February 2019 / Issue No
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Humanising Talking Technology “Don’t let it be you” the headlines When is IT in prisons going to Living and coping with the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees Prison film-maker tells what be taken seriously? Time depression. Don’t keep it to it was like filming in Durham. HMPPS entered 21st century. yourself, speak to someone. a voice for prisoners since Comment // page 24 Comment // page 27 Information // page 37 February 2019 / Issue No. 236 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication/ ISSN 1743-7342 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Inside Scotland, your Valentine’s messages and Koestler entry form! An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations HIGH HOPES! Prisons Minister Rory Stewart (below) has reiterated his promise to resign if there are no significant improvements in lowering levels of violence and drugs in ten of the worst performing prisons in England and Wales by August PRISONS CRISIS l 2017-2018 almost 50,000 incidents of self-harm l 87 self-inflicted deaths l Record drug finds 23 l 30,000 assaults Credit: Greener Growth l 10,000 assaults on Greener prison grass staff © Paul Sullivan Founder of Community Interest Company (CIC) ‘Greener Growth’, Joannah Metcalf (above in HMP Highpoint), writes about the therapeutic effect of Inside Time report should be scrapped, except in virtually the pointlessness creating green and colourful spaces in neglected areas as she celebrates the crimes of sex or violence - al- and ineffectiveness of short beginning of her fifth year at HMP Wayland. though a Ministry of Justice prison sentences. “That Rory Stewart MP, the current spokesperson later clarified: wrong kind of short sentence Minister for Prisons says he is “As we have said previously, is long enough to damage the ‘You are the determined to make prison short sentences are too often person and not long enough life safer and more construc- ineffective, provide little op- to change their life. When you tive by introducing ‘airport portunity to rehabilitate of- look at somewhere like HMP leading newspaper type’ security measures and fenders and lead to Durham, where the average publishing a ‘standards hand- unacceptably high rates of stay is ten days - realistically for prisoners!’ book’ for staff. It’s time for reoffending. That’s why we what is a prison supposed to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter are exploring potential alter- do with someone in ten days?” “high expectations on pris- Clarke OBE (left), speaks exclusively ons, high expectations on natives - but this work is on- He tells Inside Time editor to Inside Time about his three years in prison officers,” he says. He going and we have reached no Erwin James inside. was in the news recently for conclusions at this time.” post. At the start of his new 12-month contract he tells us what he thinks of suggesting that prison sen- Erwin James interview with tences of three months or less The Minister is a believer in Rory Stewart MP page 18 the Justice Secretary and the Prisons Minister. How independent is he? NEWS FLASH! Government pledges cash to help vulnerable women! 10 20 Which is the worst prison he’s © Paul Sullivan inspected? Which is the best? CRIMINAL LAW APPEALS PRISON LAW Mark Carter Jeremy Moore Jo Davidson Legal services Head of Criminal Law Head of Appeals Head of Prison Law Leading defence solicitors in: We have dealt with some Fixed fees: Legal Aid: Conspiracies Robbery of the most high prole Re-cat Apps Parole Sentence you can trust. leading cases in the Court & Appeals Pre-tari Calculation Murder Gang oences of Appeal & CCRC HDC Apps review Cat A Review & Appeals Manslaughter Fraud including R v Barry George Recall Lifer/IPP removal Drug oences POCA (Jill Dando case). Transfers Independent Adjudications from open Guittard conditions Applications PRISONER FREEPHONE Experts in serious and complex cases HOTLINE 0161 833 9253 0800 1444111 www.cmsolicitors.co.uk Write to • 13 St.John Street MANCHESTER M3 4DQ • 15 Old Bailey LONDON EC4M 7EF 2 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime February 2019 insidetime Healthcare deficiencies Suicide or Mailbites a voice for prisoners since 1990 WF - HMP New Hall state murder? You vogued my day! the national newspaper for prisoners published by I want to let everyone know that it is important for those who J Kingscott - Cherie Cooper - HMP Send Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of HMP Dartmoor The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to have issues with healthcare to put in a complaint. Together In reply to the Star Letter - ‘Vogueing for freedom’ create links between the offender and the we are stronger and the more people and the louder we shout by name withheld, I can understand why you Another old man went to the community. the more we get heard. (I don’t mean to actually shout). Cur- didn’t want your name attached. Was this serious, chapel today, made his A not for profit publication. rently the healthcare system here in New Hall isn’t working. or just a joke? I can’t really tell. As a woman you peace, returned to his cell When our prescriptions run out it is up to healthcare to re- wouldn’t catch me or anyone else vogueing on Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial place them. We are not getting our medication on time due to and hung himself. content. Comments or complaints should be the wing, they would get the piss ripped right staff not carrying out their duties correctly and not commu- out of them! But the thought of all you men directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge. Executions have been out- nicating with each other. Doctors are putting us on new meds doing it has given us girls hours of laughs! So, lawed in England for many but not putting it on the system, so we aren’t getting it. whether you were joking or not, thank you Mr. Board of Directors years, but the Prison Service name withheld, you have made my day! Trevor Grove Former Editor Sunday Telegraph, My medication keeps me alive and I am going 4 days some- have not yet outlawed men- Journalist, Writer and former Magistrate. times without potential lifesaving medication. During my tal torture! They can’t starve Dr Peter Bennett Trustee, New Bridge last attack it was a 4 day wait for correct meds to be given. us anymore so mental tor- The danger of vaping Foundation and former Governor of HMP Grendon This can result in 5-10 staff members having to get involved ture is used to force prison- Will Parker - HMP Swansea Geoff Hughes Former Governor of HMP Belmarsh in a situation that could easily be resolved by people doing ers into committing suicide. John D Roberts Former Company Chairman and I’ve noticed that when vaping comes to an the job properly. I know this is a big issue here and I can only So, the blame goes on the Managing Director employing former prisoners prisoners and not the state. end, I cannot taste that the cartridge is empty Louise Shorter Former producer, BBC Rough Justice speak for myself. This is a clear breach of human rights. Continual lock-ups, bullying when I am smoking menthol flavour. This is Alistair H E Smith BSc FCA Chartered Accountant, dangerous because unless you physically take Trustee and Treasurer, New Bridge Foundation There are some staff that do care but there are others that by staff wears down the vul- nerable and feeble-minded. the cartridge out to look, you could be don’t and it’s not acceptable. Just because we are in prison inhaling burning metal or rope. So be careful The Editorial Team doesn’t mean we aren’t entitled to the same treatment any- when your cartridge is almost empty you are one else would get on the out. This is a cowardly strategy adopted by prison governors not vaping oil, you are vaping metal coil. What a way to kill the prison population off. Sometimes we have to wait 3 months for an appointment. who, in reality, do not give a I am aware that people on the out have to wait but there are toss about the incarcerated other options open to them such as drop in centres, chemists, or the mentally challenged, Don’t tell me it’s raining! A+E. 999, 111 and online support. In prison we have an app it’s just another way of writ- Name supplied - HMP Swansea and a long wait. I have run out of anti-psychotics, been of- ing off the unwanted long- I am sick to death of being lied to by staff. Like Erwin James John Roberts Rachel fered paracetamol and saline instead of atravene. I have suf- term prisoners clogging the many prisoners, I enjoy exercise in the yard Editor in Chief Publisher and Billington OBE fered for 4 days unable to breathe properly, had meds system. Surely, this is and the need to stretch my legs. But most days Director Associate Editor prescribed for 3 times a day but only dispensed twice if no murder? here at Swansea prison our exercise gets day staff are available. Meds can be given as early as 3pm, cancelled due to ‘rain’. Now, I fully understand Commercial meds that help you to sleep. This means you can be asleep as To add insult to injury, the that staff hate having to stand on the yard and Manager early as 5pm then awake all night.