suddenly all hell broke loose and my bail was revoked, and I was taken to HMP Belmarsh. I did not have a clue what was going on and nobody would tell me anything. When I was brought to court on Monday the trial was officially stopped. Vague allegations of ‘jury tampering’ were given as the reason, but we were not told then, nor since, what it is that we are supposed to have done. We have no idea, to this day, whether any approach had been made to the jury, or whether all 4 of us were

I sincerely believe that these events were engineered by the Flying Squad, because I was one of the chief prosecution witnesses for ‘Operation Countryman’ (1978 – 1984 investigation into police corruption within the Metropolitan and City of London forces – 400 police officers lost their jobs and 300 were recommended to face criminal charges, though not one was ever convicted). Now this same police force has managed to get their revenge on me. My brother-in-law, Glenn Cameron, is 50 years-old and had never even seen the inside of a police station before all this; he is now serving 15 years. We are all paying a heavy price for this farce of justice. Just pray it never happens to you.

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Snide comments

Injured and abandoned Poor excuse for ..................................................... splitting up a family Matthew Stubbs - HMP Armley

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I would like to bring to your readers’ attention the unacceptable current state of affairs with the Legal Services Commission (LSC) under this coalition government. Take my own recent experiences for example; in September 2009 I was restrained by around 20 prison officers, who dislocated my left elbow before taking me to the seg. Whilst in the seg a doctor examined me, he gave me gas and air before forcefully putting my elbow back in the socket. I was later taken to an outside hospital where my X-ray showed that I had sustained a chip fracture or stress fracture on the ends of my bones. At first the doctors were baffled as to how I could have sustained this fracture, but when I explained that the prison doctor had forced my elbow back into the socket the injury made perfect sense to them. I was told that the fracture had either happened when the elbow was first dislocated by the screws, or when the doctor forced it back into place. In any case, the prison doctor should not have touched the arm and I should have been sent to outside hospital immediately. I filed a claim for personal injury citing excessive force by officers, and pointed out that the ‘restraint’ itself had been unnecessary as I was not putting up a fight. I also claimed for medical negligence for the doctor messing with my arm without first seeing an X-ray. In my eyes I had a watertight case. I applied for legal aid and was duly awarded it, and my solicitor told me I had ‘excellent prospects of success’. Then, out of the blue, I got a letter from the LSC that read – ‘We regret to inform you that due to changes to the LSC we can no longer continue funding, therefore your legal aid has been removed’. Of course, this was followed by a letter from my solicitor stating that without legal aid he could no longer act on my behalf. I want to know how they can just get away with stripping people of their civil liberties and human rights? Have any of your readers got any advice on how I can complain and take this further?

Mandy - a prisoner’s relative My uncle is in a cat A prison but he is a cat B prisoner, he is serving 20 years and his wife is serving 15 years. Since they were both sentenced in 2009 they have had one visit, surely this can’t be right? When they put in for a visit to see one another his prison says they can’t take him to her as she is in a cat B prison and as he is in a cat A, but a cat B prisoner. They say it’s not allowed and it’s too far, he is in Whitemoor prison and his wife is in Derby somewhere. Its just not right, man and wife not being able to see one another, they should have a visit at least once every 3 months but it’s just not happening. My Uncle had to go to a cat B local prison when he had to go to court, he was only in court for the one day, and he thought he would have been taken back to Whitemoor. But he didn’t, he spent a month in the local cat B prison and while there he got a job for two weeks, he is not a high risk prisoner, so therefore should be in a cat B prison and not a cat A.

Jason Power - HMP Exeter I am writing reference the attitude of certain prison officers and their ignorance of prisoners with disabilities. I suffered an aneurism repair on my right femoral artery. After this operation I was left with severe numbness in that limb, which has considerably weakened that leg, so I have to use a walking aid. I am sick to death of staff making snide comments about me always being last for everything. I recently applied for my Enhanced after waiting 15 weeks. I had ticked all the boxes, in education, no nickings, drug free, always polite, etc. The SO who dealt with it told me that I would have been Enhanced a lot sooner if I wasn’t always the last one to bang up, be back from meals and exercise, etc. I showed him the scar on my leg and he seemed surprised that I really was wounded and not trying to ‘pull the wool’. So I was delayed getting my Enhanced because nobody could be bothered to check why I walked so slowly. How crap is that?

Licence recalls costing taxpayers millions ..................................................................................................................... Anthony Journet - HMP Camp Hill I am currently sharing a prison wing with 68 other inmates, and have been here for 5 months as a licence recall. I have noticed that there has always been a minimum of 10 other licence recalls on the wing at any one time. Multiply by every other wing in all 147 prisons in the country and you could probably hazard a guess that recalls are costing the country millions of pounds. Sadly, the majority of licence recalls on this wing have now entered their second year of incarceration after being recalled. Even though none have committed further criminal offences to justify their recall. Imagine the amount of money having these men sitting in jail is costing? Yet, only a few miles away from this prison the local council are making savage cuts to their staff, local community care projects, libraries and are even closing down all public toilets in order to save money. If the government are so interested in saving money then maybe they should be telling Probation/ Parole Officers to reign in their over-zealous tendencies to send people back into an expensive prison system just because they don’t like the cut of their jib. It’s just an idea.

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Rehabilitation, not medication

........................................................ Dean C - HMP Lincoln I am writing in response to the ‘SmackDonalds!’ letter in your March issue. I’ve got to say that I can see why some prison staff are disrespectful and take these attitudes with the ‘IDTS crew’. When someone comes to prison with a serious drug addiction they need help with withdrawal. What they don’t need is to be put on a neverending script for methadone. I and many others don’t think its right that addicts are allowed to do their whole sentences on prescription medication. How are they ever expected to change? I’ve heard some of them say - ‘Oh, it stops me from using heroin in prison’. So then why is it that 99% of methadone scripters are the first to jump on any bit of tackle that comes on the wing? The other excuse I often hear is – ‘If I’m on a script when I’m released I won’t need to use’. Don’t make me frigging laugh! We all know what a load of bollocks that is! I believe that prisoners should be made to get clean and stay clean. They should be made to reduce their medication at a reasonable rate and to come off any heroin substitute. If they then use during this time, or after, and then decide to go back begging to the doctor then they should be told – ‘Tough, you’ve only got yourself to blame’. I think more focus should be placed on these prisoners to rehabilitate, not medicate, via RAPT, NA, gym, education, etc. They need to learn to take pride in themselves and start living life instead of dragging themselves through a drug-fuelled haze.

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Know the law

Paul Donlin - HMP Preston

I find it very alarming that these mistakes are happening, and the lack of knowledge of the law that some judges and barristers seem to have is criminal! I wonder how many people are, in fact, serving unlawful sentences passed down by people who are clearly not doing their jobs properly? I urge anyone who is facing a possible custodial sentence to do their own research and do not be afraid to question your legal reps and judge. If we do not challenge the mistakes of the courts then they will continue to make them. Check your sentence and make sure that justice really has been done.

Barrister Stanley Best writes: ‘Sadly, mistakes will happen in all walks of life and judges and barristers are only human. Whilst the government pour out more and more legislation and demand more activity from Counsel, now at 50% of previous legal aid rates, I fear that it can only get worse. Mr Donlin is fortunate in one respect only, he has all the time in the world to read about the latest changes in the law’.

Access to our data

.................................................................................................................... Charley Farley - HMP Ford You can stick the vote up your a*** and give us data access. It beggars belief that the numbskulls running HMP Ford seem intent on causing more problems after the so-called riot. The governor here has now disbanded the OCC (Offenders Consultative Committee) because prisoners were informed that they could obtain a copy of their personal data (under the Data Protection Act 1998) upon payment of £10. People are being turned down for HDC without being given written reasons on the HDC6 Form. Data records would enable prisoners to rectify any errors. A duty governor was overheard saying - ‘The Number one is livid, we just don’t have the budget to fund all these bloody freedom requests’. So the problem has just got worse. All prisoners should apply for the data they are legally allowed to have.

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A scene from the film Bronson (2008) featuring Tom Hardy as Charles Bronson.

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E Butcher - prison not given

..................................................... I read with interest the comments of Ian Hutchinson (Mailbags – March issue). Whilst appreciating the humour of his letter, I don’t feel he fully understands Mr Bronson’s position. Being able to write a letter is a basic right in prison. Mr Hutchinson states ’35 of Charlie’s years inside are down to him being a pest’. Not quite a justifiable reason for keeping a man caged – largely in solitary confinement. Especially when you consider that confinement is supposed to be a form of punishment, not a way of life. It is even more shocking when you learn that Mr Bronson has spent the last 11 years living peacefully, producing art and donating pieces (and money) to charity. Hardly the actions of a ‘waster’. Unsurprisingly the media choose not to cover this side of the man. Exactly what point does Mr Hutchinson think Charlie is trying to make? Perhaps I may be permitted to explain the point here – a severe miscarriage of justice. Charles Bronson has spent over 37 years inside; he has served 8 years over the suggested 3 year tariff recommended in 2000 for taking an art teacher hostage. The art teacher was unharmed yet Mr Bronson was given a life sentence. ‘Britain’s Most Dangerous Prisoner’ is not Charlie’s tag, it is the tag hung on him by the media. The same media that reported a ‘butter riot’ that did not happen. Charlie did cover his torso in butter but he was not naked. And he did this as a last resort because 15 people in a row were denied visitation rights to see him. Strange how the newspapers failed to mention the reasoning behind his seemingly ‘strange and bizarre’ behaviour.

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For those who know Charlie, he is a candidly honest man; he does not possess an ounce of self-pity. He DOES want a programme of rehabilitation, parole, he does want freedom. And, despite reports to the contrary, he has spent the last 11 years alone and living peacefully. Perhaps people could bear that in mind when penning letters – which is the right we all have.

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have almost all been committed behind bars, does he really deserve to be kept in solitary confinement, without any offer of rehabilitation or chance of parole? How can they continue to keep someone incarcerated because they MAY reoffend?

....................................................................................................... I was recently sentenced to 2 years for GBH section 20. The judge at first tried to sentence me to 2 years custody with 3 years extended license. However, I regularly read the Archbold and I knew, due to changes in 2008, that I could not be given an EPP because I do not have any convictions for a Schedule 15a offence. I told my barrister this and was told that I was wrong, and as I was deemed ‘dangerous’ I could be given an EPP under the Dangerous Offenders Provision of 2003. I stood my ground and, after 3 hours of checks, I was called back into court and told that I was correct. I was then given the 2 years but without the extended license. The judge then asked if he could make the 2 years run consecutively to the license that I had been recalled on, even though the Criminal Justice Act 2003 does not allow this and this law has been in place for 6 years now.

Mailbag

Grow up kid This is a message for S. Taylor (Charles Bronson, the good, the bad and the ugly – March issue); you really need to grow up kid. I’m not meaning this in a bad way, but, obviously, reading Charles Bronson books is influencing your behaviour and causing you difficulties. Stop following Charlie Bronson’s way as it will only get you the same place as it got him, behind bars for the best part of your life. That is so sad as you are only 22. You can change your life, just try and get some help. I know that change is not easy, but at least give it a try. And here’s a message to Charlie himself – it’s time you changed your ways, get out of jail and do something to help the young uns of today, instead of inspiring them to waste their lives.

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Advice to Rab C Nesbitt Michael ‘Mally’ Mallinson HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall Just thought I’d write a reply to Ian Hutchinson, aka Rab C Nesbitt (Mailbags – March issue) on his views about Charles Bronson. Firstly I’d like to say what a hypocrite he is, having the cheek to say he’s ‘in the same boat as Bronson’ and then to slag off his books and saying he chats ‘shite’. My advice to Ian/Rab is to look in the mirror, wipe the shite off your bottom lip and then ask yourself how many books you’ve written and had published from inside a cage? I would also like to ask Ian/Rab just how long he has been in prison, cos the crap he’s talking sounds like it comes from the 1970s. It sounds to me like he is a very jealous man, and I think that if Bronson reads your letter he’ll tell you where you can stick your string vest!

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Mailbag

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CCRC will be destroyed by Bamber

..................................................................................................................... Name Withheld - HMP Kilmarnock I read with interest the excellent and informative article by Charles Hanson in the March issue of your publication. I was in HMP Long Lartin during the mid 1980s, along with some of the names mentioned in his article. The Birmingham 6, The Guildford 4, Keith Twitchell and others. Most of them victims of a corrupt police force supported by a judiciary that chose to wear blinkers rather than expose the police to public criticism and loss of trust. The CCRC was established in 1997 as a safety measure to help prevent further miscarriages of justice and protect the innocent. I do not agree with the Commission’s claim that it is ‘the straightjacket criteria’ for cases to be forwarded to the Court of Appeal as the only reason why some more obvious cases are rejected by the CCRC.

Food wasted as people starve ........................................................ Jeff Ollerhead - HMP Liverpool I would like to raise the issue of the amount of food that is wasted in our prisons. This is a bloody crime in itself. In this jail the prisoners get issued a brew pack containing condiments of teabags, and sachets of milk powder, sugar and jam. I work as a cleaner and take away the wing rubbish, and always find piles of unused packets of jam and milk powder being thrown away. Just think how welcome this stuff would be in places where there is famine or malnutrition in children. I suggest that instead of throwing this stuff away we should make a concerted effort to collect it up and send it to places and people in need. I would like this to be prison-wide. Let’s collect this unwanted foodstuff and help the hungry and needy. Let’s get jamming folks! Views expressed in Inside Time are those of the authors and not necessarily representative of those held by Inside Time or the New Bridge Foundation.

I can still recall the scenes on the steps of the Court of Appeal after the release of The Guildford 4 and others, and I doubt that I am the only one. It did challenge the credibility of the police and shook the judicial establishment to its core. I suggest that the eventual quashing of Mr Bamber’s conviction (and it WILL happen) will have a similar impact, and that is why Mr Bamber remains in prison. I believe that one of the casualties of Mr Bamber’s eventual release could well spell the end of the CCRC.

Adam North - HMP/YOI Moorland I’m writing to highlight the way this prison has treated me. When I came to this jail 5 months ago I was told that I could not have contact with anyone under 18. This is a liberty as I have never been a sex offender and nor have I ever hurt a child under 18. When I complained the prison told me they did a Safeguarding Children check and my name ‘flagged up’. Certainly my family were involved with social services, and this was because of the large number of police call-outs to our address. Their main concern was that when I would argue with my ex, I would disappear for weeks at a time and this was having an effect on my children.

My brother is in this nick as well, and when my sister came to see him with the kids, the kids came over to me to say hello (I had a visit from a friend). The kids gave me a hug and I was dragged from the visit as though I was some sort of nonce. I felt humiliated as all the other prisoners and visitors were looking and pointing. I understand why this rule is in place, but I’m not a sex offender or a danger to kids, so I shouldn’t be treated like this. They have taken all my photos of my kids and won’t even let me send them a birthday card. I should be able to have my family come to see me, as that is a basic human right. If I was on the out it would take a judge to stop me seeing my kids, so how can a prison governor make these decisions when I’m plainly not a sex offender? I am going to fight this all the way, and I hope others in the same position will do the same.

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Lisa-Marie Savage - HMP Send

The point I would like to make is that the CCRC is not an independent body. It is politically appointed and publicly funded, and, as such, subject to outside pressure and influence.

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Still rotting in jail

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I would like to highlight the case of Jeremy Bamber, convicted in 1985 of the murder of 5 members of his family, who has served 26 years of his ‘whole life’ term. It is not possible that the CCRC recently rejected his case on the basis that it did not fit the restricted criteria for referral to the Court of Appeal, as it clearly did. I cannot outline the case in a letter but I can say that the website of Mr Eric Allison, correspondent to The Guardian, contains all the details.

I am not a sex offender

© prisonimage.org

I am a 2-strike automatic lifer, sentenced in 2000 with a tariff of 3 years, and, 11 years later, I’m still here! I’ve watched and listened to all the debates about IPPs and yes I feel for them. But, while everyone is fighting for the rights of IPPs because they are going over tariff, it seems that us automatic lifers have just been completely lost in the system, not just one or two years over tariff either – I’m 8 years over tariff!!! I was due a parole hearing in January but have now been told it will ‘probably’ be May or June – though I’m used to this by now. All my reports recommend open conditions but my OASys risk has been raised to ‘high risk’ to the public. I have completed every course, done the RAPT treatments and spent 2 years in psychotherapy. Probation have raised my level to high risk ‘because of the seriousness of offending’, and this is because of the unfairness of my PCL-R which has haunted every one of my parole dossiers since 2004. Thankfully this time I have a fantastic psychiatrist on my side – Dr Bob Johnson, who regularly contributes to Inside Time, and he has written an independent report stating his belief that I am of minimal risk. So we shall see. But just have a thought for 2-strike automatic lifers, the provisions under which we were sentenced does not even exist anymore, and yet most of us are still rotting in jail.

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Mailbag

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for your rights! Like the McPherson Report never happened Fight ........................................................................................................ ....................................................................................................................

J Higgins - HMP Edinburgh

John Bowden - HMP Edinburgh The disproportionate number of ethnic minority children in custody suggests that racism continues to permeate the criminal justice system. Children & Young People Now (CYPN) has learned that the rate of imprisonment of black and ethnic minority children is increasing despite an overall fall in custody levels for young people. Recent figures show that between August 2007 and December 2010, the total number of under 18s in custody decreased from 2991 to 1918, a drop of 35.87%. However a breakdown of the statistics revealed that the decrease is far greater among white young people than black or ethnic minority children where the decrease was 702 to 574, a drop of just 18.2%. Interestingly the number of Asian children in custody rose by 42%. The existence of institutionalised racism within the police is now a recognised fact and continues to reflect and manifest itself in things like the disproportionate use of stop and search of members of the ethnic minority community in particular. Young Asian men seem now to have become a target for the police in some communities, reflecting attitudes of Islam phobia and the “enemy within” on the part of significant numbers of “front line” police officers. The increasing number of Asian young men in custody would seem to be evidence of the focused targeting of this group. In the United States more young black men pass through the prison system than institutions of higher education, and in the UK within black and Asian communities, arrest and

Thank you, Zoe

........................................................ Steven Cossey - HMP Altcourse I would like to comment on the article by Zoe, the recovering self-harmer, (March issue) and thank her for helping me understand self-harm a lot more. She makes a lot of sense and answered a lot of questions I have had for many years. I have been self-harming for 28 years and find it very hard to stop, but reading what Zoe put in her article has helped me so much. The most common thing I hear when I have self-harmed is – ‘You’re only doing it for attention’. Like Zoe states, many self-harm incidents take place in private and, for me, people saying it’s attention seeking makes me do it even more but in private. Thank you again for your courage Zoe.

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imprisonment has become a commonplace experience for growing numbers of already socially marginalised young people. The treatment of ethnic minority children at the hands of the police suggests that nothing has substantially changed since the McPherson inquiry into the racist behaviour of police officers involved in the investigation of the Steven Lawrence murder. It also suggests that this racism extends into the court system where young ethnic minority people are statistically more likely to receive custodial sentences and consequently be overrepresented in the prison population numbers. The experience of racist treatment at the hands of the police and courts is a powerful factor in shaping the lives and attitudes of young black and Asian men, and might explain the proliferation of radical and fundamentalist ideas amongst this group in prison. Some ethnic minority children fed into the system will be conditioned into criminal attitudes and lifestyles and fulfil the role and image consigned to them by a prejudiced criminal justice system, but others, usually the more intelligent, will translate their exclusion from society into an outright rejection of everything that society represents and stands for. There are much wider social consequences to the wholesale marginalisation and criminalisation of a generation of young people because of their ethnicity and social class, and these consequences will invariably and eventually play themselves out to the detriment of society as a whole.

Caught bang-to-rights!

.................................................... Name and prison withheld I wish to point out that the poem entitled IN BED by Sergio Lapa, HMP Norwich, in the March issue of your paper, is an exact copy of Philip Larkin’s poem TALKING IN BED. I believe it is not right that your highly esteemed paper should publish plagiarised content and prisoners ought to be aware of this. I trust you will treat this email as ‘name withheld’ if published as I work in prison. Editorial note - Inside Time received many letters and emails about this poem. Do not plagiarise other people’s work, as you WILL be found out!

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“ We don't just TALK, we DO”

Article: What’s your problem

Article: MDTs Lawful or not

We need a fairer society that provides for all, in the same fashion it provides for royalty. If only we treated a child from an impoverished background the same as a royal child. Given every privilege as a right. Instead our children are growing up psychologically damaged because resourses are diverted to stuff the mouths of the overprivileged.

This is yet another example of the use of inhumane and degrading treatment of prisoners which, in my view, is neither “necessary” nor “proportionate”. There are less degrading ways to check a prisoner and if my view is right, then it is another breach of the Human Rights Act.

Comment by Steve Battram

........................................................ Article: Self Harm Comment by Diable

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Comment by Jean Tucker

........................................................

Article: IPP continues to plague the system Comment by Kirsty

I remember one nurse coming into my cell and picking toilet roll off the floor and running it under a tap (whose water was cloudy) and using that as a compress for my wound! When I said I had sterile water in my wardrobe that I’d ‘acquired’ from a previous jail I was given an IEP by the nurse as sterile water was not available for treatment in Downview and that I could only have gotten it illegally!

My partner has twice been told he’s completed his sentence plan and there are no more courses to do, but each time he’s had a parole hearing and moved to another prison they’ve found some more courses for him to do, with more waiting lists, it seems never ending.

Article: National Population Census

Comment by Simon

........................................................

Comment by Bob

Given that sentenced prisoners are not allowed to vote, why should they participate in the Census? I agree with the premise of the article. The government wants co-operation from prisoners on the Census but offers nothing in recognition of political citizenship.

........................................................ Article: Mailbag - Please and thank you or no food It seems to me that there is a simple solution here for both Mr Gleave and any other inmates upset by this situation (as I would have been if they’d tried it on me) - refuse to go to the servery to collect the meal. The officers would then have to deliver your food to you in your cell - can you imagine if a couple of hundred inmates starting playing that game? Pretty quickly things would get changed, with no need for any aggro.

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To the unnamed who wrote from Glenawful (‘Kick out the Bigots’, March issue). When I was there I got GT, Pulse, Gay News and Class War (which they hated!) because they are all registered publications with the British Library. The prison authorities are breaking the law if they try to forbid access; it is a breach of European Law. This is guaranteed by Article 10. They may try to invoke Clause 2, but they have already tried this in the past and failed. If you fail to get a result from a complaint to the CPS, then get a lawyer on it. One who is willing to take on Human Rights cases. We have to stand up and be counted when the prison system tries to tramp all over the law – you are allowed magazines, including ‘top shelf’, so go for it!

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Newsround

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

The Inspector calls ... Nick Hardwick - HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Inside Time highlights areas of good and bad practice, along with a summary of prisoner survey responses, at HMP Bure, HMP Full Sutton and HMP Isle of Wight. Extracts are taken from the most recent reports published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons ‘Complaint responses were timely and usually respectful although some did not fully address all aspects of the complaint and signposted the prisoner to another department. In a few cases, the initial complaint and subsequent appeals were dealt with by the same member of staff.’

HMP Bure

Bure is a publically run category C prison. It is a sex offender treatment centre with priority to prisoners from the East of England. Announced full inspection: 13–17 Sept 2010 Report date: Dec 2010 / Published: Mar 2011

A good start but more work to be done

8% are gay or bisexual; 10% are foreign nationals; 11% are on Recall; 19% lost property moving to Bure; 20% are on IPP sentences; 26% are disabled; 27% are over 50 years old; 65% said they had no help maintaining contact with family; 82% were treated well in Reception; 83% said staff treated them with respect.

This was the first inspection of Bure which opened in November 2009. Inspectors said that Bure had made an impressive start: whilst they thought the personal officer scheme could be improved they reported ‘good professional relationships between staff and prisoners’. As one would expect with a new prison, the accommodation was to a reasonable standard, although cells were very small, toilets were unscreened and prisoners complained about problems with ventilation. There were too few places in workshops and when prisoners did get a place there was often not enough for them to do. A large number (400) of prisoners were active in education but there was little support for study beyond level 2: teaching was satisfactory but classrooms were small and cramped. Since April 2010, the prison had opened 22 Rule 39 letters ‘by mistake’; three of which were clearly marked Rule 39. Prisoners complained that normal mail took a long time to be delivered.

HMP Full Sutton

High security male establishment Full unannounced Inspection: 15-24 Sept 2010 Report date: Jan 2011 / Published: Mar 2011

A positive report but concerns about the Segregation Unit Progress had been made in improving the relationship between prisoners and staff; the use of force had suffered a sharp increase which the inspectors found explicable and justified. The inspectors had a number of concerns about the segregation unit and reported; “The regime in the segregation unit was inade-

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quate and there continued to be a confused approach to behaviour management. We were also not assured from the paperwork that use of special accommodation and mechanical restraints were always appropriate. Similarly, we had concerns about the use of strip clothing in both segregation and health care. These aspects of extreme custody required review and closer management … [Segregation] Cells were often cold, some were dirty and contained graffiti, and most toilets were filthy. Cardboard furniture intended for prisoners who posed a high risk was used inappropriately for prisoners assessed as a lower risk.” Full Sutton charges an administration fee when prisoners order from catalogues; the inspectors said that administration fees for such orders should not be charged. Prisoners doing the same work but on different IEP levels were paid at different rates; the inspectors said that all prisoners doing the same work should be paid the same. Enhanced prisoners could receive a ‘bonus’ but it must be unrelated to work. The use of batons was mentioned. The inspectors said; “Any use of a baton should be independently investigated to give assurance that its use was appropriate and proportionate.” Staff refer to prisoners by surname. The inspectors noted; “Prisoners should be addressed by their preferred names.” 10% are IPP prisoners; 20% are Muslim; 32% had property ‘lost’; 36% say they have been victimised by staff; 44% had been at Full Sutton 4 years or more; 51% said staff opened legal letters; 55% say it is difficult to see the dentist; 7% are gay or bisexual; 72% said most staff treated them with respect; 73% of have made a formal complaint.

HMP Isle of Wight (cluster) Parkhurst: holds category B prisoners and a small number of unconvicted adult male prisoners. Albany: holds category B prisoners. Camp Hill: holds category C prisoners within the establishment. Announced inspection: 4–15 October 2010 Report date: Jan 2011 / Published: Mar 2011

A long and critical report The inspectors said, ‘In 2009, largely in the search for efficiencies, the Prison Service ambitiously clustered the three Isle of Wight

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prisons under a single governor. Each site is a significant challenge in its own right and each has been criticised by us previously: Parkhurst is a category B prison with a chequered history, also holding a few local remand prisoners; Albany is a category B prison holding mainly sex offenders; and Camp Hill is a category C training prison. So amalgamating such disparate prisons was fraught with risk, not least that managers would be distracted by the upheaval from delivering the fundamental improvements that we have frequently called for in the past. It is to the considerable credit of the senior management team that this full announced inspection found at least some progress.’ The ‘Nightsan’ system at Albany again came in for criticism; the inspectors said, ‘The computerised sanitation system on A-E wings at Albany, ‘Nightsan’, only operated at night and was unsatisfactory. It allowed only one prisoner at a time on each landing out of his cell for a permitted nine minutes. When he returned, he had to enter a code into the system in his cell, which registered his return, locked his cell and allowed the next prisoner to leave his cell. Prisoners could have three such periods a night and those who stayed out of their cells beyond this time could be restricted from using the system. Arrangements for prisoners locked up during the day to access toilets were poor. Prisoners repeatedly told us that if they requested to be unlocked during the day to use the toilet they were threatened with warnings under the incentives and earned privileges (IEP) scheme. A lidded bucket was provided to use as a toilet if there were breakdowns or delays with the system, which was degrading and unacceptable. The lack of hand washing facilities in these cells was unsanitary.’ Inspectors insisted that all prisoners should have 24 hour access to toilets. Commenting on those cells which did have sanitation the inspectors said, ‘Many cells across the prison lacked curtains and were draughty and cold. In-cell toilets were often inadequately screened, scaled and dirty.’ The inspectors found, bizarrely, that prisoners transferring between the three sites were strip searched and their property checked at the sending prison and the same procedure was then conducted at the new site. Inspectors said that this should cease, along with strip searching of prisoners at the front desk at Camp Hill. At Parkhurst it was impossible to identify which prisoners had undergone induction because; ‘Records were poor and incomplete and despite a facility for management checks of individual records, no records had been countersigned.’ At Camp Hill drugs were endemic and inspectors noted prisoners seeking sanctuary in the Segregation Unit to escape from them. At Albany 35% have been victimised by staff; 36% are IPP prisoners; 70% were treated well in Reception. At Camp Hill 15% lost property on arrival; 32% don’t know who the IMB are; 34% say it’s easy to get drugs; 54% say it’s difficult to see a dentist. At Parkhurst 21% are foreign nationals; 23% are IPP prisoners; 24% had been victimised by staff; 28% did not feel safe on arrival.

Newsround

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

The things people say…

The Annual Butler Trust Awards 2010-11

A total of 34 Commendations and Awards were presented to representatives from the Prison, Probation, Youth Justice and Criminal Justice Social Work services across the UK. Inside Time has selected three Award Winners and two Commendees working in prisons in England and Wales

Victoria Meanwell, Cheryl Thomas & Claire Waidson [HMP/YOI Bullwood Hall] For work promoting the effective support of prisoners at risk of self harm Citation: Victoria, Cheryl and Claire are a multidisciplinary group who developed the “BullwoodBefrienders” peer support programme which draws on the Listener schemes in place elsewhere but is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the foreign national population of the prison. The scheme has been well received by staff and prisoners, and contributed to a significant reduction in self harm in the establishment. (This Award is sponsored by the Prison Officers Association)

Jacqui Saradjian [HMP Whitemoor] For contributions to the management and care of offenders with a personality disorder Citation: Jacqui is Clinical Director on the Fens Unit for personality-disordered offenders at HMP Whitemoor. Her commitment to the possibility of change with a group of offenders normally considered intractable, combined with her skill and creativity as a clinician and leader, have put the Unit and the approach she has pioneered there at the forefront of this area of work. Her nomination was described by her governor as “the strongest I have ever seen”. (This Award is sponsored by Dept of Health, Offender Health)

Barry Turner and Chrissy Turner [HMP High Down] For work helping to maintain links between prisoners and their families Citation: Barry and Chrissy, from the charity Time for Families, receive a Commendation for their excellent work as trainers on the “Building Stronger Families” programme at HMPs High Down, Downview and Brixton. The course teaches relationship skills to prisoners and their partners, to help develop and maintain positive family ties.

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Sylvia Nutt [HMP Grendon] For contributions to the care and support of offenders in prison Citation: Sylvia is a Chaplaincy Volunteer who has been visiting and supporting prisoners at HMP Grendon for almost fifteen years. Her nomination is supported by some of the many prisoners whose lives she has touched, with one writing: “lady you’re amazing” and another explaining, “what she does makes people feel wanted, worthy and cared for”.

‘I know some of the Government have never had to pay a mortgage so they don’t understand what it is to live on a budget, but for many officers it is going to mean losing their homes or not being able to put the heating on.’ Paul McKeever, Chairman of the Police Federation (Police Trade Union) speaking after a government announcement designed to deliver a culture change in the police. The Federation said the government squeeze on pay and perks would be ‘cataclysmic’ for its members, who were considering a mass rally in London in the run-up to the Royal Wedding. (Its not clear who will be there to ‘Kettle’ them). A review commissioned by the government concluded that the police are comparatively well paid.

Andrew Wilkie [HMP Brixton]

simon bethel

Simon Bethel Solicitors

11

For contributions to education and provision of information in prisons Citation: Andrew set up Electric Radio Brixton in 2007, on a tiny budget, overcoming major technological and editorial challenges on the way. The station has won five Sony Radio Academy Awards and is at the heart of the National Prison Radio Service which Andrew now heads. It has a strong educational component in its programming, and prisoners involved in the station can work towards an industry recognised qualification in radio production. (This Award is sponsored by Sodexo Justice Services)

£210 per week more than prison officers £190 a week more than fire-fighters and exceeds that of paramedics and nurses £6,000 a year more than their equivalent ranks in the armed forces. The overtime bill, which has ballooned to £400 million a year, will be reduced by up to £60 million. The 323 page Review proposes ending a number of perks; some of which have been described as a bonus for police ‘doing their jobs’.

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Newsround

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Cameron to do ‘minimum necessary’ on sex offender ruling

The things people say…

Take the two parties separately, and Australian elections didn’t see one party win an overall majority in 2010, 2001, 1998, 1980 or any of the elections between 1949 and 1972. Claim 2: ‘AV isn’t complicated’

David Cameron has confirmed that the government will comply with a Supreme Court Human Rights ruling giving thousands of sex offenders the chance to avoid being “labelled for life”. The Prime Minister told MPs he would do only “the minimum necessary” to comply with the landmark ruling, made in April 2010.

Mr Miliband says it is a “patronising argument” to bill AV as a complex system. “Putting 1, 2, 3, in boxes in order of preference is not that complicated,” he added.

“It is time to assert that parliament makes our laws, not the courts, that the rights of the public come before the rights of criminals and, above all, that we have a legal framework that brings sanity to cases such as these,” Home Secretary Theresa May said in a statement to MPs.

No one is suggesting that the electorate is too stupid to handle AV as a voting system (though it does require four pages of explanation, versus half a page on the present system of First Past The Post (FPTP).

The Supreme Court ruling said the 24,000 people on the sex offenders register in England and Wales had a right to a review of whether they should continue to be “labelled for life” by being kept on the register indefinitely. The judges based their decision on Home Office evidence that three-quarters of sex offenders who were monitored for 21 years were not convicted of any further offence.

“Let me at this point deal with some of the anti-AV (Alternative Vote) myths that have been spread by those opposed to change:

‘Junk science’ forensic evidence leading to unsafe convictions in criminal trials Courts have made unsafe convictions in serious criminal trials because of unreliable forensic evidence, an investigation by The Times revealed.

which defendants have successfully appealed against convictions for serious crimes because forensic evidence used at their trial was not based on widely accepted science.

The disclosures come as the Government’s Law Reform Commission recommends that expert evidence should be tested by a judge before a trial begins to prevent “junk science” leading to miscarriages of justice. The test would be applied “whenever there is a real doubt over the reliability of the evidence that a party proposed to use at trial”.

In one case an arson conviction was overturned because it rested on an invalidated DNA analysis, while in a second case a murder conviction was overturned because it relied on an unvalidated statistical method for matching footprints.

Sir James Munby, chairman of the Law Commission, said: “We are stopping up a loophole. At present, experts do not have to satisfy a reliability test.”

The planned closure of the Forensic Science Service and its replacement by the private sector has deepened concerns that a lack of transparency could undermine the quality of justice in British courts.

The Times has identified a number of cases in

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• That AV isn’t complicated Labour Leader, Ed Miliband, speeking to the Labour ‘Yes to AV’ campaign, March 16, 2011 Claim 1: ‘There is no evidence that AV results in more coalitions’

1

Using Australia as his case study, Mr Miliband says that the AV system Down Under has “led to fewer hung parliaments than we’ve had in the UK”.

Meanwhile David Cameron dismissed Alternative Votes because ‘it will allow MPs to be elected to Parliament even if they do not win the majority of constituents’ first preference votes.’

For this argument to stand up, you’d have to consider the Australian National and Liberal Parties to have been a single party since 1922 – when actually they’ve been in a 22/10/2010 20:59 together. historic coalition

He should know, more than anyone, that at the 2010 General Election, 434 out of 650 MPs (66 per cent) were returned to parliament having attracted less them 50 per cent of the votes cast in his or her constituency.

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• That it leads to more coalitions … there is no evidence that AV results in more coalitions

Leading forensic scientists warned that in many more trials flawed scientific witness statements have not been vigorously challenged because defence teams lack the necessary resources and scientific expertise.

He added: “Somebody who obtains an acquittal because of unreliable expert evidence, which one judge called junk science, is the beneficiary of a miscarriage of justice.”

In his attempt to shatter the myths about AV, Ed Miliband has himself spun a yarn. The evidence from Down Under doesn’t work in his favour, and AV does create complications – even if the British public are well up to the task of working it out.

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Newsround

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

The things people say…

Knife Crime Only one in five knife offenders is sent to prison, according to new figures. Yet advice to the courts says sentencing should start at 12 weeks in jail. Lyn Costello, of Mothers Against Murder and Aggression, said: “What is the point of having guidelines if courts are going to ignore them?”

2010 1,012

knife offenders were jailed in the last three months of 2010

20%

of the total caught with a knife

2008 1,595

knife offenders were jailed in the last three months of 2008

23%

of the total caught with a knife

Ex-Forces on probation Nearly 6,000 former servicemen and women are on probation in England and Wales, 3.4 per cent of the total number of offenders being supervised, according to the Ministry of Defence. The figures show that almost a fifth are under supervision for violent offences. An earlier figure of veterans in jail found that 3.5 per cent of prisoners, or 2,500, were former members of the Armed Forces.

Email a Prisoner ›› Faster than 1st class post ›› Cheaper than a 2nd class stamp ›› No cost to HMPS ›› Anyone in establishments using the service can receive emails from their family and friends, solicitors and other organisations registered. ›› Solicitors and organisations registered can provide clients with a fast and efficient service and keep them fully updated with progress. Note: Not suitable for Rule 39 correspondence. ›› Over 60 UK prisons and IRC’s are using the EMAP service and more are being added each month. Prisons and Solicitors should call Derek Jones on 0844 873 3111 for further details or visit the website

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Call up for category C and D prisoners Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled an example of his ‘Big Society’ policy during a press conference outside the burned ruins of HMP Ford. Mr Cameron, flanked by Justice Minister Kenneth Clarke, revealed his plans to replace sacked frontline troops with prisoners. ‘It makes perfect economic sense’ he told the assembled media. ‘It costs the taxpayer up to £48,000 a year to keep these leering lawbreakers behind bars eating lobster and quince and watching SKY TV, when they could be actually paying for their crimes in a real and tangible way.’ Mr Cameron’s plan involves sending lower security category prisoners to Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly Libya to act as decoys for whatever is left of British armed forces after essential budget cuts. ‘They could be used to stamp on the ground in order to find hidden IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)’ said Kenneth Clarke, ‘Some of these chaps are quite tough ... and expendable. And it’s not as if we are sending them out unarmed, they will be issued with the standard razor-blade melted into a toothbrush and a pool-ball in a prison sock.’

Libel law reforms

Anonymity after arrest

Justice Minister Kenneth Clarke has unveiled sweeping changes to the libel laws, aimed at protecting free speech and reducing “libel tourism” where British courts are used for cases with little connection to the UK. Under the proposals in the draft Defamation Bill, claimants wanting to sue for libel will have to prove that defamatory statements have caused (or were likely to cause) “substantial harm” and that England and Wales is the most appropriate place to bring the action. Other changes include ending the use of juries in almost all libel trials, and replacing commonlaw defences of “justification” and “fair comment” with new defences of “truth” and “honest opinion”. A consultation has been launched on issues not covered by the draft bill.

The media could be banned from naming anyone arrested by police before they are charged, under moves being considered by the Attorney-General. Dominic Grieve QC told BBC Radio 4’s Law in Action that there may be “Some merit” in giving anonymity between arrest and charge in the wake of recent “frenzied interest” in high-profile cases.

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‘Supergrass’ review The Crown Prosecution Service and Scotland Yard are to review policy on “supergrass” informers after the collapse of a murder trial that cost more than £40 million. The trial, for the murder of Daniel Morgan, a private detective, with an axe in 1987, failed when the prosecution had to drop evidence from three supergrasses.

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‘Private prison operators have brought little innovation to the management of custody and that the gains, such as they are, have come from using fewer staff, paying lower wages and providing less employment protection for staff’ Phil Wheatley, speaking when he was Director General of the Prison Service. Now he is a consultant to G4S - the UK’s biggest private prisons contractor. The Prison Officers Association (POA) is to launch a High Court bid to prevent G4S from bidding to run four jails.

NOBLE SOLICITORS Specialising in Criminal Defence and all aspects of Prison Law

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Newsround

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

The emerging generation

UNICEF’s report catalogues the array of dangers adolescents face: the injuries that kill 400,000 of them each year, early pregnancy and childbirth, a primary cause of death for teenage girls; the pressures that keep 70 million adolescents out of school; exploitation, violent conflict and the worst kind of abuse at the hands of adults. Adolescence is not only a time of vulnerability; it is also an age of opportunity. This is espe: cially true when it comes to adolescent girls. The more education a girl receives, the more

Sheppards Solicitors

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Millions of young people around the world need protection to keep them safe and allow them to develop successfully beyond adolescence, says UniCef.

Industrialized countries 118 million

121

57



Population using improved sanitation

No of children aged 0-14 living with HIV

Secondary school enrolment females

Industrialised nations

99%

13,000

100%

Poorest nations

36%

1,100,000

31%



Total number of children per woman

Population under 18

Population Under 5

Industrialised nations

1.7

204,686,000

56,301,000

Poorest nations

4.3

390,642,000

124,367,000

     

J  B 

 

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67%

Population Government below poverty spending line US $1.25 on health per day

Government spending on education

Government spending on defence

Industrialised nations

-

18%

4%

12%

Poorest nations

54%

5%

13%

15%



Females Married before 18 years

Children in secondary Education

Industrialised nations

N/A

92%

Poorest nations

35%

31%



Source: UNICEF 2011 State of the Worlds Children Report.

Middle East and North Africia 84 million

Source United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,

 

96%

On £2 ly +P 5 &P

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South Asia East Asia and Pacific 335 million 329 million Middle East and North Africa 84 million

 





      

80

the Comprehensive Guide to Prisons & Prison Related Services

Eastern and Southern Africa 91 million West and Central Africa 94 million

Latin America and Caribbean 108 million

Poorest nations



Children in primary school

insideinformation

Adolescent population (10-19 years) by region 2009 CEE/CIS 58 million

6

the Comprehensive Guide to Prisons & Prison Related Services

Yet in Brazil, decreases in infant mortality between 1998 and 2008 added up to over 26,000 children’s lives saved – but in the same decade, 81,000 Brazilian adolescents, 15-19 years old, were murdered – saving children in their first decade of life only to lose them in the second.

Right now, in Africa, a teenager weighs the sacrifices she must make to stay in the classroom. Another desperately tries to avoid the armed groups that may force him to join. In South Asia, a pregnant young woman waits, terrified, for the day when she will give birth alone.

Industrialised nations

 

Published by insidetime - the National Newspaper for Prisoners www.insidetime.org

Given the magnitude of the threats to children under the age of five, it makes sense to focus investment there – and that attention has produced stunning success. In the last 20 years, the number of children under five dying every day from preventable causes has been cut by one third says UNICEF in its 2011 State of the Worlds Children Report.

likely she is to postpone marriage and motherhood – and the more likely it is that her children will be healthier and better educated.

Deaths to Life children under 5 expectancy per 1000 live births at birth (years)

insideinformation

T

oday, 1.2 billion children and teenagers stand at the challenging crossroads between childhood and the adult world. Nine out of ten of these young people live in the developing world and face great challenges, from obtaining an education to simply staying alive – challenges that are even more magnified for girls and young women. (Eric McGraw writes).



Including The Hardman Trust Prisoner Funder Directory

2011

Inside Time is proud to publish the new, updated version of the most comprehensive guide to prisons and prison related services. Supplied free of charge to every UK prison - it’s even bigger and better!

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Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Compare

The day the Earth moved The sturdy buildings that survived the 9.0 Earthquake that hit Japan on March 11 were ravaged by the tsunami that followed. The three-story wall of water dissolved coastal towns, planted boats on the roofs of buildings and shuffled houses like playing cards. The question Inside Time was asking after the quake: were any of the 75,000 or so prisoners affected? The Foreign Office in London confirmed that no British nationals were in any immediate danger. The Embassy of Japan in London told us that they weren’t really interested in the fate of prisoners and put the telephone down- no doubt thinking we were wasting their valuable time.

Sapporo

Hokkaido

The United Kingdom

Niseko

More information about Japan

Consume 35.24% more oil

Japan consumes 1.5849 gallons of oil per day per capita while The United Kingdom consumes 1.1719.

Sendai

Fukushima

Tokyo

The annual number of births per 1,000 people in Japan is 7.41 while in The United Kingdom it is 10.67.

Japan has an unemployment rate of 5.60% while The United Kingdom is 8.00%.

Live 3.01 years longer

Chiba

Hiroshima

Have 30.55% less babies

Have 30% more chance of being employed

Kyoto

The life expectancy at birth in Japan is 82.17 while in The United Kingdom it is 79.16.

Yokohama

Nagasaki

to Japan

If Japan were your home instead of The United Kingdom you would...

Aomori

The latest news is that the prison in Fukushima which is some 40 km west of the Akita Nuclear power plant has high levels of iodine in the drinking water (Kristian and Keiko Foxton write to Inside Time). The Government is telling residents not to drink the water. Can we expect both residents and prisoners to comply with Government directions Nigata or can we expect a rash of malignant tumours in 10 Nagano years time, asks our correspondents in Japan.

Nagoya

Work 9.4% more hours each year

Osaka

Employed people in Japan work an average of 1792 hours each year while people in The United Kingdom work an average of 1638 hours.

Tokushima

Make 7.39% less money

The GDP per capita in Japan is $32,600 while in The United Kingdom it is $35,200.

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With its 126,804,433 people, Japan is the 10th largest country in the world by population. It is the 61st largest country by area with 377,915 square kilometers. In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a fullscale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America’s entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power.

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Diary

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Month by Month by Rachel Billington

Rachel goes up the tallest building in the world, meets Benjamin Zephaniah and worries about dads in prison. Emirate states, Qatar (think 2022 football World Cup), Oman, Lebanon and other Arab countries. Dubai is very proud of its mind-boggling tall buildings so one of our off-duty trips was to the Burj Khalifa, the newest and highest of these. At 828 metres, it’s the tallest building in the world, has the highest number of stories (160) and the elevator with the longest travel distance, although it only takes a minute to get up. From the top I got a real sense of the desert all around us – even though the only palm trees I’d seen were round our hotel’s fourth floor swimming-pool.

him when he opened the Koestler Awards and he’s become even more famous since then. He still remembers his roots in a difficult childhood in Birmingham which landed him in prison. He told me that he’s involved in various prison projects and was very interested to hear about ‘Inside Poetry’. He knows from his own experience how writing can turn a life round. Thinking that Inside Time poets might like to hear his views further, I suggested an interview. He agreed at once, only trouble being he’s on the road, performing round the world for the next two months. He beamed enthusiastically, ‘The last two weeks doing martial arts.’ In Beijing, I understood. He’s also lived for long periods in Egypt and Yugoslavia. There can’t be many poets who are quite so versatile. But I’ll get that interview at some point. Meanwhile, here’s a typically sardonic Zephaniah poem called ‘Fair Play’: Mirror mirror on the wall Could you please return our ball Our football went through your crack You have two now Give one back

I

Festivals always depend for their success on the writers who make the trip. This year, poetry was one of the forms best represented and the star of the show was Benjamin Zephaniah (pictured), the rap artist, poet, novelist, essayist, performer, social reformer and just about everything good to do with writing. I’d last seen

Another poet at the festival who hardly fits the weedy romantic stereotype is Roger McGough

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A number of top class children’s’ book writers, including Francesca Simon of the hilarious ‘Horrid Henry’ series and Michael Morpurgo were also at the festival. Michael’s brilliant novel, ‘Warhorse’, set during WW1, was made into sell-out puppet drama at the National Theatre and has now been filmed by Spielberg, opening this autumn. Michael told us that there was a joke in his house that you must never leave the phone unanswered because it might be Spielberg, and then one day it really truly was.

.....................................................

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PROBLEM? WE CAN HANDLE IT!

O Lord let me be a burden on my children For long they’ve been a burden upon me May they both fetch and carry, clean and scrub And do so cheerfully

Adult writers included American Lionel Shriver who wrote the terrifying novel, ‘We need to talk about Kevin’, about a boy who murdered his classmates with a crossbow; Lionel was a very quiet kind of author. Marina Lewycka wrote ‘A Short History of Tractors in Ukraine’ which sold over a million copies in the UK alone, and managed to turn immigration into rich comedy. Marina was great fun to be with, although she shamed other writers by bringing her laptop to breakfast. ‘I’m driven’, she admitted, or something to that effect, luckily, driven to laughter, not crossbows.

Benjamin Zephaniah

was in Dubai last month – not for the sun or the man-made beaches – but for the international Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Not so bad, sometimes, being a writer. There were a hundred and sixty of us, entertaining the locals of every nationality, which extended to the other

(pictured). As a Liverpudlian, he began his career writing pop songs for the group called ‘The Scaffold’. Oldsters will remember the number one hit ‘Lily the Pink’. He also wrote much of the humorous dialogue for the Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’. It recently came out that his song, ‘Thank you very much’ was in the Queen Mother’s music collection which must make him ‘By Royal Command…’ Roger, like Benjamin, has made poetry accessible to a much bigger audience than it’s ever had. Here’s the first verse from his poem, ‘Pay-Back Time’:

My fifth novel for children, ‘Poppy’s Hero’ will be published in January next year. It’s about a girl whose dad goes into prison so I was par-

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Diary

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org ticularly interested when PACT sent me their latest publication, ‘Daddy’s Working Away’, subtitled ‘A Guide to Being a Good Dad in Prison.’

some of the men saying ‘I feel utterly powerless’ while others manage to give some sort of supportive back-up to their partner.

My young heroine, Poppy, sees everything from a child’s point of view, beginning with her refusal to believe that her beloved dad really can be guilty. ‘Daddy’s Working Away’ is targeted at the men who find themselves unable (or in some cases unwilling) to play any role at home once they’ve been locked up. It was originally published by the organisation, Care for the Family, based on research with/by prisoners and their families at HMP Wolds by Sandy Watson and Sheron Rice. This edition has been updated, including a chapter titled ‘What about Me? I’m a Lifer.’

PACT hopes the book will be used in learning groups and each chapter has a short section at the end ‘For Personal Study’. The section on visits suggests ‘Imagine you are your child and try to write your version of the visit from their point of view.’ The description of a typical visit from Stevie, serving six years, strikes the note of truth: ‘Visits are like a roller-coaster ride of emotions with very high points and very low points full of contradictions. For example, it’s great to see each other, but it breaks your heart to part at the end. It’s also great to see the children, but they put so much pressure on their mum, making her anxious. Sometimes I want to stop all my visits, but I can’t.’

A lot of the book speaks in the words of the prisoners with widely different approaches to their situations. For example Amir, serving twelve years, writes ‘My family keep me going. I send letters all the time to the kids. I always let them know that I love them no matter what.’ But Karl, serving four years, admits, ‘I’m waiting till I get out; there’s not a lot you can do whilst you are in here.’ Although the picture painted is a very realistic one – no easy options are suggested – it emerges that those who somehow manage to keep in close contact with their partner and children have a much more optimistic outlook. Communication is the keyword, with letters often being more successful than telephone calls which carry the trauma of, for example, queuing for the phone only to find there’s no answer or the kids aren’t there or just, quite simply, its bath time. Discipline is another thorny subject, with

This is a very moving book, particularly so when reading the contributions made by men who, despite all the odds, have managed to keep a loving relationship with their kids. I’ll end with N, serving a life sentence, ‘Time has passed but for me it hasn’t got any easier. I’ve missed all those special ‘parenty’ things – the first beer with my son, my daughter’s excellent exam results, and my son’s football trials and so on. But it is the kids who have kept me going. The visits and letters, their positive outlook, strength and resolve, motivates and pushes me towards the end goal.’ ‘Daddy’s Working Away’ is available to order direct from PACT for £6.99 with proceeds going to support their work with prisoners and the family.

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17

Nature Notes A monthly feature for Inside Time by James Crosby

M

any British butterflies take to the wing in April, some are strikingly coloured, some have wings as complex as a stained-glass window, however, if there was a tribe of insects to catch the eye then the butterflies of spring are a harmonious equilibrium – cheering for the warmer days to come with their dallying flight and letting us know all’s well in the world. Furnished with a scarlet sash on velvety black wings, the Red Admiral is many people’s favourite butterfly. As a large, strong-flying insect one can often find this butterfly nectaring on buddleia and other garden flowers, later in the season they probe rotting fruit with their strong straw-like proboscis feasting on the sugary juices therein. With speckled orange and black wings bordered by shimmering blue half-moons, the wellknown Small Tortoiseshell has - alarmingly - declined in numbers over the past decade a small parasite, sturmia bella, is believed to be the cause, however habitat loss has also provoked a steep decline. It is a handsome butterfly, often seen feeding on thistles and buddleia - they enliven our parks and gardens. White, comma-shaped marks on the undersides of this butterfly give the Comma its name. On first sight, this butterfly appears tatteredlooking, however, upon closer inspection its ragged-edged, autumn-brown coloured wings, allow the Comma to deceive the eye - to

remain undetected amongst dead leaves to great effect - the Comma, in all stages of development is cryptic: as a caterpillar it resembles a bird dropping, as an imago, a dead leaf. Biologists call this protective resemblance. The Comma is found in woodland but visits gardens in autumn. The sulphur-coloured Brimstone hibernates as an adult and emerges on warm days in February. It is often the first butterfly people see on the wing and may be the origin of the very name ‘butter fly’ itself – males are a striking yellow - very much like freshly churned butter - whereas the female is a greenishwhite. An inoffensive fly, with wings sculpted like an ivy leaf, its flight is fluid and the Brimstone rejoices in all that is spring; it pollinates primroses and is increasing in numbers each year. A colourful symbol of spring, the Orange Tip has an ephemeral life - existing for only a few brief months. It flies mainly in April and is found in damp, flowery meadows. The female lacks the distinctive orange splashes on its fore-wings; however both sexes share the same dark-green-mottled underwings. This insect spends the winter as a chrysalis; its caterpillars feed on the flowers and seeds rather than the leaves - of Jack-by-the-Hedge and Cuckooflower.

James Crosby is currently resident at HMP Stocken

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Not April Fools

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Things that make you go ‘Hmmm!’ Following the article by Noel Smith: ‘Going bananas over security!’ in the February issue, here are some more strange stories sent to us from behind the walls of HMP item from Argos that was on the facilities list, but I was informed that even though Argos did supply the item they were not one of the prison’s ‘approved suppliers’ of this particular article. I put in a COMP1 form explaining that we were allowed to purchase other items from Argos so they must be an ‘approved supplier’ and the reply was – ‘You can also buy ladders from Argos but that doesn’t mean we’re going to let you’! Which, I think, goes to show the exact nature of the pedantic beast we are up against?

movement! So I ordered my own and built it myself. How can anyone take security seriously?

Steve ..................................................... The silliest one I ever heard was back in HMP Albany in the 1970s when it was a dispersal jail. The security department’s argument for not allowing prisoners to wear their own trainers was because if we escaped we would be able to run faster. You’ve got to laugh!

Stephen ..................................................... Here at HMP Bure, I managed to save up enough to purchase some art materials, which included a compass for drawing circles. I was told by security that the compass was not allowed as it had a sharp point. As an enhanced prisoner I am allowed to purchase and keep in my possession a set of darts!!! I’ve put in an appeal but as yet I’ve heard nothing. No doubt security are struggling to think up a reason for this that doesn’t make them appear as stupid and inconsistent as we all know they are.

John B ..................................................... At HMP Wakefield I put in an app to buy a wall clock with a quartz movement. A week later I was called into the SO’s office and informed that security had refused my app because ‘the movement in this clock can be used as a timer on a bomb’! I then went to my friend’s cell and noticed he had a clock hanging on his wall. He told me he had made it himself and ordered all the components from the security-approved hobbies catalogue – including the quartz

Craig ..................................................... One of the most ludicrous things to happen to me regarding the security department was whilst I was at HMP Parc. It was near Christmas so, for a laugh, I handed in a letter I had written to Father Christmas, asking him if he could bring me the keys to the prison for my present. The letter was passed to security and I was transferred out of the prison within 3 days and classed as a ‘serious security risk’. I was never allowed back in Parc prison and they even put an entry on my security file saying I had requested ‘prison keys from Santa’. These people are idiots.

John ..................................................... A few years ago they were shipping a guy out of HMP Cardiff when he made a run for it and managed to get onto the roof. He made his way across the roofs of the jail, with all the screws below screeching and running around like headless chickens, and had only one roof to negotiate before dropping to the street below. But he was stopped from escaping by a huge seagull that had made a nest on the roof and was protecting her chicks. The gull pecked at him viciously and he nearly fell off the roof. No matter what he tried he could not get past this bird, and then other gulls began to dive-bomb him. Eventually he wanted to give up, but could not get down, so they brought in a fire engine and he came down the ladder. A day later the screws got onto the roof to put more razor-wire up, and destroyed the gulls nest and killed the chicks in the process. Perhaps they were jealous that a bird had foiled an escape that they had been helpless to stop!

Simon ..................................................... Whilst at HMP Albany I put in an app to buy an

Ian ..................................................... I started a food protest in HMP Parc (not a hunger strike) because the food was horrendous. I survived on cups of tea until eventually I was persuaded to eat the food off the hotplate or starve. But after 11 days of just tea my stomach had shrunk, so some of my fellow prisoners helped me out by giving me their fruit (apples and pears). I had 8 pieces of fruit in my cell when I was told by a screw that the ‘maximum allowance of fruit in possession was 3 pieces’! He threatened to nick me for excess fruit unless I disposed of it in the bin. It seems that HMP Parc have never heard of ‘5 a day’!

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Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Suddenly you’re 60 John Bowers reflects on the prospect of becoming a pensioner experienced and an inescapable truth that was hard to accept.

John Bowers

N

early five years ago, an ‘official’ looking letter dropped onto the mat at my home. The content informed me that I qualified for £200 annual allowance towards my heating bills. A few days later, the local council wrote in a similar vein to tell me I could now apply for a bus pass. Both came as a result of reaching the ripe old age of 60. I showed the letters to my colleagues at Inside Time, where I worked at the time, and we all had a good laugh; with jokes being bandied around about me being an ‘old codger’ going to Bingo and on Saga holidays with the blue rinse brigade! However, it was only when I sat at home reflecting on this turn of events that a horrible reality dawned on me; there it was on my birth certificate ... no escape ... almost mockingly staring back at me stating that I was 60. No use maintaining ... ‘I don’t feel 60’, or ‘I don’t look 60’, or ‘I don’t act like a 60 year-old’. And perhaps worst of all was the sharp mental reminder of the fact that 15 years of my life had been spent in an assortment of Her Majesty’s penal dustbins, such as Dartmoor, for burglary and robbery, and many more years spent either on the run or simply wasting my life. It wasn’t the stereotypical self-pity routine; it was a harshness that I had never before

Twell & Co Advice and assistance in relation to all aspects of prison law. Contact Robert Twell or Shevette Adams - Rose

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Five years on and come 19 September, I will reach 65 and start picking up my old age pension. I will shuffle along in the post office queue like the rest of the pensioners ... the same people who all my adult life I pitied never actually believing that one day I’d be right in there amongst them. John the pensioner! So what has the above got to do with serving prisoners you may ask? Well, virtually everyone reading this article will, one day, wear my shoes and stand in that same queue for his/her pension. And I do wonder how many will similarly reflect on their own wasted lives as unwilling guests of Her Majesty and wish to goodness they’d got out while the going was good. Had cut their losses and called it a day and left lives of crime behind. Made proper lives for themselves and their families and were able to look back with pride instead of guilt and shame; daily regrets on what could or should have been. One of the main reasons why I left Inside Time last July was to concentrate on giving talks in schools; trying to deter impressionable and vulnerable youngsters from embarking on lives of crime and wasting vast chunks of their lives as I once did, with of course the endless regrets. I had a brochure printed with the heading ‘If Only I Knew Then’... how appropriate. Why is it that we only seem to regret our actions when it’s too late? How many times during my criminal ‘career’ stretching over a period of 30 years did I get arrested and as the police cell door banged shut behind me thought ... ‘why the hell did I do it?’ Too late old son! Remand ... Crown Court for sentence ... followed by several more years languishing in some penal dustbin praying for release day. Only to go and do it all again! Doesn’t make sense does it? The end of the criminal road came in Dartmoor Prison after a particularly unpleasant experience in the segregation unit when I came to the conclusion that enough really was enough ... enough of lonely hours spent in dingy cells

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Quote of the Month The baffling lingo of our bureaucrats Janet Street-Porter The Independent March 12, 2011 Migrants to the UK are told that English, Gaelic and Welsh are the three languages spoken here. But in truth there’s a fourth, which most ordinary citizens, no matter what their ethnic background, find totally incomprehensible. It’s called “Official Bollocks.” Bureaucratese has been around for ever, but under Tony Blair it got out control. For New Labour, a spade was never a spade, a worker never a worker. “In Tony’s Big Tent, we all became stakeholders. Dates become delivery options. Leftover stuff when a project was completed became legacy.” The NHS, the police, local councils and the BBC “all signed up to Official Bollocks”. And now it has got so bad that it even puts lives in danger – as Lady Justice Hallett, chairing the 7/7 inquiry, noted the fire service calls a mobile controlroom a “conference demountable unit”. Surprise, surprise – on 7/7 the other service didn’t know what this was, causing serious confusion. Official Bollocks has created an “us and them” society; if you don’t speak the lingo, you have no idea what’s going on.

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Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

So, sue me

Serving prisoner RJS Hattersley wonders what the rich and famous are hiding with their ‘super-injunctions’? don’t know is when a ‘super-injunction’ is imposed, which stops the press from even mentioning they have been gagged. The only time we find out is when the media win an appeal and sometimes the super-injunction is overturned, but the injunction itself remains. Whilst The Sun is only interested in the sex lives of celebrities, The Guardian revealed that there were 12 super-injunctions in 2009, and The Guardian is not a paper that normally concerns itself with the sex lives of celebrities. We can only guess at what these super-injunctions have stopped the media revealing, but a look at the cases that were appealed could be a good indicator.

T

he front page of The Sun on the 1st of February highlighted the case of yet another footballer who has successfully gagged the media from revealing that he had been cheating on his partner. This seems to be happening on a regular basis. But what we

Chelsea and England footballer John Terry’s cheating is the best known case of a superinjunction being overturned. But the more interesting case was when Michael Napier, the Law Society president, tried to gag Private Eye to prevent them from revealing that he had been censured for breaching conflict of interest rules. The super-injunction is habitually being used by the powerful and wealthy to prevent their wrongdoing being exposed. For an injunction to be activated the soon-tobe-exposed person needs a bit of prior knowledge, but even if that is not forthcoming

they can always kick-start an injunction once they have been exposed. Such as in the case of solicitor Shahkrokh Mireskandari, exposed by the Daily Mail as a convicted fraudster, with bogus qualifications. Legal proceedings were immediately issued and other newspapers were warned not to repeat the claims. It is not just the media either, the Centre for Social Cohesion was threatened with legal action over repeating claims, already in the public domain, that the charity Interpal raises funds for Hamas. But more worrying is the targeting of academics for daring to question products, practises or concerns on a matter. The best known of these is that of science writer Simon Singh, who wrote in The Guardian accusing chiropractors of peddling quack remedies. The British Chiropractors Association sued Singh, not The Guardian, and won, only for Singh to win his eventual appeal. Though the case left him in financial ruin due to legal costs. Professor Henrik Thomson of Copenhagen University gave a presentation at Oxford and pointed out a link between a rare condition, Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, suffered by 20 kidney patients who had all received the drug Omniscan during MRI scans which caused 5 deaths. Many people think Professor Thomson should have received an award for his research, but instead he found himself subject to a defamation writ from General Electric, the manufacturer of the drug. This has left him unable to set foot in the UK again for fear of litigation and massive legal costs whether he wins or loses the case. Some people have suggested that targeting academics is deliberately intended to instil fear in others rather than targeting the media, who have the resources to fight back. Though there is growing awareness of this problem, it is still a concern. When Doctor Dalia Nield, writing in the Daily Mail, doubted the effectiveness of a cream called ‘Boob Job’ that supposedly made breasts bigger when rubbed onto them, she found herself on the end of dire legal threats. The campaign group Sense About Science, spoke out in her favour and received similar threats. Undeterred, SAS managed to get the case to the attention of several newspapers and Members of Parliament. Tory MP David Davis stated that ‘the proper response…would be to publish the composition of the product and to provide data supporting the claim’. SAS has been backed by many celebrities, including Jonathan Ross. But Ross himself tried to gag the media when Lord Puttman revealed that the BBC had outbid its rivals by £2 million for his services. Andrew Marr has also called

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for a public debate on the issue, and has himself used a super-injunction to prevent the media revealing one of his secrets. It gets even more ludicrous with what has been dubbed ‘libel tourism’, based on the Brunswick Principle that allows foreign claimants to sue foreigners in British courts. An example of this is the American author Rachel Ehrenfield, who was sued by Saudi banker Khalid bin Mahfouz over her book ‘Funding Evil’, which accused Saudi banks of funding terrorism. The book sold 20 copies in the UK on Amazon. The claimant needs no connection with the UK. The Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhemetov came close to putting The Economist out of business recently, after they accused him of bribery and corruption. He almost did the same with the UK edition of The Kyiv Post, which only has around 100 subscribers in the UK. When The Sikh Times in London reported on a dispute in India over the saintliness of His Holiness Sant Baba Jeet Singh Ji Maharaj – who has never been to Britain and speaks no English – the paper’s writer found himself in the dock, though the case was thrown out as the courts cannot decide on doctrinal disputes. An appeal is due later this year. None of these cases would get beyond the first legal hurdle elsewhere in the world, but the UK’s libel laws are wide open to exploitation. A report by the US based Centre for International Media Assistance recently stated ‘The UK’s plaintiff-friendly laws, high defamation awards, exorbitant legal fees and the strong willingness of UK courts to accept jurisdiction makes the UK perfect for oligarchs and wealthy businessmen’. As it is only the wealthy who can afford to issue libel cases it is feared by many that the aim is to silence the media and academics, and to intimidate others who may be thinking the same. Even if they win one of these cases they still face crippling legal costs. The report quotes Drew Sullivan, editor for the Centre for Investigative Journalism in Bosnia-Herzegovina, ‘We are investigating organised crime and politicians … in the 1990s they would just send some guys to beat us up … now they are using the legal route to do the same thing.’ As these cases are just the tip of the iceberg, one can only speculate at what else is being suppressed.

RJS Hattersley is currently resident at HMP Wakefield

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Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Change

vs

Reality by Billy Little

T

he Prison Service frequently makes the claim that it has changed, having dealt with clique cultures amongst staff, and disowning prison officers who breach security protocols, but has it really? Are they claiming to be rid of those who abuse their power, the culture or the environment as a whole? Whilst there have been many changes in how prisons function, in terms of the regime and occasional renewal of the Facilities List, you can still find one or five members of the McScrewloose tribe inflicting their own version of the rules as they see fit. Where the majority move forward with the times, there still remain those who seem to have carte blanche when it comes to making the lives of their colleagues and prisoners a misery. Moreover, with the use of the ‘behavioural warning’ scheme doubling up as a kangaroo court, and IEP status being used as a weapon against prisoners, has it become easier for them to do as they please? Remember, this is a closed environment, in which prison officers require the support of their colleagues to make sure that things get done in accordance to regime, security requirements and when adhering to ‘the rules’. Then there is the tacit understanding that if no support is forthcoming, particularly under questionable circumstances, it would amount to social ostracism within the workplace. Those who have been ‘ghosted’, and then ‘tripped’, ‘dived’, or ‘fell’ down the stairs on arrival at the next block will be able to identify with the latter point and the sudden number of staff who claim to have ‘witnessed’ the incident.

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The Equality Rights Act (2010) does not apply to officer McScrewloose, as that same tacit support mentioned above ensures that he/she can be openly sexist, racist or a religious bigot and get away with it. This is because nobody will say anything in the defence of the prisoner, or colleague, for fear of rocking the boat, which would then bring about social ostracism in the workplace from his/her colleagues. Without naming any names, or pointing a finger in one direction for too long, it would be a safe bet that someone will be complaining about a member of the McScrewloose tribe in one fashion or another. The most common examples come in the form of the IEP status being used as a weapon. Threats are openly made in an attempt to get a prisoner to comply with genuine, unreasonable and/or self-satisfying requests. A failure to comply might be met with standardised statements that infer suitability for that specific IEP status and his/ her snide remark on your wing history sheet (I know this because I’ve seen them on mine). On the other end of the scale there are those who are held on Basic for longer than was necessary, or for just standing up to such abuses of power. It’s no secret that each con will find his/her own way of doing time, and sometimes this can get a wee bit out of perspective, but not to the point that he/she deserves to become the focal point for those who bring their domestic problems to work. One of the weapons in the McScrewloose arsenal is the behavioural warning, which can be issued without the need for credible evidence, witnesses, or as a get-out-clause for those who get into drug or tobacco debt, and then claim they’ve been bullied. The next thing you know some poor sod is whisked off the wing and their record is tarnished with something they had nothing to do with. The fundamental problem here is that there is no recourse, no real chance of challenging what was said, nothing by way of levelling the playing field and allowing for representation in defence. As is the case when abusing the IEP status, McScrewloose has the ability to drag colleagues, and even some prisoners, into the manipulation of events. The bottom line is that the behavioural warning scheme can be used and abused. So much for the Prison Service changing. Billy Little is currently resident at HMP Bullingdon

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Dying inside? P R I S O N The rules on compassionate release should REFORM be urgently reviewed, says Francesca Cooney T R U S T of the Prison Reform Trust

U

nfortunately, some people will die in prison because of illness or old age. There have been 16 natural deaths in custody so far this year (mid-March). We know that there is an ageing population in prisons. We can therefore expect that the numbers of natural deaths in prison are likely to increase in the future. It is possible for someone who is diagnosed with a terminal illness to ask for release. However, according to the BBC, between 2004 and 2009, only 48 people were released from prison under the compassionate release rules. Prison Reform Trust is concerned that the regulations are too strict and that people who can and should be safely released are not always getting this opportunity. The Secretary of State has the power to release anybody on a fixed-term sentence if they believe exceptional circumstances exist and there is no risk to the public. For people with an extended licence and for indeterminately sentenced prisoners, the Minister will usually consult the parole board. They will be asked to assess the risk of reoffending. In an emergency situation, where there is no time to consult the parole board, the Minister can make the decision. Prison Reform Trust has argued that decisions on compassionate release should not be made by politicians but be taken by the parole board when needed. The Minister used to have the power to stop the compassionate release of someone with a determinate sentence of 15 years or over, even if the parole board recommended this. The Coroners and Justice Act passed in November 2009, meant that this law has changed. The policy on compassionate release actually says there are no set time limits for when someone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness can be considered for early release. However because the guidance also says that three months life expectancy ‘may be considered an appropriate time period for an application’ this is often taken as the stage at which someone can apply. The guidance for indeterminately sentence prisoners is also confusing. The summary at the beginning of PSI 29/2010 says ‘Life expectancy three months or less’ but the more detailed paragraph further on says ‘although there are no set time limits, 3 months may be considered to be an appropriate period for an application’. Prison Reform Trust would like the guidance to be clearer. We have argued for a long time that the guidelines are too strict and the time

limit too short. It is very difficult for a consultant to say with certainty that someone has three months or less to live. They are often unable to be that specific or to give an exact date when someone might die. So one difficulty is that with a three month window of opportunity, in reality decisions may not be made until the last minute. Prison Reform Trust are concerned that decisions about how to care for people who are dying can take too long. This can happen when someone is extremely ill and clearly dying and is transferred to a hospital or hospice without adequate planning and preparation. Another difficulty is that the risk assessments don’t always take enough account of health and social care needs. Our recommendation to the prison service is that the guidance should be changed so that people given up to a year to live can apply for early release. This would also give more time to consider application for compassionate release. It would also give prison and health staff more time to make suitable arrangements for care and release in the community. It might also give a prisoner time to meet with hospice or care home staff and to feel more comfortable about moving there. The high profile cases that have been covered in the media are not representative of the small but growing numbers of people who could be released safely to live in the community. People who are given compassionate release are on licence. This means they are still under the criminal justice system. They will have licence conditions and probation can recall them if there are any concerns about offending. There are strong arguments for releasing dying people into the community where the risk of reoffending is low. The system needs to look at applications earlier and more flexibly and enable people to die in a planned and dignified way. Prison Reform Trust has an advice and information service. We can answer queries on prison rules, life in prison, conditions and how to get help in prison. We cannot give legal advice. We can also send you our newsletter, fact file or other publications. You can write to us at: Prison Reform Trust, FREEPOST ND 6125, London EC1B 1PN. Or call us free on 0808 802 0060 on Monday 3.30-7.30 and Tuesday and Thursday 3.30-5.30.

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Comment

22

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

R

umours of the ultimate closure of HMP Ashwell had been rife for many months following the riot at Easter, 2009, when two-thirds of the prisoner accommodation was lost in the resulting fire – reducing the population from around 600 to just 200 housed in the remaining 3 accommodation blocks: E, F and G wings. Both E and F wings accommodated about 80 prisoners each in buildings only 2 years old and conforming to the latest Home Office standards, incorporating ‘wet rooms’ with showers in each cell. G wing was an older block but it had been refurbished to ‘super enhanced’ standards, again with showers in each cell but furnished in comparative luxury with pine beds and the like. With a new state-of-the-art gymnasium, new kitchens, new library, workshops and new administration offices, who in their right mind, and in the light of the much publicised shortage of prison spaces, could contemplate closing such a useful element of the Category C estate? Nevertheless the whispers gradually gained momentum. The main problem seemed to be that, when the population reduced, there was no corresponding decrease in staffing levels, leaving HMP Ashwell in the unenviable position of being far and away the most expensive prison to run in terms of cost per prisoner. Quite why staffing levels remained so high one can only speculate – though I detect an entrenched stance by the POA had something to do with this. Around Christmas 2010 there were several instances of ‘late unlock’ whilst the staff attended briefing meetings and whereas the exact nature of those meetings was never openly publicised, in true prison fashion it was leaked that the final decision on the future of HMP Ashwell would be taken during March 2011, with the staff being informed by 31st of March at the latest. However, on Monday 10th of January there was a strong rumour that several Prison Service ‘big wigs’ would be attending the prison on the following morning, with staff required to attend a meeting – so there was yet another late unlock while this meeting took place.

Last man standing This is the story of the closure of Ashwell prison told by John Allen from a prisoner’s point of view

I awoke at my usual time and switched on my radio to listen to the 7am news. Almost the first item announced was the imminent closure of 3 prisons – Ashwell among them. The news item said the closure would be effected by 31st of March – some 10 weeks away; so imagine our surprise when we were informed that the closure would be much, much quicker and there would be ship-outs of 10 prisoners per day commencing the following Monday! Everyone was given just one chance to state their preferred prison by 5pm that evening, and OMU ‘promised’ to try their best to accommodate everyone’s preference. I must say that this element of the operation was handled reasonably well. Of course, the event played havoc with several prisoners’ plans; ROTLs were cancelled as were parole hearings, with all the inevitable upsets resulting. By Friday 14th of January, the first 10 prisoners had been told to pack their kit and take it down to reception the following morning in preparation for the first transfers on Monday. This turned out to be to HMP Stocken, just a few miles away. And so the pattern began. A list was sent out to each wing by 5pm each evening 48 hours before the transfer day. The target of 10 ship-outs a day was not always met, but this was more as a result of G4S failures to be able to provide the transport. Any shortage was made up using

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By the end of the first week the roll on E wing had been reduced to just below 40. A couple of spurs were closed off and then the decision was taken to move the remnants of F wing on to E wing. G wing residents, reluctant to forego their pine beds and other comforts, resisted the proposal to move them onto E wing as well – which would have been the logical thing to do and would have made the most of staff resources. The most frequently asked question among prisoners at this time was ‘Any news? have you heard where you’re going?’ But it quickly became obvious that whilst the prisoners were in limbo, the staff were too. It was to be another 2 weeks before the Senior Officers were to learn their new deployment, followed shortly by the rank and file. At this time I was corresponding with a friend in another prison, and when I told him about the uncertainties faced by the staff, he expressed the hope that they would be found places many miles from their homes – and have to pay the high cost of fuel to travel to their new prisons! Not a very Christian attitude, but maybe an understandable one under the circumstances. Ship-outs now began to accelerate and with

By Thursday 10th of February I was still in the dark as to where (or when) my transfer would take place. The deadline was fast approaching so I knew the decision was imminent, and, sure enough, that evening I was told to pack my kit ready for transfer to HMP Guys Marsh the following Monday. And so I bid farewell to HMP Ashwell. Not a reluctant goodbye in my case, because I felt the prison fell far short of what I expected from a Category C. There will be readers who experienced the ‘old’ Ashwell, which once had the reputation of being the best Category C prison in England, but the Easter 2009 riot put an end to that and gave security their chance to go into overdrive. There were far more fences and razor-wire around Ashwell than there was at my previous Category B prison HMP Gartree. Virtually all movements had to be escorted, and the staff/prisoner relationship left much to be desired. So, what does the future hold for the site of HMP Ashwell now? I was told that contractors would be moving in straight away, presumably to demolish the damaged accommodation blocks, but in the week before I left I had to go out to hospital and, on the way back, the escort pointed out a new Traveller’s site being set up just 200 yards away from the main gate. I wondered if they were preparing to move in? My own guess is that, within 2 years, SERCO or some other private firm will purchase the site and it will again begin operating as a prison. We shall see. John Allen is currently resident at HMP Guys Marsh

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the prison’s own minibus, with prisoners being handcuffed in pairs and a couple of escorts being provided from the prison’s own staff.

the increased transfer rate came the news that the last prisoners would leave by the 15th of February. The prison now began to resemble the Marie Celeste. It was difficult to locate more than a couple of prisoners left on the wings, but at least there were no queues for the phones – and you could also hear yourself speak in the eerie silence! The food being dished up to the remaining prisoners now became the best I have ever experienced in my 9 years of incarceration as the kitchen staff began to clear out their stocks.

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Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Ben’s Blog Lifer Ben Gunn’s Prison Blog … the only blog by a serving British prisoner.

Ben set off in a sweatbox from Shepton Mallet in Somerset to HMP Prescoed in Wales. They weren’t expecting him and there was no room. So seven days later, after a stop-over in Cardiff, he arrived back at Shepton. Read about his 200 mile round trip, you just won’t believe it! Prescoed were not accepting us, were not expecting us, and that was that. Off we drove. To reach Open prison and be turned away is a thoroughly miserable experience. A few phone calls later and it was decided that we would both be dumped in Cardiff for the duration. The duration of what...?

...................................................... Thursday March 17, 2011 Stranded

Wednesday March 16, 2011 The Prisoner ... OR ... There And Back Again ... Wedged in a Sweatbox, there comes an indefinable moment on the journey when thoughts shift from the prison just left, and the destination looms ever larger in the imagination. Hopes and fears intermingle. Will it be a positive, productive and helpful prison? Or am I about to walk into a whole fresh set of unnecessary battles? Excitement and apprehension flow to and fro. The first hint that the course of the day may not run smooth was overhearing fragments of a conversation between our escort and the driver; “...cancelled...carry on anyway...” We were 15 minutes away from Prescoed. I didn’t allow myself to get fraught. After all, no idiot would send us on a journey to be turned away...would they? Prescoed is tucked away at the end of increasingly narrow roads. At one point, I thought there may be a possibility that we’d be transferred to donkeys to reach the end. The Gatehouse hove into view and the first person I saw through the dark glass of the van was Tim, who left Shepton for Prescoed a few months ago. Interestingly, the housing for Lifers working outside the prison - “Stage 2 Resettlement” - was set outside the Gate. Leyhill, take note! We waited for the barrier pole to raise and welcome us in. It didn’t. Our escort argued with the Gatehouse staff and returned to tell us that we were not being accepted. What did this mean? That there was no space? Or that Prescoed were just not accepting us, today or any other day? Eventually this argument reached management level and we were allowed through to park in front of the Reception building. So close...I tried to persuade our escort to let us off to use the toilet, knowing that I’d flatly refuse to get back on the wagon. They offered me a plastic bag to pee in. Lots of discussions took place alongside the van, within our hearing. It seems that

Cardiff Cat-B local prison. Oh, joy. Shuffling between waiting rooms as we were booked-in searched, logged, examined. Bumping into prisoners who weren’t even born when I began my sentence. I had to sit on the BOSS chair, a metal detector meant to uncover phones hidden in, ahem, “body orifices”. Quite who tries to smuggle a mobile phone to open prison was a question met with shrugs. As always, from harsh experience, I had packed an emergency bag for such temporary detours, and I grabbed it. We were not allowed access to the rest of our property. As this included my research materials, my anxiety began to rise. We were assured that we would be “off to Prescoed on Friday”, in two days time and meanwhile be located in single cells on the Lifer wing. That was the first lie. That we were moving on Friday the second. Not a good score; we’d hardly got off the wagon and been lied to twice. To the wing, a masterpiece of what I call “security-brutalist” architectural style. All very nice and clean but far removed from the functional elegance of Victorian wings. This was thick concrete and heavy metalwork, a reaction to the riots of 1990. The wing office and a screw that I knew from Shepton. He was as baffled as we were, made inquiries, and repeated what we’d been told in Reception - “off on Friday”. I blagged some A4 paper and we were allocated beds. Our cell was extremely shabby, damaged furniture and threadbare mattresses. Standard local prison conditions. The TV didn’t work. Bunk beds, the top one being higher than any either of us had previously seen. I took the top, just to help create a fragile illusion of some privacy. Little did I know, the Editor had already tracked me down to Cardiff and was attempting to book a visit. This failed as, not being Cardiff’s prisoners (orphans); I “hadn’t been put on the system”. As we went to sleep that night, we were no wiser. Were we still on our way to Prescoed? Were we still on our way to any Open prison? When would we get access to our property? When would we be told what was happening, and by whom? With no access to the payphone - “not on the

system”, remember? -I felt incredibly isolated. Did anyone know where I was? Being adrift in the prison system is a situation fraught with potential for difficulties, even danger. My only protection against Authority was the inherent decency of those in charge - a variable property, at best - and the comfort that people outside of the walls are aware of my location and situation. At that moment, I had the solace of neither.

...................................................... Friday March 18, 2011 Emergency Bag What do you pack in the event of unforeseen circumstances? The range of goods I could choose was limited by prison procedures, meaning that I’d be daft to try and pack anything that required listing on a Property Card. This was meant to be a bag that would both keep me sane and yet allow me to swan through any prison Reception without causing problems. My bag contained tobacco, Rizlas and a wick lighter, coffee, sweeteners; TV aerial lead; TV remote control; plastic mirror; a dozen small screw-hooks; two A5 notebooks, including my Blog notebook; two pens and two mechanical pencils; stamps; soap and deodorant; medicines and vitamins; address book; alarm clock; two plastic water jugs; and two small Tupperware containers. The perceptive will note vital omissions writing paper and envelopes. What was I thinking?? Not an error I will repeat, and one that left me scrabbling around the wing scrounging, just to get word to the Editor.

...................................................... Saturday March 19, 2011 I’m hungry

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The key would be my second reason - your support and the noise you could create on my behalf. I was wholly reliant upon management feeling the heat not from me, but from “outside” - and they hate it. As is the general policy, my declaration of starvation fell into a Void. If managers jumped at every con who went on hunger strike, then we would all be doing it! So they ignore it, at least for the first few weeks. Even then, they don’t come rushing. Seven days later, and I’m back in Shepton writing this, stuffing my face on chocolate and crisps. I also discovered that Cardiff was telling everyone who phoned that I was being looked after, not on hunger strike, and ensconced in a nice single cell. God forbid I suggest Governors lie! But Cardiff Governors were lying like professionals. They lie first, to escape a problem, and worry about the consequences later. Rather like three year old children. But I did not fall into the trap, I didn’t bite, I didn’t get nicked. Thanks to all of you and the efforts of the Editor, together we explored and developed the possibilities of the New Media to pressure the management successfully. Without you, I’d be getting a bit peckish by now...

...................................................... Monday March 21, 2011 My Loud Voice

The recent events regarding my non-transfer to open prison, my hunger strike and your incredible efforts on my behalf have highlighted my singular, blessed, position. All that differentiates my experience at the hands of the prison service from that of my peers is that I have the advantage of a loud voice - and an audience that is listening! The malevolence, the incompetence, and the sheer stupidity of prison policies and practices are weights under which 85,000 others labour on a daily basis. You tend to hear only my experience, but should your attention alight upon any of the thousands of other prisoners then you would be equally disturbed or outraged.

Two days later, the transfer to Prescoed not having materialised and being sick of being left without any information or explanation of what was happening, and incredibly worried about the future of my studies without access to my materials, I told wing staff that I was on hunger strike.

I thank you for your efforts, your patience and your attention. You all mean far more than I could ever express. But please, think of the others? And maybe pop along to the excellent people over at the prisonersfamiliesvoices blog prisonersfamiliesvoices.blogspot.com and lend your energies to them? Just remember to come back here afterwards!

Why a hunger strike? Why not some other, more expressive or assertive course of action? Because, in different times, I would have promptly held up a metaphorical finger to the prison and parked myself in the Block.

......................................................

I chose a hunger strike for two reasons. Firstly, because I suspected (as I write, I know now) that there was a hope amongst some of my keepers that I would react badly to the situation they had created, and given them an excuse to seriously delay or even remove my Category D status. And I wasn’t going to bite. But a solitary hunger strike is an incredibly risky move in prison. Hunger striking is a moral appeal to one’s keepers, and regular readers will have long grasped that I judge the moral development of my keepers to be somewhat stunted.

Tuesday March 22, 2011 A Ghostly Presence My return wasn’t met with a red carpet or rousing cheers. That was always unlikely! And the screws who were happy to laugh behind my back when I was stranded haven’t had the balls to say anything to my face, the heroes. Everyone knows I’m only here temporarily, which leaves me semi-detached. My credit rating is obviously crap, and I am separate from the many connections that we forge between each other, as in any society. This leaves me slightly adrift, a ghostly presence wandering the landings. I am both present, yet only partly. The sooner I move the better.

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Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Supermax Prisons in the United States By Charles Hanson

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he state of Colorado in the United States, famous for its towering Rocky Mountains, lush green forests and crystal blue skies, is associated with extravagant scenery and unsurpassed beauty. Well-known for the mile high city of Denver with its popular ski resorts, it’s a symbol of all things good. However, amid all of this beauty and delight lies a place that is in direct contrast to its picturesque surroundings; a place that is a symbol of all things bad, evil, and corrupt; an enormous monument to the ills of humanity set against a Rocky Mountain backdrop. Here, in a secluded valley just west of the idyllic town of Pueblo lies a place that houses the worst of the worst of humanity - murderers, terrorists, serial killers in a fortress-like dungeon. This place, which has been decried as being inhumane and cruel, is the most punitive and restrictive federal prison in the United States: The United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility(ADX) in Florence, Colorado. Opened in November 1994, the residents in the surrounding area of Fremont County welcomed the prison as a source of employment in a time of economic hardship.

At the time, the county was already home to nine existing prisons. However, the lure of between 750 to 900 permanent jobs, in addition to another 1,000 temporary jobs during the prison’s construction, led residents in the area to raise 160,000 dollars to purchase 600 acres of land for the new prison. The prison, designed jointly by DLR Group and LKA Partners of Colorado Springs, generally houses around 430 male prisoners, each assigned to one of six security levels where the cell furniture is made almost entirely out of poured concrete, including the desk, stool, and bed. Each cell contains a toilet that shuts off if blocked, which prevents a prisoner from flooding his cell, a shower that runs on a timer also to prevent flooding, and a sink missing a ‘potentially dangerous’ trap. Prisoners may purchase a small black and white speaker-less TV set and keep the following items: one ballpoint pen filler; five books and magazines; one address book; five greeting cards; 15 photographs; 15 sheets of writing paper. The following items are prohibited: hats; headbands; sweatshirts; undershirts; slippers; cotton swabs; hair conditioner, grease, or gel; lip balm; handkerchiefs; calendars; clocks; hobby and craft materials; musical instruments; and, bizarrely, correspondence course materials. The absurdity of some of the prohibitions imposed on these Supermax prisoners was perhaps best illustrated when officials at the prison turned down a request by a prisoner to receive a copy of two books written by the then presidential

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candidate, Barack Obama, on the grounds that it would be “potentially detrimental to national security”.In any event, these are considered privileges that may be taken away as punishment. The 4 in (10 cm) by 4 ft (1.2 m) cell windows are designed to prevent the prisoner from knowing his specific location within the complex because he can see only the sky and roof through them. Additionally, inmates exercise in what has been described as an “empty swimming pool,” so they do not know their location for possible escape. Telephone calls with the outside world are forbidden and food is hand-delivered by prison officers whilst participation in programs including religious services, educational/work/job training, congregate dining and exercise are strongly prohibited by the administration. Also greatly limited is access to medical and psychiatric care. The prison as a whole contains a multitude of motion detectors and cameras, 1,400 remotecontrolled steel doors, and 12 ft (3.66 m) high razor wire fences, laser beams, pressure pads, and attack dogs guard the area between the prison walls and razor wire. This penal construction and operation theory dictates that inmates remain in solitary confinement for 22–23 hours each day. ADX Florence, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice, was constructed as a response to two incidents that occurred on 22 October, 1983, in which inmates murdered

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their escorting prison officers at the United States Penitentiary in Marion, Illinois. Relatively lax security procedures allowed each prisoner, while walking down a hall, to turn to the side and approach a particular cell so an accomplice could unlock his handcuffs with a stolen key and provide him with a knife. Two officers were killed in two separate incidents by this tactic. As a response, the prison went into “permanent lockdown” and transformed itself into a “control unit” prison. Following the killings, Norman Carlson, then director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, persuaded the federal government that a more secure type of prison needed to be designed. There was a need to isolate uncontrollable prisoners from officers and from other prisoners for the sake of ‘security and safety’. Marion therefore became a model for the subsequent construction of ADX Florence, a facility built as a control unit prison. Imagine living in an 8-by-12 prison cell, in solitary confinement for an indefinite period which might mean for the rest of one’s life. Your entire world will consist of a dank, cinder block room with a narrow window only three inches high, opening up to an outdoor cement cage, cynically dubbed, “the yard.” If you’re lucky, you spend one hour five days a week in that outdoor cage, where you gaze up through a wire mesh roof and hope for a glimpse of the sun. If you talk back to the guards or act out in any way, it might result in only one precious hour’s exercise per week.

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Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Another cruel practice is “caging”. This is where a scantily clad or naked prisoner is held in outdoor cages for hours in cold and rainy weather. The systematic use of fire-hosing shackled prisoners while in their cells, with high-pressure cold water, then leaving standing water in the cell, usually accompanies a prisoner being put in “strip cell status.” While frigid temperatures make it impossible to sleep or even lay down, a bright light shines upon the cell 24 hours a day. There is increasing consensus among United Nations agencies and international humanrights organizations that the definition of torture contained in the U.S. signed U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment mistreatment by officials that inflicts “severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental” for punishment or coercion applies to extended solitary. In 2006, the UN Committee Against Torture expressed its concern about the “prolonged isolation periods” in American Supermaxes and “the effect such treatment has on an inmate’s mental health, and that its purpose may be retribution, in which case it would constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” In 2008, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on torture, Manfred Nowak, recommended that solitary confinement “should be kept to a minimum, used in very exceptional cases, for as short a

time as possible, and only as a last resort” - all conditions violated by U.S. Supermaxes. According to David Fathi, head of the American Civil Liberties Union prison project, the prolonged isolation imposed in Supermax prisons “may well violate U.S. treaty obligations.” PHR’s Raymond said flatly: “Solitary confinement is definitely recognized internationally as torture.” A 2007 Federal Bureau of Prisons (BofP) report lists family ties as integral to rehabilitation and successful re-entry into the general community. However, for many inmates, the lack of phone access, a prohibitive visitation process, and the distance from various parts of the United States makes it nearly impossible to maintain those ties. The scheduling and approval process at Florence Supermax requires weeks of planning and multiple rounds of paperwork. If visitors arrive late for their appointment, they are forced to begin the process all over again. With no public transportation near the prison the process becomes more than some people can handle or realistically afford. The BofP also cites access to educational and vocational programs - especially for minority populations, as another key element in prisoner rehabilitation. Yet no such opportunities exist at Florence. Once inside their small, sparsely furnished and meagrely provisioned cell, prisoners must still follow strict rules and regulations. Prisoners are issued with the following directives: yelling or loud noises or disruptive behaviour is prohibited. You may not tape or attach anything to any surface of your cell; your mattress must stay on your bed at all times. You must lie on the bed with your head towards the toilet. Failure to comply or any act of disobedience, large or small, will constitute a disciplinary offence and may result in an extension of the prisoner’s time in Supermax. On the rare occasions that prisoners leave their housing unit - for a medical appointment or an infrequent no-contact family visit - they will be shackled and escorted by a minimum of two

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Florence, the only Federal Supermax prison, operates at the deep and far end of a vast (over 1.6 million prisoners) and punitive American criminal justice system. There are however other Supermaxes within state systems. These prisons emerged as an addition to the traditional segregation units that still operate within that system. Their spread across the US from the early 1990s (the Federal government and some 44 states across the US now operate at least one Supermax prison) has found justification in apparently rational arguments for their value as a prison management tool in isolating risk and controlling violence in the prison system as a whole. On 9 July 2010, the European Court of Human Rights temporarily halted the extradition of four terrorism suspects from the United Kingdom to the United States. The court concluded that the applicants had raised a serious question whether their possible long-term incarceration in a U.S. Supermax prison would violate Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits “torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” The court noted that “complete sensory isolation, coupled with total social isolation, can destroy the personality and constitutes a form of inhuman treatment which cannot be justified by the requirements of security or any other reason,” and called for additional submissions from the parties before finally deciding the applicants’ claim. The court’s decision was not a surprise. International human rights bodies have repeatedly expressed the view that Supermax prisons - in which prisoners are held in near-total social isolation, sometimes for years on end - may

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guards. They will also be body-searched twice - once before leaving the cell and once before being returned to it. Other than cases of complicated medical emergencies which cannot be treated in the prison’s medical clinic and court appearances which cannot be conducted via video-conferencing, Supermax prisoners will not leave the prison. For those confined there for an indeterminate time, that can mean the duration of their prison sentence or natural life.

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violate international human rights law. In 2006, the U.N. Committee Against Torture expressed concern about “the extremely harsh regime” in US Supermax prisons, which it said could violate the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, a human rights treaty ratified by the United States in 1994. Despite these warnings, Supermax prisons are common in the United States. In the 1990s they were a raging fad, yet another round in the perpetual “tough on crime” political bidding war. Suddenly every state had to build one - Virginia was so tough it built two. By the end of the decade, more than 30 states, as well as the federal government, were operating a Supermax facility or unit. The case of British citizen Gary McKinnon, the alleged computer hacker who the United States claims hacked into sensitive defence data, faces extradition to the United States, whilst District Judge John Zani, sitting at City of Westminster magistrates court in London in February 2011 said there was “ample evidence” to justify the extradition to Texas of British businessman Christopher Tappin on US charges of conspiring to sell weapons parts to Iran where a conviction could bring a jail term of 35 years whilst Wikileaks founder Julian Assagne, at present on bail from a British court, too could face extradition to the United States for revealing sensitive U.S defence data on his website. In the United States, at least 40,000 prisoners are in solitary confinement with another 5080,000 in segregation units, many additionally isolated but those numbers are not released. Control Units are designed to administer the very most in sensory deprivation and dehumanization of inmates and essentially serve only one purpose and that is to control society and in my view, must be abolished, and the victims of these dungeons treated as survivors of torture.

Charles Hanson - formerly resident at HMP Blantyre House

>> www.insidetime.org Exciting ‘interactive’ website. Allowing readers to add their comments to published articles and letters. Let your family members and friends know about this facility - Inside Time is now also a voice for them.

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The most damaging aspect of control units is the physical and mental torture that is imposed upon their victims. First, the methods of how physical torture is inflicted: Forced cell extractions by militarily attired, baton-wielding guards are constantly used without cause or warning. Sometimes these cell extractions are so abusive that prisoners require extensive medical attention. Devices such as tazer guns, pepper spray, maces and manacles are used and four-point restraints and body-tying are routinely overused, despite the fact that such procedures have caused bodily harm and death whilst dogs are often encouraged to bite the prisoner if any form of resistance is shown.

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Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org received it. He has not internalised it. One slap in the face might be sufficient for some, a domestic bloodbath for others.) The choices we make are entirely dependent on the makeup of our spirit, soul and body. Someone who has gone through life relatively unscathed has far greater access to what is considered the right choice than someone who has suffered emotional, physical or sexual abuse. A murderer does not choose to murder any more than a baby chooses to be tortured.

Just passing through Lifer Owen Davies ponders the making of a violent offender

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t conception we’re a clean slate. The sperm and the ovum meet and the creation of the human being begins. During pregnancy, everything the mother experiences has an impact on the developing foetus. The diet of the mother is significant; drug use, of course, is destructive; and the mood swings of not only the mother but those around her play their part in determining the foetus’s character. Indeed, nothing is intrinsically his. He is the creation of genes and outside influence; a mathematical equation that cannot be anything other than what biology and this early socialisation dictates. At birth, the foundation of the baby’s character has already been laid. He has not chosen anything. The economic and social conditions into which he is thrust are not of his making. Exceedingly delicate, he has none of the defences of adulthood. If he reaches out for love (which he does constantly) and meets anger or indifference, he retreats into neurosis. Many parents are unaware of their character flaws. They think anger or indifference is normal. They think fighting around a young

baby is acceptable. It isn’t. A young baby is much too vulnerable and sensitive to be subjected to the waywardness and unpredictability of adult emotion. During socialisation, the child’s development is dependent upon the influences around him. The moral standards of the family largely become the moral standards of the child. The children he associates with, the kind of school he attends and the adults who guide him help decide his future. Sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse are particularly rife in the lower classes because of generic neuroses and poor socialisation. No one chooses anything. Choice is a theoretical luxury that exists only in hindsight. An adult has been created by everything he encounters through his life. He does not choose. His socialisation chooses. Humdrum, quotidian choice such as watching football instead of Eastenders is wholly a construct of socialisation. The violence we give out is in direct proportion to the violence we have received. (If a victim of violence does not commit violence, he has not

Everyone in prison is entirely innocent. They are victims of an evil and corrupt society. Peter Sutcliffe, Stephen Griffiths, Ted Bundy etc have, in doing what they are incapable of avoiding, balanced the pay sheets. Society is as guilty of their crimes as they are of covering up their own guilt in a well-constructed network of arbitration. Those who are capable of making what are considered the right choices own the media and run the houses of parliament and the judiciary. Those who are incapable of making what are considered the right choices can never be accepted and are marginalised in a society that refuses to understand them. Thankfully, change is possible. I was sexually abused as a child and suffered enormous social exclusion and trauma as a result. I could never associate sex with love and still haven’t, at the age of 47, been able to have sex with a person I love. As a kind of painkiller, when puberty set in, I took drugs and drank heavily. I tried to live a normal life but just couldn’t. I went to university, worked as a teacher for five years, travelled a lot, but couldn’t escape childhood. Everywhere I went abuse came too. Finally I brutally murdered a complete stranger, an old man who symbolised the world that had rejected me. I didn’t say a word to him. I didn’t even know he was an old man until two days later when I came across his travel card in one of his suits that I’d stolen. It was completely dark when I murdered him and I was very drunk. I’d broken into his flat and bludgeoned him to death with a hammer as he lay in bed. I remember very little. The media misleads the public by reporting none of this. Probation Officers lie, Prison Officers lie, the Home Secretary lies. I’ve met perhaps two honest Probation Officers in my entire prison sentence. I’ve never met a Prison Officer who was willing to take a stand against corrupt colleagues. I’ve never known a Home Secretary I’d like to meet. I’ve never been able to explain anything to anyone for fear of upsetting victims and risking the wrath of the Ministry of Injustice. But I don’t care anymore. I’m a victim as well. I’ve spent 16 years incarcerated with 1000s of me mates – none of whom chose to be criminals, mad or bad – and the world doesn’t care. Guilt

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is a destructive emotion, not having resolution is destructive. That’s why there’s terrorism, that’s why there are serial murderers, serial rapists and serial paedophiles. Victims of crime need resolution, but everything, for criminals, is simply filed away on computers in the Home Office and only used if it helps to keep us incarcerated. Society refuses to be fair. The lies, the corruption, the violence are never resolved because the entire system is geared toward suppression and subjugation of the criminal, the prisoner and the ex-offender. We are not given a voice. Before I committed my murder, I was not given a voice to express the violence that had been committed against me, and now, seventeen years on, I’m still not given a voice. Newspapers refuse to publish anything written by prisoners, because the public doesn’t want to hear it. They expect us to be unlawfully, immorally and unnaturally subjugated by hypocrites who get away with committing crime to supposedly prevent crime. It doesn’t work that way. Everyone reaps what they sow. Injustice only breeds more crime. Striking a balance between ensuring that prisoners take responsibility for their crimes and helping them return to the community guilt-free, resolved and healed and therefore with more chance of remaining exoffenders should be the aim of not only the M.O.I. and their network of arbitration but every citizen capable of making the right choice. Not a bad idea considering the billions of pounds wasted every year keeping us locked up, messed up, beat up, to satisfy a misled, exploited public, embroiled and fooled entirely for their vote, in a utilitarian, power hungry plutocracy run on lies. Here’s another one. Why doesn’t everyone understand that criminality can’t go away until we accept responsibility for a society in which children get abused? A criminal can change if he is placed in a humanitarian environment and prescribed large doses of psychotherapy. God can heal if we’ll let Him. A prisoner can go through the prison system without touching the sides, if we’ll let him. He can internalise the adage, ‘I’m just passing through,’ and can emerge from the other side a new man, a new creation. (My apologies to all the new women out there.) But he needs help and only a clever society, (which has caused such endemic criminality in the first place and is therefore obliged to foot the huge psychotherapy bill), can provide that help. Maybe then we too, conceived a clean slate, can be given the chance to start again. Doctor, I haven’t had a drop of alcohol or taken any illicit drugs for 16 years. (Communion wine is non-alcoholic in prisons.) I haven’t been violent. I’ve done three Alcohol Awareness Groups, Enhanced Thinking Skills, Thinking Skills Booster, Psychotherapy 22 sessions, Anger Management, three Victim Awareness Courses, Communications, Relationships, Family Relationships, two Stress Management Courses, Recovery Course, Drug and Alcohol Course Stage 1 twice and Stage 2 once, six months Life Patterns Course, six months one-on-one with a psychologist, Kainos Christian Community four months, Innerchange Christian Community one year, did little else but pray and read the Bible for ten years, three suicide attempts, in two of which I died and was brought back to life, finished teaching qualification, currently doing Honours Year for my second degree. But better than that; I’m not in pain, or dysfunctional or even remotely messed up. I’m just passing through another foreign land, which despite what the part-timers might say, is not at all like a holiday camp. Owen Davies is currently resident at the John Howard Centre in Hackney, London

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Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org 2008, so no one with a sentence of less than two years would receive one. Pat is bitter at the injustice: if sentenced now, her partner’s 18-month tariff would receive a fixed length sentence and he would be free now.

Locked Up

Over the years, Pat and her family have tried to find ways to cope but it always feels futile. “You never have expectations for the future. It’s living without hope”, says Peter.

with no end in sight

Peter ......................................................

Charlotte Rowles, film maker and journalist specialising in criminal justice, speaks to 3 families affected by IPP

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he human cost; living without loved ones - the untold story of having a relative serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

In 2010, my world view was expanded when I started looking into the recurring nightmare for thousands of prisoners serving the controversial Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protectioncommonly known as IPPs. Through the generosity of various prisoners’ families and some committed campaigners, I was brought into the world experienced by those who are supporting people given this sentence. In this report, three prisoners’ families shared their tales of living with the consequences of IPPs. Out of all the legislation created by New Labour, an authoritative report by the Prison Reform Trust called IPPs “one of the least carefully planned and thought of pieces of legislation in the history of British legislation.” The government’s latest Green Paper says it believes that indeterminate sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPPs) should only be available for the most dangerous offenders. But those who received this particular risk averse sentence say this is not currently the case.

Pat ...................................................... Pat, whose partner is serving an IPP for low level offence of violence said ”The public think IPPs are the most seriously dangerous people, but most are not in the general understanding of ‘most serious’.“ The toil of uncertainty takes on IPPs prisoners can be seen in increased incidences of mental ill health and self-harm; more common than the general prison population. “It’s not just the lack of an end point for your prison sentence; life inside becomes extra tough too. They are nervous wrecks because they’re frightened a look will be misinterpreted, and are targets of bullying because they can’t complain or retaliate”, says Pat. In 2005, Pat’s partner was involved in a drunken fight and the court passed an indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP). In 2011, he will have served four years in excess of his minimum tariff. After a second parole hearing failed, he became depressed. Pat explained how she’d go to bed with her phone on, expecting a call from the prison to say he’d died. “When you are an IPP prisoner, you can’t appear to be weak if you want to be released... you have to cope.” The law on IPPs changed in

Peter’s son Tom was given an IPP at the age of 16 for the crime of wounding. It was his first offence. “The IPP was the worst [sentence] we were expecting,” says Peter. While trying to deal with a relationship breakdown and feelings of being mixed up, Tom had sought help from an NHS mental health team. They found no evidence of psychiatric problems; a conclusion shared by an independent psychiatrist. IPPs target specific serious offenders and those who are assessed by the court as dangerous. In Peter’s opinion the court reached the conclusion that mental health problems translate into evidence of dangerousness. “I think this (NHS contact) played a big role in the judge’s mind... The safest thing to do was give an IPP”. Tom has moved onto an adult jail and is struggling to see a future. “The problem with IPPs is that they are tantamount to a life sentence.... We carry the scars.” Peter’s family is planning for his partial release back into the community; with a job to help his reintegration to the community.

Kate ...................................................... Kate’s son John was 19 when he was convicted of wounding after an argument that turned into a pub brawl. He was given an IPP with a minimum tariff of two years to serve. “My son has been in prison since 2005 ... and the key has been thrown away”, she says. Last month he was finally released having served three years over his tariff. He was lucky: only 4% -around 100 prisoners - of the total IPP population have been released - arguably the lowest for any

prisoner group. In the community, John is subject to strict restrictions for a minimum of 10 years. Kate accepts that he needed to be punished. She says “I have never claimed my son should not have gone to prison, but the IPP sentence is inhumane.” She is bitter about the wasted years. “I’ve had the ghost of IPP on my shoulder ... it has been my mission to bring my son back from the brink of despair. It’s a job she continued after his release earlier this year. Concerned that John could slip back into crime, Kate worked hard to shield him from this, offering him a place at home. Despite the recession, John secured a job and he has now been out of jail since last year. John’s story of surviving prison and turning his life around is a rare success story. There has been no research on IPPs and re-offending or future dangerousness. Looking ahead, it is worth considering the government’s comments on IPPs and its concern with sentencing on the basis of future behaviour. The government’s discussion on reforming IPPs in the latest Green Paper on crime says “The limitations in our ability to predict future serious offending also calls into question the whole basis on which many offenders are sentenced to IPPs”. Perhaps some optimism can be attached to the promise contained within those words from the Ministry of Justice. The 800 plus prisoners’ families who have replied to the Green Paper through a campaign led by Emmersons Solicitors certainly hope so. It is rare to find a sentence that has attracted just about as much universal criticism as IPPs have. In an age of austerity and budget-led policy, the £100 million price tag of having up to 2500 prisoners in prison who are 2 years or more beyond their release date, will take precedence on the politicians thinking. For prisoners’ families left to pick up the piece of shattered lives, change cannot come soon enough. Please address all letters to Charlotte Rowles c/o, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Names have been changed

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Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

I

Heaven from Hell

The Jury evidently knew that the prosecution’s case was fabricated and in parts mere fiction, designed to misinform and secure a conviction and that I was not guilty. They sent note number eleven to the Judge asking to acquit me and convict the sole perpetrator. Their request was without hesitation denied. They were instructed to find both guilty or not guilty. The following day the Jury sent note twelve to the Judge which practically insisted that they wanted to acquit me and convict him. I felt the sense of relief returning, naively believing that the British Judiciary could not possibly convict me, an innocent young man. Judge Capstick became very irritated, adamantly repeating his instruction. This “direction” prevented me from having a fair trial. On the final day of the pantomime, the Jury were sent to their chamber, while Judge Capstick made an announcement. He addressed the court and referred to the Jury’s strong desire to acquit me. He then declared that after consulting other senior Judges he had decided to seriously consider acquitting both defendants, rather than the “possibility” of a miscarriage occurring, Kevin Craigie being unjustly convicted.

by Kevin Craigie

was convicted under “Joint Enterprise” in 1991, and received a mandatory life sentence. The entire case against me was littered with blatant lies. A “witness” escaped serious charges in return for giving false/rehearsed “evidence” against us, in order to strengthen the Crown Persecutions Service’s fictitious version of events. The State Pathologist, who claimed my shoes could have caused some of the injuries, thus incriminating me in the attack, would later admit, years later in a Daily Mail interview that she would “just go along with what the Police told her.”

The Jury, having never heard this vital speech, then returned with their verdict of guilty (10/2). Was this happening in Stalin’s Russia? Hitler’s Germany? Neither, it was in England. “The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, particularly to deny him the judgment of his peers, is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government.” (Winston Churchill) In the summer of 2010 another chapter was about to start! I met Gloria Morrison in London. I listened as she described, with tears in her eyes, how her eldest son’s friend, Ken Alexander, whom she had known since he was a primary school boy, had also been convicted under “Joint Enterprise”. He had received a life

We have met several reputable lawyers in London and held meetings with them, which will assist us tremendously. We stipulate that we shall work with them as opposed to them working for us. There is a huge difference. We are also in discussions with lawyers all over the country. Not only must we pursue each case, by exhausting the available internal remedies, and heading for Europe, but encourage the submission of tariff representations and commence immediate legal action when one of our people are violated in the prison system.

sentence. We spent several hours discussing other similar cases. I was dismayed to discover that what had happened to me two decades previously was now happening to over two hundred people and their families. I instantly identified with Gloria, recognising the passion to address this gross injustice, her determination and commitment, all vital ingredients to make a significant difference. It became clear that we could work constructively together to not only assist people in this situation, but to persuade the decision makers to have this law either abolished or alternatively seriously amended. A few streets down from Gloria’s home, we stop to read the plaque outside Emily Pankhurst’s. As the months progressed JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association) was launched in Liverpool. Jimmy McGovern is the Patron. Almost two hundred red balloons were

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some of our cases like “Jade Braithwaite” and “Philip Brown”. The kids and teenagers excitedly chant along with the crowds “Joint Enterprise…court full of lies”. Not surprisingly hundreds of the public joined us after we explained what we stood for, and what was happening to innocent people. Bus drivers and Taxi drivers beep their horns in support, tourists photograph us. The families are exceptional ambassadors for promoting their loved ones plight, and also for the organisation as a whole. We have had regular meetings which are reminiscent of a Who’s Who of the MOJO movement, followed by speeches in Manchester, Birmingham, London and Liverpool. Within the space of six month’s JENGbA has not only survived, it is rapidly growing.

released, each one representing an innocent person currently in prison. Speeches were delivered to a packed hall. I chose not to write a prepared speech, but to talk from my heart, based on my own raw experiences and knowledge. Everything was filmed by a professional film crew and a Director. Once it was made into a DVD, it could then be circulated. Only last week a cinema in London’s Notting Hill enthusiastically agreed to show it. Lord Ousley has appeared in our Film supporting our mandate. Channel Four and Radio 2 have interviewed Gloria. Every week new families are contacting JENGbA, with their own tragic accounts, and joining us. The trumpet blows, the signal to commence the march through London, from Convent Garden, past Downing Street to Westminster Palace. We are holding banners highlighting

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We have also managed to build good relations with M.P’s and the media. They were literally astounded to hear our first hand comprehensive accounts. Corporate organisations are equally as interested in what we are revealing to them, and I am confident that they shall invest in what we are doing. We not only owe it to ourselves to have this antiquated common Law scrapped or amended, we owe it to future generations. Politicians come and go, exclusively promoting their own vested interests, the same old Party Policy’s, which have proven time and time again to be damaging. JENGbA is here to stay, promoting the interests of the innocent, civil and human rights, and of humanity. The people have granted us their respect, and consequently their vital support. I shall continue to listen to my conscience and follow my heart. History shall be our Judge.

Kevin Craigie is an ex-prisoner, once convicted under the Joint Enterprise law, and a member of JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association).

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n March 11th 2004, a series of bombs exploded on trains in Madrid, killing over 190 people and wounding 2,050. The bombing was attributed to Al Qaeda, and ultimately 28 people were put on trial in February 2007. The trial was heavily reported by the international media, with 21 defendants eventually found guilty in October 2007.

print computer. The result would explode the myth of the uniqueness of fingerprints. If juries or the public were to discover that fingerprints are probably not unique, then there would be fewer convictions and more appeals. No judicial system is going to tolerate that. Due credit should be given to the US and Scottish authorities for ordering comprehensive investigations into the Mayfield and McKie cases, but what would happen in England with disputed fingerprints? Here’s an example.

What was not heavily reported was the case of Brandon Mayfield, an American lawyer who had converted to Islam. Mayfield was arrested after a latent fingerprint was found on a blue plastic bag containing detonators discovered near a Madrid railway station. Mayfield’s print was one of 16 ‘best matches’ found by the FBI computer which holds around 45 million prints. FBI fingerprint experts identified 15 matching points with the Madrid bag and concluded the match was 100% positive. It was Mayfield’s print. Fingerprints are usually placed into one of 3 categories. The visible fingerprint easily seen by the naked eye. The plastic fingerprint, which is found when a finger is pressed into a soft material like putty, chocolate, fresh paint, etc. Usually in 3D, these prints are commonly visible to the naked eye, although are a negative or reversed ridge impression. Latent fingerprints are defined as prints which are not visible to the naked eye, which must be developed to make them visible. There are around 12 different methods of developing latent prints ranging from Superglue and radioactive sulphur dioxide gas fuming, to fluorescence examination with lasers, or intense light sources. The latter makes for good television which is why you have probably seen this method used on Channel 5s CSI programmes. Contaminants on the finger, such as grease, urine or coffee will cause the print to fluoresce, usually under an Iron Arc Laser light. Returning to Brandon Mayfield’s arrest in May 2004, and his confinement in Multnomah County Jail in Oregon, USA. Even as Mayfield was being arrested, Spanish police were expressing doubts about the FBIs ‘100% positive’ ID. The FBI responded by bringing in an independent expert who confirmed the FBI finding, although with certain reservations which were NOT included in the FBIs court affidavit. The expert was concerned that he had only viewed the digital image of the print forwarded by the Spanish authorities, and he needed to see the original print to be entirely sure it was Mayfield’s print. Further examination of the suspect print was made, and it was discovered that there was possibly a second print overlaying the original.

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Devon & Cornwall police have had an unsavoury reputation for many years. The BBCs original Rough Justice team were the first to broadcast a programme questioning their methods. Later, Channel 4s Trial & Error team transmitted around 5 programmes observing the seeming inability of Devon & Cornwall senior police officers to connect with the truth.

Match Point

Part 2 of Keith Rose’s examination of fingerprint evidence It was soon recognised that the FBI had erred spectacularly and Mayfield was released. An investigation was ordered by the US attorney. The US Inspector General’s Office, which investigates waste, fraud and abuse within the US justice system, delivered a 273-page report in 2006. The report concluded that although there were similarities between the suspect’s print and Mayfield’s, the FBI examiners had failed to follow the bureau’s own rules for identifying latent prints, and displayed massive overconfidence in their own abilities and expertise, and this professional arrogance had prevented them from taking the Spanish police doubts seriously. When Sir Francis Galton claimed in his 1892 book, ‘Finger Prints’, that the odds of a match between 2 prints were 64 billion to one against, he used a figure which represented some 45 times the world population of the time. An incredible act of mathematical manipulation on his part, but a figure that has been accepted almost without question ever since. Reality is slightly different. The chances of a match to a print of the single finger you raised to the judge when he remanded you are really quite good. (I accept 4th Floor, South Central 11 Peter Street Manchester M2 5QR

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that you were only pointing this fact out to the judge, rather than making a rude gesture). Sir Francis Galton’s theoretical assertion on the matching of fingerprints has never been scientifically tested. Whilst it is accepted that the chances of someone having 10 prints matching yours, in the same positions on the same fingers, are astronomically high, but the chance of a match of a single print to another is quite possible, even probable. One reason for probable matches is due to the method of computer searches. The computer search looks only for positive matches; but does not seek negatives, discrepancies or points of difference between prints. Another reason is the routine acceptance of the formulaic theory that every fingerprint is unique. A third reason for mistaken matching of prints is the fingerprint examiner simply accepting a computer search result without bothering to explore further. This is what happened in the Mayfield and McKie (Inside Time Feb 2011 issue) cases. One thing that is never going to happen is a full computer search to see just how many matching prints there are in any police finger-

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In July 2010, a member of the Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association requested Devon & Cornwall ‘customers’ alleging corruption to contact them. A letter to this effect appeared in Inside Time, and Southwest’s local Law Society Association was requested to inform their members of the investigation. That examination is still ongoing. Maslen Merchant of Hadgkiss, Hughes and Beale is a specialist appeal lawyer, and a leading member of the Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association. The following account is what happened when Mr Merchant requested an independent review of a disputed fingerprint in a murder case. Mr Merchant commissioned a leading fingerprint expert, Alan Bayle, who having secured prior permission, turned up at Middlemoor Police HQ, by appointment, on the 11th September 2003. Bayle was then told by officers that they did not have the print, it was held at Exeter Crown Court. The Crown Court denied possession of the print and pointed out that they do not store exhibits after a trial. Returning to Middlemoor, fingerprint officers now had a different story. The print was now held by Surrey police. Contact with Surrey at Guildford brought the question – ‘What would we want with a fingerprint from a Devon murder?’ Bayle challenged the Middlemoor officers only to be told that although Middlemoor did have the print, there was no way on earth they would let him see it. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary are also holding some 7,000 documents in the same case, which have never been viewed by the defence. Another triumph for English justice, or another dodgy conviction? Keith Rose BA is currently resident at HMP Long Lartin

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30

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Inside Justice Louise Shorter’s monthly column shines the light on miscarriages of justice

Louise Shorter

W

e are inundated with requests for help at Inside Justice. Every day brings new tales of corruption and inadequacy. Sleeping judges, inexpert experts, and unbelievable witnesses appear all too often in the pictures you paint of criminal trials up and down the land. Most letters make for depressing reading, though one last month lightened my mood: a writer described his DNA being left at the scene after the brick he’d thrown through a window bounced back off the second pane and hit his foot. “Ha ha laugh it up” he wrote, and I must confess I did. Most of our letters though are from people who are in deep despair, convicted of a crime they did not commit and by the nature of their confinement, unable to access resources to prove their innocence. John Kamara, who served 20 years for a murder he did not commit, spent his years in prison writing to anyone he could think of: the Pope, MPs, everyone in Who’s Who. In all, his prison file showed he’d sent more than 300,000 letters during his ultimately successful campaign to clear his name. To make best use of our time and expertise at Inside Justice I have to decide which of the letters we receive should be prioritised. Occa-

sionally there will be a letter from a solicitor whose client’s conviction doesn’t sit easily with him. That always piques my interest. But what we’re ultimately looking for is the potential to find new evidence which could propel a case back to the Court of Appeal. One case we’ve spent a fair amount of time on is Derek “Del Boy” Patterson’s conviction for attacking a female friend with a knife. The case didn’t feel right to me when I first read it: the pair had spent the evening watching Only Fools & Horses videos before both had fallen asleep on separate sofas. Hours later she’d woken up to find knife injuries inflicted upon her. There was neither sexual assault nor previous violence within the relationship. He called the ambulance. The case just didn’t make sense. Then I found a statement from a forensic scientist who claimed the knife found at the scene could not have caused the injuries. The trouble is that expert view was heard at trial and the rules of Appeal are designed to deter an argument being repeated. To help get a case back before the court, we must identify strands of evidence which could be reinvestigated now, post conviction. My heart sinks when I read yet another letter about a conviction which seems to rest on one person’s word against another’s because that paucity of evidence doesn’t leave a lot of scope for new work now. We need to be able to identify solid new lines of enquiry: new DNA tests or other forensic analysis. We can trawl paperwork to identify whether everything was done at the time of the trial and we may identify scientific work which was missed before. If we can identify a solid new line of enquiry, we’ve got a fighting chance. Next month I’ll write about the difficulty of securing access to trial evidence for appeals. If you’ve experienced a refusal by the CPS or police to hand over samples or paperwork needed for an appeal write to Louise Shorter, Inside Justice, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB.

To my mother. I really wish I could turn back time, I waited far too late; I should’ve thrown a line. I could’ve told you face to face the things deep in my heart. Now this is forever, an entire life apart. RIP Mum. Jo xxx A lady in red, a woman in blue, you’re the most perfect mother our kids could wish for, I love you from Jimmy xx Allene, happy Mother’s Day mum, you are the best mum ever. I love and miss you millions. Your son Scott xxxx Amanda, Happy Mother’s Day, you’re the best mum and always have been. Thank you. Love you lots Ashley xxx Ami Jee you are the best mother in the whole wide world, I love you. Keep praying for me, Waheed. Amy, an absolutely fantastic mum, you’re so special, supportive and loving. Love and kisses from all three of us. xxx

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Dear Mum, I wish you the happiest day possible and I want to say thanks for all you have done for me. Lots of love always. Your son Wayne xx Dear Mum, thinking of you today and always. Have a lovely Mother’s Day, all my love, miss you, Darren xxxx For believing in me when I was lost and confused. Thanks Mom for being my rock. Lots of love John xx God gave me you so I owe God a massive thank you and I will repay him always. Loving you Alex xxx Happy Mother’s Day. Just a few words to let you know I’m thing of you. See you soon, take care Martin x Happy Mother’s Day Julie, thank you for being a wonderful mum and friend to our Emma. Love you both loads Danno x Happy Mother’s Day love from Jimmy xx

Another Mother’s Day, to my wonderful mother I miss ya, I love ya I’m sorry I make you suffer xx Dear Mom, I love you so much and thank you for everything. Happy Mother’s Day from your son Anthony Smith xxxx

Happy Mother’s Day Mom, hope you have a joyful day. It’s your day, thanks for all your support. Love Colin x Happy Mother’s Day mum, aka Rocky. Thank you so much for your support. Love you, miss you lots, Chris xxxxxxxxxx

Dear Mom, my closest friend, I’m sorry I’ve let you down. I promise new horizons. Happy Mother’s day, love Adam xx

Happy Mother’s Day mum. Thinking of you all the time. Have a great day. Love Martin xx

Dear Mum, happy Mother’s Day. Sorry I keep missing them but thank you for still being there. All my love Kevin. Xx

Happy Mother’s Day Susan Finn. Hope you have a nice day, love Pete, Helen, Andy, Kaz xxxx

Inside Justice is the miscarriage of justice department at Inside Time.

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Mother’s Day Messages

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org Hi Mum, sorry I can’t be with you on this special day. Lots of love Peter. Eternal love xxx

Mina, thanks for being a wonderful Step-mum to us all. Thinking of you always. Love all the kids. Xxxx

The best mum in the world. Happy Mother’s Day, I love you loads. Your big boy Kaelon xxx

Hi Mum, thank you for getting me through this sentence. Hope you have a chilled day. Love you Phil xxx

Mom, you’re my everything, I love you with all my heart. Happy Mother’s Day, all my love , yours forever, Thomas xx

To Mam, you’re one special person. Have a lovely Mother’s Day. All my love always, love your daughter Denise xx

Monique, looking around there is not better mother. Your love and care is priceless and worth more than the lottery xxx

To Mum, happy Mother’s Day. Thanks for all the love and support you give me. Lots of love Pal xxxxxx

Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day. Will be thinking of you today as I am every day. Stuart xxxx I love you mum, thank you for believing in me and never giving up on me. Happy Mother’s Day, love Gail xxx I’m sorry, you know you mean everything to me. I miss and love you and hope Mother’s Day is filled with love. Daniel xxx I send a kiss with love so catch it Mum, it’s just for you. Love from Kevin, Jamie and Johnnie xxxx J.A.B Mum, wishing you a happy Mother’s Day. You’re the best a son could have. Lots of love Topher xxxx

Mum I love you more and more every day. You love and nurture me while Daddy is away. You mean the whole world to me and so so much more. You are the world’s best mum who I love and adore. Love always, your beautiful little Rhiannon and Daddy xxxx

Love you so much. Sorry I’m not there with you Beckie, all my haggles Pip-it from Dilbert xx

Mum, thank you for your love and support over the years. You mean the world to me. You’re the best. Love Craig xxx Mum, you’re special and deserve what- ever you desire. Thanks for being there, thanks a lot love. It was my slippers. Lee Robert xxxx My gorgeous goof, Lisa babe you’re the best mother to our kids! You’ll always be my yummy mummy! Love Ash xxx My Maw she’s so special, she’s precious you see. She’s generous, thoughtful and loving to me. Happy Mother’s Day Maw xxx

Marion to many, daughter from two, we only have one mummy, we would never change you. Happy Mother’s Day xxxxx Delroy

My very special Mam. Mam you’re more precious than words can ever say. You’re special, you’re wonderful, you’re remarkable in many ways, love William x Normski, Happy Mother’s Day thank you for the support over the years couldn’t do without it. Love Kristen x miss you too Special Mother’s Day wishes for my very special mum. Always in my thoughts. Much love Marg xxxxx Thank you for all the love and support throughout my whole life. World’s best mum, love you forever! xx Thank you for all your love and support from the past and for the future. Love from your son xxxxx

To Sue Keets, you are the best mum anyone could ever ask for. Thanks for being there for me. Happy Mother’s Day. Love you, Ben Foster xxxx To Sue Perryman, thank you for always being there and never giving up on me. love you lots Shaun xxxx

To the best Mam in the world. Sorry I can’t celebrate with you, have a wonderful day. Love Phil xxx To the best mum ever. I love you so much. Happy Mother’s Day. Your daughter Karen xx love you too Nita xxx To the best mum in the world, wishing you a happy Mother’s Day. Have a great day. Love from Phill xxx To the best Mom in the world. Have a great day and nuff love Daniel xx

To my mum Felicia, you’re the world to me, we’re thousands of miles apart, you’re in my mind but mostly in my heart. Bless you love Marcus x

To the best mummy ever, miss and love you always. Not be long before I’m home. Love Clair xxx To the greatest Mum in the world, lots of love from William and Scott xxx

To my mum, Jannette and my baby mother Claire. You’re both very special. Happy Mother’s Day love Aaron xxx

To the world’s most understanding mum, hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day. Lots of love Matthew xxxx

To my wonderful mum, happy Mother’s Day. Hopefully I’ll be home soon. Lots of love Lolly xxxx

Words don’t express how much I love you Mam, thanks for the help throughout this. Happy Mother’s Day Paul xxx

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To Pauline Wade, happy Mother’s Day, thanks for standing by me even when I’m wrong. Your loving son Wayne xx

Mum, love you lots Adam xx Mum, thank you for everything. You’re the best mum in the world. Happy Mother’s Day. Love Nathan and Scott xxx

Mandy Martin, you are the best mum in the world. You’re always there when needed. Love you always love Jay + boys.

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To the best Mam in the world, hope you have a lovely day. Lots of love from Marc and Jayden xxxxxx

Mum Maz, thank you for everything. I love ya loadz, wish I was there. Love Nikki xx

Kathleen Reece – Happy Mother’s Day, you are a wonderful mother, thanks for being you. Your boy Matthew xx

M is for the million things you taught me O is for you are never growing old T is for the tears you shed in worry H is for your heart as pure as gold E is because I will love you for eternity R is because you are as pretty as a rose Love Wayne xx

To Mum – Nan, you are the best. We love you, miss you, thanks for always being there. Love Caroline and Matty xx

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Thoughts for the day

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

The Book of Uncommon Prayer ‘The fragility of Life’ As Christchurch battles to recover from last months earthquake, former Beirut hostage Terry Waite sent this message from New Zealand.

Terry Waite CBE ‘I was in Christchurch just a couple of days before the disaster. I went into the Cathedral which I had been into many years previously and sat quietly for a while. I then had a chat with a young man who was issuing tickets to those who wished to climb the tower. ‘Was there much damage to this building last year?’ I asked. He told me that the Cathedral was hardly touched. Just some minor damage on the roof. Two days later the tower, full of visitors, had collapsed and that young man had he been sitting in that spot would be under the rubble. Such is the fragility of life. It is tragic to see Christchurch destroyed and so many lives lost.’

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Jane Bidder former writer in residence of HMP Grendon/Springhill

W

elcome back to this months’ Monthly Meditations, designed to make you all feel more at peace with yourself and life.

Those of you who are familiar with this newish page will know that we print an extract every month from The Book of Uncommon Prayer, a collection of multi-religion sayings from HMP Grendon and Springhill in Buckinghamshire. I’m particularly fond of the prayer we are using this month because it shows that we don’t need to use formal words when we pray. Tommy’s prayer shows that we can simply talk to God as though we were talking to ourselves or a friend. If you don’t believe in God, just try speaking out loud or in your head. It can help you get a different perspective on life (providing other people don’t think you’re going crazy!)

Anyway, give it a go. And remember – prayers don’t have to be couched in formal words and they don’t need to be about World events or the bigger picture. Seemingly small things can be just as important.

I always start my prayers with the phrase ‘Dearest Lord’ but then I talk to Him. Just talk. This is a prayer I said last night for my friend Ann. ‘Dearest Lord. You Know My Friend Ann. And You Know She Has A Friend Who Was Due To Get Married And Ann Was Going To Play The Piano At Her Wedding. Well This Lady’s Ill – The Bride’s Mother – And The Wedding’s Been Cancelled Because Of This. So Would You Place Your Hand On This Lady And See Her Through Her Testing Times. Thank You.’ TOMMY IS A METHODIST AND QUAKER

If you want to order a copy of The Book of Uncommon Prayer, send a cheque for £6.98, payable to Friends of Grendon to Kim Leonard, HMP Grendon, Grendon Underwood, Bucks HP18 OTL

PSI Updates

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org Prison Rules 1999 and Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 on the handling of Rule 39 and Confidential Access correspondence it also amends and updates other aspects of correspondence policy.

PSI

updates In August 2009 the old system of Prison Service Orders (PSOs) was abandoned and all new rules and regulations are issued as PSIs (Prison Service Instructions). The old PSOs remain in force until replaced with a PSI; which has a fixed starting and finishing date. Each month Paul Sullivan reviews some of the latest PSIs and explains their relevance to prisoners and what each contains. Copies of all PSIs are available in prison libraries.

Paul Sullivan

PSI 2011-006

Prisoner Communications – Correspondence Published: 16th February 2011, Effective from: 1st March 2011, Expiry date: 28th February 2014

This PSI replaces PSO 4411 Prisoner Communications Correspondence which is hereby cancelled. This Instruction updates instructions on prisoner correspondence following changes to the

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Changes to policy • Qualifying criteria for the allocation of Special Letters; • Postage costs for Statutory & Special Letters; • Handling of correspondence to and from prisoners on dirty protest; • Legal & confidential access mail including changes to the number of qualifying organisations and the interception of legal mail; • Corresponding with the Samaritans; • Handling of mail to and from registered medical practitioners in cases where a prisoner is being treated for a life threatening condition; • Restrictions on correspondence – including publication on the Internet; access to the media and publishing on the Internet; • Accessing social networking sites such as Facebook; • Handling of Special Delivery/Recorded mail by post room staff. A full review of prisoner communications policy is being conducted and will be published later this year. The PSI covers the whole area of prisoner correspondence and is too long and detailed to cover in full here. Copies are available in prison libraries and all prisoners should ensure they read it fully. Below are some selected extracts. General correspondence A prisoner may write to, and receive letters from, any person or organisation, subject to the acceptability of the contents and if the recipient has not asked for a bar on communications or subject to child protection measures. Statutory letters must be sent at public expense, Privilege letters may be paid from prison earnings or private cash. The correspondents of some prisoners may wish to send them stamped addressed envelopes to encourage them to write letters and to help with the costs. This must be allowed and no deductions must be made from the private cash allowance for the cost of the stamps or envelopes received. Correspondence with ex-prisoners should be allowed unless the Governor believes that it would seriously impede the rehabilitation of either. Prisoners must not normally be allowed to write to a PO Box number, but if the prisoner does not know the private address of the correspondent,

the Governor may, if satisfied that security is not threatened, allow the letter to be sent. Legal and confidential mail Correspondence between prisoners and the organisations/individuals listed are subject to confidential handling arrangements: Rule 39; The prisoner’s Legal Adviser, Courts, Bar Council, Law Society, Official Solicitor Confidential Access; Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), Legal Ombudsman, Care Quality Commission, Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman, Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), Members of the National Council of Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) and its Secretariat, Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Members of Parliament (MP), Members of the National Assembly for Wales, Members of European Parliament (MEP), Embassy or Consular Officials, Samaritans, Registered Medical Practitioners , Electoral Registration Officer (for submitting a postal vote only) There must be strict compliance with the rules regarding privileged and confidential mail. Any breach, even if accidental, is likely to lead to legal challenge in both the domestic and international courts. Governors should ensure that the guidance contained in this annex is brought to the attention of all staff that process prisoners’ correspondence and take the necessary steps to ensure that the confidentiality of prisoners’ correspondence under these provisions is maintained at all times. Governors should pay particular regard to ensuring that there are sufficient safeguards to avoid the possibility of such correspondence being opened inadvertently. Mail to released prisoners Correspondence received for an ex-prisoner, which arrives after he/she has been released from custody, must not be opened unless staff are not sure who it is addressed to. Any such correspondence must be forwarded to the individual concerned in a plain envelope at their private address but if this is not known and they were released under the supervision of a relevant probation provider, it should be forwarded to their Supervising Officer to pass on. Failing this, correspondence should be returned to the Post Office.

.....................................................

PSI 2011-006

Cell Sharing Risk Assessment

Published: 1st March 2011, Effective from: 4th April 2011, Expiry date: 3rd April 2014

This instruction replaces the Cell Sharing Risk Assessment (CSRA) process in PSO 2750 Violence Reduction with a new process and forms. Every prisoner held in closed conditions must have an up to date Cell Sharing Risk Assessment, even where there is no shared accommodation. The CSRA provides a risk assessment for cell sharing and other occasions when space may be shared, such as through peer support, use of Listeners or use of unsupervised holding areas. The assessment uses form CSRA Form 1 (2011). This new PSI covers the procedures for training staff in the completion of the forms, explains how the forms are to be filled in, and details how the information of the form must be used.

.....................................................

PSI 2011-007

The Care and Management of Transsexual Prisoners

Published: 2nd March 2011 2011, Effective from: 14th March 2011, Expiry date: 14th March 2015 This instruction amends PSO4455 (Requests from prisoners to change their name). This PSI contains guidance on the care, management and treatment of transsexual prisoners – both with and without gender recognition certificates. It covers medical treatment, living in an acquired gender role, location in the estate, and searching, and explains the legal position. A transsexual person is someone who lives or proposes to live in the gender opposite to the one assigned at birth. A transsexual person may or may not have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 provides for transsexual people to apply to the Gender Recognition Panel for legal recognition of their acquired gender through the issue of a gender recognition certificate. Recent legislative changes and court judgments have had implications for the management and care transsexual prisoners. This PSI reflects the advice that has been given about these changes and clearly sets out how prisons can comply with the law in a way that is safe for the transsexual prisoner and others and to ensure that all transsexual prisoners are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.

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Family Welfare

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

A step too far... Going to visit a loved one in prison is stressful enough without being targeted by the police and the media

by Diane Curry OBE Director, POPS

of prisons are mounting regular security operations where visitors are stopped, questioned and searched by police officers on the way in to prison car parks. One family member told us recently, “I walked into the visitors centre the other day and it was full of police officers. It was really intimidating. I would never smuggle drugs, I work professionally with drug users, I know the damage drug use can cause. Going on a visit is stressful enough without being searched and questioned by the police as well as prison staff”.

H

MP Bristol, up until not long ago just the name of another local prison. Recently, however, reference to ‘HMP Bristol’ has become the trigger point for every frustration felt by prisoners’ families at being repeatedly identified as a prime source of contraband within prisons. Security operations undertaken by the prison in February, involving specialist police units searching visitors, came to light after coverage by the national press at the invitation of a governor. This attempt to promote the prison’s hard-line approach to security was met amongst prisoners’ families as you might imagine, with bitter disappointment and anger at once again becoming the target of expensive and, thanks to the presence of the press, intrusive security checks. Sadly, HMP Bristol is not alone in seemingly placing much of the blame for the entry of contraband on prison visitors. At POPS we have heard about numerous joint police and prison search operations this year. A number

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We are not naïve. POPS appreciates the need for security procedures, and we acknowledge that contraband does indeed make its way into the prison through the visits process. However we would question the cost-effectiveness of such intensive procedures in view of the need to reduce spending and, of perhaps greater significance, highlight the apparent contradiction this issue has brought to light in the government’s approach to families. On the one hand, current policy recognises the importance

PROBLEMS WITH THE PRISON? YOU NEED

of engaging the family unit as a positive factor for change, whilst on the other continues to support intrusive search measures which can cause such significant damage to relations between prisons and the families who visit them. Treating families like criminals both undermines any cooperation that could exist between families and the prison in relation to preventing reoffending, whilst also promoting the ‘us and them’ culture which is damaging and stressful to staff and visitors alike. If the Prison Service, police and other services are truly concerned about reoffending and intergenerational offending, which they need to be, it is vital that services reflect upon the damage such an overpowering concentration upon security can cause. Domestic visits are not the only route for drugs coming into the establishment. Indeed, it is POPS understanding that much more enters via other routes, including all grades of staff and other ingenious methods. POPS would advocate that a parallel preventative approach be adopted with an emphasis on examining the ‘pressures to supply’ that some visitors may experience. Looking for ‘quick wins’ and utilising intrusive scare tactics has never been recognised as an effective preventative tool. More innovative ways of tackling the issue do exist and are being practised by some establishments. Time-consuming and intensive security measures have significant repercussions for families in their on-going relationships with their loved ones. Families, who have often travelled long distances, sometimes with small children or teenagers, have already experienced significant stress and costs. Many families with whom we work tell us of delays as a result of search procedures resulting in visits starting much later than the time booked. Although legally prisoners are only entitled to half an hour it can be a disheartening experience if you have travelled a long distance for what you hope will be a two hour visit and it is repeatedly reduced. Shortened visits inevitably cause stress for all parties which then impacts on the quality of the

time spent together. On the surface there continue to be issues around the extent to which security measures should be directed at visiting families and indeed, in the case of HMP Bristol, what the governor hoped to achieve by involving the press. However right at the heart of the issue is the persistent lack of a robust strategy to transform the treatment of prisoners’ families. There are glimmers of hope but they are all too easily eclipsed by rash and isolated attempts at enforcement which ultimately do little to address the wider issues. If the government has resources at its disposal it would be our suggestion that they are targeted at a longer term engagement strategy. In Manchester, for example, the local Drug and Alcohol Strategy Team (DAST) has grasped the importance of family support and now funds the delivery of POPS Family Support Workers to work with family members supporting a loved one on the Integrated Drug Treatment System (IDTS) scheme at HMP Manchester. The work undertaken aims to ensure families are well-informed and supported throughout their loved one’s imprisonment and drug treatment, as well as being better prepared to support them on their release. Local projects such as these are good and go some way to tackling the pressures families may be placed under by engaging with the issues and presenting alternative solutions. Ultimately though, a radical change to the culture of suspicion and harsh measures that currently prevails is required. Visitors to prisons are exactly that, visitors. Not every visitor to a shopping centre is treated as if they are a shoplifter. Neither should all prison visitors be tarred with the crimes of the few. Offenders’ Families Helpline 0808 808 2003 Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, 10am-3pm Sat and Sun Partners of Prisoners 0161 702 1000 www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk Prison Chat UK on-line support service run by and for prisoners’s families www.prisonchatuk

KRISTINA HARRISON

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Family Welfare

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

manager.’ I decided to question her on what her role entailed and what ‘offender managers’ do? Obviously it is managing offenders, isn’t it? Anyway, I decided to ask her this: “take for example, Louis Walsh, who manages the group Westlife. His role is to organize gigs for the group, as he is a pop group manager. As an offender manager, does that mean you organize so many burglaries a week for criminals?” Maybe they should revert back to being plain old probation officers, as the new ‘offender manager’ title may become slightly confusing for some folk.

by a Prison Widow

L

ast week on the blog we saw many posts concerning prisoner’s rehabilitation and how families of prisoners can help reduce reoffending. I’m prepared for my partner’s release so I am one step ahead of the Government. I’ve already bought the baby gates, so I’m just waiting on the nod from Probation to let me know when I can install them. It’s my personal way of putting a curfew order on him at home, plus its security isn’t it? As it stands though, my other half is doing quite well in prison. He’s learnt a lot in the past three years. I was chatting to his offender manager the other day during a home visit. You know what it’s like, nearing a prisoner’s release, their probation officer calls round to tell you what their resettlement plan entails and whether you are prepared to support the prisoner. I explained to her that because my partner has now achieved an HMP Diploma in ‘Bargain Hunt’, ‘Cash In The Attic’, and ‘Dickinson’s Deals’, to help reduce re-offending, I can escort him to the charity shops three times a week to look for Clarice Cliff, instead of letting him apply for a paper round in Knightsbridge. I had a really good natter with his probation officer actually. It’s funny isn’t it, ex prisoners only get 5 minutes of their time and I got an hour, yet it’s not me who’s been inside! Well I thought I could make use of our time together, so I asked her some questions. As she clearly referred to herself as his ‘offender

Talking about confusing, it’s been a difficult week for me and my other half inside. He’s been in prison issue pyjamas for two weeks due to a serious mix up with his property. A few weeks ago, I handed in some new trainers and some boxer shorts along with a couple of other bits of clothing for him. Unfortunately though, there is another prisoner bearing the same name as my partner. So the property I handed in was dished out to him instead of my other half. The thing was though, the other guy is of restricted growth and has dwarfism, so the lads on the wing thought he was a cross dresser because he was wearing my partner’s boxer shorts, which looked like a full length skirt on him and my other half’s socks which looked like he was wearing tights! Outrageous if you ask me! Not only that, the poor sod also got my partners size 12 trainers. What was he supposed to do with those? Wear one on his head as a cycling helmet for the gym? What an absolute catastrophe! It soon got sorted though, and now the incident is all water under the bridge. It still left me out of pocket though! Because my partner got the small guy’s property and used his trainers as table tennis bats. So I had to fork out for some news ones and forward them on to the little guy. What a nightmare! Needless to say, my partner won’t be getting his postal order this week due to the unfortunate mix up. But he did tell me he’d won the table tennis competition and won a Kit Kat, so that should keep him going for a week I suppose. On a brighter note, I would like to wish all your readers a Happy Easter, and until next time, take care!

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Prisoners Families Voices prisonersfamiliesvoices. blogspot.com/ Families should be involved Caron, 13 March

I think if families want to be part of their loved ones rehabilitation, they should be given that opportunity. I know exactly where people are coming from when they say they are left out of the loop. But if families, as the Government say, can help to reduce re-offending, then the Government must work with them instead of against them like they have been doing for years!

........................................................ Supporting a prisoner on release Anon, 13 March

Hi Prisoners Families Voice! As you know, I’ve followed your blog from day 1 and Carl is out of prison now. We have worked together as a family to rid of the whole HMP journey. Carl was away for a long time, which PFV admin know about. When someone comes out of prison who has done a long sentence, they need time to adjust back into the family home. We both found this very difficult. Carl would spend a lot of time in our bedroom watching TV on his own. If I am truly honest, it still felt like we were apart, because I had to give him some space. When the Government and other agencies talk about families reducing reoffending, they really do need advising before they start banging on about it to families. The emotional roller coaster ride does not stop when long term prisoners are released. It carries on at home and it is difficult when your life has changed whilst they have been in prison. Because it does. You become independent because you have no choice. Although we get along with Carl’s probation officer, no disrespect to her, but she has no idea what we go through as a family. She spends no more than ten minutes at a time with Carl, and I hate to be nasty, but she isn’t really needed apart from Carl showing his face at probation. I could go on and on, but all I want to say is, there are hundreds of issues that need addressing before

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families can help to reduce re-offending. Thanks for listening. By the way, Stuart’s story has made me laugh out loud! Thanks for making me smile Stu!

........................................................ Feeling anxious about his release Jenny, 14 March

I have read the story about the lady supporting her partner after he had served a big sentence in prison. My partner is due out of prison after 8 years inside. He got a 12 year sentence. I am dreading his release. Since he has been inside, I have learnt to live with my own company and no doubt he has too. I have always thought that prison visits are a false way of communication, simply because they are not private and there is zero privacy when you are talking to your loved ones. Our son was 4 when his Dad went to prison. He is now 12, and he too has obviously changed. The last real bonding he had with his son was reading bed time stories to him. Naturally, that won’t happen again, as my son is older and nearly reaching his teens. Plus since my partner has been away, I’ve been working part time and have met a new circle of friends that he has never met. All sorts have changed. I have stood by my man, but I worry about whether the missing 8 years will have a major impact on our relationship when he comes home. Probation did a home visit and I was insulted when he asked how our relationship was? I’ve spoke to other families who have partners inside and they told me they always ask that question. What an absolutely inane question to ask families! I have stood by him yes, but how can I possibly judge what our relationship is going to be like when the system has basically stopped our relationship? I say this because he is now in a prison nearly 4 hours away from home. So contact hasn’t been regular as far as visits are concerned. I agree that if the Government insist that families can help to reduce re -offending, then maybe they should open their eyes and stop breaking up relationships, because by moving prisoners further and further away from home, families cannot reduce re-offending, because there is no solid base to achieve it. It’s impossible!

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News from the House

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Parliamentary Questions Highlights from the House of Commons Drugs: Convictions

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of convictions for drug-related offences resulted in a prison sentence in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 nationally Mr Blunt: Convictions for drug-related offences and the proportion that resulted in immediate custodial sentence, for 2007-09 (latest available) is shown in the table. Information for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office respectively.

Can we sell you a gun to shoot yourself?

England and Wales Found guilty 8,855 10,431 11,216 Sentenced 11,402 13,201 13,653 Of which given: Immediate custody 7,008 8,195 8,383 Other sentence 4,394 5,006 5,270 Proportion of those sentenced who were given immediate custody (%) 61 62 61 Editorial Note: Someone will need to explain why a total of 30,502 people were found guilty of offences and 38,256 were sentenced!

Offenders: Rehabilitation

Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made on the review of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; and if he will make a statement. Mr Blunt: We are conducting an assessment of sentencing and rehabilitation policies, and this includes the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. We have published our proposals for reform of this Act in a Green Paper, ‘Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders’. The consultation period for this Green Paper ends on 4 March 2011. Following this, the Government intend to take forward any agreed proposals in due course.

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Русский адвокат: Наталия Зимарева Turk avukat Ozlem Cetin

Editorial Note: Most people believed David Cameron when he said there was no money left when he became Prime Minister. But have you noticed that money can always be found to start a war in a foreign land. A ‘no fly’ zone over Libya may not have been necessary if the Foreign Office hadn’t authorised arms exports between 2005-2007 to Libya enabling Gaddafi forces to fly in the first place. Gaddafi is a strange cove to be sure but he has used oil revenues to provide the Libyan people with free education to university level, free healthcare and cheap housing. According to the UN, Libya ranks far higher than any other North African state in terms of health, education and income: Libya is ranked 53rd, Tunisia 81st, Algeria 84th, Egypt 101st and Morocco 114th.

Prisoners: Repatriation

Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress his Department has made on increasing the number of prisoner transfer agreements. Mr Kenneth Clarke: It is the Government’s policy to extend or negotiate new prisoner transfer agreements (PTAs) with as many countries as possible. PTAs provide one part of the solution to achieving our objectives of significantly reducing the foreign prisoner population in UK detention and so the burden on the UK taxpayer. In line with our normal practice, wherever possible we seek to negotiate PTAs that do not require prisoners to consent to transfer. The UK currently has prisoner transfer arrangements with over 100 countries and territories. A prisoner transfer agreement with Rwanda was ratified on 23 November

2010 and in addition to Nigeria, negotiations have begun with other countries including Jamaica, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in line with the policy above. Preparations are under way for the implementation of the EU prisoner transfer agreement which enters into force in December 2011. Editorial Note: Prisoner Transfer Agreements with over 100 countries is impressive. But the next Parliamentary Question (not featured) asks how many foreign national prisoners were repatriated in January and February 2011. The answer is 5 people from 3 countries. This compares with 89 British prisoners returned from 32 countries during 2010.

Prisoners: Mental Illness

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his most recent estimate is of the number of prisoners with a personality disorder.

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Mr Blunt: Personality disorders are common conditions, with differing levels of severity. It is estimated that approximately two-thirds of prisoners, including sentenced and remand prisoners totalling approximately 57,000, would meet the criteria for at least one type of personality disorder. For a relatively small number of offenders, in its most severe forms, personality disorder is linked to a serious risk of harm to themselves and to others. These offenders have highly complex psychological needs that create challenges for staff in terms of management, treatment and maintaining a safe working environment. The national health service and National Offender Management Service plan to reconfigure existing services in secure and community settings to manage high risk, sexual or violent offenders whose offending is linked to severe forms of personality disorder. The implementation plan for these changes is subject to a separate consultation by the Department of Health and the Ministry of Justice launched on 17 February.

Prisoners: Foreign Nationals

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what category of crimes each foreign national prisoner serving a custodial sentence in England and Wales was convicted. Mr Blunt: The number of foreign national prisoners serving an immediate custodial sentence (including recalls), by offence group, as at 31 December 2010 is shown in the following table. Offence group Number of foreign nationals Burglary 262 Drug offences 1,937 Fraud and forgery 520 Motoring offences 130 Offence not recorded 37 Other offences 874 Robbery 685 Sexual offences 1,037 Theft and handling 452 Violence against the person 1,749 Total 7,683

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Prisons: Training

Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what discussions his Department has had with private sector organisations on expanding provision of meaningful work and training in prisons; (2) whether his Department has plans to extend initiatives such as that conducted by the Timpson Academy with offenders in HM Prisons Liverpool and Wandsworth. Mr Blunt: The development of prisoners’ employment skills helps them to become productive members of society and improves their chances of gaining employment on release, which we know is a major contributor to turning them away from crime. We set out our intention to make prisons places of work and industry in the Green Paper “Breaking the cycle: Effective punishment, rehabilitation and sentencing of offenders” published on 7 December 2010. As part of the consultation, we have been discussing with the private sector ways in which we can increase further their participation in providing work and training in prisons. There are already examples, like the Timpson Academies, of successful partnerships between prisons and private sector organisations; whether employers are recruiting offenders directly from prison, running a prison workshop, training prisoners for specific jobs, providing the chance of employment on release or helping shape policy and practice. We will continue to consult with the private sector on its role in contributing to the rehabilitation of offenders through skills development and employment in both prisons and the community.

Prisoners

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many projects in prisons there are in which prisoners receive remuneration from a private company for the work undertaken. Mr Blunt: Prisoners undertaking work while in prison are not employed by the private company involved. This enables the governor/

director to rightly retain primacy on prison control and prisoner management issues. Prisoner remuneration is the responsibility of the prison(1) and should as far as possible help them see the link between legitimate hard work and reward, and to enable them to make reparation to society and to victims of crime in particular. There are a number of private companies that support work and training in prisons and the Government are currently consulting on how best to work with the private and voluntary sectors to provide further work and training opportunities for prisoners, including an increased number of employer led workshops in prisons. (1) For prisons managed by the private sector it is the responsibility of the operating contractor to remunerate prisoners for the work they do. Editorial Note: The Minister is asked ‘how many projects in prisons’ he answers: ‘there are a number’ If the Government is serious about starting a Rehabilitation Revolution they need to be more clear about who is doing what and whether a project is just there to generate money for the prison or is it really a worthwhile job or educational programme with the prospect of some employment at the end of it.

Sentencing

Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will provide guidance to the judiciary and magistracy to seek to ensure that court sentence ranges do not vary by region. Mr Blunt: The independent Sentencing Council for England and Wales issues sentencing guidelines to judges and magistrates. The Council was set up under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to promote greater transparency and consistency in sentencing across England and Wales.

Home Detention Curfews

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications for early release under the home detention curfew scheme have been made in each of the last five years; CCRC Advert Portrait

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how many such applications were approved; how many applications were made under exceptional circumstances; and how many of the applications made under exceptional circumstances were approved in each such year. Mr Blunt: The number of applications for early release on home detention curfew (HDC) are not collated centrally. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the total number of applications made in the last five years. However, using the data that is held centrally, the following table shows the number of prisoners released on HDC during the period between 2005 and 2009: 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Number 17,296 13,666 11,428 11,721 11,534

Prisons: Violence

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what investigations his Department has undertaken into (a) levels of violence in prisons and (b) the causes of such violence in the last three years; and what the outcome of each such investigation was. Mr Blunt: NOMS has completed a wide-ranging review of its violence reduction strategy. The review examined individual approaches to violence management in prisons to ensure that effective practice is shared and built upon. The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) routinely records the numbers and rates of assault incidents. Data for the last three years that are available (2007 to 2009) are detailed in the following table: 2007 Population 80,216 Assault incidents 15,272 Assault incidents per 1,000 prisoners 190 Serious assaults on prisoners 1,485 Serious assaults on staff 285

Prisons: Human Rights

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the future jurisdiction of the European Court on Human Rights in England and Wales. Mr Djanogly: The United Kingdom was one of the 11 original signatories to the European convention on human rights on 4 November 1950. The United Kingdom is bound by the European convention and has recognised the jurisdiction and agreed to abide by the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights since 14 January 1966. In our Programme for Government, we made clear our intention to establish a commission to investigate the creation of a Bill of Rights in the UK which “incorporates and builds on all our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, ensures that these rights continue to be enshrined in British law, and protects and extends British liberties.” A statement about the establishment of this commission, including its terms of reference, will be made to Parliament shortly.

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2008 2009 82,572 83,559 15,959 15,180 195

180

1,491

1,319

283

267

The responsibility for commissioning and managing the majority of investigations in to individual incidents, including those relating to violence, is discretionary and delegated to local level under Prison Service Order 1300-Investigations. In order to provide the information relating to the outcome of each investigation it would be necessary to contact all Prison Service establishments, ask them to check their local records and to submit this information to headquarters. This would incur disproportionate cost. Editorial Note: Every time a question is asked about levels of violence in prisons, assaults by staff on prisoners is never recorded. That’s strange because the compensation payments to prisoners who have been assaulted by staff are high - obviously someone is keeping records.

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Legal Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Post tariff IPPs a disgrace Lorna Elliott at Emmersons Solicitors’ responds to the Green Paper - IPP Sentences

I

IPPs who did not want to be adjudicated for having to defend themselves. This has created a two-tier prison system; those who have it all to lose, and those who have nothing to lose. Conversely, there were also those who were sentenced to IPP, were convinced they would never be released, and therefore concluded that they had nothing to lose either.

n the aftermath of the publication of the Green Paper, Emmersons Solicitors sought the views of those affected by IPP sentences so that we could compile a consolidated response. We are grateful to all the prisoners, their friends and their families who responded by post, email, on Facebook, Twitter and our online petition. We took into account every one of the eight hundred or so replies that we received. The following text is an abridged version of our response: As it presently stands, the IPP system does not work. There are thousands of post-tariff prisoners sentenced before July 2008 who find themselves unable to persuade the Parole Board to release them. The onus is on the prisoner to prove that they are no longer dangerous. Far too often they are not given the opportunity to do so because of a shortage of courses, or being held in – or sent to - the wrong prison for their sentence plan and unable to obtain a swift transfer elsewhere, or because the waiting lists for courses is several years long. Parole hearings are deferred, post programme reports are delayed, and those who have received ‘knock-backs’ are then set further review dates far into the future. The Parole Board is far too risk averse. The current test (whether it is necessary for the protection of the public for the offender to remain in prison) is too widely interpreted. As a result, nearly all IPP prisoners remain in custody post-tariff, at a huge annual cost to

the taxpayer, when rigorous supervision in the community could be less costly and more effective in terms of actual rehabilitation. A large number of responses we received portrayed a system that is bursting at the seams, is unfit for purpose, inhumane and utterly unfair. As IPP prisoners have no idea when they will be released their marriages and other family relationships suffer, and mental health and self-esteem deteriorates. Many IPP prisoners suffer from mental health problems, feelings of utter hopeless-

ness, mistrust of the system, and feelings of victimisation. Prisoners felt strongly that there was ‘no light at the end of the tunnel’, and asked ‘If I don’t have a release date, how can I ever plan for my life after prison?’

 Many IPP prisoners are well aware of the effect of poor behaviour but many prisoners wrote about ‘not wanting to rock the boat’ with staff or ‘make waves’ by complaining about the lack of courses. Prisoners serving determinate sentences also had less to lose, which in some cases created difficulties for

The onus must be taken away from the offender to prove they are no longer dangerous. At present, the emphasis is on preventative detention and the interpretation of ‘dangerousness’ is speculative and too widely applied.

It appears to us that the Green Paper does not outline any specific plans for speeding up risk assessments by, for example, substantially reducing the requirement for an oral hearing in front of the Parole Board to move prisoners to open conditions. Although the Parole Board lists oral hearings according to priority there is still often a considerable amount of waiting time before the hearing takes place. The Secretary of State has the power to direct a prisoner’s move to open conditions without an oral hearing, but at present this is only used in exceptional circumstances. We would ask that the Government makes wider use of this power. In the same way as the Parole Board is entitled to use pre-sift procedures and the ICM stage to consider cases on the papers, risk assessments with a view to a move to open conditions could

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Legal Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org similarly be considered (if, for example, all parties recommended it). 

 The questions we asked our respondents were as follows: 

 Do you think that the way the IPP sentence is announced in court, i.e. the length of the tariff, is confusing? 

 Nearly all respondents agreed. Some prisoners had no idea that they had been given indeterminate sentences until several months, and in a few cases over a year, into their sentences. 
There was widespread confusion over the way that the judge announced the IPP sentence in court, and often the notional determinate sentence was confused with the length of the tariff. A recurring misconception was the idea that IPP prisoners are serving a sentence of 99 years. This is simply because the computer system cannot recognise indeterminacy. Several respondents reported that prison staff told prisoners “we’ve got 99 years with you, wait a bit longer for that course.” 

 Many prisoners knew virtually nothing about their sentence on arrival in prison, relying heavily on other prisoners to explain the practical elements of IPP to them. Relatives (and other members of the public) were very poorly informed as to the nature and structure of the sentence, and the determination of ‘dangerousness’ by the court. In several cases, relatives who were not present at court were unable to accept that their loved one had been given a sentence tantamount to ‘life’ and this caused mistrust within family relationships: families felt that they must have been lied to by the prisoner about the seri-

ousness of the offence.

 Was the effect of the ‘dangerousness’ label and the requirement to ‘reduce your risk’ explained to you at the start of the IPP sentence? 

 A lot of respondents did not understand that the IPP sentence meant that they had been assessed as ‘dangerous’ and therefore had to reduce their risk if they were to be able to work towards release. Many relied on other IPP prisoners to explain this to them. While some understood immediately what they needed to do to reduce their risk, there were others who ‘gave up hope’ early on, compounded by the fact that they had no answer to the question ‘when are you coming home?’

Some prisoners had successfully completed dozens of courses but were still no closer to understanding when they would be deemed suitable for release.

 What is your experience of the availability of offending behaviour courses? Nearly everyone described substantial delays; with some having lengthy offending behaviour courses added to a sentence plan weeks before tariff expiry. In a few cases, some prisoners had not received a sentence plan by tariff expiry.

Others had only been able to complete one objective in several years. There was a general feeling that the provision of courses was under equipped, poorly organised and inconsistencies between establishments as to whether a particular course was suitable or not, which prisons offered which courses, how long the waiting lists were, and prisoners being transferred to establishments which had no suitable courses for them. There was also concern

The Association of Prison Lawyers The Professional Association of Prison Lawyers in England & Wales

The Association of Prison Lawyers (APL) was formed by a group of specialist prison lawyers in 2008 to represent the interests and views of practitioners in prison law. We are not a prisoners' rights group. Primarily, its formation was in response to proposals to cut yet further already meagre LSC funding for this complex area of law, even though no increase in the lowest practitioner fee rates in the legal aid scheme has been seen since 1996. APL is now organised and fighting the proposals to yet further reduce prison law funding. We are also actively working to increase the skills of prison law practitioners through enhanced training. Member participation is actively encouraged through our members' area with a wide interaction and exchange of news and information to further the aims of good practice in prison law. APL has engaged in robust discussions with the Parole Board and Ministry of Justice regularly. APL is purely and simply a prison law practitioners' group representing the professional interests of those actively engaged in supervised prison law work funded by the LSC as the principal client organisation. If you wish to join, please visit our website: http://www.associationofprisonlawyers.co.uk/newaplmembership.htm

expressed over IPP prisoners who had learning difficulties. Many respondents were mistrustful of psychologists and expressed frustrations over inaccuracies in reports, which were often not rectified despite verbal assurances. In a few cases, some prisoners were told that they were not suitable for any offending behaviour courses. Do you feel that the structure of the IPP sentence is adequately explained to offenders, their families, victims and the public in general? 

 A small number of prisoners (mostly new IPPs) understood exactly what type of sentence they were facing and what they needed to do to reduce their risk. Some prisoners sentenced soon after IPPs came into force were not advised by their lawyers that IPP was even a possibility. Probation officers had often compounded the problem in these cases because they had recommended community penalties in presentence reports. 

 Prisoners were often told they had ‘no chance’ of parole the first time around, and that it was inevitable that they would be detained post-tariff. A large number of respondents were confused as to why they had been given IPP sentences when they had no previous convictions.

The members of the public that we encountered in the course of our campaign generally had no idea that IPP sentences existed. Most were shocked that such sentences were handed down in the twenty-first century. Others thought that only those convicted of murder and child sex offences were given IPP sentences, as sometimes reported by the media. Prisoners and their families had

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been heavily reliant on external organisations to understand the structure of the IPP sentence.

 For those who maintain their innocence, has the effect of this on your ‘risk’ been explained to you? If so, what have you been told and who by? 

 A lot of respondents pleaded guilty or admitted their offences post-conviction. Those who maintained their innocence felt that they had been labelled a ‘lost cause’, while others had ‘given up hope of ever being released.’ It appears, however, that this is by no means a sentiment reserved only for those who maintain their innocence. Some had been told by prison staff that they would die in prison. 

 The proposal put forwards by the government in the Green Paper is to reserve the IPP sentence for those who would otherwise only warrant a minimum determinate sentence of 10 years imprisonment, or five year tariff. The sentencing structure, the unavailability of information and the almost universal poor management has contributed to the substantial confusion and mistrust of these sentences in the prison system. The current system simply does not work and is hugely over-subscribed. In the absence of total abolishment we would ask the Government to introduce significant and tangible reforms as soon as possible, particularly for those who are post-tariff and remain in prison today.

Lorna Elliott is a Barrister at Emmersons Solicitors, Sunderland

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Legal Comment

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

The dilemma of maintaining innocence Anita Bromley, Prison Law Consultant Solicitor, wants the MoJ to take prisoners maintaining innocence seriously

T

cussion were received from serving prisoners. The shared experience of delegates indicated that the estimated figure affected remains unknown and that independently funded research into the problem is crucial.

Had the Birmingham Six not been released by the Court of Appeal, where would they be today?

University of Bristol Academic, Dr Michael Naughton, who founded Innocence Network UK [INUK], which has spawned 30 other projects in university law departments, outlined their work and his efforts to engage with the Parole Board and NOMS. He argued for the “Typology of Innocence”, which presents the many and varied reasons for maintaining innocence, to be taken seriously by the Ministry of Justice.

he twentieth anniversary of the release of the Birmingham Six has reminded the public of the injustice of wrongful conviction. What remains unnoticed, however, is what happens to those for whom no avenue of appeal is possible. Many lifers maintaining innocence remain imprisoned because release is conditional upon the impossible task of demonstrating their risk is reduced. Their situation can result in irreversible psychological damage, which in turn affects the assessment of their risk.

On January 25th Matrix Chambers hosted a conference run by the Association of Prison Lawyers, with Progressing Prisoners Maintaining Innocence [PPMI]. The focus was the dilemma with which lifers maintaining innocence struggle, and which bedevils the efforts of their legal representatives to advocate on their behalf. Presentations by eleven speakers from a wide background steered discussion in the light of new Parole Board and Ministry of Justice policy and its impact on this group of lifers. Prison lawyers, psychologists and academics shared the platform with representatives from the Parole Board and NOMS. In addition, written contributions to the dis-

INUK’s proposal for a points-based system for the Parole Board to assess prisoners maintaining innocence to replace the risk assessment framework dictated by current psychometric tests had, disappointingly, been rejected. Psychologist Professor Gudjonnson presented his lifetime’s work on Memory Distrust Syndrome and the distinct psychological types who make false confessions. He explained how and why it is possible for people, with no mental health problems, to be induced to admit to serious crimes they did not commit. Psychologist Robert Forde exposed the

uncertain basis to prison psychologists’ formulaic approach to quantifying risk. He set out the key factors in the current psychometric tests used which seriously limit the reliability and validity of their assessments of dangerousness. Solicitor Simon Creighton analysed the remit of PSO 4700 which acknowledges, at last, that a portion of the lifer population maintain innocence, but offers no ways towards resolving their dilemma beyond ascertaining for the records the reasons for their particular stance. He also aired his own experience, shared by delegates, of risk assessors taking into account matters never tested evidentially in court. A frequent example was the denoting of a sexual motivation to a crime. Counsel Nick Armstrong explained how the new screening process for pre-tariff lifers undertaken by prison staff, outlined in PSI 33/2009, adversely affects those maintaining innocence. His Honour Judge Samuels chaired the afternoon panel which looked at the situation for post- tariff lifers maintaining innocence. Counsel Flo Krause opened the sessions by stating that the system for assessing and progressing those maintaining innocence had worsened in recent years. The new Revised Parole Board Rules had interfered with the process whereby those maintaining innocence used to be able to avail themselves of the only forum in

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which they could present their case: oral hearings are an option, now, purely for those who have successfully cleared the hurdles of risk assessment and offending behaviour courses. These had developed and mushroomed since the mid-nineties. Risk assessment in the past had been undertaken in house by staff who had the benefit of day to day contact with prisoners. Psychologist Dr Terri Van-Leeson argued for a more holistic approach to risk assessment which took into account aspects of the individual’s personality ignored by the standard risk measurement tools used by probation and prison psychologists. Terry McCarthy, Head of casework at the Parole Board, explained that Parliament had limited the panels’ powers in their deliberation over release or open conditions. It was not their fault that they are bound by the sentencing court’s guilty verdict. He also admitted that those maintaining innocence are disadvantaged by the system but surprisingly placed them in the same category as those with disabilities and whose first language was not English. Ex-Probation Officer Jane Catterall gave the conference some insights into the working of MAPPA and advised delegates not to regard it as impenetrable. Disclosure, albeit limited, should always be requested for decisions taken behind closed doors to be challenged. The conference proved so successful that it is to be repeated in the summer at Garden Court North Chambers in Manchester.

Legal Advice

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Conspiracy Law tactics and strategy in defending in conspiracy allegations Aziz Rahman, Solicitor and Jonathan Lennon, Barrister

That way the Crown can make assertions about different defendants’ roles but are not locked into proving that a particular act was committed by a particular defendant on a particular day.

The Evidence: ‘Acts and Declarations’ Definition of Conspiracy There are two types of conspiracy – statutory and common-law. Common law conspiracy is seen less frequently – though even with the dawn of a the statutory regime for fraud offences under the Fraud Act 2006 we still see the Crown using the common-law offence of conspiracy to defraud and cheating the revenue. However, in this article we will concentrate on what is by far and away the most common of conspiracy allegations; statutory conspiracy. Under section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 it is an offence “if a person agrees with any other person or persons that a course of conduct shall be pursued which, if the agreement is carried out in accordance with their intentions…” results in the commission of an offence. This simply means that just as it is a criminal offence to rob or murder or steal, so it is a criminal offence for two or more persons to agree with one another to commit that offence. The essence of the offence of conspiracy is agreement.

The Law: ‘Agreement’ Judges will also remind juries that for the prosecution to prove an ‘agreement’ they do not have to produce a signed contract agreeing to commit an offence. Juries are invited to make common-sense inferences from the evidence – for example, a series of suspicious meetings links to other co-defendants by telephone calls or taped conversations taken by a covertly placed bug or, more riskily for the police/customs/SOCA, the use of an undercover officer in the alleged preoffence discussions. Often the facts in such allegations are agreed but the inferences that can be drawn from these facts are not agreed. This is what lawyers call a ‘confess and avoid’ case. In a confess and avoid case it can be tempting just to let the defendant do the explaining – i.e. the ‘avoiding’. That approach risks failing to see which parts of the evidence are the prosecution’s highlights and tackling them in the preparation stage as well as before the jury. Care and skill is required to identify these areas and consider how best to attack the prosecution’s case – e.g. crossexamining an officer about how many time he didn’t see the suspect, or establishing that a series of calls in isolation may look suspicious but against the background of the parties history is not so suspicious. The advantage of a conspiracy indictment for the prosecution is the lack of precision required. For example, where there is a large haul of drugs or guns and more than one person has been arrested the police will almost automatically charge this as a conspiracy to supply, rather than a substantive offence of possession with intent to supply.

In conspiracy cases there will often be significant areas of evidence which on the face of it seem damming but which in fact are not admissible against a particular defendant. A basic rule of evidence is that, ordinarily, acts done or words uttered by ‘A’ cannot be evidence against ‘B’. But in conspiracy cases there is the so-called ‘acts and declarations’ rule. This provides that the acts or declarations of any conspirator or co-accused made in furtherance of the alleged common design may be admitted as part of the evidence against any other conspirator. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 preserves this rule – i.e. as an exception against the common-law exclusion of such evidence; s118(1). To be admissible against a co-defendant the declaration in question must be in furtherance of the common design; it must “be demonstrated to be one forming an integral part of the machinery designed to give effect to the joint enterprise” – R v Reeves, unrep. Dec 4, 1998 . Descriptions of past events etc are not made in furtherance of the common design and are therefore not admissible against anyone other than the maker. For example, say an undercover officer covertly records a suspect X discussing the preparations for an offence and person Y is mentioned. This could be admissible evidence against both X and Y in a conspiracy case. But the acts and declarations rule can, and very often should, be tested by the defence. In R v Gray and Liggins [1995] 2 Cr. App. R 100 the Appeal Court went back to basic principals by recalling that “the basic reason for admitting the evidence of the acts or words of one against the other is that the combination or pre-concert to commit the crime is considered as implying an authority to act to or speak in furtherance of the common purpose on behalf of the others. From the nature of the case it can seldom happen that anything said by one which is no more than a narrative statement or account of some event that has already taken place…..can become admissible under this principal against his companions in the common enterprise.” Thus it maybe that X’s comments can in truth be shown to be no more than grandstanding or describing past events – and even if that is not clear there remains a discretion for the Judge to direct the jury not to hold X’s words against Y.

Preparation: Investigation & Disclosure The Crown may not have to pin their colours to the mast too firmly in a conspiracy case however there must be a case – a theory of what role a suspect is said to play in the alleged conspiracy. The police will sometimes get it wrong and build a case against a suspect who has ‘appeared on the radar’ during their investigations. Or it may be that the suspect is actually guilty of something entirely different to the plot being hatched by others.

For example, say, X is seen by police whilst they were keeping Y, a suspected major drug dealer, under surveillance. X is seen going frequently to the channel ports. X is then arrested prior to Y’s arrest. X’s home is searched – nothing is found but phone contacts between him and Y are clearly established and all around times when X is going to or coming from the Continent. It is plain in the police interview however that the police are really at a loss about what to say X’s supposed role is. The two men are clearly close and the police are very suspicious. X says nothing in interview aside that he is not guilty of any involvement in drugs offences and the police reluctantly release him. Y is then arrested and says in interview, ‘I am not a drug dealer, I get my money from bringing in cigarettes from the Continent and I get the cigarettes from X’. The police of course don’t believe that it is cigarettes that are being smuggled in and X is re-arrested and suddenly a positive case is put to him about his role as an importer of drugs. In those circumstances there could be scope for X at least to demand disclosure of at least some of the initial intelligence. It maybe that the original police case started from an informant’s information that Y got his drugs from a source in London; i.e. not from the Continent. That could undermine the case against X and therefore could be disclosable under the disclosure rules. In preparation care always needs to be taken to take the right approach to sensitive disclosure issues and, importantly, the drafting of the Defence Statement. This is even more so in conspiracy cases as the very fluid nature of the charge means that the defence have to concentrate as hard as they can on what concrete ‘facts’ led the prosecution to their theory in the first place.

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Problems for the Prosecution The requirement for a proved agreement can raise other very thorny issues for the prosecution. What if, for example, A, B and C agree to import cannabis where C provides a car but in fact A and B import cocaine (a Category A drug)? In that situation C would in fact be acquitted (see R v Taylor [2002] Crim LR 205). But the point is made – there are many difficult scenarios. What is the situation for example where A and B agree to commit an offence abroad? What if A and B agree with C to commit an offence but C, in reality, had no intention to go through with it, or if B later changed his mind? What if A, B and C agreed with D and D turned out to be an undercover officer? What if A agreed with B but did not meet C or even know D? It would take a book to explain all the many variables of this offence. The essential thing to remember is that conspiracy really means ‘agreement’ – the Crown must always show that an agreement of some sort has been reached and that a Defendant is a party to it – that is sometimes easier said than done.

Jonathan Lennon is a Barrister specialising in serious and complex criminal cases at 23 Essex Street Chambers in London. He is a contributing author to Covert Human Intelligence Sources, (2008 Waterside Press) and has extensive experience in all aspects of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Aziz Rahman is a Solicitor- Advocate and Partner at the leading Criminal Defence firm Rahman Ravelli Solicitors, specialising in Human Rights, Financial Crime and Large Scale Conspiracies/Serious crime. Rahman Ravelli are members of the Specialist Fraud Panel.

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Specialists in Defending Serious Crime Rahman Ravelli has built an enviable reputation as a leading criminal defence firm. Our Practice is nationwide and we have developed an expertise in handling substantial and complex cases particularly those involving difficult legal challenges, especially in the Human Rights area. We continue to successfully protect the rights of the individual in all areas of criminal law. We recognise that criminal cases today are not merely decided on eye witness testimony, but on other issues such as whether evidence can be successfully argued to be inadmissible or the prosecution made to disclose evidence helpful to the defence case. Our dedicated team of criminal lawyers are always up to date with the latest developments in the law to ensure that no stone is left unturned. The lawyers have wide ranging experience of defending cases of significant complexity and seriousness. Our reputation means that we are able to instruct the most able counsel to conduct trials. We appoint Counsel, Queen’s Counsel and Experts who have passed our vigorous vetting procedures. High Profile Cases Rahman Ravelli routinely deals with large, high profile cases and is experienced in dealing with criminal matters all the way to the House of Lords. RIPA Our speciality is defending cases involving large scale police operations where authorities have been granted under the Regulations of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA); i.e. The use of Informants / Covert Surveillance (including Covert Listening devices) / Undercover Offices; and Material which demands an expertise in disclosure & PII concerns

42

Legal Q&A

Inside Time Legal Forum Answers to readers’ legal queries are given on a strictly without liability basis. If you propose acting upon any of the opinions that appear, you must first take legal advice. Replies for the Legal Forum kindly provided by: ABM Solicitors; Chivers Solicitors; de Maids; Frank Brazell & Partners; Henry Hyams; Hine & Associates; Levys Solicitors; Morgans; Oliver & Co; Parlby Calder; Petherbridge Bassara Solicitors; Stephensons Solicitors LLP; Stevens Solicitors; Switalskis Solicitors and WBW Solicitors - see individual advertisements for full details. Send your legal queries (concise and clearly marked ‘legal’) to our editorial assistant Lucy Forde at Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. For a prompt response, readers are reminded to send their queries on white paper using black ink or typed if possible. Use a first or second class stamp.

TF - HMP Nottingham Q I am currently on remand for breaching my ASBO for the 5th time and sentencing at Crown Court looks certain. Even though I do accept I caused alarm and distress to breach my ASBO, blood wasn’t spilt. If the Home Secretary scraps the ASBO’s on a specific date, and I’m still in custody, will I be released?

A The Government has announced the possibility of changes to ASBO’s. As yet no changes have occurred. Until those changes actually take place it is difficult to give advice on this.

............................................... LG - HMP Littlehey Q I am writing to seek clarification if possible which sentencing rules under the CJA take precedent when you are imprisoned under two different acts. I was charged for allegation under the 1991 Criminal Justice Act and the 2003 Act. The Prison in its sentence calculation worked out my release dates under the 1991 Act, I have no problems with the calculation and fully understand that I have a nine month licence. However, I have heard that the Prison

Criminal Defence, Appeals and Prison Law Specialists All Prison issues including: • Licence & Parole Hearings • Categorisation & Transfer • Recall to Custody • Ajudications • Tariff & Judicial Review For an Immediate Response contact: Duncan Smith

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Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org was wrong to work out my sentencing dates under the 1991 Act. Has the Judge made no direction on this matter?

A It is very difficult to provide advice on this case without seeing the case papers (RDNS and the sentencing remarks of the judge etc). You should consult a solicitor. Advice on sentence calculation is still possible under the new Legal Services Commission’s rules.

............................................... IS - HMP Preston Q I am serving an ‘IPP Sentence’ - my tariff is

due to expire in August 2011. I have just read the article on “Government admits situation not defensible”. I would like to know more about the introduction of ‘Mini-Max’ and if this proposal is brought into effect, will it apply to me?

A The Government has announced the possibility of changes to IPP and has issued a Green Paper. As yet no changes have occurred. Until those changes actually take place it is difficult to advise on this matter.

............................................... WR - HMP Pentonville Q I’m writing about the IPP prison sentence I got in 2008. I’m told that I’m doing an eight year IPP with a tariff of four years. Could you tell me if this is correct as my friend is also doing the same sentence but his tariff is eight years and I can’t understand how I’m doing a four year tariff, but he is doing all his eight years tariff?

A The solicitors that acted for you at trial will know that information. You should consult them as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about the sentence thereafter you should ask for advice on appeal from your trial counsel. If that is not possible then you should consult an alternative solicitor.

............................................... CM - HMP Peterborough Q I was recalled on the 9th July 2010 back to Prison where I was then informed I had been recalled under the new law so now my LED is 10.11.2012, instead of the original date. I am unsure as to whether this is right as I was under the impression that as I was sentenced under the old law, I should still be subject to that law and not have it changed on me.

A Changes have been introduced that bring all recalled prisoners in to the same regime.

Banks on Sentence Answers by Robert Banks, a barrister who writes Banks on Sentence, the book the Judges use for sentencing more than any other.

www.banksr.com I am grateful to those who wrote about their experience with probation. T wrote: ‘My probation worker saw fit to be judge and jury and was clouded by emotion. She questioned me about my relationship with my wife and decided my wife should leave me. She said I was a serial offender although I had no previous crimes. I challenged her about the report and she simply said it was accurate. Her report said I was a ‘high risk’ but the Judge threw the PSR out of court. I got two years and after court the probation worker said I should have got IPP. She than decided I should not be able to complete SOTP whilst in custody. She said I had to live in a Bail Hostel rather than be back with my wife. This was to ‘educate me about relationships’. I do regret my crimes. I pray my victim has not suffered any emotional damage. I want to rebuild my life. This is something probation cannot see. They have a massive influence (and yet) let their personal opinions rule (just) ignoring us all to fit (their) pre-set targets.’ ‘One pissed-off ISP’ wrote: The list of faults is endless. My sexist Amazon probation officer wrote a distorted, fabricated, twisted, diluted, concocted, assembled, lying presentence report. Would it not be realistic to tape record the meetings? I said to my Amazon officer that I gave my apologies to my victim and I showed remorse. My report contained none of this, just negative matters. These lies will follow a prisoner through his or her sentence. The lies will also come up if a prisoner is recalled. What satisfaction do these people get out of writing reports that will condemn someone to more years in jail for no reason? F wrote: ‘I write about the drastically flawed pre-sentence system. I am one of the many

victims. My Offender Manager went off about my ex-partner’s statement which was full of lies. At court the Judge discarded it.

Q

I have worked hard all my life and my wife and I drifted apart. She carried on her spending. She was always good at that. Then she moved out and she carried on spending. I stopped her credit cards and she started to get vicious. She made disparaging remarks about my sexual abilities and started spreading this about. She seemed to dedicate her life to undermining me and humiliating me. Like her spending she was very good at nasty attacks. She was clearly enjoying it. As the recession took hold her activity was seriously affecting my business. The profits went from bad to worse so eventually I talked to someone in a pub who said he could put me in touch with someone to end my problem for good. Shortly after Kev called and we met up. He seemed to know what he was doing. It was decided to make her disappear so her body would never be found and around the time she went missing I would be abroad on a business trip. It was also agreed I should put £1,000 down as part payment. Two days later I met Kev in a car park and we discussed what would happen. I handed over the money and suddenly police were everywhere. I was arrested and I have just seen all the evidence. It turned out Kev was from a specialist police group who impersonate criminals. The phone calls were taped and the meetings were taped and videoed. I suspect my wife paid someone to trap me in the pub. She is certainly enjoying every moment of it. She turns up at all the court hearings and gloats. She is also trying to block my children coming to see me. What are the

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Legal Q&A

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org guidelines for attempted murder?

A

Well clearly there are some interesting points about the legal applications you can make. I would expect the prosecution to change the charge to soliciting to murder or possibly incitement to murder. The precise charge may make little difference to the sentence. It appears you should try to obtain information about the man in the pub to see if your wife was behind the trap if that is what it was. If she arranged it all she wouldn’t be able to play the victim card and it would help you if you rely on entrapment, seeing your children and on sentence. If you are to plead that should be with a written basis of plea and you should seek to indicate your plea as early as possible. The guidelines you ask for are as follows:

Guidelines - Attempted murder Murder, Attempted Guideline 2009, see www.banksr.com Guidelines tab The definitive guideline applies to offenders aged 18.

Culpability and harm The culpability of the offender is the initial factor in determining the seriousness of an offence. It is an essential element of the offence of attempted murder that the offender had an intention to kill, accordingly an offender convicted of this offence will have demonstrated a high level of culpability. Even so, the precise level of culpability will vary in line with the circumstances of the offence and whether the offence was planned or spontaneous. The use of a weapon may influence this assessment. In common with all offences against the person, this offence has the potential to contain an imbalance between culpability and harm. Where the degree of harm actually caused to the victim of an attempted murder is negligible, it is inevitable that this will impact on the overall assessment of offence seriousness. However, although the degree of (or lack of) physical or psychological harm suffered by a victim may generally influence sentence, the statutory definition of harm encompasses not only the harm actually caused by an offence but also any harm that the offence was intended to cause or might foreseeably have caused, since the offence can only be committed where there is an intention to kill, an offence of attempted murder will always involve, in principle, the most serious level of harm.

Aggravating and mitigating factors The most serious offences of attempted murder will include those which encompass the factors set out in schedule 21 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003, paragraphs 4 and 5 that, had the offence been murder, would make the seriousness of the offence ‘exceptionally high’ or ‘particularly high’. In all cases, the aggravating and mitigating factors that will influence the identification of the provisional sentence within the range follow those set out in schedule 21 with suitable adjustments. These factors are included in the guideline table. Care needs to be taken to ensure that there is no double counting where an essential element of the offence charged might, in other circumstances, be an aggravating factor. This guideline is not intended to provide for an offence found to be based on a genuine belief that the murder would have been an act of mercy. Whilst the approach to assessing the seriousness of the offence may be similar, there are likely to be other factors present (relating to the offence and the offender) that would have to be taken into account and reflected in the sentence.

Compensation orders

A court must consider making a compensation order in respect of any personal injury, loss or damage occasioned.

Sentencing ranges and starting points The starting points and ranges are based upon an adult ‘first-time offender’ who has been convicted. A ‘first-time offender’ is a person who does not have a conviction which, by virtue of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 s 143(2), must be treated as an aggravating factor. Where the offender has previous convictions which aggravate the seriousness of the current offence, that may take the provisional sentence beyond the range given particularly where there are significant other aggravating factors present.

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Nature of offence

Starting point

Sentencing range

Level 1 The most serious offences including those which (if the charge had been murder) would come within the Criminal Justice Act 2003 Sch 21 paras 4 or 5 A Serious and long-term physical or psychological harm B Some physical or psychological harm C Little or no physical or psychological harm

30 years’ custody 20 years’ custody 15 years’ custody

27–35 years’ custody 17–25 years’ custody 12–20 years’ custody

Level 2 Other planned attempt to kill A Serious and long-term physical or psychological harm B Some physical or psychological harm C Little or no physical or psychological harm

20 years’ custody 15 years’ custody 10 years’ custody

17–25 years’ custody 12–20 years’ custody 7–15 years’ custody

Level 3 Other spontaneous attempt to kill A Serious and long-term physical or psychological harm B Some physical or psychological harm C Little or no physical or psychological harm

15 years’ custody 12 years’ custody 9 years’ custody

12–20 years’ custody 9–17 years’ custody 6–14 years’ custody

Specific aggravating factors a) The victim was particularly vulnerable, for example, because of age or disability, b) mental or physical suffering inflicted on the victim, c) the abuse of a position of trust, d) the use of duress or threats against another person to facilitate the commission of the offence, and e) the fact that the victim was providing a public service or performing a public duty. Specific mitigating factors a) The offender suffered from any mental disorder or mental disability which lowered his degree of culpability, b) the offender was provoked (for example, by prolonged stress), c) the offender acted to any extent in self-defence, and d) the age of the offender. The presence of one or more aggravating features will indicate a more severe sentence within the suggested range and, if any aggravating features are exceptionally serious, the case will move up to the next level. If prisoners leave out key matters such as relevant and serious previous convictions or that the Court of Appeal has already rejected an appeal, the answers given may be incomplete or wrong. Please make sure questions concern sentences and not conviction or release. Unless you say you don’t want your question and answer published it will be assumed you don’t have an objection to publication. No-one will have their identity revealed. Facts which indicate who you are will not be printed. Letters without an address cannot be answered. It is usually not possible to determine whether a particular defendant has grounds of appeal without seeing all the paperwork. Going through all the paperwork is not possible. The column is designed for simple questions and answers. Please address your questions to Inside Time, Botley Mill, Botley, SO30 2GB (and mark the letter for Robert Banks). Letters sent direct cannot be answered as all correspondence has to go through a solicitor.

Factors to take into consideration The level of injury or harm sustained by the victim as well as any harm that the offence was intended to cause or might foreseeably have caused, must be taken into account and reflected in the sentence imposed. The degree of harm will vary greatly. Where there is low harm and high culpability, culpability is more significant. Even in cases where a low level of injury (or no injury) has been caused, an offence of attempted murder will be extremely serious.

C

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44

Health

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Inside Health ... Providing this valuable service are Dr Jonathon Tomlinson and Dr Shabana Rauf, both GPs practising in East London. Dr Rauf is particularly interested in women’s health.

Q I am a sixty year old male and suffer from

in-growing facial hair. Up until now all treatments have failed and I find this a very distressing problem. I’ve tried soaps, different razors, leaving the skin alone, all to no avail. I now resort to using a pin to dig the hairs out which can sometimes be 2cm long as the hair grows under the skin. I have also suffered with thrush in my throat and, on one occasion, my penis. The doctor prescribed Canesten Clotrimazole cream and when I mentioned my face he prescribed a Clotrimazole solution. The hair problem remained. He then prescribed Hydorcortisone, despite it saying on the tube not to be used on the face. The hair problem has improved slightly but I now have a condition similar to acne. I would appreciate your advice on how to cure this most intolerable situation.

A It sounds like you have a condition known

as folliculitis. It is due to inflammation of the hair follicle. Although it is not a serious condition it can be quite distressing as it can be so visible to other people. It is thought that folliculitis is caused by a bacteria that lives on the skin, which is known as Staphylococcus Aureus. Most people have this bacteria on their skin and it usually causes no problems but in a few people like yourself it can cause folliculitis. Most men get this infection on their face. This is mostly because of shaving, however it can affect the arms, legs, armpits and buttocks.

Something that you can do to help is to avoid shaving for a few days but if you do, then shave in the direction of hair growth. This sometimes is enough to help the folliculitis settle down by itself. It’s important not to share towels, flannels or razors when you have folliculitis as it can spread the infection. In all cases it is important to use a moisturizer. Those which contain an antibacterial i.e Demol are quite useful. If this is not enough to help the folliculitis settle then it is important to see the doctor. They may prescribe you some antibiotic cream that might help. If you have recurrent or chronic folliculitis meaning that it keeps coming back, then it may be worth trying an antibiotic tablet for several months as well as trying an antibacterial cream for the nose. Your doctor may also prescribe an antiseptic wash to reduce the amount of times you get folliculitis. When people have recurrent folliculitis I would consider taking a blood test to rule out diabetes. This is because diabetes can make people more likely to get infections which are hard to clear. It might be worth discussing this with your doctor also.

Q I’m currently serving a four year sentence.

Since May I’ve been forced to come off my methadone – I didn’t get a choice! I was wondering what the Government’s view is on this matter. About a year ago I had brain surgery and

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suffer really bad headaches and a number of other aches and pains which until now were masked by my use of heroin and methadone. Please let me know the correct protocol for detoxing because of my other problems, is there anything that can be done?

A

The Government viewpoint is that all prisoners are given a service similar to what they would receive if they were still living at home in the community. You should be able to access support with detoxing in Prison. Prisoners often write to me about a service in prison known as The CARAT service. This is run by either Prison Officers or people from outside the prison to help prisoners stop using drugs. It would be good to engage with them to help you manage your detox. They can also refer you to Drug Rehabilitation Programmes. I think you are absolutely correct in saying that the heroin masked your headaches and body pains. I don’t have enough information from your letter to work out what is causing your headaches and body pains, however I am concerned with your history of brain surgery so recommend that you see the prison doctors.

Q I am 27 and for about 15 years I’ve been

getting occasional episodes of trapped wind. I get cramps and bloated stomach. The episodes last from a few days to a few months. The pain can be a dull ache or sharp. Either way it’s very uncomfortable and leaves me feeling miserable. Is there any medicine you could recommend? I would be grateful for your help.

A

You mention that you have suffered with cramps and bloating in the stomach for about 15 years. It is difficult to give you an exact diagnosis with the limited history. For example it would be useful to know things such as your bowel history, any urinary symptoms, weight loss, etc. If you are prone to constipation or alternate between diarrhoea and constipation and have not

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lost weight then you may suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Mebeverine is often prescribed if this is suspected). The most important aspects to managing this condition is through diet to ensure you maintain a regular bowel habit with plenty of soluble fibre such as oats, regular fruit and vegetable and fluids. The alternative diagnosis which I suspect is more likely in your case is a condition known as Dyspepsia. This is most commonly known as heart burn or indigestion. In most cases it can be managed by lifestyle changes. These include stopping smoking, reducing alcohol, having regular meals as well as keeping your weight in a healthy range. Some drugs, including aspirin and ibuprofen, can also cause these symptoms. In the first instance it may be worth trying some anti-acid medications such as Gaviscon. If this doesn’t help it may be worth seeing the doctor to try a medication from the family of drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors. The most commonly prescribed is Lansoprazole. The doctor is likely to try this for a month and assess your response. If this helps the symptoms it is likely that the diagnosis is correct. If you are not getting better despite taking this medication for a month then see the doctor again. It may be worth excluding an infection in the stomach.

If you have a question relating to your own health, write a brief letter to Inside Time (Health) Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Everyone will receive a reply, however only a selection will be published each month and no names will be disclosed.

                                         

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    

              

  

  

 

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

 

Health

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

What is testicular cancer?

....................................................................... Testicular cancer is a ‘germ cell cancer’ as the cells which become cancerous are those involved with making sperm. Around half of all cases occur in men under 35 years but testicular cancer rarely occurs before puberty. It is the most common cancer in men aged 15-44 years. There are about 2000 new cases in the UK each year. Testicular cancers are divided into two main types (depending on the exact type of cell causing the cancer):

Testicular Cancer

What is the treatment for testicular cancer?

.......................................................................

›› Non-seminomas. These make up the rest and are mainly teratomas, but include some other rare types. Teratomas usually affect men aged between 15 and 35 years.

What causes testicular cancer?

A famous survivor of testicular cancer is the cyclist Lance Armstrong

.......................................................................

›› HIV/AIDS. Men who have HIV or AIDS have an increased risk.

A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply ‘out of control’.

What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?

In many cases testicular cancer develops for no apparent reason. However, certain ‘risk factors’ increase the chance that testicular cancer may develop. These include: ›› Geography. The highest rate of testicular cancer occurs in white men in northern Europe. So, some genetic or environmental factor may be involved. ›› Family history. Brothers of affected men have an increased risk. ›› Undescended testes. The testes develop in the abdomen and usually descend into the scrotum before birth. Some babies are born with one or both testes which have not come down into the scrotum. This can be fixed by a small operation. There is a large increased risk in men who have not had their ‘undescended testis’ surgically fixed. There is still some increased risk in men who had an undescended testis fixed when they were a baby. ›› Infertility. Infertile men with an abnormal sperm count have an increased risk.

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Blood tests. Testicular cancers often make chemicals which can be detected in a blood sample. The presence of one or more of these chemicals can help to confirm a testicular cancer. They are a ‘marker’ of testicular cancer. However, you can still have a testicular cancer without being able to detect ‘marker’ chemicals in the blood. So, a negative result does not rule out cancer. On the basis of of the examination, and the above tests, a specialist can be confident whether you have cancer or some other cause for the swelling. If cancer is diagnosed then the usual advice is to have an operation to remove the affected testis. The testis which is removed is examined under the microscope to confirm cancer.

›› Seminomas which occur in about half of cases. They most commonly occur in men between 25 and 55 years.

In general, all types of testicular cancer cause similar symptoms and are treated much the same.

45

....................................................................... Lump on a testis In most cases, the first symptom noticed is a lump that develops on one testis. The lump is usually painless. (Note: most swellings and lumps in the scrotum are not due to cancer. There are various other causes. However, you should always tell a doctor if you discover a swelling or lump in one of your testes. It needs checking out as soon as possible.) Other symptoms Sometimes there is general swelling or discomfort in one of the testes. If the cancer is not treated and spreads to other parts of the body then various other symptoms can develop. These may include breast tenderness, back pain or shortness of breath.

How is testicular cancer diagnosed and assessed?

....................................................................... Your doctor will examine your testes and refer you to a specialist if he or she suspects that the lump is a tumour. A specialist will examine you again and may advise: An ultrasound scan. This is a simple painless test which uses sound waves to scan the testes. This test can tell if the lump is a solid mass (likely to be a tumour) or a benign cyst (a fluid filled lump which is common in the testes).

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Immigration,Criminal Court Proceedings & Appeals and Confiscation proceedings . Please write to Joshua or Rita at:

Chartwell and Sadlers Solicitors 111 Asylum Road London SE15 2LB or call us on 0207 635 5255 (Mob 07507 431045)

Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment advised for each case depends on various factors such as the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer (seminoma or non-seminoma), and your general health.

What is the prognosis (outlook)?

....................................................................... The outlook is usually very good. Treatment for testicular cancer is usually very successful. During the last 40 years, testicular cancer has become a curable cancer in over 95% of cases. If your testicular cancer is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, you can expect to be cured. Most testicular cancers are diagnosed at an early stage. Even if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, there is still a good chance of a cure. For testicular cancer that has spread to other parts of the body the chance of being cured is much higher than for many other types of cancers which have spread. This is because the cancerous cells of testicular cancer often respond well to chemotherapy. The treatment of cancer is a developing area of medicine. New treatments continue to be developed and the information on outlook above is very general. You should ask the specialist who knows your case about your particular outlook.

Information kindly supplied by Patient UK - Comprehensive health information as provided by GPs and nurses to patients during consultations. www.patient.co.uk

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Specialist in Criminal Defence and Prison Law including: Adjudications, HDC & ROTL Applications, Licence Recalls, Categorisations, Judicial Reviews and Police Station Representation. Advice given on all aspects of Prison Law

We also offer specialist advice on Immigration Law Housing Law Employment Law Divorce

For advice, representation or legal visit please contact Victor at:

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Stirling House, Breasy Place 9 Burroughs Gardens, Hendon London NW4 4AU

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07951 138343 (24 Hour Emergency) [email protected]

46

Wellbeing

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Leading you to a healthy lifestyle ‘A lifestyle worth living’ Limited for time, you only get access to the gym twice a week, bored of your current exercise routine or just fancy a change? Then a power circuit could be your answer. This month I will share with you a popular power circuit that I have designed and is used by many gym users at HMP Erlestoke. By performing it just twice a week, you will see and feel results.

by Matt Vanstone PE Instructor - HMP Erlestoke

A

Power circuit in some form involves all of your body’s major muscle groups, which means you not only get a good muscular workout, but a good CV workout too! You can adjust the weight and repetition range to suit your own requirements. Because of the flexibility with Power circuits they are suitable for nearly everyone, whether your aim is to reduce body fat, improve muscular size or definition and improve fitness or just to maintain your current fitness level. In between exercises, the aim is to actively rest by performing step ups to a box or anything that keeps your body moving until you are ready to go again. This helps your body recover before the next exercise and also keeps your heart rate elevated so you burn more calories.

allow your knees to be slightly bent, then straighten your knees and push the bar above your head in line with your ears.

your legs out so your body is aligned in a straight line. Thrust both of your legs in close to the bar, place your hands on the bar and grip it approximately shoulder width apart and with your heels planted on the floor dead lift the bar. Make sure your hips are pushed forward and shoulders pulled back at the finish.

Deadlift Curl Start the same as a clean and press, except with an underhand grip of the bar. Dead lift the bar and when your legs are straight and your hips pushed forward curl the bar so your wrists are in front of your shoulders and elbows tucked in to the side of your body. Lower the bar to your hips, then to the floor.

around 60 seconds active rest in between. For a beginner, I recommend just side steps or marching on the spot as the recovery, but for an advanced trainer use a step box and perform step ups. There are 8 exercises with the barbell in total, and some additional exercises at the end to ensure you work your whole body.

Clean and Squat As you did with the clean and press, clean the bar to the top of your chest, then squat down as far as comfortable and drive back up to the standing position. Then return the bar to the floor.

Power Squat Start with the barbell behind your back. Slowly (approx. 3 seconds) squat down to as far as comfortable, then drive up to the start position as quick as you can. Your feet should be shoulder or hip width apart with your toes pointing outwards. At the finish position, your hips should be forward and your core embraced.

Thrusters Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and the barbell resting on the top of your chest. Squat down as far as comfortable, and then drive back up and press the bar above your head so your arms are in line with your ears.

Bent over row Dead lift the bar, and then bend over so your chest is parallel with the floor. Let the bar hang below the lower part of your chest and then pull it to your torso and then lower.

High pull Tuck in nice and close to the bar with an overhand grip approx. 1 ½ shoulder width apart. Your feet should be pointing forwards and hip width apart. In one movement, drive the bar from the floor up to the top of your chest. The bar should be kept close to the body when travelling upwards , and as you are performing the upright row motion, come up on to your toes to generate more power. As soon as you reach the top of your chest, lower the bar to your hips, then to the floor.

How to get started All you need is a barbell with your desired weight and enough space to perform the exercises. You may like to do it on a gym mat. For the purpose of this Power circuit, you should perform 3 x 8 repetitions of each exercise with

Clean and Press Burpee deadlift Stand close to the bar with an overhand grip of the bar. Clean the bar to the top of your chest,

Place your hands over the bar on the floor; kick

“Locked in here all day; you don’t turn criminals into citizens by treating them this way”

I won’t go in to detail with these exercises, but finish off with press ups and sit up to complete the whole body approach power circuit.

with kind permission from Billy Bragg

We have a dedicated and specialist team. We offer nothing but honest and professional advice. We aim to deal with your case speedily and efficiently. We aim to provide a quick response to all initial contacts. We regularly attend prisons throughout Northern England but do offer nationwide service in particular: Disability Discrimination Categorisation / Progression Parole & Licence Issues Lifer & IPP cases Adjudications Appeals / CCRC cases Recall HDC Judicial Review www.chiverssolicitors.co.uk

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To finish

Criminal defence

all aspects of prison law including • • • • •

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Every time when performing any exercise routine, it is recommended to warm up, cool down and stretch. Also, take time to consider your diet to ensure it meets your exercise demands. If you have any questions or would like to know more about these exercises, feel free to send your letter into Inside Time who will forward it on to me. Next month I will cover another new workout, but also look at building exercise in to everyday life in prison. Matt Vanstone - PE Instructor HMP Erlestoke 2011 English Indoor Rowing champion In the photos this month: Ian Cornish and Matt Vanstone

Astrology

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Astrological Profiling A new quarterly feature for Inside Time in which Polly Wallace lays out the natal chart of famous personalities. It shows the position and zodiac sign of the Sun - also those of the Moon and the planets. This chart captures a unique moment in time. We all have our own natal chart - each one as individual as our fingerprint.

Polly Wallace

P

rince William was born in London on Monday 21st June, 1982. This was the day of the summer solstice – the longest day of the year. William’s birth happened soon after 9pm. The birth chart, or horoscope, shows a line across the middle dividing it into an upper and lower half. This line stands for the horizon. William’s chart shows the Sun poised just above the horizon on the western side of the chart. This tells us that William was born at sunset - that magical time when the sky is filled with vibrant colour.

In any natal chart, three key features are the Sun, the Moon and the rising sign. William’s Sun and Moon are both in quiet Cancer while his rising sign is in adventurous Sagittarius. Already contrasts in William’s character begin to emerge. With bold Jupiter, king of the gods, as a vital influence in his chart, William is filled with zest for life. His attitude is independent, optimistic and buoyant. He relishes the opportunity to explore all types of experience as fully as possible. The fact that William’s Sun and Moon are both in Cancer reveals a rather different side to his character. Cancer is a water sign – known for the depth and quiet power of its feelings. The Sun is about our core self – our sense of identity and our motivation. The Moon holds the complex secrets of our emotional welfare, describing the feelings that prompt our instinctive reactions. It’s interesting to see that in William’s birth chart Sun and Moon are so close together. This suggests that William is someone who puts heart and soul into the issues, commitments and relationships that are important to him. In William’s chart the close connection between Sun and Moon is particularly significant. William was born on a Monday – the day ruled by the Moon. And he was born on the day of a lunar eclipse. All eclipses belong to patterns known as Saros series. Interestingly the eclipse on the day of William’s birth belongs to a pattern that began during the year the first king of England was crowned. This emphasises how the moment of William’s birth, as shown by his natal chart, is linked to his role in the world.

Rod Harper Rod Harper works as a consultant, writer, and teacher of astrology. Aries The Ram 21st March to 20th April With Uranus now firmly in your sign, Aries, your need for change and personal freedom will be growing even greater than ever. A mood of rebellion is in the air, so if you have a cause worth fighting for now is the time to take your stand. If you’re a rebel without a cause, though, the period from the 11th to the 18th will challenge you. Taurus the Bull 21st April to 20th May With a new moon in your secretive 12th House, it probably feels like there’s a good deal going on beneath the surface with comings and goings that you can’t seem to put your finger on. It may not be until the Sun moves into your own sign on the 20th that the fog begins to lift and you can see people for what they really are. Gemini the Twins 21st May to 21st June New doors are now opening on your social life, but before you squeeze any more friends and acquaintances into an already full address book, you may have to go over some old ground first. With your planetary ruler Mercury meeting lucky Jupiter on the 12th fortune and blessings look to be coming your way. Cancer the Crab 22nd June to 23rd July You may find yourself struggling with family issues this month and you sense a feeling of disapproval from your nearest and dearest that’s at odds with the person you see yourself as. Things may come to a head with the full Moon of the 18th, but try to remember, it’s your best interests they have at heart.

In William’s chart there are plenty of planets above the horizon - indicating that he is a sociable and outgoing person, motivated to make his mark in the world. Planets below the horizon are just as important – describing how William has a rich inner life and an independent streak. His integrity is strong and he prefers to think things through for himself. In William’s chart, planets above and below the horizon combine together to form a chart shape known as a See-saw. This suggests that a quest to find balance underpins William’s experience. This broad theme is supported by other chart features. So if at times William appears to prevaricate, the chances are that he is taking into account a wide range of issues before making his decision.

Steering by the stars

A natal chart is a ‘map’ of the sky at the time a person was born. It shows the position and zodiac sign of the Sun - also those of the Moon and the planets. This chart captures a unique moment in time. We all have our own natal chart - each one as individual as our fingerprint.

Leo the Lion 24th July to 23rd August The first few days of the month could be testing for you and it may be that you have to modify your plans slightly or drop some altogether. By the 6th your usual feelings of optimism will once again be on the rise – this is also a particularly good time to start a new project, especially one that has the effect of broadening your horizons. Virgo the Virgin 24th August to 23rd September With tricksy Mercury travelling backwards through

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your 8th House and Neptune drifting into your opposite sign of Pisces, nothing seems straightforward this month, especially where debts and finances are concerned. Try to keep your wits about you and don’t sign up to anything that could be remotely dodgy until after the 23rd when things begin to level out again. Libra the Scales 24th September to 23rd October Relationships are especially important to you Libra, particularly at this time when you have a host of planetary activity in this area of your chart. Your ruling planet Venus is in Pisces for most of the month – this is a time to follow your intuition and allow your feelings of romance to flow freely. Scorpio the Scorpion 24th October to 22nd November April starts with a bang – expect sudden changes in your daily routine around the time of the new Moon on the 3rd. You may be feeling challenged by a situation you can’t quite get to grips with until after the full Moon on the 18th, however you’re feeling more like your old self again as the month draws to a close. Sagittarius the Archer 23rd November to 21st December Recent challenges are a good indicator that you may have to seriously re-evaluate aspects of your life, however it takes a lot to crush the Sagittarian spirit, and all the signs are that you are now getting back into your usual optimistic stride. Just watch out you don’t become too hot headed with it. Capricorn the Goat 22nd December to 20th January The steady goat may be feeling the need to draw in his horns a bit this month as family matters take centre stage taking up all your time and energy. You may find yourself going back over old ground, but that’s not necessarily any bad thing – it could be time for an idea you’ve had on the back burner to be brought out into the daylight. Aquarius the Water Carrier 21st January to 19th February With the movement of Uranus your ruling planet into Aries, the pace of life around you seems to be getting faster and faster to the point of wild frenzy. The main focus of activity this month is in your house of communication – this looks like an ideal time to get out your Aquarian soap box and make a stand for what you believe to be right. Pisces the Fish 20th February to 20th March There’s an emphasis on finances this month and, let’s face it, with your mind so often on higher things, you’re not always the sharpest knife in the box when it comes to money matters. With Neptune back in your sign, you’ll be brimming with new ideas and plans, but don’t sign up to anything until after the 23rd.

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Reading Groups

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Prison reading groups Jenny Hartley and Sarah Turvey explore the pleasures and possibilities of a reading group

causing a stir. The challenge is to persuade others to agree. Some groups decide informally, others take it to the vote.

lead to lively conversation on the phone or at visits. These virtual groups have been one of the many unforeseen spin-offs and benefits.

Choices are often varied and pretty adventurous. One group’s list over recent months includes all of these: Brighton Rock, Graham Greene True Grit, Charles Portis Completely Unexpected Tales, Roald Dahl Schindler’s Ark, Thomas Keneally The Road, Cormac McCarthy To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson

Author visits are a highlight for many groups and a chance for a real dialogue between writer and readers. One group’s visiting authors have included Boris Johnson on The Dream of Rome, Nicci French (actually the husband and wife crime-writing team Nicci Gerrard and Sean French) on Losing You and Philip Pullman on The Subtle Knife. After his visit, Pullman commented:

Discussion can lead in lots of different directions. Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 is a novel about the madness of war and those in control of it. The catch of the title goes like this: the only way for a soldier in the book to get sent home from the war zone is for him to claim insanity. But wanting to go home is clear evidence of absolute sanity so it’s a claim guaranteed to be rejected = Catch-22. For one group this led from comparisons with bizarre prison regulations to the barriers of IPPs. n Who’d have thought we could spend so much time talking about one book? n Today we have not been in a prison, just in a library. Our grant pays for groups to buy and keep the books they read. Some members hang on to their copies, some pass them on to others on the wing or to visiting family. We’ve heard of partners, parents, brothers, sisters and children reading the book at the same time and this can

Image courtesy of Matthew Meadows

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eading groups are everywhere it seems: in libraries, pubs, workplaces, front rooms and prisons. They can take many forms but what all reading groups provide is the chance for people to get together and talk about books. For many, part of the attraction is a good argument about characters and story. It can also be a way of getting beyond the comfort zone of a few favourite authors. n It’s great to be able to disagree and remain friends afterwards. n I haven’t read much and the group has been a great way to discover what’s out there. n Reading gives me someplace to go and the group gives me a real sense of belonging.

For the last ten years our Prison Reading Groups project (PRG) has helped start up and run reading groups in prisons and we are now working to extend the network more widely. In the last year we have helped set up about a dozen new groups in prisons around the country, with more starting all the time. Most groups get together once a month or so to talk about a book that the members read in advance. But there’s plenty of scope for variation and some groups meet weekly to read aloud and discuss it as they go along. The groups themselves usually choose what they read. Members make suggestions, perhaps a classic that someone has always wanted to read but not got round to, or a new title that’s

‘I really enjoyed meeting the men and I felt a real sense of connection with them, as I do with most readers. But here there was something else as well.’ If you think a reading group sounds worth a try, ask in the library. If your prison doesn’t already have a group, encourage the librarian to have a look at our website www.roehampton.ac.uk/prg Jenny Hartley and Sarah Turvey are based at Roehampton University. The Prison Reading Groups project (PRG) is a partnership with the Prisoners’ Education Trust. We are grateful for the financial support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

B - ACTIVE competition: win

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Bored in prison?

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Found ways of entertaining yourself and others? Know of any games to overcome the boredom and stay active? Want to win a cash prize?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then you could win £25 by entering the Nacro B-ACTIVE competition. To enter, write to Nacro explaining how you stay healthy and active during your time in prison. For example, what games have you played for entertainment and what hobbies have you taken up?

Closing date 8th April 2011

Send your ideas to Dawn McAleenan: Nacro, Park Place, 10-12 Lawn Lane, London, SW8 1UD or for further details and terms & conditons, contact Inside Time 01489 795945

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Book & DVD Reviews

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson Review by JD - A prisoner in Japan Prisoners Abroad did me a huge favour by sending me a book I’ve been waiting to read for some time. I got to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, part one of the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. This story is about journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who has been set up and sued by industrialist Hans-Erik Wennerström, when he was busy writing an exposé on Wennerström, who is a crook and a fraud. Blomkvist, found guilty of libel with his career on the ropes, goes to work for Henrik Vanger. Vanger, also an industrialist, wants Blomkvist to solve the mysterious disappearance of his niece, who vanished almost 40 years before. Blomkvist accepts because for doing this job, he’ll be rewarded with information proving Wennerström is a crook. To solve the mysterious disappearance, Blomkvist hires Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the tattoo who is a private detective, to help him. Salander is not only extremely intelligent but also an ace hacker. Blomkvist and Salander solve the mystery by unearthing an old Vanger family secret and, when the information on Wennerström turns out to be worthless, Salander hacks into Wennerström’s laptop which contains loads of documents and correspondence proving Wennerström is a crook, allowing Blomkvist to get his revenge. This novel is a great read. It’s got everything:

As computer hacker Lisbeth and journalist Mikael investigate a sex-trafficking ring, Lisbeth is accused of three murders, causing her to go on the run while Mikael works to clear her name. In this film, they spend almost no time together, communicating instead by anonymous email and obscure hackers’ tricks, and the two plots don’t so much intertwine as lead in parallel to a single point.

My favourite character is Lisbeth Salander. How can you not love a girl who knows how to look after herself like she does. I look forward to learning more about her in the next parts of the trilogy.

My version of this novel ends with an extract of the next part. The preface states that Salander is wanted for a triple homicide and that Blomkvist is trying to prove her innocence. That gives me a mixed sense of hope for Salander. I’d love to read the next two parts of this trilogy. Sadly, those are the only other novels Stieg Larsson has written. Larsson, an insomniac and a three-packs-a-day smoker, died at the age of 50 of a heart attack shortly after handing in the manuscripts for this trilogy. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Price: £7.99 Reproduced by kind permission of Prisoners Abroad

Have you ever served in the Armed Forces? Do you or your partner need help? If the answer is yes, you may be entitled to assistance from The Royal British Legion and SSAFA Forces Help - two charities assisting the Service and ex-Service community, working together to reach all those eligible for assistance. Whether you are still serving your sentence or are due for release, we may be able to provide financial support to you and your family. · · · · · · · · ·

The Girl Who Played with Fire

fascinating multi-layered plot, deep characters, it’s intelligent and exciting for me, an added bonus is the setting. How refreshing to be in Sweden instead of the US or Britain.

The style of writing made this a quick read, although I did have to read the introduction to the Vanger family twice just so I could process this vast amount of information. As this is a translation from Swedish, undoubtedly some of the writer’s style is lost, but Reg Keeland does a great job of translating, keeping the prose crisp and fluent.

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Unless you’ve been, for instance, down a well for two years, you’ll be aware that The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second story in the Millennium trilogy, the late Steig Larsson’s extraordinarily well-selling series of Sweden-set crime thrillers. There is a reasonably good chance you might also have seen the first of these Swedish-language film versions, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In which case you’ll know what’s going on at the start of this second Swedish film. For those who don’t, as the film begins, Lisbeth Salander (the titular Girl), a fiercely moralistic computer hacker with a penchant for violent revenge, is abroad, spending the money she stole from corrupt industrialist Hans-Erik Wennerström at the end of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Quickly, however, she finds herself drawn back to Stockholm, where she is wrongly accused of the murder of an idealistic young journalistic couple who were on the verge of exposing a sex-trafficking ring in Millennium magazine. The magazine’s editor (and series hero), Mikael Blomkvist, realises what is going on and gets in touch with Salander, and the two of them separately follow various threads to unravel a conspiracy reaching far back into Swedish history and politics, as well as Salander’s own traumatic childhood. The best thing about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was anticipating and then watching the meeting between the book’s hero and heroine.

The film also feels flabbier than the previous one. New director Daniel Alfredson (taking over from Niels Arden Oplev) is much less aggressive about trimming the fat from the books (particularly the long passages concerning the workings of the magazine), with the effect of making this film feel at times rather unfocused.

And some aspects are simply weak – the character of Erika Berger, Millennium’s publisher, for example. Oplev excised her almost completely from the first film, but in the books she is Millennium’s feist publisher and Blomkvist’s female equal. Here, played by Lena Endre, she is anemic; robbed of her strength and reduced to being yet another of the editor’s complaisant sexual sparring partners. This criticism stems partially from over-familiarity. There is still plenty to like. Noomi Rapace, as Salander, creates a far more nuanced and deeper character than Larsson ever managed in the novels. Her Lisbeth is visibly fragile, with a humanity that shines through the cracks in her blackleather shell, and for all her brooding Gothicism remains the film’s glowing heartstone. And the plot’s mixture of government conspiracy, sex, murder and high-action is still compelling – particularly the great denouement in the Stockholm countryside.

Review by Andrew Cousins, Managing Director of Gema Records, the leading supplier of Music, Games and DVDs to UK prisons. See Jailbreak page 54 for how to order

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Inside Poetry Star Poem of the Month

Rough Seas Don Sheridan - HMP Usk Floating, Floating Like a ship without an anchor Caught in the hurricanes gale I need an anchor To tie me down Long enough to find direction Before my time Life is short I hope to find An anchor or just Dry land Congratulations to Don Sheridan - HMP Usk - who wins our £25 prize for ‘Star Poem of the Month’.

Fraudsters First Time H Abdullah - HMP Feltham

As I sit here in my cell in Feltham I say to myself ‘how could I be so dumb’ Dishonesty, lies and shame; for just £2000 gain Now here in Feltham, am feeling the pain 23 hour bang up The doors stay shut Young lads shout out of the window Some just do it for the show Banged up like animals with nothing to do But can’t you see, we’re humans too Prison officer acting like a prick Being difficult and awkward, making me sick How about concentrate On trying to rehabilitate So that young lads don’t come back After they walk out with their sack Are we asking too much? From this rude arrogant bunch Surely not As crime affects the lot Helping us, will help society Why can you not see?

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

If you would like to contribute to the Poetry section, please send your poems to ‘Poetry’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB.

Better Than Myself Ant Greaves - HMP Forest Bank I’ve spent hours on the pen And a lifetime lost in books With days and weeks sleeping And I’ve learnt to wash, iron and cook Tried to use more of my brains Instead of just ten percent Opened right up to wisdom Made worthwhile time spent Studied, revised and crammed Read out loud, and to myself Wanted to be much more Than another tile on a shelf Jumped off the treadmill Rode the rough with the smooth When I raged against the machine Tried to avoid scratching the groove Told myself it was just futile And pointless not to submit Yet I can’t resist the temptation Of looking above the parapet Yet, surely, I’m not so special Couldn’t be the only one to see Coz I’ve read the same as others So the fault must lie with me?

First Step James Durham - HMP Wayland My chest got tight It affected my breathing Phoned up my wife She told me she’s leaving Won’t see my kids For three and a half years You’d think shit like that Would bring the tears But I won’t cry Been made to believe that’s weak What will I do? Perfect excuse for a treat So off I go out of my cell Thinking only one thing to escape from my hell Might as well kick myself whilst I’m down So I hand over my burn for this bag of brown But wait forget this Still need to be a father to my daughter A father to my son The first step starts here With this shit I’m done

Time

Antony Corson - HMP Leeds I have seen this day before it comes to pass In the uniform of so many days that have gone before As time seems to pass without meaningful purpose It drags me into every moment of futility Even the slumbers of sleep offer little reprieve For circumstances seep into my dreamful state So I fight each day to hold on to my sanity As time wages war against me For time has become my greatest foe As I stumble in and out of meaningless days And I pray for one day in the time yet to be But till then there are many that I must endure

Bacon Thief

Jason Smith - HMP Birmingham A cold wind blows from the east I pull my jacket tighter The two cons walking in front Ask to use my lighter A high razor-topped-wire fence Surrounds our busy walk Every prisoner in our group Trying to out-do each other with talk Which one pulled the biggest blag And who stole the most money The shoplifter stealing bacon and cheese Cracks us up we think it so funny We stop our laugh but he continues Laughing heartily because he can His little crime lacks the burden of time Out of all who made the right plan? Time passes on along anticlockwise walk Until the officer shouts to go in The shoplifter hears his name called He is going home and I wish I was him.

Everybody’s Talking

Norman Jarrett - HMP Standford Hill On a day release After years of being inside I walk towards a new shopping mall I can’t hear them but I can see The world is miming to a different tune Everybody’s talking to someone else And not to me After lunch I wander around This shopaholic world Buy some books, pay the cashier And as I leave I’m the only one it seems Who doesn’t have a mobile phone Stuck in my ear

Life Raft Anthony Passey - HMP Hewell Caved in Near the sea I lay smuggled I cry Delivery To who knows where Then juggled So high I was pure Now I’m mixed And so muddled I lie In this vein Deep in thought So befuddled I vie To some end Working loose I have struggled To untie All the knots From this veil So make sail And goodbye

The See-Saw

K Uddin - HMP Bullingdon The see-saw Up and down and up and down Go the arguer’s Getting nowhere fast Get off the sea-saw and show Them you’re meaning without kicking Or pushing Leave them at the top and let Gravity bring them gently To the ground

insidepoetry Copies are available at a special discount price of £7.50 for Inside Time readers, family and friends. Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB Tel: 0844 335 6483

Voices from prison

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

If you would like to contribute to the Poetry section, please send your poems to ‘Poetry’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB.

New Year’s Eve Disaster Ryan Donachie - HMP La Moye, Jersey I’m sick of all the police and all those stinking cells All the CID interviewing you and all the emergency bells When I was put in prison I felt like a savage beast But my life changed when the prison said you’re being released Walking out of the gate felt like the bees knees No more half 8 bang up, no more rattling keys I’m sick of changing pads, I’m always moving I’ve accepted my crime time served, point proven I feel ridiculous; that I’ve got to stick with this, my mum is sick of this I hate prison visits, and sharing toilets to take a piss The time came when it was time for me to leave The nerves kicked in heavy sweats, couldn’t breathe Got to the prison gates had my last look around Felt so happy this was my last footsteps on prison grounds Got out on a Thursday, everything went well Got pissed, got laid, had a hangover from hell New years eve was here, time to crack open the beers No more prison, just celebration and cheers Invited my mate around for a drink and a laugh Then everything went tits up, turned into a bloodbath My mum’s boyfriend got paranoid and phoned his brother The tone of his voice was ok so I didn’t bother But the way my mum looked I was curious Why her face expression had changed, she looked furious Then bang bang, someone was kicking my door Let this lad in, the next thing I was on the floor I didn’t know exactly what the fuck just happened I didn’t realise, everyone was just scrapping I go hit with a bottle; I could have ended up dead Got four stitches, two nights in the police station instead So I’m now back in prison, back in La Moye Yeah I’m annoyed, that this was over someone being paranoid But if you let these problems get to you, then you’ll get depressed, life’s a test It’s always best, to get the shit off your chest Back in court, got charged with affray, I’ll be okay If the court say not guilty on sentencing day So that’s my story on New Year’s Eve Never say, no more prison the day you leave Because your life can end either is you’re pissed or sober Look at my life, no credits remaining, game over.

Inside Poetry

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Clear Thinking

The Prison Blues

Daniel Joslin - HMP Dorchester

Lance Thomson - HMP Preston

I have a few problems to address at present A broken home left back at Jubilee Crescent A father who loved the drink more than his wife A father who changed and sacrificed I’ve since learned to turn the other cheek Crawled from my knees upright to my feet Using my crimes to figure out a trade Forgetting my past of negative fame Drop all the people whoever despised or doubted Time to be a man and stand and be counted Only my missus is privileged to hug me I’ll remember my errors on judgement day And let my God have the final say

I woke up this morning, the door was unlocked My head it was spinning, my nose was all blocked I went for a leg stretch, then back to the cell It seemed really stuffy, and didn’t half smell I got those prison blues, yeah got those prison blues Got those prison blues baby, but it won’t be for long

When I Get Out

Ross Gleave - HMP Hull All Mouth - when I get out I’ll jump and shout And show these beggars what I’m about Silent but Deadly - when I get out I’ll keep it quiet And when least expected I’ll cause a riot All Guns Blazing - when I get out its all guns blazing Can’t keep count of the man that I’ll be raising Player - when I get out I’ll be ticking and lean And I’ll show these girls that I am keen Twoccer - when I get out I won’t get far I’ll just get caught in another pinched car Plastic Gangster - when I get out I’ll build a mob Then we’ll get out on the rob Drug Dealer - when I get out I’ll be a drug dealer To all these crack heads, I’ll be a healer Drug Addict - when I get out I’ll chase the crack Get back into crime and come straight back Love Brov - when I get out I’ll rise above And dedicate myself to my one true love Wise Man - when I get out I’ll get a job And show these people, I’m not a Yob.

HMP Zoo

It’s not very big here; it’s just 12 by 8 I consider myself lucky; I got a decent pad mate He don’t like my singing, or the poems I write I know that he’s joking, when he says they’re all shite I got those prison blues, yeah got those prison blues Got those prison blues honey, but it won’t be for long The foods not worth eating, its cold all the time If this was the outside, I’d not pay a dime Aint much for breakfast, and there aint much for lunch We don’t get no pudding, so thanks a whole bunch I got those prison blues, yeah got those prison blues Got those prison blues yeah, but it won’t be for long I don’t have a job yet, so I’m stuck in the cell I’m going stir crazy, but who do I tell? I’ve not done the course yet, for using a mop Or a brush and a shovel, to clean all the slop I got those prison blues, yeah got those prison blues Got those prison blues baby, but it won’t be for long I’m glad I’m no lifer, there’s not long to go There’s some here for murder, so I gotta lay low I’ll just keep my head down, and keep on my guard I wish it was easy, but man it’s so hard I got those prison blues, yeah got those prison blues Got those prison blues yeah, but it won’t be for long The staff aint so friendly, they’re all very stern There are so many rules here, and so much to learn It’s easy to break them, without knowing how And even by singing, I’m breaking them now! Got those prison blues, yeah got those prison blues Got those prison blues honey, but it won’t be for long Well that’s the story, about life behind bars I look out the window, and up to the stars I know that it won’t be, too long before I’m out And just when that happens, I’ll scream and I’ll shout No more prison blues, oh no, no more prison blues No more prison blues honey, I’ve got freedom at last!

Dave Long - HMP Dorchester Hutched in sapian zoo, worlds gaze turned toward Bell and mirror, news on millet covered floor Wheel and gym give boredom token relief Societies aquarium filled, sardines packed tight within Wing and soul wither to inactions ravages Nil reflection given to avian plight No avoidance of trammelling confinement Visit order, pet corner open to public invasion Feed the savage primate, wholesome crisps and confectionary Time the vulture, slowly picks the flesh from young bones Proud eagle, tethered no more to soar Segregated panther, paces, roaring at the door

We will award a prize of £25 to the entry selected as our ‘Star Poem of the Month’. To qualify for a prize, poems should not have won a prize in any other competition or been published previously. Send entries to: Inside Time, Poetry, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 2GB. Please put your name, number and prison on the same sheet of paper as your poem. If you win we can’t send your money if we don’t know who or where you are! By submitting your poems to Inside Time you are agreeing that they can be published in any of our ‘not for profit links’, these include the newspaper, website and any forthcoming books. You are also giving permission for Inside Time to use their discretion in allowing other organisations to reproduce this work if considered appropriate, unless you have clearly stated that you do not want this to happen. Any work reproduced in other publications will be on a ‘not for profit’ basis. WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR WORK PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PERMISSION: THIS IS MY OWN WORK AND I AGREE TO INSIDE TIME PUBLISHING IT IN ALL ASSOCIATE SITES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS AS APPROPRIATE.

52

Jailbreak

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Do you remember?

9. Which British singer was signed up by the American S-Curve label and produced her first album The Soul Sessions in 2003?

Rock &

Pop Quiz

are rocked by an escalation in the race riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King.

10. What was the title of the Annie Lennox 2007 album which made No 9 in the American charts?

April 8th 1994

Kurt Cobain ‘shoots himself’

The lead-singer of grunge rock band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, is found dead in his Seattle home.

April 1st 1957

1957: BBC fools the nation

The BBC receives a mixed reaction to a spoof documentary about spaghetti crops in Switzerland. 1. In which year was the Elvis Presley movie Jailhouse Rock released?

April 1st 1990

Rioting inmates take over Strangeways

2. Lest We Forget: The Best Of was the 2004 compilation album of which notorious singer/band?

11. The 2004 movie Beyond The Sea, starring Kevin Spacey, was about which American singer?

3. Which INXS member was found dead in a Sydney hotel room in 1997?

12. In the 1950s, rock ‘n’ roll quickly rippled across the Atlantic and found a ready audience in the UK. Which British singer had a hit with Move It in 1958?

4. Which rock icon released his second Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2007? 5. When Buddy Holly was tragically killed in an airplane crash in 1959, which two fellow stars died with him? 6. American record label CBS was bought out by which corporation in 1988? 7. Which black American singer is remembered for her renditions of God Bless The Child and Gloomy Sunday? 8. How is Cherilyn Sarkisian La Pierre better known to the world?

13. Which singer’s first American No 1 singer was Fingertips - Part 2 and his last That’s What Friends Are For (1985)? 14. Which band’s song Dancing Queen was their only one to have made a Billboard Hot 100 No 1? 15. Beyonce was the first lead singer with which girl-band?

Up to 1,000 prisoners run amok at Strangeways Prison in Manchester in a violent protest against overcrowding.

April 2nd 1982

Argentina invades Falklands

April 2nd 2005

Eminent scientist Dr Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, dies in hospital aged 76.

Pope John Paul II dies

Pope John Paul II dies at the age of 84 following heart failure, ending one of the longest pontificates in history.

LA in flames after ‘not guilty’ verdict

Answers on page 55

Dozens of major cities in the United States

PRISON RECALL. Have you been recalled and do you think the decision is justified? We can prepare written submissions and appear on your behalf before the parole board. PRISON COMPLAINTS AND REFERRALS TO THE PRISON OMBUDSMAN. If you feel you are treated badly in prison, you can make a complaint. We can help you through the procedure.

Call us on freephone: 0800 374388 (24 hours). Keith Park Solicitors Claughton House, 39 Barrow Street, St Helens WA 10 1RX E: [email protected] CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYERS

April 29th 1992

United States erupts in race violence

lifer hearings

CATEGORISATION. If you want us to assist by way of written representations – we can help.

A massive bomb rips through the heart of the City of London, killing one and injuring more than 40.

The American black civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King, is assassinated.

YOU NEED A FRIEND ON THE OUTSIDE...

PAROLE BOARD HEARINGS. We can supply written representations and attending oral hearings.

IRA bomb devastates City of London

Martin Luther King shot dead

INSIDE?

adjudication hearings parole

categorisation

HDC/License Recall sentence plan/progression Problems inside? Don’t know where to turn? Need a specialist prison lawyer?

Whether you are coming up for parole or require advice about a Judicial Review against the Prison Service, we can help. So, if you need professional, confidential legal advice, call Howells’ prison law specialists on Sheffield 0114 249 6717.

Albert Einstein dies

April 24th 1993

April 5th 1968

IPP Hearings

OUTSIDE ADJUDICATIONS. Have you committed an offence whilst in custody? We can provide representation for you in front of the adjudicator.

The Soviet Union beats the USA in the race to get the first man into space and Yuri Gagarin becomes a national hero.

April 18th 1955

April 7th 1968

We specialise in:

Soviets win space race

Argentina has invaded the British territory of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic.

16. Whose best-selling album is the 1984 Purple Rain?

At Keith Park Solicitors we have many years experience representing our clients, not only before sentencing but also once they are in custody. There are many ways we can help you with advice and representation once you are on the ‘inside’. Our team of Legal experts will be your friends on the outside.

April 12th 1961

Fierce rioting breaks out in Los Angeles following the acquittal of four white police officers accused of beating black motorist Rodney King.

Prison Law Prison Problems? We Care Specialists in Prison Law & Criminal Defence work Access to sound legal advice in prison can be a worry.We provide a professional and sympathetic service.         

Licence Recall & Reviews Adjudications & Prisoner’s Rights Lifer/IPP Reviews Re-categorisation & Transfers Home Detention Curfew Police Visits & Productions Criminal Defence Family Law Housing/Debt Problems c o n t a c t Paul Philpott or Julie Carr

Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers

01633 242526 14 Baneswell Road Newport South Wales NP20 4BP www.howellsllp.com

put the matter in our hands - we can help you!

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53

TWENTY QUESTIONS TO TEST YOUR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 1. Of what is an oenophile a connoisseur? 2. What name is given to a hat with a flat top that is worn at graduation ceremonies? 3. In 1983, which US illusionist famously made the Statue of Liberty disappear?

Challenge

11. Josephine de Beauharnais was the first wife of which French leader?

1. What number completes this puzzle?

12. Which Russian word, meaning ‘openness’ was given to the policy of more liberal government initiated by Gorbachev?

2.

Where does the missing hand go?

13. What name is given to a carved Hallowe’en pumpkin? 4. In UK politics, in which decade did the ‘Gang of Four’ 14. The duck-billed platypus is native to which country? form the SDP? 5. The 1953 film From Here to Eternity was set in which US state?

15. Linda Lee Danvers is the alter ego of which superheroine?

6. Which famous physicist wrote A Brief History of Time?

16. Britain’s Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms are leading competitors in which sport?

7. Originally created to stir up trouble in the Smurf village, what is the name of the blonde female Smurf?

3.

17. In the northern hemisphere, in which month of the year does the spring equinox fall?

Which letter follows?

8. Szechuan cuisine originated in which Asian country?

10. In US history, what was the name of the ‘underground’ organization that helped slaves escape from the South?

18. The Huguenots were sixteenth-century Protestants from which country? 19. Under the current constitution, how many terms can the President of the US serve? 20. Fugu fish is a delicacy in which Asian country?

Submitted by Andrew Karl Stoke - HMP Kingston . Start on the left with the first number and work your way across following the instructions in each cell. See how quickly you can do each puzzle and how your times improve month by month! Answers on page 55. If you would like to submit similar puzzles we will pay £5 for any that are chosen for print. Please send in a minimum of three puzzles together with the answer!

Mind gym

It’s a Con

Answers 1 - 89 Starting top left and working down, then up the central column and down the right hand column, add the first two numbers together, to give the next along. 2 - 4:25 On each clockface, the numbers pointed to by the hour and minute hands add up to 9. 3 - J Starting on the left, the letters follow the alphabetic sequence, skipping letters written with only straight lines.

9. Who was the original lead singer of the Australian band INXS?

90

½ / -3

32

5/8

8

×18 / +10 /

÷7

/

×12

/

-8

/

÷8

/

×5

=

??

of it / x itself / 1/5 of it / 3/10 of it / ¾ of it / ×2 = ?? 6 /7

of it / ×25 / 12% of it / +4 = ???

MW - HMP Stocken

Prison Law and Criminal Defence Specialists with a proven track record of success

Prison Law

Parole Hearings Adjudications Lifer/IPP Reviews Categorisation Licence Recalls

Criminal Defence

Crown Court & Magistrates Court Appeals against Conviction & Sentence Serious Crime/Complex Fraud

Nationwide Service For a prompt response contact:

Nicholas Diable, Neill Cahill or Karol Hart at

EPD Solicitors 314 Mare Street, Hackney, London E8 1HA

020 8533 7999

>> www.insidetime.org Exciting ‘interactive’ website. Allowing readers to add their comments to published articles and letters. Let your family members and friends know about this facility - Inside Time is now also a voice for them.

Don’t take Chances with Your Freedom !

Here are 5 good reasons to call us FIRST: 1. One of the UK’s biggest specialist defence firms 2. Led by lawyer previously shortlisted for criminal defence lawyer of the year 3. Proven, specialist expertise in Appeal work 4. Our Advocates are always ready to represent you 5. We don’t give up! Appeals • Adjudications • Parole Hearings Recall • Categorisation • Lifer Tariffs Crime • Housing • Family

“The lawyers here are not just going through the motions; as a barrister you have to be at your best at all times to satisfy the high standards set by them” (Chambers & Partners 2009)

gt

s

GT Stewart Solicitors

28 Grove Vale East Dulwich London SE22 8EF

Freephone 0800 999 3399 or 020 8299 6000

Leeds • London • Kent

AGI Criminal Solicitors

Criminal Law • Extradition • Prison Law Indeterminate and Life Sentence Prisoner issues Lifer and Category A Reviews Adjudications (Northwest Regions) Judicial Reviews Proceeds of Crime and Confiscation Orders Appeals - Sentence and/or Conviction Representation at Extradition Hearings For an immediate response call:

Yasmin Aslam Solicitor Advocate

0161 234 0046 24 hours a day 7 days a week Fax : 0161 234 0049

Yasmin Aslam (formerly of Levys) Successful in Prison Law for over 10 years Board member of Partners of Prisoners

AGI Criminal Solicitors 40 Princess Street Manchester M1 6DE [email protected]

54

Jailbreak

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

CAPTION COMPETITION

Gema Quiz

… and this is where I first met my husband

The new Gema Records catalogue is out now! (Winter 2010) For the first time, we have a DVD section with over 20,000 Films, Documentaries, TV Series etc. In addition, we have 12,000 New Releases and over 5,000 Special Offers included in the catalogue.

Last month’s winner

PS2 Bundles now come with 2 free pre-owned games. We are now also offering new Xbox 360 consoles.

Mark Lewis HMP Gartree

£25

prize is in the post

Thousands of price reductions across the board.

Who recorded the following albums? 1. American Idiot 2. Dear Heather 3. 17 Days 4. Bleed like me 5. Cassadaga 6. Death Magnetic 7. Shine 8. Believe 9. Songbird 10. Shoot the dog

For your own personal copy, please send a cheque or PO (payable to Gema Records) for £2 to Gema Records, PO Box 54, Reading RG1 3SD and we will immediately despatch a copy to you along with a £2 voucher to use against your first order. GEMA RECORDS - SUPPLIER OF THE UK’S LARGEST BACK CATALOGUE OF MUSIC Telephone: 01189 842 444 Last month’s winners

Gema sponsors of Jailbreak Glenn Wright - HMP Whitemoor Pat Docherty - HMP Addiewell William White - HMP Addiewell

See below for details of how to enter. The first three names to be drawn receive a £15 Gema Record Voucher & free catalogue

with all correct answers (or nearest) will each

Answers to last months quiz: 1. Summer Holiday, 2. Chicago, 3. West Side Story, 4. King and I, 5. Mama Mia, 6. Gentlemen prefer blondes, 7. Wizard of Oz, 8. Thomas Crown Affair, 9. Bambi, 10. Watership Down

insideknowledge The prize quiz where we give you the Questions and the Answers!

All the answers are within this issue of Inside Time - all you have to do is find them!!

?

The first three names to be drawn with all-correct answers (or nearest) will receive a £25 cash prize. There will also be two £5 consolation prizes. The winners’ names will appear in next month’s issue. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Which organisation appreciates the need for security procedures? Lisbeth Salander is not only extremely intelligent but also what? At which prison was a prisoner classed as a ‘security risk’ for requesting prison keys from Santa? Who has the power to release anybody on a fixed term sentence if they believe exceptional circumstances exist? Who believes that prisoners should be made clean and stay clean? If Japan were your home instead of the United Kingdom you would use 29.35% more of what?

Criminal Defence and Prison Law Experts Nationwide professional and experienced Advice and Representation in the following areas: • Adjudications, Judiical Reviews • Categorisation • Parole Review/Hearings, Licence Recalls • Tariff/Minimum Term Reviews & Appeals • CCRC, Confiscation Proceedings • Criminal Defence of all types from Murder to Motoring Offences

Contact Tony Marshall at: Alexander Johnson Solicitors 246 Bethnal Green Road London E2 0AA

0207 739 1563

Another £25 prize is on offer for the best caption to this month’s picture. What do you think is being thought or said here?

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Rebel fighters get comfy guarding Ajdabiya in Libya

>> To enter

Please do not cut out any of these panels. Just send your entry to one or all of these competitions on a separate sheet of paper. Make sure your name, number and prison is on all sheets. Post your entry to:

Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. You can use one envelope to enter more than one competition just mark it ‘jailbreak’. A 1st or 2nd class stamp is required on your envelope. Closing date for all is 24/04/11

What captures a unique moment in time? At which prison is 7% of the population gay or bisexual? What year did ADX Florence open? Who was hit with a bottle and could’ve ended up dead? Between years 1998-2008 how many Brazilian adolescents were murdered? Who has had an unsavoury reputation for many years? According to Janet Street-Porter, what is the fourth language spoken in the UK? In the United States, how many prisoners are in solitary confinement? How many ‘April fools’ did you spot in Inside Time?

Answers to Last Month’s Inside Knowledge Prize Quiz 1. T.I, 2. Sex Offenders Register, 3. Charles Bronson, 4. £150,000, 5. RAPt (The Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust), 6. 48 hours, 7. Money, 8. Over 140, 9. Custodial Services, 10. Katie Hopkins 11. 24,692, 12. Norwich, 13. Bruno Mars, 14. Charles Hanson, 15. Concorde Our three £25 Prize winners are: Wayne Herrington - HMP Hull, Ben Geraghty - HMP Everthorpe, Kevin Gibson - HMP Addiewell Plus our £5 Consolation prizes go to: Joe Cull - HMP Nottingham, Glenn Wright - HMP Whitemoor

HENRY HYAMS

SOLICITORS 7 South Parade, Leeds LS1 5QE 0113 2432288 Categorisation Parole/Recall HDC Progression Adjudications Appeals/CCRC Lifer/IPP issues Judicial Review Contact our Prison Law Team Katy Cowans - Rebecca Seal Rachel Jamieson ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹

›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹

Jailbreak

Insidetime April 2011 www.insidetime.org

Comedy Corner “

(A) We used to listen to Billy Connolly all the time. That’s probably why my language is so bad on court (B)

“

(C)

“

(D)

“

”

I’m not a big fan of young kids having Facebook. It’s not something they need

”

I have been to many Olympics and competed in two, and the truth is that some of the sport is woeful

”

Women send photos of themselves in underwear for my perusal. Some have even had the underwear inexplicably removed by the emailing process

(E)

”

“

I’m happy with my body. I’d like bigger boobies, but I have to accept they wouldn’t be very aerodynamic

”

Jailbreak Answers http://www.dailysudoku.com/

2 1 8 4

8 7 3 2

1 5 6 9

8 5 2 7

9 7 3 2

6 1 4 9

5 4 6 8

2 3 8 6

1 9 7 3

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3 2 5 1

4 1 8 3 5 6 2 7 9 3 5 2 9 7 4 1 6 8 9 6 7 2 1 8 5 3 4

7 2 6 3 8 1 9 5 4 5 1 8 9 2 4 7 6 3

I T SUDOKU

6 9 2 8

1. 8. China 8 15. 3 Wine 9 1Super 7 4Girl 2. Mortarboard 9. Michael Hutchence 316. Badminton 7 5 8 3. David Copperfield 10. Underground 7 9 3 Railroad 4 6 17. March 5 4. 1980s 6 5 4 11. Napoleon Bonaparte 18. 3France 1 5. 19. Two 1 Hawaii 3 4 9 12. 2Glasnost 5 1 6. Stephen Hawking 13. Jack O’Lantern 20. Japan 9 1 4 3 7 8 2 7. Smurfette 14. Australia Daily Sudoku: Mon 7-Mar-2011

Daily Sudoku: Sat 5-Mar-2011

2

8

9

2

1 8

6 2 7 4 1

MEMBERS OF THE LAW SOCIETY FAMILY AND CHILDREN PANEL

6 3

0208 331 0505

07951 272375 or 07951 594827

6

Contact Sola or Kate at K&S @ Law Solicitors 133 Plumstead High Street London SE18 1SE

2

Whatever your situation we can help you, we have helped many people in the same position! We are specialist family lawyers who can advise you on any family matter including child access, adoption, divorce and separation.

5.

Matthew Syed former Olympic table tennis player

5 1 4 3

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 440868)

7 6 5 3

www.alblaw.co.uk e-mail: [email protected]

5 4 1 7

Arthur L Blackhurst – Solicitor Advocate Mike Gibbons LLB – Solicitor

3 2 7 1

QualitySolicitors ALB 33 Hoghton Street Southport PR9 0NS

4 8 9 5

medium

6 8 5 1 4 2 3 9 7 1 4 3 7 9 5 8 2 6

We work to win

9 3 4 6

Daily Sudoku: Mon 7-Mar-2011

Contact us on 01704 500771

hard

We are passionate about getting justice, justice being our priority.

2 7 9 6 1 3 5 4 8 1 3 5 8 4 7 6 9 2 8 6 4 2 9 5 3 1 7

y All aspects of crime

Including murder, rape/serious sexual assaults, drug related cases and serious fraud

Daily Sudoku: Sat 5-Mar-2011

y Combined “in house” legal experience of more than 50 years

• Are you being denied ACCESS with your children because you are in prison? • Are your children subject to CARE PROCEEDINGS or about to be removed by the social services • Are you being denied your PARENTAL RIGHTS? • Are you not sure what your RIGHTS are?

Rock & Pop Quiz 9. Joss Stone 10. Songs of Mass Destruction. 11. Bobby Darin 12. Cliff Richard 13. Stevie Wonder. 14. Abba 15. Destiny’s Child. 16. Prince.

http://www.dailysudoku.com/

Mind Gym 1. 40, 2. 36, 3. 400 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2011. All rights reserved.

QualitySolicitors ALB are Nationwide specialists in shortening sentences and securing the release of the wrongly convicted.

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2011. All rights reserved.

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2011. All rights reserved.

FAMILY LAW SPECIALISTS

4. Victoria Pendleton cyclist

General Knowledge Crossword

General Knowledge

Do you have any jokes (printable) that you would like to share with our readers? If so, send them in to: Inside Time (Jokes), Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. If you do not want your name or prison to appear please make it clear. You will receive £5 for every one we print so don’t forget to include your details even if you don’t want them printed.

SENTENCE TOO LONG? WRONGLY CONVICTED?

3. Nick Knowles

Quotes (A)2 (B)1 (C)5 (D)3 (E)4

2. Andy Murray

1. Michelle Obama

1. 1957 2. Marilyn Manson 3. Michael Hutchence 4. Eric Clapton 5. Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. 6. Sony 7. Billie Holiday. 8. Cher

will open any lock? A Pikey Felix Rooney - HMP Forest Bank ......................................................... Ê A man got drunk in a bar, tried to stand up and fell over. He dragged himself outside and fell over. He dragged himself home and fell in the door. He dragged himself to bed and fell in. In the morning his wife said, “You were pissed last night”. He replied, “How do you know?” She said, “Coz the pub rang, and you left your wheel chair outside.” Clint Burton - HMP Acklington

Match the following quotes to the celebrity pictures, answers below

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2011. All rights reserved.

Ê What happened when a nun tried to buy condoms at Tesco? Checkout said, “Unexpected item in bagging area”. Darren Shaw - HMP Moorland ......................................................... Ê During a visit to an old people’s home, I asked the manager how he determines whether a patient should be institutionalised. He said, “Well we fill up a bath, then offer a tea spoon, tea cup and a bucket, and ask the patient to empty the bath.” “Oh” I said, “is that because a normal person would use a bucket coz it’s bigger than a spoon and teacup?” “No, a normal person would pull the plug … Which ward would you like to stay on?” Dance - HMP Dartmoor ......................................................... Ê What’s the difference between a lawyer and a herd of buffaloes? The lawyer charges more David Tillen - HMP Gartree ......................................................... Ê What do you call those keys that

“Quotes”

Across: 1 Pedlar, 4 Mussels, 9 Eccentric, 10 Brace, 11. Rilke, 12 Triathlon, 13 Tuscany, 15 Estate, 17 Callus, 19 Poulenc, 22 Mistletoe, 24 Crown, 26 Erich, 27 Hurricane, 28 Sukarno, 29 Petain. Down: 1 Pierrot, 2 Ducal, 3 Annie Hall, 4 Machine, 5 Sabot, 6 Epaulette, 7 Sienna, 8 Pretty, 14 Slapstick, 16 True Crime, 18 Satchmo, 19 Pierre, 20 Canteen, 21 Amiens, 23 Lehar, 25 Omaha.

Send in your jokes, you will receive £5 for every one we print!

55

SCOTTISH PRISONERS

Has the justice system let you down? Need help getting your conviction and/or sentence reviewed? Benefit from our years of experience and get specialist advice on:• Appeals (including late appeals) • Referrals to Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) • Parole Applications (including Lifer Tribunals, Recall etc.) • Generally all aspects of prison law For an immediate response and visit to any prison in Scotland, write or telephone:

Susan Rhodes Bruce & Co 89 - 91 High Street Arbroath DD11 1DP

01241 430660

Solicitors to fight your case!

Steve Daykin - HMP Stocken

1 White-faced character in French pantomime (7) 2 Pertaining to a duke (5) 3 1977 film starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton (5,4) 4 “The Sacred and Profane Love ____”, title of a novel by Iris Murdoch (7) 5 A wooden or wooden-soled shoe (5) 6 An ornamental shoulder-piece on a uniform (9) 7 Reddish-brown or yellowish-brown pigment used by painters (6) 8 “____ Flamingo”, song that was a hit for Manfred Mann in 1966(6) 14 Boisterous knockabout comedy (9) 16 1999 film starring and directed by Clint Eastwood (4,5) 18 Nickname of the jazz trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong (7) 19 State capital of South Dakota (6) 20 A case or box of cutlery (7) 21 Capital of the French department of Somme (6) 23 Composer of “The Merry Widow” (5) 25 Nebraska’s biggest city (5)

Plank Press up Protein Pull up Rowing machine Shoulder press Sit ups Squats Star jump Tuck jump Medicine Ball

B O N S S E R P R E D L U O H S Y C M P P X T S T A R J U M P W T B R V C I C S Q U P S E R R J O T K S E X Y L A R P E L I K R F E E P C N H Q T E O T B C W G D A Y K I N A N A S P I U A B O L U I N T B R E T F I L D A E D C O R O E I N U S E S B U R P E E S A A K D I Q C T Q L P N G A E S T I L Y G C J P E F R I H E R T T N I E T O R P T I U A N P O M R N E O H L O F L Q G B N W M Q T M S L T I S V S U D E A B E N C H P R E S S J D H S E T J P U L L P U K N T A E C O I V C Check forward, backward and U R A F U D D O N Y R D I R M I V S J A diagonally, they are all there! P R U E L X I A N U C L P V Y L E F X M E O Q K L E F G B J Q T S E O E R X U G Thanks to Steve Daykin - HMP Stocken for compiling this wordT W S O U C R N A A S I T U P S Q V H N search. If you fancy compiling one for Y Z L G P B Y H U E X J V D T R N L R I us please just send it in max 20 x 20 F U Y A C W T C H F I J O G G I N G O W grid & complete with answers shown If we use it we will send you K L K G S H F C I Y E D B E S I O V T O on a grid. £5 as a thank you! F L I E S E L L A B E N I C I D E M U R Bench press Bent-over row 1 8 6 2 7 2 8 Bicycle 4 1 5 1 2 6 3 Burpees Cable crossover9 2 4 3 6 Chest press 8 1 7 4 3 9 Circuit 3 7 5 8 Dead lift 7 9 3 4 6 5 Dips Flies 6 5 4 3 1 Jogging 1 3 4 9 2 5 1 Lunges 9 1 4 3 7 8 2 Plank Daily Sudoku: Sat 5-Mar-2011 Press up Daily Sudoku: Mon 7-Mar-2011 Protein Pull up Rowing machine 7 2 6 3 8 1 9 5 4 Shoulder press 4 1 8 3 5 6 2 7 9 5 1 8 9 2 4 7 6 3 Sit ups 3 5 2 9 7 4 1 6 8 Squats 9 4 3 5 7 6 2 8 1 9 6 7 2 1 8 5 3 4 Star jump We’re outside fighting for your rights inside 3 8 2 4 6 9 1 7 5 8 9 6 5 2 1 7 4 3 Tuck jump Prison Law Specialists in Wales 4 9 7 1 5 2 8 3 6 Medicine Ball 5With: 7 1 4 3 9 6 8 2 Dealing

(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2011. All rights reserved.

Down

Bench press Bent-over row Bicycle Burpees Cable crossover Chest press Circuit Dead lift Dips Flies Jogging Lunges

Don’t Rot On Recall!

Adjudications Parole Reviews Licence Recall Categorisation Transfers Lifer Panels Criminal Defence and Appeals

2 3 4 6 8 7 9 1 5 7 2 9 8 6 3 4 5 1 6 8 5 1 4 2 3 9 7 1 4 3 7 9 5 8 2 6

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StartDaily theSudoku: ball rolling now - call Sarah Grace Mon 7-Mar-2011 medium on: Daily Sudoku: Sat 5-Mar-2011

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1 A travelling seller of small items (6) 4 Bivalve molluscs of the genus Mytilus (7) 9 Odd or capricious in behaviour or appearance (9) 10 A wire device for straightening the teeth (5) 11 Rainer Maria ____, German poet born in Austria in 1875 (5) 12 An athletic contest consisting of three different events (9) 13 Region of west-central Italy inhabited in ancient times by the Etruscans (7) 15 All of a person’s assets and liabilities, especially at death (6) 17 A hard thick area of skin or tissue (6) 19 Composer of the ballet “Les Biches”, first performed in 1924 (7) 22 Parasitic plant traditionally used for Christmas decoration (9) 24 Former British coin worth five shillings (5) 26 ____ Segal, author of “Love Story” (5) 27 A wind of force 12 on the Beaufort scale (9) 28 President of Indonesia from 1945 to 1967 (7) 29 Head of the pro-German Vichy regime after France’s defeat in World War II (6)

Down the Gym

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Across

Down the Gym

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Jailbreak

56

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