Five minutes “It is always twilight in one’s cell, as it is with... always midnight in crime writing super- one’s heart” star Martina Cole Rachel Billington finds Books in Nicks and peeks inside “Don’t waste a second Oscar Wilde’s old cell and remember success Comment // page 18 the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees will come to those who are willing to fight and ‘Don’t buy this book!’ a voice for prisoners since 1990 work for it” Noel Smith is perturbed by November 2016 / Issue No. 209 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 the ‘Prison Doctor’ An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations Jailbreak // page 46 Jailbreak // page 47 ‘Squalid and Brutal’ President of the Prison Governors Association Andrea Albutt speaks exclusively to Inside Time as Pentonville killing redoubles call for Public Inquiry into state of country’s jails

Erwin James to June the 105 self-inflicted deaths were almost double the number five years ago. Up to June this year there were at least six prisoner on At their annual conference in October the Prison prisoner homicides. Serious assaults on staff Governors Association called for the govern- have increased by 146% in the same period ment to set up an independent public inquiry and self-harm incidents increased by more into the state of prisons in England and Wales. than 10,000. Levels of safety in prisons, they The “unprecedented” rise in violence, suicides, said, had declined since the introduction of illegal drug use and incidents of self-harm in “benchmarking” - a programme to drive down our prisons has created a “squalid and brutal costs by reducing staffing and simplifying the environment” in which prisoners and staff have prison regime. The big question they posed for to live and work, they said - a situation brought the government was, “why resources continued into stark relief with the tragic killing of a pris- to be depleted when evidence showed that it oner in HMP Pentonville last month. was not working”. The association, which represents 1,021 gover- Andrea Albutt: “We are the people who run the prisons, we are the experts” nors across the UK, said that in the 12 months Continued on page 16 Largest ever drugs find at a UK prison ‘We have teeth!’ The biggest ever hoard of drugs spotted but you have to question prison was taken hostage. The “We have the right to demand found in a British prison has been how that volume got into the prison has allegedly been in discovered by staff at privately prison in the first place. You chaos in recent months due to that people appear before us, run HMP Northumberland are talking about five kilos poor conditions and low staff- we’ve got the right to ask for the where five kilos of the psycho- which is too much to get into ing levels. disclosure of papers - we can grill active drug Spice, has been the prison using drones. This uncovered. The prison black is full-scale smuggling, you Local MP, Ian Lavery, said; people - and then we’ve got the market value of the drugs is could not get this amount on “There is clearly a pattern of power to name and shame if you estimated at £3.5million. the inside otherwise.” underfunding and understaff- like, which is quite an important ing at Sodexo prisons. It is a Glyn Travis, assistant secretary In another embarrassment for vision of prisons run for pri- power in politics.” of the POA says; “It is a tribute the prison a £500,000 lock vate profit instead of serving Chairman of Justice Select Committee to the dedication and supervision change was ordered after a the public by rehabilitating 17 of our staff that the drugs were custody officer at the Sodexo offenders.” Bob Neill talks to Inside Time

Sometimes you just need an expert...... Recent Supreme Court Ruling R v Jogee Michael Purdon Solicitor Challenge your Joint Enterprise conviction / sentence now! PAROLE AND RECALL A personal service from a dedicated team of specialist prison lawyers DISTRICT JUDGE ADJUDICATIONS All Parole and Criminal cases expertly undertaken. POLICE INTERVIEWS Ward’s Building 7 New Square CRIME AND CROWN COURTS 31 - 39 High Bridge Central Switchboard Lincolns Inn Newcastle Upon Tyne 0191 232 1006 London COLD CASE AND HISTORIC ALLEGATIONS NE1 1EW WC2A 3QS SOPO REVIEWS (By Appointment) IPP CHALLENGES Nationwide Service - Video Link also available Founding members of the Association of Prison Lawyers 2 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2016 Legal violence A smoke-free life insidetime a voice for prisoners since 1990 Richie Hall - HMP Hull LMB - HMP Isle of Wight the national newspaper for prisoners published by All prisoners will already know that when staff ‘restrain’ We are set to go smoke-free Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of someone, 99% of the time they are far too liberal with the on 7th January 2017. I am a The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to application of unnecessary force, causing unnecessary pain, smoker but I am actually in create links between the offender and the suffering, and/or injury, and unfortunately this establish- community. favour of a smoking ban in ment in which I currently reside is certainly no exception. In prisons. I have tried to quit A not for profit publication. fact, there is a minority of officers here who seem to relish the smoking many times and Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial thought of restraining someone. So much so, that they actu- have failed miserably every content. Comments or complaints should be ally go out of their way to instigate/escalate situations by single time. It will save me directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge. provoking prisoners and trying to get the reaction that they around £1000 per year, not want so that they can ‘restrain’ them. Board of Directors to mention the health bene- Flowplast fits. Why, in 2016, are staff in a position of authority and power Trevor Grove Former Editor Sunday Telegraph, being allowed to carry out sustained and violent attacks on Journalist, Writer and serving Magistrate. prisoners without anyone in control batting an eyelid? It is no However, I cannot help Dr Peter Bennett Trustee, New Bridge thinking that this is going to Exposing Foundation and former Governor of HMP Grendon wonder suicide rates in English jails are the highest in the Geoff Hughes Former Governor of HMP Belmarsh world. When the very people charged with the duty of our cause more problems than it John D Roberts Former Company Chairman and care are abusing their position by using it to break the law; will solve. I believe that lev- the profiteers Managing Director employing former prisoners dishing out their own despicable and violent brand of justice. els of self-harm and violence Louise Shorter Former producer, BBC Rough Justice will go through the roof. Name supplied - HMP/YOI Rochester Alistair H E Smith BSc FCA Chartered Accountant, With these two things Trustee and Treasurer, New Bridge Foundation “Why, in 2016, are staff in a position of authority already at an all-time high The question that many of us have when it and power being allowed to carry out sustained with no sign of decline, so, comes to prison jobs in workshops where dif- The Editorial Team and violent attacks on prisoners without anyone for me, it is a recipe for dis- ferent items are made to be sold in the out- in control batting an eyelid?” aster. side world is - what happens to the money that we are making for the private commer- They are literally assaulting prisoners on an almost daily Also, it is going to create yet cial companies that sell these goods? There basis and being allowed to get away with it. It will never one more black market item, are workshops in prison that make cargo change because even the staff who do not carry out these which will inevitably lead to nets or put together pipes for Flowplast etc. assaults always claim to have seen nothing and will not violence when people with who sell this stuff in DIY stores like Screwfix. Erwin James John Roberts Rachel throw a fellow officer under the bus, so to speak, if they know addictions cannot pay their We are paid £1.25 per session and have to Editor in Chief Publisher and Billington OBE what is good for them. tobacco bills. meet deadlines for orders, if we were in an Director Associate Editor Indian sweatshop in Bombay doing this it In this day and age and within a so-called civilised society, it But, as I said, I welcome this would be called slavery or exploitation of Office Manager still remains the fact that all prisoners are potential victims ban and would urge other labour. These companies and the prison sys- Lucy Forde of violent staff, which is an absolutely unjustifiable disgrace. smokers to embrace it also. tem are making big profits from our work Administration I would certainly add that the majority of staff are not vio- Focus on the positives and and I wonder where that profit is going? The Justine Best lent, sadistic bullies, but the bad far outweigh the good staff not the negatives. money cannot be going back into the prison Layout & Design in making impressions. as they cannot afford basic repairs on the Colin Matthews wing. Noel Smith Paul Sullivan Website Design Commissioning Reporter and Advertising Editor Gary Bultitude I think outside commercial companies that PRISONER HOTLINE 0161 833 9253 use prison slave labour and offer prisoners Correspondence no benefits whatsoever should be exposed cm and forced to pay proper wages for the work General: Inside Time Botley Mills, Botley, CONVICTED OF JOINT ENTERPRISE? done. 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Mailbites Star Letter of the Month New focus, new Mailbag 2-9 Congratulations to this months winner who receives our £25 prize “Anyone writing to prospective Uncertain regime hope employers or I read with interest the piece organisations on Civil Bill of Rights - the real issue Name supplied - HMP Maghaberry Page 4 on Page 15 of the September the outside, have B Hollinson - HMP Leyhill to do so in pencil” issue about staff shortages at I am currently serving a 3-year sentence in Pentonville and the IMB’s Maghaberry prison. As this was my first, Newsround 10-15 concerns. Most of last year There has been much talk of late about the potential implications of a repeal and last, prison sentence I was very anxious “To be welcomed we have not really had a of the Human Rights Act (HRA) and its replacement with a bill of civil rights. as I had heard nothing but negativity about back by Porridge ‘regime’. We do not know Supporters of this idea have been quick to state that none of the rights within Maghaberry. To be honest, for the first 7 fans is one of the until the morning if we are the HRA would be precluded from a bill of civil rights, implying that nothing months I saw nothing to contradict my pre- proudest would change fundamentally other than to remove the influence of decisions conceptions - my cell and the wing were going to work or not, we only Page 13 moments in my of the European Court of Human Rights, which the HRA requires UK Courts to long past their sell-by dates and the find out when the door is career” opened. It is the same in the take into consideration. so-called medical care was nothing short of afternoons. Most of the time a shambles. Then I was made aware of the Comment 16-27 we are banged up behind our This is actually a clever misdirection from the real issue at play, which is not Family Matters programme run by Barnados what the rights are, but who they apply to. Human rights, as the name sug- in conjunction with the prison. “Deliberate doors for up to 23 hours a avoidance of day. So far, this month alone, gests, are enjoyed by all humans. They are considered so fundamental to a Being fortunate enough to have been accept- finding proof that we have had 16 days locked decent society that they are both universal and inalienable. Civil rights, on ed on to this programme, I had a new sense might scupper a the other hand, can be applied to the ‘nice’ people who legislators like, and Page 23 up out of 23. We only go to of hope. The programme is designed to help conviction?” work/activities 2 or 3 times a denied to those they despise. and support both prisoners and their fami- Information 28-37 week and are restricted every lies. My days are now spent in a constructive It may start out with ‘terror suspects’ being denied rights, so they can be It fills me with weekend. They never put up a manner with education and work. I can “ amazement the regime list so we never know deported to a country where they are likely to be tortured or denied respect honestly say that this programme has level of untapped what the regime is going to be. for their private life and family life, but how soon before abuses slowly extend helped and aided me to own up and deal talent within the to illegal immigrants, benefits cheats, prisoners, the unemployed, Gypsies, with how my actions have affected my fami- A P Smith - prison system debtors, student protestors, strikers, ex-prisoners on license or any number of ly. And I am now determined to get my life Page 28 ” HMP/YOI Moorland marginalised minorities? back on track. Legal 38-43 Scottish prisoner Brexit may put the final nail in the coffin for human rights in the UK, as it will Everyone involved with this programme, “It is disgraceful exchange open the door to a withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Barnados staff and volunteers, teachers and that you did not Rights altogether (EU members are required to sign up to the Convention). all the prison staff on my new wing are all see your barrister For any prisoner in England Both the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, and her campaign manager, Chris very passionate and professional about their before the court Page 43 who wishes to come to Grayling, along with many more Conservative MPs have publicly expressed roles. The programme can be very tough at appearance” Scotland for accumulated their hatred of human rights. times, and can make you aware of truths Jailbreak 44-56 visits from their family etc, it you might rather put out of your mind, but the rewards far outweigh all of this. I would “People are less would appear that NOMS are Human rights have never been in greater peril in the post-war UK, and not strongly recommend all fathers and step- likely to shoot at currently experiencing huge least because the UK electorate continue to vote for party manifestos that population pressures and dads to enquire about this programme. If it you if you smile promise to destroy them. The clue is in the name ‘human rights’, why would therefore will only be able to can change my life, then it can change yours. at them” any human not want us to have them? Page 49 do one-for-one swaps with the Scottish Prison Service. If you are such a prisoner, please inform your Offender Supervisors, as I am aware of 2 prisoners awaiting alloca- tion of space from NOMS so they can have regular visits, see their children etc. Name supplied - HMP Edinburgh

We still hear you… © prisonimage.org DOES THE TAX MAN OWE YOU MONEY? Last month we appealed to (IF YOU ENTERED PRISON AFTER 6 APRIL 2012 AND PAID TAX YOU MAY BE DUE A TAX REFUND) you to tell us about your Never alone with a Listener Maintaining Innocence Stephen Kelly - HMP Stafford WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION (CIS) - TAX DEDUCTED? experiences. There was an impressive response from I am serving an 8-year sentence and since I have been in pris- numerous prisons, and we on I have heard about the Listeners and the Samaritans and I NEED TO FILE SELF-ASSESSMENT RETURNS? are extremely grateful for got to thinking... There are people who are first-timers in pris- ARE YOU RECEIVING TAX DEMANDS OR PENALTIES THAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND? both quantity and quality of on and find it really hard to cope with prison life and they are ARE YOU SETTING UP A BUSINESS AFTER YOU ARE RELEASED AND NEED ADVICE? your contributions. There is scared to use the Listeners in case other prisoners take the much material here to help piss out of them. Well, I wanted to do something so that any- IF THE ANSWER IS ‘YES’ YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE TAX ACADEMY™ our campaign. THANK YOU one who wants to use the Listeners can feel more comfortable to all who wrote to us. If you and relaxed about it, so I wrote a poem which could be THE TAX ACADEMY™ Include as much information as possible: are still thinking of sending placed on notice boards and maybe given to new inductions. Unit 4, Ffordd yr Onnen • Prison number your experiences or com- Lon Parcwr Business Park • Your full name including middle name ments, please still do so as it A Cry for Help Ruthin • Your date of birth is not too late. Each of you We are here for you and you really should know, Denbighshire LL15 1NJ • National insurance number will receive a letter in reply that you’ll never be lonely wherever you go, • Employment history If a shoulder is needed or someone to care, but please be patient. • Contact address/number on the outside look around, the Listeners will always be there, 01824 704535 Prisoners Maintaining [email protected] Please advise if you change Prisons after responding. Innocence, c/o 3-5 South St, Every person has times when they’re under a cloud, it’s so easy to suffer and just be too proud, Havant, Hants PO9 1BU. The Tax Academy™ is a Social Enterprise created by Paul Retout, a Tax Specialist to help Prisoners with their But you’ll find the Samaritans at the end of the phone, tax affairs in Prison and on the outside. He was recently profiled in ‘The Times’ – ‘Tax Rebates for Cellmates’ Sue Stephens and Bruce Kent so please remember, you are never alone. having run tax seminars for inmates in HMP Wandsworth. - Prisoners Maintaining Innocence Saving lives changes lives page 25 4 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2016

‘Hate is hate, no matter For whom the bell tolls Mailbites what your religion’ D Lucas - HMP Oakwood The IEP scheme Nicholas Hall - HMP Winchester I am 25 years-old and most of my teenage life and maintaining Being Jewish in Winchester prison is a night- I have lived behind bars, and there is one innocence mare. When I first arrived here in February issue I come across every time. It’s the cell Paragraph 6.10 of PSI 30/2013 2016 I was asked what religion I was and I bell. The officers say the cell bell is for ‘emergency use only’, and you can get IEP states that maintaining © Fotolia.com replied Reform Jewish. I had a meal in recep- innocence is not necessarily a warnings for pressing it when it is not an tion and it was sausage, so I told them I can’t bar to progress to Enhanced emergency. But, when everyone is locked up eat sausages as I do not eat pork and they are status. The PSI does not state Pencilled in on the wing and staff need to know who is not kosher. I was then informed that all the any requirement in National going to gym, church, etc., they shout out for Karl Matthews - HMP Lewes sausages at the prison were made from Policy to discuss my alleged us to put our cell bells on! This is quite chicken because of the halal or Muslim die- offences. However, if you The stationary section of our canteen sheets used to include tary laws. confusing to me because when it suits them come to HMP Albany Isle of Bic black biro pens. Several people complained that when it is an ‘emergency bell’, but then they want Wight, they break the PSI they received their order the pens were not ‘Bic’. It would So, whilst on the induction wing I ordered a you to use it for non-emergencies in order to rules and drop you from appear that DHL, the private company who supply our pris- sausage, cheese and bean pastry. Then I make their life easier. Enhanced to Standard! on, took offence to this and 3 weeks ago removed pens from received a notice from the race relations our order sheets. As a result, inmates now find themselves officer that stated I had been eating pork and I have been in a variety of prisons up and Andrew Herringshaw - having to use pencils to keep in touch via letter with our fam- therefore was not entitled to kosher food! I down the country and the cell bell issue HMP Albany ilies. Also to fill in official complaints, Apps, etc., and as asked to see the rabbi immediately. arises in every one of them. Let us assume everyone knows, pencil can be rubbed out. for one minute that these cell bells really are ‘No blame’ for Tony I never got to see the rabbi, ever. I was taken for emergencies. So try pressing yours and Blair “Anyone writing to prospective employers or other to the chapel for a 30 second phone call with see how fast staff get to your ‘emergency’. In response to the mailbag by someone who purported to be one. I was The average time in most nicks is around 45 organisations on the outside have to do so in pencil, Ben Barnes - ‘Shame on you, then told by the chaplain that the rabbi had minutes after you have pressed the bell. And not the best way of making a serious impression” Tony Blair’ (Sept issue), in decided I was not kosher because the chap- then they usually have the cheek to open the which he blames flawed lain had told him I had been eating items for- flap on your cell door and ask ‘What’s the We also have to use pencils for completing in-cell education information supplied by the bidden to me, when all I had done was make courses and distance learning courses. I do not yet know how emergency?’ In the case of real emergencies Intelligence Services. Have a ‘mistake’ on the menu. the OU will react to this. In addition, anyone writing to pro- people die, and I wonder how many deaths you by any chance heard of spective employers or other organisations on the outside have could be prevented in our prisons by staff the Official Secrets Act? The chapel does not have any bibles for Jewish to do so in pencil, not the best way of making a serious impression. immediately answering cell bells, as they are There is never going to be full prisoners, but supply every other religion. I supposed to. disclosure to such as the asked the race relations officer to ring the As an individual who used to employ 150+ individuals I cer- Chilcot Inquiry - you might tainly know what my reaction to a pencil-written letter would chapel to ask for a Torah for Yom Kippur, but find out in 55 years time, be! This may seem like a petty moan, but for many inmates “This is quite confusing to me the chaplain was very dismissive and said when the 75 year rule ceases writing is a key activity and this seems a step back in time. because when it suits them it is an ‘Let him read the first five books of our bible’. to be in effect on this case, Our lives are in the hands of these private companies who ‘emergency bell’, but then they want but then again it might never are here to make a profit from us, and now they dictate what The chaplain has done nothing but persecute be revealed, and for good we can or cannot have. What next? Chalk? you to use it for non-emergencies in me for my religion since I arrived here, and reasons… trust me, there is no the senior staff have done nothing about it order to make their life easier” blame to be laid at Tony Isle of Wrongs because here, if you are a Jew, the Race Blair’s door. Gavin A Barr - HMP Parkhurst (Isle of Wight) Relations Act means nothing. So I have to Prison staff should stop giving out IEP live with an uncaring anti-Semitic chaplain warnings to people who press cell bells, how Kevin Willis - HMP Ashfield There is a line from a song on The Beatles Sgt Peppers album and a regime that couldn’t care less. Hate is else are we supposed to get their attention that goes ‘Every summer we could rent a cottage on the Isle hate, no matter what your religion, and the when we are locked in a cell? Do your job, ‘Working for less of Wight if it’s not too dear…’ Well, my fellow inmates and chaplain here is full of it for Jews. and maybe save lives. than 30p per hour’ other good people, I can categorically tell you that a million years would have to transpire before I would entertain doing How does paying an inmate such a thing. Things are strange here, Mary Whitehouse ‘Vindictive, spiteful and incompetent’ less than 30p per hour for the meets David Lynch kind of strange! job of deconstructing ‘Guitar Owen Ambrose - HMP Wormwood Scrubs (Conibeere wing) Hero’ guitars ready for Ever since I set foot here, I have had an overwhelming sense recycling help to rehabilitate I am 28 and currently serving my 4th sentence, each lasting a few months. It was during my of dread that something serious was amiss. This is really not us? Where is my self-worth? a good place to be, if, like me, you are of a certain persuasion. 3rd stay in prison that I realised how much of an impact the prison officer’s general attitude Where is my sense of being Ageist, homophobic and edgy can best describe this prison, has on prisoners. Granted, it must be a stressful job and no doubt prison officers feel them- part of a ‘fair society’? Why, without resorting to a flurry of inserted adjectives. selves to be overworked and underpaid. But I am sure that most inmates would agree that, on when I get released, will I the whole, staff are generally rude, obstructive, unwilling to help, unwilling to take on any want to be a law-abiding The lack of activities and deplorable wages are enough to send extra duties/responsibilities outside of their narrow remit. In some cases, I would go as far as member of society after being even the most temperate and uncomplaining individual into to say the behaviour of prison officers can verge on vindictive, spiteful, and often incompetent. treated like a slave (apart from a state of desperate irreparable meltdown. Slit your throats the desire not to come back and weep! As for my passion - music - a fully-equipped stu- “Prisoners are essentially programmed to be hostile and rude, as they copy and to prison)? What do PSI’s say dio, dormant for nearly 2 years, £10,000 worth of guitars, learn from prison staff who are their only example in prison of how to behave” about wages in prison? How amps, mics, etc., kindly donated by Changing Tunes, and is paying a pittance like this they are hardly ever used. There is a pool of talented musi- acceptable in the 21st The callousness of some staff not only irritates us as prisoners, but forces us to abandon cians here reduced to solitary jamming behind cell doors. century? Is it slave labour? pleasantries and resort to being rude ourselves. We have to ‘kick off’ in order to get anything There is no cohesion or communication. I have filed applica- done because if we just ask politely our request usually ends up at the bottom of a pile, as if Name supplied - tions, letters to managers and governors; I have even resort- the staff take kindness for weakness. HMP Oakwood ed to the ineffective complaints system, but to no avail. The balance of rehabilitation and containment is rarely The result of all this is that prisoners learn to communicate in this anti-social, hostile man- Editorial note approached fairly, and the cynical ploy of the ‘public protec- ner. Prisoners are essentially programmed to be hostile and rude, as they copy and learn from Prisoners interested in the tion’ argument is used as a weapon and wielded menacingly. prison staff who are their only example in prison of how to behave. And obviously when we subject of prisoners pay are released this attitude doesn’t get us very far (we cannot become prison officers, though by should read PSO 4460 and HMP Isle of Wight holds 1000 men and boys convicted of sex- then we certainly have the attitudes for the job). PSI-2012-001. Both of these ual offences, most of whom have received ridiculously long should be available within sentences. You get less for cutting someone’s throat whilst If prison staff were to encourage a more positive ethos of helping those who are polite and prison libraries. Minimum drunk in a pub. The future for many is rather bleak. Maybe patient, and leading by example, then perhaps this could be our example of how to behave in rates of pay are given in we should drive all the inhabitants into the sea, and claim the real world. How can we become valued members of society when our example is rude and Annex B of the PSO although the island as our own! Who knows? ignorant prison staff? most rates are set locally. Insidetime November 2016 ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Mailbag 5 MDTs ‘a waste Religious Another prison in crisis Name supplied - HMP Channings Wood of money’ hypocrites On 25th of August this year, 6 prisoners bar- Carl Reed - HMP Highpoint M James - ricaded themselves into a ground floor cell at Channings Wood. They were protesting, HMP Nottingham It would appear the powers-that-be are pull- among other things, about the regime, rou- tine, poor management, food quality and the ing their hair out over the Spice epidemic, I am sick and tired of listen- amount of time being banged up. not knowing how to tackle it and just watch- ing to those who claim to be ing it spread through the prison population religious within prison. This resulted in the prison being placed into causing nothing but grief and stress, and in Christians, Muslims, Jews, locked-down state. The National Front some cases, death. So who is responsible for Hindus - you name the reli- (referred to by prisoners as the tactical this? Obviously, the clever dick who intro- gion and you will find some response team of the prison) drove down duced Mandatory Drug Testing back in 1994 - © Fotolia.com of its followers in every pris- from Oxford. At around 5.45pm we heard a ex Home Secretary Michael Howard! quick succession of 3 bangs. These were the All MDTs have done is cost the system a hell on. They claim their god is Busking on the wings at the centre of their lives, so blue dyed stun grenades exploding and cov- of a lot of expense, not only money spent on ering the prisoners that were barricaded in your god allows you to com- the tests themselves, but also money on M Williams - HMP Eastwood Park the cell with dye and CS gas. adjudications and the cost of extra days mit crime? I know people added to sentences. MDTs caused most pris- Changing Tunes is a registered charity based in Bristol, and will say they will ‘repent’ I personally witnessed prisoners one at a oners to stop smoking cannabis in prison Fran, our group leader, comes into this prison and gets us and say sorry, but was god time being escorted or dragged (covered in and choose opiates instead, because they are singing. The songs are from the popular repertoire, some old, at the centre of your life blue powder looking like Smurfs) to the seg- out of your system a lot quicker. some new, group songs plus solo items. Around twice a year when you committed your regation unit. These prisoners were later we give concerts and prisoners come from the wings to the crime or is it only because transferred out to other prisons as a result of The introduction of MDTs has led almost in a chapel and love joining in. you’ve been caught? their protest. I question the need to draft in, straight line to the use of legal highs. People at some great expense I imagine, the Recently, a small group of us, led by Fran on guitar, went to use legal highs because they know they can- “Was god at the centre National Tactical Response Team (or whatev- not be detected by MDT. If there were no various wings of the prison to go busking! It was really good er its official name is), to extract 6 prisoners MDTs, the majority of prisoners would still fun as people gathered around to listen, and I would like to of your life when you that were barricaded in a cell with the door give a big thank you to everyone for giving us such a warm be smoking cannabis and there would have committed your crime locked. They could not get out of the cell, been no heroin revolution in our prisons, no reception. which has a toilet, a basin and fresh water, newly-addicted prisoners being released or is it only because as well as an open window on the ground Big thanks are also due to Fran, who is such a patient teacher. with drug habits to maintain. They cannot you’ve been caught?” floor where food could be passed through. We also have a chance to learn to play the guitar, ukulele, test for legal highs as there are too many Where could they go? piano and percussion. Future plans include a concert in the varieties and they keep changing the drug autumn and more busking. I think it is right that some ingredients. religions disbar members if Why the necessity to go to such extreme measures with protesting prisoners in a they commit criminal offenc- secured cell? I for one do not get it. However, MDTs caused most prisoners to stop Where’s the mail? es, such as Jehovah’s “ take a look at the bigger picture here. HMP Chris Moore - HMP Elmley Witnesses, as they see it as smoking cannabis in prison and Channings Wood is a C category prison and a against their teachings. But choose opiates instead, because they We are having a lot of problems getting our mail. Sometimes therapeutic community. That is, it offers spe- surely crime is against the are out of your system a lot quicker it can take weeks to actually get to us. As a gay man I cannot cialised programmes and psychology service ” have my boyfriend up to visit me because of the horrible and teachings of all religions? to the prisoners. rude remarks of other people, so my mail and phone calls are With budget cuts and staff shortages the the only way that me and my partner can keep in touch. Not Believe me, I am not anti-re- So what causes a complete breakdown of the prison system is a desperate shambles, yet getting mail is causing a great strain on my relationship. Is ligion, but religious people relationship between staff and prisoners to they can still find staff and money for MDTs, there any rule about incoming mail that the prison is in prison seem like hypo- push 6 prisoners to barricade themselves in which are a total waste of resources as every- supposed to follow, and, if so, does the fact that this prison is crites and bigots to me. their cell? Recently we have seen a spate of one is out of their heads on legal highs which ‘short staffed’ mean some kind of loophole which allows Everyone has an inner strug- rooftop protests as well as prisoners climb- they cannot test for! them to do what they want? gle with one thing or anoth- ing up trees in protest for similar reasons. It er, whether we are religious has got pretty bad. Staff are unofficially The answer is to abolish MDTs, save the Editorial note working to rule and officers are being drafted or not. But not everyone money, put MDT staff back on the landings As we understand it, the most recent Prison Service Instruction in from neighbouring prisons to cover. This is commits crime. Committing and hope everyone goes back on harmless relating to correspondence was PSI2011-049 which should be the bigger and more dangerous picture. old cannabis. No more stabbings, assaults, available in prison libraries. This does not mention how crime and then claiming to no deaths from legal highs. Obviously the quickly letters must be passed to prisoners. Prison Rule 35 follow the teachings of a reli- I don’t have the answers but do know that system cannot sanction cannabis use, but deals with letters, and again, we can find no reference to the gion is nothing but hypocrit- what I see going on each day is a nucleus to they don’t sanction the use of opiates or legal speed of delivery within the prison. We would suggest ical. If you are so religious, even more troubles ahead unless the under- highs either, so let’s just get real. As it pursuing this through the formal complaints system and why are you in prison? Ask lying reasons are addressed or resolved. stands, the system is in chaos. Independent Monitoring Board (IMB). yourself that. Channings Wood is in crisis.

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2230_InsideTime_FullAd_Sign_2.indd 1 21/07/2016 12:31 Insidetime November 2016 ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Mailbag 7

encounter with the inspectors was as part of ‘Prison run Rose-tinted prisons my job on the servery.

for profit’ Grant Stanley BSc (Hons) MA - HMIP distributed a survey asking about the HMP Whatton Brian Murphy - food at Whatton and when I questioned the HMP Peterborough results with one of the inspectors, the I read with incredulity the article on page 14 response I received was both baffling and (Newsround) regarding NOMS naming the frustrating. When I explained some truths This is a private prison run best and worst prisons. I have met many about the quality of the food, the wastage for profit, set in the middle prisoners serving time for fraud and decep- and lack of accountability, I was informed of an industrial estate. Being tion, and yet NOMS remain at liberty? that the food was said to be good by 50% of privately run gives the own- those surveyed. So I responded by highlight- ers the freedom to make up At Whatton we recently had an inspection by ing that the remaining 50% said it was poor, rules and bend laws when- HMIP (Her Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons) so therefore not a great response. The ever they feel the need. As and it was farcical to watch the movement of inspector stated that this result was great for long as nothing interferes staff, prisoners and materials. Routines were Whatton in comparison with other prisons. with the shareholders’ prof- immediately changed, staff were suddenly So I asked what the benchmark was for rat- Does Blantyre House have a future? it, then all is ok. more helpful, everything smelt of new paint ing good/exceptional levels? I was told that and selected prisoners were paraded in front there is no benchmark and that the prisoners Terry Maloney - HMP Swaleside The facilities at Peterborough of the inspectors. A week later and determine the outcome! So, if there is no are inadequate for the num- everything is back to its discordant normal. acceptable benchmark level, how do the HMP Blantyre House closed in 2015 for a ‘short time’ to refur- ber of prisoners that it holds. inspectors determine the difference between bish the place. All the staff were sent on detached duty and When four new wings were “When I explained some truths serious concern and exceptional? everyone expected it to re-open after a couple of months. The added a couple of years ago, about the quality of the food, the If a restaurant received feedback from 50% refurbishment was apparently completed but the jail remains no consideration was given as to how to keep the extra of their customer base that their service and closed. Since then not even the staff know what has gone on. wastage and lack of accountability, I 180 prisoners occupied, quality was poor, heads would roll, and yet We have heard that it is reopening, then we hear it is closed was informed that the food was said either in work or education. Whatton’s flawed system remains in place. for good, then it is going to be a satellite for HMP Highdown, The education courses that it to be good by 50% of those surveyed. HMIP are just like OFSTED and NOMS, then we hear it is going back to how it was, then a Prison does provide are, at best, So I responded by highlighting that organisations created to appease public dis- Academy, then just a secure D cat. basic, more often remedial quiet. Defective systems and processes prov- the remaining 50% said it was poor, en to be inadequate in the reduction of reof- classes catering mainly for so therefore not a great response” fending. “It seems a waste of a good service to keep it foreign nationals with basic English language classes. Private companies employ secret shoppers to closed, a jail that was once the jewel in the crown Maths classes are available As one of the hundreds (yes, hundreds) of prisoners trapped at Whatton, I have first- test systems and processes; perhaps HMIP of the prison system” at primary school level. hand experience of the duplicitous nature of employees should spend a week undercover the psychology/programmes department; as prisoners to see and understand a true Violence is common and The staff have asked everyone that they have access to about creating incredibly tenuous links of risk in reflection of what this prison is actually like, drugs even more so, and the the future of Blantyre House, and some friends of mine have order to justify funding for unevaluated instead of donning rose-tinted glasses and two seem to go hand in even written to NOMS and Blantyre House direct but with no OBPs (Offending Behaviour Programmes) compiling reports from their air-conditioned hand. The two most popular response from either. It seems a waste of a good service to and denying release, but my most surprising offices. drugs seem to be heroin and keep it closed, a jail that was once the jewel in the crown of spice and it is easier to get the prison system. The staff there were renowned for their hold of these drugs than it is service and help to resettle long-term prisoners and are no to get a bag of sugar for your SPECIALISTS IN PRISON LAW, PAROLE DELAYS, doubt deflated by the lack of official information. tea. As a result of this the Kesar & Co EQUALITY CLAIMS, PERSONAL INJURY, number of prisoners getting CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE, MENTAL HEALTH, Editorial note into debt with dealers is very S O L I C I T O R S IMMIGRATION AND DEFENCE. An article in Kent Online, in August 2016, said; “The Ministry high. Debts lead to violence of Justice (MoJ) denied it was closing the 122-prisoner semi- and, in some cases, self- Our criminal defence team offers advice and representation to those remanded in custody and prisoners open resettlement prison permanently but it has remained harm and suicide. The exact facing additional charges, extradition or confiscation proceedings. shut ever since and HM Prison Service has now deemed it ‘sur- number of suicides is unclear The prison law team is accepting instructions in recall and parole matters but we also specialise in all plus to requirements’. More than 18 months on, the MoJ has as a lot of what goes on here prison-related matters including adjudications, sentence calculation cases, pre-tariff reviews and other matters. applied to use it for the next five years as a training facility for is kept secret, known only to prisoners and the pen-push- prison and probation staff. The department has applied to Our clients regularly receive compensation for the delayed parole hearings, ranging from £300 to £4,500. We ers who balance the books, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for permission to go ahead offer a free, no-commitment assessment of the merits of your case. so that next year’s funding with the move and has confirmed the Roundgreen Lane site is is guaranteed. part of the National Offender Management Services’ (NOMS) We recognise that life in prison can be dangerous and injuries frequent. future capacity plans, meaning it could be reopened as a pris- The team of litigation specialists can assist you with claims for damages following assaults or unlawful use of So remember, when you read force. on at any point. The proposal would see a maximum of 60 a report by Her Majesty’s staff and eight trainers use the facility between 8am and 5pm Inspector of Prisons - all These matters include injuries at work or avoidable accidents resulting in substantial amounts of damages. on weekdays and would not require any construction work.’ that glitters is not gold.

Another area of concern is the growing number of complaints about direct and indirect discrimination based Contributing to Mailbag predominantly on age, disability, gender and religion.

If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters to the Our specialists assist prisoners who have received delayed or inadequate medical and dental treatment, as address on the left. It is very important that you ensure the following details are well as those who have been refused medication or experienced abrupt, unjustified withdrawal of opiate on all paperwork sent to Inside Time: YOUR NAME, PRISON NUMBER & PRISON. substitutes. Failure to do so will prevent us responding to you and your submission being ‘Mailbag’, withheld from publication. Please note letters for publication may be edited. We can also draft wills, deal with probate and make lasting power of attorney and deputyship applications. Inside Time, NB The shorter and more concise letters are more likely to be published. Botley Mills, Our firm offers legal aid, subject to assessment, in the areas of prison law, criminal defence, immigration, To avoid any possible misunderstanding, if you have a query and for whatever Botley, mental health, action against the police, and public law. In the alternative, we accept instructions from privately reason do not wish your letter to be published in Inside Time or appear on the Southampton, paying clients as well as “no win-no fee” agreements. website, or yourself to be identified, please make this clear. Hampshire SO30 2GB. 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. Contact us in writing at: Kesar & Co Solicitors, We may need to forward your letter and/or documents to Prison Service HQ or 2nd Floor, 20-25 Market Square, Bromley, BR1 1NA another appropriate body for comment or advice, therefore only send informa- tion you are willing to have forwarded on your behalf. Or by telephone on: 020 8181 3100 8 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2016

‘Who has control over our lives?’ Mailbites Name supplied - HMP Lancaster Farms SOTP awareness Being polite, not firing any salvos at people, being considerate - where does it all get you when Moorland has been running you are forced to live in an environment you have no control over? Who does have control over SOTP for a year, but there are our lives in prison? Certainly not prisoner groups/committees. The only thing they are good at still a lot of people unaware is going through the motions with earplugs in. Which would explain why items brought up in of what the course is even meetings remain unresolved time after time. Meetings are ad hoc. With so many unresolved about, or who to see in order issues, reps feel there is little point in attending. We hear the same excuses to every problem to find out information about - no time, no staff, no resources, no money. Prisoner groups/committees are just another the course. I have done the box-ticking exercise so that the prison can boast that they have them and meet with prison- course and I was not sure ers. Nothing ever gets done. I have many years of experience of committees in industry what I would get from it, but © Fotolia.com - productivity, pay, conditions, health & safety, profit-sharing, future plans, etc. Prison, in my it has made me understand opinion, needs someone from industry to look at it with fresh eyes. The truth is that the system myself differently. I now have is entrenched in old values and ideas. Maybe looking at the prison systems of Norway or Disabled and neglected a greater understanding of Belgium could answer our problems? L Stoneham - HMP Parc my offence and the conse- quences that went with it. I came into prison because of a charge of VAT fraud by my Kicked the habit ‘Don’t listen to the myths’ The SOTP is not meant to be company and I am serving 3 years and 6 months. When I Samuel Smith - HMP/YOI Moorland a cure for whatever made you arrived at HMP Cardiff I was in a wheelchair and I also have Laura Mace - HMP Downview commit your offence but a speech problem, due to suffering a stroke eight years ago. hopefully you will gain a I have just reached the 8th week of being I am an SOTP (Sex Offenders Treatment Because of my previous good character and the fact that the greater understanding about smoke free. I have never been able to quit for judge did not order any ‘proceeds of crime’ order, I was Programme) mentor. Just because a few pris- yourself and go on to lead a this long so I thought I would share my informed that I was a Category D prisoner and told that I will oners have written in with negative comments crime-free life. What have experience with the people who want to give have ROTLs and be eligible for the tag. about the course doesn’t mean it won’t work for you got to lose? Nothing. up and those who are being forced to quit. you. Alan Wiltshire - HMP/YOI “Cardiff did nothing to support me and it was 56 I bought the electronic cigarettes from the Moorland days before they could even find clothes to fit ”me canteen. I found that eating mints between Yes, you will have to discuss uncomfortable puffing on the e-cigarette done wonders, I things at times, but you will also talk about Dear Inside Time Unfortunately, whilst at Cardiff I was taken to the healthcare was also using mouthwash 3 times a day and positive things about yourself. Yes, at first centre and placed in a ‘disabled room’ with just a wooden brushing my teeth 5 times a day to help me quit. group members will be strangers, but through I was accused of something bed. I had no disabled aids because they didn’t have any, the process you will come to have a mutual that never happened yet the When I reached the 5 week mark, a girl I met and the wheelchair they issued me was way too small as I am respect and be supportive of each other. gave me 1mg lozenges and 7mg nicotine jury made a mistake and here pretty big. I offered to make arrangements to have my own patches, which are the last step of nicotine I am in Parkhurst. I have been electric wheelchair and clothes brought in, and was told in no replacements. I was using 6 lozenges a day You will be seen for the better person you have refused legal aid as my wife uncertain words to ‘Fuck off, as that ain’t going to happen’. and my ecigs were now lasting me over a become and not just for your offence. The works and gets paid minimum Cardiff did nothing to support me and it was 56 days before week. When I hit the 8 week mark I stopped SOTP does work, and what makes it work is wage. The legal aid agency they could even find clothes to fit me. All I had to wear during all nicotine altogether, so that is where I’m at you! Only you can challenge your past behav- say we will have to fund an this time was the tee-shirt and shorts I was sentenced in. now, 8 weeks without a cigarette and I feel so iour and change for the better. appeal ourselves. But we have much better. I can smell and taste more and I no money or property to sell. I went without my medication for 15 days, couldn’t even get feel a lot healthier. There is a lot of support here for anybody I can’t see any way to get an near a shower for 10 days, and the only saving grace was that thinking about or participating in the SOTP. appeal unless a lawyer takes in healthcare I did have access to a disabled toilet. I read a I was lucky enough to be able to get nicotine my case pro bono. Can piece in one of your issues stating in the headline that the Everything spoken about is completely confi- replacement items from another prisoner as anyone help? IMB had lost their way - I can vouch for this as they are a no staff seemed interested in helping me to dential. Do not listen to the myths, get the complete waste of time. HMP Cardiff is a disgrace and does kick the habit. Good luck to all of you trying right facts from the right people and speak to a Mark Wightwick - Blackfords new ad 24.1.14:Layout 1 24/1/14 12:59 Page 1 little to care for disabled inmates. to quit through your own efforts. facilitator or a mentor, like myself. HMP Parkhurst

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0207 175 5845 Send your loved ones Observations and opinions prezziepalace.com a smile with one of Chris Readings - HMP Glenochil 483 Green Lanes our gifts perfect for Prezzie Palace The September issue of Inside Time certainly raises many questions and should inspire many The perfect gesture... London N13 4BS any occasion replies. I would like to comment on some of the revelations.

Firstly, your front page story about historic sexual abuse cases and those who make false claims of abuse, with a subtitle of ‘Guilty until proven innocent’. People who lie in court run the risk of being charged and convicted of perjury, except in sexual cases, where no one has or gets convicted of perjury as the policy of the government is that to do so, ‘may stop a real victim from reporting the offences’. So, anyone can lie and deceive the Courts with almost impunity, at least in Scottish Courts, safe in the knowledge nothing will ever happen to them.

Retro Sweet Choc Box Ferrero Rocher Secondly comes the Mailbag about innocent prisoners held to ransom whilst prisons are lit- Hamper Selection Delight tered with ‘pretenders’. Prisoners who genuinely maintain their innocence are not only held to ransom in Scotland but are actively targeted by staff as they are seen to be ‘non-compliant’. 100s of school Assortment of 5 Variety of Ferrero If you refuse to do groups, case management meetings, etc., then it is reported you are ‘in sweets and treats choc box favourites Rocher chocolates denial’ or you are being ‘subversive’. Reports to the Parole Board are doctored to portray you as a bully, cheat, liar, etc. in order to make sure there is little chance of parole. £17 03/01 £17 03/02 £22 03/03 Then comes the Mailbag and reply about National Prison Radio. Firstly, it is not ‘National’ as we do not get it here in Scotland, and after reading the piece I am glad we don’t get it here! What utter drivel the Director spouts. Does he really believe that victims or relatives give a monkeys about what radio songs a prisoner listens to? Any prisoner can listen to the same songs, but uncensored on any ‘real’ national radio station or local channel. Add to that we can watch TV, read newspapers, etc., all with words like ‘kill’, ‘maim’, ‘death’, ‘assault’, ‘rape’ and a whole lot of swear words.

Balloon In Just 4 Just 4 Finally, the Newsbite about prisoners in Edinburgh signing a petition over the NHS not doing their A Box You Sack You Basket job properly. Well, if you try to do that here you would be placed on report for inciting trouble!

Congratulations 09/01 Faux rose bouqet, Faux rose bouqet, streets after their sentence did finish. I love you 09/02 milk tray and teddy milk tray, sented Politicians don’t get it Happy Birthday 09/03 candle, teddy & mug Anthony Alleyne -HMP Norwich Also, I cannot be the only one who has £13 £20 05/03 £25 05/04 noticed how heavily invested in G4S our new Whilst reading the Mailbag section of Prime Minister is? So now I understand why Aroma therapy hampers lovingly hand made with natural ingredients September’s issue of Inside Time, I noticed the government does not want to properly that a UKIP MEP, stated that he wants to rehabilitate anyone in the prison system. charge prisoners £40,000 to be in prison! After laughing loudly to myself I had to won- Finally, with all the shortfalls in the building der what, if anything, this man had been industry, wouldn’t it make more sense to smoking or drinking before making this ludi- train prisoners to perform some of these crous statement? Does this guy not realise jobs, so that they can be released back into that if we prisoners had £40,000 then we the community with new and needed skills? probably wouldn’t be in prison or commit- I am sure everyone in society would benefit. ting crime? And by keeping us in a system Miss Bliss Baby Boo Dapper Chap where we are doing nothing, he would be But, then again, what do I know? I’m just Pamper Basket Pamper Basket Gift Set responsible for the higher levels of repeat another statistic of this wonderful un-reha- offenders who would be let out onto the bilitative system. Bath rocks, lip balm, lip treatment, 3 x bath bomb, body polish, 10pc grooming set, Toblerone, massage bar, 2 x bath creamers, soap body bath, 2 x bath brûlée, 2 x travel mug & “distinguished cake, bath mallow & cocoa swirls, french clay gentlemen “ bath time gift set DAVIES & JONES RODMAN PEARCE shower soap sponge £35 05/05 £45 05/06 £30 06/01 SOLICITORS SOLICITORS FIGHTING FOR YOU !!! Specialising in Experienced representation in Criminal Defence and Criminal Defence, Prison Law Prison Law and Immigration Matters 4 All Criminal Courts Proceedings & Appeals O f f e r i n g 4 Parole Hearings 4 Contested Recall N a t i o n w i d e S e r v i c e 4 Judicial Reviews 4 Sentence Calculation 4Lifer Panel and Adjudication Representation Little Angels Big Box • All Criminal Court Proceedings 4 Appeals Against Deportation Gift Set Of Love • Parole Applications 4Variations and Certificates of Inadequacy 4 Revising Prosecution benefit calculations Pink or blue teddy, bubble bath, bath duck, windmill set, 2 x Aromatherapy soap selection • Licence Recall 4 Unlawful Detention/Bail Applications

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and quality. For entities in public own- Nobel Prize ership there can be no incentive for improving either. But he found that for anti-prison private prison operators tend to be incentivised more to reduce costs, lead- privatisation ing to unacceptable levels of quality. As a result of his work on U.S. prisons academic the authorities have started phasing John O’Connor (former prisoner) out the use of private operators altogether.

A British academic has been named joint winner of the £750,000 Nobel Prize for economics. He is Oliver Hart (68) whose work on U.S. prisons re- cently persuaded Federal authorities Body worn police Liz Truss to phase out the use of private prison operators completely. Mr Hart shares Oliver Hart Bengt Holmstrom cameras lead to 93% Liz Truss wants ex-soldiers to his Nobel Prize with Bengt Holmstrom of Finland for their efforts to understand fall in complaints instil discipline in prisons the complications of legal, business In England and Wales there are pres- and political contracts. Both academics ently 14 private prisons contractually A Cambridge University study has shown Justice Secretary Liz Truss has launched a campaign to recruit are based in America, with Mr Hart at managed by private companies such that where police have to wear body cameras former troops in a bid to ‘bring discipline to British prisons’ Harvard and Mr Holmstrom at as G4S Justice Services, Serco Custodial complaints were reduced by 93% over twelve but reformed prisoners, who served time in the 1980s and 90s, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Services and Sodexo Justice Services. months compared to the year before, without when more ex-military worked as prison officers, claim the (MIT.) Concerns have been expressed about the cameras. The experiment involved police move is asking for trouble. Speaking at the Tory Party the quality of service provided by pri- from Northern Ireland, the West Midlands, conference, Ms Truss said there is no one better than ex-troops In an analysis from 1997 Mr Hart found vate prisons, with a particular criticism West Yorkshire, and Cambridgeshire, as well to ‘instil the virtues of discipline’. that successful privatisations depended that quality is being reduced to improve as the Rialto and Ventura police depart- on the trade-off between cost reduction efficiency. ments in California, working for a total of David Honeywell, a former prisoner-turned criminology almost 1.5 million hours. The findings, pub- lecturer, said a return to the old scheme could leave prisoners lished in the journal Criminal Justice and serving under a ‘brutal and hostile’ regime. He said their Prisoners with mental health problems Behaviour, showed there were 113 com- brutal and hostile approach towards prisoners resulted, in plaints made against officers during the year part, to the eventual Strangeways riots in 1990. “This culture is left untreated says whistleblower trial period, compared with 1,539 in the 12 a thing of the past that was replaced by a new, non-aggressive months before - a reduction of 93%. prison officer.” A whistleblower who quit Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust in September says that prisoners with serious mental health problems are left Andrea Albutt interview front page and page 16 untreated because there is nobody with the expertise to treat serious cases in Dr Barak Ariel, who led the research, said no the prisons she worked in. She said she knew of 100 prisoners with major other policing measure had led to such ‘radi- Staff increase at dangerous prisons. Justice problems who were put on a list of prisoners with ‘unmet needs’. cal’’ changes: “I cannot think of any other Secretary Liz Truss says single intervention in the history of policing most dangerous officers are currently ‘stretched She told the BBC; “When you know there is nothing more you can do and you that dramatically changed the way that prisons too thin’ to keep establish- are faced with someone who is desperate for help and they’re asking for help, officers behave, the way that suspects ments safe and secure. The it leaves you in a very difficult position.” Her claims were backed in written behave, and the way they interact with each extra staff will initially be other … Individual officers become more According to a report in The statements to the BBC from other staff who worked at the trust. sent to; Chelmsford, accountable, and modify their behaviour Independent, the government Eastwood Park, Exeter, Guys accordingly, while the more disingenuous is pledging £14m to pay for The Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust denied there was such a list but Marsh, Leeds, Liverpool, complaints from the public fall by the way- 400 prison officers who will said; “Prisoners with more severe mental health needs would not be put on a Moorland, Nottingham, side once footage is likely to reveal them as help tackle drugs and violence waiting list unless they are waiting for a secure in-patient bed outside of the Wayland and Winchester. frivolous.” in the country’s most prison. 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Looking back... Prison training stuck in the past Newsbites through the Inside Time Getting a job on release from few hours a day. When men l archives November 2006 prison is one of the best ways are released from prison if A Freedom of Information of staying away from crime. they do manage to get a job request by the Sunday People has revealed that detainees in But prisons do not equip on a building site, they don’t Leicestershire police cells prisoners to get work-ready. last because they are simply have eaten over 30,000 Pot In fact, they do the opposite. not work-ready. They cannot Noodles in the last five years. keep up with the exigencies Chief Inspector Nick Purdie In her latest blog, Frances of a real building site, which told the newspaper; “We Crook, CEO of The Howard is really hard work. constantly review all options League says; “I have tramped available to us and, to date, round prisons for 30 years “Prisons are slow to recog- Pot Noodles have been a cost and seen lots of excellent nise changes in the labour effective way to meet different training in bricklaying, market, getting stuck in dietary requirements and Human Rights industrial cleaning, light training men for what was religious beliefs, while also “I keep reading in Inside Time assembly and even engineer- needed decades ago. Whilst 58% fall in child arrests meeting health and safety about ‘human rights’ for ing. The training involves there are opportunities in Arrests of children have fallen by 58 per cent in the last five standards of food preparation.” prisoners and wonder if two or three hours a day construction, agriculture will years - after a concerted effort by police across the country perhaps I’m missing out on building a little wall, brick by be where there will be an and a successful campaign by the Howard League for Penal l The Catholic Church has something here? Or maybe brick, inside a classroom. urgent need for home-grown Reform. Figures published by the Howard League last month produced a new book ‘Faith after spending 28 years in The same goes for industrial labour after Brexit. This will show that during 2015, police in England and Wales made Inside: a guide for Catholics in solitary confinement I’m so cleaning, which teaches the require a change of mindset 102,666 arrests of boys and girls aged 17 and under. The number prison’. It is the first-ever dehumanised that ‘rights’ techniques and how to deal on the part of prisons, which has fallen every year since 2010, when police made 245,763 resource uniquely tailored to don’t affect me?” with equipment and fluids. hold mostly young men from child arrests. Many forces have reviewed their arrest proce- the needs of Catholics in UK Charlie Bronson cities.” dures and policies after the Howard League’s campaign. There prisons and is a direct “The problem is that prison were 874 arrests of primary-age children (10 and 11 year-olds) response to a need expressed Mandatory video training does not resemble in 2015, a reduction of 19 per cent from the previous year. by chaplains and current & former prisoners. The book recordings real life. Small groups of Frances Crooks blog: prisoners inside a warm howardleague.org/news- Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for begins with the participant’s “In a game of football, the classroom potter about for a views/frances-crooks-blog/ Penal Reform, told Inside Time; ”The Howard League is proud arrest and looks towards the ball’s every conceivable move to have played its part in a significant change to the policing possibility of release and and spin is recorded, referee- and life chances of children. It is particularly gratifying that rehabilitation, taking the ing decisions open to intense the reduction in child arrests matches exactly the reduction in prisoner on a journey through scrutiny within seconds. On custody for children, and it is no coincidence. We have fundamental Christian beliefs, the other hand, a brush with stemmed the flow of children into the justice system and the prayer, the sacraments, the law can sometimes be a consequential downward spiral into crime and custody.” coping with death and matter of life and death an bereavement, and prepara- tion for release. Any prisoners accurate recording of the entire The full report can be downloaded at: tinyurl.com/jhp3nfl process may not be available.” interesting in having a copy Shah Mohammed Haque should contact their prison Justice Minister Shadow change chaplain. History repeating itself for Bolton South East. l According to The Sun, “The numbers serving life prison officers are being sentences or the new sentence Qureshi is a barrister prac- asked to volunteer to wear of IPP have risen more quickly tising criminal law. She was electronic tags in a two week than expected. At present elected an MP in the 2010 © Fotolia.com trial to ensure they are nearly one in every ten men election and was one of comfortable enough for in prison is serving these three first ever female tagged prisoners to wear. sentences. The indeterminate More people will be tagged rather Muslim MPs. NOMS says that the tests will sentence of public protection be used to assess ‘comfort, than imprisoned in Scotland Shortly after becoming an is proving particularly popular Yasmin Qureshi MP durability, impact on daily with the courts, using them at MP Qureshi received a fine Scottish Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has announced a life, ease of fitting and a rate of up to 40 a week.” Much respected Shadow and a driving ban for using rolling programme of electronic monitoring to cut Scotland’s removal.’ The POA have, Enver Solomon Justice Minister Jo Stevens her mobile phone behind the apparently, asked their imprisonment rate, the second largest in western Europe, has been promoted to wheel and driving without members not to get involved. after England. Pilot projects will involve GPS tracking and Retrospective identity Shadow Secretary of State insurance. In January 2014 sobriety tags. Tagging could be used as an alternative to for Wales by Labour leader she won the Politician of the l Concerns have been raised “It would seem that a long- remand in cases where the alleged offence is unlikely to result Jeremy Corbyn. Taking her Year award at the British over staffing levels in Scottish term prisoner’s identity in a custodial punishment. place is Yasmin Qureshi MP Muslim Awards. prisons after it was found that remains retrospectively fixed prison officers there worked as the same person who Mr Matheson said there was now ‘common ground across Cannabis use link to Schizophrenia 124,352 hours overtime in the stepped off the sweatbox and parties in Holyrood to make sure that prisons could focus year to August. At HMP Perth into prison all those years their efforts on the ‘most troubled and troubling criminals’. Danish researchers trawled more than 3.1million people’s alone 10,799 hours overtime ago. With this in mind, is it He acknowledged that his predecessors had talked of moving medical records to ascertain the link between cannabis use and were claimed. The figures any wonder that so many away from prison for 20 years without success and winning schizophrenia and discovered that regular cannabis users are were obtained under a Freedom inmates find it difficult to public support for policies labelled ‘soft on crime’ would take more than five times more likely to develop a serious mental of Information request by make any form of progress disorder. Cannabis creates a greater mental health risk than any ‘communication’. Scottish Liberal Democrats through the penal estate?” other substance, including class A drugs, they found. who said; “There will always Billy Little Dr Hannah Graham, a Stirling University criminologist, said: be occasions where staff are Those who abuse the drug – now more potent than ever in the required to work overtime to “The recommendation to introduce electronic monitoring as Indeterminate sentences form of super-strength ‘skunk’ – are 5.2 times as likely to develop cover staff illness but the fact an alternative to remand opens up extra opportunities to “The PRT is getting a growing schizophrenia as someone who had never smoked it. This that prison service staff number of letters from people address this issue by closely monitoring and supporting more compares to 1.9 times for hallucinogenic drugs and 1.24 times worked almost 126,000 hours on ISPPs: ‘A lot of us with short people in the community pre-trial, without losing sight of the for amphetamines. They suggested the pleasure hormone beyond the terms of their tariffs are finding it difficult to need to ensure public safety. This announcement and the dopamine, released by the drug, could trigger the disorder in contracts should raise a big get to a first stage lifer prison working group’s recommendations show Scotland taking a people susceptible to its effects. red flag.” The Scottish Prison to do the courses being asked more European approach to electronic monitoring, learning Service said; “Overtime is of us. It seems the government from the Dutch goal-oriented approach and leading In a second study they discovered that pregnant women who necessary for reasons including has brought in these new Scandinavian examples.” abused cannabis gave birth to children six times more likely to staffing shortfalls because of sentences without thinking it become schizophrenics. This suggests the physical effects of the recruitment delays, staff through.’” Prison Reform Trust Acknowledgements: www:policeprofessional.com drug could be passed on in the womb. sickness and project work.” 12 Newsround www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

France USA World prison review France has unveiled plans to build 33 new prisons and renovate Semon Frank Thompson a former US Death older ones to try and ease the chronic overcrowding that Row boss has written a harrowing detailed justice officials say breeds conditions for Islamist radicalisation account of how he executed two prisoners at of prisoners. In the first phase, nine new prisons and other Oregon State Penitentiary, the only prisoners extra facilities will add more than 5,000 cells. Prime Minister executed in the state in recent history. He tells Manuel Valls said; “The situation is critical, especially in the how his team spent more than a month each short-term prisons”. The issue of radicalisation in prisons is an time rehearsing the execution - with a ‘full run emotive one in France where there have been bloody militant through’ each week beforehand: “I cannot put Islamist attacks, some of them carried out by people who had into words the anxiety I felt about the possibility served time in French jails. Justice officials hope the new prison of a botched procedure. “Prisoners are under expansion, which starts next year, will help alleviate the problem. 24-hour surveillance in the lead up to their death - to ‘ensure that he doesn’t harm or kill himself, thus depriving the people of Oregon of the right to do the same.” When it comes to the killing itself, prison officers are responsible for every aspect of the process - from strapping Kenya the prisoner’s ankles and wrists down to Ukraine Naivasha Maximum Security administering the lethal injection. He says; A newly published report by human rights Prison, one of Kenya’s largest “After each execution, I had staff members activists in eastern Ukraine alleges that 5,000 prisons, had no water for over who decided they did not want to serve in that people in the self-declared Luhansk People’s a week. Patrick Mwenda, the capacity again. A few told me they were having Republic are held in solitary confinement, officer in charge of the trouble sleeping, and I worried they would beaten, starved or tortured if they refuse to prison, expressed concern develop post-traumatic stress disorder if they carry out unpaid work. A prisoner told the about a possible outbreak of had to go through it another time.” In conclu- Eastern Human Rights Group; “Each day they diseases if the water supply is sion he writes; “Capital punishment is a failed make us work for 12 hours fabricating not restored. He said; “The policy. America should no longer accept the concrete blocks. It’s very heavy work. We have situation is pathetic. We have myth that capital punishment plays any no access to medicine, no doctors or dentists, been assured of reconnection constructive role in our criminal justice system. I have lost a lot of my teeth, we can’t even get It will be hard to bring an end to the death penalty, painkillers. We are fed only porridge. We have but nothing has been done but we will be a healthier society as a result.” no option but to work. If you refuse, they Egypt yet.” He said the most affected areas are sanitary throw you in the punishment cell. It’s inhu- Human Rights Watch says prison guards at a maximum-security USA facilities like toilets. The man.” Another man quoted anonymously in jail in Cairo routinely abuse political prisoners by cramming Convicted prisoners serving sentences in the report said to have been denied any food them into packed cells, and isolating them from their families, situation has forced them to California county jails will now get to partici- and water for three days, in order to force him lawyers, and doctors. In a detailed report on the infamous purchase water from vendors, pate in elections after the governor, Jerry to return to work. The director of the Eastern ‘Scorpion’ Prison, a wing of the Tora prison complex, the including those using donkeys Brown, put into effect new legislation that lets Human Rights Group, Pavel Lisyansky, says he US-based watchdog looked into the cases of several high-pro- to transport supplies. This is thousands of prisoners doing time in the has evidence that a similar forced labour file political prisoners who they say ‘lived in dire conditions with the second time in less than county’s jails to vote in California elections. system is employed in prisons in the neigh- bare cells without beds, and prisoners without soap. It asserts two months that the prison’s Reform backers say the new legislation will bouring Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), the ill-treatment ‘probably amounts to torture in some cases water supply has been ‘help prisoners transition back into society another rebel-held region, affecting a further and violates basic international norms for the treatment of interrupted due to outstand- while still serving time for their crimes’. The 5,000 prisoners. prisoners’. ing debts. new law takes effect 1st January 2017.

Australia A damning report written by Queensland Ombudsman Phil Clarke says conditions are so overcrowded at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Facility many prisoners are sleeping on the floor - some even with their heads pressed up against the toilet in their cell. “Some of the prisoners required to sleep on the floor are Prison Law Experts / Legal 500 Recommendation pregnant. Sometimes two prisoners are locked into tiny cells together for in excess of Nationwide Coverage - in-house video link facilities available 80 hours. There’s no space to store even the meagre personal belongings, and Specialist advice on there are insufficient tables and chairs to allow all parole reviews police interviews prisoners to eat their meals.” Debbie Kilroy, CEO of recalls criminal appeals Australian female incarcera- Finland extradition tion advocacy body Sisters A graffiti artist has been commissioned to brighten up the adjudications Inside says the findings are far inside of Vantaa prison, on the outskirts of Helsinki, Finland, criminal defence con scation & from surprising; “Well, the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reports. The prison gave its nothing changes and nothing walls over to the street artist EGS to adorn both internal spaces proceeds of crime changes.” She says; “Having and the prison yard with brightly coloured abstract works. The pregnant women sleeping on cost of the work is being met by the Finnish State Art Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers floor mattresses is just Commission. EGS said he wanted his work to have universal unacceptable but you also appeal, as half of the prisoners have a foreign background. He have women who have told the paper “I wanted to do abstract paintings which don’t Contact our Prison Law Department returned from hospital after a have anything recognisable, and where anyone can find some miscarriage or giving birth symbolic meaning,” he tells the paper, adding that he took sleeping on floors.” inspiration from the sea and islands. Prison director Tuomo 01904 431421 Queensland’s Corrective Junkkari says the artwork ‘kick-starts various thoughts and [email protected] Services Minister Bill Byrne feelings’ among prisoners after months of staring at grey walls. responded by saying; “I am Vantaa was selected after another prison had turned down the Howard and Byrne comfortable with the safety graffiti offer. “I said give it to us straight away,” he said, adding Chestnut Court, 148 Lawrence Street, York YO10 3EB and provision of services in that with 2km (1.24 miles) of concrete at the facility, ‘lack of Queensland prisons.” space is not an issue’. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Newsround 13 Ombudsman warns of NPS death links

Speaking to prison staff at the National Offender Management Service training centre in Warwickshire, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) Nigel Newcomen said; “The statistics are alarming. My office has now identified 58 deaths in prison that occurred between June 2013 and January 2016, where the prisoner was known, or strongly suspected, to have been using NPS before their death. It is important to note that the link between NPS and the deaths were not necessarily causal, but nor can they be discounted.” Have a snack at a Jailhouse Cafe Jailhouse Café The Verne and Jailhouse Café Guys Marsh are © BBC “I am clear that NPS have been a enterprises run by charity Expia and staffed by risk assessed game-changer in terms of reducing prisoners on day release. Hundreds of prisoners have worked at the Jailhouse Café The Verne since it started in November safety in prison, with troubling links 2011, giving them real work placements and training to help A second serving of Porridge to our rising numbers of suicides, as prepare for release. It is fully open to the public and serves Six new episodes of Porridge will be made after a pilot episode watched by 4.4 well as to other types of death, delicious café food. million viewers received warm reviews. The remake of the 1970s show, which including deaths from drug toxicity, saw Kevin Bishop play the grandson of Ronnie Barker’s inmate Fletch, was part Situated through IRC The Verne’s tunnel at the top of Portland, of the BBC’s sitcom season. apparent natural causes and even in the heart of the World Heritage Site, the café enjoys homicides” panoramic views over Weymouth Bay, Portland harbour, and Porridge creators Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, who will write the new all along the Jurassic Coast. It was originally set up with HMP series, said: “We’re in a state of disbelief that Porridge is coming back after all The Verne but following re-roling it is now supported by HMP/ Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard YOI Portland. these years. Even though we feel like recidivists, we’re more than happy to go League for Penal Reform, told Inside Time; back inside.” Kevin Bishop said: “To be welcomed back by Porridge fans and “The rising death toll in prisons shames the the BBC to make a full series is one of the proudest moments in my career.” Jailhouse Cafe Guys Marsh, in the grounds of the prison, nation and underlines the urgent need for opened in March 2013 for staff and visitors and is also open to reform. It is disappointing, therefore, that the The original series of Porridge, which saw Barker and Richard Beckinsale the public Monday to Friday, 10.00-3.00pm, serving light new Secretary of State for Justice’s first major appear as two inmates at the fictional HMP Slade prison in Cumberland, ran refreshments between 10am and 3pm and hot meals between from 1974 to 1977. announcement is a misguided attempt to 12 and 2pm. punish drugs out of prisons - a policy that has signally failed for many years. Mandatory The cafes also stock a range of merchandise including mugs, Newsbites drug testing has been used for more than a t-shirts and bags that all help publicise the project. decade. It hasn’t stopped drugs getting into l year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, The number of homicides in prisons, but it has inflated the market and More information at: www.jailhousecafe.co.uk Scotland fell to their lowest on record suffered an agonising slow death made them more lucrative to sell inside. last year - and around half their level when the woman left him abandoned from a decade ago, according to Scottish solicitors reminded to ‘double in her flat when she went to prison “More than one million days of additional official figures published by the and told nobody about the dog. The envelope’ correspondence Scottish government last month. A punishment have been imposed on prisoners decomposed body of the dog was in the last six years, for a range of misde- total of 57 homicide cases were found lying on her clothes three The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has reminded solicitors of the recorded by police in Scotland in meanours including drug use. This approach months after she went to prison after need to ‘double envelope’ any correspondence they send to 2015-16 - representing an 8% fall on has only succeeded in creating a downward a neighbour alerted authorities about clients who are in custody, with a covering letter to the prison the previous year and 52% down on spiral, pushing people into deeper currents of a fly infestation and smell coming governor. This is designed to ensure that the correspondence is the 119 cases recorded in 2006-07. It crime and exacerbating overcrowding. from her flat. An RSPCA inspector passed to the individual unopened and follows a recent spike is the lowest number for a single in the number of incidents where the double envelope system said; “His suffering was just so twelve-month period since 1976, the “Action needs to be taken to deal with drugs was not followed. first year for which comparable data unnecessary. No-one else had keys, in prisons, but getting it wrong by doing the and no-one knew he was there. are available. wrong thing only risks making it worse and According to the SPS ‘the double envelope system is not only Simply just sharing this information could cause more deaths and more mayhem. critical in ensuring that solicitors correspond with their clients l A woman has been sent to prison with a reliable person would have Solving the problems in our overcrowded confidentially, but critical in preventing and disrupting for a second time after leaving her pet saved his life and saved the lonely, prisons requires imaginative thinking and organised crime and the efforts of those that would seek to put dog to rot to death when she was sent prolonged death that we can only bold action to stop throwing so many people at risk the safety of staff and prisoners, as well as the security to prison the first time. Zacko, a suppose he had.” into these failing institutions.” and good order of prisons.’

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Newsbites IMB Roundup

l Hampshire police launched an investigation Warren Hill Wandsworth into the smuggling of phones and drugs into The IMB have praised the way the prison has The latest IMB report on HMP HMP Winchester, in what they called ‘Operation developed since its change from a juvenile to Wandsworth says “Chronic Rabbit’, and netted six people who have been adult prison in 2014. They are critical of prison staff shortages had charged with various offences linked to education provision but say that improve- Wandsworth engaged in a smuggling banned items into the prison. ment has started under a new contractor. constant struggle to maintain They also say that the slow progress of basic standards. This resulted l Prisoners at HMP Manchester were left building work has caused long delays in in prisoners being locked up shivering through night-time temperatures as providing adequate work opportunities. for excessive periods and low as 6C after a heating failure. Prisoners Criticism was also levelled at the preparation access to education and complaining about it say that officers tell them purposeful activity, both vital Aerial View of proposed new medium secure unit in Maghull and serving of food, and the poor care in they are ‘hardened criminals who need to man to the rehabilitation process, transferring prisoners’ personal property. The up’. A Prison Service spokesperson said; “Following being restricted. Damaged IMB Chair, Colin Reid said; “Warren Hill is problems with the heating in part of a wing at Plans for £60m secure hospital cells were out of service for helped by its small size, clear sense of HMP Manchester, prison staff made sure there lengthy periods. Broken was hot water available and that provisions were There are plans for a new £60m medium secure hospital in purpose and the good relationship between windows, observation panels, More information at: www.jailhousecafe.co.uk made for vulnerable offenders. Engineers were Maghull in between Ashworth hospital and HMP Kennnet. The staff and prisoners. This enables many men to in-cell equipment, furniture called and the issue has now been resolved.” hospital will replace the existing Scott unit at Rainhill, which make progress and to feel more hopeful about and essential kitchen had been deemed no longer fit for purpose. The new unit will themselves. Nevertheless the policy imposed equipment were not repaired l Prison officers at HMP Maghaberry are said mainly treat people who have been dealt with by the courts on the prison of not allowing any men to be or replaced in a timely manner. to have made a run for it after 100 cell doors and are in need of mental health treatment but will treat released on temporary licence does restrict its The resulting substandard suddenly opened due to a glitch in the prison’s ability to prepare them in a step-by-step way accommodation affected the systems. Prior to that a number of prisoners lit patients who are deemed to be less dangerous than those at for discharge into the community, sometimes fires in their cells. Quoile House, the house- Ashworth. The plans are for a ‘Medium Secure Unit’ (MSU) safety and welfare of both block where the cells suddenly opened, has which will have a total of 123 en-suite bedrooms split between after many years behind bars.” prisoners and staff.” been operational for less than 3 years and has eight wards, of which four wards will be for men, two for Download the report: Download the report: dedicated areas for prisoners with mental women and two will be dedicated Learning Disabilities wards. www.tinyurl.com/zf77u8m www.tinyurl.com/hse8gm2 health issues. Last November prison inspectors labelled Maghaberry as the most dangerous Wormwood Scrubs prison they had ever visited. Whitemoor prisoner sues MoJ The latest Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report for HMP Wormwood Scrubs says there are now signs of improvement following a chaotic regime l Staff at HMP Shotts are working hard to following a brutal assault during the latter half of 2015. “The year began with the prison subject to an make it the first dementia-friendly prison in emergency regime, under which half of the prisoners (approximately 600) Scotland. The prison has teamed up with A man who was battered unconscious in a jail assault has were confined to their cells for about 23 hours a day during weekdays. An Alzheimer Scotland to run workshops for staff sued the Ministry of Justice for £100,000 for not protecting initial plan to relax the regime for some 300 of those prisoners encountered in order to raise awareness to equip staff with him from violent Muslim inmates. He was beaten with a steel opposition from the Prison Officers Association (POA) over staff working the knowledge they need to identify dementia pot in a kitchen after an argument over use of a telephone in conditions. Threatened industrial action was averted following negotiations amongst prisoners, and help them get the 2010 and suffered a bad cut, damaged teeth and a fractured conducted directly between the POA and the National Offender Management support they need. eye socket in the assault at HMP Whitemoor. After the attack Service but in the process the plan was shelved, and subsequently the prison officers used paper towels to stem the flow of blood, Governor of the prison resigned. The Report notes that since January 2016 l Police have launched a murder investigation before sending him to Peterborough Hospital. there has been a concerted effort at several levels of the prison’s management after a prisoner was stabbed to death and to address many critical areas of concern. another two were left fighting for their lives His allegation is that the senior management of the prison after a stabbing at HMP Pentonville. One of Download the report: www.tinyurl.com/j5ck3rl were negligent because they employed inappropriate staffing the men was pronounced dead around one hour later and two injured men were taken to levels that encouraged, and gave opportunity for, frequent Total UK prison population approximately 95,119 s637 an east London hospital in a critical condition. levels of violence on vulnerable prisoners.

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Apology Death highlighted Prisoner wins compensation Newsbites not accepted ‘defect’ in the system l The Prison Service is The father of the man who for power cut at Parc Nurses at HMP Dumfries could not carry out searching for a new governor blinded himself in HMP for HMP Lincoln after the Maghaberry has refused to an ECG on a prisoner with chest pains, who According to Wales Online, A prisoner who was given nearly £4,000 damages died six hours later, because the paper for the because his cell light went out for almost 40 minutes has won the latest round present governor, Peter accept an apology from Sue Wright left to join the board McAllister, the head of machine was locked in a stationery cupboard of a legal fight as a High Court judge dismisses an appeal by G4S who manage and the keyholder was on holiday. The HMP Parc. The prisoner had been awarded £3,750 damages after a county court of Nottinghamshire Northern Ireland’s Prison Healthcare NHS Foundation Service after she told inquiry heard that as well as the lack of paper judge concluded that the operators of privately-owned Parc prison near healthcare staff also had difficulty accessing Bridgend had failed to restore power in a reasonable time. The prisoner had Trust as Executive Director Stormont’s Justice Committee Forensic Services. He leaves a she was sorry for the injuries the prison’s only defibrillator. At a fatal undergone a hip replacement and had mobility problems and had needed the accident inquiry Sheriff Brian Mohan said toilet during the power cut and had tripped over a slipper and banged his head prison described by Frances he sustained. Northern Ireland’s Crook, of the Howard League, Prisoner Ombudsman said staff had acted in good faith but highlighted a on a cupboard while feeling his way in the dark. He claimed that G4S had ‘defect’ in the working system. Evidence was breached a duty to ensure that he was ‘reasonably safe’ in his cell. The Judge at as; “struggling to overcome the man inflicted “extreme two major problems - chronic and shocking” self-harm heard that the prisoner had complained of Cardiff County Court last year concluded that power should have been restored chest pains during the afternoon and initially in, at most, 20 minutes but heard that the man’s cell had been in darkness for overcrowding and staff over three days. His father shortages”. The prison made said; “Why did it take her declined the offer of medical attention but nearly twice that long. when he still complained of a ‘twisting or national headlines in four weeks to give an apology? September when 30 prisoners She apologised in front of a grabbing’ type pain shortly after 17:00 it was Your Good News arranged he visit the medical centre and were moved to other prisons justice committee but she following a major incident, couldn’t apologise to us, so I nurses decided to use the electrocardiogram (ECG) - however, they were unable to carry Charlie’s fund raiser and the annual Independent don’t really accept it”. CCTV Monitoring Board (IMB) cameras at Maghaberry showed out the procedure because there was no paper Han M Yusoff - Peer Mentor HMP Styal for it. Shortly after 23:00 his cellmate heard report for 2015/16 catalogued the man shouting and crying a string of concerns including in pain and banging his cell the man banging on his bed, groaning in The Decency Team at HMP & YOI Styal has pain, and unable to speak and had pressed the widespread use of legal door, but the officers did not been set up to make Styal a better place to live highs, filthy toilets and rats. try to stop him. He used his the emergency cell button. This resulted in a and a better place to work and is progressing ‘code blue’ alert and an ambulance called, Nottingham also holds the fingers and thumbs to damage towards rehabilitating women into society. record for releasing more his eyes, and claimed to have and a prison officer administered chest compressions until paramedics arrived and Charity day prisoners in error than any used a piece of broken glass The Team is a combination of staff, visitors other prison in England and provided treatment with a defibrillator. Terry Naden - HMP Wymott to injure his groin. and women who are working closely together Wales - seven in 2015/16 to create a better environment and making A spokesman for the Trust Recently at Wymott we had a ‘Escape kit’ great progress. As a team we have been doing said; “We look forward to charity day which involved a lots of fundraising to help Charlie. Peter joining the Trust and tug-of-war, truck-push, tyre- delivered by bringing his particular blend run and stack, and a goal Charlie is an 11 year-old girl who has been of experience and skills to the mouth challenge in which drone diagnosed with a Stage 4 brain tumour and board.” is very ill, despite all the medical help availa- we had to shoot at an enlarged picture of our gov- ‘My Daddy and the Police’ An ‘escape kit’ bundle was ble in the UK. After an extensive search, l Seven staff have now been ernor’s face! And many other allegedly dropped onto the Charlie’s family has come across a trial treat- charged after the police fun challenges. A new booklet has been launched at HMP roof of HMP Hewell after ment in the US (Texas) and it will cost an inquiry into abuse at Medway Edinburgh called ‘My Daddy and the Police’ being spotted by prison excessive amount for the treatment, which the Secure Training Centre (STC), We had 2 days, one for the in partnership with Police Scotland. The officers. The bundle was family do not have. Therefore, we as a com- then run by G4S and revealed VP’s and one for the Cat C’s booklet production follows a number of found to include hacksaw munity have come together to make this possible. by an undercover BBC and I was involved in the Cat “Meet the Police” events at the prison. These blades, screwdrivers, mobile Panorama investigation. Kent C event. And I just wanted to events aim to break down barriers between phones, chargers, drugs, One of the ways I, personally, have helped is police say they have charged say a big thank you to all the officers and the families of prisoners. The glue and razor blades. The by cooking meals and cakes for staff, visitors six men with misconduct in staff who made these days initiative won the ‘Policing Partners’ category governor alerted local police and prisoners. Other women have made dolls, public office; a seventh man possible, especially Miss in the first Scottish Policing Excellence and ordered extra searches of teddy bears and clothes to sell. We are working has been charged with taking Baker and Miss Smith, who Awards and has been nominated for a Butler prisoners’ cells. A Prison extremely hard as a team for this fundraising photographs and making put a lot of time and effort Trust Award, which recognises good practice Service spokesman con- and would like to ask if your community recordings inside a prison into the charity day for St in the prison service. During the ‘Meet the firmed hacksaw blades had could help us to help Charlie by raising funds contrary to the Prison Act Catherine’s Hospice. Police’ events, children began to ask questions been among the contraband from your community or establishment. (not connected to the about the criminal justice process. Many found at Hewell. He said; Panorama investigation). In Also, I want to say well done children felt that police had taken their parent “We have introduced new Please join us to make this treatment possi- July an eighth person, a to all the lads who took part from them, with some having witnessed their legislation which means ble for Charlie. Every child deserves a fight- 24-year-old woman, was also and raised over £1500 for parent being detained by police. This booklet anyone found using drones ing chance to live, so please give Charlie a charged with common such a good cause. Us lads was created and informed by a focus group of to smuggle contraband into a fighting chance! Let’s spread the word and assault. They were due in are quick enough to bash the prisoners who all stated that they didn’t want prison can be given a raise funds together. court in October. their experiences to reflect their children’s sentence of up to two years. system when things go wrong or are hard for us, so I views of the justice system. We take a zero-tolerance For further details/donations please contact - l In a special amnesty at want to say well done to approach to illicit material in Governor Vicky Sampey, Head of Safer HMP Maghaberry, prisoners HMP Wymott for doing prisons and work closely Custody & Decency Dept, HMP & YOI Styal, were given the opportunity rown with the police and Crown Styal Road, Wilmslow SK9 4HR something positive. C solicitors to surrender illegal drugs Expert advice is only a phone call away… THE Experts in Prison and Detention Law perfectly Prosecution Service to ensure without punishment. The based in the Midlands with a 24/7 Nationwide Service those caught are Family Day a great success amnesty was called because Covered by Legal Aid: prosecuted.” of fears that fake diazepam • Parole hearings – paper / oral • Adjudication hearings pills were circulating within • Appeals - Against sentence or conviction Keisha Mohammed - HMP Downview • Licence conditions / recall Glyn Travis, assistant the prison which have been All other Prison Law issues are charged at very secretary of the Prison responsible for many deaths The Downview Family Day, on 31st of August, was a great success. This was reasonable private rates and fixed fees including: Officers Association said; “It in Scotland. Maghaberry • Foreign National Prisoners • Recategorisation/ transfers the first Family Day since the prison was re-opened a few months ago. On • HDC/ ROTL/ MDT is frightening to think that faces an ongoing problem behalf of myself and other inmates, I would like to express our sincere grati- We will always advise you if you are eligible for Legal Aid these items could have got with illegal drugs and staff say We are also experts in and offer Legal Aid for: into the prison system. This tude to the governors, custodial managers, senior officers, officers and kitch- the problem is getting worse • Criminal Defence - Police Station, Magistrates, Crown & Appeals sort of incident highlights the en staff, who organised such an amazing event. It was a very enjoyable day and that the situation is • Immigration - Tribunals, Asylum, Deportation prevention, threats and challenges facing for prisoners and their families. The children were well entertained and approaching crisis point. The Human Rights - SIAC Representation prison officers on a daily number of prisoners who “ We get bail ” Free initial assessment offered everybody really enjoyed families and staff playing rounders. It was a superb basis. Because of cuts and a Contact: Shiva Misra LLB (Hons) Solicitor Advocate day and thanks to everyone involved. took advantage of the or any member of the team at Crown Solicitors, reduction in staff numbers, it amnesty has not been 36 Church Street, Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 0AH 01902 353 300 (24hr) is getting harder to stop disclosed, but it is understood [email protected] contraband being smuggled Is there a good news story at your prison you would like to see that it was as few as five. Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers inside jails.” in print? Write in and let us know. Please mark your envelope ‘Newsround’. 16 Comment // Interview www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

recently that she was going to con- l Prison officers in England centrate on making prisons safer. How and Wales dropped from confident is the PGA that she can 27,650 in 2010, to 14,689 in We are the experts deliver? “Well she said that she was ‘ ’ June 2016 going to put £14m into ten prisons which equates to about 400 staff, so l More murders in the past For a number of years the government has been reducing it’s a start.” Truss also said she was going to recruit more ex forces per- four years (17), than the public spending on prisons. “We understand the need for sonnel as prisoner officers. Isn’t that previous ten years combined a step backwards? “I’m ex-forces so savings,” says President of the Prison Governors Association, watch what you say,” says Mrs Albutt. l 4,000 assaults with weapons Andrea Albutt, but asks, “At what level? At what cost?” Before her career in prisons she was in prisons during 2015 a 38% a nurse in the army with the rank of increase on the previous year Corporal. She joined the Prison Service Erwin James benchmark for your prison - governors from 27,650 in 2010, to 14,689 in June as a Hospital Officer before pursuing l Assaults on staff have at that point were saying that is not 2016 yet over the same period the prison promotion to Governor Grade. “It does increased by 150% in 4 years enough - it’s a very blunt tool in our population has remained broadly the Continued from front page beg the question, why is the Secretary opinion. We’re not apportioning same, with 85,600 prisoners in 2010 focusing on ex-forces? Is it to bring l In one year 105 self-inflict- blame to anybody. We understood and 85,082 in August of this year. Just I asked the President of the PGA back a more disciplined Service? She ed deaths, almost double the Andrea Albutt if they thought that the state of the economy, we under- a few weeks ago the Prisons and hasn’t actually said that. Perhaps what stood the need to reduce public spend- Probation Ombudsman, released a number five years ago and the killing in Pentonville was indic- she is trying to do is bring in people Self-harm incidents increased ative of the reduction in staff and ing - we absolutely got that. But with report on its investigation into murders who have seen life, who have a con- by more than 10,000 resources over the past few years. regards to prisons - at what level and carried out behind bars. The regulator’s fidence about them.” “We don’t know the facts surrounding to what cost? Right at the early stages report found that violence levels are of benchmarking Governors were at an all-time high. There were more this tragedy yet,” she says, “But it’s In fact explaining why she wanted to significant increase in violence, self- fair to say we know that in our prisons saying this has gone too far. NOMS homicides in the past four years, 17, recruit ex-forces to be prison officers had to implement, and try and deliver than the previous 10 years combined harm and self-inflicted deaths in our there are high levels of drug use, es- the Justice Secretary said: “Who better prisons,” they said. pecially NPS (New Psychoactive the savings but it was a government - and the 4,000 assaults with weapons to instil the virtues of discipline? Who Substances) and we know that NPS driven policy. I was a governing gov- in prisons during 2015 was a 38 % in- better to show what you can achieve ernor at that point and I said, look crease on the previous year. So is this pretty dreadful state of affairs can cause extreme violence. We know in life with courage and integrity? in our prisons recoverable? Mrs Albutt we have a gang culture in our prisons. this is too much, I can’t run my prison They will help our prison officers lead with these lower staffing levels. But is forthright again. “Of course it’s And we have people with significant Safety on our streets the change. Safety on our streets and recoverable. It’s recoverable with mental health issues who should not the whole process of benchmarking safety in our jails - that is the policy continued. But I have to be quite clear and safety in our jails investment and time. These ten pris- be in a prison. We don’t know what of this government.” ons that are going to get the extra caused this absolute tragedy. that this is not just about benchmark- - that is the policy of ing. It’s a whole mix of things that staff - they will make a difference - it Pentonville is a local prison and these Responding to the PGA’s call for a has to make a difference. But if the things don’t generally happen in your has led to the situation we’re in now. this government Public Inquiry, the new Shadow Benchmarking, coupled with new Justice Secretary thinks that in six local prison. When it does happen Justice Minister Yasmin Qureshi MP, months these prisons will be turned it’s more likely to be in the longer psychoactive substance misuse - we “It really is about safety,” says Mrs said: “When prison governors, who have younger men coming into prison Albutt. “We’re piloting and rolling out around - well that’s not going to hap- term prisons. But yes, I think what have the day-to-day responsibility for pen. They have fallen into a terrible happened here is indicative of where who are prone to violence and are body worn cameras for staff, like the the management of our prisons, de- less respectful. We have more organ- police have. It’s a good initiative and state. Disrespect and violence have we are with our prisons at the mand a public inquiry into the un- become quite entrenched. Staff and moment.” ised crime, in and out of prisons - and can only help. We have lots of CCTV precedented levels of violence and this whole mix - especially the reduc- in prisons - this is good and can only prisoners at these prisons have be- suicides in prisons you know there is come so disengaged - the governors The resolution to call for the Public tion in the staff/prisoner ratio which help. But what really makes a prison a crisis. The Justice Secretary must is now around 1 member of staff to 28 safe is the relationship between staff of these prisons are going to have to Inquiry was put forward by the PGA’s recognise that cuts have consequences work so incredibly hard to bring back National Executive Committee at their or 30 prisoners. Maybe that was doable and prisoners. If those relationships and our prison system is failing at ten years ago. But not now.” are based on trust, are dynamic - if that trusting culture. It was so pleasing conference in October and was voted every turn as the result of this Tory at our conference to hear that all my for unanimously. “We are the people staff have time to be responsive to the Government’s chronic lack of invest- The PGA’s concern for the state of the needs of prisoners - trusting relation- colleagues out there who are having that run prisons and we are the ex- ment; more violence, more suicides, a bloody awful time - stressed, unable perts,” says Mrs Albutt, who has prison system as a whole is obvious ships can build up. You can see if a more reoffending. This is no way to but what are its biggest fears? prisoner is deteriorating, you can speak to deliver what they want to deliver worked for the Prison Service for 27 run a prison system in the 21st for the betterment of people in their years and is the first female President “Stability, violence and safety in our to them, find out what the problem is, century.” prisons,” she says. “We’ve had a one have they got mental health issues - a care - they haven’t given up. They of the PGA. “We are the people that still care and they still want to do have been saying to the government hundred and fifty per cent increase high proportion of our prisoners do. A spokesperson for the Ministry of in assaults on staff in the last four That’s the way to potentially prevent their best. So yes, I think the situation for a long time, you have taken aus- Justice said that the Justice Secretary is definitely recoverable.” terity, you have taken benchmarking years which is just not acceptable.” suicide and violence. These are the had been clear that safety in prison too far and it’s not working. It was things that make a prison safer.” was fundamental to the justice system The number of front line prison officers apparent when the people from NOMS working and to its reform. “We are ‘The unacceptable level of in England and Wales has dropped Justice Secretary Liz Truss announced came in and said, right, this is the fully committed to addressing the violence in prisons’ page 29

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Paul Sullivan work cross party and that’s what we seem to do,” he says. “Our report on prison safety for example was agreed by consensus by all mem- The response from the Government to the Justice bers on all sides. We’re there not there purely Select Committee’s (JSC) report on prison safety, as party politicians we’re there as a committee published last May, was so unsatisfactory that to do a job for the House of Commons, holding the Committee held a debate in Westminster the executive to account and that applies which- Hall in September. The government then pledged ever party is the executive.” So you don’t have to produce a Prison Reform and Safety Plan, any qualms about coming down hard on your which so far has not been forthcoming. When Conservative colleagues in power? “No, not at pressed about whether his committee supported all. Part of my job is to come down hard. It’s a the Prison Governors Association’s (PGA) call bit like a judge has to come down without fear for a Public Inquiry into the state of our prisons or favour if you like. We try and work construc- Bob Neill MP, a barrister for 30 years and Chair tively with government. There’s no point in of the JSC said: “What I’d like to see first of all taking party political pots for the sake of it. A is for the government to produce that Prison good example is when we were very critical of Reform and Safety Plan they said they were the Criminal Courts charge that (former Justice going to. I think we need that urgently. I’m not Secretary) Chris Grayling introduced. We pub- sure about a public inquiry being the right way, lished a report that was quite damning about but I do think there needs to be a public debate. that. Michael Gove read it and listened and We do have to have a national debate about scrapped it.” what our prisons are for and are we getting it right in terms of the number of people we send to prison? And what we do with them while Part of my job is to come they are there. I was very keen on the approach down hard. It’s a bit alike a that Michael Gove was taking when he was Secretary of State - and I think in fairness, now judge has to come down without she has got her feet under the table, Liz Truss fear or favour if you like is making it clear that she wants to go down the same route. That involves committing some resources from the government. My job as chair- ‘We’re going to And why was he so unimpressed with the new man of the Justice Select Committee is to keep Justice Secretary, Liz Truss when she appeared up the pressure so they carry on with those in front of the select committee recently? “I reforms.” personally was disappointed when Michael left as I thought he was committed and clearly pas- sionate about the job. I think perhaps Liz was I asked him to clarify exactly what a ‘select push very hard ’ taking her time to get prepared and ready for committee’ is. He explained that each govern- the brief. Perhaps she didn’t do herself justice ment department has a select committee which at that appearance. Since then we have had shadows that department and acts as a scruti- Need for Government to publish Prison Reform constructive discussion with her and her min- nising and monitoring mechanism on govern- isters. We were frustrated because there wasn’t ment. The committee is called ‘select’ because and Safety Plan “urgent” Chairman of Justice very much information coming out. Maybe that’s its members are selected from across all parties because the new government was playing its in the House of Commons. The justice committee Select Committee Bob Neill tells Inside Time cards close to its chest. But our job is to get that looks at Justice and the agencies which answer information out of them. Now we’re getting to the Ministry of Justice, i.e. NOMS, the Prison Does the committee have any real power to our hearings we publish a report and the rules more and we need to move on. Now she has Service, the Probation Service etc. The JSC also change anything though? “We work by gath- are that the government is obliged to respond said she is committed to the reforms, now they oversees the work of the Attorney General, the ering evidence, holding inquiries,” he says. within 60 days. If we’re not happy with that have said that there will be a Prison and Courts Solicitors Office and the Crown Prosecution “All our hearings are in public and broadcast response we can get a debate tabled in the House Reform Bill, that was one of the uncertainties - Service (CPS). And they visit prisons. on the Parliament TV channel. At the end of of Commons.” maybe they wanted time to think as to how they scoped it - it just might have been better if they’d But does the committee have any real teeth? said that rather than causing uncertainty. But Our Team of over 25 “It’s got actual teeth,” he says, “because we I hope they’ve learnt a lesson from that, and specialist advisors have the right to demand that people appear now if they’re going forward with it, genuinely, have a wealth of before us, we’ve got the right to ask for the then we’ll want to scrutinise that and make sure disclosure of papers - we can grill people - and it delivers on the changes that we need.” experience to offer then we’ve got the power to name and shame you including: if you like, which is quite an important power Earlier this year the JSC called for Restorative in politics.” Like the PGA, Neill says the JSC is Justice (RJ), the practice of bringing together • Parole Board Hearings concerned about the way prison officer numbers victims of crime and those who have offended • IPP Sentence Issues have dwindled over the past few years. During against them. I asked Neill what led the com- • Mandatory Lifers prison visits Neill says the committee “gets the mittee to that conclusion. “As part of the package • Discretionary Lifers sense of staff frustration,” and cites the figures. RJ has got two things to offer. One, it gives victims • Automatic Lifers “Last year NOMS recruited about 2200 officers, a say in the process and for some people that • Sentence Planning Boards but because so many had left they were only can make a real difference in getting over the • Re-categorisation about 400 better off.” The fact is, I tell him, too trauma. It’s also very often constructive for the • Category A Reviews many officers have only been in post for less offender, in bringing them up sharp and bringing • DSPD Assessments than a year. “Yes that’s right,” he says. “We’re them to terms with the human cost of what they National means near YOU! • Accessing Courses losing experienced officers. That’s why in our have done. It doesn’t work in every type of case, safety report we were calling for an action plan We can help you in ANY • Parole but we think it should be available in the mix. • Recall to tackle safety in prisons and that’s got to in- And it’s part of a broader and more sophisticated PRISON in England and Wales, • Independent Adjudications clude issues around staffing. Why aren’t we range of ways in which we punish people. You at ANY TIME. • Governor Adjudications retaining experienced officers? That’s absolutely can link restorative justice with community You can also write to us FREEPOST at: • Challenge of MDT’s critical. If we don’t get satisfactory answers sentences, and I believe we ought to be trying from this Prison Reform and Safety Plan from to reduce the prison population. I think alter- FREEPOST RTAB-BATB-HGAU • HDC “Tagging” • Transfer the Secretary of State then clearly we’re going natives that are robust are important and re- Carringtons Solicitors • Judicial Review to push very hard, because that’s storative justice helps on that and there is evi- Nottingham • Tariff Representations fundamental.” dence that it can reduce reoffending, and that NG2 2JR • IPP Sentence Appeals has got to be the key which is in everybody’s As a Conservative MP, I asked him if his role as • Police Interviews interests.” Tel: 01150115 958986 34720983 Chair of the JSC might be compromised when he might have to be critical of the Conservative Watch out for Inside Time’s December issue for government. Is he afraid of holding back? “All our special report on Restorative Justice select committees seem to work best when they 18 Comment // Diary www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

as a weapon?’ or, strangely, ‘What if they eat the books?’ Month by Month have been thoroughly dis- proved as both the police who co-operate by handing over a Profound thoughts for Rachel as she discovers book and the detainee find it works extremely well. I shall Books in Nicks and a poet and a poem in jail look forward to further news. and Kent and aims to expand into all national police stations. Going Wilde Steve, himself self-taught after Reading Gaol is the Victorian being thrown out of school, is prison where Oscar Wilde, the a man with a mission. He told famous and, in his own time, me, ‘My primary aim is to offer notorious novelist, dramatist the opportunity for young de- and poet, was sentenced to tainees to divert from a life of spend two years with hard Art cells criminality.’ He reminded me labour for committing ‘acts of that these people, predomi- gross indecency with other the prison for either exhibitions nately young men, some not male persons’ - in other words Outside the day or concerts or simply as a walk- even into their teens, have not being in a homosexual rela- may be blue and even been charged with a tionship with his friend, Lord through experience. crime, let alone convicted. The Alfred Douglas. gold, but the light way they are treated will affect that creeps down Thought on poetry their view of the police and of As well as ‘De Profundis’ Oscar society. through the thick- Wilde wrote ‘The Ballad of ly-muffled glass of Reading Gaol’ and I was still As well as books which can be thinking of him when I went taken away by the reader, the small iron- along to HMP Wormwood ‘Books in Nicks’ with ‘Give a barred window Scrubs on October 6, otherwise Book’ offers a useful leaflet on known as National Poetry Day. all the free education and aids beneath which one I was hosted by the Education to reading which is available, sits is grey and Department and eventually starting with the local library, found myself in teacher after ‘Give a Book’ had discov- niggard. It is always Mathew Collin’s group in Room ered many detainees had no twilight in one’s seven. The men there did not idea libraries were free. Steve Whitmore: calming prisoners with books cell, as it is always have English as their first lan- guage and were working to At the moment ‘Books in Nicks’ but his attitude to the police midnight in one’s improve their vocabulary and is operating at no cost to the - or at least this policeman - had skills. Mathew told me that, police as Steve is giving his heart changed. even so, they’d just been hav- services free and ‘Give a Book’ Oscar Wilde Rachel Billington ing a sharp discussion about is a charity but, obviously, if I met Steve last week to dis- Oscar’s cell door feminism and whether a the project expands as he produce extraordinary art in cover how the project was hopes, this might have to unexpected places. I found it woman should stay in the home going and was impressed to Books in Nicks change. Whatever the financial Until 2013, the core prison, a very moving experience to or was as capable as a man of find how far it had got since a Police custody suites are not situation, I suspect Steve will unchanged, apart from in-cell doing a useful job outside. pilot started in April. First of stand in Wilde’s own cell C.3.3. at the forefront of many peo- crack on with his mission. He sanitation and the chapel all he got Victoria Gray of ‘Give In his great work ‘De Profundis’ ples’ thinking - apart, presum- told me, laughingly, that the turned into a gym, was a male I felt sorry to have interrupted a Book’ on board to help choose (Out of the Depths) written ably, from the police and the fears of a few of the less en- young offenders prison. Last a discussion of such an impor- and provide the books. whilst inside, Wilde described people held there. Of course lightened in the police, such month it was used for an art tant and relevant issue - after Victoria’s experience was in- this cell, ‘Outside the day may there’s shocked media atten- as, ‘What if they use the books installation by Artangel, who all, the mens’ wives or partners valuable in choosing a good be blue and gold, but the light tion when someone is beaten were now coping on their own mix of classics like Animal that creeps down through the up or even dies but generally - but nevertheless I declared Farm and Lord of the Flies with thickly-muffled glass of the not many people seem to care that poetry was now the theme. Quick Reads, poetry, and small iron-barred window be- what goes on in the up to twenty At first it seemed that it was four hours that an adult or child graphic novels, aiming in par- neath which one sits is grey not a popular subject; words can be imprisoned. I can’t pre- ticular for younger people and and niggard. It is always twi- like ‘sad’ were murmured. One tend to have thought much hoping to also reach those with light in one’s cell, as it is always man explained that he tried to about it myself until my friend lower reading ability. The chil- midnight in one’s heart.’ avoid emotion in prison, par- Special Constable Steve drens’ newspaper ‘Junior Artangel have filled the prison ticularly because he was so far Whitmore started telling me Week’ is also included and with artwork relevant to the some of Roald Dahl’s books from home and had no visits about an idea he had of pro- prison experience. There is the which appeal to all ages. from his family. viding books for police cells. actual door to Wilde’s cell and,

throughout the prison, While all this was going on But somehow, I am not sure The idea arose out of an expe- heart-rending letters written Steve had christened his pro- how, the group ended up writ- rience he had with an eighteen to various prisoners over the year old he’d arrested on a ject ‘Books in Nicks’ and begun ing a poem for themselves. years. There are also artistic South London street who the work of getting police sta- Here it is: surprises like cells with twin- asked, after his phone had been tions, at first in London where kling beaded curtains or a hole taken away, whether there was he lives and works, interested. Day Dreaming through a man’s jacket hanging anything he could read. There He told me, ‘I’ve been really on a wall to a view of a waterfall was not or nothing suitable. well supported by the Met. Day dreaming They’ve been very helpful with pouring over rocks and twigs. Eventually Steve gave him his Thinking about you the interaction with the detain- own copy of ‘The Catcher in Every day ees.’ Already ‘Books in Nicks’ Reading Prison works brilliant- the Rye.’ The young man, pre- Every day in the sunshine has provided over two thou- ly as a venue for such imagi- viously faced with an anxious In my heart thinking quietly sand books in thirty different night with nothing to do, was native art, besides bringing in In my cell titles to all of the Met’s forty amazed and grateful, adding, visitors who have never seen So sad every day ‘I’ve never been given a book three active custody suites. Not a prison before. I hope that Thinking about you before.’ Not only was he calmer content with this, Steve is mov- Rachel in Oscar Wilde’s cell: others will follow Artangel’s Every day and less likely to cause trouble ing the programme into Essex “a very moving experience” example and find ways of using Every day in the sunshine Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Comment 19

‘Il maestro di color che sanno’ ‘The master of those who know.’ Inferno for Public Protection David Blunkett, who intro- duced IPP in the first place, The latest Hollywood incarnation of a Dan Brown novel - Inferno - was released this month. has stated that if it were his decision, “All IPPs would now This made me think of the ‘Divine Comedy’, the 14th Century epic by Dante Alighieri, which be released.” Former SSJ, Ken Clarke, has stated that, “It is inspired Dan Brown. It is an allegory of universal human destiny and reveals Dante’s profound absurd that a defunct sentence vision of hell - not unlike the nightmare world experienced by IPP prisoners today still keeps people in prison.” Parole Board Chairperson, Nick Hardwick, has stated that, Anthony flesh as badly as any heat. Ice there is no sufficient evidence execution when capital pun- ‘Non ragioniam di lor, ma “IPPs should not have to prove is brutally destructive - it that OBPs reduce recidivism; ishment was abolished, so why garda e passa’ that they are ready for release.” erodes mountains, reducing ‘Laciate ogni speranza voi some claim that the converse treat IPPs differently. Post 2012, ‘Let us not speak of them but This change of approach would ch’entrate’ them to dust. It is unsurprising is true. We are not in a dangerous offenders were look and pass on.’ require the State to prove that ‘Abandon all hope, you who that, as the High Court recently Hollywood movie. OBPs are given an EDS (Extended a prisoner remains dangerous enter here.’ acknowledged, being subject not effective just because those Determinate Sentence), where- The High Court will no longer in order to continue detention, to an IPP sentence can make invested in their delivery state by they are assumed to no consider ‘out of time’ IPP ap- which would bring the system an offender more dangerous. Dante’s hell consists of nine that they are. So empty is their longer be dangerous and au- peals on the basis of a recent in line with the presumption If you leave a dog out in the circles of ever increasing depth. position in light of the evidence tomatically released at the end test case, in which only extreme of innocence. cold for long enough, it will The greater the sinner, the that it can only be politically of a fixed punitive term. This examples were considered. deeper the circle in which they turn feral. ‘The darkest places in hell are motivated. Sadly, taking such should have changed the in- Each applicant had multiple are placed and the greater the a stance closes the mind to the terpretation of the existing reserved for those who main- ‘Considerate la vostra prior convictions and met the eternal punishment they will possibility of developing effec- release test, as it introduced a tain neutrality in times of moral semenza: fatti non foste a criteria for IPP. These cases endure. The first circle is rela- tive interventions. This is a new precedent. crisis.’ viver com bruti, ma per were not representative be- tively benign, with green fields tragedy for practitioners who segur virtute e comoscenza’ cause many IPPs were given and philosophers to talk to. choose this path or, worse, are The Dangerous Offender pro- I am not a theist, polytheist, ‘Consider your origins, you for a first offence - none of philosopher or theologian, so This is for the free -thinkers. forced into it through deficient visions are now applied dis- were not made to live as which can now appeal. The do not profess to know what By the sixth circle you reach teaching. The biggest tragedy criminately between those the heretics in fire and brim- brutes but to follow virtue Court states that it is for the answer to the problem is. and knowledge.’ is of course for those subject sentenced pre and post 2012. stone aligning with most cul- Parliament to deal with. I simply do not know. I have to these programmes and the The Parole Board continues to tures vision of hell. However, admitted my guilt. What I do continued incarceration that refuse to release post-tariff IPPs Parliament states that it has Dante reserved the most terri- The IPP sentence sounds good know is that I have learned in theory - keeping dangerous frequently results. on grounds of dangerousness. no intention of altering sen- ble punishment for the ninth from my past mistakes. But offenders behind bars until At the same time, equally dan- tences lawfully imposed by the and deepest circle. The worst have the authorities? they are no longer dangerous Courts. The SSJ (Secretary of sinners are buried up to their ‘Conosca I segmi dell antica gerous offenders sentenced - but in practice it has been a State for Justice) has the power necks in ice. fiamma’ post 2012 are released auto- ‘I recognise the signals of the matically upon tariff expiry. to change the release test with- ancient flame.’ This raises both a legal and out recourse to Parliament but Anthony is currently resident moral problem. has declined to do so. at HMP Wymott Risk assessment is speculative. That is not necessarily some- thing to be ashamed of. The solution, as all scientists know, is to understand the limitations and uncertainties associated with your subject. When ob- servations consistently con- tradict a scientific theory - no matter how revered, ancient or popular - the theory should be unceremoniously discard- Artist Domenico di Michelino (1417-1491) ed. Then the search for a more fresco of The Divine Comedy, by Dante Alighieri accurate theory can begin with gusto. Those in authority should ‘Di sangue m’e rimaso, catastrophic failure. The main remain cognizant of this con- cheno tremi’ reason being the lack of accu- vention when making deci- ‘Less than a drop of blood rate means to determine sions. At the present time, it remains in me that does not whether an offender is danger- appears that those who ques- tremble.’ ous in the first place or, indeed, tion current practice are brand- if they remain dangerous there- ed as heretics and cast into the I think Dante was onto some- after. The authorities claim that flames - a positively medieval thing. His analogy is not like their psychologists hold the being cold in a prison cell on key. They also state that par- idea. a winters night. It is about ex- ticipation in OBPs (Offender periencing truly awful pain. Behaviour Programmes) is ‘Il gran rifivto’ Words alone are inadequate neither necessary nor sufficient ‘The great refusal.’ to describe the pain and an- to achieve release. guish caused by an IPP The Parole Board will not re- (Imprisonment for Public ‘Nessum maggior dolore, lease an IPP prisoner until Protection) sentence. Without che ricordars del tempo satisfied that ‘it is no longer a fixed end-point, release felice nella miseria’ necessary for the protection of moves ever-further away from ‘There is no greater pain than the public that they be con- you and that is psychological to remember a happy time fined.’ That is a very high torture. Your children grow up when one is in misery.’ threshold to satisfy. Parliament without you, friends and rela- abolished IPP in 2012, when it tives pass away and the world I have developed a deep irri- was described by politicians moves on, leaving you behind tation with the intellectual as inhuman and degrading. vacuity of those who deny the and ever more remote from the These changes were not made reality of the situation. world that you dare not hope retrospectively. Those already Independent experts claim that to return to. Extreme cold burns sentenced to death were spared // Interview

20 Comment www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

assume we’re sick, pervs, be honest, what I call doodling Happy visits wrong-uns etc, but if people in a pad, people might find it Got a visit this week. My mum Born into the stopped looking at the label or interesting - and if people want and auntie are coming in. I’m image and got to know the in- to read it, I shall write it! Yes, finding that since I’ve been dividual they would learn that I can see it ten years from now honest with myself and them just like them we are humans - me on TV with my own chat about my gender identity, our wrong sex who eat, sleep, breathe and show - something like Truth- relationship has blossomed. feel, just like them. Like I’ve Talking Trannies! We can all I’ve gone from being hardly In her unique journal, HMP Parc said, society is always ten years dream eh? able to talk to them to not being prisoner Ruby shares some of her behind, but if I can help to stop able to shut up! And instead or reduce the issues that LGBT I have never really felt impor- of arguments, it’s laughter. At days and some of her dilemmas individuals face in prison or tant or worthwhile but since first I thought they were think- ing I was stringing them along, in the community, then I’ll being true to my identity as a but now I think they see I’m have done my job! person, I felt…let’s just say Ruby Why? When, What? Inside and out serious because since accept- special; not like the President Why do I feel protective to- Graham came over to see me ing Ruby, all of my issues have Topless make up of the United States, or as if I wards women? When men are today (unexpected). He said One topic that really hits a gone away. I don’t smoke, take The primitive line is defined had special needs, just a sort shouting at women I feel a that he and Phil had read bits nerve at the moment is: I can drugs, drink and I’m nowhere by evolution of personal special. I’m con- surge of anger. What will hav- of my diary and they were in- take my top off and sunbathe near as violent. I can honestly We’re homosapiens which have fusing myself, talking riddles. ing sex feel like after GRS? teresting and wanted to know no issue. Now, when I do start say that about six months ago evolved into pure pollution I could say my whole life has if I was interested in writing a to develop breasts I am not I went to sleep as K and woke Technological advances that been a riddle - and I’ve finally Born to shave blog. Well obviously I said yes allowed to take my top off. Why! up as Ruby, and since that day can alter your state of mind found the answer. I’ve just been going uphill. Going to speak to R tomorrow because the world needs to be Where is the equality between No wonder we have grown up to see if security can pull their aware that diversity is not just the sexes? If a man can sun- Noodles, beans and coffee. What is normal? hating our own kind finger out and give me a date a word. It is real. If I’m honest bathe topless so can a woman. Going to have a munch and a I knew for many years that I The corruption of society is for my wig. It’s been a while I don’t know where this is going What do you think? everywhere I look now. Even though I am com- to lead but I’m going to em- cuppa. Holla ya later. Peace. was not “normal” but couldn’t brace it and use it to bring about Out. accept the fact that I was phys- And I’ll make sure this goes fortableish with how I look it Being organised is a trait of awareness of LGBT issues, ically a man but mentally a into my book… would be like being born again mine and most women but especially in prison. (Maybe I Man flu? woman until recently. Here’s being able to have my wig. when it comes to pre-ordering could interview LGBT prisoners I’ve been to the gym two days a question, and don’t look Going to stop scribbling words my canteen, OMG I’m hopeless. / staff about how they feel, and in a row, so I’m going to sleep elsewhere for the answer, think onto paper. Have a shower. Hopefully I will hear back from I order items I’ve already got straight staff as well, and tonight and be in pain tmz. of it from your own mind. What Read some chapters of a book, the equalities team soon about or items I don’t eat LOL. Whilst straight prisoners.) Managed 160kg deadlift and is normal? For each person on then bed. whether I can become a Rep. I’m on the subject of canteen, then 60kg clean and press. I this shit planet, the answer will It would be interesting to learn why can’t I order make-up from Dildo or no? be different. A new day more about equality and the canteen list? also started practising my tech- Had my books today so going diversity. Re-organised my cell today. I nique for snatches. One of the say today - I’ve got a habit of Ruby x to be busy for about 2 weeks. Finding answers lads said the other day that I doing it nearly every day. OCD? It’s mad the speed at which Well I’m going to have a show- Had a chat today about the looked like shit. I said, “I’ve PMSL. After GRS the vagina I’m reading! er, shave my facial hair, my direction of my writing and got flu”. Guess what he said? Ruby is currently a resident will want to close up because at HMP Parc. Her journal legs and other areas. Aaaaargh! where it could go. I’m going to Could I still get Man Flu? PMSL. the body treats it as a wound. continues next month Had a relax yesterday. Don’t Thank God that’s finally over So transsexuals have to use worry, I haven’t forgotten you, - until it grows back. I just didn’t feel like writing something like a dildo to keep it open. If after surgery I was anything. I don’t want this to Dressing up in jail, would I be allowed one become a chore, that’s all. I feel empowered when I’m of these items? wearing a dress. I don’t know Walsh Solicitors A new name Criminal Defence And Prison Law Experts why but I’m going to have ago Straight as a woman My name is now officially Ruby at explaining. I am obviously I’ve noticed that since accept- on the CMS, server list, gym 24 hours a day/7 days a week a biological man but psycho- ing that I am a woman, I say list. Well, I’ll summarize this: logically I am a woman, so things straight, even if it’s not the jail has acknowledged my physically I look like a bloke politically correct. And I seem For Prison, Police and any other Criminal name change! (Jazz hands, so wearing a dress must em- to have calmed down on the whoop whoop!) One way of Matters throughout England and Wales power my mind (psyche) be- violent side of things…. One describing my journey could cause it’s a step to becoming thing that pisses me off is for be like planting a rose seed a woman. Make-up is my next me to begin hormone therapy Call Walsh Solicitors 0161 672 2267 and watching it blossom. step after the wig. God I haven’t I may need a diagnosis of gen- worn make up for a while. I der dysphoria. I think the term Played badminton with Rob think it’s going to be a bit of a ‘diagnosis’ is used with regards Do you require assistance regarding forthcoming yesterday. I think he nearly trial and error. Practice makes to a mental or physical illness Parole Hearings, Adjudications, Sentence Calculation had a heart attack LOL. It was perfect as the saying goes. and I have neither so why does a good game. a psych have to diagnose me. or anything involving Prison Law Regulations? How I know I’M NOT INSANE! I was born I really hate - sorry about my Why couldn’t, or didn’t, I man- in the wrong body that’s all. Call Walsh Solicitors 0161 672 2267 French but I do fucking pas- age to accept my true identity sionately hate shaving my earlier in my life? It would have Well I’m going to chill out to facial hair! Some trans indi- stopped all the drinking and some music and fall asleep. Have you received notice concerning a Police viduals find it empowering, drug-taking I did. Some people Peace. Out. Investigation against you involving a voluntary having facial hair, and fair play are going to say, “Well, how to them, but I am not one of do you know?” Just look at me Pervs and wrong’uns PACE interview or a visit to a Police Station? those. It brings back the one now. I haven’t taken a single There’s only one difference fact that I have to deal with, drug for 8 months. I haven’t between me and you Call Walsh Solicitors 0161 672 2267 that I am a woman in a man’s even smoked - so that’s how I You will never understand it body. know. (Deep thinking to do!) but I’ll give you a clue When I develop breasts but I was born a bloke Appeals and CCRC also covered After surgery I will feel com- still have a penis which toilet With a woman in my mind... Dedicated Prison Law Department plete, but not 100% because I do I use, male, female or dis- was not born a woman. I believe abled? Because I know they Transphobia - aka being scared Email: [email protected] there is a reason for this. I don’t don’t have a Tranny Toilet here! of a chick with a dick. It’s a know what reason that is but Even though it’s quite funny, real word because people who 22 Manchester Road, Rossendale, Lancashire, BB4 5ST when I do I’ll inform you. it’s a serious question don’t understand us can Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Comment 21 A journey through the therapy looking glass

the wing’s Constitution (oh, what was taking place in the yeah, the wing has its own group and began to think more Constitution agreed upon and about myself. Is this how ther- upheld by both residents and apy works? I thought: is this staff, all very democratic). As what they mean when they talk far as I can see this is no ‘biggy’! of reality confrontation? Is this So what if someone was wear- taking ownership and being ing a pair of flip-flops, it’s responsible for your own ac- hardly a hanging offence. Alex tions? I was uncomfortable. I © prisonimage.org goes on to say that Gary had didn’t like the way I was feel- falsely “challenged” him and ing. And then as if in a backdrop © Fotolia.com he wasn’t in the dining hall. to my thoughts I heard Alex Harold Mose He believed Gary had it in for tell someone to piss-off. I ‘In this best of possible worlds, him and was getting his own glanced over and Alex looked back for a previous occasion furious and hurt. I usually Uncomfortable when he (Alex) had challenged would have taken his side but everything is for the best…’ Gary for breaking the rules. To not this time. I decided to keep truths tell you the truth I was starting my own counsel. It turned out (Dr Pangloss, in Voltaire’s Candide) Pangloss: a person who is optimistic to zone out. This all seemed to that the grouping was valid. Wednesday, 9am and we’re be much ado about nothing. Alex grudgingly admitted the regardless of the circumstances back in group. After yesterdays truth and understood the sense experience I can now appreci- minority in the Crown Court (7%) and magis- Suddenly, it got interesting. in what was being put to him. Penelope Gibbs ate where the air of anxiety Terry, another group member, trates’ courts (15%), and that these court users comes from. It s not an easy I wondered what it was in me receive little help in negotiating the system. said, “That’s not true Alex, you thing to bare your soul to a were in the dining hall and that made me almost instantly This panglossian view of justice suffuses the There is no acknowledgement of this new and bunch of near strangers, espe- jump to the defence of the un- growing problem in the paper. It says “all par- when Gary challenged you new ‘vision’ from the Ministry of Justice paper cially when you’ve been a about the footwear you called derdog and play the role of Transforming the Justice System: “Across the ticipants in a case, from the judge to the jurors, criminal almost all your life; rescuer. I’ll tell you something: the Crown Prosecution Service and the defence, him a rat and a busybody. You world, the fairness of our criminal trial and plus I have major trust issues. then told him to f**k off. I know, this ol’ therapy can’t half give the history associated with iconic courts such legal advisers and court staff, will soon become As I’m beginning to find out you a headache! ‘digital by default’” - but actually unrepresented because I was there.” Then as the Old Bailey are celebrated”. The paper so do the vast majority of men another group member said, defendants are excluded from the new digital It’s strange. I banged up that implies that the courts are currently extremely here. No, it’s no easy thing at “Yeah Alex, I was there making system. While lawyers (in theory) receive all night not thinking about the efficient and effective and that the implemen- all! I’m expecting to hear more toast and I heard it too.” tation of digital systems is going fine. The ju- the relevant papers online in advance of the of the same like yesterday but usual garbage that goes case, those who represent themselves get them through my mind: money, diciary and the government simply want to today’s group starts with a The look on Alex’s’ face was in the post if they are lucky. In most magistrates’ women, crime, drugs and make the courts better still. ‘grouping’. Let me explain priceless. I almost burst out court cases, the unrepresented defendant is whom I needed to get even what a grouping is: when some- laughing, but then things handed a bunch of papers at the door of the with. I wasn’t thinking about Unfortunately evidence from the twittersphere one sees or experiences anoth- quickly became serious. The court, on the day of their trial. my family and what I was miss- suggests the criminal courts often descend into er resident’s inappropriate or therapist said, “You do this ing. I was thinking about me chaos, if not farce. I recently heard that cases anti-social behaviour, or is often don’t you Alex? Do some- It’s in relation to online cases that there may but not in a selfish self-ab- are regularly adjourned in London because seen to be breaking rules or thing wrong then lay the blame be other problems with these plans. The idea sorbed way; I was thinking prisoners are not brought to court on time, or boundaries he is meant to chal- on someone else? It mirrors is that in many minor criminal cases people about what makes me tick and at all. Often prison transport arrives at the lenge that behaviour by high- your index offence: you used should be able to do some or all of the case about how the day’s events prison at the right time, but the prison can’t lighting it to the rest of the wing your partner’s infidelity to jus- online. But our research suggests that many had related to me: things I produce the prisoner because they can’t actually so his behaviour can be tify why you hurt her; you said unrepresented defendants do not understand wouldn’t usually consider. I find them. Cases are also delayed because the explored. because she humiliated and whether they are guilty or innocent in legal had not even used the group prosecution is not ready. So the system is defi- hurt you, that it was all her fault.” nitely ripe for transformation. terms - whether they have a valid defence - and The fellow who has been myself yet and I was already certainly don’t understand the full implications feeling the uncomfortable stir- grouped (Alex) starts off by This put a new spin on things of each option. So there are huge risks in pres- rings and the resistance that The ‘vision’ paper is really a synthesis of reforms telling the group what he has for me. It made me think that surising people to plead online. comes with change. which are underway or already announced. been grouped for. Apparently I often acted that way. Although But I have a couple of challenges. In April, a couple of days before, anoth- our offences were completely Harold Mose, a nom de Transform Justice published a report on un- Penelope Gibbs is a former Magistrate and er resident had challenged him different, I often blamed my plume, is a resident of HMP represented defendants in the criminal courts. Director of Transform Justice www.transform- for wearing flip-flops in the actions, or reactions, on other Grendon - names in this It confirmed both that there is a significant justice.org.uk dining hall. This is a breach of people. I kind of lost track of article have been changed Parole Board Hearing? IPP, Lifer, Standard, Licence Recalls. Independent Adjudication? CLARKE KIERNAN Sentence Wrongly Calculated? SOLICITORS Oral Hearing? - Tariff Reduction? FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOUTH EAST Appeal against Sentence or Conviction? WE ARE A RESPECTED ‘LEGAL 500’ FIRM FRANCHISED BY THE LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSION AND OUR DEDICATED AND EXPERIENCED TEAM IS AVAILABLE Second Appeal through the CCRC? TO HELP YOU IN ANY AREA OF LITIGATION

The above issues are still covered under Legal Aid! So if you need help get it from dedicated London PRISON LAW DEPARTMENT CIVIL DEPARTMENT FAMILY DEPARTMENT based Prison Lawyers, helping prisoners fight for their rights throughout England and Wales. Catherine McCarthy Tafadzwa Chigudu Jennifer Mundy All aspects of criminal law, including Legal aid available for Housing problems, All aspects of matrimonial and children Write To: Prison Law Dept, Office 226, 4 Spring Road, Ealing, London W5 2AA Appeals/CCRC/Confiscation Orders. due to your remand or looking forwards disputes, including proceedings involving towards release. Including threat of the Local authority. All aspects of prison law, including possession of your home and advice on Divorce, domestic violence, cohabitation Tel: 020 8123 3404 adjudications, parole, DLP, eligibility for local authority housing and Civil partnerships. categorisation, Judicial Review following release. Email: [email protected] All aspects of financial disputes. www.prisonlawsolicitors.org.uk Prison Law Consultant at Wells Burcombe Solicitors ADJUDICATION & PAROLE SPECIALISTS 2-4 Bradford Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1DU Tel: 01732 360999 22 Comment www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

Unfortunately, around 2011/2012 Inside Voices legal highs appeared and changed the face of prison violence yet again. Prisoners who dabbled in such substanc- Keeping an open mind es totally changed their atti- tude towards each other and to staff. Assaults on staff went Robert Shaw - former prisoner quash the conviction and order a retrial, long through the roof. This had a after my licence expires of course, and at fur- knock-on effect of changing ther legal costs to my family. Justice moves at I am a talker. Really, no kidding! I could drone how staff viewed prisoners. a snail’s pace. on forever with a plethora of reasons why I am Because staff feared being the victim of a miscarriage of justice, an inno- attacked they changed their Ask yourself a simple question: “Why would cent man. Many of you would believe me while assertiveness to aggression. somebody go to all the trouble and expense of many would not. And sadly many could not This set prisoner/staff rela- appealing, together with everything else care less. Some of you may “have heard it all tions back decades. involved, if they were not innocent?” It matters before”. For the past 26 months I have lan- Rioting prisoners congregate on the roof of not one iota to the Ministry of Justice, the Prison guished in prison, a part of me dying each and Manchester's Strangeways prison in 1990 Service or the Probation Service. As far as they I have seen, numerous times, every day. In 4 months’ time this part of my are concerned, I am a guilty man. I have been where a situation could have nightmare will be over only to face a 2 ½ year been resolved through talking, licence period in the community. sent to prison as a punishment but in reality, History of prison violence we know the system punishes all of us from but staff are getting physical Name supplied - Prison staff would give out straight away instead. This I lost my first appeal with the presiding judge within as well. HMP Bullingdon brutal beatings, in some cases wouldn’t happen on a landing saying “The victim could be forgiven for getting where there is CCTV, it usually times, dates and places wrong with the passage Now with only 4 months to go, instead of dying leading to deaths, and thought happens in a cell where there of time”. First the accuser said it was 1978, then a little more each day, I long to live each and A lot of older prisoners will they were above the law. But are none. No CCTV equals no it changed to 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982. I kid you every day upon my release. I should have no remember the dark old days eventually prisoners decided accountability. Treating vio- not! Then finally when it was proven that I was fear of being recalled only because I never of the 1980s and 90s when staff they’d had enough and we had lence with violence is not the not living in the country, the date was finally committed the offences in the first place. would dish out beatings for the Strangeways riots (23 pris- answer. changed to between March 1983 - October 1984, However, it is well publicized that many pris- the most trivial reasons. ons rioted). There then ensued when I did not even live at the alleged place oners are recalled for a myriad of trumped up Prisoners were treated like various investigations by the So where does the prison sys- of the crime until January 1984. The judge said reasons which have absolutely nothing to do punch-bags by a minority of authorities which reminded tem go from here? The whole it was enough that the victim was sure the with the risk of re-offending or danger to the staff. Prisons like Winson everyone that violence on pris- situation now has had one offence did happen. public. Should an outspoken inmate like me Green, Wormwood Scrubs, oners by staff would not be (having written many letters to Mailbag) fear good result; it has put me off Strangeways and Wandsworth, tolerated. CCTV was installed being recalled for any trumped up reason? prison. If I wanted to live in a To date, my family has forked out nearly and many more, were places in some prisons to protect both place where people are at- £150,000 in defence costs and the services of that were feared by prisoners staff and inmates and prison a private investigator. I said ‘to date’ because In ending this letter, I ask you the reader to tacked every day, I’d have because of the brutality of the became safer. an appeal for a review of my case is being sub- keep an open mind when somebody tells you staff. moved to Syria. mitted to the CCRC. If successful and the CCRC they are innocent. To coin a phrase “Until the refers my case to the court of appeal (this alone law is changed, the innocent must suffer togeth- Do you have a short article or advice you would like to share for Inside Voices? could take 3 years), the court would likely er with the guilty!” Write in and let us know. Please mark your envelope ‘Inside Voices’.

at a perceived lack of support from central government. They are only too Sceptical retort to Mike Rolfe interview aware that prison staff mean less to them than comparable civil servants, Power struggles and fear amongst prisoners and the POA whether they be firemen or police officers. But belonging to the POA will Sarah Baker - HMP Lewes not give them job satisfaction, more I do understand that these power money, more staff or more respect struggles are rooted in fear. Just like from the Ministry of Justice. I really enjoyed Inside Time reporter the people they imprison, prison of- Paul Sullivan’s interview with Mike ficers fear change, too. I am told by other prisoners that when Rolfe in August. First, I would like to prison officers have “hurt” them, they congratulate officer Rolfe on being As a diarist during my seven years in could handle it and deal with the trau- elected National Chairman of the Elmley, and many years before that, ma. What they were unable to deal Prison Officers’ Association (POA). I I know “where all the bodies are with was when a minority of officers would even go so far as to say that, buried”. abused their power, and good, mature, in my opinion, never before has a kind and professional officers stood man been more suited to such a role. Prison is a microcosm of society, our by and did absolutely nothing. towns, our villages. I do not under- When Mr Rolfe was POA Branch estimate the often difficult job that With almost no access to legal aid, Secretary at HMP Elmley, I witnessed, prison officers are expected to do. we are now at the mercy of our captors. first hand, his remarkable, extraor- Social worker, probation officer, dip- With no access to the Supreme Court, dinary and amazing leadership skills. I feel that the prison system has be- happen almost twice a day over four not seen as symptoms of the wider lomat, careers adviser, psychologist His ability to defend his colleagues - I have seen officers provide help and come an unhealthy place to be. won him many supporters among years. issues within the jail. The general at- mosphere was one where those officers support to prisoners that were prob- the prison staff. ably not listed in their job description Before those who are paid to promote Many cells held three prisoners and who were committed to rehabilitating rehabilitation have the audacity to had no toilet screening, emergency prisoners, and helping them to lower when they started their job. They often However at Elmley there was almost assume these valuable roles. look down their self-righteous noses no focus on rehabilitation and limited bells often remained unanswered for their risk to the public after release, at prisoners, maybe they should first help to prepare prisoners for release over an hour, and after one prisoner were mocked and sneered at by their get their own house in order. When hanged himself in a cell below mine, colleagues, who favoured more mor- However, the oft -repeated excuse of back into society. Complaint forms “a lack of resources” will be of no my third book, “Borstal to Bedlam” were rarely answered and the esti- I was offered a smoker’s pack to clean ally objectionable methods of con- is published next year, I’ll send Officer and paint the cell, in case the man’s trolling the most vulnerable consolation to the thousands of vic- mated 30% of prisoners unable to tims created every single day by Rolfe a free copy. I am sure that, after read or write received little help, parents wanted to see inside the cell prisoners. reading it, he’ll agree with some of where their son died. My wing staff ex-prisoners released from their sen- although the fantastic education staff tences mentally, financially and emo- his colleagues that I’m better qualified were always willing to give it. At a were afraid that the parents would I have lost count of the times that a to do his job than he is! I eagerly await see the squalid, rotten cesspit that new Governor has walked into a prison, tionally ill-equipped to build a moment’s notice, all prisoners would future. his obviously well-considered be returned to their wing, with no their son was forced to live in. only to discover that the officers have response. got together and mounted a vote of explanations given, except that “the Of course, prison officers will become roll was incorrect”. This would The suicides and high level of self- no confidence in him (unless he was Sarah ‘Transgangsta’ Baker xxx harm amongst Elmley’s inmates were a member of the POA!). angry, disillusioned and frustrated Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Comment 23

Jonathan King once again, have ordered No Further Action back in 2011. Incompetence? Probably. Deliberate avoidance of finding proof that might scupper Malfeasance in public office. Like so many legal a conviction? I cannot say, but hopefully some- terms, this is hard for ordinary people, like me one is examining the circumstances and ad- and you, to understand. I often feel that the monishing the offending officers. language of the law is deliberately phrased to confuse and muddle us. But recently I’ve started to wonder whether, by choosing deliberately I am becoming convinced not to investigate areas which might damage their chances of gaining a conviction, police that, when they only may be breaking the law. They may be contrib- concentrate on gaining uting to a perversion of the course of justice. Omission can be as bad as lying. Watching the convictions and not on David Bryant appeal get granted only because discovering the truth, police Lynn Bryant, his wife, spent years discovering the truth behind Danny Day’s lies, and similar Footballer Ched Evans and partner Natasha and detectives may be cases such as Geoff Long’s successful appeal Massey with solicitor outside Cardiff Crown Court and other acquittals, like the 50 Shades of Grey breaking the law that they trial where barrister Cathy McCulloch spotted are employed to uphold the similarity between a “victim’s” story and that best-selling novel, and then seeing Ched Evans getting justice and truth only because Ched Evans: ‘police For years I’ve been urging individual account- his team tracked down evidence that his accuser ability for police - and if there has been had a history of this kind of behaviour, I am Malfeasance in Public Office - then prosecutions. becoming convinced that, when they only con- Leon Brittan. Paul Gambaccini. Nigel Evans centrate on gaining convictions and not on incompetence’ MP. Jim Davidson. Cliff Richard. Jimmy Tarbuck. discovering the truth, police and detectives may Breck Bednar. Some Coronation Street cast be breaking the law that they are employed to members. There is no room in this paper, or uphold. Or was the footballer’s wrongful conviction even in the incomprehensible Archbold, to list all the names connected to terrible police mis- The CPS guidelines say this - “malfeasance is takes, and it is growing daily. the wilful neglect and misconduct can be the the result of something more sinister? result of a positive act or a failure to act”. And Well, I am bothered. I’m bothered by the hun- goes on to say - “it will be necessary to show the waste of money, time and effort; a gross about Sir Edward Heath, Lord Bramall and others dreds of innocent men and women cramming that the misconduct was closely connected with miscarriage of justice placing an innocent man - allegations described as, “credible and true” our jails because individual officers have not exercising (or failing to exercise) the relevant in prison for years, until he was freed on appeal. by one senior officer publicly before any inves- been punished for Malfeasance in Public Office. public function”. Not only wasting our taxes and the CPS budget tigation had taken place. More fortunes wasted. Most top cops, after their incompetence has but occupying staff time and effort that could been discovered, are quietly retired, on large I cannot imagine a more clear failure to exercise have been spent convicting real criminals. Had Thank heavens that Ched Evans - wrongly jailed pensions, and live out their lives in luxury man- the function of discovering the truth than missing the CPS known what Lynn Bryant discovered, for years, football career ruined - managed to sions in the Home Counties. They should be the proof of Danny Day’s lies against innocent they would surely have declared No Further get the Judge at his retrial to allow evidence occupying the cells vacated by innocent people fireman David Bryant. Surely police should have Action. So we have an increasing quantity of proving that his accuser had, at very least, done like David Bryant, Geoff Long and Ched Evans. found out the truth before sending their case to false allegations revealed. High profile cases this kind of thing before. But the police should the CPS? I reckon the CPS must be seething with like the ridiculous arrests and investigations and could have discovered this before sending rage that this incompetence by police allowed inspired by “Nick” and his unhinged allegations the initial details to the CPS, who would surely, Jonathan King is a proud former prisoner

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taste good - not too much fat to dispatch the creature. The and plenty of protein!). He warrior went boldly to the cave Tales of marched into the village and called to the ogre - who square and called the people came to the door asking why to attention; he was three times he was being disturbed. The Wisdom the size of the strongest warrior warrior told the ogre to leave in the village and had purple or he would split his head with skin and a long ginger beard! the axe. The ogre laughed out Our man on He bellowed at the top of his loud and the warrior threw his voice - causing a foul air to swirl axe at the ogre’s head - the ogre the inside tells around the village - he had caught the axe and used it to very stinky breath! He told the trim his beard before throwing it like it is people he had moved into the it back sending the axe man cave in the hills above the vil- running. Sid Arter lage and each day the people must bring him a wheelbarrow The next day a young girl from of food and each month a juicy the village set off to the cave The Girl and villager to roast on his fire! If unknown to the villagers and they failed he would come to half an hour later they were the Ogre the village and squash a house all woken by the ogre’s terrible each day until his demands thundering footsteps. But as Kathy Baker: ‘I do feel immense pride’ were met and to prove his point they listened they realised he he jumped on a house and was walking away from the flattened it! district and not towards their homes and he was muttering Saving lives changes lives The leaders of the village got under his breath. “I’m glad I together and decided they know that - it would have been should agree to his demands a disaster!” When the young Founder of the Listener Scheme Kathy Baker celebrates and deliver the food - but also girl returned to the village, the 25 years of the revolutionary prisoner peer support to challenge him and try and people asked her what had drive him away. They chose happened? She told them the service and recalls dark days in HMP Wandsworth their best warrior to confront ogre was leaving! She had told the ogre and take his longest him that he was risking his Kathy Baker room full of Listeners, Staff and Samaritans, spear to dispatch the creature. own life because the flesh of the Mayor of Stafford admitted he had no idea The warrior went boldly to the the villagers was poisonous who was who! In all the best children’s stories cave and called to the ogre - which explained why there When I attended Drake Hall’s Listener celebra- there is an ogre and I am sure who came to the door asking were no tigers living nearby. tions at the beginning of the 25th anniversary The Listeners treated us to some very special we can stretch our readers as why he was being disturbed. She told him the tigers had all week I found myself reflecting far more than I personal presentations, not a dry eye in the big grownups to a ‘fairy story’! The warrior told the ogre to died eating the poisonous peo- normally do. room, particularly from Barney who I was de- The village was a peaceful leave or he would impale him ple. Little did the ogre know lighted to see again as we were also celebrating place to live and all the villag- on his spear. The ogre laughed there had never been any tigers It has been a huge privilege to be involved for her 22 years as a Listener, a quite extraordinary ers enjoyed life and lived long out loud and the warrior threw anywhere near the village. the last 30 years in the steady development of commitment to caring for others. As the attend- and happy lives until one au- his spear at the ogre’s heart - a quite exceptional partnership between the ance in the room indicated, Barney’s last words tumn evening an ogre turned the ogre caught it and snapped We all too often try using our Prison Service/NOMS and Samaritans. To sup- were to acknowledge how important the unique up! The ogre had moved into it like a twig and sent the war- might and force to solve diffi- port and enable the Listener Scheme to grow partnership between Staff, Listeners and the district as he had heard rior running from the splinters. culties - success is more likely and flourish, to witness Staff, Samaritans and Samaritans was to saving lives. Saving lives life was good, crops grew well The next day they chose their if like the young girl, we try Listeners develop working relationships that that changes so many lives, even the Mayor‘s and the people were all well best axe man to confront the using our heads - thinking our saved lives and to be a part of introducing the who after he had presented the Listeners with fed and ‘juicy’! (juicy people ogre and take his largest axe way out of trouble. concept of peer support throughout our prisons their special 25th Anniversary certificates ad- in the UK and Ireland. mitted his visit has been life changing! I can still close my eyes and see quite vividly ASN LAW I am so very blessed by the opportunities I have the despairing, dark, lonely eyes of a prisoner SOLICITORS had to meet some quite extraordinary people I went to see in a strip cell in Wandsworth Prison Anthony Stokoe • Joel Binns on the Listener journey; they have all enriched one Monday morning in 1979. He had tried to Rasheed Nujeerallee my life hugely. Several people said during the • Criminal Defence and Appeals kill himself over the weekend and as the Independent Prison Law celebrations how proud I must feel with what Specialising in all areas of criminal law, from minor Probation Officer for his wing I had to fill out a Expert since 1994 our Listener Scheme has and will continue to offences to serious crimes - Murder, Fraud, form about the “incident”. No one had listened Conspiracy to Defraud, Confiscation Proceedings ‘People Before Profit’ achieve. So yes I do feel immense pride, not an to him, talked to him, asked him how he was Appeals, Variation and Discharge of Restraint Order emotion that is easily admitted by a girl brought Continuing the Fight and Challenge feeling for two days. I also remember the many and Money Laundering up as a Scottish Presbyterian. Despite Legal Aid Cuts times on a Friday evening as I left the prison • Immigration and Nationality Law that I asked prisoners on our wing to keep an No Gimmicks just straight eye on someone I was concerned about, over Comprehensive solutions to immigration and British advice/representation nationality issues. the weekend. for Male and Female Prisoners • Family Law • Adjudications • Lifer/IPP Specialist The fact that prisoners, so much more at risk Divorce - sound advice about your rights and the had no access to Samaritan support and my options available • Recall • Parole • Judicial Reviews experience that so many of them had the real • Wills & Probate • Mental Health Law Expert capacity to care for each other would drive me, • Human Rights - European & International as it still does, to ensure that prisoners in their We cover the London area and darkest moments any time of night or day have Fixed Fee advice for access to confidential emotional support. all of the UK on serious matters. • Categorisation • Cat A Reviews Striving to save lives in prison certainly changed Please contact Anthony Mordi or • Pre-tariff Sift/Hearings my life. Michael Okogwu Do not Delay Call/Write Now Having battled some challenging health issues Mordi & Co Solicitors Suite 8 Vine House 143 London Road these last 18 months, I really couldn’t have Ground Floor Rear, 143 High Street Kingston KT2 6NH asked for anything more joyous than the op- Barnet, EN5 5UZ portunity to attend this very special event at Tel: (020) 7619 96 66 020 8549 4282 Drake Hall. It was an emotional afternoon for NATIONWIDE SERVICE us all, the Governor and his team had filled the 24 Hour Emergency: 07956 923 482 26 Comment www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016 From over the wall A letter to my fifteen Terry Waite writes his monthly column for Inside Time year-old self... my own clothes and on release, of course, they had been lost! I was supplied with trousers and a shirt which hardly fitted but the shoes they Charlie Ryder - former prisoner our academic performance. So I would recom- Terry Waite CBE gave me did not fit at all as I have big feet - size mend that we should get assessed now. 14 or 15! I managed by pressing down the heel of the shoes and wearing them as a type of clog. Dear Charlie, I have just given this I am proud of us Charlie as after we were released This was far from satisfactory and when I walked letter to Dr Who, who said he would Many readers will know that quite recently Eric from prison we attended Alanon step meetings off the plane I just about managed to shuffle post it for me so this should reach McGraw retired as editor of Inside Time. I have through listening and sharing with others in around. Not to be defeated the RAF contacted you in 1986. known Eric for many years and one could not recovery. We learnt that having compassion have a more loyal and good friend. Across the their stores to see if they could find a pair to fit I would like to share some words that I hope and empathy for our dad would be important years he has given his full support to many me but had no luck. They then contacted the will help you on your journey. I know what we tools to help us write a different story. Letting prisoners and ex-offenders and many have Navy who rummaged through their stores and actually found a large enough pair. are living through at the moment is difficult. go of the bitterness of the past we are free to cause to be grateful to him for that. The other dance and play with our inner child which is day he turned up at the Sherborne Literary such a blast. Festival especially to listen to Noel ‘Razor’ Looking back at those dark drinking days I Smith. Noel, who is now commissioning editor remember the scowl that our dad had written for this newspaper, spent 33 years inside and over his face as he returned home in a drunken “Practice kindness, compassion discovered that he had a talent for writing. His rage. Then the arguments over the television unconditional love and forgiveness latest book, ‘The Criminal Alphabet’ - an A to and the loud banging of doors and drunken on yourself and then share that gift Z of criminal slang, is doing well and at the roars. festival he held spellbound a capacity audience. with others. It’s those gifts that bring The Festival director could not have been more This crazy prison of fear and verbal abuse as a deep happiness” pleased and the audience were pretty happy our dad told us we are a fucking waste of space, too! Despite the number of people who find he cursed the day we were born and he had Having attended these 12 step meetings, we had their way into prison, what goes on behind the forgotten more in a minute than we had learnt learnt the tools we needed to make peace with walls is still a total mystery to the majority of in a life time. dad before he died. As we stood by the hospital the population. I mention this story as one bedside, dads last words to us were that he was might think that after spending a third of a This abuse has contributed to us having stomach sorry. As we held his hand before he died we lifetime behind bars the future would be pretty pains, asthma, anxiety and depression. What felt a sense of peace and forgiveness and just bleak for Noel. Not so! He is doing well and I want to do is give you a hug and tell you I love before he closed his eyes for the last time we more power to his elbow. you and that your dad is a very sick and damaged told him “we love you dad”. man who suffers from alcoholism which is why I was also in Sherborne to speak. Earlier in the he is so full of self-pity, selfish and the things What I would say Charlie is the way to counter day I had been in Wiltshire at the old RAF he says to us are how he feels about himself. dad’s negative words is use positive and kind airbase of Lyneham. This place holds many words about yourself. Practice kindness, com- memories for me as 25 years ago this very month, Terry Waite happy to be back on British soil I know it’s difficult to talk about the trauma and passion unconditional love and forgiveness on on a cold, wet and windy day, I landed there abuse you are experiencing but please reach yourself and then share that gift with others. having just been released from five years cap- out for help and talk to someone about it. As I It’s those gifts that bring a deep happiness. tivity in Beirut. The RAF no longer have sole I owe more than gratitude for shoes to Lyneham and realize how fortunate I was to have been am you in the future I know that we had a period possession of this base as the army have taken We are currently volunteering one day a week over the main part of it and it is now a base for given such supportive help on my release. After of smoking drugs and drinking to suppress the spending almost five years in total solitary I abuse and that exploded at a riot which we were at a hospice where I sing and support people the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. with dementia to make art. When I do this work When I was captured my captors took away needed time to get myself together and learn then sent to prison for. This experience will to enter into life again. I was given that time then make it very difficult for us to get work. I know I have travelled to a place of joy, hap- and my visit the other day was to meet some of piness and healing. the people who were around when I was released So what we need to do is attend Alateen the 12 Sending you lots of love and hugs and in the and to say ‘thanks’. step meeting for teenagers effected by someone See our words of Bob Marley “Don’t worry else’s drinking and stick with it. Then stay on page in the about a thing cos every little thing Right on the edge of the base is a small Parish this path of recovery as the drink and drugs Church and I well remember one evening just is gonna be alright”. ‘Jailbreak’ section only brought more depression and anxiety. It after I had been released hearing the bells ring- was only in our 30s that we were assessed as ing. ‘They must be practicing,’ I said to my wife. To find out more about Charlie visit being mildly dyslexic which has hugely effected THE PRISON She laughed. ‘They are ringing them for you,’ www.charlieryder.co.uk she said. ‘We must go and see the ringers,’ I PHOENIX TRUST replied and so we set off towards the Church. John Kinloch - of discipline and structure into belongs in Hollywood. In re- The ringers were totally amazed that we had HMP Lancaster Farms your life, which I think you ality it is a grim existence. You called in and greeted us warmly. Now, 25 years need. will be banged up in jail for Head doing you in? later, I went back to this little Church and met Dear John, I cannot years and years, nothing great Stressed out? several of the bell ringers who had given me believe that you I know that if you come out or glamorous about that, is such a welcome all those years ago. It was a have been away for and carry on the same way you there? Can’t sleep? happy reunion. just over a year, I know you were, then Barlinnie is going get home for the weekends, to be your regular home, and I know you have not had an Simple yoga and I said that I was lucky on my release for I could but you’ve got to earn weekend that’s no life, is it? So take this older male figure in your life meditation practice, not have had better help and support. Alas, for leaves. I hear that not long after opportunity to turn your life to help, guide and advise you, the majority of men and women who are released you got to Balgowan, you joined around, as, trust me, you will after your alcoholic, abusive working with silence and the from prison in this country there is very inad- up with the army cadets. look back in years to come and father died when you were 12. breath, might just transform equate support, but don’t let that fact deter you regret it if you don’t take this That is why I thought I would your life in more ways than from being determined to make a go of things Your mum tells me that you chance. write to you, as I feel that with when release day comes round. Noel is a great absolutely love it in the army the correct help and guidance you think ... Interested? example of what is possible and there are many cadets and are thinking of join- Some people may think that you could turn out to be a good others who have been able to start a new life ing the real army when you robbing banks and building lad. I hope you take on board Write to The Prison Phoenix Trust and live it successfully. come out just after your 16th societies and being hunted by what I’ve said, have P.O. Box 328, Oxford, OX2 7HF. birthday. I think that is a fan- armed police is great and glam- a long hard think. I ought to add that I am about to submit this tastic idea, as it will bring a bit orous, but that way of thinking Good luck! We’d love to hear from you anytime and have article to ‘Inside Time’ where Noel, as commis- several free books and CDs, which could sioning editor, will certainly see it. He has no help you build and maintain a daily practice. idea that I am writing about him this month! If you would like a letter to your younger self published in Inside Time Write to us and mark your envelope ‘Letter to myself’. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Comment 27

and opportunity. For me, it’s it has no ‘reality’ except for the crime, and how ‘soft’ prison quite obviously unsettled. An prison, and speaking with the the promise of fresh new minds one we create within each so- is. But for others, as the weeks air of uncertainty hung among men that lived there, made (well, once the booze from ciety, or the global community. slowly pass by, a new way of them, and they clustered to- them question more deeply ‘Freshers’ Week’ wears off), This puts ‘the criminologist’ thinking emerges from within; gether, like a group of (admit- the media portrayals of carcer- and the opportunity to engage in a unique position to chal- like a butterfly breaking free tedly gangly and slightly al life. the next generation in conver- lenge fixed and rigid ideas from its chrysalis. greasy) ducklings huddling sations and debates about the about ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, for protection. And this year, for the first time, nature of crime, criminality, ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and ‘us’ and In my experience, taking stu- I feel as though this column and the place of punishment ‘them’. dents into a prison forms a Over the course of that morn- provides me with an opportu- within a democratic society. crucial part in fracturing those ing, we had the opportunity nity I have never had before The Secret An air of perceptions of who lives in to speak with men serving - to be able to express my grat- Criminologist Something that my colleagues prison, and what ‘doing time’ sentences that ranged from 20 itude to each and every man and I frequently reflect on in uncertainty hung is really like. weeks to 30 years, and for con- and woman in prison, and to the staff common room with Injecting a large measure among them, and victions that run the gamut of thank each and every one of each new university year, and Earlier this week, I took the the criminal code. We spoke you reading this. Because it is of humanity into the yet which somehow always they clustered first of this year’s students in. criminological to men who had privileged your endless patience and seems to surprise me, is how And - just as each year before upbringings, and those who willingness to share your time perspective together, like a tough - how punitive each suc- them - their reactions followed had spent most of their lives and thoughts with students cessive generation turns out group of (admit- a predictable, yet rewarding, in care homes and on the from universities across The truth, to be. That when it comes to tedly gangly and pattern. The initial response, streets, and everything in England and Wales each year how we deal with ‘crime’, it is upon having the opportunity between. that enables criminology lec- the whole truth such a challenge to convince slightly greasy) presented to them, was mostly turers across these countries them that what their parents, ducklings huddling one of excitement. Maybe a And on the way home, the same to offer an insight into the lived and nothing teachers, and the tabloid press little apprehension, but as as every year, the atmosphere experience of prison and the have taught them might not always this is well guarded for protection on the bus was unrecognisable justice system that is difficult but the truth necessarily be one hundred (They don’t want to look bad from the playful exuberance to convey with words and percent accurate. That the These can be unsettling con- in front of their peers any more There is something about the of the journey there. Long pe- books alone. And I know - be- black and white perceptions siderations for the students. than you or I do, I guess). On start of a new academic year riods of silence were punctu- cause some of you have told they have about who commits Suddenly, aspects of the world the way to the prison, I listened that often finds the criminol- ated only by whispered con- me - that sometimes, having crime, and why, might involve they ‘knew’ to be ‘true’ become to them on the minibus, en- ogist - or at least, this crimi- versations. In the group a bunch of students trooping more shades of grey than an uncertain, as once-unshakea- thusiastically chattering about nologist - in a reflective and sessions that followed the through your place of resi- E. L. James novel… ble convictions begin first to what might happen on their rather pensive state of mind. visits, I asked the students to dence and work feels like an sway in the breeze of this new visit, and how they would ‘do For with arrival of the falling reflect on their experiences, invasion of your space; one Being able to slowly direct new knowledge, and then to frac- their time’ if they were in pris- leaves of autumn - as well as on what they had learned, and which some of you have lik- students towards the idea that ture and crack. Some will resist, on. I roll my eyes and loudly the admittedly-less pictur- ened to living in a zoo. So I crime is ‘socially constructed’ of course. I have had students challenge them to think criti- to share this with the class. esque image of thousands of - that while it has a ‘reality’ in emerge from three years of cally as they invent scenarios Most frequently, they dis- wanted to use this month’s marauding students on cam- terms of the people who are ‘critical thinking’ about crim- and invoke scenes from cussed their surprise at how column to let you know that puses across the country - harmed as a result, that ‘crime’ inology and still talk in un- everything from Orange is the “normal” the men they met you don’t give up your time in comes something equally changes across time, space, yielding and stereotypical New Black and Prison Break were (Something I had of vain, and that every time a beautiful but altogether less and place. And that this means ways about people who commit to The Shawshank Redemption course been telling them from student visits a prison, it rep- tangible: the arrival of promise as they wring out every cliché day one - but it seems that after resents a promise and an op- and stereotype in the book. so many years of media rhet- portunity - the opportunity to oric, only experiencing this change young minds, and the But as soon as they walked for themselves seems to actu- promise that every time you through those gates, some- ally penetrate their thoughts speak to a student in prison, thing palpable changed within in any permanent sense). And it matters. them. I see it every year. The they reflected on how the ex- students suddenly became perience of being in a working The Secret Criminologist simon bethel solicitors CCriminalriminal Defen cDefencee & Prison Law Specialists Licence & Parole Hearings H&D PrisonC & Reca Lawlls Specialists Adjudications R• eLicence-categor is&a Paroletion & T rHearingsansfers A• pHDCpeals & & Recalls CCRC Referrals plus all Family Law and • Adjudications Immigration Matters P• lRe-categorisationease contact Dapo, D &av Transfersid or Kay S• iAppealsmon Bet &h eCCRCl Solic Referralsitors 58/60 Lewisham High Street plus all Family Law London SE13 5JH and Immigration Matters 0208 297 7933 [email protected] Please contact Dapo, David or Kay Simon Bethel Solicitors 58/60 Lewisham High Street London SE13 5JH

0208 297 7933 [email protected] 28 Information // Out and About www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016 Breaking the cycle of crime through good food Michael Spurr, the Chief Executive of the Prison Service made a short speech, he said; “Too often I have seen a type of life where a cycle occurs where people get into offend- Lasagne and garlic bread made by ing, they don’t really want to LandWorks trainees and volunteer Sue stay in offending, it’s really how you get them out ... too many of them keep coming back. Trying to change that is Eat well together, what we, in the Prison Service, have been trying to do for a long time and, for a long time, foolishly, trying to do that work well together Dr Julie Parsons explains, eating together does have its draw- backs: “It did sometimes feel a bit awkward especially when you’re sort of sat next to police The four recommendations from the HM officers and stuff like that and I’m thinking well Inspectorate of Prison on ‘Food’ (July 2016), we’ve sort of been enemies for the last 10 years, In the Clink, proud to serve highlighted in the October issue of Insidetime, not in the sense like we meant any general harm were for prisoners to be provided with; ‘good’ to each other, but in the sense that you were nutritional food, facilities to enable eating to- on one side of the fence and I was on the other…” Inside Time report gether, as well as self-catering/cooking oppor- tunities and to eat at ‘normal’ times of the day. However, the main thing for the trainees is the and the graduate reoffending The benefits of preparing, cooking and sharing opportunity it affords them to ‘show’ themselves rate is in single figures. ‘good’ food with others has also recently been in a good light. For successful resettlement to Michael Spurr examined through research* carried out at work, trainees have to feel accepted and that The event was attended by LandWorks, a rural land-based resettlement they can move on. So, eating together works both ways, it can be an ‘eye-opener’ for visitors many esteemed guests includ- alone. In reality we cannot do scheme that works with men released on tem- and enables trainees to engage in “normal” ing Lady Edwina Grosvenor that alone because the whole porary licence and community sentences (re- (non-prison) activities, conversations and to and her husband, and Clink issue is about how we work in ferred to as trainees). The research focus was “mix with normal people” (Nolan). This becomes Group Communications the community. The Clink is ‘commensality’ (eating together) as a tool for part of a normalising process, of “not feeling Ambassador, the historian, part of that, it is a fantastic health, well-being, social inclusion and com- like a prisoner” (Nolan) and “learning to be Dan Snow. charitable organisation and munity resilience, and a series of interviews with people” (Ryan). It is ‘civilising’ as well, as we are so privileged to have were carried out, as well as a focus group ex- Alex says, “I was trying to be polite and civil Finlay Scott, Clink chairman; the people who work in the ploring trainee’s food likes/dislikes and partic- and stuff like that” and John “It always makes said; “The simple act of cook- Clink and their commitment ipant observation of 56 lunches over 9 months you mind your p’s and q’s”. ing is restorative. In training working with us in trying to (October 2015 - June 2016). The Clink Charity launched its our students and helping them break that cycle of reoffending. Most trainees comment that “it’s just nice to new recipe book ‘The Clink find work, they also gain life They do make a genuine dif- The LandWorks’ lunches are served every day talk to people” (Paul) and Bradley says at lunch- Quick and Easy Cookbook’ at skills, learn how to work as ference to people’s lives. It’s at 13:00, with trainees involved in cooking them times “conversations just fly about, that’s what the Ministry of Justice. The part of a team.” quite incredible when you see on a rota basis with a volunteer (3 days/week). I like about it, you get to speak to everyone”, book contains fuss-free meals people who come in, get an These shared lunches encourage social inclusion whilst Frank says lunchtimes are all about “just that are quick and easy to pre- Albert Roux said; “I am hon- opportunity to be trained in a and help trainees develop social skills and tastes eating, everyone just talks, interacts, has general pare and use simple common oured to be the Group Chef skill that they can take out with in food they might not otherwise experience, chitchat really”, again a normalising process. ingredients, yet produce plates to date this includes dishes such as kedgeree, Further, as Nolan says, “you don’t feel like a of food that would not look out lentil shepherd’s pie and chicken with fennel. prisoner out here… coming out here makes me of place on Masterchef; and Of course eating meals outside of what might normal, I am mixing with normal people again.” that is thanks to star chefs like be considered a ‘normal’ repertoire, does not Indeed, Paul mentions that he prefers it when Alberto Crisci, Albert Roux and just apply to trainees, as dishes like jerk chicken there are more “normal” people around at lunch- Antonio Carluccio, to name with rice and peas and corned-beef hash have times, he says “I like it when it’s spread out, just three. The charity was also been served to everyone following individ- yes, normal people not prison people.” founded by Alberto Crisci MBE ual trainee’s preferences. John, a LandWorks at HMP Highdown in 2009, trainee says: “I must admit lunchtimes are the From the perspective of regular lunchtime vis- trained 188 prisoners in their highlight of my day really. Not just for the food itors, eating together is an opportunity to witness projects, including four res- as such, I think Nolan sort of struck it on the change in the trainees as they “re-establish taurants, in 2015. 61 Clink nose, when we got back [to the prison] he said themselves from within” (Donald, volunteer), graduates found employment it was like sitting there with a big family and Lady Edwina Grosvenor he really liked it. He’d missed that” when “lunch is relaxing and they can be them- selves” (Donald). Rather than the prison “ap- proach of head down and no eye contact” Ambassador for this incredible them, and gives them the op- These lunches work by introducing people to (Imogen, supporter), at lunchtimes “you don’t charity. It fills me with amaze- portunity to put that skill into the scheme and enabling the wider community have to be very guarded with what you say, you ment to witness the level of practice when they go into the to socialise with trainees, as John continues: can talk quite openly about anything” (Ryan). untapped talent that the char- community and stop offending “I suppose it’s the people as well isn’t it? That’s Those sharing regular lunchtimes also get to ity discovers within the prison and make a positive contribu- a big part of it. People that are about, everybody know the trainees, as Phoebe (art student/vol- system. tion to society.” that’s about, different walks of life, that makes it interesting, that makes it very interesting unteer) says “they’re just normal people”. Competition actually. Yesterday for instance, I don’t know Could you conjure up a magical Christmas dinner recipe from a lot about Imogen but I think she comes from the shelves of your prison canteen? To win a signed copy of The quite a wealthy family, so you’ve got that sort *Acknowledgements - this research was part Clink: Quick and Easy Cookbook - send your recipes to Inside of walk of life, down to Rory [homeless guy] of a Sociology of Health and Illness Mildred Time at the usual address and mark your envelope ‘Christmas and that is quite a big, big spectrum…” Blaxter post-doctoral fellowship. dinner in the clink’. Two runners up will win £10 each. We will Dr Julie Parsons is Lecturer in Sociology at Dan Snow print a selection in our December issue. Closing date 18/11/16. Although as Alex, a LandWorks trainee, Plymouth University. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Information // Monitoring 29 ‘The unacceptable level of violence in prisons’ ‘The impact of distance from

Nigel Newcomen, Prisons and learning from six of those 13 homicides where investigations home on children in custody’ Probation Ombudsman (PPO) have been completed, and another two from the beginning of 2013. has published a bulletin on les- l One child was 187 miles sons that can be learned from Introducing the report Nigel Newcomen said: “The killing of from home and had not his investigations into prison one prisoner by another in a supposedly secure prison environ- received a family visit in homicides. “Homicides in prison ment is particularly shocking, and it is essential to seek out any four months following his are still rare but the number has lessons that might prevent these chilling occurrences in future. transfer from a young increased, vividly illustrating The cases we studied had little in common beyond their tragic offender institution closer the unacceptable level of vio- outcome. Nevertheless, what is clear is that the increased number to home. lence in prisons in England and of homicides is emblematic of the wholly unacceptable level of Nigel Newcomen Wales.” violence in our prisons. Peter Clarke l Children and staff said In December 2013 he published a bulletin which looked at 16 distance made it harder prison homicides investigated from 2003/4 to 2012/13, an average The bulletin does identify a number of areas of learning: the need In a new report ‘The impact of for family and carers to of 1.6 per year. The 2013 bulletin identified a number of concerns, to better manage violence and debt in prison, not least that distance from home on chil- visit and maintain their in particular the need to improve the management of risk that associated with the current epidemic of new psychoactive substances; dren in custody’ Peter Clarke, relationships. vulnerable prisoners pose to one another. It led to operational the need for rigorous cell searching to minimise the availability Chief Inspector of Prisons, says changes in high security prisons. of weapons; the need for careful management of prisoners known placing children in custody l Each 25-mile interval to be at risk from others and the need to ensure prisons know miles away from their home that a child was held from In the three years that followed, from 2013/14 to 2015/16, another how to respond when they have an apparent homicide. has a serious affect on how home was associated with 13 prisoners were killed by another prisoner or prisoners (an many family visits they re- one less visit from a family ceived although it didn’t have average of 4.3 homicides per year). This bulletin considers the Download the bulletin at: www.tinyurl.com/jfejett member or friend. a significant impact on their other experiences of custody l Distance from home and could help some boys keep had no bearing on the Poor resettlement for short away from gang influences. likelihood of being recalled to custody after The report says, over the past release. term prisoners decade, the number of children in Young Offender Institutions l Nearly half of children A new report by the Inspectorate of Probation says that support for short-sen- (YOIs) and Secure Training had at some point felt tenced prisoners leaving jail and moving back into the community was poor. Centres (STCs) has fallen by unsafe in the YOI or STC, The report ‘An Inspection of Through the Gate Resettlement Services for Short- over two-thirds, from 2,467 in irrespective of the distance Term Prisoners’ says that the good intentions of the government’s Transforming April 2005 to 802 in April 2016 they were from home. Rehabilitation reforms, which meant to bring about a step change in rehabilitation (not including 106 18-year-olds by extending support from probation services to this large group of prisoners in youth custody). There has l Some boys in YOIs who previously received no supervision on release, have not yet been realised. been a similar reduction in the detained close to home number of secure settings in reported more gang which children can be detained. © Fotolia.com Under the government’s Transforming Rehabilitation reforms, all prisoners problems when they first sentenced to 12 months or less are now subject to 12 month’s supervision by There are now five young of- arrived at their YOI than fender institutions and three probation services on release. This means that an extra 50,000 people are now those who were far from secure training centres. Probation services supervised, an increase of around 25%. Reoffending rates are highest for those home. Inevitably, this has meant some serving short prison sentences. Many have long records of convictions, complex children have been held further for women with children was unaffected needs and a history of not engaging with public services. Community Rehabilitation from home than might have by distance. HM Inspectorate of Probation have published Companies (CRCs) are now responsible for Through the Gate provision, helping been the case some years ago. a report ‘A thematic inspection of the provision prisoners to prepare for release and resettle in the community. Peter Clarke told Inside Time; and quality of services in the community for Children themselves did not “It was reassuring to find that women who offend’ in which Dame Glenys Inspectors found that overall, services were poor and there was little to commend. raise many concerns other than being placed in custody far Stacey, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, says; the impact on receiving visits Too many prisoners reached their release date without their immediate resettle- from home was not a disad- “Probation staff are doing some excellent work from people they cared about. ment needs having been met or even recognised. None of the prisoners in their vantage to children in many with women who commit crime, but their efforts Inspectors did not find evi- sample (86 cases) had been helped into employment by ‘Through the Gate’ respects. The negative impact are hampered by a lack of accommodation for dence of differential treatment services; too many prisoners were released without accommodation and not on family ties and the impli- women, doubts over the future of Women’s of those children who were far enough help was given to prisoners to resolve debts. Basic custody screenings, cations this has for successful Centres, and a lack of funding. These women from home and the involve- completed at the start of the sentence by prison staff interviewing prisoners, resettlement and turning chil- can sometimes turn their lives around, but they ment of youth offending teams dren away from crime cannot, need the right support. With less funding avail- weren’t detailed enough to form the basis of planning for resettlement, and plans in sentence planning and re- though, be ignored.” able, and without a clear strategy for women, completed shortly afterwards by CRC staff did not robustly address the most mand management reviews this is likely to get increasingly difficult and so urgent resettlement needs. leave more women more likely to re-offend.” Download the report: www.tinyurl.com/hh4k3p5 Download the report: www.tinyurl.com/hjv439o The report says: “One in 10 offenders being supervised by probation services are women. They differ from male offenders, in that they tend to offend for different reasons, commit less Scott-Moncrieff & Associates serious offences and reoffend less. They have more often experienced abuse, trauma, depres- Nationwide Prison Law Experts and Solicitors sion and substance misuse, and often respond We take pride in providing a to different approaches and interventions, when compared to men.” full range of Criminal and Prison Law The inspection, leading to the report, explored Services. the quality and effectiveness of services for women after the implementation of the govern- FOR ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT ment’s ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ pro- gramme. It looked at work that had been com- missioned, delivered or accessed by Community Hannah Rumgay - Prison Law Solicitor Rehabilitation Companies or the National Tates, 2 Park Square East, Call: 0207 841 1099 Probation Service. Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 2NE Download the report: 0113 242 2290 Or write to: Scomo, 88 Kingsway, Holborn, London WC2B 6AA www.tinyurl.com/gmmoqkp 30 Information www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

Prisoners healthcare records prognosis. They are not re- are confidential and must not quired to provide an opinion The normally be disclosed to any- on the prisoner’s risk of harm one without the prisoner’s and should not offer one. The consent. There are times when, task of assessing risk is the RULE in relation to parole hearings responsibility of the Offender and recall the Parole Board may Manager, the Offender Book consider some details, such as Supervisor and in some cases, mental health, relevant and a psychologist or other expert. with Paul Sullivan ask for a disclosure. The pris- oners can refuse. This new PSI sets out clearly all matters “A healthcare report MUST NOT be written without the relating to such disclosures. prisoner’s consent. The con- The instruction says; sent should normally be ob- tained before the report is “Healthcare reports are not a written and the prisoner should mandatory requirement for be given a clear explanation either parole or recall dossiers of the purpose of the report and are only needed if directed and who it will be disclosed by the Parole Board. to. A copy of the signed consent

© Fotolia.com form must be retained locally “Healthcare information is on the prisoner’s file. Should likely to be required by the the prisoner disagree with any Parole Board where the pris- of the content then the issue oner’s physical or mental can be explored in the course Access to the library health is relevant to his/her of the parole review. Writing risk of harm. For example, it PRISON Ryan Harman able to visit the library due to obligations under the prison healthcare may have an impact on their “If the prisoner refuses to give REFORM Advice and Info being located in hospital regime and to legal materials physical ability to commit an- their consent, or if there are TRUST Service Manager wings or in segregation. which may be relevant to any reports for the other serious violent offence, any concerns about the pris- However, the PSI mandates legal proceedings they are or the prisoner may need spe- oner’s capacity to give in- Earlier this year we wrote a that a service should still be involved in or wish to pursue’. parole and cialist care and/or accommo- formed consent, then OMU staff provided so that if you are in You must therefore be able to column about time out of cell dation to be available before must notify Public Protection this situation you can still at access any current Prison and the impact that staffing recall processes they can be safely released on Casework Section (PPCS) im- least borrow and exchange Service Instruction (PSIs) or shortages were having on licence. mediately via email. PPCS will regimes in some prisons. An materials. This service should Prison Service Order (PSOs) PSI 2016-012 then consider how to respond be provided at least as often other than those which are evident knock-on effect of this Issued: 08 August 2016, “Prison healthcare staff will to the direction.” as if you were able to visit the restricted, and relevant sec- Effective from: 08 August which we get regular reports be asked to provide evidence library. The guidance also tions of a reasonable length 2016, indefinitely of is difficulty gaining access to the Parole Board on a pro- says that consideration should should be provided on request The PSI should be to the library. fessional basis, not an expert be given to prisoners working - though a reasonable charge This is a new instruction that available in prison libraries basis. This means that they are The Prison Rules (1999) states full time and prisoners on can be made for printing or has been written to clarify the and can be downloaded at: ROTL who are unable to access copying. The guidance recom- required to provide factual that ‘a library shall be provided existing requirement for prison www.tinyurl.com/z9erupg the library during the normal mends that the Human Rights evidence about the prisoner’s in every prison and, subject to healthcare staff to provide writ- working day. Act 1998 and European health, such as the diagnosis, any directions of the Secretary ten reports to the Parole Board If you have problems Convention on Human Rights, their physical capacity, the of State, every prisoner shall and to attend the oral hearing accessing a copy you can the Data Protection Act 1998 treatment being provided, and, be allowed to have library A library shall to give evidence when directed write to Inside Time and we books and to exchange them.’ and the Freedom of where appropriate, their will send you a copy be provided in Information Act 2000 are also to do so. Libraries are important to pris- every prison and, available. For other legal mat- oners for a number of reasons. ters the library should contain Reading can be a fulfilling and subject to any a copy of Archbold’s Criminal COMPENSATION FOR productive way for people to directions of the Pleading, Evidence and spend their time. Improving Practice, and The Civil literacy is recognised as an Secretary of State, Procedure Rules as well as VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE other legal resources. important step in rehabilita- every prisoner shall tion. Some prisoners also need Helping victims plan for the future and achieve justice Further to this, according to access to the library to support be allowed to have Our specialist team are committed to helping victims of abuse and are experts in education courses or to work Article 6 of the European library books and to Convention on Human Rights, bringing action against local authorities, such as social services, and residential on legal cases or to access institutions, such as children’s homes. information about prisons law. exchange them individuals must be afforded enough time and facilities to Our dedicated team of male and female lawyers have a proven track record with As with time in the open air prepare their defence. The PSI sexual, physical and emotional abuse claims. The range of materials avail- recognises this by stating that and access to showers, there Child abuse can take a long time to come to terms with and it can be difficult for are minimum entitlements able in the library should take accessibility may be more fre- which the prison must adhere into account the nature and quent and for longer duration victims to speak out about their traumatic experiences. Regardless of how long ago to when it comes to library requirements of the popula- for prisoners wishing to the abuse took place, you may still be able to make a claim. access. These are referenced tion of people in that prison. research legal issues. Priority This should include giving should also be given to inter-li- Anything you say to us will be handled with the utmost levels of professionalism, in PSI 02/2015 Prison Library sensitivity and understanding. Service. You should be able to consideration to the provision brary loan requests made by access the library weekly and of materials in a range of lan- prisoners for the purpose of Child abuse claims are often eligible for pubic funding and Jordans are recognised by for a minimum duration of guages and print sizes and to pursuing legal cases. the legal services commission as one of the few specialist providers of legal aid for the provision of audio or thirty minutes. When this this type of work in the UK. might happen is down to local visual material for those who need them. You can contact the Prison arrangements, but it is up to Reform Trust’s advice team at the prison to allocate enough There is a Mandatory FREEPOST ND6125 London staff to make sure this is pos- EC1B 1PN. Our free informa- ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ sible - it is not the responsibil- Publication List contained in Annex D of the instruction. tion line is open Monday, ity of library staff to make sure Tuesday and Thursday Call Christine Sands and the team on 01924 868911 you can get there. This states that ‘prisoners should have access to infor- 3.30-5.30. The number is Email [email protected] mation about their rights and 0808 802 0060 and does not Write to Neil Jordan House, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL Some prisoners may not be need to be put on your pin. COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE Helping victims plan for the future and achieve justice Our specialist team have already helped victims at the following places; In Foster Care Leeds Care Homes Wales Care Homes North East Care Homes Manchester Care Homes St Williams, East Yorkshire Medomsley Detention Centre, County Durham If you have suffered sexual abuse in any institution or whilst in the care of your local authority we may be able to help.

Call Christine Sands and the team on 01924 868911 Email [email protected] Write to Neil Jordan House, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Information 31

oners; and • delays in implementing the community reha- The Inspector Calls bilitation company (CRC) arrangements meant resettlement arrangements were weak.

Inside Time highlights areas of good and bad practice from the In summing up, Peter Clarke’s comments reflect most recent Reports published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons what prisoners write to Inside Time to complain of, after inspections; “The clearest lesson to be drawn from this disappointing inspection is that if inspection recommendations are ignored to the extent that they have been at HMP Bedford, HMP Bedford it is the prisoners who will suffer. I had been Local category B and resettlement prison for unable to attend the inspection itself, and so young adult and adult males made an announced follow up visit two months Unannounced Full Inspection: 9-20 May 2016 later to make an assessment for myself. I was disappointed to find, despite assurances to the Safety W W W W contrary, that first night arrangements were Respect W W W W still unacceptably poor. I found that prisoners Purposeful Activity W W W W were not being sent to what had been designated HMP Swaleside HMP/YOI Isis Resettlement W W W W as the first night centre on C wing, but were Category B men’s training prison A young adult and category C training being sent wherever there was an available “Disappointing” space. I met one foreign national prisoner who Unannounced Full Inspection: 29 March-8 prison for young adult and adult males up had been received into HMP Bedford the day April 2016 to the age of 30. “Standards at HMP Bedford had declined to before my visit. He had been placed in a cell Safety W W W W Unannounced Full Inspection: 3-13 May 2016 unacceptable levels” says the latest report in with three other prisoners on C wing. The wing Respect W W W W which inspectors publish a list of concerns: staff did not even know they had a new arrival Safety W W W W Purposeful Activity W W W W • although the prison knew where and when in their care, and we were only able to locate Resettlement W W W W Respect W W W W violent incidents were occurring, far too little him through the good offices of a wing orderly. Purposeful Activity W W W W was being done to analyse them and take ef- Given that concerns had been clearly set out in “Not a safe prison” Resettlement W W W W fective action to reduce the violence; the written feedback made available to the • the levels of self-harm had increased dramat- prison at the time of the inspection, it is hard In his report, Chief Inspector Peter Clarke says; “Not enough progress made and some ically since the last inspection; to understand how this situation could arise. • there had been self-inflicted deaths, but not “Despite the fact that by any standards this is deterioration’” The responsibility to deliver on our recommen- a poor report about a dangerous prison, we left all recommendations by the Prisons and Probation dations lies mainly with the governor but there Ombudsman had been embedded into practice; also has to be effective oversight at a national Swaleside with some optimism that the prison In his latest report for Isis, Peter Clarke says it had started to stabilise. The new governor ap- • the ready availability of new psychoactive and regional level, particularly where consistent is; “… failing to provide enough prisoners with peared to have a very clear understanding of substances (NPS) was having a serious impact local leadership is lacking and where some work, training or education. At its last inspection the challenges he and his team faced. He had on safety but there was no effective drug supply significant areas of delivery are dependent on re-energised his senior management team, and in 2014, inspectors found a new prison that was reduction strategy in place; national contracts outside the governor’s direct his approach was one of visible and energetic making some limited progress but outcomes • the physical condition of the prison was poor, control.” with many living in cramped conditions; leadership. for prisoners needed to improve in almost all The full report can be downloaded at: areas. This more recent inspection suggested • offender supervisors, who prepare prisoners for release, had infrequent contact with pris- www.tinyurl.com/jr75fvj “At its last inspection in Spring 2014, significant very little progress had been made since then staffing shortages were having a negative impact and there was evidence of deterioration. Work, and safety, education, work, training, and re- training and education in this training prison settlement were not sufficiently good. At this were now poor. Tel: 0161 928 8877 more recent inspection, outcomes had further deteriorated, with safety being of particular “In late 2013 the prison had introduced a re- Email: [email protected] concern … Many staff had become demotivated stricted emergency regime in response to staff and overwhelmed and many were temporary or inexperienced. There had been four governors shortages. In 2014 inspectors were critical of in the past five years. the fact that what should have been a temporary arrangement was still in place. At this more “Fully employed prisoners could spend between recent inspection the restricted regime was six and 10 hours out of their cells during the core again still in place and the consequences were day, although for unemployed prisoners this could clear. Between 34% and 44% of prisoners were amount to less than four hours. During our roll locked in their cells during the working day It doesn’t matter where you are - if you have had an accident you checks, we found over 40% of prisoners locked and some prisoners had as little as one hour a could be entitled to claim for compensation. up during the working day, which was too many day out of cell. The two house blocks shared and included some retired and disabled men.” access to work and education facilities, meaning Let us help you that at any one time, only up to half of the young Inspectors said that: If you suffer an accident because of someone else then we will help you get justice. prisoners were doing anything useful. As a • levels of violence were too high and many We’ve won millions of pounds of compensation for our clients since setting up our incidents were serious - 69% of prisoners sur- training prison, Isis was completely failing its law firm back in 1998. veyed said they had felt unsafe at some time; central purpose. Another area of significant • the use of force was high and the documen- concern was the safety of prisoners. We make the entire process as simple as possible. tation associated with its use and justification was totally inadequate; “Not enough progress had been made at Isis We act for clients who have suffered due to: • 52% of prisoners surveyed said it was easy to and the failure to attend to the delivery of some Road traffic accidents get drugs at the prison, 45% said the same about basic services, notwithstanding the evident alcohol, and the diversion of prescribed med- No Win challenges, was very poor. At the time of our Accidents from work injuries ication was worrying; No Fee inspection, the prison was awaiting the arrival • the segregation unit was filthy and poor in all Accidents in public places of a new Governor. This provided the opportunity respects; Head injuries • there was a shortfall of some 200 available for positive change, and renewed attention to work, training or education places to enable the delivery of the basics seemed to us to be a Brain injuries prisoners to be fully occupied; and clear priority. Isis needed to rediscover its sense Motorbike and bicycle injuries • much offender management work was inad- of purpose as a training prison, to urgently equate in supporting men to reduce the risk stabilise the routine and fully engage Albert Buildings For personal injury, contact Eamonn Dunne they posed. prisoners.” Scott Drive, Altrincham Telephone: 0161 928 8877 Cheshire WA15 8AB Fax: 0161 928 7667 The full report can be downloaded at: The full report can be downloaded at: www.tinyurl.com/hfjwmbn www.tinyurl.com/zbd5s4c 32 Information // Through the Gate www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

Trains policy is working, she says, “By being brave, forming good partnerships with charities The Hub and prisons, as well as providing one-to-one The Careers Lady contact at smaller scale recruitment days.” The first step through the door ‘You can’t put “When taking people on, the company recruits across the same values whether they are ex-of- fenders or regular candidates. These values to your future a price on hope’ include insatiable curiosity, doing the right Lead Recruiter at Virgin thing and with heart.” The only difference is that when the company holds its recruitment Trains Kathryn Wildman days for ex-offenders it does so on a smaller concurs with the Careers Lady scale than for regular recruits. “We only have on the best way to put yourself a couple of us who go along to those recruitment events because we are really conscious of con- ahead of the pack during an fidentiality. We try our level best to make the interview with a prospective candidate feel at ease and spend that quality employer time with them on a one-to-one basis.” Kathryn told the Kathryn offered the following five Guardian earlier this interview tips for Inside Time readers: year why she and Virgin boss Richard 1. Do your research about the Branson are rolling out company/values/culture; their programme to 2. Ensure you understand the role you are recruit people who applying for; Kathryn Wildman have been to prison. “It’s all about giving 3. Think about what you may be asked in hope,” she said. “Once they have done their advance; time, paid their penalty, we have to give them a chance. You can’t put a price on hope.” 4. Don’t be afraid to ask for time to think; © Fotolia.com

Kathryn began her career with Virgin Trains 5. And most importantly - be yourself! The job interview process - what to expect ‘on the platforms’. She then applied to work with the training team before working her way Watch out next month for our exclusive Following my advice in the interviewer to repeat it. Giving timekeeper; up to the position of Lead Recruiter. The Virgin interview with Kathryn. October issue, remember the a vague or even wrong answer l You are a good listener and 40 seconds rule: to create a will not go down well. show you can apply this in the good impression in those initial workplace and any training moments you must - Prepare well beforehand. You programme; will be asked specific questions l You enjoy working with l Wear the right clothes - dress regarding the information on people. with confidence showing that your CV. Provide examples to you have made an effort to clarify your skills and knowl- Finally impress your interviewer; edge for the job you are apply- l Make eye contact throughout ing for. Produce examples that You will be asked if there are the interview. If there is more highlight your successes at any questions you want to ask. than one interviewer smile and previous jobs or training you Be prepared. Think of and write look at them in turn as you…; may have had. down 3 questions on a card to l Shake hands; take with you in case you can’t l Wait to be asked to sit down. Possible questions you may remember them. Examples be asked might be: You will need to do some homework beforehand Why should we hire you? l Ask more about the products Focus on them. Do you have they produce or the service they Research the company and job any additional abilities that provide. you are applying for. Use the would be useful in the compa- l What initial training will library, the Internet or ask ny - any job or voluntary posi- there be for the job? family and friends about the tion that you haven’t men- l Ask about your role in the organisation. This gives you tioned in your CV? team/company to make sure an idea about their services, you have an idea of what will their customers and their prod- Why do you want to work here? be expected of you. ucts so you can talk about the Here is where your homework l What are the progression position with confidence. will be useful. You can say you opportunities? have heard it is a great place Be on time Give yourself to give you challenges and These are just a few of the ques- enough time to be a few min- allow you to progress. tions you may want to ask. utes early. Look at bus and train Ideally you may have your own timetables if necessary. Plan How would your friends questions that you have been your route. Visit the company describe you? thinking about during your beforehand so that you know Be bold. Think about your interview. where the Reception entrance qualities rather than focussing is. on skills you have put in your Remember you know that you CV. are the best person for the job. Listen carefully to any ques- The interview is your chance tions. If at first you do not un- l You could describe yourself to demonstrate this to the derstand the question ask the as hardworking and a good employer.

Do you need advice on employment issues? Write in and let us know. Please mark your envelope ‘Careers Lady’. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Information// Through the Gate 33 Moving on… In this new section Unlock’s Debbie Sadler answers questions to assist with life after prison. This month: I’ve been to prison - can I get insurance?

Debbie Sadler you to agree to have a basic criminal record check.

I’m just about to leave prison and If your unspent conviction comes to have been told that it might be dif- light, your insurer could then refuse ficult to get insurance for my new or reduce your claim or, in a worst flat and business. Is that right? case scenario, the police could pros- ecute you for lying when you took out It’s true that most mainstream insurers the policy. So, not disclosing if you’re discriminate against people with un- asked is a huge risk to take. spent convictions and you are prob- ably going to struggle to get house or © Fotolia.com Will anybody insure me? commercial insurance with them. Every mainstream insurer (except Yes! Since 1999, we’ve been working the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act If you see a question like this, you Don’t rely on a telephone call being some car insurers) have blanket bans with a range of brokers to develop 1974 (as amended in 2014), if you re- should interpret it as only relating to recorded - get proof in writing. on people with unspent convictions cover for people with unspent con- ceived a prison sentence of four years unspent convictions. If the convictions and will usually refuse to even provide victions and we publish a list of those or less, your conviction will become are spent, you can say no. If your conviction will become spent you with a quote. who specialise in providing insurance spent at some time in the future. For in the future, find out when this is so for people with unspent convictions. example, a 2-year sentence as an adult What else should I know? that you don’t disclose it for longer becomes spent 4 years after the end than you have to. So, isn’t it better just to not disclose? Some of them will be familiar to Inside If an insurer doesn’t ask about con- Time readers as they advertise in this of the full sentence. We’ll look at how No. It’s unlikely that an insurer will victions, check any documentation paper. We’ve also put together a list this legislation works in more detail find out about your conviction when that you receive to make sure that the of mainstream motor insurers who only in a future article. you take out your policy unless they information they have about you is take motoring convictions into account. are alerted to it. The problem will come Once spent, you won’t need to disclose correct. We’ve seen examples where Debbie Sadler is the Advice Manager if you need to make a claim as this is individuals were not asked about Our list of brokers and motor insurers your conviction to insurers and they’re at Unlock when an insurer would normally take convictions, but when they were sent is available to download from our web- not legally allowed to consider your more interest in your criminal record. the paperwork to sign, the section site or by writing to our office address. convictions. However, insurers don’t Unlock is an independent charity for The insurer will want to check with about convictions had been marked One of the most important pieces of always make it clear that people don’t people with convictions and our help- you the details they have and, if you with ‘No’. advice is to shop around and not sim- need to disclose their spent convictions line provides confidential peer advice tell them something different to what ply take the first quote you’re offered. and we’ve seen insurers ask questions on overcoming the effects of criminal you told them when you took out the such as: If an insurer does ask about convic- records. You can call 01634 247350 policy, they may want to investigate tions, make sure you get some form Do things get any better when my Monday to Friday, 10-4 (the number further. If the claim you’re making is of written confirmation of the infor- conviction is spent? ‘Have you or anyone who normally lives does not need to be put on your pin) quite big, they may do an internet with you ever been convicted of, or mation that you’ve disclosed. This or write to Unlock, MCSC, 39-48 search against your name to see if Yes. Once your conviction becomes charged with any offence (other than will be helpful in the event of any Marsham Street, Maidstone, Kent, anything flags up. They may even ask spent the picture is much rosier. Under a driving offence)?’ disputes about what you’ve disclosed. ME14 1HH. www.unlock.org.uk

M c. IVOR . FARRELL Need Inside Advice? Northern Irish Solicitors David Phillips and Partners can help out. • Criminal Appeals against Sentence or Conviction We offer legal advice and • Parole Hearings representation on:· • Proceeds of Crime/Confiscation Hearings • Independent Adjudications • Police Interviews under PACE throughout NI and in Prisons • Recall - written representations • All Criminal Defence Cases and oral hearings • Judicial Review & Human Rights Cases • Parole - written representations • Family Law and oral hearings • Injury Claims within the Prison Specialist insurance for • Welfare Issues 0151 236 3331 • Prison Visits Arranged within 24hrs non-standard risks Getting insurance is expensive enough Contact us now for a free "I would like to thank DPP and most of all Rachel WE’RE HERE TO HELP Barrow. I feel no other legal firm could do a better job! without the added burden of a criminal confidential review of all Even the Prison Governor commented on David Phillips record, bankruptcy or voided policy to your insurance requirements. and Partners by saying he had never known in his time disclose. We recognise that your past is Please call us on 028 9023 7053 or 028 9032 4565 any solicitor to put so much hard work into a case. not necessarily a guide to your future, 0161 969 6040 [email protected] or write to us at Thank you once again." Wesley Lafferty whatever your circumstances. Escape the technicalities and let us fight your case - call Our underwriting authority allows us to 129 Springfield Road Belfast BT 12 7AE us now and ask for our Specialist Prison Law team. provide affordable cover for: IT’S THAT SIMPLE!! Established 1982 - Top ten provider of Criminal Defence Car & Van Home & Property services 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012. aa [email protected] Business Travel aa Sale Insurance Services Ltd www.mcivorfarrell.co.uk David Phillips and Partners So whether you need business or 15 - 17 Washway Road, Solicitors and Higher Court Advocates personal cover, or both,we can arrange Sale, Cheshire M33 7AD 1st Floor, Oriel Chambers, the right policy at the right price. 14 Castle Street, Liverpool L2 8TD www.saleinsurance.co.uk Nationwide Service Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 34 Information www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

Advertorial an appeal turned down, and powers and the skills to inves- So, what can you expect of us want to apply to the CCRC, you tigate whatever we choose to. if you apply? We will treat you can do that by filling in our What we need from you is an with respect and we will give simple application form and open, honest explanation of serious, professional and in- submitting it yourself. It is what happened and what you dependent consideration to worth noting that, while 90% think went wrong in your case. what you tell us. We do not of our work is about convic- It’s no use simply telling us represent our applicants so you tions, we do look at incorrect that the jury got it wrong, or can’t instruct us as if we were sentences too. that you think a better barrister your brief. We will look at what would have got you off. you tell us, but we will also You should also bear in mind look at whatever else we think that for us to be able to send a Every case is different, but the we need to in order to inde- case for a new appeal we need kinds of things we want to know pendently evaluate your to find strong new evidence or about to give us something to application. legal argument. It needs to be go on are: what you think made new in the sense that it was the jury get it wrong; why you You can also rely on the fact not in play when you were think your alibi fell apart; what that, even though finding sig- convicted or when you ap- makes you so sure that a par- nificant new evidence is diffi- pealed. It needs to be strong ticular witness was lying, or cult, we will look hard where in the sense that it really makes what was it that the jury didn’t we believe there is good reason things look different so that, hear that might have changed do so. The CCRC was created © CCRC basically, if it had been known their minds. to find wrongful convictions about before it might have and send them for appeal - it changed the outcome of your You should be under no illu- is what we exist to do. We are case. sions. It is really tough to get experienced, skilful and deter- CCRC - A hard road a case back to the Court of mined and every time we start We will treat Appeal. We can only refer a a new case we are hoping it case for appeal if we think there will be one that we can send you with respect is a “real possibility” the court back to the appeal courts as a to the Court of Appeal will quash the conviction (or real miscarriage of justice. If and we will give reduce the sentence). The you honestly think that your l What made l Why you l What makes l What was serious, professional courts do not overturn convic- case is one of those, you should tions unless they are convinced apply whether or not you can the jury get it think your you so sure that a it that the jury and independent there is a serious problem; that get a lawyer or anyone else to wrong? alibi fell apart? witness was lying? didn’t hear? consideration to means a “real possibility” can help you. what you tell us be difficult to find. Over the Justin Hawkins under review at the CCRC and everyone knows, it can be very years the CCRC has so far sent we were still receiving requests hard to get a lawyer, or anyone 626 cases for appeal. This Justin Hawkins is Head of and submissions from his rep- else, interested in your case. We don’t necessarily expect means that around one in every Communication at the There’s a good chance that a resentatives so what we can you to come to us with the new 32 cases has been referred for Criminal Cases Review lot of Inside Time readers were say about the details of the case The fact is that most people evidence - we have the legal an appeal. Commission among the many who watched is limited. apply to the CCRC without any BBC2’s recent two-part true help by filling in our simple crime documentary But as interesting and enter- application form. Only around “Conviction: Murder at the taining as the programme may one third of people apply to Station”. The programme fol- have been, there is one point us with the help of a lawyer lowed the charity Inside Justice that we feel we should make. and a tiny proportion - less that as it looked into the murder It is that Mr Kearney’s case is one in 100 - apply with the help conviction of Roger Kearney actually very, very unusual. of an organisation like Inside and made an application to the This is not because of the lack Justice. Wrongly convicted CCRC. Parts of the programme of forensics evidence linking were filmed at the CCRC offices of a crime? anyone directly to the killing, There is no doubt that a good lawyer can help with a CCRC application. But it should, given how hard it can be to get a lawyer interested, be some comfort to know that about Lost your appeal? 40% of the cases we have sent back for appeal have been cases where the person applied to us without legal help.

So, when should you make an What next? application to the CCRC (with or without the help of a lawyer) and what should you expect from us if you do? Filming of Murder at the Station © Raw TV Firstly, the CCRC basically ex- The CCRC can look again ists to look at cases where If you think your conviction or sentence is wrong in Birmingham and one of our apply to the CCRC or because the case against someone says they have been Commissioners was inter- him was essentially based on wrongly convicted even after • It won’t cost anything viewed for it. circumstantial evidence (nei- they tried to appeal and got • Your sentence can’t be increased if you apply ther of which is all that strange). knocked back. This means that • You don't need a lawyer to apply, but a good one “Conviction: Murder at the No - the case is highly unusual if you haven’t appealed al- can help Station” was well received by because Mr Kearney was lucky ready, we usually write back the TV critics and the viewing enough not only to enlist the advising that your next step You can get some more information and a copy of the public and the producers tell CCRC's Easy Read application form by writing to us at help of a good solicitor, but should be to appeal direct to me they think around two mil- 5 St Philip’s Place, Birmingham, B3 2PW. or calling 0121 233 1473 also to be assisted by the char- the court. lion watched each episode. Mr ity Inside Justice. This is an Prisoners in Scotland should contact; The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, 5th Floor, Kearney’s case is currently important point because, as But, if you have already had Portland House, 17 Renfi eld Street, Glasgow, G2 5AH. Phone: 0141 270 7030 Email: [email protected] • the personal injury specialists •

Dental negligenCe Your Dental treatment in prison shoulD be eggaCtlY the same as outsiDe • Careless and Negligent Dental Work • Delay in Treatment • Dental Implants • Failed or Premature Extraction • Failure or Delay to Diagnose Oral Cancer • Gum Disease • Ill Fitting Dentures if you have suffered and you are not sure • Negligent Root Canal Treatment whether to claim, then contact us by phone or freepost and we will advise you on the best way • Nerve Damage • Reoccurring Abscess forward • Sub-Standard Bridge Work “no win no fee”

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request a Claim Form Call us send your: name, prison, email us number and Claim type to 0800 145 5105 [email protected] Freepost rssu-gCXh-sJlg or 01782 416 016 attwood solicitors, 5-7 hartshill road, stoke on trent, st4 1Qh

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your legs crossed and you’d get bad prisons. I sat down regularly with knees, and your eyesight would go men who couldn’t read and write, From working in a garage to because there’s not enough light, and reading letters from their children, you’d have to have glasses - but it’s and writing letters back because they worth it. couldn’t spell. The alternative is giv- studying at Uni, via prison ing a man a mop and asking him to Some people would come to the cell clean the floor so he gets to go to the door when I was studying and they’d gym twice a day. But he should be Rhys, 27, gave an opening address at the Prisoner Learning Alliance go: “What you doing bro?” and I’d given just as much money if he goes say: “I’m trying to revise.” And they’d to learn to read and write, and given conference in Cardiff last month. He is a former prisoner who is now in say: “What you doing that for? I ha- the same privileges as a cook or his second year at Cardiff Metropolitan University studying for a BSc in ven’t picked up a book since school.” cleaner. I’d ask them: “What do you do for a Biomedical Science job then?” and they’d say: “I sell When I was released I was adamant drugs.” So I’d tell them they’d be in I wanted to continue studying. Before and out of prison all their life so maybe going to university, I had to go to they should pick up a book and learn college for a year to gain some lab something. skills. I feel that if I went to university At school I was a really good straight from prison I might have child and well behaved at struggled. The year in college gave first. But when I was older, my parents The alternative is giving me a year to acclimatise, relax and decided to send me to a new school a man a mop and asking reflect. I got work in the service in- closer to home. As a new guy with no dustry, building on the qualifications close friends, I immediately fell in him to clean the floor so he I had gained in prison, and I’m now with the wrong crowd, smoking can- gets to go to the gym twice a manager of a restaurant and have nabis because that was the cool thing a day. But he should be a part-time job in a hospital lab. People to do. I went from being a really good used to say to me: “Why do you want student to having really poor attend- given just as much money to study that? You’ll never get a job ance and left school without very if he goes to learn to read in a hospital or a restaurant with a much at all. and write, and given the criminal record.” But I haven’t even finished my degree and I’m on license, After school I did a BTEC in vehicle same privileges as a cook or © Fotolia.com but I’m working, and I’m doing ok. service and maintenance, and then cleaner. a one-year apprenticeship at a garage. The education journey I’ve been on But the whole the time I was there I After I had done nearly every course I was always interested in science. It After I’d finished one course, my has made a big difference. In prison, felt I had ruined my opportunities of on offer, and was working as a teach- was my favourite subject in school, mother came in with my probation if I hadn’t spent all that time studying getting a good job because of messing ing assistant, I went up to the educa- but because of behaviour the school officer and a member of the teaching and had been jack-the-lad on the around in school. After the appren- tion department to find out what else were convinced I was just there to mess team. I asked someone from the ed- wing, then I probably would have ticeship ended I had a couple of crap I could do. Nobody in the prison had around and act the fool. The second ucation department to explain what come out and gone back to how things jobs for crap money until I went to done a distance-learning course be- course was an Access Open University I had been doing in the prison and were. Education has given me the prison when I was 19. I got a nine-year fore but three of us boys started it. I course, also supported by Prisoners’ how important it was. My mother opportunity to say I can’t do that be- sentence and spent four-and-a-half studied a Level Three Introduction to Education Trust. It included astrono- became quite emotional and said it cause studying is going to help me. years inside. the Environment course. It would my, geography, geology, physics, was like having back her son who Education has helped me focus. Doing have cost me a lot of money if I wasn’t biology, chemistry - everything! From used to enjoy learning before we an assignment is hard, but it’s worth When I first got to prison I was given in prison, and I wouldn’t have done there I specialised in chemistry and moved school. My family were proud doing. Sitting there on your bed watch- work as a cleaner but I wanted to get it if I hadn’t had funding from analytical methods. You had to push of me then and are more proud of me ing TV is easy, but there’s no point off the unit outside working hours. Prisoners’ Education Trust. Although yourself, because you knew that when now. to it. If you are thinking about doing So I went to the education department, it was low-credit level and it was everyone went back to their cells at education in prison my advice but to get onto interesting courses spread over a year, it was essential night, they’d be just relaxing and Education should be mandatory in is to do it. you had to be a certain level. I fancied to progress up the levels to the watching TV. But I didn’t want to do a few things so I built up my qualifi- Foundation Degree. that. I wanted to use that time produc- cations, starting with Entry One Maths tively and work on my studies, which and English. It took a long time, but In prison it was my first opportunity was hard because there are no desks Do you want to share the story of your educational journey it got done. to learn about something I enjoyed. or chairs. So you’d sit on your bed with in prison? Write to Katy at FREEPOST, Prisoners’ Education Trust.

and modern languages); Bure, began by studying a sci- engaging, the study materials ence-focused Access module were great and the assignments l People, work and society before continuing on to a de- were challenging. The feedback (including health; law; man- gree in Environmental Studies. I got from the OU tutors was agement; psychology; and He says: “My afternoons stud- encouraging. The education social science). ying OU on the education wing staff provided ideas for further became the highlight of my courses. I felt like I was part of l Science, technology and week. The subject matter was something.” maths (including science; en- gineering and design; environ- Course ment; mathematics; and IT).

Each module is studied over Notes 30 weeks and is assessed © Fotolia.com through several short assign- PET provides funding ments and one final longer for over 300 types of assignment. Each student will distance-learning Access modules be assigned a personal tutor from the OU. courses. Every month For those who aspire towards an undergraduate qualification we shine a spotlight earning a degree, or who are by improving study skills and For some, completing an on one of them. considering university study giving a taste of various subject Access module secures a de- FOR PRISONERS but aren’t sure if it’s for them, areas. The three subjects areas termination to complete a de- Access modules offer a fantas- are: gree either after release, or tic gateway. The modules, within prison through the Open provided by the Open l Arts and languages (includ- University. University (OU) and funded by ing art history, English litera- Genesis Office 3, 235 Union Street PET, help prepare students for ture, English language, history Jon, for example, from HMP PLYMOUTH, Devon PL1 3HN Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Information // Education 37 Prison educators celebrated by students behind bars Prisoners across the country have nominated the teachers, librarians, officers Full list of winners and peer mentors who have made a real difference to education in jail Outstanding teacher; juvenile estate The conference was also supported by Prisons Emily Dewar Landridge Feltham YOI Minister Sam Gdiyah. He said: “Education is Sangeetha Navendren Feltham YOI key to helping prisoners turn their lives around and in particular to securing employment which Outstanding teacher; adult estate The Prisoner Learning Alliance awards, held we know reduces reoffending. “We want prisons Aleta Blackall HMP Ford on 16 September in Cardiff, celebrated people who to be places of hard work and high ambition, Mickie Griffiths HMP Littlehey go the extra mile to engage and inspire prisoners, with incentives for prisoners to learn. Which Cheryl Penn HMP Usk often while working in extremely challenging is why I want to congratulate all those involved Ian Rampton HMP Eastwood Park circumstances. All nominations came from in this year’s awards who have offered support, Vilma Smith-Yates HMP Wymott prisoners themselves. Jo Stevens, MP for Cardiff advice and provided prisoners with this Sue Kane HMP Low Newton Central and formerly Shadow Prisons Minister, opportunity.” joined the PLA to present the awards. Outstanding officer Ian Rampton, Outstanding Teacher, The conference was kindly hosted by Cardiff Trevor Latham HMP Parc HMP Eastwood Park Metropolitan University. Trudy Sketchley HMP Swaleside “I feel he has really helped build my self Emma Crow HMP Frankland confidence and really lifted my mood, as he consistently praises you, always Outstanding individual encourages you and believes in you no Vicky Dickeson and Valerie Samual matter what. Thanks to Ian I now know I librarians, HMP Swansea can do things and I am not worthless.” Pierro Izzolino St Giles Trust Coordinator, HMP Huntercombe Michaela Taylor Learning and Skills One prisoner at Eastwood Park’s women prison, Manager, HMP Warren Hill Aleta Blackall, Outstanding Teacher, nominated prison teacher Ian Rampton. Ian Dr Ruth Armstrong and Dr Amy Ludlow HMP Ford runs a soap-making course alongside other Cambridge University and founders of “Her infectious and bubbly attitude exudes lessons. She wrote: “Thanks to Ian I now know ‘Learning Together’ in class to all others and makes it the I can do things and that I am not worthless. I happiest classroom you could imagine.” now have plans for the future when I leave Outstanding peer mentor prison. I never thought I would look at setting Trudy Sketchley, Outstanding Officer, Habib HMP Swaleside One winner - Aleta Blackall, was recognised up my own business but I’m really looking HMP Swaleside Paul HMP Rochester, Kent as an “Outstanding Teacher” for her work at forward to it.” “She has supported me through health Tien HMP Huntercombe HMP Ford, where she specialises in basic literacy issues, encouraging me in going back to Nicholas HMP Parc and does a great deal of work with Gypsy and work, going to the gym and doing an Open Samuel HMP Thameside (now released) Traveller prisoners, encouraging them to engage University degree.” with education.

Aleta said: “I’ve been teaching prison education for 13 years, and after all this time I still get a lump in my throat when a non-reader reads their first book or someone finally writes their name after struggling to spell it. “These men, young and old, start in class feeling they are there under duress, not engaging. Then, slowly, they become these wonderful, confident learners who engage and achieve, and you know that this person Valerie Samuels & Vicky Dickeson, will have a better future upon release.” Outstanding Individuals/ Librarians, HMP Swansea “They have turned the library into a sanctuary of reading and learning.”

Nina Champion, Head of Policy at Prisoners’ Education Trust, organised the awards, which are in their second year. She said: “We were overwhelmed not only by the number of nom- ination letters we received, but by the heartfelt messages of gratitude within them. Our winners Sangeetha Navendren, Outstanding work tirelessly, often in difficult settings. The Teacher, YOI Feltham awards celebrate their achievements and remind “She’s made me think of other ways to deal us that even in the most adverse circumstances, with my anger. Even when I refuse to see education has the power to change lives.” her in the morning she comes back in the afternoon, and she doesn’t give up on me.” Jo Stevens said: “Being able to recognise the achievements of people in prison is a great Aleta was one of twenty-two winners, from privilege. Prisoner education is a critical part prison officers to prisoners working as peer of every prisoner’s rehabilitation journey. It advisors. The PLA appealed for nominations provides a chance to re-enter society with new through Inside Time and National Prison Radio or improved skills, to find employment and the and received over 200 nomination letters from opportunity to lead a fulfilling, law abiding people in custody. life after sentence.”

Prisoners praised different staff members for The awards were part of the Annual PLA con- their “cheerful disposition and sense of hu- ference, which saw over 150 sector experts mour” their “commitment” and their “blend gather to discuss the challenges and opportu- of steely professionalism with personal encour- nities of proposed reforms to prison ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ agement and care”. education. 38 Legal www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

Advertorial after spending 10 months in prison longer than he should Delayed justice have done simply due to the delay All I want for Christmas... in his hearing being listed. Michael Shaw This injustice has resulted in Keiya Tailor-Field alongside Nicola Maynard from regular compensation pay-outs The general guidance given by the Parole Board to those stated that compensation In 2013, The Parole Board was Reeds Solicitors discuss your options ahead of kept waiting for no reason other should reflect any financial loss forced into a rethink about oral than poor administration. If resulting from prolonged de- hearings. The change followed Christmas and provide advice as to how to be home you’ve been affected by a de- tention. However, if there was a ruling by the Supreme Court layed oral hearing then you only a chance of an earlier for the 25th December! after an appeal by prisoners too could be in line for release then this should not be Osborn, Booth and Reillly. compensated. Any delay of The festive season is approaching and the wish be released after considering the written rep- compensation. over three months was likely to spend this time with close friends and relatives resentations, we can request that you have an The trio claimed that they had Levels of compensation to cause anxiety and frustration is understandable, particularly when someone Oral Hearing. Alternatively, if the Parole Board been unfairly prevented from The levels of compensation for which deserved modest we love is not well or facing some difficulty. We are of the view that an Oral Hearing is required, receiving an oral hearing. The delayed parole hearings can compensation. recognise that many people would want to be it is not too late to seek legal assistance. You Court agreed and laid down vary. Another crucial judge- home with their loved ones during the festive could still be released before Christmas if you new guidelines, stating that ment - this time in the case of Obtaining justice period. The Prison Law Department at Reeds contact a Solicitor as soon as possible. It is the Parole Board had breached Faulkner and Sturnham - high- The upshot of all this is that Solicitors may be able to make this Christmas the common law duty of fair- possible that even if you have been told that lighted the factors that will be prisoners now have a much wish come true. ness and the European your hearing will not be until after Christmas, considered when reaching a stronger claim to an oral hear- Convention on Human Rights. it could be heard beforehand if your case is decision. ing. And, if that hearing is If you have been recalled recently, now is a given priority status. This can be the case if, for The result of the ruling is that delayed due to the backlog of crucial time to find out whether any action can many more oral hearings are example, you have medical or mental health Faulkner had been sentenced oral hearings, they are likely be taken to achieve the outcome that you want. being carried out than ever issues, or if you have important matters to attend to life imprisonment, whilst to be due compensation if that The Parole Board should review a Prisoner’s before. However, the system to in the community. A Solicitor will be able to Sturnham was convicted of resulted in them spending has struggled to cope and there recall after 28 days and with only two months advise you as to whether your Hearing would manslaughter and given an more time in prison than nec- has been a significant increase to go until Christmas, it does not leave much be given priority status based on your personal indeterminate sentence. Both essary. The level of compen- in the number of prisoners who time for a case to be reviewed and a release circumstances and would also assist you through men experienced a delay in sation will be based on length are waiting too long for their direction made. However, it is not too late to the process of ensuring that your Oral Hearing their oral hearing after their of time spent waiting and the oral hearing date. contact a Solicitor for advice. is heard as a priority if it is given that status. tariff had expired. Both were subsequent financial loss. eventually released following Regular pay-outs Within 14 days of your recall, your Offender Even if you have already had an Oral Hearing the hearings. If you think that you’ve been Manager should meet with you either in person Whilst The Parole Board has unfairly detained due to de- and you have been denied release, the PPCS do recognised its shortcomings or via video link to prepare a report. The Public Sturnham received £300 as the layed parole hearing then we have the power to reconsider your case at any and promised to improve the Protection Casework Section (PPCS) prepare a judge ruled that he would not recommend that you seek legal time if there has been a significant change in current approach, it does not recall pack (including the probation report) and have been released any earlier advice as soon as possible. circumstance, or there is information that was help the unfortunate prisoner. the Parole Board should consider within 28 had the hearing taken place not previously considered by the Parole Board. Too many are waiting in jail days. They will then decide whether you can more quickly. Faulkner re- For example, if you were recalled as a result of for their hearing when they Michael Shaw is the head of be released, should remain in custody or an ceived £6,500 (although this being arrested for an offence which has now should be free and earning a Clinical Negligence and Oral Hearing is required. had been reduced on appeal) been discontinued, this could prompt the PPCS living on the outside. Personal Injury at CM Solicitors to reconsider your case if you make them aware It is important that you contact a Solicitor as of this change in circumstances. A Solicitor can quickly as possible after your recall so that we advise you if you meet the criteria for can obtain a dossier, come and visit to obtain reconsideration. your instructions, and draft representations on your behalf. These written representations assist the Parole Board in making the decision about Whatever stage you may be at in your recall CHILD ABUSE whether you can be released on the basis of the proceedings, we at Reeds Solicitors urge you papers alone, if you are on a determinate sen- to contact us as soon as possible and we will Helping victims rebuild their lives since 1994 tence. It is important that you have your say assist you in any way we can. We understand and by instructing a Solicitor, you ensure that that it is difficult to face up to the challenge of your voice is heard. This is a much quicker going through these proceedings, especially at Helping you achieve justice for the abuse you suffered. this time of year. Unfortunately the PPCS and process than waiting for an Oral Hearing and We have been helping abuse victims claim their legal rights for over 20 years. if the Parole Board decide that you should be Parole Board do not always adhere to deadlines and unless you bring your case to their attention, The law allows people to make claims for compensation even if the abuse they released after considering the representations, suffered took place many years ago. you could be released within a matter of weeks, it may be overlooked. We at Reeds Solicitors We also deal with cases against children’s homes, other institutions and social in time to spend Christmas with your loved can ensure that your case is being dealt with services for lack of care. ones. expeditiously and can assist you every step of the way, with the hope of getting you home for Our dedicated team of specialist, legal experts have a proven track record in If the Parole Board decide that you should not Christmas. 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.

Prison visits • LegaL aid avaiLabLe • ComPLete ConfidentiaLity

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 We assist prisoners throughout England and Wales offering competitive fixed fees on all other General Prison Law matters including Re-Categorisation and Sentence Planning. 0800 260 5002 [email protected] For further information or assistance please contact www.simpsonmillar.co.uk www.abuselaw.co.uk Matthew Smith or Nicola Maynard © Simpson Millar LLP, 37 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 5AF. Reeds Solicitors Freepost RTSX–ETXE–SUKX 1 Cambridge Terrace Oxford OX1 1RR Abney Garsden is a trading style of Simpson Millar LLP Solicitors. Simpson Millar LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales: No. OC313936. Registered Office: 21-27 St Pauls Street, Leeds, LS1 2JG. A list of members is available from our registered office. We use the term “partner” to refer to an employee of equivalent standing to that of a partner in a partnership. Members of the Law Society’s Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Panels. Offices Located at: Acton, 01865 260 230 Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Gateshead, Kingston upon Thames, Lancaster, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Wimbledon. Authorised and regulated by the www.reeds.co.uk Solicitors Regulation Authority. Registration number 424940. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Legal 39

Advertorial Great Expectations Parole in 2016 and Beyond

with Court-like powers to direct the release of prisoners and deals with many thousands of cases each year.

Great Expectations - Parole in 2016 and Beyond is a two-part discussion event which will take stock of the current parole system and explore what the future might look like. The first part took place in London in July. The follow-up will be in Manchester on 30 November at Garden Court North Chambers. The event is a collabo- ration between SL5 Ltd, the Association of Prison Lawyers and Garden Court North. © Fotolia.com Andrew Sperling Nick Hardwick and Martin Jones from the Parole Board will speak about their plans for the Parole Board. The Parole Board for England and Wales will Looking to avoid extra days? be fifty years-old next year. Earlier this year Lawyers Pete Wetherby QC and Matthew Nick Hardwick, the former Chief Inspector of Stanbury from Garden Court North will talk Wells Burcombe has set up a new specialist service in representing prison- Prisons was appointed as the new Chair of the about rehabilitation as an international legal ers at adjudications before the outside judge. Don’t go before the outside Parole Board. There are high expectations of norm and what options are available to enable judge unrepresented, even if you intend to plead guilty. A carefully argued both Hardwick and the Parole Board’s new Chief the many IPP prisoners still incarcerated to Executive Officer, Martin Jones, to deliver a case can significantly reduce the number of days imposed, or even ensure progress towards their release. parole system which works better for prisoners the case is dismissed. Wells Burcombe’s specialist advocates understand and the public. adjudications and the adjudication process. Any prisoner can face an Jackie Craissati and Paula Harriott will co-pres- adjudication at any time during their sentence. We can help. ent Prisoner Involvement in the Parole Board Great Expectations - Parole Process: Innovations and Creative Solutions.

in 2016 and Beyond is a two- I will be chairing the event and there will be a The vast majority of inmates qualify for free representation part discussion event which will Q and A session after the three presentations. take stock of the current parole Common charges include: We can assist in getting cases dismissed because of: system and explore what the l If you would like to submit a short question for Assaults against staff l l future might look like any of the speakers, please write to me - Andrew Assaults against inmates Technicalities such as incorrect l Sperling, c/o Olliers Solicitors, 11 Duke Street, Possession of mobile phones procedure followed or charges l Manchester, M3 4NF. Possession of mobile phone not laid in time The role and powers of the Parole Board have accessories (usb, sim cards, chargers) l Paperwork not in order expanded significantly since it was established l l Enquiries about bookings should go to: Possession of other unauthorised Unavailability of witnesses in 1967 as a small, advisory body. It now operates l [email protected] articles Wrong charges laid l Failed MDTs l Misleading, unreliable or plainly wrong l Possession of drugs / illegal highs witness accounts given by prison Great Expectations l Damage to property officers and/or other witnesses We are covering adjudications daily All of London Pentonville, Brixton, Parole in 2016 and Beyond... in the following prisons: Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs, Belmarsh, Thameside, Feltham Hertfordshire The Mount Buckinghamshire Aylesbury, Woodhill, Onley, Ryehill Kent Rochester, Cookham Wood, Elmey, The Parole Board will be fifty years old in Wednesday 30th Swaleside, Maidstone 2017. A new Chairman, Nick Hardwick and November 2016 12-3pm Surrey Highdown, Coldingley, Send, CEO, Martin Jones, were appointed Garden Court North Chambers, Bronzefield earlier this year. New members are being Bedfordshire Bedford recruited for the first time in five years. 3rd Floor, Blackfriars House, Essex Chelmsford Parsonage, Manchester M3 2JA. © Fotolia.com Thames Valley Bullingdon, Grendon What does the future of the Parole Board look like? This seminar is held in conjunction with SL5, The Association of Prison Lawyers and Garden Court North Chambers. What expectations should Call us or write to us today for representation and assistance prisoners and the public Great Expectations will be a forward- have for the Parole Board? Herts, Beds, London & Thames looking discussion event with expert Bucks, Essex Valley, Kent, Surrey speakers from a range of different backgrounds. 5 Holywell Hill 4 Britannia Court St Albans The Green Herts AL1 1EU West Drayton UB7 7PN Tel: 01727 840900 Tel: 01895 449288 For more details see: www.associationofprisonlawyers.co.uk/training- opportunities/great-expectations-parole-in-2016-and-beyond-manchester 24hr Emergency Number: 07592 034170 40 Legal www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

Advertorial dence that they have addressed their identified risk Extended Determinate Sentences factors to a level that can be managed safely in the com- What are they and what do you they mean for YOU? munity. Prisoners are advised to engage in their sentence plan Emma Davies sexual or violent offence listed Sentence comprises of a cus- 2015 receiving extended sen- of their sentence and will have as early as possible and com- and Kiran Mohammed in Schedule 15 of the Criminal todial sentence and an extend- tences are no longer released no automatic right to be plete any offence focused work Justice Act 2003) (whether the ed period on licence. The automatically at the two thirds released. It is only once over available. It is important for offence was committed before Judge is required to give a stage of the sentence but tariff that an IPP prisoner will There have been different prisoners to engage with both or after this section came into minimum of 12 months for the instead are only eligible to be considered for discretion- their Offender Manager and types of Extended Sentences force). custodial term. In terms of the apply for Parole at that stage ary release by the Parole Offender Supervisor to discuss in place over the years and as extension period, this will be and will only be released auto- Board. Release will only be what they can do to demon- a result that often causes pris- l The court considers that the decided by the Judge based on matically at the end of their directed once the Parole Board strate a reduction in risk. This oners a lot of confusion. defendant presents a substan- the length of time considered custodial term. After release is satisfied that the risk of will assist the report writers Sometimes those subject to tial risk of causing serious necessary for the purpose of those prisoners will be subject harm posed to the public by when they come to prepare them do not have the implica- harm through re-offending by protecting members of the to supervision until the end the offender has reduced to reports setting out recommen- tions of being subject to one committing a further specified public from serious harm. of the aggregate of the custo- the point that it is manageable dations regarding discretion- explained to them. This article offence. The “significant risk” Although there is no mini- dial period and the extension in the community. ary release by the Parole seeks to look at the Extended test is the same as the test for mum period that can be period. Board. Determinate Sentence (EDS) IPP therefore they must meet imposed in relation to the How do I know my release and what the release provi- the dangerousness threshold. extension period, it should be It is important to understand dates? What can we do for you? sions for these types of sen- noted that this period should that the recent changes to the Sentence calculation is the Once you are reaching your l tence are. The court is not required to not exceed 5 years for a spec- EDS are not retrospective. To responsibility of the prison. Parole eligibility date we urge impose a sentence of impris- ified violent offence and 8 years be sure whether a prisoner is Upon your reception the pris- that you make contact with us Who can be subject onment for life, and Condition for a specified sexual offence. subject to automatic release on will take steps to calculate to provide your full instruc- to an Extended Sentence? A or B below is met: or not, and when, they need your release dates. Should it tions. We will then be in a Extended sentences of some If subject to an extended to look at when they were sen- be that you are transferred position to submit representa- Condition A: at the time the description have been around sentence when will I be tenced and sometimes the during your sentence your tions on your behalf to the offence was committed the for some time. However, released? date of conviction. sentence calculation will be Parole Board and represent defendant had been convicted Extended Determinate As mentioned above, there checked upon reception at you from thereon in. of a sexual or violent offence Sentences (EDS) were intro- have been different extended Is it right the EDS replaces the each establishment. Prisoners listed in Schedule 15B of the duced by LASPO (Legal Aid sentences over the years and IPP? If so what does that mean are given a copy of their If you need help or advice with CJA 2003. Sentencing and Punishment different rules regarding for those subject to IPPs? ‘Release Dates Notification any prison law issues please of Offenders Act) in December contact the Prison Law depart- Condition B: that the current release apply, dependent on Although IPP sentences were Slip’ which will set out all 2012 and essentially replaced ment at Hine Solicitors on offence merits a determinate which extended sentence a essentially “scrapped” as of dates relevant to a prisoner’s sentences of Imprisonment for 01865 518971 or FREEPOST - sentence of at least 4 years. prisoner is subject to. The December 2012 those sen- release. This should be checked Public Protection (IPPs) for table (see below) provides a tenced to an IPP prior to this to ensure that the information RTHU - LEKE - HAZR Hine prisoners convicted of a spec- Solicitors, Seymour House, 285 If the conditions above are summary of the different date still remain subject to the contained within it is accurate. ified offence. Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7JF. satisfied then an EDS will be types of Extended Sentences sentence and its release pro- An EDS can only be imposed imposed by the Court. and the release arrangements visions. What should you be doing where all the following condi- to which they are subject. to help yourself? Emma Davies is a Partner at tions are met: What does an Extended Prisoners who are serving an In order for prisoners to be Hine Solicitors. Significantly those prisoners IPP sentence are still required able to successfully apply for Kiran Mohammed is a l The defendant has been con- Determinate Sentence mean? sentenced on or after 13 April to serve the custodial portion Parole they will need to evi- solicitor at Hine Solicitors. victed of a specified offence (a An Extended Determinate Emma Davies and Jennifer Mitchell Type of Sentence Sentence Offence Release Dates Extended Determinate Convicted on Any Automatic release at ⅔ point of custodial Sentence section 226A or 226B or after period remaining on licence until end of Where custodial period is both 03/12/12 but sentence. less than 10 years AND is NOT Sentenced for a Schedule 15B offence before 13/04/15

All Extended Determinate Convicted and Any Eligible for discretionary release by the Sentence Section 226A or Sentenced on Parole Board at ⅔ point of custodial period, 226B imposed on or after or After and only eligible for Automatic Release at end 13/04/2015 and where 03/12/12 and of custodial period, remaining on licence until imposed before 13/04/2015 ALL EDSs end of sentence. those EDS where custodial imposed on or period is 10 years or more OR after 13/04/15 is for a Schedule 15B offence

Our open, friendly solicitors working Extended Sentence Section Sentenced Prior On or After Eligible for discretionary release by the Parole in Criminal Defence will help you with all 227 or 228 to 14/07/08 04/04/05 Board at ½ way point of custodial period and aspects of Prison Law including: automatic release at end of custodial period, remaining on licence until end of sentence. Licence recall • Adjudications Parole hearings • IPP queries Extended Sentence Section 85 Convicted prior Prior to Eligible for automatic Release at ½ way point Judicial review • Sentence planning issues Where custodial period is less to 03/12/12 04/04/05 of custodial period and on licence to end of than 12 months custodial period + extension period.

Call us on 01865 518971 Extended Sentence Section 85 Convicted prior Prior to Eligible for automatic release at ½ way point or visit www.hinesolicitors.com Where custodial period is 12 to 03/12/12 04/04/05 of custodial period and on licence to ¾ point months but less than 4 years of custodial period + extension period.

Extended Sentence Section 85 Convicted prior Prior to Eligible for discretionary release by the Parole Oxford Freepost address Where custodial period is 4 to 03/12/12 04/04/05 Board at ½ way point of custodial period and FREEPOST RTHU - LEKE - HAZR years or more. automatic release at ⅔ point of custodial Hine Solicitors | Seymour House period, remaining on licence to ¾ point of 285 Banbury Road | Oxford | OX2 7JF custodial period + extension period. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Legal 41

Advertorial then a marker can be laid down with the Court could be demonstrated to have acted dishonest- that the defence are concerned about the disclo- ly. A number of small point like that may help sure process. It is not then that those ‘markers’ persuade a jury that the experts who deal with Defence Statements become helpful - but many months later when these cases every day did not consider X to be the prosecution may again be proving inefficient the sort of man they were interested in and thus or difficult by which time there are so many nor should the jury - getting the ammunition to The right approach in complex cases ‘markers’ that thought can be given to whether make that point though takes imagination and an application can be made that the disclosure experience in drafting the DCS. When drafting not me, then any material tending to suggest that process cannot be trusted and therefore there the DCS it must be bourne in mind there are duties B was at the scene of the crime or is a violent man can be no trial. The central document the Judge under the AG’s Guidelines, as well as the COP to must be disclosed to X. But what if X is not will look in assessing any such application will pursue “all reasonable lines of enquiry” and to Jonathan Lennon retain material (COP; paras 3.5 and 5.1). Thus a and Aziz Rahman charged with GBH - what if he is charged with be the DCS. involvement in a conspiracy to defraud case defendant can force the prosecution to go to the involving a complex scheme that is, according Third party agencies third party agency and obtain the material that to HMRC, a tax scam designed to rip-off the pub- The investigators will frequently have to liaise needed to make these sorts of points - and if they Any discussion about Defence Case Statements lic purse? These scenarios are frequent enough. with third party agencies before charge. In the refuse they risk having the trial stayed. (DCSs) involves dealing generally with disclosure Usually a great deal of the facts will not be in case of X above the agency concerned may be in criminal litigation. All of the official guidance dispute, what is in issue is something a lot more the old Financial Services Agency (now Financial In short, as always, the key is up-front prepara- documents, and all of the important case-law on nebulous than whether X did something or not; Conduct Agency) but it can be any number of tion. The drafting of the DCS may very well end the topic refer to one leading case - it is the sem- the issue will be dishonesty. Advancing the defence bodies such as local authorities or some other up being the single most important piece of work inal case on disclosure and Public Interest case by maximising prosecution disclosure, when regulatory entity. The defendant will have that the defence have to undertake - it requires Immunity (PII); R v H & C [2004] 2 Cr. App. R 179. the real issue is dishonesty, means taking a very engaged with that body at length pre-charge and judgment and expertise. The authors represented ‘H’ in that case. careful approach to the drafting of the DCS. that body may have expertise about the issue in hand that the police/HMRC just do not have or Jonathan Lennon is a Barrister specialising in seri- Over a decade on from that judgment disclosure In such circumstances an early consideration of may know more about, e.g. the ‘scam’ at hand as ous and complex criminal defence cases at is still the fault line in the larger and more com- why the Crown’s central theory is flawed must it has been dealing with hundreds of other boil- Carmelite Chambers, London. He has extensive plex prosecutions. Of course care must be taken be considered in depth. For example, if a finan- er-room frauds or whatever aside the one that experience in all aspects of financial and serious in all cases, great or small, when committing cial advisor has been running an investment the police/HMRC are now asking them about. crime and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He is your case to paper, but so many factors are like- scheme which turns out to be a tax dodge then ranked by both Legal 500 Chambers & Ptnrs & is ly to turn on the drafting of the DCS in the larger the central question for the defence may well be Agencies like the FCA will often hand over very recognised in C&P’s specialist POCA and Financial cases that a very great deal of consideration will (depending on the facts) why an alternative the- sizeable digital files of material to the prosecutors Crime sections; ‘he is phenomenal and his work have to be given at an early stage. ory is more plausible - e.g. that X himself has been - of which only a portion is used in the case. This rate is astonishing’ (2015). duped and did not know the real nature of the is fine - as long as there is a proper MG6C detail- The CPIA 1996 scheme. This in turn will lead onto disclosure of ing what remains; if there isn’t one - it should be Aziz Rahman is a Solicitor-Advocate and Partner The Criminal Prosecution & Investigations Act material tending to show that others who were requested. Equally, the FSA, may have, in our at the leading Criminal Defence firm Rahman 1996 (CPIA) sets out the framework for prosecu- also involved, but not charged, performed a similar example, information will may help show that Ravelli Solicitors, specialising in Human Rights, tion and defence disclosure in criminal litigation. Mr. X was not the sort of candidate that they the role, or that others appear to be more likely can- Financial Crime and Large Scale Conspiracies/ The Act is the starting point and next is the Code regulator were interested in. For example, the didates for the role - leading to disclosure of e.g. Serious crime. Rahman Ravelli are members of of Practice (“COP”) made under it. After R v H & FSA may have investigated a number of boiler email correspondence between others revealing the Specialist Fraud Panel and have been ranked C the Attorney General issued his own ‘Guidelines’ room type scams but centred their investigations, discussions about an aspect of the fraud where by Legal 500 as an ‘exceptional’ firm with Aziz in 2005 and there have been numerous other X is not named or included when he perhaps not on those actually selling the dodgy shares guidance documents since; importantly Lord Rahman being described as ‘top class’. The firm is should be if what the Crown were alleging was true. but on those who created the off-shore bank also ranked in Chambers & Partners. Rahman Justice Gross’ Review of Disclosure in September 2011. accounts and so on as they were the ones that Ravelli are a Top Tier and Band 1 firm. It will be seen then that in reality the more com- Section 6A of the Act deals with the contents of plex the case the simpler the issues become - the Defence Statement. The DCS must set out; knowledge and dishonesty - but the more difficult the nature of the accused’s defence, including the disclosure is around those issues. any particular defences upon which he intends to rely; the matters of fact on which he takes issue Digital material with the prosecution - and why; particulars of A classic example of the foregoing is when the the matters of fact on which he intends to rely on investigators have seized numerous computers in his defence any points of law which he wish- and discs etc. Most of that digital material will be es to raise and also notification of the details of ‘unused’. A great deal of it will not even be con- any defence witnesses sought to be relied upon sidered in reality. But, as we know that it is in by the defence (s6C). The degree of detail now the used material that the defence are most like- The strongest legal required in a DCS is much more so than was original- ly to find their hidden gems there must be a mech- ly the practice when the Act first came into force. anism for the defence to at least know what the representation in the In R v Bryant [2005] EWCA Crim 2079 the Court Crown have - even if it is not disclosed. This is of Appeal was critical of a DCS that consisted usually done with a schedule of unused materi- fi elds of serious, merely of a generalised denial of guilt accompa- al - basically a list of items arising from the inves- nied by a statement that the defendant took issue tigation that are not part of the formal evidence complex and business with any witness giving evidence to the contra- in the case. The list is called an MG6C. The ry - this was said to be ‘wholly’ inadequate. defence can ask for items from the MG6C which crime. The most may, or may not lead to the prosecution agreeing The problem for a defendant is that getting it to disclose those items, depending on relevance informed, expert wrong may not only lead to cross-examination (which will usually depend on the contents of about why he is saying something ‘different’ to the DCS). advice for those the jury than he put in writing previously but it can have a huge impact on what disclosure he There have been significant problems in a num- being prosecuted. or she will get from the prosecution. ber of recent prosecutions where vast amounts of material have been seized by the investigators Issues arising in complex cases and then not used. How do the Crown go about The issue that most frequently arises in long and listing what remains? The answer lies in fact in complex cases is disclosure of “unused” materi- the Attorney General’s Guidance on Disclosure al held by the prosecution - in other words the (Dec 2013) which effectively incorporates the material they investigators have obtained but Gross Review’s findings. Explaining how this are not using to support their case. works in detail is impossible in this short article but the upshot is that the defence can (and By s3 of the Act the prosecution must “disclose should) engage with the prosecution about how to the accused any prosecution material which they should examine the computers that have has not been previously disclosed to the accused been seized - e.g. use of key search words etc. and which might reasonably be considered capa- This can present opportunities for the defence Telephone Roma House, 59 Pellon 1 Fetter Lane ble of undermining the case for the prosecution and a certain amount of tactical consideration 01422 Lane, Halifax, West London EC4A 1BR against the accused, or of assisting the case for will certainly apply. So, for example, if the pros- 346666 Yorkshire HX1 5BE Also in Birmingham the accused.” In deciding what material passes ecution persist with refusals of perfectly proper this test the prosecution consider the DCS. So in requests to examine a computer for a certain key www.rahmanravelli.co.uk / [email protected] Nationwide Service a simple case if X says it was B that stabbed A, word - or look for a certain category of document, 42 Legal // Q&A ‘Legal’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2016

NB - HMP Norwich to whom you can send a letter. police to discharge an order database and can be printed review proceedings against You must however write to in its entirety. There will out to form a report. It seeks the Probation Service. Q I have had my medica- them within 12 months of normally need to be a to identify the offender’s tion changed after moving your complaint to Virgin change in circumstances to needs, risk factors and Response provided by Purcell prison and I am having Care and they will consider justify discharging a SOPO. protective factors and classify Parker Solicitors problems with the incon- your case and whether it has In some cases, solicitors these needs accordingly. sistences of medication been investigated thorough- have been able to conduct DA - HMP Winchester prescribed, and various ly by Virgin Care. representation regarding OASys assesses risk and issues with the service Q How long is enough time SOPO’s using the same legal therefore does not have to received from doctors. If you intend to pursue a aid certificate which related spent in a C cat prison detail information which before getting D cat? Why medical negligence claim, to the client at the time of purely relates to convictions. A Prisoners should have the their original court hearing. am I a C cat considering I then you will need to contact It can refer to allegations same healthcare treatment a specialist solicitor that However it is possible for an got no extra time for my that have been made. Legal as anybody on the outside. deals with such matters. It is individual to represent recall offence and why do I However, it is extremely They will be treated by the worth pointing out that such themselves at a hearing in have to serve the whole important that the informa- healthcare team usually and claims normally have to be order to have their SOPO entire time of which I still tion is accurate and the will be approved by a prison funded on a private fee-pay- discharged/amended as have 2 years one month Forum doctor and this will include decision maker is able to left? ing basis. appropriate. An application the medication being is made to the Court where make a decision on the Answers are kindly prescribed. Response provided Hine the Order was originally credibility and reliability of A Under PSI 40/2011 the provided by: Solicitors imposed. the information. As you state purpose of categorisation is Hine Solicitors If you feel that you are not that the allegations were the ‘to determine whether, and Reeds Solicitors being provided with the same LR - Now Released Response provided by Pickup subject of a retraction to what extent, there has treatment that you would be & Scott Solicitors statement, and did not lead been a clear change in the Frisby & Co Solicitors Q Can I challenge a SOPO Pickup & Scott Solicitors receiving outside of prison, to a conviction, this should risks a prisoner presented at which has been imposed on Olliers Solicitors you should in the first DM - HMP Wakefield his last review and to ensure me? How can this be done? be reflected in the document. Cartwright King Solicitors instance speak to somebody that he continues to be held Can I do this without the Q Following my first Emmersons Solicitors within the healthcare team in the most appropriate assistance of a solicitor? sentence planning meeting In order to rectify this matter, Purcell Parker Solicitors and explain that you want to I would advise you to attempt conditions of security’. It is Emmersons Solicitors make a complaint. I was horrified to learn that irrelevant whether a recalled Firstly, it would need to to resolve the matter A under ‘previous convic- prisoner did, or did not, be established whether your internally by following the Answers to readers’ legal Once you have completed tions’, there is a paragraph receive a custodial sentence correspondent wishes to complaints procedure of the queries are given on a strictly the internal complaints dedicated to allegations for the commission of further without liability basis. If you vary or discharge the SOPO. Probation Service. This procedure and if it has not that an ex-partner had offences. propose acting upon any of It is possible for an individu- should be commenced by been successful, Virgin Care made but later retracted. I the opinions that appear, you al subject to a SOPO to apply writing formally to your provide the address of was never charged with any Two years is considered to be must first take legal advice. (under Section 106 of the Probation Officer requesting Customer Services, of these allegations, so how the maximum time a 2003 Sexual Offences Act) to its removal or at the very Englefield Green Health can this be used on my prisoner should spend in Send your Legal Queries have it discharged or varied least clarification that it did Centre, Bond Street, OASys assessment? open conditions and your (concise and clearly marked at any time. However, a not lead to a conviction. If Englefield Green, Egham, correspondent is slightly ‘legal’) to: David Wells, Solicitor Court will only have the Surrey TW20 0PF to which A OASys, Offender your complaint is not over this guideline. Your c/o Inside Time, Botley Mills, power to discharge a SOPO you can send a complaint. Assessment System, is an IT resolved with the Probation correspondent will be Botley, Southampton, totally within 5 years of it based system used within Service, you could write to entitled to a further review of Hampshire SO30 2GB. having been made with the If you have no success once the Prisons and Probation his detention and so may be permission of the Chief the Prison Service and by the you have exhausted the first Ombudsman, who can re-released before the expiry For a prompt response, readers Constable/Commissioner of Probation Service. An OASys two options mentioned above, investigate the matter on of his sentence in any event. are asked to send their Police in that area. After five report is a risk and needs queries on white paper using you have the right to complain your behalf. Failing this, you years, the court does not assessment tool. All the Response provided by Pickup black ink or typed if possible. to the Parliamentary and could seek legal advice need the consent of the information is stored on a & Scott Solicitors Health Service Ombudsman about bringing judicial Specialist Appeals & Your Rights Our Responsibility Prison Law Solicitors

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Insidetime November 2016 ‘Legal’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Legal // Q&A 43

CF - Rampton Hospital (where a trial date has been because I know so little penis in a car park. He was

set) and to a recommended about the case. If it was after convicted of outraging Q I pleaded not guilty as one tenth (for a guilty plea Banks a plea it seems very long. public decency and had his advised by my barrister on entered at the ‘door of the sentence reduced from 12 day one of my trial due to a court’ or after the trial has Q I had sex with my months to 4. I don’t see an report being delayed. Once begun). The level of reduction girlfriend in a local park. It appeal for you. If you did I had received this report, I on Sentence should reflect the stage at was on a Sunday afternoon. appeal I expect you would changed my plea to guilty. I which the offender indicated Robert Banks, a barrister, writes Banks on Sentence. It is Someone rang up the police find the same morality in the believe this was my first a willingness to admit guilt the second-largest selling criminal practitioner’s text and I was arrested. My Court of Appeal as you found opportunity. However, I to the offence for which he is book and is used by judges for sentencing more than girlfriend wasn’t arrested. in the Crown Court. only received a 20% eventually sentenced: the any other. The book is classified by the Ministry of I don’t think there is discount on my sentence Asking Robert & largest recommended Justice as a core judicial text book. The book has an app anything to be ashamed not the full 30%, this being reduction will not normally which is for Apple iPads and Windows 8/10 tablets and about sex. I was charged Jason questions a difference of 1½ years. Do be given unless the offender computers. It costs £95 plus VAT. The print copy has with outraging public Please make sure your question I have a case to appeal on indicated a willingness to decency. I sacked my concerns sentence and not the basis of the 10%? admit guilt at the first virtually sold out. If you have access to a computer, you barrister because she was conviction and send the letter reasonable opportunity; can follow Robert on Twitter, @BanksonSentence and useless. There was a trial to Inside Time, marked for A Credit for a guilty plea is when this occurs will vary you can receive his weekly sentencing Alert. and middle-class morality Robert Banks or Jason Elliott. awarded on a sliding scale. from case to case; where the www.banksr.com was all on show. I was a bit Unless you say you don’t want The level of reduction should admission of guilt comes I found my partner in don’t think it is remotely lippy with the Judge and got your question and answer be a proportion of the total later than the first reasona- Q bed with someone and lost possible to prepare for a 3 months. How can you get published, it will be assumed sentence imposed, with the ble opportunity, the reduction it. I got done for GBH section mitigation hearing in 10 three months for having sex? you have no objection to proportion calculated by for a guilty plea will normally 20. I met my barrister 10 minutes. publication. It is usually not reference to the circumstanc- be less than one third; where minutes before I went up to A I suspect the reason you possible to determine whether es in which the guilty plea the plea of guilty comes very court and did not trust him. Now back to your question. received 3 months was a particular defendant has was indicated, in particular late, it is still appropriate to I told him I have a mental Telling the court about mental because you were defiant grounds of appeal without the stage in the proceedings. give some reduction. illness is a difficult issue. and upset the Judge. He or seeing all the paperwork. The greatest reduction will illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, a personali- Officially, ‘Mental illness or she probably thought you Analysing all the paperwork is be given where the plea was The earliest opportunity ty disorder and Bipolar. He disability is a factor indicat- weren’t apologising and not possible. The column is indicated at the “first would normally be consid- told me not to say anything ing significantly lower needed to be taught a lesson. designed for simple questions reasonable opportunity”. ered at the Magistrates’ about that. I was given 3 capability,’ see Overarching Sex in parks is not popular and answers. No-one will have Save where section 144(2) of Court where a plea could be years. It’s all been very sad. principles: Seriousness in the afternoon as it is said their identity revealed. Letters the 2003 Act applies, the indicated, following that, the Please can you tell me what Guideline 2004 para 1.25. there is a danger of young which a) are without an level of the reduction will be preliminary hearing at the you think? The problem is that many children seeing it. Two people address, b) cannot be read, or gauged on a sliding scale Crown Court would be judges give no discount and when very drunk had sex in c) are sent direct, cannot be ranging from a recommend- deemed the first opportunity. some give longer sentences a park. The man who had answered. Letters sent by ed one third (where the The Judge has discretion and A It is disgraceful that you for defendants with mental thirty previous, but none for readers to Inside Time are sent guilty plea was entered at can conclude what is to be did not see your barrister issues as they consider the sex pleaded to outraging on to a solicitor, who forwards the first reasonable opportu- considered to be the earliest before the court appearance. defendant is more dangerous. public decency. He had his them to Robert and Jason. If nity in relation to the offence opportunity after consider- It is deplorable that you only sentence reduced from six your solicitor wants to see for which sentence is being ing the facts of the case. had 10 minutes to see him I regret I can’t advise you about months to three. Another previous questions and answers, imposed), reducing to a on the day. Regrettably, it is Response provided by Reeds the three-year sentence man showed his semi-erect they are at www.banksr.com. recommended one quarter becoming very common. I Solicitors Specialists in Prison Law

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2230_InsideTime_FullAd_Tray_2.indd 1 21/07/2016 12:32 Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Writing 45

that we can access - at Inside during her flypast. The inde- Below is one of the many entries we have so far received in response to ‘get lost in a book Time we can access some of scribable noise of the Typhoon review’ and a short story. Do please keep sending them in; every story published will receive £5. Diary of a this information and will keep as she shoots heavenward like a list of sites etc. that we feel Concorde on speed. The smile by his pride, but it increased when she learned Creative may be useful to you. that comes when you hear the Pride and Prejudice about Darcy’s meddling in the relationship of his double throb of the Chinook by Jane Austen friend and her sister. Darcy is also struggling Writer We were given information on with the rear door open and an trying to ignore Elizabeth’s beauty. The story the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook airman is doing ‘jazz hands’ Reviewed by M Humphries builds with a gathering of sexual energy leading - the ‘Bible’ for writers as it has with big red foam hands. Most to some verbal clashes - which are mirrored later details of publishers, agents, of all the happiness comes from First Impressions is the title Austen used when in the century by Charlotte Bronte in Jane Eyre. articles, copyright law, genres, the friends that I’ve made at she penned this work and offered it for publication societies, festivals etc. the shows, the on-going chats in 1797; it was rejected and later published in What can Austen teach us today? Pride and on Facebook and the excite- 1813 with the title we know it by. It is testament Prejudice is about personal happiness; it is about It is important that you include ment of meeting up at future to Austen that over two hundred years later we can how we achieve it. It is also about first impressions all published work on your events and shows. The ultimate still buy and read the book. It comes with a famous - as Austen hinted at. We’ve all done it - judged writing CV, so I’d better include happiness was one Sunday last opening scene: ‘It is a truth universally acknowl- others by first impression. How many of us have the last eight weeks then summer when I won the oppor- edged that a single man in possession of a good bothered to find out if we were right or wrong? hadn’t I? tunity to fly in a Spitfire, the fortune, must be in want of a wife.’ Only a female absolute best day of my life writer could pen those words and get away with Thank you Mark for starting off our ‘Classic We had quite a discussion on EVER and for a lifelong Spitfire it. I guess then, it is no coincidence that Austen Reviews’ with a standard English Classic. I fee ‘nom de plumes’ - I’m not sure, fan, the Holy Grail. wrote a good marriage for her leading ladies. that I now need to read Pride and Prejudice - I do I want my name plastered could ‘cheat’ and watch the movie therefore all round Waterstones? Bet Our evening ended with en- This is a romance between Miss Elizabeth Bennett getting the benefit of seeing Colin Firth play Lucy Forde your bottom dollar I do! I want couragement to complete our and Fitzwilliam Darcy; it is about Bennett’s middle Mr Darcy. However, I shall read the book and all those book-lovers to know projects, to go over the work class English prejudice and the pride of Darcy. It ‘lose’ myself in the story as I’m encouraging you to do. Mark mentioned Jane Eyre by Charlotte Lesson Eight me - so modest! Of course, you we’ve submitted over the term is a whirl of comedy, social observation and may be in a situation where a and re-work it until we are romance, but it is the protagonist’s pride and Bronte; this is one of my favourite stories - de- spite when it was written, so much of the story This isn’t the end - well, the non de plume is the answer completely happy and not to prejudice that both attract and infuriate one could reflect today’s society; please read it and end of me going off to school however you’ll still know it’s you. be afraid to enter writing com- another. Bennett’s initial dislike of the ‘tall (man send in a review. every Thursday night for the petitions. I haven’t found an- with) handsome features’ might have been sparked time being but we are going to Finally, we had to write a piece ything that really appeals to to see if our creative juices were me yet, but I’m currently con- look at all sorts of different “Revolutions of earth, age, rotating at an immense, still flowing and able to pen centrating on some stories for ways to encourage you to pick Roundabout time, experience, unify as one staggering rate. No fairground something at the drop of a hat. my younger grandchildren, a up a pen and put your thoughts, on the Roundabout of ride goes that fast. Surely? We had ten minutes to write bit of fantasy, some nursery of Wisdom ideas and stories down on Wisdom. My customers on ‘HAPPINESS’. with cuddly animals and my paper. Rob H - HMP Wandsworth inevitably leave wiser than As the ride finally slows to a special project - a story that they were before they came.” halt, onlookers awaiting their What makes me happy? will make my grandson want Our final lesson together was “What does your sign mean, His well-rehearsed patter disembarking loved ones Knowing that my children and to read; which of course has an opportunity to read some ‘Roundabout of Wisdom’?” makes little sense, and exhibit terrifying, anguished their families are safe and well, to include motorbikes and aer- of our work to each other and demands the impatient woman. queuing customers exchange disbelief. Dismay, panic, that my bills are paid and that oplanes … a doddle! give our opinions - we have “What’s so wise about it?” puzzled glances. bewildered chaos, hails from I have my job. Those are the quickly come to trust each every direction. I am basics. To go a step further, true What we would like from you other enough to be honest and The timid little fairground The roundabout itself is intrigued to note that the happiness for me is to be at- this month: If you’ve written a suggest tweaks or changes; attendant cannot bring obscured in a misty haze. Its previous rides occupants are tending an air show. To hear book review or about your knowing that we aren’t causing himself to make eye contact features are indistinct, perhaps all elderly men and women. the unmistakeable sound of six reading experience we’d like offence. It was a chance to pool with her - nor, indeed, with from the fog, maybe as a merlin engines as the Lancaster that and that is an ongoing any resources, magazines that any of his waiting customers. result of its spinning motion. “Charlie? Jane? Is that really and two Spitfires roar overhead. project. If not, please write a specialise in writing - includ- Gazing heavenwards, in you? Oh my God! What the The unforgettable howl from piece in ten minutes on what ing competitions that are open deference to some unknown But hold on! To appear that hell happened? You’re so … so the Vulcan as she opens up makes you happy. to readers, various websites deity, he responds solemnly: blurred, it would need to be old!” When you feel no one’s helping YOU... Hamer Childs understands that being sentenced to custody is a terrible experience, but feeling no one is helping you is even worse. Hamer Childs are specialists in Prison Law. In particular Parole Boards, Recall Hearings and Independent Adjudication Hearings. We are based in the Midlands so close to HMPs Featherstone, Oakwood, Hewell, Stoke Heath, Leyhill and visit them regularly.

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46 Jailbreak www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016 Five minutes with... As her new novel ‘Betrayal’ hits the bookshelves, crime writing superstar Martina Cole kicks off our new series of five minute interviews

believe how authentic he was.

Have you ever read a book that made you cry? A few have. From Call of the Wild and White Fang - Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, right the way through to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café by Fanny Flagg. Even now, even when I’m doing the big Make an appointment re-writes of my own books I still read two or three books a week. I couldn’t imagine a day at 6pm every day going by without reading. Which other writers do you Sound Women every Thursday is the pro- admire? gramme you have to listen to if you’re a woman I admire anyone who takes the in prison. This month well be hearing from time to sit down and write a Kerry Gutridge from the University of book. I suppose at the top of Manchester who has developed a special form Sometimes it can take listening to one single my list would be Truman of make-up - known as skin camouflage - that’s voice to change your life. Those voices are on Capote, and then William designed to cover up scars left by self-harm. National Prison Radio every single day at 6pm. Faulkner. I’m a big Steinbeck Kerry is looking for women in prison to take girl (John Steinbeck who wrote part in a trial of this new product. NPR Talk is National Prison Radio’s daily dose Of Mice and Men). Ernest Martina Cole © Charlotte Murphy Hemingway. And I love Val of inspirational voices. We find people with The Vault every Friday is the place where we real stories to tell. Some of those people are in McDermott, Ian Rankin - trawl through the National Prison Radio there’s some seriously good prison. Some have been in prison and come archives, giving you another chance to listen What advice would you give to cowboy mad, I still am. When out the other side. Some have never been in your younger writing self? I was little I loved Calamity writers out there, you know. to the best bits of NPR since we launched in I’ve just read a book by Ruth prison, but have something to tell all of us. 2009. This month we’ll be featuring interviews Jane. I used to go to sleep at Don’t waste time. I didn’t have night and pray I would wake Ware called In a Dark Dark with Michael Palin, George the Poet, the the confidence to write in the Wood and it’s incredibly im- What they all have in common is that they’ve us as Calamity Jane. Archbishop of Canterbury, DJ Annie Mac and beginning and wasted a lot of pressive. I’ve also just read an been into National Prison Radio’s studios, tak- Alan Bennett. time before getting on with it. amazing book set in Scotland ing the time to share their stories with our Have any of the characters in I wasn’t brave enough at first. by Craig Robertson called presenters. And they’ve done that because they your books been based on real This is just a taste of the fantastic guests we’re I would tell my younger self, Murderbilia. If I was going to care. people? bringing to you during November, all produced ‘go and do it immediately.’ recommend one book to read specially for you and delivered through your Don’t waste a second and re- None of the characters in my this year that would be it. Here’s just some of the voices you can hear on TV. member success will come to books have ever been based NPR during November. We really hope you those who are willing to fight on real people except for Ozzy, make an appointment to listen to NPR every As well as interviews, we’ll have discussions and work for it. in The Take. Ozzy and the way day of the week at 6pm - because if you don’t, Betrayal, by Martina Cole is and debates about some of the most important he controlled business from you might just miss that voice that talks to you, subjects that relate to prison and criminal jus- published by Headline, ISBN: Did you have a favourite book his prison cell was based on 1472201035 and changes your life. tice, keeping you in the know about what’s when you were a child? some of the stories that former going on and giving you the best possible south London gangster Eddie Past, Present and Future every Monday fea- chance of staying out of prison after you’re I did. Believe it or not it was “Gritty novel from an author Richardson had told me over who knows intimately the tures an inspirational person choosing the released. Call of the Wild by Jack London. the years. Ozzy wasn’t based music that’s defined their life, as they tell us I loved that book so much. I world she writes about” on Eddie , but when Eddie met Daily Express their amazing story. This month we’ll be hear- NPR Talk can be heard every day on National loved anything to do with Jack the actor who played Ozzy in ing from Ngunan Adamu, a radio presenter, Prison Radio at 6pm. It’s also broadcast at London. He was my idol. I loved the television version (Scottish “A Blinding good read” journalist, and also the boss of iWoman Media, Midday, and throughout Sunday morning. cowboy books too. I was actor Brian Cox) he couldn’t Ray Winstone which runs a radio station just for women in Liverpool. She’s looking for people to take part, so listen up to see if you could get involved. SOCIAL SERVICES PROBLEMS ? Check Up every Tuesday is all about keeping your body and your mind healthy while you’re CARE PROCEEDINGS? ON YOUR SIDE in jail. This month, we’ll be hearing an inter- Being on your side is one thing. Fighting your corner is another. We do both. view with Wilko Johnson, who was a guitarist WE SPECIALISE IN with the legendary bands Dr Feelgood and Ian ACTING FOR PARENTS • Miscarriage of Justice experts • Defending false allegations • Crown Court advocacy Dury and the Blockheads. Wilko tells the • CCRC applications • Prison law specialists • Parole applications • IPP and Lifer reviews incredible story about how he overcame a diag- Ring us to arrange a visit • Adjudications • Recalls • Sentence progression

nosis of terminal cancer. We offer Legal Aid and Fixed Fees along with a nationwide service. GLP Solicitors For more information contact us using the details below. Prime Time every Wednesday is the place to 20a Lakeland Court listen to inspirational interviews and features, Middleton and during November we’ll be hearing an inter- Manchester M24 5QJ view with Amy Fettig, a lawyer who has taken Changing the way you see lawyers. on the US prison system, campaigning against 0161 01302 365374 www.qualitysolicitors.com/jordans violence, sexual assault and solitary confine- 4 Priory Place, Doncaster, DN1 1BP ment. 653 6295 Led by Mark Newby Solicitor Advocate with a relentless record of quashing convictions. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Reading 47 Reading Group Book Review Round-up Memoirs of Her Majesty’s Promoting reading and reading Prison Doctor groups in prisons by Dr Gordon Cameron Review by: Noel Smith The report this month comes from Alex that he helped to make improvements to the Manolatos, volunteer facilitator at HMP education of its inhabitants as well as to health By insulting his erately sets out to alienate what would be the core audi- Pentonville. The group recently read care. Most readers, I think, agreed with Glenny’s view that Nem had on the whole an readers and per- ence for books on this subject Misha Glenny’s Nemesis and a week ameliorating effect on his society. I was amazed petuating the kind - prisoners and their families. later enjoyed a visit from the author. the government had got to the stage where they By insulting his readers and were too frightened to intervene. of spite-filled rhetoric perpetuating the kind of spite- Glenny’s account of politics beloved of sections filled rhetoric beloved of sec- and society in the favelas of Nem’s early years, growing up in a family strug- tions of the tabloid media the Rio de Janeiro focuses on the gling to make ends meet is a key part of the of the tabloid good ‘doctor’ appears to have life of one inhabitant, now book, in part explaining why he got involved media the good shot himself in the foot. known universally as Nem, in the cartel. Some readers wondered whether © Fotolia.com as he gradually becomes the he fell into the organisation naively, or wheth- This book is a wasted oppor- Laying my cards on the table ‘doctor’ appears to most powerful man in the er he would have been plainly aware of the tunity to reveal the pathetic straight away, I am suspicious district, challenging even the implications of accepting money from the ‘don’. have shot himself state of healthcare in our pris- of who this book was written authority of the government. ons, and instead takes the by and what its agenda is. in the foot Ultimately he is arrested and easy and well-trodden route When I asked to interview the accused of murder and corruption, but dealing of demonising an already dis- writer I was told that ‘Dr with him now may be as fraught with difficul- ently only committing crimes enfranchised minority. I have Gordon Cameron’ is a pseudo- ties as when he was a free man… so that they get into our great written dozens of book reviews nym and that the real writer prisons where they live the life over the years and, yet, never cannot be interviewed in per- All the members who attended the reading of Riley! have I had to review a book son. In the publicity package group meeting had read the book so we were that is so without merit that I for this book we are informed able to have a good discussion all round. Apart from the fact that there cannot find something good that ‘Dr Cameron’ is now are spelling mistakes and that to say about it. This is one retired, but on asking why One reader thought the first half, which deals Misha Glenny the whole thing could do with such book. there will be no personal with Nem’s family circumstances and with the the scrutiny of an editor, the interviews, I was told it was history of the Rio favelas, was a little rambling, Misha Glenny gave a good talk a week after our narrative itself is just not inter- My advice - do not waste your because the ‘Dr’ was in fear but he found the second half about the power meeting. The audience was especially taken esting. The writer fails to back time or money on this. of losing his job. Hmmm. struggles Nem faces very exciting. Personally, by the author’s liberal attitude towards his up his fanciful and outra- I wanted to know more about the history and anti-hero, and his interest in Nem’s childhood geous theories with any evi- The book itself reads like a social developments within these lawless areas and the events that led to his criminal activities. dence, even claiming that rant from a dozen Daily Mail of Rio. prisoners, especially ‘junkies’ Memoirs of Her Majesty’s readers, and, right from page Misha told us that he was in the process of love prison as it is more luxu- Prison Doctor one it insistently peddles Most of us found it extraordinary that the securing the film rights to Nemesis and that rious than their lives outside. by Dr Gordon Cameron right-wing myths about, Brazilian government has such a complicated they would be filming in situ in Rio de Janeiro Published by: Perseverance yawn, ‘holiday camp prisons’, law enforcement system, with three entities soon. Some members expressed an interest in I’m not sure who his target Books ISBN-10: 0957078099 and the London rioters appar- each with little trust in the competence of the taking part as extras should they be released audience would be as he delib- Price £14.99 others. As well as this, there is the problem of in time! corrupt policemen who Glenny says are easy prey to bribes because of their lamentably low salaries. More information about the govern- The Pentonville group is part of the Prison ment’s strategy for dealing with the corruption Reading Groups (PRG) network, sponsored by would have been interesting. the University of Roehampton and generously %JE
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et prison please either post the Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2QP Contact solicitor Andrew Arthur message or email [email protected]. Fisher Meredith LLP, 7th Floor, 322 High Holborn, Closing date 18 November. London, WC1V 7PB Telephone: 020 7091 2700 Send your entry to: Inside Time ‘Christmas Message’ Botley Mills, Fax: 020 7091 2800 Or visit our website www.fishermeredith.co.uk APPROACHABLE UNDERSTANDABLE ACCESSIBLE Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. 48 Jailbreak // Fitness www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016 Cell Workout Sun Salutations Get the body you want Inside & Out a simple guide to meditation Sun Salutations are a core part of many yoga The Prison Phoenix Trust classes and some people practice them daily Mobility Training on their own as well. It’s a complete practice - it gives you a chance to stretch out as well as Mobility is an indication of how well and effi- As the days get shorter and winter starts to take hold, it’s good to have something to do giving cardio and strength training elements. ciently we move and can even help us ward off Another benefit of doing it frequently over a injuries. Mobility exercises help prepare joints in your cell to warm you up. This strong rou- tine, called Sun Salutations, will heat you up long period of time is that it’s a good way to by stimulating the synovial membrane (con- get to know yourself - some days it will be nective tissue) to release synovial fluid (found fast and make you feel energised and focussed. Do the movements in time with easy to find the motivation to do the routine, in joints) into the synovial capsule (surrounding other days it will be harder. At times you will the joint). your breathing, taking a breath in or out for every new pose, and concentrating on the have the energy to do 20 rounds, or more, way the breath moves through you and the while another day you may only manage a This acts as a lubricant and helps absorb impact couple before you’re tired. By checking in and aids movement at the joints during exercise. way your muscles feel as they warm up. Start with five rounds of this routine on each side, with yourself every day and noticing these It will loosen and limber the joints. Mobility changes in your body, you can start to tune training is used as part of the warm up routine and add one every day until you can easily do ten at a time. into your body and feel more connected to for most, but if you are part of the older gen- yourself. eration of inmates, returning back from injury or a remedial this will act as a workout in itself. 6 Plank LJ Flanders 1 Mountain Mobility Workout

Make a start, you never Joint Rotations, Flexion or Extension (3-4 minutes) 20 reps know where it might lead A. Fingers B. Wrists Last month I was invited by The Reading C. Elbows Agency to visit HMP Edinburgh for an author visit. As I was in Edinburgh I took the oppor- D. Shoulders 7 Up Dog tunity to visit YOI Polmont as well. As ever the E. Neck welcome and enthusiasm from the men and F. Trunk and Shoulder Blades 20 reps staff was more than I could wish for. G. Hips 20 reps H. Knees 20 reps I. Ankles 20 reps One question that I am frequently asked is ‘how Upward Stretch to go about writing a book?’ Well, at the begin- J. Feet and Toes 20 reps 2 ning all I had was an idea but actually no idea how to go about it. But somehow that didn’t Warm-Up Activity really occur to me, I just started at the begin- (5-7 minutes of marching, jogging, ning. Using pencil and paper in prison, I spent skipping, etc.) hours writing exercises and drawing match- 8 Down Dog stick men. On release I got stuck into research, Upper Body Mobility (See exercise 5) collecting information. I typed everything up, (5 minutes) 10 reps each way then edited and proof read until it was as good A. Arm Swings / Circles / Side - Front as it could be. Crossover 3 Forward Fold B. Neck Movements / Flexion - Extension 9 Right Leg Wanting to be in the photos myself, I applied / Lateral Flexion Lunge simple nutrition advice and trained until I was Rotation happy with the result. Needing funds I applied C. Trunk and Shoulder-Girdle Movements to The Prince’s Trust for a loan to pay for a / Flexion - Extension / Lateral Flexion / photographer and then although I had a very Rotation clear idea of the design and layout, I needed somebody to put the design together. Then Fast Jogging (5 minutes) came learning about the printing and distri- bution process. Lower Body Mobility (5 minutes) 15 reps each way Looking back, I had to take the process step A. Hip Movements / Circles / Twists by step, learning as I went along. The book actu- B. Leg Swings / Flexion - Extension / ally took around 3 years, working on it in my spare time and with lots of support from my Cross-Body Flexion Extension C. Ankle Bounces / Double Leg Bounce / family and friends, who helped in any way Forward Fold Single Leg Bounce 4 Left Leg Lunge they could. 10 (See exercise 3)

A couple of months ago, out of the blue, I was Fast Jogging (5 minutes) contacted by publishers Hodder & Stoughton, Upward Stretch Cool Down 11 saying that they had seen my book and were (See exercise 2) interested in taking it on. I felt honoured to be asked, that they thought I had done a good job! After careful consideration I have just signed 5 Down Mountain with them so that they can take the book to Cell Workout info Dog 12 (See exercise 1) the next level in marketing and advertising it ISB: 978-0993248009 outside of prison. They plan to launch it at the Price: £19.99 end of this year, I’m looking forward to seeing 234 pages - 8 x 10inches If you want a free book and CD the response. 204 exercises with colour to help you set up a regular yoga photographs and meditation practice write to So I would say that if you have an idea, make 10 week programme The Prison Phoenix Trust, PO Box a start, you can learn how to do it later, you 328, Oxford OX2 7HF. never know where it might lead. L. J. www.cell-workout.com Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Take a Break 49

l The great British phenom- l Over one million Brits in Would you believe it? enon of an electricity spike Do you know? ‘extremely unhappy’ rela- 10 top facts... when millions of viewers put tionships. According to fig- the kettle on at the end of a l There’s very few things more debilitating ures out last week from the popular TV show has been than a blocked nose but, a new technique by Office of National Statistics, reduced by on-demand Lisa DeStefano, a professor at the Michigan more than a million people services. The leap in power State University could be the answer to your are miserable with their usage had historically been congestion problems. Using your thumb and spouse or partner: there are so significant that the your finger, you should press gently press the 15.7 million married and National Grid kept back-up area between your eyebrows for three to four cohabiting couples in power stations on standby to seconds, then press your tongue against the Britain, and of these, one in deal with the surge. However, roof of your mouth. Alternate between the 20 - five per cent - declare the popularity of on-demand two actions for 20 seconds and it will make themselves ‘extremely services, such as BBC’s iPlayer breathing through your nose easier. Dr unhappy’ in their relation- and Netflix, has caused the DeStefano also proposed another technique ships. A further 3.5 per cent l In October, a GitHub file dump revealed all traditional jolt to dwindle. A that may help you, but it’s not one you’re were ‘fairly unhappy’, with Smiling the registered domains listed to the “.kp” jolt of 2,290MW resulted going to want to attempt in view of other only 5.9 percent declaring country code top-level domain for North when 20 million EastEnders people. Insert your right baby finger into the their relationship ‘perfect’. 1. No one smiles in the Bible. Korea. Essentially, it revealed that the hermit fans found out who shot Phil back left of your mouth, and reach as far Daily Mail kingdom only has 28 websites. Among the Mitchell in 2001. When The back behind the molar as you can and press 2. The word ‘quack’ is funnier websites are a flight ticket website, a cooking Great British Bake Off upwards on the fleshy area there towards l The record cost of filming than the word ‘moo’ because site, a film website, a few educational sites, switched from BBC Two to your eye and cheekbone. If you do this for the opening scene of Jeremy saying it makes you smile. the North Korean tourist board, news BBC One in 2014 the National three seconds it will stimulate a group of Clarkson’s new TV show, The agencies, and a social sciences website. They Grid braced itself for an nerves in the area and cause your nasal Grand Tour, came in at a cool 3. Babies smile in REM sleep even appear to have a kind of social network initial surge but it failed to cavity to drain out fluid. If repeated every few £2.5m. It involved 150 cars, before the development of site called “Friend.” Much of the news stories materialise. “The BBC went hours, this technique should prove effective. 2,000 acrobats and six jet social smiling when awake. are heavily focus on supreme leader Kim straight on to some nature Men’s Health planes. Daily Mail This is known as ‘smiling at Jong-un, his father and former leader Kim programme where they had the angels’. Jong-Il, or North Korea’s recent nuclear ten baby pandas on the weapons tests. The websites give a rare screen,” Mr Caplin added. l If your dentist suggests 4. A researcher identified 19 insight through the keyhole of North Korea’s “Nobody in the entire you come back in six types of smiles and put them all-encompassing leadership and its very, country moved from the TV months, it may be worth ask- into two categories: polite very dull Internet. IFL Science screen.” The Times ing why. According to England’s chief dental ‘social’ smiles which engage fewer muscles, and sincere l officer, most adults need In September, authorities stumbled upon a scene out of a modern-day ‘felt’ smiles that use more Faulkner story, when they found a fully clothed skeleton resting among the only visit the dentist once a year - or even biennially. muscles on both sides of the many possessions inside a hoarder’s Brooklyn home. When the elderly face. woman, Rita Wolfensohn, suffered a fall in September, her sister-in-law, Although the official guid- Josette Buchman, popped over to grab some belongings to take to the ance is for people with gen- erally good oral health to 5. In 1852, artist Luc Maspero hospital. That’s when Buchman came across the skeleton lying on a mattress killed himself because he on the second floor of Wolfensohn’s Midwood home - fully intact and still visit the dentist no more than once a year, half of all couldn’t work out the secret wearing socks, jeans, and a T-shirt. “It’s like some reverse Psycho scene,” a Jeanne Calment aged 122 of Mona Lisa’s smile. law enforcement source said after the sinister discovery. But unlike Norman adults go every six months. Private check-ups cost up to Bates, authorities believe that Wolfensohn - who is also legally blind - may l In 1888 Vincent van Gogh visited Arles in 6. According to a 2005 study, have been living with the corpse unknowingly for a couple of decades. £120, while NHS ones are £19.70. The Independent southeast France and bought some coloured seeing a smile makes your Investigators believe it might be her son, Louis, a former tax driver who pencils from a distinctly unimpressed brain as happy as eating relatives say they haven’t seen in 20 years. Police believe that he most likely 13-year-old girl. A century later that girl, 2,000 chocolate bars or died of natural causes. New York Post Jeanne Calment, was still there, recalling the being given £16,000. artist as “dirty, badly dressed and disagreea- l The simple pastime of ble”. By the time she died in 1997 she was, at 7. A study at the University spending a few lazy minutes 122, the oldest person in history. The world of Wurzburg showed people throwing bread to hungry may never see her like again, according to a enjoy comedy more when ducks cost a woman £80 study that suggests Calment survived right they are holding a pencil when she was accused of © Fotolia.com up to the biologically determined limit of the between their teeth. being a litter lout. The duck l The sausage dog has seen human lifespan. Over the past two centuries feeder was slapped with an a huge rise in popularity. Its our life expectancies have doubled thanks to 8. Chinese & Japanese on-the-spot fine by an fans have been warned, better food and medicine. At the extreme end emoticons are like this: ^_^ overzealous litter warden however, that their choice of of the scale, however, the march of the (happy) and ;_; (sad) rather this summer as she scattered pet could come back to bite so-called “supercentenarians” - those who than this :) and :( because crumbs for the ducks on the them. A study found dachs- live beyond 110 - has slowed to a halt. Jan they use the eyes rather than bank of the River Loose in l As tensions rise in the middle East, an hunds are the most aggres- Vijg, professor of genetics at the Albert the mouth when reading Tovil, near Maidstone, Kent. someone’s emotional state. official TV channels in Russia has issued a sive breed of dog, topping a Einstein College of Medicine in New York The litter enforcement patrol said: “I heard about Jeanne Calment in 1997 chilling warning that war with the West list of 33 breeds, with one in operative rejected the five having bitten or tried to when she died, everybody said a couple of 9. The yellow smiley face, could be imminent. Zvezda, a nationwide TV woman’s claim that she was bite strangers and one in 12 years from now we would see more people in much loved by the acid service run by the country’s Ministry of feeding the ducks and having snapped at their their 120s. Nearly 20 years have gone by and house ravers and Emoticon- Defence, said last week, ‘Schizophrenics maintained that he could not owners. The Times nobody has come close.” The Times addicts was invented by an see any birdlife. The penalty from America are sharpening nuclear insurance company in 1963. notice was rescinded after weapons for Moscow.’ Officials said that “Dubai is what would happen if you the woman appealed, underground shelters had been built which Just for laughs gave a 12-year-old a trillion dollars 10. Forcing yourself to smile protesting that there had could house 12 million people - enough for to redecorate his bedroom.” Dane when you’re sad will been lots of ducks around the entire population of Moscow. In October “I’ve run this joke past all my black Baptiste actually elevate your mood. until the warden turned up a mind-blowing 40 million people, almost a and ethnic-minority friends, and she and frightened them off. The third of the country, took part in a civil said it was fine.” Bridget Christie “I just don’t have lesbian genes - which are dungarees.” Aisling Bea Times defence exercise. A war between the US and Quotes Russia could prove catastrophic as Russia “My cat is recovering from a massive stroke.” Darren Walsh “I’m both ethnic and a woman has more nuclear weapons than the US, with - which gives me double the chances l People are less likely to 8,400 warheads, compared to America’s shoot at you if you smile at “Whenever I get to Edinburgh, I’m of being booked on a BBC panel stockpile of 7,500. In September, Putin them. Jack Churchill (1906-96) reminided of the definition of a show” Shazia Mirza ordered a 400-square mile facility to be gentleman. It’s someone who knows carved into a secluded region of the Ural l A warm smile is the universal how to play the bagpipes, but “After 50, you have to stop seeing your mountains, from which he could direct the language of kindness. doesn’t.” Gyles Brandreth heart as a muscle and more as an © Fotolia.com nuclear conflict. The Lad Bible unexploded bomb.” Hal Cruttenden William Arthur Ward (1921-94) 50 Jailbreak // Inside Poetry www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016

Star Poem of the Month Being True to Myself Paranoid Congratulations to this months winner who Fraser Wilson - HMP Lincoln Luke Williams - receives our £25 prize HMP Wealstun I know I did wrong, I committed a crime Sent to jail, 18 months is my time I’m trying my hardest to keep my head down They’re reading my mind Yet it seems to me I’m being taken for a clown They are in my thoughts If I was a ‘problem’ like some of them are What will they find I’d get treated much better, yes better by far As my brain contorts They bang on their doors, they scream and they shout What will they see And all this they do so they can get out Watching through my TV © Fotolia.com Out for a shower, or to give mother a call Are they reading my files I think to myself ‘perhaps I should scream and bawl?’ As this complaint compiles Then I’d maybe get out like the rest of them do Prison Food for Thought They lock my door And I’d ring up my partner to say ‘I love you’ Robert Thomas - HMP Isle of Wight But no, I don’t do that, I follow the rules To find out some more I hope they ignore Yet what do I get? Treated like a tool Choose wisely your lunch and tea That I’m just trying to score Your food is provided by HMP I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my head I think that the razor Have you seen the ‘see through’ ham? © Fotolia.com And I know others who think they wish they were dead Is another invader You’re better off with bread and jam Yes that’s right, it isn’t just me Of my personal space If you need to stop a belly rumble There’s quite a few in here who just want to be In a spice driven haste Take a good hard look at the herb fish crumble In Your Dreams Treated much better, be given a chance They’re reading the paper And my opinion of the sea food pasta To prove to the system we ain’t gonna dance To ignore the loud neighbour Is that it’s on a par with a national disaster Barry Britton - HMP Rye Hill All over the wing selling ‘legal highs’ Till he bangs on his door Things get much worse with spicy lamb stew Not giving a damn if somebody dies Sticking to the plate like industrial glue Begging “listen some more” I can’t say that I’m a huge sports fan The system’s messed up, it does need to change And don’t forget the liver and onions But those Olympic games were something else The way things are done screws can’t rearrange He gets on the buzzer Made to taste like untreated bunions If it wasn’t for my dodgy ticker It’s not getting better it’s going to get worse And mutters away Without a doubt you’ll be ill I’d have a crack at them myself! Two deaths in two weeks, more work for the hearse Knows that the officer After you’ve consumed beef noodle grill I rather fancy a go at cycling Will try to stay away Not to mention mushroom bake And I can just see me on my bike I’m doing the courses, addressing my issues Till he utters and stutters Give it a miss for your stomach’s sake! Yet sometimes it’s hard and I reach for the tissues Whizzing around the racetrack A curse or two You can always chance rice and nuts Then visits from Social and also Probation Winning gold medals, that’s what I’d like Expressing, quite loudly But don’t blame me for dodgy guts It’s so bloody hard in this tough prison nation Never choose the breaded skate Maybe I could be a sprinter His point of view I’m doing the courses to better myself So uncooked it swims off the plate I’m pretty nimble on my feet That’s going on NOMIS, For a clearer understanding, for much better health And please don’t let the kitchen boast And that, Luke’s, a promise On second thoughts, a marathon runner Yet some on these courses just want out of their cell About their abysmal deep-fried roast I stay the distance, so to speak They just don’t deserve it, they should rot in hell They note what you say Sitting on my tray looking pretty nasty Perhaps I’ll chuck the hammer They’re taking the places of those who need help Once they’ve wandered away Is nothing other than a corned beef pasty You know, that ball thing on a chain They should sit in their cells and be left to yelp All I want is a Rizla, or whitener, The watery soup and stale baguette Spinning round in a circle They walk the landings, out of their heads or smoke Is a meal you’ll easily forget It seems a damn funny game! Then back to their cells to veg on their beds If they tuned through his TV And if you’re on the chicken curry No, something that is more sedate And still those like me who toe the line They’d see a wonderful bloke Make sure you reach the loo in a hurry Get treated like scum, still, no worries, I’m fine Like yachting on the sea I’m angry or shy, and no-one Bacon at the server y is not worth the trip ‘Cos we’re getting better with the help that we need All that tacking to and fro knows why There’s far more meat on a jockey’s whip And they’re getting worse on their ‘highs’ such as weed So if you think the food’s obscene Yes, that’s much more like me So I bang in frustration And when I get out I won’t have a drink Then do as I do and rely on canteen! Phew, all this sport malarkey’s tiring I’ll keep my head clear, being able to think And wished they’d die. I feel shattered, and need a rest And not only that, I’m done with the drugs So I’ll just stretch out for a little nap I’m done with it all, just want to get home Because that’s the thing I do best! To my missus and kids, being free to roam Five Minutes of Madness Off to the beach or a walk up the hills No more booze or weed and all without pills Alex McBride - HMP Bullingdon Jail-mates I’ll do it for me and the ones that I love Jay Griffiths - HMP Garth Can’t wait for the day to be free as a dove. What started with fun on such a beautiful day Five minutes of madness ended in such a tragic way We spend every day together For if only I’d taken five minutes to think And laugh about our memories Reality Game Show It would have altered life changes that happened in a blink We both speak about our families M McCullough - HMP Garth Because of these actions we lost someone so loved It gives us hope to get through this Now I spend every day praying Rebecca is safe What the f***, where are we going? And being looked after in Heaven above You cheer me up when I’m feeling sad The government’s frozen and it aint even snowing No matter how much I regret, what I do or say And remind me that I must be strong One party’s dying and aint even bleeding It will never reverse the tragedy which happened that day You’ve got my back when things go bad The other one has a new idiot leading We’re jail-mates who soldier on ‘Brexit’ the route some people did say I’m really sorry, so torn apart, so heartbroken But for others ‘Remain’ was the sensible way I wish I’d stopped, thought and listened to words that are spoken You make me laugh a lot my friend Just over fifty percent, roughly a half When you’re in the community around those with trust Even when you’re feeling down One of those numbers is having a laugh I ask you to stop and think before you act, it’s a must We even have our own private jokes They say it’s not about immigration It only takes just five minutes of madness But it still causes problems (my imagination?) But what’s this? They’re shipping you out? To cause such ripples of harm, hurt and sadness Or maybe sovereignty, have we lost our Queen? Or even austerity, worse we’ve ever seen If you’re not even stopping, thinking, taking time to reflect You’ve packed your clothes and shook my hand Was Gove ever a leader? That I could never see There are many people that will suffer the ripple of your neglect And you’ve left the wing for good And was Boris fit for PM, with all his capers To live in society, in the community, to be part of us Deep down inside I feel so jaded Just loves to see his antics in all the papers It’s better on the right side of life, to live without fuss My jail-mate has left the hood So what was left? Really not much choice It’s time to change, to start over, a new way to live Two main parties and not one voice Come to the Sycamore Tree, move forward and learn to forgive I wish you well my good, true friend Parliament turned into a reality game show I’m grateful for the memories we have They tested each MP on what they know Take care of yourself my jail-mate Those that are caught in more than three lies Would you like to be a published poet? And know we had the best of laughs. Seize their expenses, we don’t need those guys! Write in and set your thoughts free. Please mark your envelope ‘Poetry’. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Inside Poetry 51 The Professional Victim U gotta h8 txt spk Bleak Not Futile Ben Gibbon - HMP Stafford Rob H - HMP Pkhrst Sam Sturnham - HMP Gartree

A career of choice for many these days Wen kidz rite lol n omg Able to lie, deceive and persuade Inconsolable state, incandescent pain It duz my ed in cant u c A trip, slip or fall there’s money in that Abstract heart, paralysed brain No matter how small or daft the mishap I think b4 2 vry lng Pharmaceutical remedy, something detected Along came the scam of ‘crash for cash’ R ritin sklz wl all b gon Re-uptake inhibitor, serotonin selected So easy to do with no clear test for whiplash Thn wot the l we gonna do Euphoric highs, crashing lows But here to save the day is the in-car dash-cam 4 me 2 tlk ill txt with u Alcohol fuelled fatal blows Tragic consequences, immeasurable scale Exposing the lie of those trying to scam I spoze in time i don’t know wen The tide starts to turn as nothing is missed Honourable prerogative, denied bail we’ll yooz no papr n no pen Every inch of the country recorded like this Self-inflicted arterial bleed The ‘professional victim’ is now in decline so tilt ht time im gonna rite Higher power, doubted indeed But wait - why not claim off an historical crime? in propa englsh day n nite Oxygen required, blood transfusion n stuf thm kidz with fan c spk Fortuitous outcome Working hard each day is really no fun ths fad wnt lst anuva wk Obvious conclusion The payout’s far better for getting them done Being in the past no evidence is needed Details can be sketchy, contradictory and seeded I’m an adult, I can deal with it Keen to meet targets, police are soon on the case Prison Life Brian Witty - HMP Isle of Wight No matter how clear the lies on the face Mollenna Callum - HMP/YOI Swinfen Hall Assurance is given, ‘you will be believed’ How else could such a story ever be conceived? Why? I ask myself as I softly sigh Drugs, mugs, thugs life What is claimed clearly does not stack up Do these thoughts of mine oft belie? Ripping out ya sole with the blade of the knife So tales are changed, all involved are corrupt As an adult I face these days Standing by ya buzzer Enquiries are made to back up what is said Once a provider with responsibilities galore Yet nothing but praise, so this is air-brushed instead Crying for help, your worst nightmare All entwined and knocking at my door Dragging ya to hell My heart was full and my soul alight ‘Our job is to convict, we’re not here for the truth’ Tick- tock goes the clock In life I did delight. Said the officer to the witness as he buried the proof As he signs ya soul by the line of that dot So why do these questions arise? The professional victim plays the role so well Shouting out and no one can hear Can I deal with it? Should I deal with it? Being centre of attention this is definitely swell They’re laughing at you while ya living in fear These thoughts surround me, denying my surrender I stop, seeing a blurred reflection in the window Concessions made for what they claim they’ve been through Of all the inmates running and fighting for their fix I am who I am, there for others when in need Pity is given although it can’t possibly be true Get a grip ya soft little pricks Complicated, relentless, sharing direct, A quest has begun to find those with axes to grind What’s going on with the world at peace Are but a few words used to describe me Trying so hard, dedicating the mind Why is every lad carrying a piece? Yet blind am I, for the truth is clear to all …. The CPS agree and a court date is set Forget the negatives, forget the past speaks ‘Sirie qua non’ - without this there is nothing Full speed ahead, it’s now too late to regret Show what’s done by making these creaks I’m an adult, and I will deal with it. The professional victim is ‘prepped’ and prepared Be a simple man and ya get a second chance Crying on cue as the claims are declared Like the legend David Bowie, everybody ‘let’s dance’ ‘No win no fee’ certainly applies People go round and they break the law No consequences for telling such horrid lies Ya get punished by being led to the door The Letter Wrongly convicted, life devastated and tattered Get locked behind the metal gates Getting them done clearly all that mattered C McCallum - HMP Barlinnie Enjoy ya new life with ya fucked up inmates Now that it’s done it’s time to get paid Memories in my head can’t talk away The professional victim has got it made. I’m writing this letter from your five- star hotel The pain, good or bad, they will never be the same ‘Aye, ye know the one they call it Barl Try and live life full to the max The service is poor and the food’s mostly sh**e Coz one day it will be gone and that’s a fact In fact you’ll be on the toilet for most of the night! High Stakes Bang bang, ya head filthy gullets Now I know you’re thinking I can’t complain Stephen Farrow - HMP Wakefield In ya head another innocent soul taking for dead If it wasn’t for your kindness I’d be out in the rain They left ya lying in a puddle of blood I appreciate your thought to some extent But I think I’d be better off in a tent! Gambling money, laying down a bet An adrenalin rush, like a They know what they’re doing, taking ya life for good I’d be out in the open and seeing for miles So many things happening in this system today needle in the veins That very first bet, the odds you will win And nae plastic chair giving me piles So much I wanna scream, so much I wanna say Now you’re shackled by the bookies chains Well, I hope you’re not offended by my wee note? Time slowly passing by, inmates say another prayer But to keep you in power, ye’ll nae get my vote! Shop front window, special offers on display Looking up at the sky ‘Free bets’ ‘higher odds’ to entice you in Wooden chairs, rusty old tables, looking at four walls The hustle and bustle of the bookies ring With metal bed, worst place for the dead u We will award a prize of £25 to the entry selected as our Punters staking high or low, hoping to win Walking out the cell, seeing all the other floor ‘Star Poem of the Month’. Same old routine, ya know the score To qualify for a prize, poems should not have won a prize in any other competition or been published previously. Send entries to: Inside Horses and greyhounds, shown live on screens Excitement, “Get ya water lads”, as I step outside to the bit of freedom I got Time, Poetry, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 2GB. anticipation at the line, at the bell Horses at the off, dogs Once I sign my name on the release spot. chasing the hare The thrill of a race holds you under a spell It is very important that you ensure the following details are on all paperwork sent to Inside Time: YOUR NAME, PRISON NUM- And lurking in the corners the hypnotic machines Real Life in Jail BER & PRISON. Failure to do so will prevent us responding to you The bookies biggest profits, the games of roulette Dean Lovell - HMP Wormwood Scrubs and your submission being withheld from publication. Unlimited stakes on the spin of a wheel But the more you lose, the more you bet I came back from work, there’s blood on the floor By submitting your poems to Inside Time you are agreeing that they Like ‘Dawn of the Dead’ bloodlust and gore can be published in any of our ‘not for profit links’, these include the newspaper, website and any forthcoming books. You are also giving Many other enticers on large flat screens A ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ but really in jail permission for Inside Time to use their discretion in allowing other Poker and racing, coloured bingo balls A cellmate called Freddie with long fingernails organisations to reproduce this work if considered appropriate, unless Punters drawn like metal to a magnet No, I’m not dreaming, it’s real life for me High risk on D Wing, the slasher roams free you have clearly stated that you do not want this to happen. Any An unstoppable addiction when the gambling urge calls Uneasy and anxious, I think some more work reproduced in other publications will be on a ‘not for profit’ Just how it got there, that blood on the floor basis. Please note poems for publication may be edited. When There are very few winners in the gambling game It’s shiny and spreading, like a pool in the sea submitting your work please include the following permission: High stakes that can lose you everything you own This is a real day in jail you see ‘This is my own work and I agree to Inside Time publishing it Life’s precious things, family and friends Rehabilitation, that’s the aim, low OASys score sounds so lame in all associate sites and other publications as appropriate.’ Gambled away, leaving you penniless, alone. That’s not gonna help if your blood’s on the floor. 52 Jailbreak // Prize Winning Competitions www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016 Read all about it! Caption Competition Last Months £25 Winner 1. Who was elected leader of UKIP but Robbie Fogg HMP Risley resigned within days? 2. Which England football manager was sacked with a 100% record? Fonesavvy providers of ‘landline type 3. Who walked out of ‘Strictly’? numbers’ for mobile phones. 4. For which Nobel Prize was Bob Dylan honoured? Proud sponsors of Inside Time’s PRIZE quiz ‘Read all about it!’ 5. Which two cities saw the Rio Olympians honoured? If you don’t want callers to be disadvantaged or put off by the high cost of calling your 6. In which country is Aleppo? mobile - just get a landline number for it. 7. Which rider won the British Superbikes Calls to mobiles don’t have to be expensive! Championship? A £25 prize is on offer for the best caption to Full details are available on our main this month’s picture. 8. Which Welsh village is commemorating a 50 advert in Inside Time and at Sh*t!! year-old tragedy? www.fonesavvy.co.uk Just ignore that picture, Glum Harry Redknapp helps his injured wife 9. Which Olympic gold medallist announced I’d been drinking Sandra home from hospital with her leg in her retirement from athletics during October? plaster after he ran over her. 10. Which banknote has recently been produced Last Months Winner in plastic and is currently in circulation? Malcolm Leach HMP Manchester (£25) Apple CEO Tim Cook shows an iPhone 7 to Answers to last months News Quiz: , 1. 147 - 64G performer Maddie Ziegler during an event to 39S 44B, 2. Witney, 3. 4 Privet Drive, 4. Argentina, See box to the right for details of how to enter announce new products in San Fransisco in CLOSING DATE FOR ALL COMPETITIONS 5. Guy Martin, 6. Owen Smith, 7. DJ Melvin Odoom, 8. BA & M&S, 9. Great British Bake Off, 10. Sport Direct September. IS 18/11/16

Inside Knowledge // All the answers are within this issue of Inside Time - all you have to do is find them! How to enter Please do not cut out any The first three names to be drawn with all-correct answers (or nearest) will 11. When and where was the Clink Charity founded? of these panels. Just send receive a £25 cash prize. There will also be two £5 runner up prizes. The 12. Who was a diarist during seven years in Elmley? your entry on a separate winners’ names will appear in next month’s issue. 13. Who began her career with Virgin Trains ‘on the platforms’? sheet of paper. 14. Who has to live with an uncaring anti-Semitic chaplain? Make sure your NAME, 1. Who loved Calamity Jane when she was little? 15. Who was asked if his committee had any real teeth? NUMBER AND PRISON 2. What is the name of the 11 year-old girl diagnosed with a brain tumour? is on all sheets. Failure to 3. Who considers a certain book reads like ‘a rant from a dozen Daily Mail readers’? do so will invalidate your entry. 4. Who received a fine and driving ban shortly after becoming an MP? Answers to Last Month’s Inside Knowledge Prize Quiz Post to: Inside Time, Botley 5. Who won an award for making it ‘the happiest classroom you could imagine’? 1. Jo Stevens, 2. Carl Linden, 3. 117,568, 4. Eoin McLennan Murray, 5. Leon McKenzie, 6. Jason 6. Who feels protective towards women? Shields, 7. Rachel Billington, 8. Maria Dreina, 9. Mr Jim Scott, 10. Curtis Wallace, 11. Louise Mills, Botley, Southampton, 7. Which charity only employs ex-offenders? Shorter, 12. George Blake, 13. Ian Acheson, 14. A drone, 15. The Dog Programme Hampshire SO30 2GB. You can use one envelope to 8. Which prison is set to go smoke-free on 7th January 2017? The three £25 Prize winners are: The £5 runner up prizes go to: enter more than one 9. Who is the first female President of the PGA? Ian Grant HMP Wymott Lee Pattison HMP Durham competition just mark it 10. Who is bothered by the hundreds of innocent men and women cramming Steven Wright HMP Elmley Nicholas Dodsworth HMP Holme House Jason Thomas HMP Risley ‘jailbreak’. our jails? Answers to last months quizzes PATHFINDER SUMMER 2016 QUIZ CRYPTIC CROSSWORD MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE? beesleyandcompanysolicitors 1. Cloth, Diary, Freak, 1. Christopher Biggins, Joker, Manor, Rebel, 2. Naked Attraction, CONTACT Stove, Zebra 3.Deal or No Deal, Personal Injury and Civil Action against 2. Queen, Ozone, Brand, 4. Cafe owner, 5. 2,168 years. It was his ASHLEY SMITH & CO the Police and other authorities Wafer, Idiot, Lucky, Exist, Heavy 13th individual gold medal, a record our experienced and dedicated team are specialistsin 3. pencil, orchid, bronze, previously held by •• Personal Injury Injury (accidents both in and cheese, unplug, ransom, Leonidas of Rhodes in the (accidentsout of custody) both in & out of custody) deluxe, vacuum, disarm, original Greek Games in Appeals & CCRC • Police Assault dynamo 152 BC, • Assault 6. £89.3m They let him QUICK CROSSWORD • False imprisonment or Malicious go to Juventus on a free Across 1. Cubbyhole. 6. Cab. transfer, 7. 62, 8. 33, Parole Board Representation • ProsecutionFalse imprisonment 8. Stream. 9. Geese. 10. Fickle. 9. £47, 10. Beelzebub 11. Ransacf 13. Glucose. • Negligence Hillary • Malicious prosecution 16. Retina. 18. Arson. 19. Silent. Independent Adjudications • Compensation for Childhood Abuse in 21. Die. 22. Resilient. • CareNegligence SUDOKU WORD MORPH Professional and approachable we offer a Down 1. Cut. 2. Bleak. •• MistreatmentInterference orwith Assault property/goods by Inmates or dive 3. Yammers. 4. Origin. 5 Eczema. nationwide service, including full coverage dime 7 Breakfast. 8. Safeguard. in the West and South West • PrisonAllegations Staff of mistreatment/injury dame 12. Aerosol. 14. Ulster. • Claim for delay in Parole hearing and name For a prompt response call caused by inmates or staff 15. Owners. 17. Tilde. 20. Nut. review ANAGRAM SQUARE 0208 463 0099 Contact: Mark Lees CATCHPHRASE 1 S OAPS (24 hours) Beesley & Company 2 U SHER 1. Foreign Policy 2. Party line 736-740 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, P OUND Ashley Smith & Co 3 3. Covered Wagon Manchester, M20 2DW 4 E NTER 4. Back to the Future Criminal Defence Specialists 5. Midwife 0800 975 5454 (FREEPHONE) 5 R OOST 6. Off Side 4-6 Lee High Road, London, SE13 5LQ GENERAL KNOWLEDGE [email protected] If your prison based problem cannot be publicly funded www.beesleysolicitors.co.uk 1. 1066, 2. Greenwich Meridian, 3. Sporran, 4. “Time flies”, we can quote a reasonable fixed fee. MIND GYM 5. Miss Moneypenny, 6. violin, 7. maps, 8. five, 9. mammals, Nationwide service available in certain cases 1. 0, 2. 385, 3. 385 10. Tequila, 11. 13, 12. knitting Legal Aid available Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Just for Fun 53 Cryptic Crossword Inside Chess Wordsearch // Prison Life by Carl Portman Tony Brooks HMP Peterborough A F B C A N T E E N O P This month, I should like to answer some reader’s points and queries. Firstly, Alex from Garth asked S E C A Q B L P G W F H me if I prefer answers to puzzles that simply show an answer or the thoughts behind the moves as S H O W E R I C L S H O well. I have to say I prefer the latter but it does not require long variations, just a few notes to O K H G G D B A O R V N your thoughts. Nevertheless, a correct answer, however long or short will always go into the C B R E W O R K C E B E hat, so don’t worry. I have received a few letters asking me to play correspondence games. Much I S J A I T A F K T F C as I would love to in a perfect world my workload dictates that I am simply unable to do this. I A H C N U L R D U T C A suggest that you could try with perhaps a family member or friend if they play chess. T E A E H G Y E P E B L I had two letters stating that the magazine prizes I A V I S I T S I L E L I sent were back copies. I should explain that although this is a very fair point, as a volunteer I try to beg and scrounge whatever chess prizes O L V D L A U N D R Y S I can. If I am given back copies, then that’s what I must use. The implication was that games were N M K L J S O V E G Y M therefore somehow ‘unconnected’ with today’s chess scene. Of course, I must point out the O T S A F K A E R B T O following. Only recently I played through some Work Tea Lock up Canteen of the games of former World Champion Laundry Shower Gym Phone calls Work Laundry Alexander Alekhine, played in 1922. Those games Visit Breakfast Association are as relevant today as they were then. Some LettersVisit Lunch LettersLibrary Across Down openings may go out of favour but there is much to be learned from games of old. Indeed, a game ThanksTea to Tony Brooks - HMP Peterborough for compiling this 1. A party with 100 in the French place 2. Beloved animal in the wild, we hear played today is tomorrow’s chip paper news. So Wordsearch. If you fancy compiling one for us please just send it in Shower - part of growing up (11) (4) carry on enjoying games past and present. Next max 20 x 20 grid and complete with answers shown on a grid. If we use it we will send you £5 as a thank you! Remember to include your 8. Paper cleaner applied to glass (5,6) 3. ‘Having a lazy time’ - lots of love, month I shall explain all those numbers and Breakfast name, number and prison with your entry. 11. Finished the port duke left out (4) Heather (7) letters and how chess moves are written down Lunch 12. Money for old rope sometimes (4) 4. Approximately what you’d get after and followed. Answers to all puzzles are in the next issue. Only Puzzles on 13. Newcomer in part of hospital given adding up, you’d say (4) Lock up This month I am giving the position in from the the ‘Prize Winning Puzzles’ page have prizes for completing. verbal onslaught (7) 5. Rely on a run being in the first part game Schussler-Seirawan played in Reykjavik Gym 15. Avoid time after lad has gone to of the programme? (5,2) 1986. The queens are off and it looks like it will Association bed (7) 6. Enclosure in supermarket store? (4) be a long game but white to move found a winning Quick Crossword 16. Grumble from old lady possessing 7. Extra on the bill - cafe’s foremost combination. You know, you can force mate in Library nothing? (5) swindle? (5,6) six moves against best play. What did white do? 17. Pothole - beware! (4) 8. End having a depression in hot A chess magazine (back copy) donated by Chess 18. Goddess gets a flower in Oxford (4) desert (5,6) & Bridge of London is the prize if you are first 19. Cold fish, maiden, about to 9. Protest from mean rotters going out of the hat. become trainee doctor? (5) berserk (11) 21. Everyone wants philosopher to be 10. People predicting hot years getting a bringer of comfort (7) excited in cry for help (11)

22. Head of college left prematurely, 14. Judge someone making an effort to 8 evidently (7) improve (5) 23. European native not right - socially 15. Is put into taxi for return journey 7 awkward type? (4) -- simple! (5) 26. Disturbance involving half of 19. Your crossword setter not exciting? 6

Scottish university (4) A bit of a brain! (7) 5 27. Zircon, say, found in American 20. Group of fifty imprisoned by US park? (11) general (7) 4 28. Another imp’s devilish disliker of 24. Take picture to show this piece of people (11) headgear (4) 3 25. Second rebel gets hit (4) 2 26. Upturned vessels fracture (4) 1

A B C D E F G H GEF BAD CHI Across Down

Neil Speed is a The answer to October’s puzzle is: 1.Qd3! The 1. Causing laughter (7) 1. Travelling fair (8) former prisoner double threat of the queen on the rook at a6 and 5. Ukrainian capital (4) 2. Exhibiting magnetism (8) who came up bringing the rook from f1-b1 winning a piece 7. Small carpet (3) 3. Domesticated cows and with the concept cannot be parried. Winner to be announced. 8. Unmelodious (8) bulls (6) of GEF BAD CHI 9. Perfect (5) 4. Edible seed (6) whilst in prison. The winner of September’s puzzle was Vytas 10. Covered with frozen water (4) 5. Murderer (6) GEF BAD CHI by Neil Speed is from HMP Glenochil. 13. Uncommon (4) 6. Gaelic (4) published by Xlibris. RRP: 14. Corrosive substance (4) 11. Lent lily (8) £12.35 Using the letters I must apologise for confusing people in October’s 18. Traffic marker (4) 12. Erudite (4-4) G,E,F,B,A,D,C,H & I fill in the issue. I did say what do you think my opponent 19. Very bad or unpleasant (5) 15. Submissive (6) blank squares. Each letter A-I actually played. I should have asked what the best 21. Screen test (8) 16. Zodiac sign (6) must appear only once in move was. Both 1.Qd3 and 1.Ra-b1 were as equally 22. Owing (3) 17. Set afloat (6) each line column and 3x3 grid. effective as it happens. 23. Hackman, actor (4) 20. Gargantuan (4) 24. Breathed in (7) 54 Jailbreak // Just for Fun www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2016 In this month... Mind Gym

81 ÷27 / +148 / -17 / x2½ / +20% = 1 November 1996 __ The first DVD players (manufactured by Toshiba and Panasonic) went on sale in Japan 17 x18 / +82 / -63 / ÷5 / squared = (USA 1997, Europe 1998.) __

2 November 1936 512 x17 / +75% / ÷8 / ÷4 / +196 = The BBC Television Service was launched. __ Submitted by Craig Cleverland - HMP Ashfield. 6 November 1986 Start on the left with the first number and work your Alex Ferguson was appointed manager of way across following the instructions in each cell. If Manchester United FC. 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! 11 November 1926 Route 66 was established in the USA. It was one of the most famous highways in the Sudoku // Very Hard country and was celebrated in popular culture. (It was removed from the highway system in June 1985 when it was replaced along its entire 7 3 6 length by the Interstate Highway System. Sections of it still remain in Illinois, Missouri, 3 1 7 New Mexico and Arizona where it is recog- nised as Historic Route 66.) 9 2 4 6 9 22 November 1946 The first Biro ballpoint pens went on sale in the 7 1 3 9 4 5 UK. 8 1 3 22 November 1966 2 5 The first chess match between 2 computers was played. Programs running at the Massachusetts 8 4 9 Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA and

the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental 6 4 1 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2016. All rights reserved. Physics (ITEP) in Moscow, Russia, played a Daily Sudoku: Tue 4-Oct-2016 correspondence match via telegraph. It took 9 months to complete 4 games. The Soviet Union How well do you really won 3 - 1. (The head of ITEP’s computer lab was fired for wasting computer time.) know the law? 7 8 4 1 3 6 5 9 2 22 November 1986 © MW Released life sentenced prisoner 1. In the UK, is jaywalking legal or illegal? American boxer Mike Tyson became the Legal3 £1 Illegal5 £7 9 2 8 6 4 youngest-ever WBC world heavyweight champion at the age of 20. 2. 9What6 class2 of drug8 is5 ketamine?4 3 1 7 Class A £ Class B £ Class C £ 25 November 1991 (to 26th) 4 3 6 5 2 1 9 7 8 The ‘Tottenham Three’ had their convictions 3. 2True 7or false:1 In3 the UK,8 it 9is technically4 5 6 quashed. They had been jailed for life in 1987 illegal to be drunk in a pub? for killing police officer Keith Blakelock during True5 £ 9False8 £ 4 6 7 1 2 3 riots in north London. 4. 6When4 does7 theft9 become1 3 robbery?2 8 5 27 November 1951 When it involves someone breaking into a A surface-to-air missile shot down a plane for building1 5 £ 3When2 it is7 accomplished8 6 4by the9 the first time, in a test at White Sands Missile use of physical force or fear £

8 2 9 6 4 5 7 3 1 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2016. All rights reserved. Range, New Mexico, USA. (The plane was an unmanned radio-controlled B-17 drone. The 5.Daily How Sudoku: old Tuedo 4-Oct-2016you have to be to buy a canvery ofhard missile was a U.S. Army Nike Ajax, which went aerosol deodorant in the UK? into service in 1954.) 14 £ 16 £ 18 £ http://www.dailysudoku.com/ 29 November 1951 6. True or false: It is illegal to destroy a British The world’s first business computer, the LEO I banknote? (Lyons Electronic Office), went into service, True £ False £ running business applications for J. Lyons & Co. 7. If you see this sign on a single 29 November 1991 carriageway road, what is the maxi- Coalinga dust storm, California, USA. More mum speed you are allowed to drive? than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive 40mph £ 60mph £ 70mph £ pile-up on a 1-mile stretch of Interstate 5 when the dust storm suddenly reduced visibility. 17 8. Being drunk while riding a horse is: people were killed and 150 suffered serious Legal £ Illegal £ injuries. Rescuers took hours to find all the victims as the dust storm continued. Thousands 9. What is the potential prison sentence for of people were trapped in a traffic jam that possession of a Class A drug? Up to ... lasted almost the entire day. 3 years £ 7 years £ 15 years £

29 November 2006 10. True or false: It’s illegal to eat mince pies on Death of Allen Carr, British anti-smoking Christmas Day? Canter Levin & Berg campaigner, therapist and writer. Best known True £ False £ for his book The Easy Way To Stop Smoking. 1 Temple Square, (Died from lung cancer.) 24 Dale Street, Answers to all puzzles are in the next Liverpool, L2 5RL issue. Only Puzzles on the ‘Prize Winning © www.ideas4writers.co.uk Puzzles’ page have prizes for completing. Insidetime November 2016 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Just for Fun 55 Did I say that? Amazing Maze // Car Park Conundrum

“I think we should take a drug test” Donald Trump before the final debate between him and Hillary “My boyfriend is Clinton “ feel a little bit sorry also half Middle for him. Towards the “Being famous Eastern. It’s just a end of last season doesn’t make connection that you any and for England in you make that’s different” the summer he was really cool. It’s Britney Spears on played in that deeper bad dates hard to explain but role, then he was told you feel like you’re “Materialistic greed he’s playing as a No. amongst [your] cannot be allowed to win 9 or a No. 10. He’s people.” against our moral duty to probably a bit Gigi Hadid calls ‘One confused” Direction’ boyfriend protect threatened What is the quickest way out of the car park? The pathways can go Almost as hard to Ryan Giggs believes Zayn Malik part species and vulnerable over and under each other making things a bit more challenging. EXIT get out of than an IPP Wayne Rooney’s Middle Eastern when communities” struggles are just a he’s actually half Catchphrase Anagram Square Prince William on elephants “transitional period” Pakistani The object is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, Rearrange the letters in each General Knowledge Quiz place, or thing that each square is meant to represent. row to form a word. Write your answers into the blank grid. The first letter from each word, 1. Which liquid is sometimes called Adam’s Ale? reading down, will spell the 8. Who played the character ‘Warden Norton’ mystery keyword. Water £ Beer £ Whiskey £ in Shawshank Redemption? Working DOOUT Theodore naked TIME 1 COFUS 2. How many carats is pure gold? Tim Robbins £ Morgan Freeman £ ______Bob Gunton £ 2 TETOR 9. Name four of the Seven Deadly Sins. I fell 3 DRUNE 3. In which cartoon are Lucy and Linus? I fell ______I fell ISLAND 4 YISON Simpsons £ Snoopy £ South Park £ SHOT I fell 5 RAMED 10. Which breed of animal is the chinchilla? I fell 4. From which country does Sherry originate? I fell Rabbit £ Mouse £ Cat £ ______1 11. If you had myopia, what would you suffer 5. How many seconds in a leap year? Word Morph 2 from? ______Can you morph one word into another by just changing one 3 __ h ______- letter at a time? It isn't quite as easy as you think! 6. How many chambers has the human heart? g t 4 ______port 5 4 £ 2 £ 3 £ 12. In which range of mountains is the Matterhorn? 7. At which degree latitude is the Equator? Thanks to Raymond Orr - HMP Himalayas £ Alps £ Andes £ Hull. If you fancy compiling an 0 £ 90 £ 180 £ Anagram Square for us please hour just send it in 5 x 5 squares,

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