Black History Month Cops, Slaves and Usain Bolt the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees a voice for prisoners since 1990 October 2016 / Issue No. 208 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations

‘Shambolic!’

Usain Bolt: fastest man in the world

“I feel uneasy and once again the powerlessness of my situation crushes me.” Kelly Wober

Comment // page 32

Comment // page 21

We are all human

Jo Stevens: “so disappointed” by Liz Truss

Continues on page 18

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In her first appearance before the Justice Select Committee last month since taking over the role from Michael Gove in July, Justice Secretary Liz Truss cast a shadow of uncertainty over the government’s much heralded prison reform agenda. She appeared to be unaware of many of the key issues facing her department and her performance was later derided as “lacklustre” by parliamentary colleagues. Labour MP for Cardiff Central and Shadow Justice Minister Jo Stevens was present as the Justice Secretary was quizzed and described her performance as “absolutely shambolic.” A keen supporter of the reform agenda and a champion of rehabilitation policies for the prison system Stevens invited Inside Time to her office in Portcullis House, just across the road from the Houses of Pa rlia ment in Westminster which provides offices for almost a third of the country’s MPs.

Comment // page 19

To celebrate this special month Inside Time reveals some startling facts about the West Indies

Prison reform agenda or no prison reform agenda? Shadow Justice Minister Jo Stevens ‘disappointed’ by Justice Secretary Liz Truss’s performance in front of the Justice Select Committee, she tells Inside Time Erwin James

“I realised my not wanting to be on TV was just insecurity and with issues of freedom and liberty at stake that seemed a pretty poor excuse not to try and help” Louise Shorter

This year the annual Koestler Exhibition at London’s South Bank Centre is curated by multi-award winning poet Benjamin Zephaniah. He tells Inside Time why he was initially reluctant and what he thinks of the 2016 exhibits

Extreme measures “Those who are intent on trying to convert others to violent ant-British beliefs in support of terrorism should be separated from the main prison population and offered the time, space and assistance to reflect on their unacceptable behaviour and change their ways”

17

“Overwhelming majority of Muslim prisoners reject Islamism”

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Former prison governor Ian Acheson who was tasked with heading up a review into Islamist extremism in prisons writing exclusively for Inside Time. “Terrorism has been with us for many years,” he says, “but the new terrorism inspired by global jihad is a much bigger threat.”

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Argos vouchers

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a voice for prisoners since 1990 the national newspaper for prisoners published by Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to create links between the offender and the community.

Mr Whyte - HMP Frankland

A not for profit publication. Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial content. Comments or complaints should be directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge.

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Nonsensical rules J Carroll - HMP Lancaster Farms I agree with Robbie Bleach’s letter (July 2016 issue) with regards to the rather perplexing rules surrounding the embargo on adult prisoners purchasing 18 certificated DVDs. Whilst I was allowed to watch Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ on Film Four, I am forbidden from purchasing the exact same film on DVD because it is certificate 18. So why was there a need for the prison system to ban all DVDs rated 18 for adult prisoners?

“It would appear that the mentally feeble people who thought up this rule are living in a fantasy world far more fictitious than those in the TV shows and films I’m currently forbidden from purchasing”

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‘Stargate SG1’, the box-set is banned to prisoners because Season One was rated 18. The same ruling applies to the box-set of another sci-fi show called ‘Farscape’ for the same reason, yet I watched the whole series when I was 12. We cannot purchase the box-set of ‘Game of Thrones’ either because of this nonsensical rule. It would appear that the mentally feeble people who thought up this rule are living in a fantasy world far more fictitious than those in the TV shows and films I’m currently forbidden from purchasing.

Most prisons seem to use Argos as an ‘official’ supplier. During their promotional period when discount vouchers are available, how can these be collected? We wish to collect the discount vouchers that are generated by our orders, and donate them to charity rather than let the prison get them. Can any other prisoner enlighten us on how this can be done? Editorial note This issue was raised some years ago and we were advised that when prisoners order items listed in the Argos catalogue they are actually buying from the Prison Service. They purchase under a discount agreement between the MOJ and Argos and resell to prisoners at catalogue prices. As the Ministry of Justice is buying using a corporate account and benefiting from discounted prices, vouchers are not available for prisoners. Inside Time has asked NOMS to confirm whether this is still the situation.

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Scientology in the prison rehabilitation system? Name supplied - HMP Wandsworth I have recently been imprisoned and, as such, I was interested to find out what programmes and courses might be available to assist with my rehabilitation. My various enquiries resulted in me being given information about a variety of courses that could form part of my sentence plan. You can imagine my amazement to find courses offered by the controversial Church of Scientology were able to be included in prisoners’ sentence planning! The Church of Scientology is considered by many to be a very dangerous high-demand cult that exploits its adherents through its pseudo-psychology, based on the idea that the earth is populated by the tormented souls of dead aliens and other fantasies developed by L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Scientology does include high-profile members such as actors John Travolta and Tom Cruise, but it has been constantly criticised for its alleged exploitation of its members. Scientology uses the name ‘Criminon’ to offer rehabilitative correspondence courses to prisoners. Criminon does not mention that it is a front organisation for Scientology, but shares its offices with Scientology HQ in the UK, and the content of its courses are based on Scientology beliefs and supposed solution. I am concerned that prisoners, and in particular vulnerable prisoners who might need psychological help and interventions are being subjected to Scientology’s pseudo-psychology without being aware that Criminon is promoting Scientology. I am also wondering why the Home Office, NOMS, MoJ allow Criminon Scientology courses to be part of prisoners’ sentence plans?

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Mailbites ‘We are not bad people…’ I recently lost a relative. Both prisoners and staff have helped me through this difficult time. I so often read and hear that staff don’t care about the welfare of prisoners, but this has not been the case for me. Also, my fellow prisoners have been so caring and helpful. Prisoners are often portrayed to be the worst of the worst, but in reality they are nowhere near as bad as some people think. So, remember, the next time you read/hear about prisoners being bad people, we are not bad people, we are just people who have made a mistake.. LMB - HMP Isle of Wight

‘Vegans get one choice’ I am a vegan, and proud of it. Every prison I have been in has always been pretty fair with their choice of meals for vegans. That is, until I came here to HMP Moorland. I put a general app in to the Kitchen Manager, to inform him that I can’t eat hummus, couscous, butter or kidney beans. I was told - ‘they are the choices, like it or lump it’. I asked was there any room for compromise and was told, quite forcefully, NO. I pointed out that other prisoners get 5 choices and vegans get just one choice. I was told that if I wanted something different then I should buy it from the canteen. Have vegans in other prisons met with similar problems? Shane - HMP Moorland

Good news for blind prisoners I write to inform your readers, especially those who are partially sighted or even blind, that there is now a Braille unit at HMP Dartmoor. They are fully transcribing editions of all 5 Shannon Trust Turning Pages Books, and the complete set of all 4 readers that accompany them. The reasons for this? To empower a partially sighted/blind person to aid/teach fully sighted people to read. If interested please contact Mr Jim Scott, HMP Dartmoor Braille Unit Instructor for further information. S Cornish - HMP Hollesley Bay

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‘Not all those convicted of sex offences are guilty’ Name Supplied - HMP Liverpool As I finish off a 7-month sentence I rejoice in finding faith and becoming a changed person. I no longer use drugs or smoke cigarettes. I am due for release in 2 weeks so I thought it prudent to tell you a true story that sent an innocent man into custody. Many years ago, growing up in the care system, I was not only physically abused, but also sexually abused in the various children’s homes I frequented. So, later in life, whilst seeking legal recourse I was questioned by solicitors and the police, or perhaps ‘badgered’ would be a better word. One of my foster-carers was an upstanding member of the community with a good family and children, but I decided to wrongly over-exaggerate his treatment of me whilst I was in his care. Yes, he was strict and, I believe, harsh in his punishment of my behaviour, but I maliciously made false representations of sexual deviance on his behalf. At the time I was, I hate to say, uncaring about his well-being or the fact that I was condemning an innocent man into custody. I am not proud of my actions or their consequences, but I now know his shame, pain and suffering because of my actions. Others also played their own roles in ensuring that an innocent man was condemned to prison. I sent this man to prison, yet now I am in contact with him and his children (now adults) on a daily basis. I have suffered myself through self-loathing and guilt because even though true paedophiles went, and deserved to go, to prison, this gentle man did not. He showed me how great a man I could be and taught me about my roots, being a black man in a white man’s world. Now the irony is that I sit in custody still loved by this man and his family, allowing their support of me to change me for good. My words never used to mean much, but the consequences of my actions now hurt. My words touched this gentle man’s heart and he can now prove he never lied, forever tried to prove his innocence and I wince when I envision his and his family’s suffering and pain. His family name carries shame all because of my childish game and I hang my head in shame. People should be aware that not all convicted sex offenders are guilty. I know this for a fact. Stepping out of the shadows page 19

Prison works? Mark Wrightwick HMP Isle of Wight I would like to say what a really well-written and thought-out article ‘Prison Works’ is. I do not know Keith Rose, but after reading his piece I would like to shake his hand. He got it spot-on. The thing that troubles me is why aren’t the issues that Keith talks about being picked up by the mainstream media? Why is there not more of a public outcry? What is happening to our justice system and prisons in particular, is the scourge of our times. We, as people of the western world, are outraged by the stories we see on TV and read about in the papers about ISIS or North Korea, and are taught about historical events that we should never forget. But

Great Britain is doing some terrible things to its own people and no one seems to care. I am one of the innocent who have had his liberty taken and his good name obliterated by the justice system. And there are many of us in this position. Do not the suicide rates in our prisons tell everyone what exactly is going on? That alone should be ringing alarm bells. As Keith points out, these people who maintain innocence often incur harsher punishment than the guilty. Surely there must be a journalist out there who is willing to bring these problems to the mass media? There must be someone who can make a difference? The people of Great Britain need to know that the justice system is broken. Something needs to be done.

Missing items in ‘bag & tag’ canteen M Boylan - HMP Addiewell In most prisons the prisoners’ canteen (shop) is run by private outside companies for profit. As we all know, people sometimes do make mistakes, some of us more than others. It would be unfair to suggest that every error or shortfall in prisoners’ bag & tag canteen is anything but a mistake. I have spent a lot of time in various prisons throughout Scotland and England, and I have noticed a big increase in these ‘genuine errors’ (as the companies call them). The remarkable coincidence in these errors is, I have never had one in my favour! Often there are missing items that I have paid for, but, never, not once has there been an extra item in my bag - never three bars of chocolate instead of the two I ordered, never two packs of tobacco instead of one. Never anything that I did not order or pay for (which, obviously, I would have reported). It is possible to get a refund if you notice items missing before you open the bag, but often that is very difficult if you have a large canteen order and 60 other prisoners are trying to get their canteen at the same time. It is almost impossible to get a member of staff to check a bag with you at the time of opening it. Many prisoners struggle with reading and numeracy, so logic dictates that many of these omissions go unnoticed and money does not get refunded to the prisoner. But what happens to that un-refunded money? Who benefits? 90,000 prisoners, sometimes getting 2 canteens a week, is a nice little earner for somebody as Del Boy would say. There are a lot of bandits in prison, but it would appear that not all of them get locked up in cells at night. And whilst I have your attention, I would like to offer my congratulations to the suppliers of prisoners’ canteen fruit to Addiewell prison. They seem to have solved the problem of waste and the disposal of overripe and damaged fruit simply by selling it at the normal retail price to prisoners who have no alternative but to purchase it from this one supplier. Brilliant work!

cm

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Mailbag

Page 9

“You would learn more by simply getting books out of the library and teaching yourselves” 10-15

Newsround

Page 12

“We will not only demand the end to prison slavery, we will end it ourselves by ceasing to be slaves” 16-37

Comment

Page 28

“I had to go and live with my sister, and I cried in my room for days” 38-43

Information

Page 41

Amazon NOT an approved supplier We investigate 44-47

Legal

Page 44

“Remember that credit will be given for an early guilty plea” 48-60

Jailbreak

Page 53

“The whole species pretty much owes its survival to this sex god”

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Irish update James Brennan HMP Leyhill

donating them you are raising funds for a very worthwhile cause and supporting those children and young people stricken with this awful disease.

Appeal for used stamps Joseph O’ Riordan HMP Swaleside I have voluntarily worked for a variety of charities, both local and nationally, for many years. I have now been in prison for two years and have managed to keep that ethos going by collecting used stamps and donating them to Clic Sargent for Children with Cancer, which supports children and young people with cancer. The charity provides clinical, practical and emotional support, helping people to cope with their cancer, the impact of it, its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement. I imagine the amount of mail coming into our prisons each week and the used stamps on them, in general, are thrown into the bin - by

If you would like to be involved in this worthwhile pastime, please write to me at HMP Swaleside, Brabazon Rd, Kent, ME12 4AX, and include my name and number (A6576DH) and I will pass you the details on how to organise this project in your prison. CLIC Sargent says By collecting just 1kg of stamps for us to sell you can help pay for a family to stay in one of our 10 Homes from Home, located near eight principal treatment centres, so that they can be close to their child during treatment. We sell all stamps we receive - UK, foreign, old and franked - on our award-winning eBay shop to avid stamp collectors.

Since you printed my piece in the July issue, I’ve had lots of letters from inmates, their families and a few agencies all offering support. One of the letters made me aware that a leading firm of UK solicitors (who advertise in Inside Time) are actually in the process of taking a Judicial Review action on behalf of Irish inmates in UK jails, in an effort to force the Irish and UK governments to deport Irish nationals. Proceedings are at an advanced stage having overcome many initial hurdles. I was more than happy to join my Irish brothers and sisters in this legal action. I am sure that many of your Irish readers would also want to know more about this, as without Inside Time I would have been unaware of it. Should any Irish prisoners or their relatives want to know more, please feel free to write to me and I will (subject to governor’s permission) reply to all letters I receive. Again, thank you Inside Time for your continued support of the Irish issue.

Punished for using the complaints system Michael Miles - HMP Lancaster Farms We, as prisoners, are told to use the complaints process, but we are not told of the backlash when we do. I am a recall 2-strike lifer and I am in my parole window, but now I’ve been shipped so far from my family by HMP Stoke Heath. I was misled by the Security Department and threatened with nickings if I didn’t go, so I took it on the chin and came here as I could not afford a nicking this close to my parole hearing. I have to say that Stoke Heath is no place for black men, or even travellers, as it is a very racist jail. I was racially abused in front of staff and nobody came to see me about it when I complained, it was just brushed under the carpet. HMP Stoke Heath is, in my opinion and experience, badly-run and needs to change before they have any more self-harm or suicide attempts.

Ms Sasha Chi Chi Hart - HMP Littlehey I see a lot of people writing in to say how great their prison is for transgenders, so I’m writing to tell you about Littlehey. There is a big trans’ population here - or is there? This is a predominately sex offender prison, and it is with utter disgust and concern as a non-sex offender trans’ prisoner that I find anyone can and does say they are trans’, just so they can continue in their sexual deviant ways, such as cross-dressing or avoiding having to do the SOTP programme because they become classed as females. The sickest part of this is that the system can do sod-all about these trans’ bandwagon-jumpers, because the policy states they must be treated as transgender prisoners ‘if they say they are’. I have had staff and other inmates express their disgust to me (a genuine trans’ prisoner) over this behaviour. You do not have to be transgender here, you only have to say you are and you do not even have to ‘live in role’. But on the flipside, if you are trans’ and are a slightly better-looking female than others, you get nothing but negativity and bitterness from those not quite able to carry off looking female. So if you want to be able to avoid addressing your offending behaviour, come to HMP Littlehey and ‘go trans’’, if you enjoy unwanted sexual attention, or want to be slated by your own trans’ community, then come here. You are fooling no one but yourself by living a lie, and it is trans-imposters who give real transgender people a bad name, in and out of prison. To genuine trans’ people - stay strong.

NOMS

Writes

LGBT magazines We recently received a query from a prisoner asking where he could find an official list of LGBT magazines/publications. We sent the query to NOMS, and this is their reply: The short answer is, there is no list of approved publications. In general, NOMS does not censor reading material except where it is necessary for public protection or to restrict illegal materials. The relevant policy on public protection is in chapter 11 of the Public Protection Manual. There are two broad categories of restricted materials: types of material not allowed under any circumstances are listed on page 4; and specific publications are listed in Annex A. The Manual should be available in prison in hard copy if internet access is not. Apart from these provisions, nothing is ‘banned’, so any publication is available in principle. However, the Manual also allows materials to be restricted in two other circumstances: • An individual prison can add to the national list for the whole population of the prison, if local circumstances require it; and • Materials not otherwise restricted may need to be withheld from individual prisoners if required by their offending behaviour or risk management needs. If a prisoner wants to know whether his or her own prison has a local list, it should be possible to find out from prison staff. But the only way to find out whether something may be restricted for the individual prisoner is to order it, or ask for it via the library. Prison staff will then decide whether the prisoner can be allowed to have it.

I’m so sorry Mark Humphries - HMP Wayland This letter is an apology to all the LGBT people I have offended in the past. I am truly sorry for my actions and words that would have caused you pain. In my previous life as a preacher I have spoken against your position; my sermons were used to alienate you as a group and as individuals. I publicly wrote against churches that supported LGBT people. That was wrong of me and I am truly sorry. Recently, through deeper spiritual study and insight I have found a new freedom to express myself. I have written to an outspoken transgender person. I told her very much the same as I write here. That was the start of my repentance. I want to be your brother, and I want to encourage others to step back and look at the world around us. We are one world, made up of many different people, each one of us has a unique gift and offering to give. If I do not let you do that by being you, I rob the world of that gift. With love.

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Corrections and Clarifications The policy of Inside Time is to correct significant errors as soon as possible. Corrections will appear in the mailbag section of each issue and on the relevant web page. If you notice an error please feel free to write to us at the usual address providing the date and page number from the newspaper, alternatively have a friend or family member call or email us (see below). Paul Gambaccini interview In the interview with broadcaster Paul Gambaccini in the August issue of Inside Time we made a couple of errors. The singer of Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB.

ENGLAND SWINGS is Roger Miller, not Roger Millar and the correct lyric is, “Bobbies on bicycles, two by two”, not, “Bobbies on the beat two by two.” 01489 795945 [email protected]

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Insidetime October 2016

Is this a case of security gone mad? Nigel Lamberth - HMP Wayland Wayland is a category C prison and we have the DHL warehouse here, which also supplies HMP Norwich, a category B establishment. Due to ‘Security Reasons’ we cannot order cans of cola from the canteen in this prison, though we can order 1.25 litre bottles of cola, and also cans of Fruit Punch and Black Grape. The DHL warehouse stocks cans of cola for those prisoners at Norwich to order. So, I can order a bottle of cola and, because I work in the DHL warehouse, I can hold a can of cola in my hand, in order to pick and send it to Category B prisoners at Norwich, but I cannot order one for myself from a category C prison. If there are prisoners sitting in Category A prisons who are allowed to order cans of cola, then please drop me a line so I can show security here how absurd their ruling is. It is things like this that make prisoners wonder what goes on in the heads of security staff.

Mobile phones in prison Jeff Dix - HMP Highdown

Aberfan

Aberfan fatal landslide

P Fowkes - HMP Usk As a young boy, life in Aberfan in 1966 was quite traumatic due to the major disaster that occurred. The landslide that led to the deaths of 116 children was difficult to live with, as I was a young boy at the time of the tragedy. I did not witness the actual event but it affected our whole community and still has lasting and painful effects, meaning that I, along with many others, have found it difficult to live a normal life. The pain will never go away completely, but as time passes I find it easier to come to terms with. I think of many of my friends that died and hope that one day I will be reunited with them. I think of the families that suffered the loss of their children and the 28 teachers who were tragically taken during the disaster that occurred on the 21st of October 1966 at 9.15am. It has taken many years to be able to even write about this event so I would be grateful if it could be included in your paper. Editorial note The Aberfan disaster was a catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip in the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, on 21 October 1966, which killed 116 children and 28 adults. It was caused by a build-up of water in the tip which suddenly started to slide downhill in the form of a slurry. Over 40,000 cubic metres of debris covered the village in minutes, and the classrooms at Pantglas Junior School were immediately inundated with young children and teachers dying from impact or suffocation. 90,000 people contributed £1,606,929 to the Aberfan Disaster Memorial Fund (ADMF). In 2007 the Welsh Assembly donated £2m to ADMF as compensation for money requisitioned from the original fund by the then Government and National Coal Board.

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I have never had or used a mobile phone whilst in prison, but even though that is the case I can understand why people use them. The view of the Prison Service is that the only reason people would have an illicit mobile is for maintaining criminal activity from within prison. Whilst it could be true that some people do have them for this reason, I can identify at least 2 other genuine reasons that maybe the Prison Service/MoJ should think about and take some responsibility for. The cost of using prison phones is extremely high. What does £10 get you on a prison phone these days? 100 minutes if you ring a landline and less than half of that if you call a mobile. Yet what does the same £10 get you on a mobile phone contract? The second problem is that with such tight regimes, due to staff shortages, it is extremely hard to get the opportunity to call your loved ones when we get locked up for the night at around 5pm, that’s if we have been let out of our cells at all. A personal example - I had to ring my solicitor this morning to chase up a long-overdue parole decision, my solicitor had asked me to specifically call in the morning when she would be available. I asked staff at 10am if I could make a legal call, but was told that I would be let out at lunchtime like everyone else. When I was let out for lunch I wasn’t allowed to use the phone. This is not the first time this has happened and I genuinely wished at this moment that I had access to a mobile. So, although a small percentage of inmates must have illegal mobile phones for malicious reasons, the Prison Service/MoJ need to consider that many others may have them to maintain family or legal contact, as well as to reduce cost.

The police and their behaviour CP Metcalfe - Mother of an inmate Jonathan King is right; the police do tell lies. In a recent issue of Inside Time there was a letter from an inmate at HMP Isle of Wight in which he talks of being convicted of a crime that never happened. Can’t the police stick to stopping real crimes? Can’t they look for the truth and be pleased when they find it? Are they just so focused on getting convictions at any cost that integrity goes out of the window? Are their targets and promotions so important to them that if they can’t solve real crimes they will make up a few? There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of innocent people in prison in this country who know the answer to the above questions. And there are thousands of members of the public, the families and friends of these prisoners, who know it too. It is a national disgrace. The police time and public money spent in convicting my son of a non-existent crime does not bear thinking about - and so much of it was used in fabricating a scenario that a jury really should have seen for the charade it was. And then, of course, that fabrication can be given to the press as fact. The likes of The Sun love a good fantasy story. During a recent visit from the police to return some property ‘seized’ for their so-called investigation, the comment was made that ‘because we are the police we have to be very careful with private property’! It is a pity that care does not extend to private lives, which they do their best to destroy.

Mailbag

5

Mailbites ‘Can I have a COMP1 please?’ I have been in Swinfen Hall for 5 months and I have yet to see a single COMP1 form in this prison. I asked a member of staff if he could print some off but was told that they can only order them in. It is not right that Chris Grayling scrapped Legal Aid for prisoners at the same time telling everyone that the internal prison complaints system (COMP1) is perfectly adequate. Not if you cannot even access the paperwork in order to make your complaint. Great for the prison because no COMP1 forms equals no complaints. Can we please at least have the means of making a complaint, or is that too much to ask? Liam Lyburd - HMP Swinfen Hall

Let us fight for our country I am a serving prisoner here, doing 17½ years for Section 18, Section 20 & aggravated burglary. I was recently thinking that prisoners like me should be offered a chance to join the army instead of festering away in jails. If I were given the choice I would 100% choose to go and fight in the army. I wonder how many long-term prisoners, both male and female, would choose the same? Just think of the extra troops there would be available were prisoners given the choice. So what if we have convictions, that doesn’t mean we can’t fight for our country. We would actually be able to give something back for the damage we have caused. Name supplied - HMP Garth

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‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB.

If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters to the address on the left. It is very important that you ensure the following details are on all paperwork sent to Inside Time: YOUR NAME, PRISON NUMBER & PRISON. Failure to do so will prevent us responding to you and your submission being withheld from publication. Please note letters for publication may be edited. NB The shorter and more concise letters are more likely to be published. 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.

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Mailbites ‘Is there training for OMU staff?’ I have noticed that many of our wing staff have been, or want to become, OMU staff. I wonder what training these people are given and whether they need any major accreditation? If so, we have a cause for concern, because it looks as if any officer can be OMU and hold considerable, life-changing decisions over inmates, based on personal perception, or even personal agendas to punish. I am even more concerned to discover, direct from OMU management, that the OMU collects newspaper articles printed about inmates in order to flesh out their cases. And we all know how biased the press can be! NT Cashmore - HMP Dovegate

No NPR in HMP Full Sutton I noticed in the August issue of Inside Time that HMP Isle of Wight, which is a prison in the middle of the English Channel, can receive NPR, yet here in Full Sutton we don’t even get a look in. When I was in HMP Preston, NPR got me through the week when there was nothing on TV, especially the NRG programme on a Friday. Can anyone explain why we cannot receive NPR? Matthew Higham HMP Full Sutton

‘Thank you Wymott’ I am an elderly prisoner with health problems. In my cell I have pictures of my 10-yearold Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel called Spencer. I had not seen Spencer for 4 years and I’ve still got another couple of years before my release. The prison organised a special compassionate visit so that my wife and son could bring Spencer to see me. From 9.30 to 10.30 we had the visits room to ourselves. I so appreciate the extra trouble that individual members of staff had to go to for this to happen. Sincere thanks from my wife and my son and especially from Tex and Spencer. Thank you. Gordon ‘Tex’ Wakefield - HMP Wymott Paws in prison page 25

Mailbag

‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB.

Insidetime October 2016

Olympic athlete Adam Peaty

Censorship in our ‘homes’ Carl Linden - HMP Highdown We were recently ‘treated’ to a notice from our Custodial Manager, here on Houseblock 6, which states - ‘As of Monday 8th of August HB6 staff will be carrying out regular checks in your cells and will be looking specifically at where you are displaying your pictures/photographs.’ It also went on to say - ‘You are reminded that pictures/photographs are not to be distasteful and should not show any male or female genitalia this also includes bare female breasts. You have until Monday 8th of August to comply with this instruction.’ It was signed by the Custodial Manager. Whilst most of us agree that not to display male or female genitalia on our walls is a reasonable and decent request, as there are both male and female staff working on the wing, I would remind staff that whilst we are in custody our cells are our ‘homes’. The inclusion of ‘bare breasts’ dramatically impacts on my ‘straight’ fellow inmates, as even national newspapers feature bare-breasted females on a daily basis. Some members of staff are telling us that no nipples should be on show, others say no breasts at all, so a photo of a prisoner’s partner in a low-cut dress cannot be displayed. Yet, I have numerous pictures on my wall of Olympic athlete Adam Peaty, bare-breasted and in brief trunks. But apparently that is fine, which to me is discriminatory. So who decides what is ‘distasteful?’ I know that one officer does not like gay inmates, so to him Mr Peaty’s pictures would be distasteful. I understand that it is important to have rules and for us to follow them, but our private space is our own, whether we be gay or straight. It is unfair for my fellow inmates to have their walls stripped bare whilst mine is left alone. We live in these cells and should not have to be under restriction because of some officers’ moral or religious views. This is discrimination, of that there is no doubt.

Praise for the Jigsaw Centre at HMP Leeds Mike Craig - Halifax I would like to put on record my appreciation of the tireless work put in by all the staff at the Jigsaw Centre at Leeds prison. They offer friendship, support and assistance all the time, helping where possible to relieve the stress felt by families on the outside. It is probably not widely known, but it is very hard especially for younger families to keep the bonds between parents and children. The play visits they have set up with the governor’s support critically help parents hold it together. It is worth noting that this is a charity venture, dependent on raising funds to keep

it going, so I urge people to support the raffles and other fundraising activities of the Centre, to keep the current great service. Apparently, in the old days people sat outside in the street until visit time, now they have an airy, modern building, in which Susan and the team are there constantly with help and encouragement. For me personally it was only 4 months but without their help I could not have got through it. So, my thanks to everyone involved, your valuable work is welcome. I wish you every success going forward.

7

Breaking the law

A different view of Wakefield

Simon Maufe HMP Holme House

Name supplied - HMP Wakefield

I read with interest the mailbag, Amber Alert by David Scott. I recently received an answer on a COMP1 form that you may be interested in. In his reply to my query about why full-time workers do not get daily exercise in the open air, the Case Manager replied, and this is a direct quote - ‘At Holme House this is the accepted practise that full time workers do not get exercise mid-week. You can of course apply to OCA for a transfer to another establishment’. Since our minimum 30 minutes exercise in the fresh air daily is prison law under the Prison Act (voted on by Parliament) and not just a PSI, I am contemplating contacting the police liaison officer here and making a complaint that the governor routinely and knowingly breaks the law. I would think a solicitor’s firm would love to take this on a no-win-nofee basis, maybe as a class action for all prisoners who are routinely disadvantaged by this illegal act.

I read every issue of Inside Time, but lately there have been a couple of letters from inmates in this prison that have infuriated me because they are so misleading. I will start with the letter from one inmate here asking why he cannot have a dog? Apparently the rules state that we can buy cage birds from the canteen. Well, just to clarify - No we can’t. We have not been allowed to buy cage birds here for the last 10 years due to the jail not having a trader’s license.

“My own view of this place is to warn people to stay clear of this graveyard and give it a very wide berth” My second frustration is with a recent letter in the August issue where the inmate in question goes on about how Wakefield should lose the stigma of being known as ‘Monster Mansion’. He praises this place and goes on to say that others should apply to come here because it is so great. I can only think that he is walking around with his head up his backside. My own view of this place is to warn people to stay clear of this graveyard and give it a very wide berth. The SOTP courses allow paedophiles to tell others of every little detail of their crimes, and they even have other paedophiles role-playing child victims. Which I personally think is rather sick and twisted. I would advise people not to come here, it is not a nice place and once you are here it is very hard to get shipped out again. Staff are not policing the wings properly and it seems like nobody cares.

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8 Mailbag

‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB.

Insidetime October 2016

Maintaining family ties is hard enough…

How do we reform our prisons?

Jael Kayumbi is a prisoner’s wife

Name supplied - HMP Send

I live in Stoke-on-Trent, so it is a lengthy, 400 mile round trip for me and my 16 month-old son to visit his father at HMP Maidstone. Being together as a family, with his dad, is so essential to us that I am willing to go through it every month or so. Furthermore, being alone and suffering from postnatal depression, I rely on our family time to give me the fuel I need to keep going. However, on the last occasion when I arrived at the prison the officer at the desk told me that I did not include my baby’s name on the list. He said he would speak to a colleague to see if they can allow me in. The officer that was called over looked at me and said that she believed what I was wearing was inappropriate because of the cuts. I was not showing what some consider to be a disturbing amount of flesh or anything and it was hot. I am not part of this society that has an outfit for every occasion. I design my clothes according to my taste. Asking me to change my style, and wear clothes that are “appropriate” is discriminating and insulting. There was no issue with my outfits the first few times I came and now it seemed like I was being targeted as soon as I arrived. The officer then said that she is going to contact the visit booking department to see if I included my son’s name on my visit and would give me a copy of rules on dress code for visitors. She came back with two ladies who deal with the online booking system to tell me that I was not allowed in because of the way I am dressed and because my son’s name is not on the visitors list. I said I have his birth certificate and that it was not my first time but she said that they have to go through security checks to make sure that offenders who have committed crimes

“I was absolutely shattered as it was such a hectic journey, just to get there. I made my way to the toilet and burst into tears. I felt like the officers did not understand how much it cost me just to be there or know what it’s like not being able to see our loved one. ” against children are not in the hall. By seeing how many children were inside the hall, it was very obvious that there would be absolutely no danger for him. She still insisted that his name must be on the list because... Well, it just has to be. After making this last statement, she told us to leave the premises and so I walked away. I was absolutely shattered as it was such a hectic journey just to get there. I made my way to the toilet and burst into tears. I felt like the officers did not understand how much it cost me just to be there or know what it’s like not being able to see our loved one. As I came out of the toilet, I said to them, “Do you know something, one day, you will definitely be in my shoes.” This somehow was interpreted as a threat and was reported to the head of security and operations who has now imposed a three months’ ban, not only preventing my innocent son from building a relationship with his father, but also tearing our family apart and giving an inmate unnecessary stress.

It was very interesting reading Inside Time (August issue) and a lot of stuff relating to the failings of our prisons. Let us all hope that our new Minister of Justice, Elizabeth Truss, will also read this paper and understand the real state of our prisons. I have noticed over the past 6 months that Send seems to have gone downhill. The IT tutor left in January and some of the Admin staff have left since, so there isn’t much education here. We had an amazing textiles department for many years, but this has now been closed due to the fact that it is not a ‘recognised qualification’. We have been told that there are apparently no textile jobs on the outside anymore so there is no point to it. Plus, the textile department was great for teaching us to repair and alter, which meant we could repair our prison clothing instead of the prison going to the expense of buying new ones. The department also had a team of ladies who were making cushions, bags, aprons, wash-bags and other items which staff would buy, and the items were also for sale to prisoners’ families through the visits centre. The money went back into buying more fabric, so it was self-sustaining and teaching us great skills. Yes, new skills are being brought in, like DIY, tiling, plumbing, etc., but a lot of the prisoners here are elderly so this is not something they can do, due to long-term illness or arthritis. We have to look at the bigger picture here, if there is no education or skills being taught it is going to be so much harder for us to find employment on release.

The forgotten few James Hockey - HMP Wayland I am a 2-striker, who was sentenced as a young offender, and my tariff expired 11 years ago. Recently I decided to make a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Justice asking them how many other 2-strike lifers were sentenced to this draconian and inhumane sentence as young offenders. I was horrified to find out I was one of only 13 other young offenders. I bet there are not that many people out there who know that 13 young lads are languishing in prison into their 30s or 40s for crimes they committed as teenagers.

The Judge who sentenced me for GBH said he would have given me a fi xed term sentence I have written to the person who imposed the of 8 years but he had to give me a 2-strike life ban and asked for a reinvestigation on this case sentence with a 3 year, 4-month tariff. I have now served the equivalent of a 28-year by checking CCTV footage etc. I ended up prison sentence. Surely we should be losing my return ticket and spent a total of £202 Blackfords ad 24.1.14:Layout 1 24/1/14 12:59 for Pagethe 1 release of 2-strikers? fighting on a day filled with anxietynewand nothing more.

Don’t give up hope Marc Smith - HMP Swaleside I am a ‘2-strike’ lifer who has now been in prison for thirteen-and-a-half years, eight years over tariff, and I have remained a category B prisoner the whole time. The European Court of Human Rights said that the 2-strike Act was inhumane and arcane, and this resulted in the British government fundamentally changing this law and giving it a makeover and a new name - IPP. Unfortunately, prisoners under this law still did not have a release date and very little hope of getting out. What about the over 3,000 prisoners that are still in prison and over tariff under the 2-strike Act? I urge 2-strikers to write to me as I have a good legal team and we are trying to put together a Class Action in the High Court to challenge our sentence. Finally, to all the lads stuck in DSPD units, and to my main man Johnny Wallace stuck in Long Lartin block, do not give up hope, your day will come!

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Adult male survivors

‘Why special treatment for governors?’ In this jail recently, a governor was badly assaulted and suddenly the media were all over it. They never seem interested when prisoners are killed or maimed, but a governor gets a few punches and its headline news. Why? Do they not have a clue how violent our prisons actually are? This prison is very violent and there are frequent assaults on both staff and prisoners. Some staff get assaulted and do not even go off sick, they just carry on with the job. So why does a governor get special treatment? Stop ALL violence and treat everyone the same. F Chennell - HMP Wayland

A plea to the new Justice Minister The reason I am writing concerns the plans for prison reform which previous Justice Minister Michael Gove set out, before Cameron threw his toys out of the pram and caused a reshuffle. What I, and many other prisoners, want to know is are the plans for reform still going ahead? With violence, suicide and self-harm levels at an all-time high, surely something has to be done, and fast. My advice to the new Justice Minister would be this - read Inside Time, visit a few prisons and talk to prisoners, don’t just sit behind a desk, be proactive. Then, and only then, will we see real change. Help us to rehabilitate ourselves and become productive members of society. And, when we are released give us the support we need to gain employment. This will lead to fewer recalls and much less reoffending. Most of us want to be better people so give us the help we need to help ourselves. LMB - HMP Isle of Wight

Jonathan Ashton - HMP Risley

Potential plumber’s dilemma

© Fotolia.com

Are prison-earned NVQs worth anything? Jason Shields - HMP Hull The other day my sink was blocked and had been for a couple of days. When the Works Department plumber arrived to unblock it, I got into a conversation with him, and one of the questions I asked was how long it took him to complete his NVQ plumbing course? He told me that it took 2 years. I was shocked, so I asked him how come prisons offer NVQ courses in plumbing and other things yet the courses only take between 6 and 20 weeks to complete? He told me that you cannot complete an NVQ plumbing course in that time, and even just completing the proper NVQ would be unlikely to lead to employment on the outside. Which made me wonder if prison courses are really fit for purpose? How can NOMS offer NVQ courses that take considerably less time to finish than in colleges? Surely that is impossible? I know that NOMS get payments, or at least a specified amount, for every course that a prisoner completes. So, is the reason that prisoners are given shortened, sub-standard, useless courses and are cheated simply down to getting money for NOMS? It seems that if I take my so-called NVQ certificate to a possible employer they will just laugh in my face, because it is quite literally not worth the paper it is printed on when it comes to gaining employment. I think it is time that NOMS started being honest and told us that the courses they offer are no more than introductory ‘taster’ courses and not real, proper job-gaining NVQs. That being the case, I would like to know where they think real rehabilitation comes from and how is it being implemented, because the best route to employment on release was completing an NVQ. But this leads to no job at all. It would seem hardly anyone in charge of the prison system is really interested in rehabilitation, though they bang on about it all the time, it is really all about money and statistics for the government to pretend that prisoners are active in education and training. You would learn more by simply getting books out of the library and teaching yourselves, than doing these half-hearted prison courses. Any comment from NOMS about this? I would guess not.

Local To: HMP Bullingdon, HMYOI Aylesbury, HMP Woodhill, HMP The Mount & HMP Grendon but Pickup & Scott will represent prisoners nationwide. We are able to assist with all Please contact aspects of prison law, including: Charlotte Lyon at: • Parole Board Reviews • Recall to Prison • Independent Adjudications • Sentence Calculation Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers

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My name is Jonathan, I am 47 years-old and a severe stammerer and survivor of mental, physical and sexual abuse from a young age, up until I was 16, when I escaped my family home and my abusers. The after-effects and dysfunction ruined my life up until I was 46 years old and I was in my first year of therapy. But, due to another nervous breakdown I ended up back in prison. I had tried to disclose numerous times throughout my adult life but I was always treated as a liar and a fantasist. I have been attacked on numerous occasions, which has left me with severe PTSD and other complex trauma and mental illness, which was my road to addictions and escapism. Reading your August issue, I came across the column - Inside Drink and Drugs News by Claire Brown. The drugs and decriminalisation

report was great news about having better help and support for addicts. I also read in her report that psychotherapist Elaine Rose was highlighting the effects of childhood abuse into adulthood, and the shame and confusion it causes to adult male survivors. Something I can finally relate to. I find there is a big stigma for adult male survivors. I know the full impact of trying to speak up, I found very little help, neither in or out of prison. I am a member of Shatter Boys UK, who are based in Manchester. They are a group of other male survivors who meet © Fotolia.com and support each other with coming to terms with their abuse and trying to raise awareness that adult male survivors can find sanctuary. I am going to ask this prison if I can form and run a support group for adult male survivors as I have seen nothing to help us in prisons in the past. I see many other men escaping this reality with drink, drugs and high risk living. I just hope I can help other adult male survivors to feel united and trying to rebuild our lives while residing in HMP. Inside Drink & Drugs News page 43

‘In denial is a psychological term’ Name supplied - HMP Northumberland On reading the interesting article by Keith Rose of HMP Whitemoor (August issue), I was surprised to see the term ‘In Denial’ used. I myself am one of the soaring prison population of genuinely innocent, but I use the term ‘Maintaining Innocence’. Mr Rose and other readers may find the following of interest. Appellant or Maintaining Innocence: It was deemed by a Court of Law to be unreasonable to impose coursework on a person who has maintained innocence throughout their sentence. This has recently been acknowledged by the Parole Board. This also applies to appellants. Having been informed of the relevant case, any Probation Officer intent on breaching the law then becomes liable to a charge of misfeasance in public office. This can carry a custodial sentence. The Term ‘In Denial’: Is a psychological term and cannot be used unless you have been assessed by a qualified psychologist. If you have not been assessed, it therefore becomes slanderous for any officer or official to use this term to describe you. If it is in written form, or incorporated in a report, it is termed libellous and, as with slander, proceedings can be taken against the individual responsible. Case Law Relating to the Above: Administrative Court (Collins J) 18th Feb 2004. Claimant: Prisoner known as ‘T’.

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Insidetime October 2016

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More pressure to release IPPs from former Justice Secretary Ken Clarke More pressure has been put on the government to address the problem of IPP prisoners after former Justice Secretary Ken Clarke urged ministers to tackle the issue when it emerged that as many as 2,000 remain in London prisons. Indeterminate Public Protection (IPP) sentences were stopped by Mr Clarke four years ago but he said his reforms had not gone far enough and called for those sentenced before 2012 to have their IPPs removed retrospectively.

“Most lawyers regard IPPs as a stain on the justice system, it is just a question of when some minister has the courage to put up with the morning’s bad press”

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Prison staff numbers continue to fall The Howard League has published a report exposing the ever falling numbers of prison officers. They say: “The number of frontline officers working in public-sector prisons has fallen over the last year, despite Ministry of Justice plans to recruit additional staff to help respond to the highest levels of violence, suicide and self-injury since recording practices began. Statistics seen by the Howard League for Penal Reform show that there were 14,689 frontline officers (full time equivalent) in England and Wales in June 2016, down from 15,110 a year earlier. This leaves prisons with barely more frontline staff than the lows of 2014, which prompted the Ministry of Justice to embark on a major recruitment exercise. Almost every region has seen frontline officer numbers fall in the last year, with the most significant reductions recorded in the East Midlands (8 per cent), the South West (7 per cent) and the West Midlands (7 per cent).” Belmarsh down from 370 to 278 Cardiff down from 200 to 148 High Down down from 200 to 158 Holme House down from 270 to 178 Pentonville down from 280 to 211 Previous research by the Howard League has shown how prison officer numbers were cut by 30 per cent between 2010 and 2013. Recent figures indicate that, in spite of the

government’s recruitment drive, people remain unwilling to work in prisons under present conditions. While officer numbers fell between June 2013 and June 2016, the prison population across England and Wales rose from 83,796 to 85,130 - putting more pressure on a failing system. Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League, said; “Reducing resources while allowing the prison population to grow unchecked has created a toxic cocktail of violence, death and human misery. These figures show how reductions in staffing and problems in recruiting and retaining new staff are feeding the problems behind bars. The vast majority of those sent to prison will be released back to the community and so it matters to all of us what happens to people when they are sent to prison. Throwing someone into a raging torrent of violence, drugs and despair is not going to help that person steer away from crime. On the contrary, it will feed more crime and create yet more pressure on the failing prisons. The Ministry of Justice can look again at its recruitment policies but only wide-ranging reforms, which include a serious attempt at reducing prison numbers, will move us away from institutions that shame the nation.” The report can be downloaded at: www.tinyurl.com/jay396r

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Speaking on the BBC’s ‘Inside Out’ programme he said; “Most lawyers regard IPPs as a stain on the justice system, it is just a question of when some minister has the courage to put up with the morning’s bad press. Getting rid of these IPPs was one of my top priorities. I favour tough sentences for people who have been extremely violent but filling prisons up with an enormous open-ended supply of people, sometimes with excessive sentences for what they have actually done, is something I disapproved of.” The Inside Out programme reported that a severe lack of hearings, and of spaces on the offender behaviour courses IPP prisoners must complete, means 2,000 out of 4,000 prisoners have still not been assessed for release. It is estimated that the backlog will take up to seven years to clear. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The Chairman of the Parole Board has made a number of recommendations to improve the parole system and reduce the backlog of IPP prisoners. We are considering these proposals and will update on our plans in due course.”

Newsbites l A Kansas man robbed a bank, saying he had a gun, and then sat and waited to be arrested. The man told police he did it because he would rather be in jail than with his wife. He has been charged with bank robbery and is likely to get his wish. l The latest statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that the number of young people in custody has fallen to its lowest ever level - 861 were in custody in July 2016. This is 73% lower than October 2002 when there were 3,200. l Scientists have claimed that they could recreate the faces of alleged offenders from DNA left at the scene. They say that many features such as face width and nose size are controlled by genes and by analysing genes in DNA left at crime scenes they could recreate 20 facial characteristics. However they said many of the genes influencing facial features are likely to have small effects, so successfully mapping a large number of these genes will require much greater sample sizes and a more comprehensive approach to quantifying those of interest.

CHILD ABUSE Helping victims rebuild their lives since 1994 Helping you achieve justice for the abuse you suffered. We have been helping abuse victims claim their legal rights for over 20 years. The law allows people to make claims for compensation even if the abuse they suffered took place many years ago. We also deal with cases against children’s homes, other institutions and social services for lack of care. Our dedicated team of specialist, legal experts have a proven track record in handling child abuse claims and can help you if you have been the victim of sexual, physical or emotional abuse in childhood. In 2015 we secured £1.1million pounds in compensation for our clients. Speak to one of our specialist male or female solicitors in complete confidence.

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If so, this research team would like to hear from you for a television documentary about ‘life after life’. We want to know how you are preparing for the outside world and how have you coped without your family? How was your experience inside? What are your plans outside? What are your hopes, dreams and ambitions? Write to us with your location and release date at... Key Media Ltd, PO Box 2349, SALISBURY, SP2 2NE …and we’ll write back to arrange meeting up when you get out. We would like to contact your family too, once we have your permission.

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Howard League respond to critical report on accommodation for homeless children The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation’s report, ‘Accommodation of homeless 16- and 17-year-old children working with youth offending teams’, published in September. The highly critical report states that one in three homeless 16 and 17-year-old children who were working with youth offending teams had been placed in unsafe or unsuitable accommodation. Inspectors were particularly concerned about the risks that children sharing hostels or bed and breakfast accommodation with adult

strangers were exposed to. They added that too many children had been given simply a roof over their heads with little other than a few hours of support from visiting professionals each week. It comes several years after major legal changes, initiated by the Howard League’s work, clarified the responsibilities of children’s services for providing accommodation and support to such children. Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League, said; “It is simply unacceptable that children in children’s services’ care are being housed in accommodation that is unsafe or

unsuitable. Every day, the Howard League’s legal team supports young people by battling to ensure that local authorities meet their obligations. “The law is clear. The Howard League helped to establish it, through judicial reviews and by working with external lawyers, based on our experience of supporting children in trouble. But while the law is there, too often the resources are not and that must change. Local authorities are stretched, but it is high time that they treated children as children who need much more than a roof over their head.”

“Gripping search for the truth” makes top five on BBC iPlayer most popular list Conviction: Murder at the Station, the two part investigative programme broadcast on BBC 2 last month was universally praised by reviewers. Hailed as, “a gripping search for the truth” and “edge of the seat tv” - the cameras followed Louise Shorter, who heads up Inside Justice, as she painstakingly re-examined the case of Roger Kearney, serving life for the murder of Paula Poolten in 2008. The victim was found dead in the boot of her own car having been stabbed seven times. But Kearney has always protested his innocence and hopes the programme will lead to his exoneration. Shorter, a producer for many years of the BBC series Rough Justice, says she was delighted by the response to the programme which made the top five most popular on BBC iPlayer. “A programme like Conviction shines a public spotlight, not only on one case, but the system too. I’m thrilled, amazed and grateful to the public for showing they care about all the innocent people in our jails today.” Many prisoners who watched the programme felt compelled to call Inside Time’s office with their opinions and comments. Stepping out of the shadows page 19

New plastic fivers go into circulation A new plastic £5 note is now in circulation. Although 15% smaller than the old note it looks similar. 440,000,000 of the new notes are in circulation and are said to be cleaner, almost indestructible, and harder to counterfeit. They are made of a material called polymer which, it is claimed, can survive a trip through a washing machine. Prison reformer Elizabeth Fry has been replaced by Winston Churchill and the note also features a see-through window featuring the Queen’s head. The old five pound note will cease to be legal tender on May 5 2017 so if you have a mattress somewhere stuffed full of them you may want to think about getting them swapped soon.

l Some of Scotland’s most notorious prisoners are said to be claiming to have converted to Judaism in a bid to get better food. The prisoners say they are Jewish to get kosher food which costs twice as much as normal prison food in an idea thought to have been lifted from cult US TV show Orange is the New Black. In 2013-14, there were only thought to be nine Jewish prisoners in Scottish prisons. Now more than 130 are claiming to have adopted the Jewish faith including 90 at HMP Glenochil and 40 at HMP Edinburgh. Each kosher meal costs £5.20 as opposed to the normal cost of £2.50. Kosher food is prepared in special kitchens and is thought to be of higher quality. Prison officers said they can’t wait to see their faces when they are told they can’t have bacon butties. l A drone being used to smuggle a record quantity of illicit items crashed onto the roof at HMP Risley. It was recovered and found to be carrying a package weighing 4lb 6oz and contained drugs such as spice, mobile phones and SIM cards. The theory is that the weight of the package was too great and the drone went out of control and crashed. The police are now investigating. l The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is planning to allow people accused of low level crimes to plead guilty online using their mobile phones. Justice Minister Liz Truss revealed the new idea in a paper released last month, saying that the justice system should start taking advantage of new technologies, such as the Internet. In the paper, titled ‘Transforming our Justice System’, the MoJ set out their vision on how to move the court system away from the 15th century paper based processes. They say the aim is to help people who are considered vulnerable to spare them the trauma of appearing in court; there would also be a shake-up of legal jargon which will be replaced by much more simple language. The MoJ said, in a statement, said; “We want a justice system that works for everyone. That means creating a system that is just, proportionate and accessible. We have the tools and the technology to cut unnecessary paperwork, to deliver swifter justice and to make the experience more straightforward.”

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New Parliamentary Briefing on access to services for rough sleepers Many prisoners are discharged without accommodation and end up sleeping rough. Parliament has just published a Commons Library Briefing Paper on access to services and support for rough sleepers. It says: “Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide advice and assistance to homeless people who are not in priority need in order to help them find accommodation.” It has been estimated that homeless people consume around four times more acute hospital services than the general population. Health services and local authorities have a number of tailored services that are intended to meet the specific needs of rough sleepers, although provision varies across England. In London the NHS has taken steps to address the increase in tuberculosis (TB) amongst rough sleepers. Concerns have been raised about the lack of suitable, specialist mental health support for rough sleepers. The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee has called on the Government to develop an action plan to address the mental health needs of homeless people, including rough sleepers. Rough sleepers may, depending on their circumstances, be able to claim mainstream social security benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The Government has eased JSA jobseeking conditions to take into account the difficulties faced by homeless claimants. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised about the high rate of benefit sanctions amongst homelessness service users, and the impact of sanctions. A rough sleeper with no fixed address who is eligible to vote can register to vote through a declaration of local connection. Download the full briefing: www.tinyurl.com/hhfc99s

Not religious? Don’t pray? God loves each one of us. Whatever mess we might have made of our lives, He really wants us to pray to Him and share our worries and our needs.

PRAYERS from Inside may help you to begin a new life with God at the centre a life that will bring true meaning and fulfilment.

Ask your chaplain for a copy.

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Prisons Inspector suggests pensioner prisons

Insidetime October 2016

World prison review

Peter Clarke, the new Chief Inspector of Prisons, has suggested the introduction of prisons just for pensioners following a massive increase in the number of men aged over 60 in the prison system. Many older prisoners suffer from multiple medical ailments and disabilities and Mr Clarke thinks that specialist prisons will be required as conventional prisons do not have the facilities to provide residential care for the infirm.

Peter Clarke, the new Chief Inspector of Prisons

There are currently more than 4,000 prisoners aged over 60 and more than 100 aged over 80. Mr Clarke said; “A lot of these people are on very long sentences ... and at some point there needs to be some consideration of whether prison is the right environment, whether it’s necessary to hold them in the security levels that prisons provide or whether some other form of secure accommodation more suited to managing the risk that they present is found.” He said the proposals were not about “going soft”, but about questioning whether prisoners were in the ‘right type of custody’.

Slovenia People in Slovenia who can’t find a place to sleep for the night can stay in their local prison for just 24 Euros (about £18). It’s actually a disused prison which has been converted into a hostel with each cell sleeping up to three ‘guests’. It was due to be demolished but local artists have renovated it with each cell having its own theme.

CPS increase prosecutions for alleged sexual offences The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has revealed that prosecutions following allegations of rape, domestic abuse, sexual offences and child abuse cases have risen to an all time high, now accounting for 19% of their workload.

their highest ever conviction rate of 75.4%.

“Domestic abuse, rape and sexual offences now account for nearly 19% of our work”

Alison Saunders, CPS director said; “Domestic abuse, rape and sexual offences now account for nearly 19% of our work.” She said that while the volume of these cases has increased the amount of convictions has risen by 11%; “Today a rape, domestic abuse, sexual abuse or child abuse case is more likely to be prosecuted and convicted than ever before.”

In the year 2015-16 the CPS prosecuted 117,568 defendants for ‘crimes against women and girls’ and 100,000 defendants for domestic abuse. In March 2016 they reached

The Metropolitan Police have transferred an extra 179 staff to its ‘Sexual Offences Command’ saying that it was prioritising the investigation of sexual offences.

Russia A Russian driver has been fined because the shadow of his car crossed a white traffic line. Traffic cameras show that his car never crossed the line. He has made a complaint and traffic police said it was the result of a ‘technical fault’. He is waiting to see if his fine will be cancelled.

Colombia Prison guards in Colombia have captured a pigeon that had a mobile telephone and a USB stick strapped to its back. The bird was reportedly discovered on its way into Combita prison and is believed to be part of a plan to smuggle the items to a prisoner. Officials are working to identify which of the prisoners the pigeon was meant to be meeting.

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USA A strike by 20,000 US prisoners protesting at what they call their use as ‘slave labour’ continues in what is the largest ever strike by prisoners in US history. The strike was organised through a network of smuggled mobile phones and social media by supporters outside of the prison system. Although the authorities have tried to keep details quiet, prisoners and their supporters have been releasing information about the action in 50 prisons across 24 states. There have also been rallies and demonstrations in support of the prisoners. Because of an information blackout by authorities, the action has not been widely reported in the US media. As the strikes began, reports emerged of several facilities being put on lockdown, some preemptively, but the only way for outsiders to get updates would be to call each facility and ask, usually getting no explanation about the reasons for a lockdown. A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Corrections said that prisons there had

resumed normal operations after several hundred inmates staged protests and work stoppages at four facilities. The spokesperson added that several inmates identified in the disturbances were transferred to other regional institutions and will be disciplined ‘in accordance with procedure’. Across America, prisoners are protesting about a wide range of issues: from the harsh parole system and three-strike laws to the lack of educational services, medical neglect, and overcrowding. But the issue that has unified protesters is that of prison labour - a $2 billion a year industry that employs nearly 900,000 prisoners while paying them a few cents an hour in some states, and nothing at all in others. In addition to work for private companies, prisoners also cook, clean, and work on maintenance and construction in the prisons themselves. “They cannot run these facilities without us,” organizers wrote ahead of the strike. “We will not only demand the end to prison slavery, we will end it ourselves by ceasing to be slaves.”

Newsround // HM Inspectorate of Prisons 13

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Food quality and quantity “insufficient” As part of its ‘Life in prison’ series of reports the Prisons Inspectorate have produced one concerning prison food which, they say, ‘plays a crucial role in our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Much of human social interaction is centred on food, and we use food choices and eating habits to construct our gender, ethnic, cultural and personal identities’. Having a limited ability to determine what, when, where or how much they eat, they say, means that prisoners lose control over aspects of their health as well as this important part of their social autonomy. For some, this deeply affects their self-esteem and sense of identity. For these reasons, food is a considerable source of frustration and anxiety amongst prisoners. PSI 44/2010 states that NOMS has a responsibility to meet, not only nutritional, but also cultural and diversity needs. This means providing meals that meet medical as well as religious or ethical dietary requirements, such as Halal, kosher, vegetarian and vegan meals. Spending on food in prisons has been decreasing. In 2014-15, the total expenditure on food in prisons was £54.1 million, down from £55.1 million in 2013-14 and £59.6 million in 2012-13. The basic catering budget allowance per prisoner per day was previously £2.02 All prisons now have the autonomy to set their own food budget dependant on local requirements and in some prisons as little as £1.87 per prisoner per day was spent. The inspectorate expect that at all adult prisons: l prisoners have a varied, healthy and balanced diet which meets their individual needs, including religious, cultural or other special dietary requirements; l prisoners’ food and meals are stored, prepared and served in line with religious, cultural and other special dietary requirements and prevailing safety and hygiene regulations; l prisoners can purchase a suitable range of goods at reasonable prices to meet their diverse needs, and can do so safely; l dietary and other lifestyle requirements of approved religions represented in the prison are properly fulfilled. The report says; “Recently visited establishments normally provided at least one hot meal per day. Breakfast usually consisted of breakfast packs, which contained cereal, milk, whitener, tea/coffee sachets, and in some cases some preserves. These were usually packed centrally and transported to establishments, often arriving in unappetising condition. We considered the quality and quantity of these breakfast packs to be inadequate on their own. “At some establishments, on weekends the daily hot meal was served at lunchtime, with the evening meal consisting of a sandwich, for example. This meant that prisoners could go without a hot meal for more than 24 hours on weekends. “In recent years, food quantity has become a prominent issue for prisoners. A number of letters to Inside Time, the national newspaper for prisoners, refer to food at dinnertime running

out on a regular basis, or portion sizes being too small. Many prisoners commented about receiving insufficient food in our prisoner survey. “There was no variation in portion size between young offenders (aged 18 to 21 years old) and adult prisoners, despite young adults (men in particular) being known to require a greater energy intake. Young adults (aged 18-21) were significantly less likely to rate the food as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in our survey during the period, than prisoners aged 22 years or older (22% compared with 30%). At HMYOI Brinsford (2015), the main complaint of young men was the small lunch portions. “Food being served early was a problem we consistently found in the establishments inspected. In some establishments lunch could be served as early as 11:10am and dinner at 4:15pm. Serving dinner this early, coupled with meagre breakfast provision, sometimes meant there was a gap as long as 20 hours before the next substantial meal.” In conclusion the report says: “Food is very important to prisoners in a number of ways, providing not only nutrition and sustenance, but also opportunities for interaction with others and something to look forward to during what can be a mundane and difficult day. Although many establishments are making commendable efforts with the resources available, too often the quantity and quality of the food provided is insufficient, and the conditions in which it is served and eaten undermine respect for prisoners’ dignity. This does little to improve what for many prisoners, is a history of an unhealthy lifestyle. It also potentially jeopardises prisoner and staff safety. Food budgets are very low, and we have consistently found that this is a major barrier to improving food in prisons. However, we believe that within current budget constraints more can still be done to provide variety, improve food hygiene, and prevent bullying and contamination.” Food in prison page 40 You can download the full report at: www.tinyurl.com/gnqtw76

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Prisoner contact with families and friends “problems across the board” HM Inspectorate of Prisons has published a ‘Findings’ paper about prisoners’ contact with their families. They say: l Maintaining family contact,

where appropriate, is recognised as a key source of support for prisoners during their time in custody and on their release.

l In 2002, the Social Exclusion

Unit highlighted the importance of prisoners maintaining contact with family members to reduce reoffending and since then family contact has been one of the seven priority pathways under which prisons and YOIs have organised most of their practical resettlement work. Our 2014 joint thematic on resettlement provision for adult offenders cited family and friends as the most important ‘resettlement agency’ for prisoners on release.

whether prisoners have children under the age of 18, half (52%) of the prisoners we surveyed in 2015-16 reported that they did, and it is estimated that 200,000 children had a parent in prison at some point in 2009. Maintaining contact with parents in prison is important for children in terms of their development, including educational attainment, social inclusion and mental health.

l

In 2014, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) published a learning lessons bulletin that reiterated how important it was for prisoners to maintain family ties and for prisons to facilitate this.

l

l

While the Prison Service does not regularly record

l

The Ombudsman (PPO) reported a range of complaints received in this area, including family days being removed for specific groups of prisoners, delays in families being brought in for visits, inappropriate mail restrictions, and l

poor access to telephones. The report details problems across the board in all areas of communications and visiting and comments on such things as delays in getting numbers added to PIN phones, not enough phones and restricted access to phones. Regarding letters the report is critical of mail delays within prisons. Issues with visits are also covered in some detail with various problems identified such as difficulties in booking and late starting of visits. The report can be downloaded from: www.tinyurl.com/zbbkrwk Prisoners who do not have internet access can write to the Prisons Inspectorate and they will send a printed copy of either of the reports on this page. HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 6th floor, Victory House, 30-34 Kingsway, London WC2B 6EX

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New report criticises HMP Barlinnie

New website for prisoners’ families charity in the north east Nepacs, a long standing north east charity, has launched a new website to support families and friends of prisoners and professionals in the north east. Staff and volunteers from Nepacs provide a number of services to support friends and families of prisoners in the seven prisons in the north east. These include prison visitors’ centres and tea bars, play sessions for prisoners’ children, special family visits, youth projects, family support services, and support within Middlesbrough and Durham courts. Nepacs also provides family and parenting support to prisoners and their families in the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear area.

The Scottish Prisons Inspectorate have released their latest report on HMP Barlinnie and criticised conditions in cells for prisoners. Chief Inspector David Strang said; “The SPS should consider reviewing their mattress specification as the ones currently provided are thin and when compressed it was possible to feel the bed structure below. The pillows provided were very hard and not of the standard that we had found in other prisons.” The report also criticises cold showers and said hot water should be available and the situation needed to be resolved. In-cell furniture was also criticised in the report which says that much of it is ‘well-worn’ and in need of replacement. In summing up the report says; “We are disappointed the SPS has not brought forward plans for the replacement of HMP Barlinnie or delivered the necessary investment to address the issues identified previously, yet have invested significant sums in other parts of the establishment.” In response to the report the Conservative shadow justice minister, Douglas Ross, said: “Nobody would expect prisoners to sleep in squalor or in discomfort but there is a rising trend of spurious complaints made by inmates and their legal representatives in an attempt to cause inconvenience to the prison service.”

Robin Corbett ad 2016.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 10:51 Page 1 Download report: www.tinyurl.com/gtc75mg Visit the new website: www.nepacs.co.uk

PRT is pleased to announce that applications for the Robin Corbett Award for Prisoner Rehabilitation are now welcome.

Along with Lord Corbett’s family, the Prison Reform Trust established and administers this award for prisoner rehabilitation. This annual award, kindly supported by the Worshipful Company of Weavers, is for outstanding rehabilitative work with prisoners done by a small charity or community group working in partnership with prison staff. Robin Corbett had a developed interest in prisoners' education and people in prison 'learning through doing'. So, uniquely, the award champions work that fosters personal responsibility and encourages people in prison. We look forward to receiving applications for this exciting award. To apply go to: www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/robincorbettaward The deadline for nominations is 11th November 2016

Newsbites

Project manager Ken Denton outside New Wortley Community Centre

Leeds project helping to stop the cycle of re-offending A community centre in Leeds is giving fresh hope to prisoners through a project offering support once they are released. Representatives from the New Wortley Offender Support Team are there to support released prisoners every step of the way, from meeting the men at the gates of HMP Leeds to helping them find accommodation. They also offer the chance to learn new skills through volunteering opportunities at New Wortley Community Centre, which acts as the project’s base. Project manager Ken Denton had been in the same position when released from prison last summer. He told the Yorkshire Evening Post; “When I got released, I came down and started volunteering here. I was made to feel really welcome. I had an idea of how a ‘through the gate’ project should work. People haven’t given them a cat in hell’s chance. They’ve come out of prison, no hope, they can’t see a day in front of them. They’re coming through here, gaining new life skills. It’s a motivation to other lads when they see people change.”

Staff at HMYOI Werrington refuse to unlock Staff at Werrington unofficially kept all young people locked in their cells as a protest after one of their colleagues was attacked. It followed claims of increasing violence at the prison. A recent inspection warned about rising violence, gang attacks and arson. Glyn Travis, assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association, said; “The cuts to the prison service and the rise in violence can cause a lack of confidence in prison staff. It means staff, prisoners and their families are scared of the risk of serious injury.” An MoJ spokesman said: “We do not tolerate any violence against our hardworking and dedicated prison staff. Following an assault on an officer at Werrington there was a delay of less than an hour in unlocking the prisoners.”

Criticism of the way Northern Ireland prisoners are held in segregation Northern Ireland’s Prisons Ombudsman has expressed concern that a number of prisoners have spent months, and in some cases years, in solitary confinement. According to figures at least 10 prisoners were held in solitary for more than 100 days last year and one spent almost five years in solitary between 2011 and 2016. Ombudsman Tom McGonigle said it can be damaging but added there are complex reasons for isolating some prisoners. He said that some vulnerable prisoners simply cannot cope with the general prison regime and it is debatable whether prison is the right environment for them at all.

l A woman has been caught trying to smuggle tobacco, cigarette papers and a lighter into HMP Swansea, which is now a smokeless zone. Magistrates in Swansea were played a recording of a telephone conversation she had with her husband in which it was claimed code words were used to plan the smuggling operation. l Staff at HMP Castle Huntly had red faces after police called to tell them that one of their prisoners had been involved in a car accident. The problem was, they didn’t know he was missing. The man, with another prisoner, had walked out of the open prison earlier in the day. A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said that Castle Huntly did four ‘number checks’ each day and a rigorous risk assessment is conducted before a prisoner is moved to open conditions. l There were red faces at HMP Standford Hill after burglars broke in two nights running and stole thousands of pounds of equipment including a tractor, pick-up truck, people carrier and power tools. On the first night they broke into the recycling plant and made off with the tractor, pick-up and tools. The second night they went back and stole an officer’s VW Touran which was being repaired by prisoners, more tools and a car tuning diagnostic machine. Standford Hill is a D Cat prison and is part of the cluster on the Isle of Sheppey. Police think it may have been an ‘inside job’ and asking anyone for information to call Crimestoppers. l The governor of HMYOI Glen Parva, where there have been 10 self-inflicted deaths since 2010 and two within nine months last year, has told an inquest jury that lack of staff prevented them from adequately protecting prisoners at risk of self-harm and suicide.

Is there a news story at your prison you would like to see in print? Write in and let us know. Please mark your envelope ‘Newsround’.

Total UK prison population approximately

94,482

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HMP Holloway IMB publish their final report

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Catalogue of problems with prison maintenance Staff at HMP Wandsworth refused to accept any more prisoners because of the poor state of cells which had been unusable for weeks, closed food serveries and windows left broken because of serious failings by Carillion, the company with a £200 million contract to carry out repairs on prisons since maintenance was privatised. Staff said they fear that frustration among prisoners, who also face shortages of toothbrushes, towels and soap, is helping to fuel disruption on the wings. They said there were long delays in repairs being carried out to observation panels in cell doors and they would not accept more prisoners until the work was carried out. Within hours of the threat all the windows had been repaired. According to The Times this was the most serious in a catalogue of complaints over the Ministry of Justice’s contract with Carillion. The contract runs for five years and covers 50 prisons in England and Wales, but has been plagued with problems since it came into force in June last year. The Times says Carillion was accused of repeatedly failing to respond on time to maintenance problems at HMP Pentonville resulting in cells being unusable for days, shortages of towels, toothbrushes and soap; and a lift for wheelchair access to the visits hall being out of order for six months. Broken windows at Erlestoke prison in Wiltshire were not replaced for months, showers were left out of action and a servery was closed on health and safety grounds. An IMB report at HMP Send said: “The extraordinarily poor service has caused great inconvenience and distress … at times it has led to situations which have compromised basic decency.” Sam Gyimah, the new prisons minister, said: “I will be meeting Carillion’s senior team to set out the improvements I expect to see. We have robust processes in place to closely monitor and manage the performance of all contractors.”

HMP Stocken IMB demand action to address staff shortages In its latest report the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP Stocken says it is disappointing that no action has been taken by NOMS to review the staff shortages identified in their last report. They say that despite the closure of K wing; “ … pressures remain significant and the allocated resource provides insufficient contingency for the inevitable escorts, constant watch requirements and hospital bed watches. Staff sickness is commendably low but again contingency provision is inadequate. Ministers and NOMS must realise that paring resources to the bone, if not beyond, will not in any way facilitate achievement of their commendable aims of providing a safe and secure environment where prisoners are encouraged to better themselves in preparation for release. The IMB considers that in the interests and wellbeing of prisoners and staff this matter requires to be properly and urgently addressed by ministers and NOMS. Further, it is requested that a substantive response is provided and that it specifies what action will now be taken, ideally with a timetabled delivery commitment.” Download the full report: www.tinyurl.com/h2m5jph

The decision to close HMP/YOI Holloway was announced on 25 November 2015 and the last prisoners left the prison on 17 June 2016. The IMB say the closure of the prison meant the loss of well-established and effective teams which had a depth of experience engaging with safer custody, mental and physical health and substance misuse. There is no longer any prison for women in London or easily accessible from London on public transport. It is now more difficult and expensive for families and children to visit women in prison. For several years prior to the announcement of the closure, IMB monitoring found Holloway to be a safe and decent prison, in particular: • there was good support for the many women in custody in Holloway who were vulnerable and had adverse or traumatic life experiences and complex needs, including poor physical and mental health and drug and alcohol addiction. • staff worked hard to help women to maintain contact with their families and a variety of arrangements were in place to encourage and facilitate visits from children. • Holloway had made good progress towards becoming a local resettlement prison, greatly assisted by its central London location and good transport links. The 2015 annual report set out questions to the Minister in the light of Holloway’s closure, relating to provision for women prisoners with mental health problems, family contact, resettlement and housing. No responses have yet been received. The final report focuses on the IMB’s monitoring of the management of the prison and the experience of prisoners in Holloway from January to June 2016. The first few months were particularly unsettled and challenging. Tragically, there was a death in custody in January 2016 although there is no suggestion that this was in any way linked to the closure process The IMB raised a number of concerns with prison management and with the Secretary of State for Prisons. These are set out in the report along with the responses received. Overall the IMB found that the risks identified were well managed in the closure process. There was a focus on keeping women safe and good healthcare provision continued. The most vulnerable women and those with complex needs were transferred to other prisons or to secure hospitals at an early stage in the process. Work and activity continued to be available until women left the prison. While the IMB concluded that the last months and the closure were managed well, concern remains about whether provision for women prisoners in the future is protected or improved by the closure of a prison which was well located, staffed by strong and committed multidisciplinary teams and which had been continually improving over recent years. Download report: tinyurl.com/j5fam22

Newsbites l A 25 year old man was found dead in his cell at HMP Liverpool just weeks after complaining about the poor treatment he was getting for his asthma. He was transferred to Liverpool a month before his death after being taken to a hospital intensive care unit from HMP Forest Bank. His complaint said that the hospital consultant had prescribed medication which he had not received and his asthma inhalers had been removed from him. Although he said he was at the ‘medication hatch’ all the time the prison nurse denied this and at the inquest into his death the prison claimed inhalers were found in his cell after his death. l Independent Monitoring Boards are an important part of the oversight and inspection of prisons and are composed of members of the local community who volunteer to visit their local prison regularly and report on the treatment of prisoners and try to resolve problems brought to them. Currently there are shortages of volunteers at many prisons including; HMPs Bedford, Dartmoor, Full Sutton, Haverigg, Isle of Wight, Leeds, Lindholme, Liverpool, Onley, Swaleside, The Mount, HMP/ YOIs Askham Grange, Eastwood Park, Rochester, New Hall, HMYOIs Brinsford, and Stoke Heath. Currently former prisoners cannot apply but if you know of anybody suitable they can visit the IMB website for more information: www.imb.org.uk/join-now/ l The Northern Ireland Parliament, Stormont, has summoned the Northern Ireland Ombudsman and managers from HMP Maghaberry to appear before its Justice Committee to examine the circumstances which led a mentally disturbed prisoner gouging his eyes out as prison staff stood by and watched. The report produced by the Ombudsman after the incident said that staff did not intervene because of ‘security concerns’ and their failure to realise the seriousness of what he was doing.

Inquest jury find catalogue of failures at Highpoint following prisoner’s death An inquest jury has said a prisoner who took his own life was not shown enough compassion by staff at HMP Highpoint. The jury heard that the prisoner was transferred from Chelmsford to Highpoint. On arrival, he asked to speak to a Listener but none were available. He asked to call the Samaritans helpline, but the phone in the induction unit was missing. He attempted to hang himself that evening and died in hospital the following day. He had a history of depression and self-harm. His was the third of four self-inflicted deaths at Highpoint in 18 months. The jury heard that staff failed to activate the prison’s emergency code system, which would have triggered an automatic call for an ambulance; the driver of the ambulance that eventually responded said it took him 12 minutes to reach the cell after he arrived. He said the prison officer who guided him ‘ambled along’ in front of his vehicle. The jury found Highpoint’s failings included: lack of compassion for prisoners, lack of training of officers, insufficient staff on duty, failure to check logbooks, failure to earlier open a suicide and self-harm procedure and then implement that procedure. Deborah Coles, director of Inquest, said the jury’s findings encapsulated the crisis within the prison system: “HMP Highpoint is not learning from its own failures, or improving the care and support provided to prisoners. The failures identified by this inquest must be responded to by the prisons minister.”

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incarceration and give better reoffending outcomes. Taking a sensible approach to length of sentence and addressing the awful legacy of the Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection are things which need urgent attention. Certainly the latter issue is soluble and within the gift of the Secretary of State for Justice.

Eoin McLennan Murray There seems to be ubiquitous agreement within our society that our prisons are in trouble. Increasing numbers of prisoners sentenced to longer terms of imprisonment where they are cared for by a reduced workforce who have seen their standard of living fall year on year. At the same time rates of self-harm and suicide amongst prisoners have increased, serious assaults, both prisoner on prisoner and prisoner on staff have hit record highs and a day does not go by without command suites being opened in prisons or at HQ to deal with operational incidents.

The size of the female population could be dramatically reduced without increasing the risk to society. 80% of female prisoners are low/medium risk and could be managed in the community. This would also reduce the number of children being taken into care and subsequently being over represented in the CJS later on in life.

As if this toxic mix was not bad enough prison regimes have been devastated in many prisons who still struggle to recruit the minimum number of staff needed to run a proper regime. It would not be unfair to say that our prisons are in trouble and the former Justice Secretary of State, Michael Gove, recognised that and wanted to initiate a series of reforms to deal with the problem. One of his centre pieces was to give governors more autonomy. Autonomy for governors is a step in the right direction but for it to have any impact on reforming the service it has to be done on a much larger scale. An autonomous governor can create a prison regime which matches the needs of the population in that particular prison. At a local level there will be improvements in decency but unless the new Secretary of State for Justice, Elizabeth Truss addresses some of the big drivers that send people to prison governors will always struggle with problems that are outside of their control. A clear example of this is the approach taken with drug/drug related crime. Until the manufacture, supply and distribution of drugs is taken away from criminals and organised crime governors will struggle to limit the adverse effects of this illicit trade on prisoners and prison regimes. Similarly, the size of the prison population and the length of prison sentences, both long and short need

Young offenders (Children) should not carry the burden of previous convictions into adult life where they are blighted and have a higher probability of becoming adult offenders.

Modernising the estate is essential

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Society deserves better With the prison reform agenda in a state of uncertainty, former prison governor Eoin McLennan Murray analyses the issues causing the main problems in our prison system Taking a sensible approach to length of sentence and addressing the awful legacy of the Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection are things which need urgent attention reviewing. The limited resources available to governors should be focused on those prisoners that are a real threat/risk to society. Prisons are too full of prisoners who consume

these resources and the net effect is that too little is done to those who need it most. Alternative sanctions to incarceration need to be available for offenders who do not pose a serious threat to society. Of the six Reform Prisons announced only two governors actually have autonomy. Four of the governors have to report to two senior civil servants who have the real autonomy. This is not autonomy for governors. If government is serious about autonomy then keep the model simple and give the autonomy for running the prison to the governor who is in charge 24/7 and not to a SCS who at absolute best will visit on a weekly basis and will

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Modernising the estate is essential. Replacing old stock with new is sensible but creating big prisons for cost effectiveness reasons is a short sighted policy that will cost more in the long run. Small prisons are more effective and have better outcomes for prisoners. Woolf recognised that fact post Strangeways and I have yet to see evidence that his assessment was flawed. The real cost savings can be made by scrapping ineffective short sentences and using Community disposals which cost a fraction of the price of

Eoin McLennan Murray was a prison governor for almost four decades and is now Chair of the board of Howard League for Penal Reform trustees

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never know the prison as well as the governor.

There is much that could be done to streamline the prison service but giving a couple of governors autonomy will not address many of the endemic problems that prisons currently face. More resources is not the solution. Just as you cannot build your way out of overcrowding, as Jack Straw once said, so you cannot solve some of the problems facing the service by giving governors more autonomy. It would be possible to have a more effective service that incarcerates fewer people at less cost while providing better reoffending outcomes and ensuring greater safety and less risk to society. The way forward is to take a fresh look at the drugs trade and review sentencing practice. Beyond that there are other social measures which other government departments need to look at so that some of the inequalities which foster a criminal underclass are addressed. Obviously this is not an overnight process but until a meaningful start is made, our prisons, even with autonomous governors, will struggle to deliver a service that society will be content with.

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Islamism: action and reaction Islamist extremism in custody is a real and growing problem says former prison governor terrorism, that of global jihad inspired by an Islamist mindset makes that threat pale into insignificance.

Prisons are special places where we know extreme behaviours can thrive. So we must take special measures to ensure that people in jail are protected from being manipulated by others to become violent extremists who might take this mindset back onto the streets and turn thought into action

In July 2015, I was asked by the then secretary of state, Michael Gove, to investigate Islamist extremism in prisons and make recommendations for dealing with the problem. I worked with a small, expert team for 6 months visiting dozens of prisons here and abroad and taking evidence from staff and experts, including ex-prisoners.

Islam preaches love, tolerance and forgiveness

Ian Acheson You don't need me to tell you that prison is a place of extremes. For much of my professional career in prisons in the 1990s, managing the effects of extreme behaviour was concerned with consequences of interpersonal violence caused by mental illness and drug misuse. Those twin challenges are still a depressing feature of Britain's jails but they have been joined by a third more recent da nger - ideolog ica l

extremism. In an age of global terrorism our prisons face a new and sophisticated threat from the power of ideas. Of course, terrorism has been with us for many years. Irish republican extremism in the 80s and 90s resulted in GB cells occupied by prisoners given long sentences for using violence in a futile attempt to change public policy and force Britain's withdrawal from Northern Ireland. While we should never underestimate the cruelty and indiscriminate violence used to further these aims, the new

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Our conclusion was that Islamist extremism in custody is a real and growing problem. We saw evidence that a small number of highly charismatic prisoners were given far too much latitude to preach messages of hatred to others and mobilise gangs to dominate and control their environment. We decided that staff, including prison Imams needed much greater support and training to identify and challenge extremist behaviour. We also concluded, after much debate, that for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable prisoners, those who are intent on trying to convert others to violent anti-British beliefs in support of terrorism should be separated from the main prison population and offered the time, space and assistance to reflect on their unacceptable behaviour and change their ways.

Why does this matter? Firstly, the p o s sibi l it y of some one b e i ng groomed and manipulated into terrorist activity either in prison or on release is real and must be confronted. Islamist extremists hate this country and reject our values. They seek the violent overthrow of the state and they excuse and encourage sadistic and indiscriminate violence to that end. British citizens, including those serving prison sentences and those looking after them must be properly protected from this threat.

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My report has triggered strong reactions and a fair degree of lazy and inaccurate reporting. For example, I have never advocated the banning of Friday prayers, only that those intent on subverting the authority of the Imam should be banned from taking part in collective worship. I have never called for a 'Guantanamo bay' solution - a completely unethical and unworkable response. This sort of uninformed reaction is inevitable due to the complexity and sensitivity of the subject. But when the dust settles, there remains a serious problem that needs to be addressed. In the end, if prisons are not places of hope where the possibility of redemption exists, they are simply human warehouses of wasted potential. We cannot afford as a society for this to happen. We must tackle all of the problems which prevent prisons from being places of rehabilitation. This includes the fear, violent hatred and division sown by Islamist extremists.

Summary of main findings of the report can be found at www.tinyurl. com/jcmszbt Ian Acheson is Program Director, at Sampson Hall www.sampsonhall.co.uk

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Is this an attack on Islam? Absolutely not. I believe in the power of faith in prison to transform lives for the better - I have seen this happen on countless occasions. Islam preaches love, tolerance and forgiveness. It allows prisoners to take responsibility for their actions and instils discipline and purpose. Islamism, by contrast, is its polar opposite - relying on grievance and alienation, driven by bigotry, glorifying violence against innocent people. The overwhelming majority of Muslim prisoners, like Muslims on the other side of the prison walls utterly reject the poisonous ideology of Islamism. However, prisons are special places where we know extreme behaviours can thrive. So we must take special measures to ensure that people in jail are protected from being manipulated by others to become violent extremists who might take this mindset back onto the streets and turn thought into action.

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Prison reform agenda needs to be clarified urgently

Jo Stevens

Time for an honest conversation on prison reform, says Jo Stevens. “There are too many people in prison” if we’re going to get this prison reform bill. It’s completely up in the air.”

Erwin James “My brief covers prisons, probation and sentencing,” says Jo Stevens when I ask her what precisely her role is as Shadow Justice Minister. “I’m also the Shadow Solicitor General, which covers law advice for the Shadow Cabinet.” Before being elected Member of Parliament for Cardiff Central in May 2015 she was a trade union lawyer working as a solicitor for trade unions, including probation staff and prison officers for more than 25 years. She also practised criminal law for ten years. “The prisons and probation brief is interesting as it’s almost a party political issue,” she says. “At the moment, we think, there is quite a broad consensus across the political parties about the need for prison reform so it shouldn’t become a sort of political yah boo thing like it has been. That’s why I’m so disappointed that we’ve got this situation now where we don’t even know

The Queen’s Speech on 18 May 2016 announced that a Prison and Courts Reform Bill would be introduced. At the centre of the bill were the Government’s proposals to give Prison Governors “unprecedented levels of control” over all aspects of prison management and to introduce new performance measures for prisons. There was also a commitment to overhaul prison education, following the Government’s acceptance “in principle” of the recommendations in Dame Sally Coates review, Unlocking Potential: A review of education in prison. Since prison policy is devolved in Scotland the main planned changes were likely just to affect England and Wales. Stevens described the Justice Secretary Liz Truss’s appearance in front of the Justice Select Committee when she was questioned about the

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bill by Conservative MP Bob Neil as, “absolutely shambolic.” Was it really that bad? “Yes,” she says without hesitation. “I don’t want to be personal. But if you’ve taken on the brief, you’re the new Justice Secretary, you’re up before the Justice Select Committee with a Conservative chair, you certainly should be prepared. You should know your brief. She had the whole summer to get to grips with it. It was just excruciating I thought.”

For me, prison policy is an integral part of our education policy, our health policy and all sorts of socio-economic factors So is it more the case then that the problem was that Liz Truss just hadn’t quite got her head around the whole prison reform agenda, including the bill that was initiated by her predecessor Michael Gove? Or might it in fact signal a change of direction and that the government is not after all as committed to prison reform as it appeared to be before Gove’s departure? “It’s quite hard to tell,” says Stevens. “When Bob Neil asked her about the prison reform bill, he was clearly taken aback by her response. I didn’t know if she had just misheard the question, of if she just made a mistake. But we came out of that hearing and we were no clearer about what it is that’s going to happen.” But Liz Truss did tell the Committee that she had “plans.” Although she said she was “not committing” to specific legislation as proposed by Michael Gove, she said her own plans, which she would be announcing in the autumn, had to be, “deliverable.” “I am working on a delivery plan at the moment which we do not currently have,” she told Neil. Stevens smiles. “Oh there are plans. There are lots of things she’s looking at. But in her evidence to the Committee when she was asked about specific points, thirty nine times she said, ‘I’m looking at that.’ There were no specific answers. And yet in the Queen’s speech the prison reform bill was the flagship piece of legislation for this year. So it’s really disappointing. I was very critical of Michael Gove in terms of delivery but I do believe he was a reformist. He talked a good talk. But actually nothing really happened. I hoped that Liz Truss would also be a reformist, because I just think that for too long governments of all colours have treated prison policy in isolation. For me, prison policy is an integral part of our education policy, our health policy and all sorts of socio-economic factors. Equalities - how black and ethnic minority people are disproportion-

Insidetime October 2016 ately represented in prison, how women prisoners are treated and the difference between the approach in the justice system towards women and men. You have to look at prison policy across the board.” In fairness I point out, the changes Michael Gove proposed were huge. The people who work and live in our prisons are completely aware that the system has been a bloated, unwieldy entity for several decades and to effect real change will take time. Gove was the first senior politician for a long time who was prepared to stand up and say radical change is needed. For many people the prison system in this country has been a source of shame for too long. Was Stevens broadly in agreement with Gove? “I was looking at it as a broader issue. We would need to see exactly what they were going to do. So they’re building new prisons, they were going to sell off some prison land, get rid of some aging prisons, but we still don’t have any information on that. I mean these new reform prisons that are supposed to be being built - well I mean these builders that are going to get them all built by 2020, I’d quite like them to come around my house because I can’t get builders to work that quickly.” Were the government’s plans too ambitious does she think? “I just think they are setting expectations that they are not going to be able to deliver. But the whole reform agenda? Well regarding prison governor autonomy - if you’ve got a really good prison governor in charge with real leadership qualities, who is somebody that the whole team, the whole prison respects - well that is key to a successful prison. But governors get shunted around from prison to prison, there is little continuity. It’s no coincidence that in the better performing private prison sector Directors stay in post for a long time. They are able to establish that continuity and improve standards. Whereas in the public sector which they then get compared to, it’s not a level playing field.” So what would she do if she were to become Justice Secretary? “For me, you can talk all the reform you want, about the structures and governors and what their powers are. But actually, until you get enough prison staff and reduce the prisoner population so that you can create stable regimes where people can access education and training and get a sense of proper rehabilitation we’ll never resolve the problems that we’ve got.” So if she was in power would she actually drive to reduce the prisoner population? “Yes absolutely,” she says. “We’re responsible for much of the high numbers in our prisons because of the numbers of criminal laws we’ve passed, which creates more offences. And there is sentence creep as well. But if you look at our prisoner population there are people in there who just shouldn’t be in. There are far too many in there with mental health issues, who need treatment. There are vulnerable women in for civil matters who have been led into crime when they’ve been victims of crime. So I think we need to have an honest conversation and be up front about the fact that there are too many people in our prisons.” Responding to this interview a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The government remains totally committed to legislating on prison reform and will come forward with plans in due course. We also remain committed to legislating on reform of our court system to provide a better and more efficient service. Again, we will come forward with plans in due course.”

Comment // Inside Justice 19

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tomfoolery in giving a headsup to a crucial witness that the TV cameras were coming. The whole thing sounded bonkers and Inside Justice declined. But we did eventually succumb to one approach from a production company working with the BBC who wanted to follow our work on a murder conviction we’d been investigating for some years. The two BBC programmes aired last month about Roger Kearney’s conviction were the result.

Louise Shorter (middle) flanked by forensic scientists Jo Millington (left) and Tracy Alexander

Stepping out of the shadows Deciding whether to work with television companies when investigating a possible miscarriage of justice is as big a challenge as the search for the truth, explains Louise Shorter who runs Inside Justice Louise Shorter Two years ago the Inside Justice phone started ringing off the hook with calls from eager TV researchers looking for t heir next big t hing. American megahits Serial and M a k i ng a Mu rde re r had fuelled a global obsession with murder cases and con-

victed prisoners protesting innocence. Wrongful convictions have been the single most important area of work for me since 1998 when I began working on the BBC’s long-running TV series Rough Justice, but for the past decade broadcasters here wouldn’t touch these cases with a bargepole. Now everything has changed.

The calls went from the sublime to the ridiculous. The m o s t m e m o r a b le w a s a researcher who, without a hint of irony, told me about his idea for a weekly live TV show to let viewers decide which trial witness should be tracked down and door-stepped ... next! Alarm bells tolled: the ethical issues around a baying public on a phone-in vote, the

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The work we do at Inside Justice mostly goes on in the shadows. It’s painstaking, it’s dogged and, as anyone who knows anything about righting wrongful convictions will tell you, it’s tortuously slow. We knew that finding objective new evidence, which proved innocence or guilt, within a TV production timeframe was going to be a longshot but there were so many new forensic possibilities in the murder Roger Kearney was convicted of, we hoped we had a good chance. At the end of both Making a Murderer and Serial there was no smoking gun or exculpatory DNA evidence that led to freedom but the media spotlight exposed catastrophic failings which generated global interest in t hese prev iously la rgely ignored cases. Hundreds of thousands of people signed petitions and both cases are now positively progressing towards Appeal. The programmes weren’t responsible for the latest legal developments but there’s nothing like a tide of public opinion to shake things up and get a case moving again. And that was one of the reasons Inside Justice agreed to work on this series. It’s always a risk working with journalists. There, I’ve said it. I used to be one of them and now I’m fearful of any media approach that comes my way. That’s not because they’re a bunch of cha rlata ns but because if you’re being filmed

you’re just a contributor and have no editorial control over what ’s i n t he f i na l pro grammes. Conversations with the production company went on for many months before a camera was ever turned on. Clearly we couldn’t do anything without the consent of Roger Kearney and his family but they were tired of not being heard and wanted a programme to help. So then it was just down to whether I’d swallow my fears and agree to be filmed and whether I trusted the filmmakers. Till a year ago I’d declined virtually all invitations for public speaking but then I was asked to speak about Colin Norris’ case which I’ve written about previously in these pages. I feel so strongly about what I believe to be Colin’s wrongful convictions I’d had to find the courage to speak out to try to help him. And so I’d overcome my fears a little. Then I was asked to lecture at an Innocence Project at Essex University and was horrified that students didn’t remember prog ra m me s l i ke Rough Justice and Trial and Error ever existed. This is a tragedy. They’re what inspired me as a teenager and I know I’m not the only one. I always mention Rough Justice when I call an unsuspecting expert I want to persuade to do a host of work without payment. And I’m heartened ever y time an expert tells me it was watching those programmes that inspired them to enter their chosen speciality and the reason they agree to give up their Sunday afternoon to trawl through some case papers to see if an injustice has happened again. So eventually I realised my not wanting to be on TV was just insecurity and with issues of freedom and liberty at stake that seemed a pretty poor excuse not to try and help.

No system is perfect and the criminal justice system is no different but it adds oil to the flames by appearing perpetually resistant to the idea something might have gone wrong. It takes years to right a wrongful conviction and it shouldn’t. We are facing real danger here. Attacks on legal aid will lead to more wrongful convictions. Phenomenal developments in DNA technologies which can put your DNA in a room you’ve never even been in is exciting stuff till the room is a rape scene and the ladies’ loo and you’re a man on the DNA register. Only this week an expert from our Advisory Panel told me of her fears of scores of new wrongful convictions around DNA evidence alone and I haven’t even started on historical sex offence cases. So thank goodness the media is interested once again. Our work will continue on Roger Kearney’s case. It didn’t start for the cameras and it won’t stop for them either but I hope the chance they offered to share even the tip of the iceberg of problems with an unsuspecting public will lead to positive change. And it’s led to a new project: we need to collect information on whether exhibits are being stored properly post-conviction in other cases. If you’ve wanted to access crime scene exhibits for new tests and have been told they’ve been destroyed, please write to us outlining what you know.

Inside Justice, part of Inside Time, is funded by charitable donations from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Lady Edwina Grosvenor. www.insidejusticeuk.com insidejusticeUK @insidejusticeUK

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Born into the wrong sex In her unique journal, HMP Parc prisoner Ruby shares some of her days and some of her dilemmas Ruby Look at you then, look at you now. Then you were lost, Now you are found. He is forgotten, a distant memory. She will be remembered as a woman who came to be free. He will die in prison, she will walk free. (This was written in the stars; it’s her destiny!) I’ve found that once you fully accept yourself for who you are and become confident with your own sense of self, everything just seems to fall into place. Phil our diversity manager came over to see me today. I was blasting music whilst polishing and buffing a cell, with a little bit of a jig on (lol) and he sort of popped out of nowhere. He came to inform me that on Monday, myself, him, my Offender Supervisor, my Personal Officer and K, my wing manager, are going to have a meeting about completing a PACT for myself, regarding being a transgender prisoner. Stand or sit? This morning I woke up at 7am and went to the toilet. Now, out of curiosity, I was thinking obviously I can stand or sit when I use the toilet at the moment. When I have gender re-assignment surgery, will I wake up in the middle of the night for a toilet and stand or sit? Obviously, I should sit, but if I’m half asleep and stand, I’m going to pee down my legs (lol). I’ve got to start toilet training! The morning light awakens. The day becomes alive. Underwear escape Here’s one. Being a biological man, I have male genitalia; now, wearing women’s knickers can be a problem unless you have some skills. You could call me Houdini! Let’s get prepared for the cell cleanse then… The rain is falling The tears of the earth

Insidetime October 2016

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I should have been a woman But was a man at birth The flooding of the seas As the levels slowly increase I’m a nephew in the family But will become a niece! To shave or not to shave Shaving! I hate doing it. Well, actually, I find my legs, armpits and pelvis area therapeutic; well, except for when I see it! But shaving my facial hair - it just feels so fucking weird, excuse my French. Don’t get me wrong, if a woman has a beard, I’ve got no issue, neither should anyone else, but for me personally, it’s just weird! Later… Well, considering I was going on about shaving facial hair you’ll never guess what I did. Yeah, you’re right, I had a shave. I say it like I’m a bloke. Well, biologically, I am, but trust me I hate having to do it. I feel like Ruby is the seed to my true identity and living in her body will be the germination of the seed, once I’ve had Gender Realignment Surgery (GRS). I just need life experience living as a woman and the flower will blossom. Schizophrenia / Gender Genderphrenia Genderphrenic Who is your God? We as humans (homo sapiens) worship a greater cause. It’s been this way since our beginning. Some cultures call him/ her God/Goddess, Messiah, Creator, Enlightened One, Prophet; yet as a race we should stop looking for a god/ goddess because he/she has been found. Look to your right, and left… Footie with the lads Good morning. Woke up at 5.20 am, then went back to sleep, then re-awoke at 7.30. Going to have a coffee, some toast, then get ready for finishing cell cleanse. Well, after screaming and shouting first thing this morning, it’s calmed down a little bit, for now anyway. It’s got to be said that there is never a dull moment in Parc, whether it’s negative or positive. Going

to play football with the lads today. This will be the second time I’ve gone. The first was really good - a few handbags thrown and a lot of shouting but I enjoyed it. I think I surprised a few of the lads with my skills in goal, lol. What saying comes to mind? “Don’t judge a book by its cover” until you’ve read it! Going to start saving up for a D.A.B. radio. My plan is to purchase a small one and connect it to my CD player with an AUX lead. Transcending memories of our past lived lives Perception and observation of our internal world Analytical reflexion of our external world Angry learning curve A bit of advice for myself: whilst using the buffer, be careful of wearing a dress, lol! Had the meeting with my personal officer, my offender manager, the wing manager and finally Phil about a PACT for my situation regarding being a transgender prisoner. It’s got to be said that all the individuals above are really supportive and helpful. Obviously this is a learning curve for all of us. I’ve reflected on an emotion I’ve been feeling for about a month: anger. And I know why I’ve been feeling it: when blokes speak to women like shit. It boils my insides. Why are we here? I feel as though the prison is taking me seriously, which is a nice feeling. Why are we here? It’s a question that’s been asked since our existence began. I’m going to contemplate this question for a few days and get back to you. Epistemology - the theory of knowledge. The trees stand tall, their roots buried within the ground, They sway back and forth as the wind starts to sound. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the masters call it the butterfly. (ChuangTsu, Chinese philosopher.) Fears and hope Got to be honest, I think

Graham, the writer in residence, is due to come and see me tomorrow so we can reflect on my doodling in this notebook, and I’m feeling a little anxious; I could say scared for some reason. I can’t quite say why though. I’m growing my hair so it becomes long, for obvious reasons; well, not obvious because women can have short hair as well. Anyway, who will cut my hair when it needs cutting? And what is it going to feel like with a turbie twist on my head, wandering around the landing?

Masturbation and breast-feeding What a day it’s been, one of the best days since being here. Had beans on toast this morning with Neal aka Scouse, then mopped the floor which I always find therapeutic for some strange reason. You could say simple things please simple minds but I know myself my mind is not so simple lol. A couple of topics discussed with Graham: (1) is it okay to write about masturbation when I’m receiving hormone therapy? (2) Do women find male to female transitions empowering or offensive?

Miss at last A milestone today - K got my door cards with the title changed from ‘Mr’ to ‘Miss.’ Had a big grin on my face all day! Such a little detail can make such a big difference.

I’ve got a question about bio-technology, such as: if I was to have sperm put into a

sperm bank whilst I am an anatomical man, could I use my own sperm to fertilize the eggs? Would this be ethical? Will I be able to breast feed once I’ve developed breasts? To be lost then found is a feeling I cannot describe. To be loud and proud To not have to hide To be open not closed it feels so free To have my real identity exposed I am Ruby X

Ruby is currently a resident at HMP Parc. Her journal continues next month Transgender rights and remedies page 45

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Comment 21

www.insidetime.org

Insidetime October 2016

A year for a first timer in a women’s prison could be home in time for bed.

© prisonimage.org

Video tears Kelly Wober It’s 3.15pm and time for exercise. I have been watching the clock for the last hour. Yesterday I didn’t get let out. I make sure I am ready by the door with my coat on, today I won’t be forgotten. As soon as I am outside I feel the sun on my skin like a kiss. I am surprised by how easily I have adapted to life inside. I have always been a survivor, I am resilient. My initial feelings of dread have somewhat eased off now that I am back on my medication. Every day is just like the day before.

There aren’t many surprises. The routine doesn’t change. I am still on the wing and I have run out of money. I need a job. I wasn’t allowed to sit the employment board to get a job because I would probably be going home after the video link. This hopeful thought was keeping me going. So I went to the video suite at 9am. It’s really just a Portacabin behind the visiting hall. I am excited as I walk up the avenue. I see a magpie and I salute him as I go past, he doesn’t salute me. My excitement turns to trepidation as I knock on the door. It’s started to rain and I still have no coat so I try and huddle under the overhang of the roof. The rain is getting heavier. I knock again. By now I am soaked and freezing. I mentally warm myself with the thought that I

Eventually the door is opened by an older officer who is very nice and seems like a kind soul. He explains to me how the video link will work, and I am allowed a couple of minutes to speak to my barrister before we begin. I don’t like my barrister. He is pompous and condescending. He laughs like a dog coughing when I ask if I will be going home today. “Who told you that”? he asks. “You’re only here to set a date for your trial.” He laughs again. I am wounded. I feel my eyes start to burn as I strain to hold back my tears of disappointment. I want to blame the magpie but I know he is innocent. I am the guilty party.

I feel like I am being stepped on, like an underfoot bug, even though I know this situation is the result of my own bad decisions I swallow the lump in my throat and try to harden myself, but inside I am broken. I don’t really take in anything this man I have decided to dislike says. I try to look interested but I don’t pull it off. I am yanked back to reality when he barks my name. I am told that we will be before the judge in 10 minutes. The officer comes to escort me to the waiting room. I flick through the pages of a magazine that has seen better

© Fotolia.com

A journey through the therapy looking glass

Harold Mose

Sharing the horrors of our crimes Just as I am beginning to process and digest the shenanigans from my first Monday morning community meeting, Tuesday has come around all too quickly. Today I am

attending my first small therapy group. After being assessed as suitable for treatment and moving on to my wing, I have been informed via staff feedback that I have been allocated to group 1. My fellow group members have all made themselves known to me and explained where the group room is. So this is it. This is the beginning of the journey that I have decided to undertake in order to end the cycle of misery and destruction that I lived for what seems like my entire life. Around 8:45 a.m. bodies begin to congregate outside various rooms around the wing. There is a palpable air of anxiety and a growing sense of foreboding. At 8:57 a.m heavy footfall on the stairs signals the arrival of the staff, the ‘group facilitators.’ In no time eight men and two staff members (one uniform and one non-uniform) are settling themselves into

their preferred chairs in readiness for the next ninety minutes. No one can ever be ready for what is about to happen, because no one can predict or plan how the group is going to go. This amalgamation or hardened criminal types begin the session by welcoming me to the group. It starts off with Nigel. “Hi, my name is Nigel and I’m serving life for killing my partner, 20 year tariff. I’m here at Grendon to look at my behaviour and to get an understanding of why I did what I did. Welcome to group 1” And so it goes, one by one I’m welcomed with stories of degradation and heartache. All of a sudden it’s my turn to speak. My palms become sweaty, my heart rate increases. I give my name and offences and some of the reasons why I came to Grendon. My voice sounds

days, and the thought that I too have seen better days floats around my head. Finally the moment is upon me. I state my name for the court. I can see myself in the corner of the screen and I realize that I haven’t seen myself for a long time. Truth be told I have looked better. The judge in his moth-eaten wig looks like something from Dickens’ England. He looks down at me from his perch above, and I am pretty sure he is really looking down on me. I feel uneasy and once again the powerlessness of my situation crushes me. I feel like I am being stepped on, like an underfoot bug, even though I know this situation is the result of my own bad decisions. The court is busy setting aside time for the trial, checking calendars. My barrister is away the week of my trial so I agree to a later date so he can be there for me. Afterwards I don’t know why I did that. Then the fatal words. “You will be remanded in custody until 18th August.” August seems so far away that I begin to despair. I stop myself from mentally taking 100 steps backwards and stand tall when the judge gets up to leave. I am told to go back to the wing so I do. I fight the feeling of losing it all the way back down the rainy avenue. The trees are bare and the branches are ripping at the dark sky, the way that reality feels like it is ripping at my life.

These feelings of doubt wash over me like a tidal wave and the desire to flee has never been so strong, but for reasons that still elude me I stay seated and attempt to regain some semblance of control weak to my own ears and I am now really doubting myself and my reasons for doing this. These feelings of doubt wash over me like a tidal wave and the desire to flee has never

As I wait to be let back on the wing I turn my face to the sky and let the rain cleanse me. The sound of the gate groaning brings me back. Faces appear and the questions start, “What happened?” “Did you get a result?” I recount my sorry tale, of the barrister and the judge and that I am there at least till August. Back behind my cell door I am full of rage. I hate the system and I hate myself for being in it. I thought I would have a cry. Instead I feed off my anger and it nourishes me, giving me strength. Then I’m furious that I even let myself have any hope. When was I ever going to learn? My padmate comes bounding in wanting to know everything. I take one look at her and we burst into tears together. I feel winded. I breathe deep. “Oh well at least I can apply for a job now.” I smile weakly as my anger diminishes. What’s left is a gaping abyss of acceptance. I am going nowhere till at least August so I had better get on with the job at hand, whatever that job might be. Sam my trusty padmate and I share a meal and we laugh about prison and the futility of it all. We laugh about the food and everything else that prison entails. She makes me a brew and we share a roll up and a smile. And even though being locked up is awful we laugh all the way through lunch. Kelly Wober is a former resident of HMP Styal

been so strong, but for reasons that still elude me I stay seated and attempt to regain some semblance of control. After all the welcomes have been offered, attention is then moved from me to Ian who says he wishes to use some group time to explore his index offence. For the next hour or so I sit and listen to this man explain in graphic detail how he believed his partner was about to leave him for another man and how he took her life. She was 23 years old. In what feels like a few minutes and at the same time an eternity my first group is over and we all make our way to the main community room. We feed back our group’s content to the rest of the wing and the other groups feedback theirs.

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It all felt very real. Therapy is no joke. The harsh reality of what my therapeutic journey would entail was just laid bare to me. I knew in that moment that this place was going to be probably the single most difficult thing I have ever done in my life, but again something was stopping me from fleeing. I felt that I needed to confront my demons in order for me to really be able to live; it just felt somehow right. My mind was racing with a myriad of thoughts and I kept replaying all that was said in my first group session. I went to bed that night full of fear, trepidation, but most importantly with a glimmer of hope… Harold Mose, a nom de plume, is a resident of HMP Grendon - names in this article have been changed

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22 Comment

Inside Voices and training. Listeners themselves have to work alongside both with ‘call outs’ to those in need of support. The Listeners offer support and an ear to those who are in need of support for a variety of reasons. The vital role of Listeners assists prisoners to talk to other prisoners. Prison environments and prison life in general can be very alien and scary to those who have never been in custody or who suffer from mental, physical or emotional issues.

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25 years of listening SB - HMP Long Lartin The Listeners scheme originated with the help of the local Swansea Samaritans and HMP Swansea back in 1991 after the suicide of a 15-year-old boy in the prison. He was the youngest person to take their own life whilst in prison custody. Now almost every prison has a Listener scheme in place. There are an estimated 1500 Listeners between the United Kingdom and Ireland. Last year over 74,000 requests were made to see a Listener. The partnership of the Prison Service working with the Samaritans has been invaluable in implementing structured Listener schemes

The Listeners scheme has guidelines and protocols and all that is said between a ‘Caller’ and a ‘Listener’ is in strict confidence and is private. When a person with a variety of emotional, thinking or behavioural barriers to overcome, has a problem it can be hard to see any solution. Emotions like anger, stress, sadness, bereavement, loss of hope, can lead a person to thinking in a way, and possibly believing, ‘What is the point?’ Thoughts start occurring, some bubbly characters go quiet, associating with others can stop, and some people isolate themselves. This can manifest into a deep depression, mental illness, and sadly even lead people to self-harm or suicide. Can you remember your first night in prison? Did you feel alone and anxious and sad? I have been a Listener for over 3 years and have supported and listened to many prisoners. I remember my first night, it wasn’t easy and nobody spoke to me at all. I adjusted to the prison regime, and then heard that a friend of mine had taken his own life in another prison, which made me decide I wanted to help other prisoners.

The IPP contradiction Name and prison supplied

convictions under their belts. But they get a release date.

Let’s discuss IPP sentences. We are sentenced for what we ‘might do’ along with what we did. So in reality, everybody within the United Kingdom, civilians etc. must be sent to prison as they ‘might’ commit a crime, otherwise it’s contradictory to such a sentence.

Also terrorists. They plan to kill millions of people, but they get a release date only to do it again. I’m ex-military. You cannot reform terrorists, their plan is to kill themselves and everybody around them to become a martyr. But they get a release date.

IPPs can’t be released as risk is too high. A contradiction has occurred again. Cat A prisoners are the most dangerous prisoners in the UK, they present a serious risk to life and limb to all members of society. But Cat A prisoners get released every day, without doing interventions, as they have a release date.

When you look at it, IPP is a very low category of offending, but we get punished for everybody else. Probation say, because five people in our category (now IPP) re-offend, that will automatically make [all] IPPs offend. This is not true.

Yet another contradiction, many normal sentenced prisoners get released every day who have far more serious offences, who pose a high risk or who have sex offences/

Insidetime October 2016

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I got 18 months IPP tariff, I’ve been in 11 years and one month and I’m classed as low risk of reconviction. I can’t lower my risk any more as it only goes to low risk and my probation officer won’t release me. As probation tell IPP prisoners, there could be new

Intervention Programmes come out in 10 years’ time, so IPPs get knocked back on parole as guinea pigs. IPP prisoners won’t get parole as the Probation/Parole board won’t release us. And Probation say it is easier to recall an IPP back to prison as they only have to do paper work once per year, otherwise she needs to do paperwork every week if IPP is released. IPPs can’t get employment because employers say IPP prisoners are unreliable, [through] no fault of their own, because we can be recalled for no reason, which makes the workforce go down. Unless IPP sentenced prisoners are transferred to fixed term we are stuck. The lower the IPP tariff, the less serious the crime. So, you should scrap IPP sentences for any tariff of two years and under, and give us fixed tariffs. And that leaves the serious offenders with higher tariffs in the system.

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The IMB just doesn’t work Incognito IMB via email The IMB is a confused organisation beleaguered by bureaucracy, government interference and a lack of both clear direction and shared purpose. However, while the board itself is the form requirements to oversee the standard of our prisons take, the people who make it up are not “there because they have to be”. It’s unpaid and requires more hours and greater commitment than any one person can reasonably make, certainly in the prison I volunteer in. I generally manage a full day once a week, minimum, but this is nowhere near enough to ensure I let people know how their queries/issues or concerns (not always complaints) are coming on. It also takes months of dedicated independent investigation to start to untangle the mysterious workings of the prison. Staff and departments shift responsibilities by the day so accomplishing the smallest thing can become a mission of exhausting magnitude. I feel we’re most effective when

out on the wings, talking directly to prisoners and staff, but effectively overseeing core processes such as reviews, and coordinating with the regime, drastically impact on how successfully we can do this. The nature of IMB work as the organisation is currently configured makes it undoable for anyone holding down a conventional job or juggling the normal demands of life. As a consequence, you end up with a group of people who (in my experience) are generally very dedicated but drawn from particular walks of life. White, elderly, frequently with a background in public service. They don’t represent the prison population and can struggle to understand the significa nce of t his socia l a nd cultural divide. That’s a fundamental fault with the way the IMB is currently organised. I’d like to see a massive restructuring of the ‘executive’ - or maybe we could get rid of it, I’ve no idea what it does! A new directive on communicating concerns freely and publicly where appropriate and

re-organising duties to encourage wider (and MUCH more representative) community participation. For a start. I agree, we should communicate - regularly and effectively - with the governor as a first step to better addressing the needs of prisoners, but this demands time and a belief in the idea that we are useful, rather than a tolerated nuisance (sometimes barely). Our internal structure also makes it hard to communicate effectively with each other let alone anyone else. Faith Spear had it right, aye, but affecting significant change from below is nigh-on impossible. I assure you though, I frequently don’t manage to my shame, but my entire time in the prison is spent trying my damnedest to do something tangible for those I encounter. Prison is a thundering behemoth that runs on its own plodding, painful logics. None of us are immune to its effects, but some of us are trying, desperately, to lessen them a little… one exchange at a time. The IMB doesn’t work for the MoJ, it just doesn’t currently work.

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Comment 23

www.insidetime.org

Insidetime October 2016

Prisoners’ newspaper and the Australian Vote David Chan Just Us is the only Australian Prisoners’ Newspaper, and it’s modelled on Inside Time. However our history and form is quite different. Ours is a measly four pages but it does go nationally to the 44,000 people in prisons and locked hospitals in the eight states and territories of Australia. Inside Time’s existence is a negotiated one based upon the Strangeways Riot of 1990, for facilitating dialogue to relieve tension. Ours is based on the prisoners’ right to vote, and the constitutional right to communicate with politicians to inform our votes. Earlier versions of our publications had patchy distribution into the 130 prison libraries for those prisoners who found it in folders we supplied. Inspired by Inside Time and former editor Eric McGraw on a visit to Sydney, we became a broadsheet, printed enough for one in two prisoners, and demanded the paper’s right of entry behind the right to vote. Before each federal election we have gathered statements from all political parties

directed to prisoners and their families, added articles of our own to complete the newspaper, and then dealt with each state separately for permission for Just Us to enter. In 2004, 2007 and 2011 we launched Supreme Court challenges when it was refused by particular states, and slowly gained recognition. Our utter determination and willingness to fight using the best barristers working pro bono got us through. The 2016 federal election edition was accepted in all jurisdictions except South Australia. That state is trying to punish us because we maintain the internet platform iExpress which provides prisoners a Facebook like profile and email services legally beyond their control. We have an Ombudsman complaint looking good and have also been offered political support. Otherwise we are ready for another court challenge. For locked mental hospitals in each of the states, it was much harder to get approval for distribution due to the uncertainty about whose responsibility were patients’ political rights.

Some hospitals saw it as an administrative matter while others determined that it was clinical. Most states initially tried to escape responsibility, but eventually accepted the distribution. Just Us went to the decision makers too. Every Member of Parliament and Supreme Court judge in all eight jurisdictions was sent Just Us and a letter calling for support for computers in cells and online services. Upholding the right to vote is important because it protects communication. It is the bedrock of democracy and entitles citizens an active role in shaping society. It facilitates social inclusion and community building. It is easy to demonise

people whom you can’t see or hear but harder to do so once they speak up. They have a right to be part of the conversation rather than rendered as an object to be exploited as a scapegoat for social problems. Access to the internet through a safe server has been long proven just as is mail and phones, and is especially effective to counter physical isolation. In Australia it is compulsory to enrol to vote and vote if you are eligible. If you don’t you are issued a fine. Prisoners have the vote too, although it was under attack and successfully defended in 1997 and 2006. Federally if you are serving more than three years you are excluded. In different states there are different rules.

As everyone in prison knows, having rights and enforcing them are very different things. We are running a campaign to force electoral authorities to properly enrol prisoners on reception, as they currently receive information on all prisoners’ entry in order to remove them from the roll. Enrolment forms and voting notices aren’t exhibited and the legal requirements aren’t observed. The General Manager of Silverwater Correctional Centre, Australia’s largest prison, said that only two people had voted. Prisoners are excluded in practice although they have equal status as citizens with consequential rights. We know that prisoners in the UK are not yet able to vote despite the Hirst case in the European Court of Human Rights, which is further complicated by the Brexit decision. Our slow but clear progress in the battle for voting rights indicates the value of the struggle. The right to vote is significant in the democratic system and retaining a sense of self in relation to the wider community. David Chan for Justice Action

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Comment 25

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Paws in prison

Tom with two ‘hairy wee beasties’ Tom Richey I am a British national, having served 30 years of a 65-year sentence in the Washington penal system. I am far from my loved ones and far from where I want to be. But when I entered the Dog Programme, it gave me more than responsibility, it gave me a sense of purpose and filled an emptiness I had carried for many years. Engaging in play with a dog and receiving love and adoration when you have gone so long without it, is an experience I would recommend to any prisoner. As unlikely as it sounds, when you have a dog as constant company, your attention is so focused on it, the bricks and bars melt away around you. The Dog Programme in Washington’s prisons takes dogs from local kennels’ ‘Death Row’ and assigns them to prisoner dog handlers. The dog handlers begin obedience training and, usually after 90 days, the dogs pass obedience tests, and are then ready for adoption by the public. To promote adoption, a bio report is written by the dog handler that details as much history as is known about the dog, its personality, its likes, and its favourite treats. This report is posted along with the dog’s photo onto the Dog Programme website. There is an adoption fee of around $200, which is used to help fund the Dog Programme. The dogs are so well trained and ‘people friendly’ that not one canine has ever returned to Death Row; they’ve all been adopted.

The impact of having canines in prison is immediately visible. They bring the child out in us, and many an otherwise cold hard-man has sunk to his knees, voicing nonsensical babble while a tail-swishing dog licks the glee from his face Initially when a dog enters a prison, trembling and skittish, it is assigned a hands-off red bandanna that is tied around its neck. Only the primary and secondary dog handlers are authorised to touch the dog. After a week or two, once the dog has grown accustomed to its surroundings, it is assigned a yellow bandanna. This notifies prisoners they can pet the dog but only after obtaining permission from the handler. Once the dog is comfortable around strangers, a green bandanna is assigned, allowing prisoners to pet the animal without permission.

Something happens when you take a dog into your care. You suddenly have responsibility where, before, the only responsibility you had was showing skin during the thrice-daily headcount The impact of having canines in prison is immediately visible. They bring the child out in us, and many an otherwise cold hard-man has sunk to his knees, voicing nonsensical babble while a tail-swishing dog licks the glee from his face. The dogs are so popular and appreciated, I pity the moron who would take some adverse action that would threaten the programme. To qualify as a dog handler, candidates must have maintained good conduct for a minimum of 6 months. They must also pass psychological screening and sit for an interview (numerous questions are asked, intended to reveal whether you are a reasonable, responsible person dedicated to achieving the programme’s goals). Two handlers are assigned to each dog: a primary and a secondary. The primary handler is the dog’s main trainer, he feeds and houses the dog in his cell and the dog is always leashed to him. The secondary handler takes the dog when the primary handler is at a visit, in the dining hall, or at the infirmary, or any other call-out where a dog is prohibited. In addition to attending yard and association with other prisoners, designated periods of the day and evenings are allotted for handlers to attend yard with their dogs so the animals can be unleashed and exercised. I became quite the spectacle for a while, sprinting back and forth, a human chew-toy for two American Pitbulls. I still carry the scars, but the memories of playing and seeing the fun side of these so-called brutes, still puts a smile on my face. I have nothing negative to say about being part of a dog programme in prison. Oh, I suppose it took me a while to get used to wrapping a plastic-bag over my hand and picking up my dog’s every bowel movement. I used to prefer the larger dogs, but now I leave them for the inexperienced handlers. I choose the miniatures whenever possible; minimum clean-up. I should also admit to how bitter-sweet it is when a dog you’ve become attached to over 90 days is adopted. But then, just when you are feeling despondent over the loss, along comes another trembling, ‘hairy wee beastie’ looking to be loved, cared for and trained, so it can escape death row and prison, to enjoy a life of freedom. Strangely enough, as each dog is set free, a part of me is freed with it. Believe me, there is satisfaction in that.

Tom Richey is currently serving out his 65 year sentence at the Clallam Bay Corrections Centre, but still fighting to come home.

© Fotolia.com

Tales of Wisdom Our man on the inside tells it like it is Sid Arter

The widower’s son A young widower, who loved his eleven year old son very much, was away on business when bandits came and burned down the whole village and took his son away. When the man returned, he saw the ruins and from the ashes took the badly burnt corpse of a child and he cried uncontrollably. He gathered the fragments in a bag and arranged with a neighbouring village a cremation ceremony to give the boy a good send off to the next world as was their

custom. After the fire had died out and had lost its heat, he collected the ashes and put them in a beautiful little green bag which he kept with him at all times along with a small shell that his son had found when very young and had treasured. Several weeks afterwards, his son escaped from the bandits; he had not been killed but taken to be a slave. After walking for 10 days the boy had stumbled upon his old village only to find the whole village raised to the ground. He asked a shepherd where his father might be found and was directed to the near village and arrived at his father’s new cottage at midnight. He knocked at the door. The father, his heart still full of grief asked who was there at this hour. The child answered, “it is me papa, open the door!” But in his agitated state of mind, convinced his son was dead, the father thought that some young boy was making fun of him or trying to take his son’s place, after all it was not that long ago he had conducted the funeral. He shouted: “Go away, you’re a wicked deceiver”. The son banged and pleaded but his father would have none of it and the child left. Father and son never saw each other again. Sometime, somewhere, we take something to be the truth and cling to it so much that even when the truth comes in person and knocks on our door, we refuse to open it!

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A letter to my fifteen year-old self... Andrew Mills - HMP Buckley Hall What are you doing walking the streets aimlessly and all alone? You should be in class, studying hard, preparing for your bright and promising future. I know you can’t stand school - no friends, nothing in common, don’t fit in and mum doesn’t understand. So, you’ve decided to sack school and find out what the world is about? Let me save you the trouble. © Fotolia.com

Mind your language Rob Drummond I’m a linguist, meaning I spend my time looking at how language works. More specifically, I’m a sociolinguist, which means I’m interested in the ways in which language interacts with society. I’m especially interested in the relationship between what we say (and how we say it) and our identities, or how people see us and therefore behave towards us. Our accent and dialect can provide a lot of information to others; it can tell people where we’re from, our approximate age, and even to a certain extent our social class. When we also take into account the words, jargon and slang we use, we can often give away our past experiences, be that certain jobs and trades, hobbies, or even time in prison. This can be positive - it means we can identify and relate to people from similar backgrounds to us, but sometimes it can be negative, especially when people judge us unfavourably and limit our opportunities just because of the way we speak. Linguists tend to see all varieties of language as equally valid and important. We recognise there is such a thing as ‘Standard English’ - the type of English used in print, and largely spoken in the media, education, and judicial system, but we don’t see it as being any more ‘correct’ than the broadest Scouse or the most current ‘street slang’. It’s just different. All varieties of English have their own rules and subtleties of meaning that are no more or less complex than those in any other variety. One is not better than another, rather it’s all to do with context - different varieties of language are more or less appropriate in different situations. Not everyone agrees with this. Lots of people believe there is a ‘correct’ form of English that is better than all other forms (in the past this was often referred to as The Queen’s English), and if only everyone could learn to ‘speak properly’ then we’d all be fine. But this is simply not true. Try speaking like the Queen on a building site, in the pub, out with your friends, or in prison, and see where it gets you! Again, it’s all to do with context. Of course there are situations in which Standard English is expected and desirable. Society dictates that when we go for a job interview we are expected to dress, speak and behave in a certain way. Yet if you read some of the stories in the

mainstream media you are led to believe that your average job applicant simply isn’t capable of speaking appropriately. According to stories in the Daily Mail young people especially are ‘literally talking themselves into unemployment’ because of their inability to speak properly. But they are wrong. I believe that everybody is able to adjust their language to the extent that is needed in such a situation, and suggesting otherwise is doing a lot of people a huge disservice. And my belief doesn’t just come from naïve or idealistic wishful thinking, it comes from evidence. In the course of my research I have done a lot of work with young people who have been permanently excluded from mainstream education, and I have spoken to adults who then interview these young people for jobs and college places. I have also spoken to people who offer training for young people looking for work, and I have spoken to people who routinely employ ex-prisoners. And in all this research I am yet to see or hear of someone who has not been able to adapt their language to suit the context. The fact is, however far from Standard English an individual’s language might be outside the interview, when they sit in that chair, they are almost always able to respond appropriately. I can only assume that the people who think otherwise are basing their prejudices on what they hear on street corners rather than from actual experience. I’m not saying that everyone is a perfect communicator in a job interview, far from it; we can all benefit from training and practice. And of course not everyone is naturally great with words - people can often find it hard to say what they mean in what can be a stressful situation. My point is that it is wrong to isolate language as being a problem. Just because someone has a particular way of speaking with their friends, it doesn’t mean they can’t make the (often small) adjustments necessary to create an entirely appropriate impression in a job interview. Successful communication is dependent on lots of things such as body language, eye contact, posture, and enthusiasm. In my opinion, these are the things we should be aware of as we walk into the room, because trust me, we all already know how to do the language bit.

You’ve had a happy childhood, brought up in a loving, caring environment, productive and enjoyable education, loyal pals and a devoted girlfriend. However, school has become all serious, requiring you to study and revise for your final exams in the hope of you getting good grades, leading to good career prospects, financial security, committed relationship, possibly children and a peaceful and happy retirement. Well, I’ve got news for you…it’s not going to be like that. You will be a homeless tramp sleeping rough in a cardboard box - remember those words from your younger brother? Well it will become a reality. Your burgeoning dependency on alcohol will soon be in full bloom and be your LMB - HMP Isle of Wight Right, young man, what the fuck are you playing at? You’ve been permanently excluded from school, you’ve robbed from shops to feed your weed addiction, you think it’s cool to hang out with ‘the man-dem’, and drink cheap booze in the local park. Plus, this ‘postcode turf war’ bollocks needs to stop before you either hurt someone or get hurt yourself. Believe me, it will happen! You may think you are

sole reason for existing. Your education is now in ruins but later you aspire to academia, even develop prospects to work in The City as a finance executive. But when commitment is required you shy away and opt for frivolity and freedom. The career you aspire to will be replaced with menial and casual employment in the hospitality, caring, food production and entertainment industries - all providing shortterm financial benefit. You will look back on those missed opportunities, university, armed forces, NVQ training, and wonder if things could have turned out differently. You were the major player in your own downfall, ultimately a waste of space and effort. At first prison will feel like a respite, detox from your dipsomaniac lifestyle, but the day will arrive when there’s nothing left to prove. Meanwhile life will continue - your siblings will progress into meaningful lives, members of your family will pass away or go to live in foreign climes, while you remain lingering in prison. Enjoy your childhood but realise that this is the foundation and one day you will grow old. Do yourself a favour and channel your energies into positive and long-term objectives.

invulnerable, but you are not. You do realise that in 6 years you’ll be staring down the barrel of a life sentence for murder? Is that your bum twitching? I thought so, you little dick. Get a grip, you immature boy, you have no idea how many people you are going to hurt in the years to come. Your family are very worried about your erratic behaviour; they won’t tell you because they are not sure how you will react. There is some good news though, you get accepted onto a college course to study painting and decorating. I know,

great, isn’t it? No! Once again, you mess it up. Showing up stoned out of your face is never going to go down well, is it? You know what the really messed up thing is? 11 years after being kicked off your dream course, you get another chance to complete it - only this time it is in a prison. Yeah, you guessed it, you got found guilty of the murder charge. I’d like to end by sending you this message - give your head a wobble mate, you are not big and clever, sort your shit out before it’s too late. NO EXCUSES!

If you would like a letter to your 15 year-old self published in Inside Time Write to us and mark your envelope ‘Letter to myself’.

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Rob Drummond is a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at Manchester Met.

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Comment 27

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Insidetime October 2016 John O’Connor

ing to Private Eye magazine.

The United States Justice Dept's surprise decision to end the use of privately operated Federal prisons brings hope for a similar move here by the Ministry of Justice. But don't hold your breath for anything happening soon for it's said that what America does today England and Wales only does ten years later. So what brought about this decision by the home of rampant free market capitalism, where everything seems to have a price, ready to be turned into a quick buck?

On the face of it the end appears nigh for privately operated prisons in England and Wales. For if the Ministry of Justice follows in the footsteps of its American counterpart, then it's adios to profit-making jails. Or is this just wishful thinking on the part of the increasing number of prisoners located in such places? And what do staff in public sector jails think about the prospect of regaining much of what they lost when jail after ja il was pr ivat ised? Unfortunately, for prisoners and staff alike, there's unlikely to be a return to the pre-privatised era.

According to U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, “...private facilities ‘compare poorly’ to those operated by the government: They simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and … they do not maintain the same level of safety and security.” Sound familiar? For these are the among the many problems faced daily by privately operated prisons in England and Wales. This decision follows a critical report by the U.S. DoJ inspector-general that found “contract (ie private prisons) incurred more safety and security incidents per capita than comparable public prisons.” The inspector found that “contract prisons also had higher rates of assaults, both by inmates on other inmates and by inmates on staff” and performed worst on contraband, lockdowns and inmate discipline. The Federal Bureau of Prisons keeps about 15 per cent of its prisoners (approximately 30,000 inmates) in privately operated jails. In the United States, prison privatisation has become a hot topic in social justice move-

Prisoners of profit America is to stop using privately operated prisons after officials concluded the facilities are both less safe and less effective at providing correctional services than those run by the government. Does this sound the death nail for private prisons in the uk. John O’Connor thinks not ments and in the Movement for Black Lives, particularly for the ways in which the profit motive fuels mass incarceration. Many private prisons, depending on their contract, are paid to fill a specific number of beds in their facilities. The more people incarcerated, the more money the operators make. Although the U.S. has less than 5 per cent of the world’s population, it has nearly one-fourth of its prisoners - more than 2.2 million people, or nearly 1 per cent of the U.S. population. Presently

close to 1.6 million Americans are incarcerated in Federal and state prisons, with another 700,000 in local jails. The common factor linking privately operated prisons in the U.S. with those in England and Wales is ownership of the companies running them. The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) trading as UK Detention Services, Geo Group a nd t he M a n age me nt & Training Corporation helped build the British private prisons industr y under John

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They simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and … they do not maintain the same level of safety and security Major's government (and then Tony Blair's). UK Detention Services ran HMP Blakenhurst when, in 1995, a prisoner died in the hands of officers while being “escorted” to the block. To this day the video of this prisoner's dying moments remain lost despite the best endeavours by West Mercia P ol ic e . T he s ub s e q ue nt inquest ruled this prisoner had been “unlawfully killed”. Geo Group (under its former name of Wackenhut) used to operate two prisons with grim reputations: Doncaster and

K i l ma r no ck . It a l so ra n Harmondsworth Detention Centre from 2009-14 in a much criticised regime. The CCA sold its stake in UK jails to French firm Sodeco in 2000, while Geo Group now runs only the Dungavel immigration detention centre near Glasgow. MTC's involvement in the UK includes taking over t h e R a i n s b r o o k Yo u t h Detention Centre in Warwickshire despite the U.S. government's criticism and its history of riots and grim conditions in its U.S. jails. MTC has also secured sizeable contracts worth over £1 billion to run privatised probation services in London and the Thames Valley, all won without competition. This raises the intriguing question: if no other company bid for these contracts what is it about them that made them unattractive? The word on the street is that MTC may struggle to make a profit. Therefore probation staff fear sharp job cuts are on the way. If MTC is also in trouble in the U.S. through non-renewal of federal prison contracts, things could get even worse for it in the UK, accord-

As for the reason, you only have to remember just how badly jails were run before private operators moved in. In those bad old days prison governors were held to ransom by the Neanderthal thinking Prison Officers' Association. Similarly, at that time prison reg imes were beset w ith “Spanish working customs”, staff-on-prisoner brutality went unchecked, staff absenteeism rampant, overmanning legendary and senior management so hamstrung to be virtually non-existent. Much of this has now ended for without doubt privatisation has brought about the greatest change in the way prisons are run. With the decades-old power of the POA g reat ly u nder m i ne d t he Prison Service now has effective management control of prisons. And the extent to which the POA accepts this new reality is found in the way it now actively competes with the private sector to operate prisons. Perhaps the best lesson learnt was when HMP Birmingham was privatised: 200 people immediately lost their jobs. For the POA it's now a choice of either accepting cost-cutting efficiencies or its members losing their jobs to private operators. Cost cutting is now the name of the game for the Prison Service and the threat to privatise prisons is the weapon used to achieve a more compliant public sector prison staff. And this, unfortunately, is the main reason why privately operated prisons are now here to stay in England and Wales.

John O’Connor is a former prisoner

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Insidetime October 2016

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From over the wall Terry Waite writes his monthly column for Inside Time

Terry Waite CBE

Listen carefully The story of Leon McKenzie’s rise and fall and rise again delivers a powerful message to young Samaritan trained Listeners in HMYOI Feltham Inside Time report

Achilles tendon, which took its toll on him psychologically.

“Life is all about choices.” Former Premier League footballer turned boxer Leon McKenzie is talking to four Samaritan trained prison Listeners in HMYOI Feltham, and you could hear a pin drop.

In a hotel room one night after training a few years later, he took an overdose. “I had had enough, I didn’t want to be here anymore,” he said. “I woke up in hospital the next day, surrounded by my family, who were crying, and that is the worst feeling in the world, the guilt.”

Leon is telling Luke, Ashley, Ali and George about his depression, his suicide attempt when his football career hit the buffers, his time in Woodhill prison, and how he stormed back in 2014 as a Super Middleweight boxer. The four prison Listeners, aged between 18 and 21, provide peer support for their fellow prisoners in the multi-category young offenders prison in West London. The Listener scheme, jointly run by Samaritans and NOMS, aims to reduce suicide by providing support for prisoners who are struggling. Listeners undergo the same training as Samaritan volunteers on the outside. “It’s what you do after being in prison that is important, rather than the fact that you were in here,” Leon tells the Listeners. “My motto is: Fight it. We all have it in us to fail, it’s how we bounce back. Hold on and keep focused.” Leon, a former Norwich, Coventry and Charlton player, now 38 and a father of five and a grandad, showed the Listeners some photos of highlights from his career, a stellar goal against M a nc he ste r Un ite d i n 2 0 03, a nd t he International Masters belt he won as a boxer in 2014. Those are the highs, but he is also in Feltham to talk about the lows. “Things can change,” he says, “I started getting injuries”, and aged 31, playing for Coventry, he ruptured his

Life went further off the rails, and Leon ended up in HMP Woodhill, serving six months. He remembered being on television as he went into the prison to start his sentence. “I felt very little and not very brave,” he says. When he was released, aged 35, he had lost everything. “I had to go and live with my sister, and I cried in my room for days.” Leon says he would like to see more support for people leaving prison to help them adjust. “Don’t waste your life in here, I know it’s hard out there, but just focus on your own life.” The Listener Scheme has been running for 25 years in England and Wales this month. “I have better life skills, and better conversations with my family since becoming a Listener,” says Luke, 21. “It has helped me a lot,” says Ashley, 20. “It has taught me to be non-judgemental, and the training helped me to overcome any worries I had about dealing with people who are suicidal. It has helped me along my journey.” “As Listeners they are changing others’ lives as well as their own,” says Nina, a Samaritans volunteer who supports the Listeners in Feltham. Events to celebrate the Listener Scheme anniversary will be taking place around the country from the week beginning 19 September.

The past weeks have been rather full for me as this year it is twenty five years since I was bundled into the boot of a car and driven from Beirut to Damascus in Syria. After almost five years in captivity as a hostage I was now free. No ransom was demanded and no ransom was paid. Political circumstances had changed and it was that change that led to my release, along with another British hostage, John McCarthy. I have written in this column before how I wrote my first book in my head during those years and how, when I was released, I put it on paper in Trinity Hall, Cambridge. The book,Taken on Trust, was published by Hodder and has been in print for the past 25 years. A few months ago I was asked by the publisher if I would write a new chapter to bring it up to date so that they now might re-issue it in a modern classic edition. That’s the background to one of the reasons the past weeks have been so full. I am currently in the process of travelling the country attending book fairs and other engagements where I speak and then spend time signing copies. The largest event so far was a festival when I spoke to some 5,000 people in a huge tent and then signed books afterwards for almost two hours. Reading this you might, understandably, think that I am making a small fortune. Well,the truth is that unless you sell huge numbers of books you do not make a lot of money. Initially I have experienced a rush, as I just said, but that will not continue for too long and things will soon revert to a more steady pace. The vast majority of authors cannot possibly make a living by writing and their situation has been made more difficult by Amazon and online publishing. There is no doubt that Amazon run a highly efficient outfit, but the author suffers as he, or she, receives just pennies for each copy sold. As for electronic books, the same is true. Many writers have gone in for self publishing which has proved to be successful for some. The real problem there is that it’s not at all easy for an author to

get their self-published books into a bookshop. The big publishing houses have links with bookshops across the country but the poor author who decides to self-publish has a virtually impossible task of getting his, or her, book in to the shops. Goodness knows how many books are published each year. Far too many, some people say, and so you are really up against it unless you are a recognised author or have some claim to fame which puts you in the public eye. Books written by prisoners and former prisoners are numerous. Jeffrey Archer is, I suppose, one of the best known writers who did time inside but he was a best selling author long before he was sent down. His prison diaries did well at the time but he had made millions by writing thrillers and is one of the few who does not have the slightest worry about selling or distributing his books. Andy McNab (not, as far as I know, a former prisoner) has written a whole series of books drawing on his experiences in the SAS. I have attended a book signing alongside him which was interesting. Most writers would want to get their photo displayed but Andy insisted that there must be no photographs of him at all. Photographers are barred from the book events he attends and he still comes along with a bodyguard. It’s all part of a clever marketing strategy and lends an air of mystery to his publishers publicity drive. Well, as I said, if you want to write and get your book out into the wide world it’s not an easy task. However, some people, and I am one such, enjoy writing regardless of whether the book they write will have wide sales. Writing can be a helpful exercise and if you have a desire to write just get on with it. It’s said that everyone has a good story in them somewhere and I know for a fact that ex-cons have some gripping stories to tell. Another anniversary that has kept me busy in the last few days concerns Emmaus for the homeless. I have often mentioned how this organization provides a good standard of accommodation and work for those who want to get off the streets and return to mainstream life. It is 25 years since I opened the first Emmaus Community in Cambridge and

now we have almost thirty dotted across the British Isles. One of my best friends in Cambridge is an ex con who, up to the age of about 45, spent most of his life inside. He realized then that it was useless spending all his life locked up and came to Emmaus some time ago. He is doing well but, like so many these days, faces the problem of where to go when he moves on. We don’t put a time limit on how long people can stay in the community but naturally when a man, or woman, have got themselves together they would like to have a place of their own. Most companions in Emmaus don’t stand a chance of earning enough to pay the outrageous sums demanded by landlords, let alone save up for a deposit. I don’t want to depress you but if you are being discharged in the next year or so and don’t have any place to go g ive it some thought now. I can’t imagine anything worse that being escorted through the main gate with a few quid in your pocket and a few possessions in a black bin liner and nowhere to go. Not every ex-prisoner can be met by a Harley Davison and whisked off to a posh hotel, as was reputed to have happened in the case of one high profile prisoner. Emmaus can’t help everyone, of course, as we are a comparatively small organisation and are not exclusively intended for former prisoners. However, there are always one or two in our communities and in the main they do pretty well. To finish, the other evening that stalwart campaigner for the dispossessed, Vanessa Redgrave, invited me to see a film she has made and to speak at its premiere. It’s about the current refugee crisis when thousands of innocent people are fleeing from devastating warfare. One scene will stick in my mind for a long time. It showed men, women and children scrabbling to board a rescue ship as their own little pontoon sank beneath the waves. Boy, if any of us think that we are badly done by then look at these poor souls. No home, no job, no country, no nothing! The men and women in Emmaus don’t have a lot in terms of material goods but they have big hearts and they have been helping out with emergency help for the refugees in France. A good example of the poor helping the poor.

Month by Month Time and Comfort - Rachel’s stand out pieces from this year’s Koestler Exhibition

made of felt on sacking made by Richard in HMP Parc is very charming, even with its undertones of war. One picture by Ryan called ‘Comfort: A Selfportrait’ took a bit of explaining. The face and comments around it are made up of words taken from the feedback when Ryan won a previous competition. Such ingenuity is typical of this year’s entrants, often being one thing at first glance and telling another story when you look closer. A giant picture of a rose turned out to be made from clippings about the holocaust. This was made by a group of men in HMP Kirkham and called ‘The White Rose.’ A delicate piece of craft I

Rachel Billington When I entered this year’s Koestler Awards exhibition I was faced by a massive grandfather clock, then another clock, smaller it’s true, and another and another finally, a cuckoo clock. So when I found Benjamin Zephaniah, the curator, poet and ex-prisoner I asked him what is was with him and clocks. It was a stupid question, of course. Time is everything in prison - mainly too much of it. Benjamin is acutely aware of this. In his introduction to the show, he writes, ‘I was in prison myself in the 1970s and there was no way you could express yourself. I felt like a creative being but there was nothing there to do. I express myself through words and here I am surrounded by people who express themselves in matchsticks, papier-mache, painting. Every bit of artwork in the exhibition has meaning, everything is relevant to the person who’s created it.’ The name Benjamin chose for his show is ‘We are all human.’ That prison-made grandfather clock is, almost incredibly, constructed of matchsticks, thousands of them, and it keeps perfect time, the same time as outside prison. Peering into the casing I just made out two faces, matchstick images of Mark, the creator and his fellow worker. Inside Time, I thought to myself. I had been encouraged to look closer by Brian, one of the ex-prisoners who was escorting guests around the Spirit Level at the Royal Festival Hall, the

Comment // Diary 29

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Southbank Centre in London. There is so much on display that a good guide makes things much easier. Besides he had all kind of information I would never have known without him. For example, the magical picture called Badger in Wonderland and, incidentally, one of Benjamin’s favourites is made up of hundreds of pieces of paper, all torn by hand because Niki, the artist from the then extant Holloway Prison, was forbidden the use of scissors. She might be consoled to think that Matisse also tore by hand all his famous collage pictures. Some paintings combine professional skill and a witty view of the subject. The watercolour ‘Vulture’ from HMP Wayland is arresting enough anyway

but changes to something sharper when you see the glasses perched on the beak. A lawyer, possibly? Nearby a highly decorative trio of paintings made up of coloured spots was painted by an Australian artist, Charles. He chose that form because he was taught Aboriginal art in the 1970s on which this style is based and it made him feel connected to his homeland. My guide, Brian, has been out of prison for a year now, and spends more time as a painter and decorator than on the fine arts but still has time to do some work for himself, including a fabulous tattoo on his arm celebrating his love for his wife. The exhibition pictures were generally less cheerful, although ‘Poppies Together’

Badger in Wonderland

huge cartoon, illustrated ‘The Closure of Holloway’ as indeed it was called. Witty scenes included prisoners off in an overstuffed Serco van, officers queuing up at the dole, the artist on a bicycle as the only woman who ever went out to work from Holloway, a group running off with prison items, including an exercise bike, the great blocks sprouting up behind the prison and the money men who were going to make the profits from its sale. There were 6,733 entries to the awards this year in 52 categories as various as film and animation, design, poetry, painting, needlecraft, Spoken Word, Hip-hop Rap and Grime, ceramics and sculpture and, of

Brian pictured with his favourite painting, W.T.F. by Peter from HMP Dovegate

admired was made up of a group of swans, each one being created of a thousand pieces of paper. Called ‘Swan Lake’ it was made by Andreas at HMP Standford Hill. Not far away a very unromantic series of watercolour and gouache paintings, ‘Cell Portrait 1 11 and 111 depicted the artist, Paul, in his cell. Perhaps the most entertaining was the first which shows Paul at his workout. Two very different but equally ambitious pieces of work were the elaborate ‘Dante’s Fireplace’ made entirely out of soap by Tom at HMP Peterborough and a small working lock made out of matchsticks. Apparently, Christopher, its creator was bet he couldn’t do it by an officer and proved him wrong, borrowing the spring from a biro. Another surprise was called ‘My Village’ from HMP Dartmoor and was done entirely in braille. One of the most moving and impressive larger entries shows a man hunched in the corner of his cell with a scrumpled piece of paper on the floor, probably a ‘Dear John.’ It’s called W.T.F. - no prizes for guessing what that means - and was painted by Peter at HMP Dovegate. It was Brian’s favourite so I photographed him against it. Another magnificent painting, rather like a

course matchsticks. Over a third of all entrants receive an award and top winners get cash, up to £100 for Platinum Awards. Sadly, I only have space to mention a few more here: the touching painting called ‘Mother Love’ by Keron at Derbyshire Probation Service, painted from a photograph of his mother when young; ‘Comfort’ by Michael, a picture of two loving

elephant friends with trunks entwined; a vibrant portrait of ‘Rosa’ from HMP Grendon. I always buy myself something to take home; this year I picked a beautiful wooden inlaid box made at HMP Wakefield. My Koestler collection now includes several paintings, a shirt with the embroidery on the pocket ‘Made for the outside by those on the inside’, a crocheted handbag, a painted shoulder bag and quite a few sculptures. When I look at them they remind me of the talent inside prisons which is too often sadly wasted. I’ll finish with a Platinum winning poem, ‘Grandfather Clock’ from HMP Bure. You kept my heart under a stone brother, almost like it meant something. A thousand tiny fireflies in a jar brother, unquiet spirits on the tangled path from childhood. I’ll fight you for the grandfather clock that stood sentry through our sleepless nights. I matched you tick for tock then brother, swing for swing Even as the minutes ate the silence. Under cover of covers we listened, to the poltergeist smash the plates to father slamming the door, and to the tearful ghost creeping up the stairs to bed. Next page: Benjamin Zephaniah ‘art from the heart’

Comfort by Michael

30 Comment // Inside Art

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We are all human Dub poetry superstar Benjamin Zephaniah curates this year’s annual Koestler Exhibition at London’s Southbank Centre. He tells Inside Time why he agreed to do it and all that there’s plenty of proper qualified people who could do that. If they don’t give me a good answer I usually walk away. But when I was asked to do this a few years ago they said, look, we need a poet, we need somebody with your experience. I said I’m not an expert in art, and they said, “That’s great!” I said I’ll do it in 2016 thinking 2016 was way in the future. Then I got a letter saying, now its your turn Benjamin. Benjamin Zephaniah Prison is a concrete jungle so I wanted to get as much nature into the exhibition as possible. We are all human - it’s a really simple truth. What has been really amazing is that so many people who have visited the exhibition have commented on the fact that there is so much colour, saying it’s so different, there’s so much hope. There were so many saying the same sort of things I was starting to wonder if it w a s a s e t-up, h ad t he y rehearsed this? A couple of times people pulled me to one corner and said words to the effect of, “no disrespect to previous curators, but this one looks like it was done by a former prisoner.” They said they could see the empathy in it. And it must be real, but I can’t see it. I just wanted to do the best exhibition I could. I didn’t want to do an exhibition that was obviously from prisoners. I just wanted to do a good exhibition - full stop. I’ve always known about the Koestler Trust. I opened an exhibition once a few years ago and actually bought a lovely piece. The thing with me is, I just think, I’m an ex-borstal boy street poet, and so if anyone comes to me and asks me to get involved in something that’s not poetry or music I go, “well what the hell do you want me for?” When you’ve got people who have gone to university who have studied curating and art

A couple of times people pulled me to one corner and said words to the effect of, ‘no disrespect to previous curators, but this one looks like it was done by a former prisoner’

Alice in Wonderland Ashworth High Secure Hospital - Gold Award for Digital Art

Sun Rise London CRC

So I did it. And I did it because, well people kind of trusted me and I thought I could maybe bring something new. One of the things that’s strange for me is that it’s usually all about my art - it’s my poetry. I can say what goes on the cover of my books. I can approve or disapprove of what happens to my work. With this exhibition its other peoples’ work. I really feel like I’ve been holding their babies, dressing their babies and putting them on display. This is art from the heart. The exhibition entitled We are all human is on at the Southbank’s Spirit Level from 15th September 13th November 2016 Dr Benjamin Zephaniah is a former prisoner. He is Professor of Poetry and Creative Writing at Brunel University. His album, Revolution, will be released in spring 2017.

Brandi Broadmoor Hospital - Bronze Award for Sculpture

Evolution HM Prison

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Comment // Inside Art 31

Red Fish Northgate Hospital - Clara Alman Platinum Award for Watercolour

C Probation Service - Monument Trust Scholarship 2014 and Bronze Award for Painting

n Shotts Pierce Brunt - Highly Commended Award for Painting

Surreal Ginger Tom HM Prison Lewes - Carmina Commended Award for Sculpture

Fruits of my Labour HM Prison Grendon - Transformation Commended Award for Sculpture

32 Comment // Black History Month

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What do the Metropolitan Police, enslaved Scotsmen and Usain Bolt have in common? All have roots in the West Indies To help celebrate Black History Month, in collaboration with The West India Committee’s Blondell Cluff, Inside Time highlights ten top facts about the West Indies. We also reproduce an 1864 letter from freed slave Jordan Anderson to his former master Colonel PH Anderson. Black History Month began in America in 1928, but today it is a celebration of Black History in many countries around the world. It was introduced into the United Kingdom by the Greater London Council (GLC) in 1987 and is celebrated every October.

Languages of the Caribbean There are six official languages spoken in the Caribbean: English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Haitian Creole and Papiamento, a unique language derived from African and Portuguese with elements of Native American, English, Dutch and Spanish. English is the most commonly used, due to the booming tourist industry throughout the Caribbean, but the variety of languages is a testament to a complex and cosmopolitan history. There are at least a further seventeen distinct languages across the West Indies, some of which are spoken by native inhabitants, but there are concerns that some of these dialects are now in danger of extinction.

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20% of Jamaicans are descended from Scottish clansmen The first wave of foreign slaves to arrive in Jamaica were Scottish, Irish and Welsh indentured convicts. Many Scots were also sent to Jamaica as prisoners of war during the mid-seventeenth century, and these were later supplemented by a second intensive wave of Scottish immigration during the 1700s. By 1750, a third of the white Jamaican population were reputed to have been Scottish. The names of many Jamaicans are rooted in Scottish ancestry, often meaning that these families are eligible to be recognised by Scotland’s multitude of clans, each of which has its own distinctive tartan. In 2012 Jamaica was granted an official tartan by the Scottish government.

Highest density of Nobel Prize winners in the world St Lucia has the highest density of Nobel Prize winners per capita in the world. Although the nation has just two Nobel laureates, its small population of less than 200,000 makes this possible. In fact, the Nobel Prize density of plucky St Lucia is over five times greater than the UK, and eleven times that of the USA. St Lucia’s Nobel Prize winners are - Sir William Arthur Lewis, who won the 1979 prize in Economic Sciences, and the Hon. Derek Alton Walcott, who won the 1992 prize for Literature.

West Indians are the forefathers of the Metropolitan Police The oldest continually serving modern police force was established in London by the West India Committee. The magistrate, Patrick Colquhoun, approached West Indian planters and merchant organisations to fund a protection force of several dozen men to guard their precious imports of sugar, rum and tobacco. Officially established in 1798, the Marine Police Force prevented criminals from looting ships docked on the Thames and opened the world’s first police station in Wapping, London, still in use today. The government later passed the Marine Police Bill in 1800, which converted the force from a private to a public institution. The Marine Police later merged with the newly-formed ‘Peelers’ creating the Metropolitan Police Force. Making the West India Committee one of the forefathers of the London Bobby.

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“Letter from a freedman to his old master”

‘Carib’-bean The name Caribbean is derived from the indigenous people known as Caribs. The ancestral home of the Caribs is on the north coast of the South American continent within the Amazon basin, though various other indigenous groups also spread throughout the islands of the Caribbean including the A rawak s and Lucayans. These native people suffered from the arrival of Europeans, who brought disease.

In 1825, at the age of eight, Jordon Anderson was sold into slavery and would live as a servant of the Anderson family for 39 years. In 1864, the Union Army camped out on the Anderson plantation and he and his wife, Amanda, were liberated. The couple eventually made it safely to Dayton, Ohio when, in July 1865, Jordan received a letter from his former owner, Colonel PH Anderson. The letter kindly asked Jordan to return to work on the plantation because it had fallen into disarray during the war. On August 7, 1865, Jordon dictated his response through his new boss, Valentine Winters, and it was published in the Cincinnati Commercial. The letter entitled “Letter from a Freedman to His Old Master” was not only hilarious, but it showed compassion, defiance and dignity. That year, the the letter would be republished in the New York Daily Tribune and Lydia Marie Child’s The Freedman’s Book.

‘West Indies’ There is considerable confusion concerning the origin of t he na me ‘ We st I nd ie s’. Christopher Columbus was searching for a route to India when he struck upon the Caribbean, and believed he had discovered the eastern-most regions of India. Once the mistake was eventually discovered the name ‘West Indies’ was chosen to differentiate the Caribbean from its Asian counterpart.

The invention of rum Rum was first produced in the seventeenth century and it is thought to have been discovered by slaves who found that the spirit could be made from molasses, the by-product of sugar cane production. A massive export trade of the drink soon developed in the New World, and the first rum distillery in the American colonies was established in 1664, on what is now Staten Island. Rum was favoured by pirates and the navy, as it contained citric acid that counteracted scurvy.

The fastest people in the world Once every four years, the Olympics again demonstrate the dominance of Jamaican sprinters. The Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt still holds the 100m all-time record at 9.58 seconds, and five of the top ten fastest 100m sprinters are Jamaican: Yohan Blake ranks third, ahead of Asafa Powell with respective times of 9.69 and 9.72 seconds. Below Powell in the rankings, at fifth fastest, is another Jamaican, Nester Carter, while Steve Mullings comes in at eighth. Given the young talent developing in Jamaica, it seems unlikely this supremacy of the prestige athletic event will falter any time soon.

The Holy Piby and Rastafarianism Robert Athyli Rogers, author of the Holy Piby, one of the founding texts of the Rastafari movement, w a s b or n i n Anguilla. The Holy Piby was p ubl i she d i n 1 92 4, a nd espoused a world view that saw Africans as the chosen children of God. Little is known of Rogers himself, besides the fact that he wrote the Holy Piby, travelled to the USA to spread his message and took his own life in 1931.

All facts taken from 100 Things You Didn’t Know About the Caribbean, by The West India Committee.

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Dayton, Ohio, August 7, 1865 To My Old Master, Colonel PH Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jordon, and that you wanted me to come back and live with you again, promising to do better for me than anybody else can. I have often felt uneasy about you. I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this, for harboring Rebs they found at your house. I suppose they never heard about your going to Colonel Martin’s to kill the Union soldier that was left by his company in their stable. Although you shot at me twice before I left you, I did not want to hear of your being hurt, and am glad you are still living. It would do me good to go back to the dear old home again, and see Miss Mary and Miss Martha and Allen, Esther, Green, and Lee. Give my love to them all, and tell them I hope we will meet in the better world, if not in this. I would have gone back to see you all when I was working in the Nashville Hospital, but one of the neighbors told me that Henry intended to shoot me if he ever got a chance. I want to know particularly what the good chance is you propose to give me. I am

doing tolerably well here. I get twenty-five dollars a month, with victuals and clothing; have a comfortable home for Mandy - the folks call her Mrs Anderson - and the children - Milly, Jane, and Grundy - go to school and are learning well. The teacher says Grundy has a head for a preacher. They go to Su nday school, a nd M a ndy a nd me at te nd church regularly. We are kindly treated. Sometimes we overhear others saying, “Them colored people were slaves” down in Tennessee. The children feel hurt when they hear such remarks; but I tell them it was no disgrace in Tennessee to belong to Colonel Anderson. Many darkeys would have been proud, as I used to be, to call you master. Now if you will write and say what wages you will give me, I will be better able to decide whether it would be to my advantage to move back again. As to my freedom, which you say I can have, there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free papers in 1864 from the ProvostMarshal-General of the Department of Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores, and rely on your justice and friendship in the future. I served you faithfully for thirty-two years, and Mandy twenty years. At twenty-five dollars a month for me, and two dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this

the interest for the time our wages have been kept back, and deduct what you paid for our clothing, and three doctor’s visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams’s Express, in care of V. Winters, Esq., Dayton, Ohio. If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past, we can have little faith in your promises in the future. We trust the good Maker has opened your eyes to the wrongs which you and your fathers have done to me and my fathers, in making us toil for you for generations without recompense. Here I draw my wages every Saturday night; but in Tennessee there was never any pay-day for the negroes any more than for the horses and cows. Surely there will be a day of reckoning for those who defraud the laborer of his hire. In answering this letter, please state if there would be any safety for my Milly and Jane, who are now grown up, and both good-looking girls. You know how it was with poor Matilda and Catherine. I would rather stay here and starve - and die, if it come to that - than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. You will also please state if there has been any schools opened for the colored children in your neighborhood. The great desire of my life now is to give my children an education, and have them form virtuous habits. Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me. From your old servant, Jordon Anderson

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Inside Time report “There are no shortcuts in life,” says Ken Hinds, chair of the London borough of Haringey’s Stop and Search monitoring group and a leading mentor with A Band of Brothers, the Haringey branch of the community support charity. “That’s what I tell the young men who join us,” he adds. “I’ve been there. I know what I’m talking about and they listen.” Hinds was born in Trinidad and came to the UK with his parents when he was five years-old. Brought up and schooled in Tottenham, he says he, “went off the rails” at 15 after his father died. “My father was a strong disciplinarian. When he died I had no respect for any man in authority. I became a rebel. I started off with petty stuff and then progressed to armed robberies and a wages snatch. I got caught aged 18 and was sent to prison for five years. In prison I became what they called ‘a control problem.’ They kept me in isolation for long periods. Whenever I was let into the main population there were riots. I wasn’t a leader, but I spoke up whenever there were protests to explain why the protests were being held. Of course then the officers would shout, ‘Ah, ringleader!’ In the end, the good thing about it was that I got the respect of people in the jails, even the serious characters. It cost me a lot of my remission and parole, but the fact is I didn’t care. I came out after nearly serving the whole five years with a massive attitude problem and new criminal skills that I learned in prison. Twelve months later I was back inside. I thought I was cool. I wanted to be good at what I did, but I kept getting caught. Criminal activity acts like a cancer, it just grows.” “I also recommended A Band of Brothers to my younger brother and, 2 years on, he’s just completed his training with them as well. It’s great to know there’s a project out there for men of all different ages and that me and my brother can stay involved for as long as we want.” Tony Hinds, now in his fifties, got involved in the music and film business for a number of years and enjoyed the high-life, travelling the world, driving high powered cars and mixing with major players in the business, including wellknown rock stars. But criminal activity in that business also brought its own pitfalls and he was lucky to get out relatively unscathed. Back in Tottenham and ten years working for a housing association brought him into contact with the wider local community and it was in that context, around 2007, that he became involved in Operation Trident, the police operation set up to investigate gun crime among young black

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Banding together

Ken Hinds - “we help our young men to become the men they want to be”

Co-ordinator mentor with the charity ’A Band of Brothers’ Ken Hinds tells Inside Time how older men in his community are helping disenfranchised youths to build more fulfilling lives men in London. “My purpose then was to try and stop the violence and preserve the lives of the young people involved in gang violence,” he says. “It was just so tragic seeing young men getting sentenced to minimum terms of 30 or 40 years - I mean minimum - sometimes they hadn’t even killed anyone, they’d just been in the gang when somebody was shot. If I’m honest, I see myself as being part of the problem back in the day. But now I’m one of those people who managed to turn my life around and I want to help others, a lot younger than me, to turn their lives around before it’s too late. I’m still a ‘work in progress’. Most of us are. But my involvement with A Band of Brothers helps me as much as it helps the young men we mentor.”

would not have gone. But I went. I’ve been doing it for more than two years now, and I still don’t like camping. But I still go because of the magic that happens. The first thing that happens is that you recognise that we all have emotional triggers. We all have issues that are buried deep within us that drive us, drive our behaviour, stopping us from becoming the man we want to be. What the Band of Brothers does is guide you through the process. All the mentors have been through it. It’s about balancing your life and being the best you can. What I love about the Band of Brothers is that it is exactly that - a band of brothers. The young men we mentor have been in jail, they’re on probation, they’ve got serious issues. We help them to become the men they want to be.”

Founded in Brighton seven years ago, A Band of Brothers now also has branches in Crawley and Eastbourne. The Haringey group is the latest cohort and has been going for almost four years. It was just over two years ago that Hinds was at an event talking about his work in stop and search when he met someone who invited him to come along to see what the Band of Brothers did. “He didn’t explain to me that it was camping in the woods, in a tent,” he says smiling. “I was used to only doing five star. If I’d known it was roughing it in the woods I

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“I have also staffed four weekend trainings with A Band of Brothers and it’s been really satisfying putting older men through their paces so that they can become great mentors for more young men like me.” Lucas That there is a need for organisations like A Band of Brothers is beyond dispute. Men account for eight out of 10 people cautioned by the police, and nearly nine out of 10 people found guilty of indictable offences. Men are responsible for 97% of burglary and 92% of violence against the person. Two thirds of all male offenders are in their 20s: the majority of the prisoner population of England and Wales are men under the age of 30. Despair is also a big factor for young men - the second most common cause of death among men under 35 is suicide. The results achieved by the Band of Brothers is impressive. Reoffending is down by 80 per cent; employment up by 80 per cent - and one hundred per cent of those who get involved say it is worthwhile. “I am now nine months into my three year apprenticeship and on track to becoming a fully fledged technician. I start work at 8.30am and finish at 5.30pm. It’s my dream job and I feel so lucky to be doing something that I’m genuinely passionate about”. Bilal Initiation to the Band of Brothers takes place on weekend outings, in forests, on mountains, as Hinds says, “camping.” This is known as the Quest. During the Quest the young men must pledge to keep their word, not to take criticism personally, to make no assumptions and always to do their honourable best. Physical and emotional challenges are set and new life narratives formed in open and honest group discussions. Once initiated, the mentors are there whenever needed and run weekly support sessions known as the Circle. In Haringey the Circle takes place every Tuesday evening. “Today we have more than fifty in our Band of Brothers,” says Hinds. “Some have criminal pasts, some haven’t. But all are welcome.” For more information see www.abandofbrothers.org.uk

36 Comment what imprisonment ‘should be for’, but was closed as a public prison in 1910, owing to a declining prison population. Kilmainham was then handed over to the British Army as a military jail.

The Secret Criminologist Injecting a large measure of humanity into the criminological perspective

Prison tourism, shedding light into dark places Recently, my brother returned from a short stay in Northern Ireland and was keen to tell me about how he and his partner had spent a fascinating afternoon visiting Kilmainham Gaol Museum in Dublin. Kilmainham, he told me, first opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for the city. This was a time when ‘imprisonment’ as a punishment in its own right was still an idea in its infancy. Like most jails of the day, Kilmainham at the turn of the 19th century was a dark and disorderly place. Men, women and children were held together. Disease was rife. During the 1800s, the Gaol was renovated and redesigned, in line with Victorianera views and values about

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In 1916, the Gaol experienced its darkest hours: the Easter Uprising, where Irish men and women committed to independence from Great Britain attempted to establish a non-English government in Ireland. Following the re-establishment of British control, fourteen men identified as leaders of the Uprising were brought to Kilmainham to be executed by firing squads in the Stonebreakers’ Yard. The Gaol received its official C lo s i ng O rde r f rom t he Minister for Justice of the Irish Free State in 1929, and fell into disrepair and abandonment until the 1960s, when - in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Easter Uprising - a group of individuals (including veterans of that conflict) intervened. Their aim was to ‘save Kilmainham Jail from the ravages of time’, and establish it as a ‘historical museum’; the prison would become a monument to those who died for Irish independence. No doubt to the individual currently in prison, the concept of willingly visiting a closed prison as a leisure pursuit might seem bizarre. Macabre, even. I mean, what sort of person pays to get into a place where thousands of others have been incarcerated

against their will? Where men and women have been brutalised, and even had their lives ended, by state-sanctioned officials? Now, there has been a spark of recent criminological interest in this sort of ‘dark tourism’, where places of pain and punishment are turned into ‘places of interest’ (often with a café and the ubiquitous gift shop). And I have heard colleagues speak about it with a snobbish disdain - a sense of disgust at people who ‘do that sort of thing’. But I think that what they are blind to, in their rush to judge -and what my brother’s comments have led me to conclude - is that there are two types of ‘prison tourism’. The first is the sort of experience K ilmainham Gaol Museum provides - one that offers knowledge, encourages learning, and challenges general perceptions about punishment. One that offers an insight into the lived experience of people in prison across the ages, and is critical about the (many) problems of using imprisonment as our default method of punishment. As someone who is committed to this endeavour to the core, I would challenge the notion that this is ‘dark’ tourism - certainly, it shone a light on my brother’s attitudes towards prison and the people within them. In particular, the story of James Connolly - so badly wounded during the fighting that he had to be tied to a chair

I think it is this second version which represents the ‘darker’ end of prison tourism. That is, it is not the location itself but the values which underpin its use that count

during the execution because he could not stand for the firing squad - really caused him to question more critically how those with the power to do so punish. Perhaps more importantly, it caused him to question why - to ask to what end the British Army made such a spectacle of executing a man who was already clearly dying. The second type of ‘prison tourism’ is captured neatly in a magazine article I read recently which celebrated the arrival of the new ‘Good Hotel’ - a “swanky” property (direct quote, readers) which will take up its permanent residence moored on The Thames in London, and which is… a

When you feel no one’s helping YOU...

And I think it is this second version which represents the ‘darker’ end of prison tourism. That is, it is not the location itself but the values which

underpin its use that count. Where the goals are primarily financial, and where education is an after-thought, this fails to respect the lives that have previously inhabited that space. But where the driving ethos is educative, and the focus is on helping the general public to better understand the reality of prison life - that it is far from the ‘PlayStations and parties’ perception that many erroneously hold - and challenge common-sense assumptions about how and why we punish, then that to me seems only a move towards the light.

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former floating Dutch prison. Like Malmaison in Oxford (another re-purposed prison), guests at the ‘Good Hotel’ will pay for the pleasure (and I use this word ironically) of spending the night in a former prison cell. The article continued that while “getting sent to jail doesn’t exactly sound like the most relaxing holiday, that’s exactly the premise behind Good Hotel”. At that point, I calmly deposited the magazine into my recycling bin (if the toilet had been closer, it would have gone down there).

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On Road...

A wonderful collection of Gypsy Roma Traveller writing from HMP/YOI Parc in South Wales, On Road is a celebration of the narratives of a group of people often misunderstood and shunned by wider society. Awash with honesty, charm, wit and poignancy, this powerfully insightful book is the first of its kind from the British prison system “The finest collection of Traveller lives told by Travellers that I have ever encountered” Dr Con Mac Gabhann, Manager of the Traveller Equality Project Ethnicity by Phil Forder I once asked an Irish Traveller to tell me about his culture. His response was unexpected and wise in a way that I was beginning to recognise as ‘Traveller.’ “Ok, but can you tell me a b o u t y o u r s f i r s t ,” h e s a i d . Immediately I realised what a difficult and seemingly impossible thing I had just asked. With a smile he continued, “It’s how you are. It’s how you think, it’s how you decide things, it ’s t he ver y core of you. It ’s everything that’s important to you. It’s what makes you tick. That’s what makes you a Traveller. I was born a Traveller, that’s why I am one and somebody else isn’t. You can’t just adopt a lifestyle and become a Traveller. You have to be one. It’s in your blood; it’s your upbringing, your history, your values, your traditions.” This small collection of work of everyday events and memories is the result of working and talking to Travellers at HMP Parc. I’d like to

thank all the men who have taken part and invited us to the ‘caban.’ Phil Forder is the Equality and Diversity manager at HMP Parc and responsible for making this book happen. Martin My mother was one of 17 children and my father one of fifteen. I have 250 first cousins. My father always worked and as children we were not allowed to sit still. If he came home from work to find us sitting on the sofa he would make us get up and go out. It didn’t bother him if we weren’t doing household chores. As long as we were out kicking a football or climbing a tree my dad was happy, as he hated laziness. He worked as an odd job man, fixing fences, washing windows, painting houses, landscape gardening - anything someone wanted doing then my dad would do it. He did anything to keep working and earning money and he taught me the value of money this way. I’ll never forget the first time he paid me

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for helping him on a job and he gave me ten pounds. He told me to spend £1 on sweets if I wanted to, but to put the other £9 in my money box. Because of this I learned to respect money. James We Travellers have very strict rules about dating and courting. Young men and girls are not allowed to be alone with each other before marriage. At wakes and marriages the unmarried boys and girls are not allowed to be together and stay at opposite ends of the hall. This is how it is. It is considered disrespectful to even talk about anything of a sexual nature - this is not allowed by any Traveller girl as they do not believe in sex before marriage. Being a Traveller girl is hard when they are in love as they are not allowed to be left alone, except on nights out to the cinema. This is to make sure there is no sexual intercourse made between the couple. An unmarried girl is not

allowed into her boyfriend’s caravan under any circumstances. It is disrespectful to the man should this happen. When I was fifteen I met a young girl who I liked, from the first time we made eye contact we fell in love. This girl was wondering why she could not meet my mum and dad as I used to go to her mum and dad’s and spend time and have a cup of tea. The reason was that my mum would have to approve she was the right girl for me first. Billy When I was a kid I lived in Traveller sites and moved from camp to camp and it was good. How can I describe it for you non-Travellers to understand? Imagine changing your back garden every few weeks. I liked to explore as most kids do, and I loved finding something new every time I went out to play. I remember waking up and going outside the trailer and my gran and granddad would be by the camp fire with the kettle and pot

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on the fire so that us kids could wake up and start the day with a cup of hot tea and a bowl of soup. My gran would put the milk, sugar and tea in the kettle and let it stew. It always tasted nice. My granddad would go around all the trailers on the site collecting a few spuds here and a bit of meat there until he had enough for the pot, then every kid on the site could come and get a bowl. I learned at an early age that if I got up early and caught something for the pot, like a duck, a rabbit or a fish then I could go for most of the day and do what I liked. Shaun When we were back in school we were called vicious names. I’ve lost a lot of family due to name-calling. Some of them can’t take it. I lost a cousin about 20 years ago. Nice boy. He was great he was. We grew up together. One day he went off on his own and he didn’t come back. And everybody was looking, three or four days and the police didn’t seem bothered. When we said he came from a Travelling community, it seemed to me the police just didn’t care because they didn’t want Travellers around. Because some Travellers are not very nice because they have caused a lot of problems but Travellers are generally nice, genuine people, but because he was obviously a Traveller, they just didn’t want to look for him. A couple of weeks went by and we still didn’t hear anything. We were all searching for him in the night, none of us were sleeping. None of us had seen him; we were searching all the time. One of my uncles found him hanging. Copies of the On Road are available to download for free from www.tinyurl.com/jpzpjfz

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The Careers Lady

The Hub

your questions answered

The first step through the door Opportunities to your future post-release the whole process. If more than one person is interviewing you you can still do this as they may ask you questions in turn. Try to smile even if you are nervous. This shows you are friendly and will also show how you are able to work with other people;

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3. It is easy to think that employers are used to interviewing people. They may also be slightly about Our specialist team are committed to helping victims of abuse and nervous are experts in meeting © Fotolia.com and carrying out a bringing action against local authorities, such as social services, and residentialfair interview. Offering a firm handinstitutions, such as children’s homes.shake will help in making sure Our dedicated team of male and female lawyers have a proven track record your employer alsowith feels at ease and the interview will start on clothes, interviewer will claims. Almost all employers admit to abuse sexual, physical your and emotional relaxed footing; the fact that form antake im- a long not time be impressed if you dowith not anda itmore Childthey abuse can to come to terms can be difficult for dress as cleanly and smartly as pression of a candidate within victims to speak out about you theircan. traumatic experiences. Regardless long to ago 4. Waitof to how be asked sit down. the first 40 SECONDS. the abuse took place, you may still be able to make a claim. Being over-confident can be as much of an issue for your inIf be funds are limited youlevels So what Anything can you do? you say to us will handled with theand utmost of professionalism, terviewer as being shy. You do not have appropriate sensitivity and understanding. clothes, then consider looking may be asked if you would like 1. Consider what you wear to pubic funding and Jordans are byor tea. Child abuse claims are oftenineligible forShops. a drink ofrecognised water/coffee the interview Charity They often My advice befor to refuse. services commission of the specialist of would legal aid haveasaone range of few cheap but providers 2. Makethe eyelegal contact and smile If you are nervous you don’t nearly-new 3. Shake hands this type ofclothes work inthat thewould UK. 4. Wait to be asked to sit down. be suitable to wear without want to worry about spilling a drink on yourself or knocking costing much money; it over during the interview. 1. No matter what the job is 2. Making eye contact with that you are applying for it is your interviewer shows you 40 SECONDS may not seem essential that you think about very long868911 but it can create, not what you wear on the day of have confidence respect Call Christine Sands and theandteam on 01924 just a good impression, but the interview. Even if the job for the person interviewing Email [email protected] you. This is important, not just form the basis of a conversayou are applying for will reNeil Jordan House, Wellington Road, WF13lead 1HLyou to tion that might when first meeting your inter- Dewsbury, quireWrite you to to wear a uniform, viewer, but also throughout getting the job. overalls or work appropriate

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Grant Stanley - HMP Whatton It is great that Inside Time is offering advice and guidance for post-release offenders, but I would like to interject with some reality on the matters detailed in the June issue. After spending many years recruiting, interviewing and employing a variety of people I can offer a number of helpful and useful tips for those seeking employment post-release. The Careers Lady advises us to update our CV’s, but she does not give any advice on how or what to update it with. My advice would be to add an additional line to the ‘Education’ section, listing all of the qualifications you have achieved during your stay at Her Majesty’s Pleasure. Do not lie, but at the same time do not leave any employment gaps in your CV. Potential employers will pick up on these gaps and it may lead to unnecessary questions, that may be awkward. The article also makes the assumption that we were all in receipt of benefits prior to coming to prison. A bit presumptuous. It also states that if you are living rough, you can still claim Income Support. This is absolutely NOT TRUE. You must have an address, whether this is a hostel or with a friend or family. The same applies for a bank account. You cannot obtain a bank account without a current address. When applying for any job, it is important to know the law. You do not have to disclose any criminal convictions unless you are specifically asked. Unless your license conditions have specific restrictions, neither the police nor your Offender Manager can impose this caveat. It is also worth noting that SOME convictions become spent after a period of time and once spent, you are perfectly entitled to tick the box that states that you have no criminal convictions.

Let us be realistic about employment opportunities post-release. It is not going to be easy and it may take some time, but on a positive note, it can be done. The Prison Service and some other agencies do try to offer help with interviews and disclosure letters, but in reality, they are not fit for purpose and do not reflect what actually happens in real life. My advice would be to get as many qualifications as you can while in prison. Yes, it may be boring, but in the long-term it offers more opportunities for you post-release than not bothering at all. Good luck. The Careers Lady

Writes

It is encouraging to know that there are people like yourself prepared to offer help and advice to fellow prisoners. I do try and think of a range of scenarios that may affect prisoners before and upon release - whether they will need financial help or not. I have again spoken with Job Centre Plus to clarify the situation regarding prisoners with no permanent address. The Job Centre Plus adviser I spoke to has confirmed that a prisoner can use their local Job Centre office as a ‘C/O’ address as a temporary measure. However any post addressed to that prisoner will obviously go to the designated office so applicants must go in on a regular basis to make sure they do not miss appointments. Regarding claiming JSA, the prison may be able to set up a ‘Simple Payment’ method before release whereby the claimant will be given a number by text in the first instance but will need to give a permanent address of a family member or friend for regular claims. This will also apply for a Bank account or a Post office account. However if a prisoner had one of these accounts previous to going into prison their account may still be open. I previously covered Disclosures and Convictions in the April issue but will regularly visit this in future issues as well as CV writing, completing Job Application forms and what information to include. The November issue will give information on completing Job application forms. It is difficult to repeat advice in every issue but thank you for pointing things out that I have not made clear.

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‘Education gives you a sense of pride and justice’ Former prisoner Ben highlights the importance of education I come from a very difficult background. My mother was depressed and she couldn’t really work, and the police were after me for nicking food when I was young. I was incredibly angry as a teenager and a young man, I used violence and did a lot of horrible things I’m not happy about. Most of my friends were in similar situations - drug taking and selling drugs was normalised, it was just what you did. When I think back, we were trying to succeed in the circumstances given.

I’m 30 now, and I’ve been in prison twice. The first time, I was only 21 when I went in and I was still very, very angry, I used crime in prison and I saw a lot of violence. Needless to say I didn’t take education very seriously. But my second time in prison was different. I was older, I had been working, and going in again was a shock. Early on I saw someone commit suicide, and that changed me. I started thinking seriously about what I was going to do when I got out, and started to think about my business plan. I found out about distance learning, and applied to do AS Level Business with Prisoners’

Education Trust (PET). I loved the experience of distance learning. It made me feel like I wasn’t in prison anymore. You know how sometimes you walk into a library and you feel a change of atmosphere? It’s almost like that in your own cell. Suddenly you’re interested, you’re engaged, you’re using your brain, you’re talking to a tutor. All of those things are extremely positive and self motivating. It transforms you. When I got in to prison, no one was facilitating the distance learning process and helping students. The more

I spoke to some of the other lads, the more I realised how empathetic I was about the plight of some of them. I had so much energy and thought I should use it in a positive way, which is why I decided to apply for the job of Distance Learning Orderly. That sort of job is normally given to the ‘safe’ people, who haven’t come from the same social situation as I did - I was very lucky to get it considering my past behaviour in prison, and it hit at exactly the right time.

find out what motivates them, you explore it with them and then follow it up. What I’m telling you now isn’t anything imaginative - it’s just common sense. In jail the thing you need the most is a prospect of hope. If you have goals, why would you do drugs? If you have something to lose, why would you commit more crime? Just accessing education gives you a sense of pride and justice - you feel as though someone has given you a chance.

I worked at encouraging people to learn, giving them reasons to do it and telling them they were capable, basically. I designed a poster that was put up around the wings, produced leaflets showing an overview of the courses that were available, devised planners to help students manage study time, and put together end of month reviews for the staff to use. I would link people up, making sure kitchen staff knew they could do a qualification in catering, for example. I was literally dragging the blokes out of bed; slapping the drugs out of their hands. I became quite notorious!

Prison should be a place where people feel safe, so it can be a place of learning and rehabilitation. At the moment it’s none of these things.

There’s a serious lack of resources in prison, and I’m not just talking access to computers or the internet, but access to pens, pencils, envelopes. Vulnerable inmates wouldn’t be able to take part in education because they couldn’t leave their cells, but staff wouldn’t give them pen or paper to work independently. I would try to get on to wings to deliver materials and staff would try and stop me. So I’d have to explain how important education was, how it reduces violence and mental health issues and how fundamental it was to our rehabilitation. What encouraged me to continue my work was the difference I saw education make to myself and to other people around me. If you want someone to make a change you try and

employers at home and abroad, it is a great way to get immersed in new cultures. Speaking another language helps to break down barriers, and it can give an added advantage if you want to work for a company with international customers.”

Course Notes PET provides funding for over 300 types of distance-learning courses. Every month we shine a spotlight on one of them.

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Insidetime October 2016

Modern Languages

Voulez-vous apprendre le français? Hoe zit het Nederlands?

Every year PET receives dozens of application letters from people who want to use their time in prison to discover a new language. PET funds French and Spanish at GCSE

and A Level, while languages including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Russian and Turkish, are available using a CD and workbook. “Learning a language can have many benefits,” says PET’s Advice Manager John Lister. “As well as impressing

The applications PET receives are broadly split between those who believe grasping a language will translate into job opportunities, and those who want to learn simply for pleasure. One applicant hoped learning Arabic would help him to expand his family’s Asian wedding planning business. Another wanted to learn Spanish so he could join his expat mother and step-father after being released from prison. An applicant from Brixton prison wrote that he had always had an interest in Hispanic languages, which

I came out of prison three months ago. When I first left I didn’t have a job, I was living in a hostel. But I had a business plan I’d been working on for a while - to buy second-hand HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles), recondition and sell the parts. I received a grant from PET that got me up and running with a laptop and printer. Now I’ve received a further loan and training from the Princes’ Trust and am applying for a bank loan. I’ve also found paid work, which means I could move out of the hostel. It’s going to be hard but it’s a fresh start and I’m full steam ahead with the business idea. Making change to your life comes down to opportunity. That’s what I enjoyed about working with PET, because they give opportunity; they don’t ask for anything.

Since leaving custody Ben has joined PET’s Alumni network, and has spoken on behalf of PET, sharing his personal experiences and helping to raise understanding of the value of education in prison. If you’re interested in getting involved with PET after r e l e a s e p l e a s e w r i t e t o Ka t y Oglethorpe at FREEPOST Prisoners’ Education Trust.

only increased after travelling to Brazil.

than the one I currently reside in; it will give me hope.”

“It’s a personal goal to be able to communicate in the same dialect as the friends I made there,” he wrote. “In prison I can engage fully with picking up a language - I’m sure it will take a lot of focus and spare time thus making a negative experience positive.”

Please note: Due to government regulations, PET may not be able to fund certain language courses for prisoners with convictions related to trafficking or terrorism.

Although it’s easiest to start learning a language as a child, one application, from 65-yearold Tony, shows it’s never too late to try. Tony, who wrote to apply for a German course, had served time in the military in Germany as a young man and had kept many German friends. “To me German is a beautiful language,” he wrote. “Allowing me this education will mean more to me than just learning a language. It will open me up to a larger world

Job avenues: Tourism & hospitality, government, politics, media, publishing, and journalism.

A full PET curriculum is available from each prison’s education department. If you would like advice or funding to study a distance learning course or tell us about your experiences of prison education write to FREEPOST Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) or call 0203 752 5680.

40 Information

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Food in Prison PRISON REFORM TRUST

Ryan Harman Advice and Info Service Manager

Complaints about food in prison are all too common and are a regular subject of letters to Inside Time’s mailbag. When issues like this become so familiar there is a risk that they get glossed over and lose the attention they deserve. For this reason we welcome Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) shining the light on this subject in a recently pub-

Insidetime October 2016

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lished findings paper entitled Life in prison: Food. HMIP found that ‘too often the quantity and quality of the food available is insufficient and the conditions in which it is served and eaten undermine respect for prisoner’s dignity’. They pointed to low food budgets as a major barrier to improving food in prisons, with some prisons daily budget per person about a fifth of the average daily spend per in-patient in hospitals. The resulting recommendations to NOMS include having mini-

mal specific nutritional values and the conditions under which food is eaten set out in a Prison Service Instruction, a nd mea l t imes t hat a re arranged to reflect what is considered the norm in the community. Mentioned briefly in the HMIP findings is the meeting of religious, medical or ideological dietary requirements - a subject which we have had reports of poor practice in from a few people recently. HMIP particularly refer to examples of cross contamination of Halal food for Muslim prisoners which resulted in many opting for vegetarian food only or

indeed just going hungry. This echoes some of the reports we have had from prisoners in which vegan prisoners were given meat and other animal pro duct s by m i st a ke on numerous occasions, and others were being served using containers or equipment contaminated with non vegetarian or non vegan meals. This can result in a real distrust of catering services and a reluctance to eat the food provided. We therefore thought it would be useful to point readers towards the most relevant guidance on this subject.

Regarding contamination of special diets, it states that ‘it is essential that special diets are not contaminated, even briefly, by other menu items’, and that ‘the servery layout must be carefully considered to avoid contamination and separate identifiable serving utensils must be used for special diets’. These expectations might seem quite straightforward but we are sometimes disappointed and somewhat surprised to hear of catering services which have struggled to do this on a regular basis.

T he C ate r i ng O p e r at i ng Manual, which is Annex B of PSI 44/2010 Catering - Meals for Prisoners, clearly states the following: ‘It is a fundamental requirement that prisoners and members of staff are provided with meals which meet an individual’s religious, cultural and medical dietary needs. It is further necessary that all prisoners are provided with food commodities that are stored, prepared and served in an appropriate way. The menu choices and meal provision must reflect the religious and cultural needs of the establishment’.

Another common complaint is cold food as a result of too long between cooking and serving. The Catering Operating Manual states that all cooking should be carried out ‘as late as possible so as to ensure that the minimum amount of time is given to possible food bacterial growth before serving’. The manual recognises that in some establishments the complexity of food distribution can lead to time delays between cooking and serving but is clear that it is a legislative requirement that the time lapse between the completion of the cooking process and the commencement of service must not exceed 45 minutes. In addition, hot food must be served ‘hot’ which means at a temperature above 63°C.

The manual goes on to give guidelines on common dietary requirements for a number of religious and medical diets.

›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹

Regarding meal times, which people often report as being too early, the manual states that they should reflect those within the community and that there should be a minimum of 4.5 hours between the beginning of lunch service and the beginning of evening meal service. In addition prisoners should be provided with the facilities and commodities to enable them to prepare a minimum of 4 hot drinks a day. It is important to recognise that many prisons demonstrate good practice when it comes to catering, and HMIP reported many establishments are ‘making commendable efforts with the resources available’. They also found some prisons providing server training courses to prisoners and examples of kitchen staff working closely with relevant chaplains to devise d iet appropr iate ser v ing arrangements. This further demonstrates that it can be done well and should be possible across all prisons. You can contact the Prison Reform Trust’s advice team at FREEPOST ND6125 London EC1B 1PN. Our free information line is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 3.30-5.30. The number is 0808 802 0060 and does not need to be put on your pin.

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Parole Board Update we will be piloting from now until the end of March 2017:

The Parole Board has experienced an increase in the demand for oral hearings since the Osborn, Booth and Riley judgment handed down in 2013. This has resulted in delays for a considerable number of prisoners waiting for an oral hearing date. The listing prioritisation framework, which was developed to help us manage the increased volume of cases, currently prioritises recalled determinate sentenced prisoners above most other prisoners when allocating oral hearing dates each month. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the majority of other prisoners experiencing much longer delays before their oral hearing date is set. We recognise that we need to change our current approach in order to ensure fairness across the system.

2. We are extending the cut off point for determinate cases with an upcoming Sentence Expiry Date (SED). We currently conclude cases directed to oral hearing if the SED is within 12 weeks’ time of the oral hearing directions. This is because there is insufficient time to schedule an oral hearing before a prisoner will be automatically released. This will now be extended to 24 weeks. 3. We will change the listing prioritisation framework so that prisoners who have 12 months or less before their SED will no longer be prioritised. This means most recall cases will no longer be listed ahead of other sentence types,

‘Ja p Se ilb a g e o re e i u r ak n t ’ s he ec ti on

To address this problem, we have developed 4 trials that

1. We will work closer with PPCS to make more effective use of the option of ‘executive release’. Eligible cases will be considered for executive release at an earlier stage of the parole process, before a case is directed to an oral hearing. We hope this will reduce the number of cases waiting in the queue for an oral hearing date and allow prisoners to be released more quickly.

THE PRISON PHOENIX TRUST Head doing you in? Stressed out? Can’t sleep? Simple yoga and meditation practice, working with silence and the breath, might just transform your life in more ways than you think ... Interested? Write to The Prison Phoenix Trust P.O. Box 328, Oxford, OX2 7HF. We’d love to hear from you anytime and have several free books and CDs, which could help you build and maintain a daily practice.

resulting in a fairer system. A full review of the listings framework will take place by April 2017. 4. We are looking into the possibility of using Ministry of Justice v ideo link rooms across the UK to host hearings for determinate sentence prisoners. Currently, we can only host video link hearings at our London based office which limits our capacity. We hope that by creating regional hubs across the UK, more cases can be heard more swiftly. This will also hopefully ensure prisoners with determinate sentences will not be disadvantaged by the above pilots. We are tak ing a f lex ible approach to these pilots and if any prisoners believes that they have exceptional circumstances that warrant prioritisation of their case they can write to the Parole Board. Such ci rcu msta nces ca n include, but are not limited to, medical/mental health issues and/or compassionate reasons for example.

Amazon NOT an approved supplier Follow ing problems w ith deliveries of books to prisoners from Amazon being rejected, we have been asked to clarify the situation regarding prisoners’ family and friends sending books to prisoners following the update to PSI 2013-030 in January 2015 (Appendix I). Books can be sent directly into you by a friend or family member or can be handed in to staff on visits. You can get the book from anywhere but it MUST be posted in to you. If you wish to get the book sent directly from a supplier then that must only be one of the approved

If you believe you are affected by one of the above pilots then we strongly recommend you seek guidance from a legal representative or a member of prison staff.

suppliers, currently: • Blackwell’s; • Foyles; • Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights; • Waterstones; • WH Smith; • Wordery Prisons WILL NOT accept books sent from Amazon and these will be returned. If the book you want sent in is on Amazon then you must have it delivered to your friend/ family members address and then sent in to you (or handed it in to staff on a visit).

PSI 2013-030, Appendix I also says: “Restrictions on the books which prisoners are allowed to have access to remains unchanged. The Public Protection Manual sets out the books that no prisoner c a n have acce s s to a nd Governors can extend this list if the nature of the particular prison’s population requires it. In addition, Governors can decide whether an individual prisoner should have a particular book, taking into account the prisoner’s offending behaviour.” Since September 2015 there has no longer been a numerical limit on the number of books which prisoners can have in their cells. The number of books permitted is subject only to volumetric control limits on property. All books received will be searched before being passed to prisoners. Prisoners will continue to be a l lowe d to orde r b o ok s through existing arrangements in place in prisons. PSI 2013-030 is available in all prison libraries or can be downloaded from: www.tinyurl.com/hr6j9vu

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MASZ PROBLEM Z PICIEM? POTRZEBUJESZ POMOCY? 020 7403 85 20 Anonimowi Alkoholicy - Punkt Informcyjno Kontaktowy Sobota i Niedziela 17:00 - 21:00 www.aa-pik-wielkabrytania.org.pl email: [email protected]

The CCRC can look again If you think your conviction or sentence is wrong apply to the CCRC

• • •

It won’t cost anything Your sentence can’t be increased if you apply You don't need a lawyer to apply, but a good one can help You can get some more information and a copy of the CCRC's Easy Read application form by writing to us at 5 St Philip’s Place, Birmingham, B3 2PW. or calling 0121 233 1473

Prisoners in Scotland should contact; The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, 5th Floor, Portland House, 17 Renfi eld Street, Glasgow, G2 5AH. Phone: 0141 270 7030 Email: [email protected]

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www.insidetime.org semi-independent self-catering Jubilee Project houses on the site. Other home-made cakes and pastries were kindly donated by staff. These were sold by the slice on the day with donations coming from prisoners’ spends, ably facilitated by our enthusiastic finance department. The event was a tremendous success, raising over £370 during the morning.

Strangely enough, less of the ‘gym bunnies’ chose the marathon, opting instead for the 5Km run. Size or stamina perhaps?

© Fotolia.com

Raising cash, raising hope Prisoners helping prisoners along the road to success Alister Thompson The Hardman Trust is a charity that supports long-term prisoners. The Trust funds training and equipment to help them as they return to the outside world and through its award scheme the Trust celebrates the efforts of prisoners who are working especially hard to get their lives on track. The Trust’s intervention can make all the difference to prisoners who are starting out with nothing except a desire to succeed and reintegrate with society. With a number of our residents having benefited from the Trusts’ help

over the past few years, we here at North Sea Camp decided to arrange a series of events with the aim of creating the North Sea Camp award to be administered by the Trust in the future. This award would be to continue the Trust’s work by funding a prisoner to gain skills or provide equipment to help them find rewarding work on release. Studies have shown that a stable job is the greatest single aid to avoiding reoffending. We set ourselves the target of raising £1000 in a year of events. Our first was a coffee and cake morning, held in March, with cakes baked by some of our number who live in the

Our next event was a sponsored ½ marathon/5k run/5k walk. We are lucky to have a working farm in the prison which has extensive land holdings and so we were able to set out a course which was a bit more interesting than the usual 2 ½ hours on a treadmill or 60 laps of the football pitch. Our problem was filling in the mole holes and getting a tractor to mow the course! The event was ably organised by a team of both staff and prisoners working together to achieve our goal. We obtained sponsorship from both inside and outside the prison. The three events made sure that everyone could participate, from the super fit to the slightly more sedentary. Strangely enough, less of the ‘gym bunnies’ chose the marathon, opting instead for the 5Km run. Size or stamina perhaps? The entrants were a mixture of prisoners and staff and the ½ marathon was won by Mr

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Joe Alcock - Time 1.30.23 and the 5Km by Mr Chouhaib - Time 22.38. Quite a few of the prison civilian administrative staff took part and their support was proof of how the Trust’s ideals have captured the imagination of the camp. Most surprising was the number of prisoners who took part, it really was a whole camp event. Our team motto was ‘Every Step Counts’ though our unofficial one ‘Prisoners helping prisoners’ perhaps sums it up just as well. Our final event is planned for November. It is going to be a craft fair, selling prisoners’ work to staff, visitors or other prisoners. Donations so far range from paintings and decorated poetry samplers to some stunning match sculptures. It is worthy of note that Camp residents have won 4 platinum awards at the Koestlers in the past 3 years. Again, we might be persuaded to put on coffee and cakes due to the demand we had last time. Throughout all these events, the aim has been to raise as much as possible for the Hardman Trust and to establish the North Sea Camp Award, something we are positive we will achieve. The other benefits have been incalculable though. Staff and prisoners have worked together - albeit as facilitators and grunt work in some cases! - to help others. Management has allowed us the autonomy to organise large scale events within the camp, showing a high level of trust and belief in prisoners’ abilities.

Staff have joined in wholeheartedly in support, giving both time and expertise to the organisation. Money raised from staff and prisoners obtaining sponsorship and we are awaiting the total amount as this is written. The creation of the award was the brainchild of Maria Dreina, a member of the community engagement team. She has been an inspiration to us all on this side of the fence throughout with her unf lagging enthusiasm, terrier-like tenacity to get things done and uncanny ability to get what we needed out of the ‘system’. Some of our bright ideas proved impractical (barbeque anyone?) but that is just a life lesson we can take forwards into the real world. Finally, we would like to give a big thank you on behalf of the organising team to everyone who took part, helped, donated and enjoyed our years’ worth of events. There’s still one more to go, don’t forget! The whole process has shown just what can be achieved in prison when both sides work together, combine their strengths and resources and get on with creating a better environment for us all to live and work in. That’s probably the biggest legacy that working for the Hardman Trust, or any charity, can give; a feeling of inclusion in society outside prison and the warmth of helping others whilst helping ourselves. Alister Thompson is a proud resident of HMP North Sea Camp

Is there a news story at your prison? Write in and let us know. Please mark your envelope ‘Newsround’.

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Would you like to have a Christmas message to a loved one printed in the paper? Please send in your message (maximum 25 words) and we will publish it and send a copy of the paper to them. Be sure to include your name, number and prison and their name and full address. If your loved one is in prison please either post the message or email [email protected]. Closing date 18 November. Send your entry to: Inside Time ‘Christmas Message’ Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB.

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Inside Drink & Drugs News

DDN News Round-up

Drink and Drugs News (DDN) is the monthly magazine for those working with drug and alcohol clients, including in prisons. In a regular bi-monthly column, editor Claire Brown looks at what’s been happening lately in the substance misuse field Claire Brown DDN Editor At the same time as the government announced plans for ‘the biggest shake-up of prisons since the Victorian times’, the RSA - a charity whose mission is to ‘enrich societ y through ideas and action’ launched its own major project to look at how prisons could become fit for purpose and ensure ‘lasting social reintegration’ for offenders. The project aims, by the end of the year, to come up with a blueprint for a prison that places the ‘challenge of rehabilitation’ at the centre. But for the drug and alcohol sector this idea is not a new one. For many years we’ve been writing about the ‘revolving door’ between prison and the

outside world. Reoffending rates are no surprise when the reasons for committing crime in the first place are not addressed, and where addiction is concerned the reasons can be particularly complicated. I’ve just returned from a conference where one of the speakers talked about the sheer number of military veterans within the prison population. Talking to him afterwards he recalled how one client who had been referred to his support service had twice committed a serious crime on being discharged from prison, but had no recollection of what had happened on either occasion until many years later. With the right support, he unlocked deep-seated problems with his mental hea lt h stemming f rom post-traumatic stress disorder, and was helped on the road to

treatment and stability. This is one area, one ‘client group’, where the reasons for being unable to cope are u nde r st a nd able but not understood. Drug and alcohol workers, mental health workers and prison staff deal with the person in different contexts and might see them suffering from the effects of something beyond their control - yet how often do these professionals come together to provide an integrated care pathway? Let’s hope that the RSA’s project taps into what we already know and turns it into a realistic framework that harnesses the relevant professional skills to make a reality of ‘social reintegration’.

To order copies of Drink and Drugs News telephone: 020 7463 2085 [email protected] drinkanddrugsnews.com

Heads down More than 330 retailers have either closed down or stopped selling new psychoactive substances (formerly known as ‘legal highs’) since the controversial Psychoactive Substances Act came into force in May, the government has announced. Nationally, 24 ‘head shops’ have closed and a further 308 have stopped selling the substances, while 186 people have been arrested.

Crypto cash

National tragedy

The UK has the second highest number of online drug vendors, at 338, according to a report from the Rand Corporation less than half the US total of 890 but higher than Germany’s 225. Total drug revenues on ‘cryptomarkets’ in January 2016 were estimated at between $12m and $21m, says the document, suggesting that they remain ‘niche’ marketplaces compared to the estimated $2.3bn monthly offline drug market in Europe alone.

Scotland has once again recorded its highest ever number of drug-related deaths, at 706 - almost two per day. The total number of deaths now stands at more than double the amount recorded a decade ago, with males accounting for almost 70 per cent. Scottish Drugs Forum CEO David Liddell said the numbers were a ‘national tragedy for Scotland’ and ‘the ultimate indicators’ of the country’s health inequalities.

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Hospital admissions for drug poisonings have risen by more than 50 per cent in a decade, according to figures from HSCIC, the government’s national data provider. There were 14,280 admissions with a primary diagnosis of poisoning by illicit drugs in 2014-15, up 57 per cent on 2004-05, with 45 per cent of admissions among 16 to 34-year-olds.

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Hard to reach? People who misuse drugs or alcohol and also experience mental health issues are being ‘denied access to proper treatment’, according to the charity Turning Point. NHS services are not set up to support multiple needs and people are consequently ‘falling through gaps’ in care, says their new report.

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44 Legal

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Possession… nine tenths of the law looking at the disciplinary charge of possession of an unauthorised article thorised article. Prisoners subject to indeterminate sentence (Life or IPP) will rarely have their adjudication for possessing an unauthorised a r t icle refer red to t he Independent Adjudicator because they are ineligible to receive additional days as an adjudication punishment. Determinate sentenced prisoners will often find that ‘unauthorised articles’ such as mobile phones, USB sticks, drugs are often referred to the Independent Adjudicator who has the power to add up to 42 days per offence to a prisoner’s sentence. Emma Davies and Nicola Blackburn Being in possession of an unauthorised article is a relatively common charge for prisoners subject to an adjudication. Whether they are dealt with by the Governor or the Independent Adjudicator, the points to prove and the rules regarding evidence are the same, and it is important prisoners are aware of them and

aware of their rights should they find themselves facing a charge of possessing an unauthorised article. Who will hear my case? Whether the adjudication is dealt with by the Governor or by the Independent Adjudicator (a District Judge) will depend on a number of factors, including the type of sentence the prisoner is serving, and the seriousness or amount of the alleged unau-

Solicitors are not generally permitted to attend and represent prisoners at Governor adjudications, and there is no legal aid available for advice and assistance. Legal Aid is however available for adjudications which are referred to the Independent Adjudicator, and so prisoners should be encouraged to seek legal advice and representations if they are due before the Judge. A solicitor can advise whether

the charge has been laid correctly, assist in representing a prisoner during a contested hearing and mitigate if a prisoner is found guilty of an offence. The charge In order for the charge of possession to be proved, there are three elements that the adjudicator needs to be satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, are present. They are: 1. Presence. That the item was in existence and is what it is alleged to be. 2. Knowledge. That the prisoner knew the item was there. 3. Control. That the prisoner had access to the item and had sole or joint control over it. If the adjudicator is satisfied that all three of the above are present then the likely outcome will be to find the prisoner guilty of being in possession of an unauthorised article. Prisoners should be aware that the charge is not concerned with who has ownership of the item, but rather who is in possession of it (i.e. who has presence, knowledge and control). It is not therefore a defence to suggest that the item did not belong to you. What needs to be proved? Presence is not normally difficult to prove or even disputed, as the prisoner will only normally be charged once an item has been found either on his person or most commonly in his cell.

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Sometimes a prisoner will dispute that the item in question is unauthorised. It is also possible to put forward a defence that you believed the item to be authorised. If the matter is before the Independent Adjudicator then you are encouraged to seek legal advice. Your solicitor can advise you on whether or not the item is unauthorised and what should be done, said or requested in order to help demonstrate this to the Judge. A solicitor can also advise you on how likely it is that your belief t hat t he item was authorised is to succeed; the Judge should consider whether the belief was reasonable

in all the circumstances, and again, a solicitor can assist in putting this defence forward and what is required. A common defence raised to this charge is lack of knowledge that the item was present. Without knowledge, the prisoner cannot be said to be in possession of the item. Lack of knowledge can occur if the prisoner was completely unaware of the item and had never seen it before. It may well belong to his cellmate, or have been placed in the cell by another prisoner. The prisoner may also have received an item from another prisoner or source legitimately and then it has been discovered that the unauthorised item is concealed inside this item. Again, if the matter is being dealt with by the independent adjudicator, prisoners are encouraged to seek legal advice. A solicitor can advise you as to how likely it is that your defence of ‘lack of knowledge’ is to succeed. They can also advise you once again on what needs to be done, said or requested in order that the best case possible is put before the Judge. An adjournment may well be needed in order for the trial to proceed with everything in place. In order to properly put your case, it may be necessary to secure the attendance of the reporting officer, secure the attendance of another prisoner to give evidence on your behalf or request paperwork is adduced which may help put forward your defence, such as cell search paperwork or property cards. What sentence am I likely to receive? If the charge is being dealt with by the Governor, all sentencing options are available to him except additional days. If the charge is being dealt w ith by the Independent Adjudicator, all sentencing options are available including additional days. The maximum is 42 additional days per charge. Sentencing Guidelines are available for the Judge to follow. The starting point and range depends on what the unauthorised item is. Aggravating and mitigating

factors will serve to increase and decrease the sentence. A solicitor will be able to mitigate on your behalf in an attempt to persuade the Judge to impose a lesser sentence. Remember that credit will be given for an early guilty plea. If the prisoner pleads guilty at the earliest opportunity, their sentence will be reduced by up to one third. Can I Appeal? Fi nd i ng s of g u i lt by a n Independent Adjudicator can only be challenged by way of Judicial Review proceedings. H o w e v e r, p u n i s h m e n t s imposed by the Independent Adjudicator can be challenged in writing to the Senior District Judge at the Chief Magistrates’ Office. Any application to the Chief Magistrates’’ office must be done within 14 days of the adjudication and if successful could result in a punishment being reduced or quashed entirely. There are many aspects of the adjudication process that a prison law solicitor can advise on ranging from ensuring that the paperwork has been completed correctly to ensuring that the hearing is a fair and balanced one. It is likely that there will soon to be some changes to the disciplinary process as the current discipline manual (contained in PS 47/2011) expired in September 2015. If you are charged and are due to appear before the Independent Adjudicator, repre s e nt at ion i s av a i lable through Legal Aid. If you are charged and are due to appear before the Governor, advice and assistance can be provided on a private paying basis. If you need help or advice with any prison law issues please contact the prison law department at H i ne Sol icitors; Telephone - 01865 518973 or FREEPOST - RTHU - LEKE H A Z R Hine Solicitors, Seymour House, 285 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7JF. Emma Davies is a Partner at Hine Solicitors. Nicola Blackburn is a solicitor at Hine Solicitors.

Legal 45

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Insidetime October 2016 Advertorial

Transgender rights and remedies Jane Ryan and Stuart Withers

to gender identity. • Article 14 prohibits discrimination arising out of other rights.

S a r a h B a ke r ’s a r t ic le ‘Transgangsta Bites Back’ (August issue) highlights serious concerns about trans prisoners living in their affirmed gender. Ms Baker’s experiences and insight are e x t remely i mp or t a nt. I n January 2016 The House of C om mon s C om m it te e on Transgender Equality reported evidence from the Bent Bars Project that whilst some trans prisoners receive support ‘others are systematically denied the right to wear appropriate clothing, misinformed or lied to about their rights and not given access to appropriate medical treatment.’ This article intends to inform trans prisoners what their rights are and suggest potential remedies.

In relation to healthcare, all prisoners are entitled to the same quality of care that they would expect to receive from the NHS. For trans prisoners, this includes counselling, pre-operative and post-operative care and continued access to hormone treatment.

What are your rights? The Equality Act 2010 ‘EA’ provides protection for people undergoing ‘gender-reassignment’ (an outdated term). If you are living or proposing to live as a trans person, you are protected by the EA. You do not need a gender recognition certificate in order for your rights to be recognised by the Act. The EA makes it unlawful for you as a trans person to be: • discriminated against, either directly or indirectly, • harassed or, • victimised because you have complained about discrimination. There is also a duty under the EA for a prison to have regard for the need to eliminate harassment, advance equality and foster good relations between different groups of prisoners. The Human Rights Act 1998 ‘HRA’ also provides rights which are applicable to trans prisoners: • Article 3 prohibits inhumane and degrading treatment. This includes a duty to prevent real and immediate risks of such treatment. • Article 8 provides a right to privacy and family life. This includes a trans person’s right

How does this apply? The starting point is Prison Service Instruction 7/2011 (“the care and treatment of transsexual prisoners”) which provides guidance on medical treatment, allocation, and searching rights relating to living in an affi rmed gender identity. New guidance for searching trans prisoners is due to come into force in October 2016 (PSI 07/2016 ‘Searching of the Person’). The MOJ has a duty to comply with these policies although, as Ms Baker highlighted, some people are forced to fight for their rights. In our view it is important that trans prisoners are able to participate in decision-making concerning themselves. The policy states that trans prisoners should be permitted to attend case conferences on allocation however this does not always happen, and this may be procedurally unfair. The policy also provides a list of items permitted to fulfil gender identity. Failure to comply with the policy, or unjustified decisions may amount to discrimination under the EA or a breach of human rights. Types of discrimination and harassment covered by the EA include comments made by members of staff and staff refusing to treat you according to your affirmed gender identity and using the wrong pronoun. It is extremely concerning that transphobic abuse is common. A prison has a duty both under the EA and HRA to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment and abuse. It cannot just be ignored. The common law also provides that the MOJ has a duty of care to prisoners.

The use of segregation solely on the grounds that a prisoner is trans is unlawful. Any decision to segregate must be justified and proportionate. Bourgass v SSJ [2015] UKSC 15 confirmed that a prisoner has a right to reasons and to submit representations in relation to a decision to cont inue segregation. If you believe your rights are being violated you should keep a record and follow the complaints process. Prisons should have a local policy on trans prisoners, and you should ask to see this, as well as accessing the PSIs in the usual way. You may also be able to bring legal action and should seek legal advice. The EA has exceptions for the provision of single or separate sex services (such as prisons) and as such it is important to be advised. The Future Prisoners should be aware that a review into PSI 7/2011 has been concluded by the MoJ and a new policy is due to be published. Regrettably neither the review nor the new policy has been published yet. It is hoped that the new policy will address some significant problems in the current policy, such as an over reliance on a Gender Recognition Certificate to determine allocation. We hope that the new policy will be a significant step forward in recognising self-declaration of gender identity and improving access to rights so trans prisoners are treated fairly across the estate. If you need help or advice please contact: Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, 27 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NN. Telephone: 020 7729 1115 [email protected]

Jane Ryan is a solicitor at Bhatt Murphy specialising in litigating cases involving prisoners’ rights and immigration detainees. Stuart Withers is an Advice and Information Officer at the campaigning organisation Liberty.

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Looking to avoid extra days? Wells Burcombe has set up a new specialist service in representing prisoners at adjudications before the outside judge. Don’t go before the outside judge unrepresented, even if you intend to plead guilty. A carefully argued case can significantly reduce the number of days imposed, or even ensure the case is dismissed. Wells Burcombe’s specialist advocates understand adjudications and the adjudication process. Any prisoner can face an adjudication at any time during their sentence. We can help.

The vast majority of inmates qualify for free representation We can assist in getting cases dismissed because of:

Common charges include: l l l l l l l l

Assaults against staff Assaults against inmates Possession of mobile phones Possession of mobile phone accessories (usb, sim cards, chargers) Possession of other unauthorised articles Failed MDTs Possession of drugs / illegal highs Damage to property

We are covering adjudications daily in the following prisons:

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l Technicalities such as incorrect procedure followed or charges not laid in time l Paperwork not in order l Unavailability of witnesses l Wrong charges laid l Misleading, unreliable or plainly wrong witness accounts given by prison officers and/or other witnesses All of London Pentonville, Brixton, Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs, Belmarsh, Thameside, Feltham Hertfordshire The Mount Buckinghamshire Aylesbury, Woodhill, Onley, Ryehill Kent Rochester, Cookham Wood, Elmey, Swaleside, Maidstone Surrey Highdown, Coldingley, Send, Bronzefield Bedfordshire Bedford Essex Chelmsford Thames Valley Bullingdon, Grendon

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46 Legal // Q&A DB HMP Hull

Q Can you offer any advice regarding making a claim for compensation for personal injury?

A There are very few personal

Legal Forum Answers are kindly provided by: Hine Solicitors Reeds Solicitors Frisby & Co Solicitors Pickup & Scott Solicitors Olliers Solicitors Cartwright King Solicitors Emmersons Solicitors 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. Send your Legal Queries (concise and clearly marked ‘legal’) to: David Wells, Solicitor c/o Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. For a prompt response, readers are asked to send their queries on white paper using black ink or typed if possible.

injury lawyers that deal with prisoner’s compensation claims. You should write to Michael Jefferies Injury Lawyers at Ashley House, Ashley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2DW as they have had success in such claims for prisoners. Response provided by Emmersons Solicitors

IU HMP Parc

Q I am seeking advice on a home Deportation Notice I have been given.

A A deportation order requires a person to leave the UK and authorises his/her detention until he/she is removed by a ‘notice for deportation’. One of the grounds for granting a UK Deportation Order is Deportation after a Criminal Conviction (which is covered under Removal on the Grounds of Public Interest). As your sentence is over one year in prison, the immigration authorities will have considered deportation, taking into account your age, links to the UK and the seriousness of the offence, and would have made their decision on those factors. Your right to appeal should clearly be stated on the Deportation Notice that you

Your Rights Our Responsibility

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We offer fixed fees in Bail Applications, Deportation, Asylum and all Immigration applications.

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have received. This Application takes the form of a letter, and should be sent to the Home Office, and there is no time limit for this. An Application for the revocation of a Deportation Order will be considered in light of; a) the grounds on which the Order was made; b) any representations made in support of revocation; c) the interests of the community, including the maintenance of an effective immigration control, and d) the interests of the applicant, including any compassionate circumstances. In considering your potential appeal, the Secretary of State would have to consider Section 399 and Section 399A of the Immigration Rules. These sections state consideration should be made on; • Whether you have a genuine and subsisting parental relationship with a child in the UK, who is a British Citizen or has lived in the UK continuously for 7 years, and it would be unduly harsh for the child to live in the country to which you are to be deported, and unduly harsh for the child to remain in the UK without you; • Whether you have a genuine and subsisting relationship with someone in the UK who is a British citizen or settled in the UK, which was formed at the time your immigration status was not precarious, and it would be unduly harsh for your partner to live in the

deportation country/your partner to remain in the UK without you; • Whether you have been lawfully resident in the UK for most of your life; • Whether you are socially and culturally integrated into the UK; • Whether there would be significant obstacles to your integration into the country to which it is proposed you are deported. To conclude, we strongly advise that you contact an Immigration lawyer, to discuss your options and find out whether you have the right to appeal or not. They will be able to advise you on the merits of your case, and the possible avenues of avoiding your deportation, and will help to appeal against the Deportation Order and consider the ways you may stay in the UK or avoid a ban on you re-entering the county. They can also make representations to the Home Office on your behalf. Response provided by Frisby Solicitors

TH HMP Stocken

Q I have appealed on

conviction and sentence on the advice from my barrister. Do they get heard at the same time by the single judge, and if he does give leave to appeal, what is the next stage and how

long does it take please? Can I apply for bail?

A If your Application for Leave to Appeal against Conviction and Sentence has been submitted at the same time by those representing you, the Single Judge will normally consider the Application and provide a decision in respect of both at the same time. If the Single Judge grants you leave to appeal, your appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal. In due course, you will receive notification of the date that your Appeal will take place. This is often a few weeks prior to the listing date. If you’re appealing a conviction, and you are given leave to appeal, representatives from the prosecution will present the case against you. This does not always occur in respect of appeal against sentences. If you win your appeal on conviction, your conviction and sentence will no longer stand. In an appeal against sentence only, the Court of Appeal may quash the sentence and substitute any other sentence or order that the court deems appropriate. If you lose your appeal, your original sentence/conviction will stand. You won’t be able to appeal again unless the Criminal Cases Review Commission refers your case back to the Court of Appeal.

Whilst the Court of Appeal may not have the power to increase sentence, appeals without merit can invoke the loss of time provision. Guidance from the Criminal Appeal Office confirms that there are a number of factors affecting the time an appeal will take, but they aim to process ‘straightforward’ conviction cases (i.e. from receipt in the Criminal Appeal Office to the final Court hearing) within 10 months where permission to appeal was granted by a judge and within 13 months where permission to appeal was refused by a judge. In relation to Bail pending Appeal, Bail may be granted (a) by a single Judge or the full Court or (b) by a trial or sentencing Judge who has certified the case fit for appeal. An application to the Court of Appeal for bail must be supported by a completed Form B, whether or not the application is made at the same time as the notice and grounds are served. The completed Form B must be served on the Registrar and the prosecution at least 24 hours before any application is made to enable the Crown to make representations (either written or oral) about the application and any conditions. If bail is granted, it is the practice of the Court to require a condition of residence. Response provided by Frisby Solicitors

Specialist Appeals & Prison Law Solicitors Our experienced and established teams can help with: | Appeal convictions and sentences | Appeal IPP/EPP sentences | Appeal extended determinate sentences | Criminal Cases Review Commission applications | Variation/Appeal of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders | Prison law Funding | Legal aid available for those with limited funds | Private paying fixed fees available, with telephone consultations available on request Accreditations include: | Members of Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association | Association of Prison Lawyers | Manchester Prison Law Practitioner Group Initial enquiries to Appeals Correna Platt or Alison Marriott Prison law Mike Pemberton Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN3 5BA call email

0333 344 4885 or [email protected]

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Insidetime October 2016

Banks on Sentence

Robert Banks, a barrister, writes Banks on Sentence. It is the second-largest selling criminal practitioner’s text book and is used by judges for sentencing more than any other. The book is classified by the Ministry of Justice as a core judicial text book. The book has an app which is for Apple iPads and Windows 8/10 tablets and computers. It costs £95 plus VAT. The print copy has virtually sold out. If you have access to a computer, you can follow Robert on Twitter, @BanksonSentence and you can receive his weekly sentencing Alert.

are: a) the people who have been selected to sit on the two bodies that produce the guidelines. A large number of which have neither legal training or knowledge of sentencing practice in the Crown Court. Until this year all applications from practising barristers have been No Sex offence Offence

daughter. I am thoroughly ashamed of myself. It occurred at a very low point in my life. The Judge gave me 4 years although I had no previous convictions. I was sent to a prison that only has sex offenders in it, which gives me a good chance to compare my sentence with other prisoners’ sentences. The range of different sentences is quite shocking. Is it just a lottery and how did this come about? My sentence seems far too long. Can I appeal?

A There are always difficulties when comparing sentences with other prisoners. First they may not reveal why their sentence was particularly high or low. This is especially so with sex offenders. Also it is important to discover which prisoners pleaded guilty and which did not. For those that pleaded the discount may vary from one-third off to virtually nothing off. People who regularly work in a particular court soon discover which judges pass shorter sentences than the others at that court house and which ones pass longer sentences. Some judges are influenced by mitigation. Others try to ensure that the sentence is almost entirely based on the offending. However, perhaps the most significant factor is that the Court of Appeal is not concerned with the sentences Crown Court judges pass. The Court of Appeal is primarily concerned with applying the guidelines and often says that its own decisions in previous cases do not assist because they are fact-specific. This means that you won’t be able to use other prisoners’ sentences to show your sentence is manifestly excessive. Regrettably, without even knowing what you are charged with, I cannot advise you about whether it is manifestly excessive or not. That is the test for the Court of Appeal. You ask whether it is a lottery. Well the table (right) shows the various offences that could have been charged in your case. Next to them are the ‘Harm’ and ‘Culpability’ levels with the resulting starting points. You can immediately see who are the winners and the losers in the decisions made by the CPS as to what to charge. The range of starting points for near-comparable offences is 1-8 years. You can also see that for each one there is either an abuse of trust with a child under 13 (nos 1-7) or the offence is committed against a child family member (no 8). It could be said that for no 2 it could be the least serious offence, and it carries the highest starting point. I can see from the press reports that the prosecution said you were masturbating at the time and touching your daughter inappropriately. That would mean you could have been convicted of Sexual Offences Act 2003 s 11 or 18 which are nos 5 and 7. I think that would be unlikely as that would not include the suggestion that you touched your daughter. These two offences have a

starting point of 2 years and 1 year respectively. The only other offence which usually does not require the offender to touch the child is no 2, which has the highest starting point of all. The skill in defending these cases is to persuade the prosecution to substitute charges that carry a lower starting point. This introduces another chance element, that is, who is prosecuting the offender and whether they are amenable to such an approach or not. Also whether they meet police resistance or not. However, it could be said, “Why should the police or the prosecutor go along with such tactics when the facts prove what they have charged?” It could also be said that the prosecution and police often see their non-sexual cases under-sentenced because of the guideline system. You ask how this all came about. The guideline system was launched on 1 July 1999, when Crime and Disorder Act 1998 s 80-81 came into force. The chair of the panel which was set up to recommend the guidelines was an academic who had no known experience of Crown Court practice. Seven other members of the panel had no known experience of the Crown Court. Two others were busy judges and one other was a District Judge who occasionally sat in the Crown Court The final member was a lay magistrate. Later when the structure of the guideline was formulated it was never put out for consultation and no-one had a chance to say that the structure would lead to gross inconsistencies. Judges will tell you that sentencing is an art and not a mathematical exercise. The key to good sentencing is balancing all the competing factors so that the aims of sentencing are met. Selecting just two or even one factor will not produce much of an artwork. The official version is that sentencers can move within the guideline. Yet, many judges and magistrates simply start at the guideline figure and with or without a discount for the plea allow the starting point to determine the sentence. The majority of the movement within a guideline is when there are aggravating factors. Mitigating factors usually do not permit significant movement. Parliament has not helped here because it made the ill-conceived guideline structure compulsory when it enacted Coroners and Justice Act 2009 s 121. Equally unfortunate was section 125 of that Act, which provided that the courts had a duty to follow a guideline replacing the previous requirement of a duty to have regard to the guideline. Ironically no one has been able to be sure what the difference means. The vast majority of Crown Court judges I have spoken to dislike the guidelines and magistrates continually voice their opposition to them. They, like practitioners, are just stuck with them. Meanwhile the judicial establishment continues to give the guidelines their support. I see the three main faults with the guidelines

rejected. b) The structure of the guidelines is flawed. c) Offences that can be charged vary greatly and the offences are made to fit the current guideline structure rather than each offending group having a tailor-made guideline.

Harm

Culpability

Starting point

1

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s7

Sexual assault of a child aged under 13

Category 2 Culpability A Touching of naked Abuse of trust genitalia or naked breast area. Child is particularly vulnerable due to extreme youth or personal circumstances

4 years

2

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s8

Causing or inciting a child aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity

Category 2 Culpability A Child is particularly Abuse of trust vulnerable due to extreme youth or personal circumstances

8 years

3

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s9

Sexual activity with a child (when the child is under 13 or the defendant does not believe child to be aged 16+)

Category 2 Touching of naked genitalia

Culpability A Abuse of trust Significant disparity in age

3 years

4

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s 10

Causing etc. a child to Category 2 engage in sexual activity Touching of naked (when the child is under genitalia 13 or the defendant does not believe child to be aged 16+)

Culpability A Abuse of trust Significant disparity in age

3 years

5

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s 11

Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child (when the child is under 13 or the defendant does not believe child to be aged 16+)

Culpability A Abuse of trust Significant disparity in age

2 years

6

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s 16

Abuse of trust: Sexual Category 2 activity with a child Touching of naked (when the child is genitalia under 13 or the defendant does not believe child to be aged 18+)

Culpability A 1 year Specific targeting of a particularly vulnerable child

7

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s 18

Abuse of trust: Sexual Category 2 activity in the presence Engaging in of a child (when the masturbation child is under 13 or the defendant does not believe child to be aged 18+)

Culpability A 1 year Specific targeting of a particularly vulnerable child

8

Sexual Offences Act 2003 s 25

Sexual activity with a child family member (when the child is under 13 or the defendant does not believe child to be aged 18+)

www.banksr.com

Q I was convicted of touching my 11-year-old

Legal // Q&A 47

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Category 2 Engaging in masturbation

Category 2 Touching of naked genitalia

Culpability A Significant disparity in age

4 years

Asking Robert & Jason questions Please make sure your question concerns sentence and not conviction and send the letter to Inside Time, marked for Robert Banks or Jason Elliott. Unless you say you don’t want your question and answer published, it will be assumed you have no objection to publication. It is usually not possible to determine whether a particular defendant has grounds of appeal without seeing all the paperwork. Analysing all the paperwork is not possible. The column is designed for simple questions and answers. No-one will have their identity revealed. Letters which a) are without an address, b) cannot be read, or c) are sent direct, cannot be answered. Letters sent by readers to Inside Time are sent on to a solicitor, who forwards them to Robert and Jason. If your solicitor wants to see previous questions and answers, they are at www. banksr.com.

YOU WON’T SEE ANY SIGNS LIKE THIS IN PRISON...

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21/07/2016 12:31

Diary of a Creative Writer

you an example of text that we were given. There is more, available on request as always. However, I will point out the Golden Rule for screenplay - dialogue and description - is ONE minute per page!

maniacal face of WILLIAM HARRIS, mid-forties (New main character).

Example One - Screenplay

He cocks the gun again and fires. There is a YELP from down below and he smiles with glee. A heavy KNOCK sounds at the door of his flat.

Instruction to director INSERT TEXT: “I AM NOT A HEAVY DRINKER. I CAN SOMETIMES GO FOR HOURS WITHOUT TOUCHING A DROP.” NOEL COWARD FADE IN:

Lucy Forde Lesson Seven Screen and Theatre Writing This was a very unusual lesson. Having acted in my dim and distant past it did put a new slant on the words I had held in my script but I have to admit that I found the concept of writing some of my ‘book’ into both theatre and screen play a little daunting. The descriptive writing is totally different and rather than confuse the issue, which I will surely do, I am going to give

Jailbreak // Writing 49

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Insidetime October 2016

Two OLD LADIES (capitalise new characters) stand in the bright sunshine. Little birds hop around their feet, one of the ladies scatters some crumbs. CLACK CLACK (BB gun, loud capitals - sound) A plastic bullet ricochets off her head, she goes down. The second lady is stunned, she moves to help her friend. CLACK CLACK She is downed by a second bullet. EXT. WIND - DAY - CONTINUOUS The long barrel of a toy rifle sticks out of the window. At the end of the gun is the

Harris’s clothes are rotting from constant abuse, his skin has no pores and his burning grin is sulphurous.

HARRIS’S FLAT Harris drops down from the bay window, spilling a pot of plastic bullets. He yanks the curtains closed. The BANGING at the door becomes much louder. The flat is a hellhole, stuffed with broken furniture and old food. Several disjointed television sets play daytime shows from different channels. There are at least twenty cats residing in different places around the flat. Harris clambers through the junk and starts pulling up the carpet, dislodging several cats. One of them MEWS in disgust. Instruction for theatre script is different - there is no need to explain everything to the director as it should flow from your writing. The basics to remember are:

• Act & Scene numbers appear on the same line against the left margin. The act number is specified in Roman numerals and the scene in Arabic: EG Act III Scene 2. All new acts and/or scenes should start on a new page. • Scene action appears under the heading in capitals with double spacing between paragraphs. Scene action should only deal with set description or what is happening on the stage - don’t wander into unnecessary text or backstory. • Character names appear against left margin in capitals and designated by first or last name or role designation; eg maid. This will remain constant throughout the script. • Dialogue begins next to character’s name every time they speak unless there is action during their lines. • Instr uctions eg pause, should appear in brackets. • Number your pages and bind each scene/act securely. As I said, a fairly simplistic lesson and I feel a very specialist approach - maybe you’d like to have a go, as usual we

find all your submissions very interesting. Now for something completely different! Reading. I am aware that you read, you’re reading this column now and probably thinking I’ve lost the plot! But do you read a book and get completely lost to the point whereby the rest of the world is carrying on and you are in a totally different place? It doesn’t matter if it’s the wild west as you read a cowboy story; flying around Hogwarts with Harry and co. Or that you are weeping over the hurt done to your heroine in the latest Aga saga because so good was the writer you are that heroine or she has become your friend and you feel her pain. Reading is the ultimate escape; there are many situations past and present when, if I hadn’t been able to pick up a book and make that escape, I’m not sure how I’d have coped. I am currently reading a series of books by J D Robb, I know everything about all the characters - I have chosen actors to play them if the books were ever made into a film; my daughter and I do this a lot, I’ll get a call

I have an electronic reader, great for holidays and slipping in your bag for times of waiting around and it took many years to give in and it was the realisation that I may take my luggage allowance in books to read while travelling to Africa that I bit the bullet and it was invaluable. But I love books. The joy of being the first person to pick up a book, to feel it, to sniff the new paper, to be the first to start reading the pages and starting that book on its journey of being read - I can’t think of a greater pleasure. The point of this ‘ramble’ is to encourage you to read a book, get lost in it, become part of the plot and characters and then write a 200-250 word review or description of the book. Ideally we’d like you to read some of the classics and tell us what you think, but any book will do - I just want you to read, absorb and escape. We will print as many as we can - enjoy!

Below are some of the many entries we have so far received in response to ‘What we do when we’re unable to sleep’. Do please keep sending them in; every story published will receive £5.

Thinking W C Keen - HMP Manchester It was a lovely sunny day and the sun was shining through the cell window making the bars cast a shadow right across my cell floor. I was padded up with a lad called ‘Cakehead’; he was reading a book and I was being nosey, looking through my cell window. There was a lovely canal which runs alongside the prison, The Dana in Shrewsbury. As I was looking, I could see in the distance a couple walking towards the prison. As I watched; they got closer, I could see they were in love and the nice things which it brings. They were pushing one another trying to scare the other, laughing and messing about and I thought what a beautiful sight. When they had passed that thought of them remained in my head, all through my sentence. I could not go a week without thinking of them.

Canter Levin & Berg 1 Temple Square, 24 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 5RL

out of the blue and she’ll say Colin Farrell for Roarke and off she goes - mind you she says Colin Farrell fairly often!

I had about four months left and was moved across to Bullingdon but I always thought of this moment. When I got out I got a job and through Tony Blair and his ‘New Deal’ scheme I managed to get a job on M/CC on the Urbis. When I finished the work after four years me and my mates went out for a drink. I got really drunk and decided to go home. On the way I met this girl called Marion. I asked her if she was going to the kebab house; she replied no but she did and there I met my wife! I just fell head over heels after winning her trust. When she smiled my heart sang and I’ve never believed in love at first sight but this happened. We had a child together and enjoyed each other like best mates. Now it’s me and my partner who walk along the river bank in the

sunshine. My partner never knew about the couple whose idea I copied but thinking all the time about how my dream came true. Now I have two grandchildren and I could not be more happy, even though I’m back in prison. But this time I’m looking for more thoughts because you can find them, you just have to be lucky. The life I’ve had has been rough but I would not change it for anything if I could. I always think how lucky people are when they can spell and do writing. I’ve never had the chance because my head is running all the time, thinking of this and that, I hope somebody can relate to me and just how hard it is when you have been a criminal; but always smile as it costs nothing at all.

Unable to Sleep Jamie Upton - HMP Rochester What keeps me up isn’t the rustling of the guard’s legs outside my cell door, not the light beneath my cell door and it’s not even the snoring from my cell mate that would wake the dead; it’s all the unanswered questions my mind demands more important than good old sleep. Such as, what would I be if I didn’t do the things I did, or even if I didn’t leave her. How would my life have turned out? Would I have children of my own, would I even be married? Well I sure as hell wouldn’t be in this place, sitting up at two in the morning writing about what goes through my head when unable to sleep for Inside Time. My past keeps me awake at night but what keeps me going is not making the same mistakes; if for anything to be able to sleep once more.

50 Jailbreak // Fitness

Insidetime October 2016

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Waking Up to Life

3

a simple guide to meditation

Burmese A way of sitting with both legs bent and parallel in front of you, both ankles on the floor.

The Prison Phoenix Trust Meditation is something almost everyone has heard of. Most people who meditate say they sleep better, and worry less. Others say that their thinking isn’t such a problem anymore and that they’re not as depressed. Some people experience a radical shift in how they see themselves, and the world, where everyday events around them are much the same as ever, but they themselves have learned to let go a little (or a lot). They say they wake up to life, and it becomes more interesting, because they’ve learned to step out of the way and let it happen. It’s hard to get started if you’re doing it alone, which is why we put this piece together, and why we offer to write to people in prison about their meditation. Arranging your body If you can find the right sitting position - comfortable, stable and upright - you are well on the way to getting the hang of meditation. Take ten minutes or so to experiment with the positions in the pictures. Once you’ve found a position, make sure your back is upright and truly relaxed. Sit on at least four inches of support; if you try to sit directly on the floor with nothing under you, some of your back muscles will start to ache as they work unnecessarily to keep you from falling backwards or slumping. So sit on a couple of thick books, a folded pillow or anything you can find. That way, the backbones can stack up correctly, allowing the back muscles to be relaxed. • Keep your neck long, with the chin not pointing up or down. • Keep your eyes open, gazing down past your nose, to a spot on the floor in front of you.

1

Full lotus Might be difficult at first, but it’s a good, stable position. Put your right foot on your left thigh, then your left foot on your right thigh. Switch sides each time you sit.

2

Half lotus Easier than full lotus. Pull your right foot in close to your body and then place your left foot on your right thigh. Switch sides each time you sit.

How much and when? Meditation works when it’s practised every day. Some prisoners tell us that they meditate for several hours each day. Others might do five minutes in the morning when they wake up, and five before they go to sleep. If you can manage to work up to 25 minutes, that’s good. Final tip: See if you can let go of trying to get anywhere with meditation. Don’t try to do anything. Keep returning your attention to your breath when it wanders, and know that the time and energy you put in will lead somewhere, but don’t try to be anything other than exactly how you are. We’d love to know how you’re doing.

4

Attention with the breath

Chair Absolutely fine to sit on a chair! Sit up straight towards the front of the seat; don’t lean on the back. Have your feet firmly planted on the floor (prop them up if they don’t reach the floor).

“For nearly nine months, I have been practising meditation. I still can’t define it properly - exciting, torturing, empty, full, unbearable, unmissable. Perhaps it is for its mysterious simplicity that I can’t help but do it every day… It’s not about believing something or hoping for some kind of future happy resolution of my troubles. It’s more about looking for real freedom through self-discovery.” Antonio, HMP Lewes If you want a free book and CD to help you set up a regular yoga and meditation practice write to The Prison Phoenix Trust, PO Box 328, Oxford OX2 7HF.

Seiza Kneel with two cushions or a thick rolled up blanket between your bum and your feet.

Take three deep long breaths then start to breathe normally in and out through the nose. Count the breaths silently to yourself: in 1, out 2, in 3, out 4 and so on, up to 10, and then start from 1 again. If you lose count, it doesn’t matter. Just come back to 1 and keep going. Keep going like this for five minutes to begin with. That’s all there is to the practice. It is as simple as that! As you are counting your breaths, some thinking may be going on in your mind, and it is tempting to follow your thoughts. This happens to us all. It is what minds do. They wander and think and worry and plan. That’s fine. It is also possible for the mind to be still and focussed. This is also what minds do. And actually, you’ll find that your mind really enjoys being stiller. So when your attention wanders off from the breath, don’t worry. Just let it return very gently without any thought, back to the breath. You might have to do a lot of this returning. That too is normal. Keep with it, without judging yourself.

5

DOES THE TAXMAN OWE YOU MONEY? IF YOU ENTERED PRISON AFTER 6 APRIL 2011 AND PAID TAX YOU MAY BE DUE A REFUND.

ARE YOU RECEIVING TAX DEMANDS OR PENALTIES THAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND? ARE YOU SET TING UP A BUSINESS AFTER YOU ARE RELEASED AND NEED TAX ADVICE? IF THE ANSWER IS ‘YES’ YOU NEED TO CONTAC T THE TAX ACADEMY™ Our Prison Law Department can assist prisoners under Legal Aid for a number of issues including:

• Recall (IPP/Lifer and Determinate) • Parole (IPP/Lifer and Determinate) • Independent Adjudications

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Include as much information as possible: • • • • • •

Prison number Your full name including middle name Your date of birth National insurance number Employment history Contact address/number on the outside

Please advise if you change Prisons after responding.

The Tax Academy™ is a Social Enterprise created by Paul Retout, a Tax Specialist to help Prisoners with their tax affairs in Prison and on the outside. He was recently profiled in ‘ The Times’ – ‘ Tax Rebates for Cellmates’ having run tax seminars for inmates in HMP Wandsworth.

Jailbreak // Fitness 51

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Insidetime October 2016

Cell Workout

Good Morning Target Muscle Groups Primary: Erector Spinae Secondary: Gluteals, Hamstrings

Get the body you want Inside & Out life to training, dieting and self-discipline. Maybe for the first time he didn’t have the same purpose and structure.

LJ Flanders

A reason to get up in the morning Swimmer Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time. After London 2012, having won 22 medals over 3 Olympics, he announced his retirement. In 2014 he was arrested for driving under the influence. So what went wrong? Up until this time he had dedicated his

We might not win any medals but starting the day with exercise will definitely energise and put you in a positive frame of mind to achieve something.

He explained “I was in a really dark place”. He realised he needed help and chose to try and get better. He went into rehab and soon after he got back into the pool. From there he started training again to get ready for Rio 2016. His determination kicked in and aged 31, he competed in what would be his final Olympics, and won another 6 medals.

Lower Back Training Everyone wants the wide Lats and thick traps, but what about the lower back? The posterior chain (Erector Spinae, Glutes, Hamstrings) plays a big part in our day to day mobility and athletic performance. If you’re looking to hit your personal best on a deadlift and not cause an injury, how can you do that without prior training of the lower back? How can you get a solid 6 pack without training your core (Abdominals, Obliques, Erector Spinae) equally. So overlook no more! Follow the 4 bodyweight exercises (right) to help protect and strengthen your spine and keep your body aligned. Cell Workout info ISB: 978-0993248009 Price: £19.99 234 pages - 8 x 10inches 204 exercises with colour photographs 10 week programme

Step 1: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Place your hands on your hips. Engage your abdominals, keep your neck aligned with your spine and look straight ahead.

Having a purpose means that we keep trying, that we have a reason to get up in the morning.

Step 2: With a slight bend in your knees, bend forwards from the hips and lower your upper body until it is parallel to the floor.

L. J.

“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Step 3: Continue the movement, slowly raising your upper body back to the start position. Cobra Target Muscle Groups Primary: Erector Spinae, Rhomboids Secondary: Triceps, Abdominals

Lower Back Workout Warm Up l 5 minute jog on the spot l 5 minute mobilisation exercises Workout Good Morning x 3 sets l Cobra x 3 sets l Reverse Dorsal Raise With Double Leg x 3 sets l Swimmer x 3 sets

Step 1: Lie on your front, with hands positioned by your chest and fingers facing forwards, palms flat on the floor. Maintain straight legs and keep your toes pointed. Engage your abdominals.

l

Note: I have recommended 3 sets of each exercise, but if you are new to exercise and find it too taxing then reduce the sets. Similarly if you feel like you can do more then increase the sets.

Turn to

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Step 2: With your upper body in contact with the floor, slowly raise both legs up behind you, keeping the legs straight.

Step 3: Continue the movement, slowly lowering back down to the floor, lengthening the spine.

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Step 1: Lie on your front, with your legs extended behind you and feet together. Place your hands directly under your head and palms flat on the floor. Rest your head on your hands.

Step 2: Focus your eyes down as you push down through your arms to slowly raise your upper body until your arms are almost straight. Keep your hips and lower body fixed on the floor.

Training Guidelines Intensity: Low - Moderate Reps: Beginner 8 Intermediate: 10 Advanced: 15+ Rest Between Sets: 30 seconds Frequency (per week): 2 Method: Bodyweight Resistance Training

www.cell-workout.com

Reverse Dorsal Raise With Double Leg Target Muscle Groups Primary: Erector Spinae, Gluteals Secondary: Hamstrings

•

Recalls

Step 3: Continue the movement, slowly lowering your legs back down to the start position. Swimmer Target Muscle Groups Primary: Erector Spinae, Gluteals, Rhomboids Secondary: Hamstrings, Deltoids, Trapezius Step 1: Lie on your front, with your legs extended behind you and feet together. Extend your arms out in front. Keep your eyes fixed on the floor and your neck and head in a neutral position. Engage your abdominals. Step 2: Raise one arm and the opposite leg off the floor, at the same time raising your head and chest, maintaining contact with your hips on the floor. Step 3: Continue the movement, alternating the opposite arm and leg.

52 Jailbreak

Insidetime October 2016

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National Prison Radio wins BIG! been supporting prisoners in increasingly impressive numbers. 99% of prisoners know about NPR and 76% listen regularly with 37% tuning in every single day. On average, prisoners listen to NPR for 10.4 hours each week.

The Reader In HMP Frankland school’s out on The Schoolboy The Schoolboy I love to rise in a summer morn, When the birds sing on every tree; The distant huntsman winds his horn, And the skylark sings with me. Oh! what sweet company. But to go to school in a summer morn, Oh! it drives all joy away; Under a cruel eye outworn, The little ones spend the day In sighing and dismay. Ah! then at times I drooping sit, And spend many an anxious hour, Nor in my book can I take delight, Nor sit in learning’s bower, Worn through with the dreary shower. How can the bird that is born for joy Sit in a cage and sing? How can a child when fears annoy But droop his tender wing, And forget his youthful spring? O father and mother! if buds are nipped, And blossoms blown away, And if the tender plants are stripped Of their joy in the springing day, By sorrow and care’s dismay, How shall the summer arise in joy, Or the summer fruits appear? Or how shall we gather what griefs destroy, Or bless the mellowing year, When the blasts of winter appear? William Blake

Charles Derby-Villis Eight of us have sat together for an hour reading about hillbillies in the Kentucky hills and a really unusual parents’ meeting, but now it’s time for a change of pace. Most of the group have had to leave for appointments, so, when I bring out this poem by Blake, the group has reduced down to just a few of us. On first reading we just sit in whatever feeling the poem has begun to open up for us, then we read it again, beginning to explore the territory Blake offers to us. To begin with we stick with the nature in the first verse. Z is reminded of a herd of red deer he once saw at a festival, and, more recently, a wood pigeon that visits his window. Frankland is surrounded by some quite ancient woodland and in Westgate the birds can sometimes be heard. Z continues: “Some people don’t like the wood pigeons, but not me - I’m an early riser and a like that connection and that lovely cooing.” Once we’ve stopped laughing at his pigeon impression, others share their connection or not with nature, and then we move to the ‘But’ that begins the next verse.

J, who is sometimes quite quiet, uses the space offered by the smaller group to begin to open up and really starts to get into the feel of the poem: “this is the point, isn’t it - school can take you away from learning. Going back after summer it was a pain.”

The Third Sector Awards recognise those who give back to the community and celebrate organisations and social leaders from across the sector.

Z agrees: “I wasn’t one from school - I did my learning away from it, running wild - I couldn’t be tamed by school.” J delves into this a little deeper, questioning any assumptions we may have here. Surely school, despite some people’s bad experiences, can be a good thing? Not if you’re bored counters Z and we look again at Blake’s language: /Under a cruel eye outworn/ … /drooping sit/ and spend many an anxious hour. Yet surely learning’s bower, in the next line, suggests some kind of comfort can be found in learning? We ponder what a bower can be, half-remembering folk songs and take a little detour to talk about seats. It feels good though. We’ve then reached the heart of the poem: How can the bird that is born for joy Sit in a cage and sing? Z has strong views here - that individuality shouldn’t be tamed by systems like school, but J is prepared to be more temperate, holding on to his belief in the importance of learning. A few days later I read the same poem with some people from the PIPE (a special unit called a Psychologically Informed and Planned Environment), also in Frankland. Here people are perhaps more critical of the poem, or at least less readily accepting what at first sight seems like a total rejection of formal education. Again we spend some time with the lines about the bird in the cage. M is quick to point out the contradiction here: of course caged birds sing. He connects this to his own situation: “We could be the caged birds here, but we laugh, we have fun, we have a sense of community.” And this contradiction seems to be, for this group, something to take from the poem, that sometimes we have to submit to the ‘cruel outworn eye’ but, as we move towards winter, we still know that summer will arise in joy, even if we don’t know the how.

Charles Derby-Villis is a Practitioner with The Reader Organisation, an award-winning charitable social enterprise working to connect people through great literature. In weekly Reader sessions, a practitioner reads aloud a short story or extract and a poem. Anyone in the group may choose to read too: some do, others don’t. In this way, connections are made with thoughts and feelings; some people reflect on these privately, others are more vocal. Either is fine. The emphasis is on enjoying the literature.

in Brixton and Styal.

The charity that developed and runs National Prison Radio has won the biggest prize in the charitable sector, after it was named Charity of the Year at the 2016 Third Sector Awards. The judges said the Prison R ad io A s s o c i at ion we re “hands down winners”. The charity was founded in 2006 and first started broadcasting the following year when Electric Radio Brixton was piped into cells in HMP B r i x t o n . I n 2 0 0 9, t h e y launched National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for prisoners. Its programmes are produced and presented by prisoners working alongside the Prison Radio Association’s team of professional radio producers

National Prison Radio is full of chat and music designed to help prisoners get through prison sentences. It talks about subjects that don’t get talked about on any other radio station or any TV channel. And because the programmes are made by members of the audience, listeners know that what they hear is real, genuine and honest. In the last year, National Prison Radio has covered lots of really important subjects new psychoactive substances, violence in prisons, yoga, literacy, domestic abuse, bail accommodation, winter flu, Hepatitis C, safety in custody, housing, employability … and even a senior royal joining prisoners for an on-air book club! National Prison Radio has

National Prison Radio arrives in Scotland The groundbreaking radio station for prisoners, National Prison Radio, is now being made available to prisoners in Scotland for the very first time. Staff at HMP & YOI Grampian, supported by Station House Media Unit (shmu) , a community media charity based in Aberdeen who run a media access project in the prison, have enabled National Prison Radio to be piped into cells across the prison. The radio station is available on the in-cell TV system on channel 21. Prisoners in Grampian, which lies 34 miles north of Aberdeen, will be able to listen to National Prison Radio favourites such as the Request Show, NPR Talk, Porridge, the Rock Show, Books Unlocked and many others, 24 hours a day. They will also be entertained and informed by programmes made in Grampian itself - with regular programming reflecting what’s going on in the prison.

The Charity of the Year award is given to the charity that has had a truly exceptional year and whose recent achievements have attracted the admiration of the sector. The judges said: “What these guys are achieving on a very small budget is phenomenal and benefiting not just their target population but potentially society as a whole. They are strong and effective in an area of high concern but often not in the limelight.” Phil Maguire, Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association, said: “This has been the most incredible week of our charity’s 10 year history. Radio is a medium that creates uniquely intimate connections with its audience. It’s the perfect way to communicate with prisoners, and we are incredibly proud that National Prison Radio has made such a huge impact with the tens of thousands of prisoners who listen to us, every week.”

To celebrate National Prison Radio’s arrival in Scotland, an NPR Takeover Day is being planned for later on in October, where staff from the Prison Radio Association, the charity that runs National Prison Radio, will visit the prison, record as much material as they can, and create a day’s worth of programming to broadcast around the country. Up until now, National Prison Radio has only been available in England and Wales, but it is hoped that more and more Scottish prisons will be connected to the radio station in the coming years. The Scottish criminal justice system is different to south of the border, and prisoners listening in Grampian will be made aware that some of the information they hear on National Prison Radio may not reflect services and policies in Scotland. If you’re in Grampian, make sure you get your voices heard. Write to National Prison Radio with your stories, requests and shout outs. The address is National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF. Alternatively pass them on to SPS or shmu staff in Grampian and they will pass them on for you.

Jailbreak 53

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Insidetime October 2016

Would you believe it?

l Ashley Williams captained Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 this summer - but his biggest contribution to football culture happened when he was just nine-years-old. The former Swansea skipper, who sealed a £10million move to Everton this summer was a keen player of Subbuteo when he was a boy - but couldn’t work out why there were no black players in the England team. He decided to write to the makers of the game to ask why. “There was no John Barnes or Des Walker and I wanted to know why. My mum thought it was a good question, so we sent in a letter. I didn’t stand on a mountain shouting about it. I was just a kid asking a question. But they changed it. They introduced black players - and they also sent me a load of Subbuteo stuff. The only problem was that I didn’t play the game properly and I ended up breaking most of it!” Joe.co.uk

Do you know?

l An Indonesian man is claiming to be the oldest in the world, with records recognised by officials in the country showing his age to be 145. Mbah Gotho has outlived all 10 of his siblings, his four wives, the last of whom died 28 years ago, and all of his children. I can imagine his grandchildren are getting on a bit as well. Staff at the Indonesian records office have confirmed Mr Gotho’s date of birth as December 31 1870, which to put it into context, was the year novelist Charles Dickens died and around half-way into the reign of Queen Victoria. Lad Bible

l Babies delivered by caesarean section are significantly more likely to grow up to be obese, the most compelling study of its kind has concluded. Researchers believe that babies born naturally are exposed to healthy gut bacteria from their mothers which help to control their food intake and digestion. More than a quarter of babies in Britain are now delivered by caesarean, almost three times the rate in 1980. l The world’s oldest fossils have been found in Greenland, suggesting life may have emerged on Earth earlier than first thought. The small conical structures, found on an exposed piece of rock in the sea, have now been shown to be remains of a living organism. The tiny shapes were created by prehistoric bacteria and preserved in sedimentary rock for 3.7 billion years. They are 220 million years older than the previous oldest known evidence for life. The Times

l Why did Richard Branson name his fledgling business empire Virgin? There were a number of contenders, with Slipped Disc proving popular, but then someone suggested Virgin, as they were all complete virgins (at business!) They all laughed, and the name stuck. Virgin l There are enough empty homes in China for everyone in the UK to have one each. QI

l Contrary to popular belief, SOS doesn’t stand for Save Our Soles, it doesn’t actually mean anything. It was chosen because it is easily transmitted in Morse code as dot-dotdot, dash-dash-dash, dot-dot-dot. Metro

l Kim Jong-un has had North Korea’s education minister executed for not sitting properly at a meeting. The North Korean dictator ordered Kim Yong-Jin’s death by firing squad for his ‘bad sitting posture’, a South Korean official revealed. The official said: “The trouble for Kim (Yong-Jin) began after he was seen sitting with bad attitude during a meeting of the People’s Supreme Assembly. He was later accused of being anti-revolutionary following a probe and a firing squad execution was carried out in July.” Daily Mail

l A holidaymaker was unable to board a steam train to the summit of Snowdon because there were too many obese people on board. Anthony Poppel, 69, was told by staff that his reserved seat had been taken by an overweight family of four, who took up five seats between them, and there was no room for him. “It ruined my holiday,” said Mr Poppel, from Suffolk, who had booked his £32.50 return ticket weeks in advance. Managers of the Snowdon mountain railway, wrote a letter of apology to Mr Poppel. It read: “Your ticket was valid for the departure at 12 noon but unfortunately it seems that other occupants of the carriage were large in stature and refused to move their family group to accommodate you more easily in your allotted carriage. Our carriages accommodate ten people but the issue of obesity in our country is leading to more incidents of this type every year.” The Times

l Neil Armstrong’s boots are still floating around in space. QI

10 top facts... Scotland 1. Scotland has twice as many pandas as Conservative MPs. 2. In 1715, a group of Jacobite rebels failed to take Edinburgh Castle because their rope ladders were six feet too short. 3. In 2007, Scotland spent £125,000 devising a new national slogan. The winning entry was: ‘Welcome to Scotland’.

© Fotolia.com

l This is Diego, a Galapagos giant tortoise who pretty much saved his entire species from extinction. Diego is over 100 years old and has fathered an estimated 800 offspring. The tortoise is a Chelonoidis hoodensis, a species found only on Espanola in the Galapagos Islands. There were only two males and a dozen females of the species left on the island about 50 years ago. But largely through Diego’s efforts at a nearby breeding centre, along with six females in his enclosure, the tortoises have bounced back, numbering in the thousands. “He’s a very sexually active male reproducer,” Washington Tapia, a tortoise specialist at Galapagos National Park, said. “He’s contributed enormously to repopulating the island.” Genetic testing shows that Diego has fathered about 40% of the tortoises released on Espanola. The whole species pretty much owes its survival to this sex god. Buzzfeed

l The average British household on a gross income of £41,027 will pay £826,323 in taxes over a lifetime of 44 years, including £287,963 in income tax, £169,371 in VAT, £107,045 in national insurance and £65,068 in council tax. The Times

l Almost all of ordinary matter (99.9999999% of it) is empty space. If you took out all of the space in our atoms, the entire human race (all 7 billion of us) would fit into the volume of a sugar cube. IFL Science l Have you ever wondered why Microsoft PCs came with the addictive games of Solitaire and Minesweeper? Solitaire was Microsoft’s clever way of teaching people how to use a mouse, by forcing players to learn how to drag-and-drop quickly. The reasoning behind Minesweeper was similar. This strategy game was designed to teach computer-users to right and left click quickly. Joe.co.uk

Just for laughs “I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger eating a chocolate egg. I said, I bet I know what your favourite Christian festival is. He said, “You have to love Easter, baby.” Tim Vine “Due to the size of my social circle, a lads’ holiday would resemble a romantic getaway.” Phil Wang “There’s only one thing I can’t do that white people can do, and that’s play pranks at international air-

l One day on Venus is longer than one year. Due to the slow rotation on its axis, it takes 243 Earth-days to complete one rotation. The orbit of the planet takes 225 Earth-days - making a year on Venus shorter than a day on Venus. And to top it off, Venus is the only planet in our solar system that rotates backwards. IFL Science

Inspiration l “I see somebody dying, I pick him up. I find somebody hungry, I give him food. He can love and be loved. I don’t look at his colour, I don’t look at his religion. I don’t look at anything. Every person whether he is Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist, he is my brother, my sister”. Newly declared Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

ports.” Nish Kumar “When my wife and I argue, we’re like a band in concert: we start with some new stuff, and then we roll out our greatest hits.” Frank Skinner “Giving up smoking for 27 years is like wrestling a polar bear, in that it can make you quite tense.” Dylan Moran “You have to be careful in my country because we have bad cars and good wine, a dangerous combination.” Francesco De Carlo

4. Scotland is home to the world’s tallest hedge. It is located near Meikleour on the A93 Perth-Blairgowrie road. The hedge is over 1,700 feet in length and 100 foot high. 5. Scotland’s first known flight attempt was in 1507. Sadly, John Damian’s feathered wings didn’t work. He landed in a dunghill. 6. Chicken Tikka Masala was invented in Glasgow in the late 1960s after a customer asked for some gravy to go with his Chicken Tandoori (the unnamed chef improvised with tomato soup, spices and cream).

7. The first international football match was played in Scotland. The match was between Scotland and England in 1872 and was played at the West of Scotland Cricket Ground in Patrick. 8. But football was originally banned by King James I in favour of archery, citing the military advantages archery possessed. He decreed that ‘Na man play the fut ball’ in the Football Act of 1424 9. The world’s shortest commercial flight takes place between the two Orkney Islands, Westray and Papa Westray, north of Scotland. The flight covers a distance of only 1.7 miles and if the weather conditions are favourable, it can be completed in just 47 seconds. 10.The world record for the longest echo in a man-made structure has been set in an underground fuel depot constructed near Invergordon, Scotland before World War Two. The time for the reverberation to end was 112 seconds.

54 Jailbreak // Inside Poetry

Insidetime October 2016

www.insidetime.org

Letters

The Search

Star Poem of the Month Congratulations to this months winner who receives our £25 prize

John Farmer - HMP Parkhurst

Ian Davison - HMP Sudbury

Last week they held a cell search, all was going well Until they found this object in the next door cell This ‘something’ that they found was causing great alarm Was it for escaping, or causing someone harm? Was it a pick or shovel, or maybe a gun? Was he thinking of escaping and going on the run? So off they marched our neighbour, looking upset and sad Whatever they found it must surely be something bad? No! It was something he had made just for a bit of fun He made it in the art class and the teacher said “well done” They let him take it back with him no harm could they see And he proudly showed his friends and that included me What all the fuss was about he just could not understand All the poor lad made was a papier mache arm and hand!

© Fotolia.com

Books and Music Curtis Wallace - HMP/YOI Feltham If you always feel stressed and your head feels like it’s bleeding, There’s no harm in picking up a book and starting reading A book can take you to a warm place if inside its freezing Day by day, page by page, before you know it you’re leaving Books have to be man’s greatest creation The weight falls off your shoulders and you begin relaxation You’re not just opening pieces of paper, but a doorway to inspiration The ropes restricting your mind are cut loose, an amazing sensation If you’re in a dark place with no support or kindness If you feel like an ant in a world full of giants If your brain is clogged up with bad emotions and violence Let music be your friend, let it break the silence Pick a song that you like and memorise every single word Go over it every day until every verse is learnt Let those lyrics run through your spirit, break free of this dreadful curse Then close your eyes Feel the rise And let your soul feel free and high like a bird.

An Ode to Spice Joe Gynane - HMP Thameside Mind creased, folded in on itself Pandora’s fractured a fragile mental health And stolen every possession from my shelf While the slithering movements of the Mamba Are fuel for a pacifist’s anger Assaults and alarm bells, segregated cells My mind dwells in the darkest places Tormented by devils with no faces Shouting abuse that borders on the racist Mentally violated by a legal rapist Vacant eyes, a vortex of lies Stretching beyond the ether No longer feeling the effects of the reefer There’s nothing sweet about the leaf we consume A silent room inhaling fumes unfit for human consumption Gripped by addiction, unable to function Without the merest sprinkling of the serpent The psychological cravings are urgent A soul sold, left stranded in the cold Circling the precipice, a dark abyss of nothingness Where horizons are bleak And angry fists are thrown at the faces of the weak Canteen days peak.

When home becomes little more than ink on a page And the tide gets washed away by time I’ll be here writing letters, thinking of you Wishing life away waiting in line As the hours while away and force voices distorted Somehow and memories fade in the cruel hands of time I’ll be here writing letters thinking of you Wishing life away waiting in line Now the seasons have changed in my favour And the past has caught up with time I’ll leave empty pages unwritten as you’re are here by my side

The Rattle Battle

I Am Sorry

Mark Rogers - HMP Dovegate

Anthony Zambra - HMP Prison Wayland

Bloody rattle, keeping me up all night Sleep deprived, something I can’t fight Under the sheets, trying to keep warm Up all night, waiting for dawn Wake up and think ‘great’ Then realise it’s still late Wake again, the sheet’s soaking wet Doing the night shift again I bet Feel sucked off, and so bloody thin On my face you won’t find a grin Roll over, my position adjusted Why did I have to get busted? My body hurts, sick of the aching Tired of ‘friends’ that are faking Drugs again I will never touch As this bloody rattle is just too much Hot and cold, with the shivers Let’s see what tomorrow delivers Vivid dreams all about smack All I want is the sleep I lack What I wish is to get six hours straight Then I’ll be out of the starting gate Feel so weak, but my mind’s so strong Another day done, so it won’t be long Eating loads and hitting the gym All bad thoughts are in the bin Only positive things are on my brain I’m too old now to play this game Getting stronger, putting weight on Rattle done, rattle be gone.

This is an apology that should never have been needed If the advice, the warnings, the pleadings I had heeded An innocent man, with no right to be attacked Our paths crossed and in an instant your life was hacked If I could change what I did, it would be done in an instant But I have been stuck on this path since I was an infant The past can’t be changed of course we both know this But I hope my three years inside give you some sense of justice But please understand, this time hasn’t been wasted I have strived and worked hard to make some positives from the lives I’ve devastated I wish you could know how truly sorry I am And the steps I have taken to change my plan If only there was a way to show you my remorse, something I could do But I know this will probably not happen, this wish will never come true You must ask yourself ‘Why me?’ and ‘What did I do?’ Nothing is the answer I did not seek out you That might make you feel better, that might make you feel worse However it is I know you must feel quite terse I am so sorry if my crime made you resentful, scared, angry and distraught And I hope you have found some of the acceptance and peace you must have sought Please don’t follow me or my actions to define who you are You should not let my madness, my crime, leave too deep a scar My hope is that you now feel safe That you’re happy and content Because when I said ‘I am sorry’, That’s exactly what I meant.

Silent Questions

Kordooy - HMP Risley

M Humphries - HMP Wayland

Watching them Watching me Chains of questions in their mind What do they see? A prisoner in chains Watching and waiting, questions unasked Chains of questions in their mind Prison and hospital - just the same What you in for? When you getting out? Chains of questions in their mind Laid in our beds, nurses come and go Treatments carried out with doctors standing by Chains of questions in their mind A smile and a nod that breaks the ice A newspaper shared; a conversation Chains of questions in their mind Sons, brothers, fathers - joined by gender This is who we are Watching me Watching them

A brother who I lost but will never ‘forget’ It seems like only yesterday I held you in my arms And my mother rocked you on her knee With dreams about the future and what you were going to be Your reflection was so bright and happy, such a precious brother and little boy You gave your love to everyone and filled all our hearts with joy Strangers would admire you, and stop to say “hello” “He’ll break a lot of hearts”, they said, “in twenty years or so” But less than twenty years from then, what they said came true As we were forced against our will to say goodbye to you A life so short and unfulfilled, with so much left to go “Why oh why?” we asked ourselves, when we all loved you so Life shows us many options, but whichever path we take The destination’s still the same, whatever choice we make So many questions flood our minds, “What if and why and how?” If we had done things differently, would you still be with us now? I don’t know what the lesson was that you were sent here to learn But now your purpose is fulfilled, it’s time for your return I know you’re with us every day, within our hearts, our minds, our souls Your memory will forever stay, no fear, no pain, no sorrow can touch you Anymore, but the love you’ve left behind will live with us forever more

Would you like to be a published poet? Write in and set your thoughts free. Please mark your envelope ‘Peotry’.

Rise of the Fallen

New Beginnings Keyna Alozie - HMP Send

Dan Lawrence - HMP Swansea This fortress, built to hold the fallen in its cold grasp Keeping safe the souls beyond In the scrap-yard for humanity’s waste A myriad of tales etched on its slate grey walls Stories of lives blown apart A hand grenade thrown into a crowd Along darkened corridors, men stare Eyes meet, like hot rivets hammered into steel plate Inflamed egos clash; not wanting to break the impasse Neck hair stands erect, electrically charged Fetid air reeking of rising tension Outside, the grey army follows the ploughed furrow of their predecessors Marching slowly around the field of mismatched tarmac Old lags chew the cud, reliving past victories Share the acrid smoke of a re-rolled cigarette New lads hold cards close to bony chests Safety found in the company of fellow fools Close by, workshops hum to the sound of machines Playing a tuneless, metallic symphony Rows of men pass away long hours Hands kept busy, helping to speed the clock Minds work hard at killing time Day at last turns into night The daily matinee ends to no applause Directors in this theatre lead the motley cast To the temporary mausoleum they call home Another show ends Days striped in lines upon the wall Time recorded like a cricket score The fallen call the moon to rise Pulling the veil over another monochrome day Heads hit pillows like a fist kneading dough Eyes close Minds wade through the fog of consciousness in search of rest Awake to find sleep’s sweet oblivion alas is not eternal The fallen rise again

IPP Sentence Jackie Szulimowski HMP & YOI Low Newton I stood in the dock, the judge said to me “Eighteen months, with an IPP” “Wow” I thought, that’s not a lot But ten years later, still in jail I rot Nine years over tariff Ten months over parole Still here I rot in this hell-hole Victim awareness - DBT Women and anger - LNV Four long years on the DSPD Now nine months on PIPE I feel I’m stagnating All courses completed So why am I still waiting? IPP sentence now abolished But what about me And the four to five thousand Who long to be free? Enough is enough How much more can we take? We’re only human So please, give us a break The IPP sentence Was one big, big mistake

Jailbreak // Inside Poetry 55

www.insidetime.org

Insidetime October 2016

At the tick of each second, a present becomes a past And a future becomes a present So why dwell in the past when your clock is moving forward? As the night engulfs the day, a new day is born So why look back for yesterday when you can look forward for tomorrow? Why let the turbulent waters of history Plague you with internal memory struggle? Why beat yourself up over ‘Omnes errant’ in the past? A downward trend today is an upward thrust in disguise Which requires a bold step forward to realise Although we don’t know the future We can’t go back to change the past But we can mark this very moment As our new beginning for a better tomorrow

God’s Good Grace

Robert Pennington - HMP Garth Eight hundred inmates but I’m so alone I don’t need more people, I just wanna go home I eagerly consume all the hours and days Using my time in a myriad of ways Until you’ve been there you haven’t a clue But then who am I to cast judgment of you? Murderers, smackheads, drug dealers or lags Forgive the ignorant for their obsession with tags We could have been called many names in our lives Fathers of children, lovers of wives For we’ve done many things and that’s what’s so sad, They forget all the good, just remember the bad I knew I’m no saint but I’m more than my crime And I hope for forgiveness in the fullest of time I’m no longer alone as regrets crowd my mind With the thoughts of the damage that I left behind So before you cast judgment, put yourself in my place For I could easily be you, but for God’s good grace.

In Too Deep Rob H - HMP Wandsworth I thrash my ungainly limbs Jostle my disengaged mind Maintaining neither control nor dignity As buoyancy cruelly turns her back on me From below the surface I disconnect from reality Whistles and shouts Are but a muffled blur In this uncoupled watery cocoon With stinging eyes I attempt to see To orient myself in liquid motion I battle against an unseen foe Unable to turn - my faculties diminished ‘In at the deep end’, ‘sink or swim’ ‘Keep your head above water’ This venture into troubled territory Is littered with vapid cliché Strewn with hackneyed insipidity I muster blind belief if my arms and legs Flailing strokes, haphazard kicks That somehow gain synchronicity I do not succumb to panic or fear With breathing focussed and spirit calm The shouting man with the muffled whistle Puts the inflatable ring aside Instantly reverting to indifference As he returns to his comatose reverie.

Silent Memories Dave Hall - HMP Wymott Nightmares, memories that come back round In my bed not making a sound You’d treat me nice and hold me tight Filling me with fear almost every night I looked up to you, you were my hero After what you did it went to zero Trusting you, liking you, a member of staff Touching me, trying to make me laugh My bedroom chair against my door To stop you hurting me some more What a secret between you and me Touching me whilst eating my tea That wasn’t your job in the children’s home Separating me so I was all alone Fighting, stealing, to seek alternative attention The abuse I wouldn’t face or even mention No mother or father to take care of me Brothers or sisters or any other family The years went by and I became older I met a lovely girl and cried on her shoulder She gave me strength to raise the alarm But he was respected, with lots of charm I was a liar, there was no belief Telling on you, you gave me grief There was no more trust after that Hiding my emotions under my hat I was moved and never saw you again But those silent memories remain the same.

© Fotolia.com

Voices Kamen Brown - HMP/YOI Brinsford My heart starts beating, my eyes open, I begin breathing Eyes drowsy, lines on my body from where I’ve been sleeping Cereal in my bowl with a plastic spoon I begin eating I crunch away and you begin speaking “Death’s easy, eyes cruel, with nothing to gain there’s fuck all to lose” Fu** off and leave me alone, I’m not in the mood “How can I leave if I’m not in the room? I’ve never deceived you, we used to be cool” You’re an annoying prick, you’re taking the piss, why the fuck are you talking if you don’t exist? “I’ve been here with you through thick and thin, when people have left like piss in the wind, we used to be alright, you ungrateful shit” You’re not lying to me, you’re lying to yourself, you wouldn’t know a friend if it fell off a shelf “Almost 20? Celebrate in your cell? If you ‘top’ yourself now we can celebrate in hell! Stop trying to ignore me and accept that I’m here, and I’m the only one, am I making myself clear?” Crystal, it doesn’t make any difference, we’ve established you’re not real “I know what you’ve done, I know what you feel, I know everything about you and what you hold dear I watch your dreams and I see what you fear, don’t try and tell me I’ve never been real” Finally peace, I lie on my bed, stretch over my feet, concentrate on the books I’m trying to read Hours go by, time to eat, watch the box then it’s time to sleep.

u 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. It is very important that you ensure the following details are on all paperwork sent to Inside Time: YOUR NAME, PRISON NUMBER & PRISON. Failure to do so will prevent us responding to you and your submission being withheld from publication. 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. Please note poems for publication may be edited. 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.’

56

Read all about it!

Caption Competition

1. What was the total GB Paralympic medal tally? 2. Which constituency is being contested as a result of David Cameron’s resignation? 3. 12 Picket Post Close is better known to J K Rowling fans as what address? 4. Which country knocked GB out of the tennis Davis Cup? 5. Who is attempting a land speed record on a Triumph motorbike? 6. Who is contending for leadership of the Labour party with Jeremy Corbyn? 7. Who was the first contestant to be knocked out of Strictly? 8. Which two companies are under fire for charging for sandwiches on long haul flights? 9. Which programme has caused uproar by leaving BBC for Channel 4? 10. Mike Ashley is founder of which company? Answers to last months News Quiz: 1. 67, 2. £202K, 3. 80, 4. Cycling (Omnium), 5. 1.9%, 6. Charlotte Dujardin, 7. Swallows and Amazons, 8. Justin Rose, 9. Bernie Ecclestone, 10. Ed Balls

Last Months £25 Winner Emma Antcliffe HMP New hall

Fonesavvy providers of ‘landline type numbers’ for mobile phones.

Proud sponsors of Inside Time’s PRIZE quiz ‘Read all about it!’ If you don’t want callers to be disadvantaged or put off by the high cost of calling your mobile - just get a landline number for it. Calls to mobiles don’t have to be expensive! Full details are available on our main advert in Inside Time and at www.fonesavvy.co.uk

Yo Bruv, its not the size that counts, its what you do with it Earlier this year two brothers both won the lottery in the USA with separate tickets on the same day, but one walked away with $291million while the other took home a lousy jackpot of $7.

Last Months Winners Bradley Thorpe HMP Rye Hill (£25) Colin Minns HMP Whatton (£5) Andy Wright HMP Frankland (£5) See box to the right for details of how to enter

A £25 prize is on offer for the best caption to this month’s picture. Apple CEO Tim Cook shows an iPhone 7 to performer Maddie Ziegler during an event to announce new products in San Fransisco in September.

CLOSING DATE FOR ALL COMPETITIONS IS 20/10/16

Inside Knowledge // 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 runner up prizes. The winners’ names will appear in next month’s issue. 1. Who was disappointed by Justice Secretary Liz Truss’s performance? 2. Who has numerous pictures on his wall of Olympic athlete Adam Peaty? 3. In 2015-16, the CPS prosecuted how many defendants for crimes against women and girls? 4. Who considers that small prisons are more effective and have better outcomes for prisoners? 5. Who ended up in HMP Woodhill serving six months? 6. Who got into conversation with a Works Department plumber? 7. Who bought herself a wooden inlaid box made at HMP Wakefield? 8. The creation of the North Sea Camp award was the brainchild of who? 9. Who is a Braille Unit instructor at HMP Dartmoor? 10. Who says a book can take you to a warm place if inside its freezing?

How to enter

11. Who was asked to lecture at an Innocence Project at Essex University? 12. Which spy escaped from Wormwood Scrubs in October 1966? 13. Whose report has ‘triggered strong reaction and a fair degree of lazy and inaccurate reporting’? 14. What was being used to smuggle a record quantity of illicit items into HMP Risley? 15. Where is there an adoption fee of around $200? Answers to Last Month’s Inside Knowledge Prize Quiz 1. 27%, 2. 26 minutes, 3. Noel Smith, 4. March 2016, 5. Peter Stanford, 6. 11,505, 7. Howard League for Penal Reform, 8. M. Macgillivray, 9. HMP Low Moss, 10. Piers Morgan, 11. Olim O’Shaugnessy, 12. Peter Clarke, 13. Ollie Forsyth, 14. David Rosen, 15. Paul Cawkwell

The three £25 Prize winners are: Susan Lynch HMP Styal Darren Watkin HMP Usk Michael Leask HMP Littlehey

The £5 runner up prizes go to: Martin Winser HMP Albany Paul Vaughan HMP Stafford

Please do not cut out any of these panels. Just send your entry on a separate sheet of paper. Make sure your NAME, NUMBER AND PRISON is on all sheets. Failure to do so will invalidate your entry. Post 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’.

Answers to last months quizzes PATHFINDER Trawler Omnibus Aeroplane Donkey Yacht Scooter Coaster Ocean liner Horse Skates Taxi Walking Bicycle Ferry Express train Tram Lorry

Helicopter The tube Caravan Dog sledge Hovercraft Running Motor car Skis Motor cycle Coach Tandem

CROSSWORD 79 Across: 1 Optics, 4 Roll-top, 9 Albatross, 10 Rouen, 11 Image, 12 Barrymore, 13 Hobbits, 15 Mirror, 17 Street, 19 Assayer, 22 Positrons, 24 Lagos, 26 Niels, 27 Spider-Man, 28 Tracery, 29 Ottawa.

SUDOKU

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Down: 1 Obadiah, 2 Tabla, 3 Catherine, 4 Rostrum, 5 Larry, 6 Tautology, 7 Punnet, 8 Hobbes, 14 Bathsheba, 16 Resilient, 18 Trotsky, 19 Austin, 20 Rosanna, 21 Spinet, 23 Taste, 25 Gamma.

WORD MORPH

1. Detroit 2. Sneeze 3. Hawaii 4. 15 5. Hubble Space Telescope 6. Standing 7. Anger, Covetousness, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Sloth 8. 1941 9. Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy & Sneezy 10. 206 11. Nowhere: it’s in France 12. Red, Yellow, & Blue CATCHPHRASE

time tire tore pore

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1. Last Dance 2. For Crying Out Loud 3. Inground Pool 4. No TV for a Week 5. High Frequency 6. Sit Ups THE RIDDLER 1. You, 2. Shadow, 3. North, 4. Memories, 5. Thursday, 6. Fly, 7. Bullet, 8. Trouble, 9. Echo, 10. Water, 11. Bubblegum, 12. Tomorrow

ANAGRAMS MIND GYM 1. 280, 2. 333, 3. 99

1. Day Tripper, 2. We Can Work It Out, 3. Norwegian Wood, 4. Yesterday, 5. Eleanor Rigby, 6. Hard Days Night, 7. From Me To You, 8. Cant Buy Me Love, 9. Yellow Submarine, 10. Twist & Shout

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Jailbreak // Just for Fun 57

Cryptic Crossword

Inside Chess by Carl Portman

Wordsearch // Health & Safety Word Search Health & Safety Lisa Thirwell HMP New Hall

I want to say thank you to all at HMP Garth for facilitating my summer visit. I was invited by the Governor, Susan Kennedy who pro-actively supports chess in prisons, including her former workplace, HMP Leeds. Thanks to inmate Richard for pushing this from the start. I held my usual Q&A session followed by a 14 board simul. I lost 2 and drew one, winning the rest but one of the losses was a beauty. I really must applaud ‘Fitzy’ for finding a lovely move. I will come to that later. The queries in Q&A were intelligent and thought provoking. They included how best to study, what to study, how to build an opening repertoire and how can chess help inmates once they are released. Very good stuff! I donated some books and equipment and it was time to play!

Across 1. Business that builds small country houses? (7,8) 9. Christian position about beer? No, the opposite (7) 10. Transport is raced to destruction (7) 11. Pigeon lover welcoming popular banker (9) 12. Topping characteristic Australian dish with curry (5) 13. Makes a mess of returning free bonds (7) 15. Spoil vote - one’s dream at last of such political theory(7) 17. Doctor should show cause of dehydration (7) 19. Soldiers given penalty for being civilized (7) 21. Hardened against working, for a start (5) 23. Ways of getting round heart bypasses? (4,5) 25. Low storm fee for harbour? (7) 26. Base one? Good lord! (7) 27. Assumes freak trends go at random (5,3,7)

Down 1. Very pleased having dropped university for academy, getting teased (7) 2. North dealt - a problem for one’s side (5) 3. Waiting on, but inclined to go after a time (9) 4. Places where people are lashed (7) 5. Back on to play a few chords as a personal remedy (7) 6. Subordinate exposed in compound error (5) 7. Planner’s diplomacy before ruling on one article (9) 8. Measure a marine’s support for canvas (7) 14. Part of plant making radical basis for soup? (9) 16. Match official has a long time to take in conclusion from public votes (9) 17. One on the threshold of being taken advantage of? (7) 18. Missile depot designed to conceal gold (7) 19. Putting in order for family, having called around (7) 20. Swell up, seeing daughter first to finish (7) 22. Send up neat forms of transport (5) 24. Religious man giving half of bottle to sailor (5)

Before the simul, I was honoured to be presented with a gift from the prisoners. Ryan (on behalf of the group) had made a beautiful chess knight (photo) in the woodworking class over several weeks as a thank you for my visit. I very much cherish this item and it takes pride of place in my chess study. Thank you team Garth! The games were all very hard fought. Clearly the prison chess club is improving the member’s chess strength and they had prepared for me together and worked hard, using chess literature for the library. A great use of time and resources I might add. The final tally for me was +11 -2 =1 which pleased me considering the strength of the opposition.

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ELECTRIAL Electrical OIL Water EMPLOYEES Oil LOOSEWIRES Fan HOT PAN KNIVES Employees RESPECT Clothing

SWITCHES/SOCKETS

Loosewires Awareness Hot Pan Cans Knives Respect

WATER Switches/Sockets Spills FAN CLOTHING SafetyAWARENESS Shoes Chemicals CANS Explosions Humans

Equipment Gas Sharp Blades Hot Surfaces Guards On Machinery

SPILLS to Lisa Thirwell - HMP New Hall for compiling this Thanks SAFETY SHOESIf you fancy compiling one for us please just send it in Wordsearch. CHEMICALS max 20 x 20 grid and complete with answers shown on a grid. If we EXPLOSIONS use it we will send you £5 as a thank you! Remember to include your HUMANS name, number and prison with your entry. EQUIPMENT GAS

Answers to all puzzles are in the next issue. Only Puzzles on the ‘Prize Winning Puzzles’ page have prizes for completing.

Quick Crossword

Thanks to the prison staff and inmates for making the day so special and to the English Chess Federation for its continued support of this crucial work.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

GEF BAD CHI Neil Speed is a former prisoner who came up with the concept of GEF BAD CHI whilst in prison. GEF BAD CHI by Neil Speed is published by Xlibris. RRP: £12.35 Using the letters G,E,F,B,A,D,C,H & I fill in the blank squares. Each letter A-I must appear only once in each line column and 3x3 grid.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

This month I am giving the position in which Fitzy beat me. He was white and it is him to play after I just played my queen to b2 to offer an exchange. What did he play to make me know my game was lost? A chess magazine (back copy) donated by Chess & Bridge of London is the prize if you are first out of the hat. The answer to September’s puzzle is: 1. Rd1-d8+ Ke8-e7 2. Rd8xh8 Qe5xg5 3. Qe2-d2! Winning. Winner to be announced. The winner of August’s puzzle was David from HMP Long Lartin.

M

Across

Down

1. Small enclosed space or room (9) 6. Taxi (3) 8. Narrow and shallow river (6) 9. Plural of goose (5) 10. Capricious (6) 11. Plunder (7) 13. A simple sugar (7) 14. Eye membrane (6) 18. Crime of setting fire to property (5) 19. Noiseless (6) 21. Perish (3) 22. Elastic (9)

1. Incision (3) 2. Exposed and barren (5) 3. Complains whiningly (7) 4. Primary source (6) 5. Skin condition (6) 7. Morning meal (9) 8. To protect (9) 12. Spray can (7) 14. Man's overcoat (6) 15. Legal possessors (6) 17. The symbol ~ (5) 20. Pistachio, say (3)

58 Jailbreak // Just for Fun

Insidetime October 2016

www.insidetime.org

Mind Gym

In this month... 6 October 1866 The second known train robbery in the USA was committed by the Reno Gang near Seymour, Indiana. The masked, gun-toting robbers emptied a safe and threw another out of a window, then jumped out and escaped. (The gang committed at least 2 more train robberies but broke up in 1868 when vigilantes lynched 10 of its members. The first known U.S. train robbery was in Ohio in May 1865.)

32

× 4 / ÷8 / +17 / × 0 / × 8 =

__

5

+17 / ×4 / +132 / ÷4 / ×7 =

__

41

-7 / ×19 / +34 / ×2 / -975 =

__

Submitted by Steven Sibley - HMP Lewes. Start on the left with the first number and work your way across following the instructions in each cell. 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!

9 October 1216 King John of England arrived in Bishops Lynn, Norfolk but was taken ill with dysentery and immediately headed back to Newark Castle. Although he took a safe (but slow) route around the Wash, most of his soldiers and several carts loaded with his possessions took a shorter route through the marshes and many were lost (on 12th October). Among them was said to be the Crown Jewels, although exactly what was lost is unknown. The King died on 19th October.

Sudoku // Medium

9 October 1986 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera premièred in London.

15 October 1966 The Black Panther Party, a black nationalist and socialist organisation, was founded in the USA. (Dissolved 1982.)

16 October 1996 More than 80 football fans were killed and 150 injured in a stampede/crush at the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala City. Authorities had allowed in thousands more people than the stadium could handle.

Summer 2016 Quiz 1. Which culturally redundant celebrity was removed from the Celebrity Big Brother house this year? Keith Chegwin / Christopher Biggins / Michael Barrymore

17 October 1951 Britain’s first nuclear power station, Calder Hall in Cumbria, was officially opened. (It closed in March 2003 after operating for nearly 47 years. See also: 27th August 1956.)

2. What is Channel 4’s new nude dating show called? Bare Necessities / Naked Attraction / Love in the Buff

22 October 1966 George Blake, one of Britain’s most notorious double-agents, escaped from Wormwood Scrubs prison in London and fled to the Soviet Union. (He had been sentenced to 42 years in prison in 1961. The escape was masterminded by fellow prisoner Sean Bourke who believed the long sentence was inhumane. Their story is told in the play Cell Mates.)

© MW Released life sentenced prisoner

Our Team of over 25 specialist advisors have a wealth of experience to offer you including:

23 October 2001 Apple Computer released the first iPod digital music player.

24 October 1946 The first photo of the Earth from space was taken by U.S. scientists using a V-2 rocket captured from Germany after WWII.

27 October 1986 BBC One launched its new daytime television service, including the popular Australian soap opera Neighbours.

29 October 1986 The M25 orbital motorway around Greater London was officially opened.

National means near YOU! We can help you in ANY PRISON in England and Wales, at ANY TIME. You can also write to us FREEPOST at:

Zebra crossings were introduced in Britain. (The first one was in Slough, Berkshire.)

FREEPOST RTAB-BATB-HGAU Carringtons Solicitors Nottingham NG2 2JR

31 October 1976

986 3472 0983 Tel: 0115 958

31 October 1951

The first VHS-format videocassette recorder (the JVC HR-3300) went on sale in Japan. © www.ideas4writers.co.uk

• Parole Board Hearings • IPP Sentence Issues • Mandatory Lifers • Discretionary Lifers • Automatic Lifers • Sentence Planning Boards • Re-categorisation • Category A Reviews • DSPD Assessments • Accessing Courses • Parole • Recall • Independent Adjudications • Governor Adjudications • Challenge of MDT’s • HDC “Tagging” • Transfer • Judicial Review • Tariff Representations • IPP Sentence Appeals • Police Interviews

3. Which bafflingly complicated daytime gameshow is about to come to an end? Countdown / Tipping Point / Deal or No Deal 4. What job does the lead character of Fleabag have? Dog walker / Cafe owner / Weathergirl 5. When Michael Phelps won the 200m individual relay, he beat a record that had stood for … 108 years / 68 years / 2,168 years 6. How much more did Manchester United pay to sign £89.3m super ­signing Paul Pogba than they sold him to Juventus for in 2009? £10m / £25.464m / £89.3m 7. How tall is quadruple gold gymnast Simone Biles in inches? 62 / 72 / 60 8. Adele headlined Glastonbury this year and spent much of her set swearing like a trooper. How many rude words did she say in 90 minutes? 33 / 53 / 153 9. How much money did the Emma Watson movie The Colony take in its first week at the UK box office? £47m / £47 / 47p 10. Which of these terms has Trump NOT used when referring to Hillary Clinton? Crooked Hillary / Shillary / Beelzebub Hillary / My friend, Hillary Clinton

Did I say that? “If over 40 years you are explaining to your general public that the EU is stupid, that it’s worth nothing, that you have to leave, then you can’t be surprised if they vote to leave” Jean-Claude Juncker “I have been waiting for years to take part in Strictly and I’m so excited that finally I get to show the nation my moves!” Tameka Empson “I have really bad trypophobia. Trypophobics are afraid of tiny little holes that are in weird patterns... Things that could set me off are pancakes, honeycomb or lotus heads (the worst!)” Kendall Jenner

Lost Letters

“If you’re big at school you’re going to be a target. If you go to school and you’re me, you go, ‘Right, I’m just going to make myself a bigger target. My confidence, it will terrify them. Inside, you’re terrified. But if you’re a bit funny, if you’re quicker than them, they won’t circle back on you again.” James Corden

“Hip-hop traditionally has always been a reflection of the environment the artist had to endure before he made it. So, if you want to change the content of the music, change the environment of the artist, and he won’t have such negative things to say” TI (Rapper) defending hip hop on The Daily Show

General Knowledge Quiz 1. In which year was the Battle of Hastings fought?

6. What is a Stradivarius?

____________________

____________________

2. What do England, France, Spain, and Algeria have in common?

7. What would a cartographer make?

__ __ e e __ __ __ __ h /

8. How many pairs of legs has the crab?

M __ __ __ d __ __ __ 3. Name the leather pouch on a Scottish Highlander’s traditional clothing.

Carriages £

4£

3£

Maps £

Rearrange the letters in each row to form a word. Write your answers into the blank grid. The first letter from each word, reading down, will spell the mystery keyword.

partypartypartyparty

WAGON

O F F

WI FE

1 O

P

A

S

S

2 H

U

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E

3 U

N

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D

4 R

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5 O

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1

Word Morph

2016! WINTER SUPPLEMENT NEW PRE-ORDER NOW! OUR 2016 WINTER SUPPLEMENT IS DUE LATE OCTOBER AND INCLUDES OUR BIGGEST EVER CHRISTMAS CD & DVD SALE! SKRAPZ Ͳ END OF THE BEGINNING £10.50 DESPERADO Ͳ CASINO EP £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ CLASS A VOL. 1 £5.95 SKRAPZ Ͳ IS BACK PART 2 £5.95 DESPERADO Ͳ PHASE ONE £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ CLASS A VOL. 2 £5.95 JIVE Ͳ NEVER SAY NEVER £5.95 SHOWA D Ͳ BIRTH OF SD £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ CLASS A VOL. 3 £5.95 BENNY BANKS Ͳ PATIENTLY WAITING £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ 365ERS VOL. 1 £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ CLASS A VOL. 4 £5.95 BENNY BANKS Ͳ PATIENTLY WAITING 2 £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ 365ERS VOL. 2 £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ CLASS A VOL. 5 £5.95 SICKMAN Ͳ NO CURE £5.95 POTTER PAYPER Ͳ TRAINING DAY 2 £5.95 A CLASS Ͳ 365ERS VOL. 3 £5.95

NEW!

Xbox 360 ‘E’ Used Console Bundle that is now being supplied to a number of prisons? See catalogue for details.

SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE

SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE

FIFA 17 (XBOX 360 ONLY) £42.95 Have you seen our WiͲFi removed

2 3 4

____________________

NOW £199.95 ONLY

£199.95

*[from a specific list]

Send a £2 payment to GEMA RECORDS, PO BOX 54, READING, BERKS, RG1 3SD to receive your catalogue with a £2 voucher to use against your first order! Alternatively, ask a friend or relative to order online where they can also sign up to our email mailing list!

5

name Answers to all puzzles are in the next issue. Only Puzzles on the ‘Prize Winning Puzzles’ page have prizes for completing.

Thanks to Gordon Hazell - HMP Dartmoor. If you fancy compiling an Anagram Square for us please just send it in 5 x 5 squares, complete with answers shown on a grid. If we use it we will send you £5 as a thank you! Remember to include your name, number and prison with your entry.

Lewis Sidhu Solicitors Prison & Criminal Law Specialists

PRISON, APPEAL & REVIEWS

020 3078 6825

APPEAL & REVIEWS (CONVICTION & SENTENCE); PAROLE BOARD; ADJUDICATION; JOINT ENTERPRISE; JR; & RECALLS ETC.

CCRC Applications Recatagorisations Adjudications Complaints Appeals Parole

£̶2̶2̶9̶.̶9̶5̶ 

SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE

SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE - SALE

The object is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, place, or thing that each square is meant to represent.

dive

____________________

JASON BOURNE [2016] (DVD) £14.95 WARCRAFT [2016] (DVD) £14.95  + 2 * FREE GAMES!

Anagram Square

13 £

12. Which activity uses the terms purl and plain?

CAPTAIN AMERICA CIVIL WAR [2016] (DVD) £14.95

____________CIL ____________HID ____________NZE ____________ESE ____________LUG ____________SOM ____________UXE ____________UUM ____________ARM ____________AMO

Catchphrase

Can you morph one word into another by just changing one letter at a time? It isn't quite as easy as you think!

5. What was the name of M’s secretary in the James Bond films?

PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 17 (XBOX 360 ONLY) £34.94

Below you will find 10 well-known six letter words, with only their endings remaining. Can you determine the words?

Reptiles £

11. How many in a Baker’s Dozen?

12 £

___ UE ___ N O ___O___ E ______ AND ___ A ___ ER ID ___O ___ ___ U C ___ Y E___ I ___ T HEA___ ___

Tomorrow

4. What is meant by Tempis Fugit?

11 £

____________CLH ____________DIR ____________REA ____________OKR ____________AOR ____________REE ____________TOE ____________EBA

2

5£

____________________

____________________

Below are eight 5 lettered words, each of which has had two of its letters removed. Can you determine the original words?

Drawings £

9. Are turtles mammals or reptiles?

Mammals £

Below are eight 5 lettered words, each of which has had two of its letters removed. Can you determine the original words?

POL4ICY

10. Which alcohol spirit is made from cacti?

__ p __ __ __ __ __

NEW!

Jailbreak // Just for Fun 59

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Insidetime October 2016



Even as a serving prisoner you still have rights and we will do our best to protect and advance those rights.

Saunders House 52-53 The Mall London, W5 3TA [email protected] www.lewissidhu.com

Our Criminal Defence Lawyers will support you in the following areas:



ALL CRIMINIAL COURT PROCEEDING IMMIGRATION MATTERS PLEASE CALL US ON: 0203 609 5595 OR 07917733240 ADDRESS: 3-5 RIPPLE ROAD, BARKING, LONDON, IG11 7NP

60 Jailbreak // National Prison Radio

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What’s on National Prison Radio // October 2016 National Prison Radio is currently available in prisons across England and Wales. We broadcast 24-hours a day, seven days a week, into your cell. If your prison has National Prison Radio, you can listen through your TV by using the tuning buttons on your remote control.

A perfect solution for mobile phone users wishing to reduce costs for those who call them.

All packages are Pay-As-You-Go. • No minimum term or hidden charges! • No mystifying bundles! • No catches or gimmicks!

***Try trialmembership membershipfor forjust just£1 £1--no noobligation! obligation! **Try aatrial Enter the the code code ‘itlovefonesavvy’ ‘itlovefonesavvy’when when you you sign sign up up Enter

Simple solutions tailored to the individual requirements of our customers.

Step 1 Step 2

They need to write a personalised message

Step 3

Please note restrictions may apply in some geographical areas.

Fonesavvy - the brainchild of a former prisoner.

Get your loved one to upload a photo from their phone or PC

Hi Son, How are you doing. We really miss you and can't wait for you to be home soon. Stay strong. Lots of Love, Mum and Dad

Your loved one pays just 99p and we will print and post your photo as a postcard to any prison in the UK.

To: Joe Smith

A1234AB HMPS DOVEGATE Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 8XR From: Mum and Dad

Upon his release, what started as a business plan created in a prison cell became a reality - the only service of its kind. Now Fonesavvy customers throughout the UK receive calls from people in prisons, hospitals and many other situations where keeping the callers’ call charge to a minimum is vital. Perfect for self employed people who are out and about all day

www.fonesavvy.co.uk for more info.....

Insidetime October 2016