18 Comment www.insidetime.org Insidetime March 2018 in a completely unfair and discrim- Liberation and transformation inatory way.” is possible, even in prison “My story I feel can offer at least Life beyond crime information, at best inspiration. Gerard agrees and talks about his My life of drug addiction and own motivations. “It was very much crime lasted 40 years, through a landmark case,” he says. “But I’m New book brings together the perspective heroin and crack cocaine and not a lawyer. I worked at the institute stories that could fill volumes. In of community studies with Michael of experts from across the prisons arena 2004 I was sentenced to 18 years. Young, (Baron Young of Dartington, Standing in my cell one day a let- 9 August 1915 - 14 January 2002, was ter came under my door. It was a a British sociologist, social activist Kings Cross station, the first thing I after serving 20 years and becoming reply to a letter I had written to and politician who coined the term was keen to find out was where their a professional writer that I discovered my eldest daughter saying sorry “meritocracy”), it was a brilliant interest in prisons and prison reform Erwin James just how many open-hearted people for not being around and would apprenticeship. I guess I’m not sure came from. As a prisoner I was with a social conscience who care not be for a long time. Her letter why I’m interested in this area other always intrigued by the motivations about how our prisons are run there began, “Dear Daddy, you are our than to say I have always been inter- of prison reformers and campaigners. Paul Crane and Gerard Lemos have are. Currently there are over 600 Daddy, so we forgive you.” This ested in what you might broadly But it was only after I was released struck me to the core of my being been providing practitioners and NGOs or non-government organisa- term, excluded adults, I’ve done a lot and was the catalyst for change.” policy-makers with information for tions who work in one way or anoth- of work on homelessness, adults with Norman Anderson action on social problems since 1994. Connecting is the key er trying to better prison conditions learning disabilities, and of course They have worked with professionals “I have known several prisoners and outcomes for people in prison. people in prison and former prison- in social housing, local government, who have changed their lives. ers. It does seem to me wrong and They have all said that the very firm. So that was the foundation for criminal justice agencies, schools Paul is the first to explain. “When I unfair that they are excluded, but first step is recognising that there the interest I developed.” and voluntary organisations as well was a student I studied Criminal Law also I find them to be very interesting is someone who accepts them as trusts and foundations. The scale and Criminology and I set up a radical people.” unconditionally. Norman had his of their influence is considerable, as lawyers group - and also one of my Gay rights letter from his daughter… Lee So how did the European court chal- are their professional credentials. friends was an ex-Dartmoor prisoner Stories started to talk about his crimes lenge to Northern Ireland come Paul Crane is the author of two civil called Doug. He, along with another “People in prison,” says Gerard, when he realised there was some- former prisoner set up a thing called about? “Being involved with Gay rights handbooks (Trouble with the one who knew what he had done “often have a very fascinating and Preservation for the Rights of Prisoners. liberation brought me into contact in Law and Gays and the Law). He is a and still did not reject him… Sally significant story to tell. We got inter- It was a long long time ago - then I a very personal way with crime and Cambridge University law graduate found someone she could trust.” ested in prisons specifically in 2006, trained as a Lawyer with Benedict punishment,” he explains. “I was and now a non-practising solicitor. Hilary Peters almost twelve years ago. We had both involved in the Gay rights movement As a lawyer he specialised in civil Birnberg, the well known civil rights visited prisons in the past but never - then Jeff Dudgeon asked me to take rights work and took part in the land- really did any work on them. But his case to the European Court of mark case before the European Court what struck me was that prisons get Human Rights (ECHR). [Jeffrey of Human Rights that led to the a lot of very bad press. Obviously Edward Anthony “Jeff” Dudgeon decriminalisation of homosexuality there are all sorts of problems in MBE is a Northern Irish politician, in Northern Ireland. there, everyone knows that. But there historian and gay political activist. are also lots of good things going on He currently sits as a Ulster Unionist Gerard Lemos leads the organisa- in prisons, and lots of good people Party councillor for the Balmoral tion’s research team and is the author working in them - as well as lots of area of Belfast City Council. He is of many books including The Good prisoners who want to turn their lives best known for bringing a case to the Prison: Conscience, crime and pun- around. We felt that these were the ishment which was published in 2014 ECHR which successfully challenged and was well-reviewed. He has also Northern Ireland’s laws criminalis- written for the New York Times, The ing consensual sexual acts between Relationships, survival outside, Guardian and the BBC. For almost men in private. He is one of three feeding the soul as long as I have been a journalist I openly gay politicians elected to the “Each person in prison is a unique have been aware of their names and City Council along with Mary Ellen individual. Every offence has its their work but somewhat surprising- Campbell of Sinn Féin and Julie- own unique set of circumstances. ly given our interest in prison reform, Anne Corr of the Progressive Unionist Individuals all have different roads our paths have never crossed. Party.] Although we didn’t get equal- to recovery, reform and rehabili- ity,” continues Paul, “we got the tation. Therefore a person-cen- tred approach to prisoners and Interest in prisons illegality in Northern Ireland abol- learning is essential, and needs to The release of their new book, Life ished. It was an important victory be built on effective, professional Beyond Crime, edited by Paul Crane, that had a lot of knock on conse- quences for other European coun- relationships developed with presented the perfect opportunity trusted individuals in custody.” for that to happen at last. When I met tries. It was one of those situations where people were being punished, Andy Keen-Downs and Anna up with them at their office in Kings Paul Crane: Studied Criminal Law Peaston Place, a short walk from London’s © Paul Sullivan harrassed, imprisoned, to my mind, Don’t take Chances SOCIAL SERVICES with Your Freedom ! PROBLEMS ? Here are 5 good reasons to call us FIRST: CARE PROCEEDINGS? 1. 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