“I am clear that Can prisoners be the vital work sent books or not? We have the definitive of prison reform answer will continue Mailbag // page 5 at pace” When Hilary Met Sally What happened when a the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees Who is new Justice former prisoner met his old Secretary Elizabeth Truss? headteacher in prison? a voice for prisoners since 1990 Comment // page 20 Jailbreak // page 46 August 2016 / Issue No. 206 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 Time to Talk 2016 National Prison Radio survey inside An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations Don’t always take it on face value that we are the enemy Paul Sullivan him to being a prison officer being a prison officer.” something back. I think now National chairman in the first place. Was it some- your average prison officer is Meeting the national chair- thing he considered when he He’s now been a prison officer extremely overworked, ex- man of the Prison Officers’ left school? “No”, he says, “I for thirteen years and I won- tremely stressed, doesn’t feel Mike Rolfe gives dered how much he thought Association was a little daunt- started off wanting to be a me- in control, doesn’t have the the job had changed in that ing, especially as it was the chanic; I was quite good at relationship with prisoners first time such a senior POA Maths so I ended up becoming time? “For me, personally, Inside Time first ever they used to have, and that official had agreed to speak to an accountant, before trying quite a bit. I started off feeling makes their role virtually im- Inside Time. In the end Mike a few different roles. I did that what I did was quite pos- interview with most Rolfe, a 38 year-old father of white van driving round itive, I was able to help pris- possible to do.” two was amenable and quite London for a little while, sold oners on an individual basis relaxed in our conversation. I cars for a bit after I finished in and felt I was doing something Continued on page 16 senior POA official wondered what had drawn accountancy and wound up good for society, giving “People with convictions need the dignity of work!” Sir Richard Branson calls for more employers 18 to take on employees regardless of criminal convictions. Alongside former prisoner and A fond farewell... star Virgin Trains employee Tammy Moreton, he is championing a fresh approach and For 17 years Juliet Lyon CBE and winner attitude for companies towards those who of the 2014 Perrie Award has been have been to prison. “Everyone deserves a informing the world outside prison second chance in life,” he tells Inside Time about the world inside, fighting tirelessly editor Erwin James. for a fair and humane prison system. As she steps down she shares the © Virgin Trains Read the full interview on page 32 highs and lows with Rachel Billington. Rahman Ravelli is a leading and confiscation proceedings. “An exceptional firm with exceptional people, firm in serious, heavyweight Rahman Ravelli Solicitors is the leader in the field” Rahman Ravelli’s hard-won reputation The Legal 500 and complex crime cases. has been earned in cases involving “They are absolutely uncompromising in The firm’s expertise, experience and tax fraud, financial regulation, money laundering, serious fraud, bribery and advancing the proper interests of the client” strong proactive defending ensures Chambers Legal Guide the best possible outcome. Its skilled, corruption, investment fraud and many tenacious defence solicitors are among other major legal issues. Not to mention “Driven by the pursuit of justice and fairness to the UK’s most highly rated when it its role in having shaped the law in the all and this shines through in every aspect” comes to criminal cases and restraint highest courts. Chambers Legal Guide Telephone Roma House, 59 Pellon 1 Fetter Lane 01422 Lane, Halifax, West London EC4A 1BR 346666 Yorkshire HX1 5BE Also in Birmingham www.rahmanravelli.co.uk / [email protected] Nationwide Service The strongest legal representation in the fields of serious, complex and business crime 2 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime August 2016 insidetime Star Letter of the Month A ray of sunshine a voice for prisoners since 1990 Congratulations to this months winner who receives our £25 prize Christopher Watson - HMP Kirklevington the national newspaper for prisoners published by Grange Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prison reflects society The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to I would like to thank North East Prison After create links between the offender and the Michael Boylan - HMP Addiewell community. Care Society (Nepacs) who provide parent I watched with disbelief as Mr Cameron on TV outlined his plans for prison reform. The plan and child support. They are a ray of sunshine A not for profit publication. seems to be an attempt to reduce reoffending rates. He intends to do this without additional on the darker side of prison life. I have had Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial spending or a reduction in the prison population. If he could pull that off, then world peace the privilege of attending some of their content. Comments or complaints should be should be a doddle. It is an obvious sham and will have no impact on the deep seated issues events and all involved go above and beyond directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge. that make the British prison system unfit for purpose. their duties to make such wonderful memora- ble days for both parents and children. Board of Directors Any belief in realistic reform or rehabilitation of prisoners has been swept away by the huge increase in the prison population and lack of investment to fund it. The [former] Prime Minister’s Trevor Grove Former Editor Sunday Telegraph, So, what does Nepacs offer? Well, a great Journalist, Writer and serving Magistrate. assertion that the ongoing increase in the use and length of prison sentences has nothing to do service, second to none and staff who are Dr Peter Bennett Trustee, New Bridge with government and is decided by an independent judiciary, is beyond belief. For years’ Foundation and former Governor of HMP Grendon prison sentencing and conditions have been dictated by knee-jerk reactions to rabid tabloid interested in helping and taking time to Geoff Hughes Former Governor of HMP Belmarsh and TV campaigns of hate against many of the poorest, vulnerable and worse-off members of understand the needs of prisoners and their John D Roberts Former Company Chairman and society. Our prisons are now overflowing with the individuals rejected by society, including families. There are 6 family days each year, Managing Director employing former prisoners those with learning difficulties, mental health issues and products of the so-called ‘care’ system. which last approximately 4 hours and tie in Louise Shorter Former producer, BBC Rough Justice Alistair H E Smith BSc FCA Chartered Accountant, with school holiday times. The activities for Trustee and Treasurer, New Bridge Foundation “Any belief in realistic reform or rehabilitation of prisoners has been swept children range from face-painting to a magic away by the huge increase in the prison population and lack of investment show and a balloon entertainer. Arts and The Editorial Team to fund it” crafts are laid on so that children can interact with their dads, making cards and decorating The Prison Service responds by wasting its resources on a job-creation scheme for psycholo- paper plates, all of which the children can gists and pointless offending behaviour courses whilst locking people up for most of the day take home. On occasions plants are handed and night in overcrowded, oppressive and depressing conditions. When released the prisoner out, like sunflowers and hanging-baskets, will return to the same set of circumstances he/she was in prior to going to prison, with the which the children can hopefully grow in additional bonus of being virtually unemployable due to being in prison. Please do not their gardens to remind them of their missing mention Probation support because if that is your only help then you are in trouble. Erwin James John Roberts Rachel dads. And excellent food is provided. Editor in Chief Publisher and Billington OBE If all the brightest boffins were locked in a room together for a week, they could not come up Director Associate Editor with a penal system more certain to encourage reoffending than the present one. We have Nepacs have also started a 10 week course on created a society based primarily on personal greed. The most vulnerable have become parenting skills, where dads can learn and Office Manager scapegoats for anger, bitterness and misplaced resentment. The painful truth is I think the improve their parenting skills. It is a group Lucy Forde Prison Service genuinely reflects the current state and values of our broken society. with dads only and involves role-play and Administration discussions on how to improve their ability to Sonia Miah Editorial note see and deal with their children and follows a Layout & Design This letter was written prior to the resignation of David Cameron. Colin Matthews structured programme. At the end of the Noel Smith Paul Sullivan Website Design course there is a 2-hour visit with their Commissioning Reporter and Advertising children and family to celebrate the comple- Editor Gary Bultitude tion of the course. PRISONER HOTLINE 0161 833 9253 Correspondence Also, each summer there is a father and child cm fun day.