“I realised my not wanting to Black History be on TV was just insecurity and with issues of freedom Month and liberty at stake that seemed a pretty poor excuse Cops, Slaves not to try and help” and Usain Bolt Louise Shorter Comment // page 19 To celebrate this special I feel uneasy and once again the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees month Inside Time reveals “ the powerlessness of my a voice for prisoners since 1990 some startling facts about situation crushes me.” the West Indies Kelly Wober October 2016 / Issue No. 208 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations Usain Bolt: fastest man in the world Comment // page 32 Comment // page 21 We are ‘Shambolic!’ all human This year the annual Prison reform agenda or no prison reform Koestler Exhibition at London’s South Bank agenda? Shadow Justice Minister Jo Stevens Centre is curated by ‘disappointed’ by Justice Secretary Liz Truss’s multi-award winning poet Benjamin performance in front of the Justice Select Zephaniah. He tells Committee, she tells Inside Time Inside Time why he was initially reluctant Erwin James “Brandi” Bronze and what he thinks of 30 Award for sculpture the 2016 exhibits In her first appearance before the Justice Select Committee last month since taking over the role from Michael Gove in July, Justice Secretary Liz Truss Extreme measures cast a shadow of uncertainty over the government’s much “Those who are intent on trying to convert others to violent heralded prison reform agen- da. She appeared to be una- ant-British beliefs in support of terrorism should be ware of many of the key issues facing her department and her separated from the main prison population and offered the performance was later derided time, space and assistance to reflect on their unacceptable as “lacklustre” by parliamen- tary colleagues. Labour MP behaviour and change their ways” for Cardiff Central and Shadow Justice Minister Jo Stevens was Former prison gover- present as the Justice Secretary nor Ian Acheson who was quizzed and described was tasked with her performance as “absolute- ly shambolic.” A keen support- heading up a review er of the reform agenda and a into Islamist extrem- champion of rehabilitation ism in prisons writing policies for the prison system Stevens invited Inside Time to exclusively for Inside her office in Portcullis House, Time. “Terrorism has just across the road from the been with us for many Houses of Parliament in Westminster which provides years,” he says, “but the offices for almost a third of the new terrorism inspired country’s MPs. by global jihad is a Jo Stevens: “so disappointed” by Liz Truss 17 “Overwhelming majority of Muslim prisoners reject Islamism” Continues on page 18 much bigger threat.” © prisonimage.org 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 October 2016 insidetime Argos Star Letter of the Month a voice for prisoners since 1990 Congratulations to this months winner who receives our £25 prize the national newspaper for prisoners published by vouchers Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mr Whyte - HMP Frankland The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to Scientology create links between the offender and the community. Most prisons seem to use Argos as an ‘offi cial’ supplier. A not for profi t publication. in the prison During their promotional Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial period when discount Signourney Weaver in ‘Alien’ content. Comments or complaints should be vouchers are available, how rehabilitation directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge. can these be collected? We Board of Directors Nonsensical rules wish to collect the discount system? vouchers that are generated J Carroll - HMP Lancaster Farms Name supplied - HMP Wandsworth Trevor Grove Former Editor Sunday Telegraph, by our orders, and donate Journalist, Writer and serving Magistrate. them to charity rather than I agree with Robbie Bleach’s letter (July 2016 issue) with regards I have recently been imprisoned and, as Dr Peter Bennett Trustee, New Bridge let the prison get them. Can to the rather perplexing rules surrounding the embargo on such, I was interested to fi nd out what Foundation and former Governor of HMP Grendon any other prisoner enlighten Geoff Hughes Former Governor of HMP Belmarsh adult prisoners purchasing 18 certifi cated DVDs. Whilst I was programmes and courses might be available us on how this can be done? John D Roberts Former Company Chairman and allowed to watch Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ on Film Four, I am to assist with my rehabilitation. My various Managing Director employing former prisoners forbidden from purchasing the exact same fi lm on DVD enquiries resulted in me being given Louise Shorter Former producer, BBC Rough Justice because it is certifi cate 18. So why was there a need for the Editorial note information about a variety of courses that Alistair H E Smith BSc FCA Chartered Accountant, prison system to ban all DVDs rated 18 for adult prisoners? This issue was raised some could form part of my sentence plan. You can Trustee and Treasurer, New Bridge Foundation years ago and we were advised imagine my amazement to fi nd courses “It would appear that the mentally feeble people that when prisoners order off ered by the controversial Church of The Editorial Team items listed in the Argos Scientology were able to be included in who thought up this rule are living in a fantasy catalogue they are actually prisoners’ sentence planning! world far more fi ctitious than those in the TV shows buying from the Prison Service. and fi lms I’m currently forbidden from purchasing” They purchase under a The Church of Scientology is considered by discount agreement between many to be a very dangerous high-demand cult that exploits its adherents through its ‘Stargate SG1’, the box-set is banned to prisoners because the MOJ and Argos and resell pseudo-psychology, based on the idea that the Season One was rated 18. The same ruling applies to the to prisoners at catalogue earth is populated by the tormented souls of box-set of another sci-fi show called ‘Farscape’ for the same prices. As the Ministry of Erwin James John Roberts Rachel dead aliens and other fantasies developed by Editor in Chief Publisher and Billington OBE reason, yet I watched the whole series when I was 12. We Justice is buying using a L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Director Associate Editor cannot purchase the box-set of ‘Game of Thrones’ either corporate account and because of this nonsensical rule. benefi ting from discounted Scientology does include high-profi le Offi ce Manager prices, vouchers are not members such as actors John Travolta and Lucy Forde It would appear that the mentally feeble people who thought available for prisoners. Inside Tom Cruise, but it has been constantly Administration up this rule are living in a fantasy world far more fi ctitious Time has asked NOMS to criticised for its alleged exploitation of its Justine Best than those in the TV shows and fi lms I’m currently forbidden confi rm whether this is still members. Scientology uses the name Layout & Design from purchasing. the situation. Colin Matthews ‘Criminon’ to off er rehabilitative correspond- ence courses to prisoners. Criminon does not Noel Smith Paul Sullivan Website Design Commissioning Reporter and Advertising mention that it is a front organisation for Editor Gary Bultitude Scientology, but shares its offi ces with Sometimes you just need an expert............. Scientology HQ in the UK, and the content of Correspondence its courses are based on Scientology beliefs and supposed solution. General: Inside Time Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Michael Purdon Solicitor I am concerned that prisoners, and in Accounts & Admin: Inside Time, PO Box 251, particular vulnerable prisoners who might Hedge End, Hampshire SO30 4XJ. need psychological help and interventions Telephone: 01489 795945 PAROLE AND RECALL are being subjected to Scientology’s pseu- Email: [email protected] do-psychology without being aware that Web: www.insidetime.org Facebook: InsideTime DISTRICT JUDGE ADJUDICATIONS Criminon is promoting Scientology. I am also Twitter: @InsideTimeUK wondering why the Home Offi ce, NOMS, MoJ POLICE INTERVIEWS allow Criminon Scientology courses to be part of prisoners’ sentence plans? Subscribe CRIME AND CROWN COURTS Inside Time is distributed free of charge throughout the UK prison estate. It is available to other readers via a postal subscription service.