February 2015 2 Mailbag and Prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB

A ‘not for profi t’ publication plus over 450,000 monthly online readership - Independently verifi ed using SMARTER STATS An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly - Independently verifi ed by the Audit Bureau of Circulations If NotNow,When? ‘O Asks theReporton:TheCaseforaRoyalCommissiononPenalSystem or more,provideamuch sion could,forageneration than ever.ARoyalCommis- overview ismorepressing The caseforanauthoritative offi cesandpenalinstitutions. through courts, probation offenders trudge expensively and the same army of rates havescarcelymoved prisoners alike.Reconviction crushes thespiritofstaffand bilitation programmes and Overcrowding nullifi es reha- edge ofoperatingcapacity. Numbers teeteronthevery has curbedovercrowding. Nothing in the last decade authors oftheReport. London andoneofthe Law School,Universityof Public Policy at Queen Mary nville, Professor of Law and pointing,’ saidSeanMcCo- rants and rituals of fi nger without goingintoparty of touchingpenalissues our politiciansareincapable interest. Wealsoknowthat results thatareinthepublic tradictions. Itcannotdeliver

Freephone: prisoner hotline: Dedicated N the J cm G D Eric McGraw > National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees D

O J

N full ofcon- mented and adrift, frag- policy is ur penal recent yearsrecent including: complex profile crime andhigh andappeals cases in haveWe represented clientson some ofthe most Years of experience in Proceeds of Crime Applications The country’s expertsThe in leading Specialising in cases before the Court Appeal of

/ ISSN 1743-7342 serious, complex high complex serious, and R v Levi Bellfield case) Dowler (Milly R vLevi

R v Barry George (Jill Dando (Jill George case), R vBarry a voice for prisoners 1990 - 2015 profile appeals. profile Bryan GibsonandSeanMcConville,ProfessorofLawPublicPolicy,QueenMarySchoolLaw,UniversityLondon. Sir LouisBlom-CooperQC(left),formerHighCourtJudgeandaLordJusticeofAppealHenryBrooke,publisher 0800 1444111 0161 8339253 Appeals and theCCRC. POCA - - / Issue No. 188

London Office: Office: Manchester / February

2015 Large scaleLarge multi Unhappy with your Unhappy Transfer with solicitor?

/ Serious sexual offences including historic sexual offences

Gang crime including firearms offences,extortion, kidnap We are leading defendant solicitors in: solicitors defendant are leading We www.insidetime.org murder, drugs, grooming, robbery, people trafficking,

15 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7EF 15 Old Bailey, M3 Manchester, John13 St Street, 4DQ - handed conspiracies including serious fraud, your casenow. Serious assaults, torture Murder/Manslaughter Crime Robbery

antibiotics” alongside thediscoveryof millions oflivesmustrank thousands, perhapseven “...the potentialtosave pack oftrouble? revolution orfresh 24 E-cigarettes: health

Video link: Website: LegallyAided Services Sentence Calculation

Adjudication New HeadPrison of Law New Re Parole Nationwide service www.cmsolicitors.co.uk but abouthim” and whocarednotjustfor die amongpeopleheknew the prisonfromhospitalto prisoner askedtoreturn “During theinspectionone Finding treasure 26 ButlerTrustAwards: messages 39 YourValentine’s -call

Prison LawPrison

Representation against return to to return against Representation FixedFees (from £150.00) where lients atter - Guittard Application Guittard Jo Davidson

closed conditions closed Pre Re Inside Entertainment Supplement from watersidepress.co.uk. of thisreportareavailable May 2020. before theGeneralElectionin reporting toParliamentwell ably attheoutset,withit limited andbudgetedreason- proposal isspecifi callytime- 2009, hasstilltoreport]the Iraq War,announcedin the Chilcot Inquiry into the and costabout£200m was 12yearsinthemaking [the BloodySundayReport inquiries intherecentpast of thecostanddelaysuch told InsideTime:‘Conscious and anauthoroftheReport Sir LouisBlom-CooperQC policy making. term advantageofpartisan the addictivebutalwaysshort and other policy makers from is thatitwouldfreepoliticians a RoyalCommissioncanoffer The greatnationaladvantage and penalpolicies. of soundandrealisticcriminal needed frameworkforaset consequences willbevast” ill-prepared forreleasethe “if prisonscreateinmates failing holidaycamp? 33 Open prisons-a - - Transfers cat Reviews cat tariff Review tariff HDC

Press. Copies Waterside published by System’ the Penal mission on a RoyalCom- ‘The Casefor

›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number Insidetime February 2015 2 Mailbag and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. www.insidetime.org Photocopying: Star Letter of the Month time extortionate prices inside Congratulations and a £25 cash prize for this month’s Star Letter. a voice for prisoners 1990 - 2015 ...... the national newspaper for prisoners published by G STEVE KNIGHTS - HMP STOCKEN Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of priate to do so.’ It seems that ‘special The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to ‘Fair trials have fallen measures’ are steps taken by the court to The governors here at HMP Stocken have create links between the offender and the community. reduce the fear and anxiety that might be taken to stopping all Rule 39 legal privilege Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial content. out of fashion’ experienced by witnesses who are in some photocopying being done within the sight of Comments or complaints should be directed to the ...... way less than fully capable. These ‘special Managing Editor and not to New Bridge. the inmate on the wing photocopier and now measures’ include the removal of wigs and say the following - ‘All Rule 39 photocopying B GRANNON - HMP GARTH gowns; the screening of a witness from a © should be sent to your legal advisors for them sight of the accused; or the removal of a not Board of Directors to copy’. As a result, as a litigant in person, I In the November issue David Wells of ‘Wells profit Burcombe Solicitors’ asked whether ‘fair witness from the courtroom altogether. publication4 have to fi nd a solicitor and pay the minimum of around £50 plus postage in order to get my trials’ are still possible...? In the article he comments on the gradual loss of fairness in Under the Youth and Criminal Evidence Act Trevor Grove - Former Editor Sunday Telegraph, legal copying done. With the present case I the trial process during his twenty years 1999 (ss 16 & 17) some persons do not need Journalist, Writer and serving Magistrate. am fi ghting this is going to cost me around to make an application for protection. These John Carter - Former international healthcare £100-150 per month, which is never going to experience in criminal trials. He ends by persons are regarded as automatically company Vice-President. happen when I am on a ‘wage’ of £4 per week. saying: It is not possible to list everything - Former Governor, Belmarsh prison. eligible and they include children; persons Geoff Hughes Surely it is unhelpful to say the least to block that has undermined the golden thread of Eric McGraw - Former Director, New Bridge suffering mental disorder, persons suffering or slow down my ability to hold a prison to British justice, ‘innocent until proven guilty’. (1986-2002) and founder of Inside Time in 1990. signifi cant impairment of intelligence and account. I would like to know what NOMS Most defenders nowadays would feel that John D Roberts - Former Company Chairman and they must instead try and prove that they social functioning, persons with a physical Managing Director employing ex-offenders. have to say about this? Louise Shorter - Former producer, BBC Rough are innocent.’ disability or suffering from a physical Justice programme. disordered, and last but certainly not least, Alistair aH. E. Smith© B.Sc F.C.A.a - Chartered© Michael Wood In the Sunday Times on the 17th of August, the glaring anomaly: ‘a person who is the not not Accountant,profit Trustee and Treasurer,profit New Bridge HMP Stocken’s Governor Writes David Davies MP and former Shadow complainant in respect of a sexual offence Foundation.4 publication4 service Chancellor wrote: ‘The Attorney General and is witness in proceedings relating to should consider the way the police and CPS that offence.’ The complainant in a trial Where a prisoner is represented, the solicitors handle historical sex offences. The current dealing with a sexual offence is automati- or legal advisers will be required to copy approach started out well-intentioned but cally eligible for ‘special measures’ protec- The Editorial Team © papers on behalf of the prisoner. Where this a has become slapdash and has already tion, the same level of protection given to not above is not an option, or where a prisoner profit damaged a number of people’s reputations.’ children and disabled persons. organisation4 would prefer to use other facilities, the He adds this dire warning ‘If we are not following options are open: careful, one day soon it will lead to a The drama of the trial opens with the 1. A prisoner gives their papers to an offi cer, a wrongful conviction.’ accused in the dock under guard and his cash disbursement form must be submitted accuser hidden from his intimidating at the same time, all photocopying will be at Historic sex offences are the low-hanging presence under the protection of the court, the prisoners own expense. The offi cer will fruit for those whose livelihoods depend the same court that is now going to hold a arrange for them to be copied, this photo- upon increasing the conviction rates. Over ‘fair trial’. The adversaries are presented as Eric McGraw Rachel Billington OBE copying will be completed within the prisons the passage of time documents are ‘victim versus assailant’. The prejudicial Novelist and Author and Managing impact on the defence case is fatal. No form Journalist Editor business hub and no other areas are available destroyed and potential witnesses die. for photocopying,Blavo Nov once 2012_Blavo completed Dec these2008 red border SHADOW.qxdConviction rates 13/11/2012 are high 09:42 but with Page no 1 of ‘directions’ could possibly remedy the papers are then handed back to the prisoner. requirement for independent evidence or constant implication of guilt that runs on corroboration, the chances of a fair trial are inexorably throughout the trial. These arrangements are on the understand- low. ing that although papers WILL NOT be read, Times change and social mores alter the prisoner accepts that there would be the The ‘slapdash’ approach is evident at every accordingly. The concept of a fair trial in possibility of the documents being viewed. If stage of the process from arrest to incar- court may be as outdated as ‘fair play’ in this is not acceptable the following options ceration. It seems that checks and balances sport. The answer to David Wells’ question are available. John Roberts Noel Smith that have long preserved the ideals of might be ‘Fair trials have fallen out of fashion’. Operations Director and Writer and former 2. The prisoner can make arrangements for British justice are today swept aside as prisoner Company Secretary the papers to be posted to relatives or friends impediments to the smooth operation of the ‘conviction conveyor belt’. Editorial Assistants or handed over at visits. Local arrangements are in place to manage this. - Former prisoner education mentor Lucy Forde One such impediment is the glaring anomaly Paul Sullivan - Former prisoner 3. If a prisoner is not satisfi ed with the above, that lies within the granting of ‘special Administration Assistant Sonia Miah he may make arrangements to send papers measures’. Mr Wells says: ‘It is my experi- 19 John Street out to a photocopying bureau. Local arrange- Layout & Design Colin Matthews ence that applications are being made too LONDON ments are in place to manage this. frequently and in cases where it is inappro- WC1N 2DL Correspondence Photocopying is at the prisoner’s own expense. Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Accounts & Admin: Inside Time, P.O.Box 251, Hedge End, Hampshire SO30 4XJ. 0844 335 6483 / 01489 795945 0844 335 6484 ON YOUR SIDE [email protected] www.insidetime.org Being on your side is one thing. Fighting your corner is another. We do both. 0207 025 2020 (24hrs) If you wish to reproduce or publish any of the content from in Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers Inside Time, you should fi rst contact us for written permission. • Miscarriage of Justice experts • Defending false allegations • Crown Court advocacy Full terms & conditions can be found on the website. • CCRC applications • Prison law specialists • Parole applications • IPP and Lifer reviews Prison Law experts in: • Adjudications • Recalls • Sentence progression Subscribe • Adjudications • IPP • Parole We offer Legal Aid and Fixed Fees along with a nationwide service. • Recall • Lifer Reviews Inside Time is distributed free of charge throughout the For more information contact us using the details below. UK prison estate. It is available to other readers via a • HDC • Categorisation postal subscription service. We also have specialists in: ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION CHARGES £35 for single copies to UK addresses plus £10 p.a. for each • Crime • Serious Fraud • Extradition additional copy to the same address. Changing the way you see lawyers. • Immigration • Judicial Review Charities and Volunteers (UK only) £25 p.a. for a single copy 01302 365374 www.qualitysolicitors.com/jordans • Housing • Family • Mental Health Law Overseas Subscriptions rates will be £48 p.a. for Europe 4 Priory Place, Doncaster, DN1 1BP • Employment • Welfare Benefits and £58 for the Rest of the World both plus £20 p.a. for Led by Mark Newby Solicitor Advocate with a relentless record of quashing convictions. each additional copy going to the same overseas address. ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ Insidetime February 2015 If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number www.insidetime.org and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Mailbag 3

Quakers need not apply Restorative justice for sex offenders ...... Contents JOHN PALMER - HMP DARTMOOR WAYNE ADAMS - HMP/YOI MOORLAND Mailbag ...... pages 2-9 I was interested to read the letter from Mark I think restorative justice is a wonderful idea as it provides an opportunity for the victims of crime ...... Humphries (January 2015 issue) about to get a little bit of closure. It also allows the contrite offender to express their sincere remorse. Newsround ...... pages 10-16 Quakers not being allowed to worship at HMP Once it’s completed the victim can go home feeling perhaps a little less scared, having put a face Norwich. Whilst at HMP Wandsworth I found to the crime, and the offender can feel a bit better knowing they have done something. It also ...... that the prison management often dropped lowers the chances of reoffending. But, and it is a big but, sex offenders are forbidden to take Website Comments ...... page 17 Quaker worship. part in restorative justice. They are not allowed to apologise to their victims, and the victims are not allowed to be healed. The sex offender is not allowed to express remorse. Does this explain ...... During a period of more than two years at why sex crimes are currently high? Sex offenders can or could reoffend because there is too Diary ...... pages 18-19 HMP Channings Wood I found that Quaker much hatred on the outside against them because of the lack of restorative justice. I hope there worship was not allowed. Also, since I have will be a day when sex offenders can participate in restorative justice, for the benefi t of the public...... been at HMP Dartmoor Quakers have not Comment ...... pages 20-33 been allowed to worship. At HMP Exeter Quakers are allowed to worship but Jehovah’s ‘HMP is the biggest drug Medication is not a ...... Witnesses are not, much to the annoyance of Education ...... page 35 my pad mate there who was a Jehovah’s dealer in the country’ ‘privilege’ ...... Witness...... Short Story ...... page 36 In the late 17th century more than thirteen PAUL MULLEN - HMP HOLME HOUSE M HUMPHRIES - HMP WAYLAND thousand Quakers were placed in British ...... prisons for ‘worshipping god outside the I am 50 years-old and this is my fi rst time in I write concerning the letter from Alex Wallis, Wellbeing ...... page 37 prison. I am in prison for being a drug dealer but, established church’ - an action made illegal HMP Peterborough, ‘Self-harming can lead to ...... by the Quaker Act 1692. Although hundreds of like everyone else in prison, I am innocent! Basic’ (December issue) and the published And as an innocent drug dealer I have met years have passed since the Act of Toleration reply from NOMS. Mr Wallis asked if it is right Terry Waite Writes ...... page 38 some major drug dealers in this country, but many prisons still do not allow Quakers to for prison medics and managers to put none as big and blatant as the prison system! ...... worship. When it comes to prisoners being someone on Basic for self-harming. He used a HMP’s slogan should be ‘Come on in and get treated lawfully and without religious favour popular coping mechanism when he found Valentine’s messages ...... page 39 - Quakers need not apply. some free Methadone!’ I have witnessed prisoners being refused painkillers and told they himself in a very dark place after having vital ...... have to take Methadone! People come into medication withdrawn. Isn’t it good to know News from the House .... pages 40-41 prison clean and are sent out as drug addicts, that there ‘is no crisis in the prison system’? it is an absolute scandal that nobody seems NOMS ought to be ashamed of themselves. If ...... to want to talk about. I don’t know how they get you read their response it says ‘All decisions Legal ...... pages 42-45 away with it. If people knew the truth of what including the withdrawal of privileges...’ Since goes on in our prisons they would not believe it. when has vital medication been a ‘privilege’? ...... Legal Q&A ...... pages 46-47 ...... Inside Poetry ...... pages 48-49

Actress Judi Dench is a devout Quaker, the faith that is arguably not as well known as other religions stems from a mix of Christi- anity and its most notable aspect is that it believes it is not the only religion. Dame Judi came to the faith when she attended Mount School. Judi has said that being a Quaker is “essential to her life and work”.

valentines Poetry emailaprisoner ...... page 48 ...... The emailaprisoner service Reading Groups ...... page 50 enables family, friends, solicitors and other organi- ...... sations to send messages Book Reviews ...... page 51 to prisoners from any ...... computer. It’s faster than Jailbreak ...... pages 52-55 1st class post and costs ...... less than a 2nd class stamp! National Prison Radio ...... page 56 • Available in 98% of UK prisons. > LOOKING AHEAD • Smartphone App coming • March Scottish Focus Soon! • April Inside Poetry If you would like to know more call: 03333 70 65 50 Views expressed in Inside Time are those of the authors and not necessarily repre- for further details or visit: sentative of those held by Inside Time or www.emailaprisoner.com the New Bridge Foundation. ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number Insidetime February 2015 4 Mailbag and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. www.insidetime.org

Current policy is set out below. This is in line Spies are listening with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers ...... Act (RIPA) and prison rules. SAMSON McNAB - HMP SWALESIDE Police and other law enforcement agencies (LEA) applications for interception of I feel that the recent revelation in The communications and covert surveillance Independent seems to have slipped by largely within prisons unnoticed - ‘Spies eavesdrop on lawyer-client communications’. Here at HMP Swaleside ALL Prisons offer opportunities for police and other LEA to prevent, detect, or investigate Pin-Phone calls to legal advisors are recorded, crime. However, before any intelligence but (apparently) not monitored. In the legal gathering operation can commence, an visits room you are video recorded through- appropriate police or other LEA officer must out your whole visit. I think that depending on make a written application to explain the how much of a priority of what you discuss necessity and proportionality of what is with your legal advisers may affect the level sought to be achieved by the operation. PAS of security you face from the authorities. I National Forms must be used. Provisions for guess the prison authorities happily hand voluntary or ad hoc disclosure remain over all and any material gleaned from these unchanged. Applications will not be success- actions with no questions asked. Logic would ful unless the interference with privacy is dictate that Rule 39 legal mail is also routinely justifiable. tampered with and read for the same reason. Could you please ask NOMS what their policy The legislative basis limiting prisoners’ is on legally privileged communications and communications with persons outside the requests for examination of such by the security prisons are set out in prison rules 34, 35, and forces, GCHQ, NCA, the police and CPS? The 35 A-D. Prison Rule 35A specifically allows for ‘It’s who I am ... it’s what I do’ question is do they hand over legally privi- the interception of communications. Section 4 ...... leged communication information to these (4) of RIPA makes lawful the interception of JAMIE STARBUCK - HMP LONG LARTIN people - yes or no? Also, what safeguards are communications carried out under the Prison in place at the MoJ to ensure the process is Rules. The legislative basis for covert Having had my own mental health issues in the past I find it alarming that we can now be put on documented to ensure that RIPA 2000 surveillance applications is the Regulation of Basic (television removed, etc) for self-harming. The prison system can threaten to take TVs provisions are followed? Furthermore, does Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000. away all they like but how, exactly; will they stop me wanting to take a razor blade to my NOMS and the MoJ accept that such activity is stomach to take away my emotional pain? Surely putting self-harmers on Basic will make it lawful and not a breach of human rights? There are some basic principles concerning worse as at least the television is a distraction. The prison system clearly recognises that I am a police/LEA use of covert investigative criminal so isn’t it a little perverse to punish me for a ‘behavioural’ problem that in no respects techniques in prisons: are they seeking to correct? They may as well punish me for breathing incorrectly. There is a famous story about a scorpion and a frog - the scorpion wants to cross a river and negotiates Writes Interception of Communications with the frog for a lift across on his back. Halfway across the river the scorpion stings the frog In all cases, where legal professional who immediately, and somewhat indignantly yells ‘what the f*** dude? Now we’re both going to drown!’. To which the scorpion replies ‘It’s who I am ... it’s what I do’. NOMS takes seriously obligations to privilege (LPP) or other confidential material safeguard legal and other confidential is sought as part of the application, the communications. Calls to legal advisers are Authorising Officer is a more senior manager. not recorded as a matter of routine and the In the case of an application by the police or occasional inadvertent recording of such calls other LEA for the interception of communica- is caused by human error, either on the part tions between a prisoner and his legal adviser (or other confidential communications), of a prisoner or a member of staff. applications must be considered by the Chief Executive Officer of NOMS or another Director. PSI 24/2012, which mandated the call The governor/operational manager must not enabling arrangements on the PIN phone authorise this type of application. system in all prisons, was introduced in order to, amongst other things, better protect legal Covert Surveillance of legal visits and other confidential communications. This is intrusive surveillance whether it takes place in a room for legal visits or in the main HMCIP is currently investigating instances social visits hall, when being used as an where these safeguards have not been overflow area for legal visits. The authorising followed and will make recommendations officer is the Justice Secretary or another about future delivery. NOMS will issue revised Secretary of State. policy in 2015 after considering HMCIP recommendations. David Wells & Jason Elliot page 42

Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Nationwide Prison Law Experts and Solicitors

Call: 0207 841 1099

Or write to: Scomo, 88 Kingsway, Holborn, London WC2B 6AA Insidetime February 2015 If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number www.insidetime.org and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Mailbag 5

Our prisons should be working at rehabilitat- Recall review within Let’s help the ‘nice’ ing ALL prisoners, not just the chosen and Illegal cell searches? politically useful few. After all, isn’t that part ...... reasonable time criminals of the prison systems brief? To ‘rehabilitate’ ...... without favour? This seems to be just another Below is an excerpt from a letter we published PAUL C STELLATO - HMP RANBY JIMMY H - HMP WORMWOOD SCRUBS spiteful dig at the rest of us from a bunch of in the December issue from David Barton at privileged toffs who hate the poor but are HMP Lowdham Grange about staff conducting I would like to give any inmate who is I was watching the news over the Christmas mindful of needing plebs in order to fight their ‘hooch runs’: challenging their recall decision some holidays and it was reported that ex service- wars and do their dirty work in the future. “These ‘hooch runs’ take the form of entering valuable advice. Article 5(4) Human Rights Act men and women should be given extra help ...... our cells during the lunchtime lock-up for a nose about. My bedding is often in a mess, 1998 allows us the ability to claim damages if and support to help them overcome being in MR SHIELDS - HMP MOORLAND we have lacked the ability to challenge this prison. That’s all well and good, for them, and clothing in disarray, family photographs moved. As far as I am aware it is illegal to search a cell detention ‘speedily’. There is no set time limit I have the greatest respect for those who n I have nothing but respect for servicemen and each case is looked at on a case-by-case have served their country - they have my without the presence and knowledge of the who risk their lives in defence of our country, prisoner? Could NOMS offer some clarification basis. I have currently initiated legal action in heartfelt thanks - but it angered me. but the recent announcement by the MoJ County Court, but it’s not easy. on the legality of the way these so-called about ex-servicemen in prison being singled hooch runs are being carried out?” We are ALL in prison to be rehabilitated but I out for ‘extra help’ is a slap in the face to the As a guide, you have to prove the review could feel like those that politicians and the tabloids rest of us in prison who are crying out for help. have been performed sooner. Not just a single out as ‘more deserving’ are just couple of days, but significantly sooner. PSI convicted criminals like the rest of us. What We have all committed crimes or we would Writes 30/2014 gives guidance on the responsibili- makes these people better than others who not be in prison so we should all be treated ties of PCCs and Probation. have committed the same, sometimes the same and not put into ‘special’ categories. Staff at HMP Lowdham Grange confirm that horrific, crimes? If anything those who commit The problem I have is that although it has You are looking at errors in disclosure as this crime because they are uneducated and living the searches that take place at the prison for been acknowledged that a lot of ex-servicemen the purpose of detecting Hooch are not full could have necessitated another review or in poverty and desperation should be given have mental problems, such as PTSD, there appeal. Delays in giving you the dossier, you ‘extra help’, not people who have had the cell searches. They take the form of standard are thousands of non-ex services prisoners in accommodation fabric checks, which will be have to receive it within 24 hours, so anything best of training and yet still go and commit the system who also have these problems but longer will not only possibly be per se a crimes. And if they commit their crimes due to clarified in the prison’s Local Security Strategy. where is the help and support for them? The In accordance with Prison Service Instruction violation of Article 5(2), which directly relates ‘mental health’ problems, because of the answer to that is there is none. to reasons being disclosed, but a contribution pressures of having served, then get them 68/2011, “Cell, Area and Vehicle Searching”, of Article 5(4) delay in review. Probation into hospitals. Turning the prison system into establishments outside of the High Security Ex-servicemen have so many more opportuni- Estate are required to undertake a risk-assess- almost always forget to disclose parts B or C a two class system where some are more ties than others who end up in prison, and must perform certain proscribed actions. deserving than others is a typical Tory trick. ment to determine the frequency of accom- employment is near guaranteed due to their modation fabric checks required, depending You need to review the above PSI and use training and work experience and there are letters, complaints and if possible (via friends, The reason a lot of ex-servicemen are in on their local needs, security risks and many organisations helping them out. So, in requirements. family and Email a Prisoner) to send emails as prison is because of violence, and who could my opinion, yes, they should be given help evidence is essential. not see that coming? If you take a kid off a and support but not at the expense of the rest housing estate and train him to kill without Prisoners are not required to be present during of us. This sort of help should be given to all such a search. The Daly Judgement, which was As a guide you need at least 2 or 3 different mercy, make him proficient with weapons and prisoners who have difficulties with poor delays or one major delay. In addition if the explosives, then send him off to foreign wars ruled in the House of Lords in 2001, found education, accessing employment and that prisoners must, in normal circumstances, Parole Board mess up and act illegally on a in order to put this training into practise, how housing, and mental health problems. paper review (the main way is by not can you expect him not to use what has been be present when legal correspondence is assessing evidence of behaviour, not an drummed into him when he returns from the searched during a cell search. They are not Though, with Grayling and this government’s required to be present in other circumstances. assertation by Probation about an incident theatre of war? There is no magical cut-off track record of talking big and doing nothing, I that they were not actually a witness to) you switch for these people. But they should be would say to ex-service prisoners ‘Do not get Please be assured that the prison have can sue just for this delay. treated and retrained long before it gets to your hopes up’, the rest of us have been the stage where they are using their ‘skills’ on confirmed that a notice to staff is to be issued waiting for rehabilitation and help for a hell of to remind them that cells must be left in the Anyway the course of action through the the general civilian population. But nobody a long time. Courts is long-winded but revenge is sweet. gives a toss. state that they were found following a search.

EASTGATE CHAMBERS MATRIX LEGAL SERVICES SOLICITORS’ AGENTS & FORENSIC ACCOUNTANTS 10 Bexley Square Salford M3 6BZ STAFFORDSHIRE SPECIALIST CONSULTANTS IN 0161 740 7468 SOLICITORS & BARRISTERS CONFISCATION & PoCA In spite of the Legal Aid Cuts you still have rights. COVERING THE We can help! MIDLANDS & NORTH WEST We are a specialist team of lawyers and forensic accountants For the services that are no longer funded by legal aid we offer providing you with pro-active advice on Confiscation and PoCA fair and affordable fixed fee options. Fixed fees apply to the SPECIALISING IN ALL many important prison law issues prisoners face including: CRIMINAL & PRISON LAW MATTERS • We will fight your corner and secure the best result for you • Re-catergorisation • • We provide advice on Variations and Certificates of Inadequacy • Applications/Appeals for early release on HDC • • Sentence Planning • ALSO • We have specialist experience in analysing and revising the for Indeterminate & Determinate sentence prisoners prosecution benefit calculations • Governors’ Disciplinary Proceedings • IMMIGRATION ADVICE & • We have a team of forensic accountants, specialist barristers • Closed Visits • APPEAL HEARINGS and committed lawyers who will work directly with you • We are able to assist your current solicitors to achieve the best Whatever you are fighting for the MBC team are Contact Chris Clark (Solicitor) outcome for you here to help you - every step of the way! or Simon Clark (Immigration) on If you need advice or specialist representation on any of You will be assigned a dedicated prison lawyer to guide you GOLD through each step in the process of your particular issue. the above matters, contact one of our team at: PACKAGE We will deal with the relevant agencies and submit detailed 01785 241944 Matrix Legal Services £400 + VAT representations. This will include ‘face to face’ prison visits within the Greater Manchester area. For all other areas 24 Hour Emergency Number 07802 364 741 Pryn Court, The Millfields, Plymouth, PL1 3JB additional travel costs will apply. 01752 202092 [email protected] For those with a more limited budget this package still [email protected] SILVER includes the full advice and support. The only real difference First Floor, 25 Eastgate Street, PACKAGE Offices in London, Cardiff, Plymouth and Southampton is that there will be no visit. All instructions and advice must £250 + VAT be obtained via telephone or in writing. Stafford, ST16 2LZ www.matrixlegalservices.co.uk If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number Insidetime February 2015 6 Mailbag and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. www.insidetime.org

The decision to allow matches but not lighters was made and agreed by Senior Operational ‘Thanks, big mouth!’ How long must we wait? Managers in the High Security Estate in ...... 2012-13 due to a number of prisoners using ANDY LOGAN - HMP LEWES JOSEPH SAMUEL - HMP WOODHILL lighters in a way that was detrimental to the safety and security of the establishment. The I’d just like to thank Mr ‘Big’ Dan Rod of HMP I was reading the reply from Elizabeth Moody potential for further use of lighters to endanger Rye Hill for his poem about pre-gabs in the - Deputy Ombudsman - about George Fredrick the safety of staff and prisoners was identi- November issue. What the hell was he not having his lost/damaged property complaint fied and on this basis it was decided that thinking? There’s nothing big or clever about investigated for 18 months. I have been lighters would no longer be permitted items getting out of your head. As someone who is waiting for nearly 2 years for mine and I’ve prescribed pre-gablin properly he has just been left with virtually no clothing or anything for prisoners to have in possession. made my life that little bit harder. I’ve had due to my loss and I cannot replace them wars with staff and healthcare about being because the Ombudsman hasn’t sorted my Matches were agreed to be the safest option prescribed this medication and they have complaint allowing me to receive damages for after the risks were assessed against the tried to block this medication on many my loss. I know there is a backlog but a 2 year need to provide prisoners with appropriate occasions. Now Mr ‘Big’ Dan Rod has given wait is taking the p***! How can I get a fair smoking requisites. This matter is under them the ammunition to say that these drugs hearing of my complaint when after 2 years regular review. should not be prescribed in prison. I don’t most of the evidence and witnesses are gone judge anybody in prison for wanting to get out or won’t remember due to the length of time it The nature of the prisoner population held in of their heads, but I do take issue with writing has been? I feel that the Ombudsman should the High Security Estate was also taken into a bloody poem for publication drawing now have to compensate people who are Lighters: account when making the decision not to attention to the fact that some people abuse waiting this long. It is true that we should allow lighters into dispersal prisons. The HSE medication, it just makes it harder for those never rush to justice, but crawling there is the definitive answer holds the country’s most dangerous prisoners, who genuinely need it. Thanks big mouth, I also unacceptable...... including those convicted of terrorism can see how you got caught! In several recent issues of Inside Time we offences and all Category A prisoners. have had mailbags containing various theories about why prisoners in Dispersal Invaluable help from an old lag I must explain that prisoners are only ...... prisons cannot purchase disposable cigarette downgraded to Category B or C status and lighters from the prison canteen, like relocated to lower category prisons after BRIAN - EX PRISONER prisoners in other prisons. We asked NOMS following a rigorous process of risk assessment. for a definitive answer to the question, and I was lucky enough to be put in with a lifer for my first couple of weeks on the wings. He gave me this is what we received... an intensive crash course on survival inside, over the next six years I had cause many times to I can also inform you that the dangers that thank him for the insight he gave me of how it all really works. He told me that the best thing I cigarette lighters present are also recognised could do was to shrink my horizons down to more realistic levels, to treat the whole thing as an within PSI 20/2012 Incendiary and Explosive experience, to grab every opportunity to do something that you can, and make your surroundings Writes Devices which is included in the National more homely... because for the next six years, that is what it will be. I too ended up on the enhanced Security Framework. The underpinning requisite wing for the last four years, and sailed through my sentence without cracking up. Now, a few I am able to confirm that the reasons quoted of this PSI is to ensure that all threats to the years later I can look back on the experience of prison as just that. An interesting experience. by your reader for not allowing cigarette security, safety, order and control of estab- And I bless the guy who took the time and trouble to share what he had learned. Make no mistake, lighters into High Security prisons are valid. lishments are detected and deterred. prison is humiliating, nasty, brutish, and can be a nightmare... but only if you let it get to you....

YOU’RE MEANT TO BE DOING TIME… ...NOT PERSONAL INJURY

You’ve committed the offence, been found guilty or negligence through no fault of your own talk to We can’t stop you counting time but if you’ve and now you’re doing time at Her Majesties Michael Jefferies Solicitors and we’ll fight for the suffered personal injury we’ll help you count what’s pleasure…….and time is all you should be doing. You compensation you deserve. due to you. may not have your freedom but you do have your As one of the countries leading personal injury rights. solicitors we have been representing prisoners A wet floor, loose stair, trip in the gym, attack by for many years, winning claims from hundreds to a fellow inmate or even intimidation from prison many thousands of pounds. All on a NO WIN NO staff. If you think you have suffered personal injury FEE basis.

N ON I JUR IS Y R L P A W E Y H E

T R

S Call: 0161 925 4155 I Click: jefferies-solicitors.com I email: [email protected]

O R

pilaC

B I

E I O M

N or write to us at: Jefferies Solicitors Limited I Ashley House I Ashley Road I Altrincham I Cheshire I WA14 2DW

1864_advert_ConverseMag.indd 2 07/10/2014 12:19 Insidetime February 2015 If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number www.insidetime.org and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Mailbag 7

officers in, so the due diligence which would that they have yet to commit. As this cannot result in officers not coming into contact with IPP - Some questions be done, then all IPPs being held beyond prisoners when they have a known conflict is twice their tariff should be released immedi- simply ignored. In a situation with frustrated that need to be asked ately. What this boils down to is a very old prisoners and a lack of officers it could only ...... standing principle of Habeas Corpus versus make sense in the mind of a prison Governor SIMON BURROWS - ‘dangerousness’ or the law against opinion. in allowing those in conflict to meet. HMP BULLINGDON It could be argued that IPPs are ‘lifers’, in It is not all this Governor’s fault; he inherited Habeas Corpus (enshrined in the Magna which case can the judicial system honestly most of these problems. But he has had long Carter 800 years ago) is the law that say that people with IPPs of 72 days or less enough to get a grip of those areas whose underpins the right to a fair trial in the British than 1 year tariffs have committed crimes that resources have been wasted (e.g. the justify them being locked up, possibly, for the HMP Woodhill in crisis notorious security department) to allow those legal system. In its basic form it ensures that rest of their lives? I met one person with a 12 ...... areas to operate. Instead, he has decided to no one can be held without appearing before month tariff who is still in prison after 9½ lock everyone up, reduce access to visits, a judge/court to ascertain whether a prisoner KEVAN THAKRAR - HMP WOODHILL years. When he is finally released he will gym, education and everything which could is guilty or not guilty of a crime. spend the rest of his life on license. If this was Having spent some four and a half years of my reduce tension, whilst simultaneously the intention of the courts when they were wrongful imprisonment at HMP Woodhill, allowing the Security Governor to invent more When a person was given an IPP (Imprison- handing out IPPs in the 7 year period before since September 2007, I can confirm that the and more unnecessary restrictive local ment for Public Protection), the judge, in his the sentence was amended then why did they current running of this establishment is by far policies and bureaucracy which require all the sentencing remarks, would have calculated not simply use existing legislation that the worst I have seen. I have witnessed more manpower to maintain. the tariff (i.e. the minimum length of time that prisoners locked down for excessive amounts person has to serve before being eligible to enabled them to impose a life sentence? of time, resulting in increased frustration Although less than 10% of Woodhill prisoners seek parole) by taking the amount of time However, that is precisely what was handed which is evident from the daily alarm bells fall within security category A, compared to they would have been given had he/she been down, only under a different title. being activated by prison officers unwilling to some dispersal prisons where the figure is given a determinate sentence and then address a situation in a way which does not nearer 50%, the security arrangements halving it. So, for example, if the offence the So, again, if the crime committed did not result in more lockdown (Prison Officers currently in place far exceed anything I have person had pleaded guilty to or been found warrant a life sentence then being given an Association policy.) Officers will tell you that seen elsewhere. A recent Prisons and guilty of would have merited a sentence of 6 IPP is manifestly excessive. And how can it be staff shortages are the problem. To a certain Probation Ombudsman report exposed an years imprisonment, the tariff set under IPP argued any other way? extent this may be true as the management example of this, that standard Category A would be half of that sentence; so 3 years. allowed too many officers to take voluntary prisoners at Woodhill must move cells every However, because the judge has determined We have ended up with a system whereby redundancy packages. However, the Governor three months, but in all dispersal prisons only that the offence would merit 6 years, any anyone who now commits a crime of either responsible for that was demoted to a C High Risk A Category prisoners and Escape amount that the prisoner serves over that similar or greater magnitude will receive a Category prison some time ago so conditions List prisoners are required to move cells. length would be manifestly excessive sentence which will be far less than that of a should not still be deteriorating. The replace- Woodhill claimed to be relaxing their policy as because the person is being held longer than person who committed a similar crime, simply a result of this report but, months later, have ment Governor, in an attempt to deal with the crime justified. because they committed it between April claims of staff shortages, has spent even made no attempt to do so. It may seem like a 2005 and December 2012. IPPs should be small issue, but when looked at in the context more money bringing in officers from other There has always been the view that someone looked at again with a view to changing them of a lack of resources, how can it be logical to high security prisons paying them to stay in on IPP is being held partly as punishment for to determinate sentences and finally correct- hotels, covering their travel expenses and expect what resources are available to be the crime and after that for public protection ing what the law has clearly identified as an completing all the work required to move providing them with enhanced wages. unjust sentencing system. The financial someone into an alternative but identical cell? ‘in case’ they were to commit further crimes on being released. If this is the case, then savings would be massive as there are Whatever the excuse this situation has stemmed under the Habeas Corpus Act, (which has approximately 5500 IPPs costing around £192 from gross incompetence, shortsighted So many other examples of wasted resources million per year. management structures, and is a flagrant exist which, if questioned, will be met with never been repealed) all people who are now disregard for the amount of taxpayers’ money the textbook response that these things must over twice their tariff (i.e. the full amount that And please can we bear in mind the families being wasted on a failing prison system. be done for “security reasons”. Everyone would have been given had they received a knows there is never any substance to the determinate sentence) should now be taken of people serving IPPs who also suffer a huge amount. These officers from other prisons are known claim of “security reasons”, yet the idiocy of back to court and tried for the ‘future offences’ as being on “detached duty”. They are not a maintaining this position when the conse- sustainable solution and should never have quences of the disproportionality of most of been allowed to continue to work in temporary Woodhill’s security measures is to put the DAVIES & JONES RODMAN PEARCE positions. The majority of them are from the security of the prison in jeopardy is incapable other high security prisons, usually block of being comprehended by the Governor. SOLICITORS SOLICITORS ‘screws’ who see their deployment to Woodhill Unless the Governor is able to realise the FIGHTING FOR YOU !!! as a paid holiday. As they only work for two damage his security Governors are doing it is Specialising in Experienced representation in week stints they are not able to complete the inevitable that he will fail in his job of running work that would be expected from a regular a safe prison. They have been let off the leash Criminal Defence and Criminal Defence, Prison Law officer. They are not shy in making sure for too long; they must be reigned back in and and Immigration Matters Prison Law 4 everyone knows they are being paid to sit muzzled. Only then will Woodhill stand a All Criminal Courts Proceedings & Appeals there and do nothing. The recruitment process chance of averting the crisis they currently O f f e r i n g 4 Parole Hearings 4 Contested Recall is not followed to bring these temporary find themselves in. Nationwide Service 4 Judicial Reviews 4 Sentence Calculation 4Lifer Panel and Adjudication Representation We can offer you • All Criminal Court Proceedings 4 Appeals Against Deportation 4 trapped? • An ‘in house’ advocacy team for all prison law • Parole Applications Inadequate Medication for your Illness trapp Hearings-Adjudication and Parole 4Inadequate Mobility Equipment for a Disability • Licence Recall 4 • Links to specialist barristers and Unlawful Detention/Bail Applications

QCs for Appeals Against Sentence, • Appeals 4 Prison Injury, Medical & 4 Wrongful Conviction & Judicial Review • Adjudications Dental Negligence Experts Need Help? • An excellent track record in relation to If you are injured in prison you can win thousands of pounds. Contact Michael Robinson POCA/Forfeiture matters Contact Prison injuries could be caused in the gym, scalding in the kitchen, falling from a bunk, slip on wet floor, stabbed by inmates, emmersons solicitors • A well respected criminal department, David Rees or Simon Palmer trip on broken tile, injury in workshop, injury on excercise, 52 John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1QN solicitor with Crown Court Rights of Davies & Jones assaulted by staff or other inmates. Freephone 0800 193 0146 or 0191 567 6667 Audience and a team of police station 32 The Parade, Roath, -Nationwide Service- emmersons-solicitors.co.uk representatives. Barry Akilo or Christine Ayanbadejo Cardiff, CF24 3AD 01582 424234 • Parole Hearings • Adjudications • Recalls or write to:

• Criminal Appeals • SOPO Variations Tel: 029 2046 5296 Rodman Pearce Solicitors Ltd Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers or 24 Hour Emergency Number: 54 Wellington Street >> Registered with EMAP<< 079 7096 9357 Luton Bedfordshire LU1 2QH If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number Insidetime February 2015 8 Mailbag and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. www.insidetime.org

and on what grounds. He also asked him why are subject to no victim contact conditions or prevent re-occurrences. Prisoners are always ‘Opened in error’ it had clearly been read, sent to the wing in an no child contact conditions due to the nature formally written to and updated about the ...... internal envelope and he requested to know if of their offences. We have a duty to protect outcomes of investigations relating to them. A PRISONER’S RELATIVE an SIR had been completed and was the legal victims and to assist with this aim there is a team informed that this had been opened. procedure in place to pre-approve any • HMP IOW has no record of any authority to My son was due a legal visit from his Barrister The legal team were not informed that this requests for prisoners to hand items out on open legal correspondence matching the and put in a general application to request had been opened. The reply from the visits. Reluctantly, the Governor at HMP IOW allegation, as it has been set out. There have that he could hand out legal paperwork to the Governor was that this ‘had been opened in had to put this in place after an attempt to been occasions recently where authority has Barrister on a visit. The reply that came back error’, which is the constant mealy-mouthed contact a prisoner’s victim by handing an item been granted to open legal correspondence, was that any paperwork he wanted to hand excuse offered in such cases. out on visits was discovered. Prisoners and subject to appropriate approval being out had to be sent to the security department staff were informed of this development via gained, and this led to the discovery of before the visit, in an unsealed envelope, this Can you please tell me A) why prisoners are the prison council and official notices to breaches to the Rule 39 process. However on would be checked by security to confirm that being forced to hand legally privileged papers prisoners and staff. each occasion the prisoner and his legal it was legal paperwork and then security to Security in an unsealed envelope? B) why advisor were informed. would take it down to the visits room on the Rule 39 mail is being opened, read and treated • The local procedure and application forms day of the visit. My son declined to leave this in such a cavalier fashion by HMP Parkhurst? published in July 2014 do not include In this case we have been unable to establish with security. The Barrister was also informed C) what are you going to do about it? instructions for staff to routinely send items the identity of the prisoner and follow up the that he could not give my son any paperwork to the security department; this is not part of complaint directly with him. My advice to any on the visit. the normal procedure. prisoner who feels they have been treated unfairly would be to use our internal com- The Barrister sent in legal paperwork to my Writes • I have been given assurance from the plaints system in the first instance as the son and on the inner envelope was written my Governor that when complaints are received prison is best placed to address related son’s name and prison number and Rule 39. The Prison Service takes any breaches of about legal mail being opened they are fully concerns. If they are subsequently unhappy This was inside the outer envelope and on the legal privilege seriously and as such I have investigated and there is evidence of with the response they have received and front of the outer envelope was the legal team contacted the Governor at HMP IOW to completed investigations to support this. The have used the internal appeal process, there stamp: it was sent special delivery. Special investigate this matter. Governor takes all complaints seriously and is an avenue for them to raise the matter to delivery was guaranteed for the following day. works with his team to learn from previous the independent Prisons and Probation I checked with the Barrister and he confirmed The Governor confirmed the following; incidents and to review and revise systems to Ombudsman. that this had been signed for by the prison. This paperwork was not taken to my son until • HMP IOW has checked its complaints data he had requested it and he had informed staff against the allegation as set out; we could when it had been signed for. The wing Senior not find any evidence of a complaint received Mother’s Day 15th March Officer contacted Security about this. When at HMP IOW matching this case. the legal paperwork was sent to the wing it Send your message (20 words max.) to Inside Time and was in an internal envelope and had clearly • However, it can be confirmed that prisoners we will publish as many as possible in a special Mother’s been read as the paperwork was not in page at HMP IOW may hand out items on a visit, Day section in the March issue. All messages received will order. My son completed a Comp 1 asking why subject to prior checks and approval. appear on our website. Include the name and address of this had been opened and read despite it Prisoners and staff are kept informed of your mum and she will receive a copy of the newspaper. being clearly marked as legal mail. He did not procedures via local notices and the most Entries must be sent to Inside Time ‘Mother’s Day’ Botley receive a reply to this or the Comp 1A. He recent instruction on the subject was Mills, Botley, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Closing date 19th completed a Comp 2 requesting why the published on 25 July 2014. February and don’t forget to include your full details too! Governor had authorised this to be opened • HMP IOW holds a number of prisoners who

Sometimes you just need an expert...... Ward’s Building 31-39, High Bridge Newcastle Upon Tyne Michael Purdon Solicitor NE1 1EW Advising prisoners nationwide since 1994 0191 2321006

National Firm Strengthens Links with Barristers Chambers Parole Representation for all Lifer, Recall and IPP Clients National firm strengthens links with Barristers Chambers... Parole Representation for all Lifer, Recall and IPP clients... Our excellent former Tooks Chambers barristers continue to maintain a Obtain specialist advocacy at your parole hearing from our in house Tooks,close working the London relationship based barristerswith Michael chambers Purdon ofSolicitor, Michael supplementing Mansfield advocacyObtain specialist team backed advocacy up byat handpickedyour parole prisonhearing law from barristers. our in house We anda wealth Patrick of experienceRoche has indeveloped our specialist a close teams working across relationship all criminal with and provideadvocacy a nationalteam backed service. up by handpicked prison law barristers to Michaelprison law Purdon areas. Solicitor, We also supplementing work closely with the Central wealth Chambers,of experience a in Newenable Crown us to provideCourt and a nationwide Cold Case service. Reviews ourManchester ‘in house’ based specialist chambers. teams Theseacross relationships all criminal and bring prison together law highly regarded lawyers with a passion for human rights. areas. WeCrime have and a particular Cold Case interest Reviews... in clients facing further allegations where new evidence has come to light due to forensic science advances as Criminal Appeals, CCRC, SOPO & Judicial Review Challenges This relationship brings together two highly regarded organisations wellWe haveas new a particular charges relatinginterest toin seriousclients facingviolence, allegations sexual off relatingences andto withWe havea passion successfully for human challenged rights. the imposition of IPP sentences, led fraud.old unsolved Our expert offences knowledge especially of both those crime where and new prison evidence law puts has us in a the way in the review of mandatory tariffs as well as being central to strongcome to position light due to protectto forensic clients science interests advances. both at court and at the Criminalthe development Appeals, of prisoner CCRC challengersand Judicial to delays Review in progression challenges... and Parole Board. We have represented clients in criminal Crown Court the timing of parole reviews. mattersFounding as far members,afield as Chester, serving Liverpool, for Preston, first 3 Chelmsford, years Birmingham, Guildford, Basildon, Cambridge and Ipswich. We have an arsenal of experienced counsel who have worked with us as Chair and Deputy Chair of for a number of years in High Court and Court of Appeal cases. We look forward to hearing from you. Supreme Court The Association of Prison Lawyers ToWe date presently we have have successfully permission challenged for challenges the impositionin the Supreme of IPP Court Nationwide Service - Video Link also available sentences,relating to oral led hearingsthe way in for the Cat review A reviews of mandatory and also tariffsseeking as awell as Founding members, serving for first 3 years as beingreappraisal central of to the the restrictive development aspects of prisoner of the case challenges of ‘James’ to delays relating in NationwideChair and Deputy Chair Serviceof progressionto whether failure and the to providetiming of courses parole reviews.gives rise to compensation. VideoThe Association Link also of available Prison Lawyers Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers Insidetime February 2015 If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters (including your name, number www.insidetime.org and prison) to ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Mailbag 9

After being convicted I have been made up to Standard Category A. This in itself should make little difference to a prisoner’s daily life, however, here at HMP Woodhill it does, albeit in a series of minor irritations. There is one aspect of life as a Category A prisoner that makes no sense at all, and that is being able to contact solicitors. I am aware that there are frequently restrictions imposed on prisoners preventing them from contacting, usually friends or family, 9 month-old but to place any restrictive measures in the form of a prisoner being able to contact a solicitor, baby refused visit well, that seems like an obstruction for obstruction’s sake...... I can only assume that every other Category A prisoner has to fill out an application form A PRISONER’S RELATIVE requesting that a particular solicitor be added to their list of solicitors, this I fully understand, but then the prison does something which makes no sense at all - they write to the solicitor asking that the solicitor returns a consent form agreeing that a particular prisoner be allowed to My Granddaughter’s partner and 9 month-old contact them! What the hell is that about? They are registered solicitors, I am a prisoner - so baby drove through treacherous conditions why is the prison system wasting time and money by interfering with a legal process? Are the on the 27th of Dec from Kent to get to Preston people who operate this system aware that the appeal process needs to be started within one to stay at her Aunts overnight, and went to month of conviction? I wonder if other prisoners are having the same problems? see her father on the 28th at HMP Preston. Not realizing she needed ID for the baby, which on her previous visit she was not asked for, the prison declined letting the baby go Cameron’s ‘sick’ scale ‘I passed a polygraph’ Prison healthcare through, and her partner had to cope for ...... nearly 3 hours with a teething baby in the car ARNOLD - HMP FORD JOHN CONNOLLY - HMP PARKHURST KEITH ANDERSON - EX PRISONER while granddaughter went in to visit her father. The first time my daughter and I visited I believe I may have to pass the hat round to In reply to Mr L Philips (‘Polygraph has proved Having seen so many letters over the past twelve my son she had forgotten her ID but they said raise funds to purchase another bucket for my innocence!’ - January issue), I too passed a months in Inside Time regarding the various she could go through just this once but yet Prime Minister David Cameron to be sick into, full polygraph test in October 2013. I was standards of the Healthcare Service within turned a 9 month-old baby away. I know of because if the thought of giving prisoners the wrongfully convicted in 2012 and sentenced the Prison system, I thought that the following this officer who refused the baby a visit and to 26 years in total for crimes that I did not vote makes him feel ‘physically sick’, I can’t information should be common knowledge. he thinks he is a law unto himself with a big commit. Maintaining my innocence I requested chip on his shoulder. After visits on our way imagine what he must be feeling at the a polygraph from day one but was repeatedly Back in 2012, a Government Committee report out many are disabled and he keeps us revelations that members of his party belong refused. After 9 months of stonewalling by stated that by October 2014 the Prison standing packed like sardines till (he) is ready to a paedophile ring operating out of West- HMP I was granted access to a tester who Healthcare computer system would be fully to open the gate, with a smirk on his face. minster. conducted the test. It finally took place in linked in the NHS. So that prisoners full October 2013 at HMP Parkhurst. I paid for an medical records would be available to the I have written a complaint about this incident How does all this rate on Mr Cameron’s ‘sick’ extended test and the credentials of the Prison Healthcare Service. to the Minister for Justice and am awaiting the scale? I only ask because he doesn’t seem to examiner include ‘working for law enforce- outcome. be saying a lot about how ‘sick’ this makes him. ment agencies worldwide’. He is also a trained Having put in a Freedom of Information psychologist and a member of C.O.P.S. request, this is the following reply: The examiner commented that he had ‘never ‘NHS England took over the responsibility for “ARC LAW” ASSET RECOVERY, RESTRAINT & CONFISCATION LAWYERS been so badly delayed in getting access to a the provision of healthcare in secure and client’ as he had been with me. My friends and detained settings in April 2013, at this time family have always been 100% behind me so we also took over the commitment to have an As the asset recovery and confiscation arm of Rahman Ravelli Solicitors, a the result of the polygraph was no surprise to integrated IT system. However the current IT leading nationwide niche practice, ARC offers expertise, proactive and forceful any of us - I passed the test. I actively sought system contract does not end until July 2016 representation together with a track record of success. this test because I am innocent. I have a young and NHS England is about to undertake a family who are badly affected by my absence procurement of a new system. The new CONFISCATION and are going through hell needlessly. My system will have an electronic transfer of As an example, we sucessfully challanged one of the UK’s career is in tatters and there is a heavy medical records between the community and largest ever confiscation orders following years of fighting; financial burden on my family. I spent 29 years secure settings. reducing the relevant amounts by over £10 million. In recent building an impeccable reputation and now years, our unique approach has helped our clients retain that is all gone. I am currently in the appeals In the interim, prisons and other secure assets worth tens of millions of pounds. process but nothing can make up for the 3 settings are able to request copies of medical Responding tactically to a Prosecutor’s ‘Statement of years of hell we have already been through. records from the community GP’s, but will not Information’ is the way to strike back in the assets battle. In be fully linked until July 2016.’ our experience, these documents are vital in setting the scene I hope that at my appeal, common sense will and letting the other side know that that a battle can be expected prevail and I feel for all the other families Interestingly, with the governments abysmal Hidden assets, tainted gifts, rights of spouses, third parties, ripped apart by horrible lies and speculation. record on installing new computer systems business interests, reciever’s costs; these are among the multitude of issues that can arise in modern confiscation anywhere within their departments, July 2016 litigation. In fact, each one of these areas requires specialist NOTICE BOARD no doubt will come and go! expertise, skil and knowledge. In our experience, the Crown will often assert that their In the final sentence regarding copies of demands are harsh but will then say that it is because POCA Unlock’s office move medical records from community GP’s, it does is ‘draconian’. Too often this is accepted. The truth is that ...... not state that GP’s do not have to supply a full these issues can be fought, either with good case law, solid CHRISTOPHER STACEY - medical file of a patient/prisoner, a brief factual argument, good negotiation skills or a combination of DIRECTOR, UNLOCK resume will do. The GP’s may also charge the all three. That approach though requires work, dedication requesting Prison for this service! expertise and belief. Since January 2014, we’ve been based at Whther it is under POCA 2002, the CJA 1988 or the DTA 1994, Finally, we have a prime example of the Prison and whether it involves restraint or confiscation orders, Maidstone Community Support Centre. For applications to vary or certificates of inadequacy, our POCA the last year, we had a Royal Mail ‘postal Service wasting so much money in Healthcare Department can assist. divert’ in operation, which meant that we suppliers. You would have thought that the were still receiving any letters that were sent local NHS Trust services would supply ARC Law, Rahman Ravelli Solicitors, to our old address. This divert is no longer in healthcare to prisons, that does not happen. Roma House, 59 Pellon Lane, Please contact us for a no obligation assesment. operation. If you see our old address Example being, at Channings Wood, Dartmoor Offices in Halifax & London with nationwide coverage anywhere, please let those involved know our and Exeter, all in Devon, healthcare is Halifax HX1 5BE new one. Our full address is Unlock, supplied by Dorset Healthcare University NHS Telephone: 01422 346666 www.rahmanravelli.co.uk Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Foundation based 125 miles away in Poole, Marsham Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1HH. Dorset! Insidetime February 2015 10 Newsround www.insidetime.org

processes were haphazard and prisoners had a poor introduction to the prison. Some problematic and diffi cult to manage prisoners were located alongside new arrivals on the fi rst THE INSPECTOR CALLS ... night wing, which, Inspectors said, was an ‘inappropriate mix’.

Nick Hardwick - HM Chief Inspector of Prisons The number of violent incidents had been rising steadily and there was a sharp increase Inside Time highlights areas of good and bad practice, along with in the two months before the inspection. a summary of prisoner survey responses at HMP Garth and HMYOI Inspectors found frightened prisoners seeking sanctuary in the segregation unit and lodged Feltham (A). These extracts are taken from the most recent Reports on the drug recovery wing. published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. HMP Garth Category B training prison Staff shortages meant the prison was running under 18s annually. They said; ‘We found a Managed by HMPS a restricted regime. All lunchtime and late staff group who were working very hard to CNA: 811 evening unlock periods had ceased and deal with a signifi cant number of very troubled Population: 780 weekend association was reduced. Although young people. For the most part they seemed Unannounced Full Inspection: 11-22 HMP Garth is a training prison, most prisoners to be doing this in a calm, patient and August 2014 Published: 14 January 2015 could only attend education or work for three- sometimes courageous way.’ Last inspection: April 2012 and-a-half days a week, and morning activity sessions were routinely shortened as staff Reception, fi rst night and induction arrange- ‘Staff shortages undermining progress’ were unavailable to supervise movement to ments were generally swift and effective and and from activities. some facilities, notably reception and the 0% Unsentenced 6.3% Number of foreign induction unit, were in a better condition than nationals 4.5% Number on recall 22% HMYOI Feltham (A) when we last inspected. Risks were managed Lost property on arrival 67% Treated Recently published HMCIP reports Young people aged 15 to 18; remand and appropriately and most boys reported feeling well in Reception 50% Had legal letters Altcourse - September 2014, Chelmsford sentenced safe on their fi rst night. opened 60% Food is bad or very bad - September 2014, Cookham Wood - Managed by HMPS 22% Don’t know who IMB are 77% Treated October 2014, Elmley - November 2014, Feltham - January 2015, Garth - January CNA: 240 Inspectors noted; ‘Feltham’s approach to safe- with respect by staff 32% Number who Population: 180 2015, Guernsey - November 2014, Hewell guarding was thorough and staff generally have felt unsafe 26% Victimised by staff Announced Full Inspection: 11-15 August understood their responsibilities in respect of - September 2014, Hollesley Bay - January 73% Diffi cult to see dentist33% Easy to 2015, North Sea Camp - November 2014, 2014 Published: 14th January 2015 child protection. We observed good, well- get drugs 20% Not engaged in any pur- Peterborough - October 2014, Portland - Last inspection: January 2013 integrated working relationships with the local poseful activities 23% Less than 4 hours December 2014, Springhill - September authority which had strengthened and the out of cell 2014, Swaleside - September 2014, ‘Signifi cant improvements, but still institution was working constructively with major concerns’ Swinfen Hall - November 2014, them to ensure the replacement of social Thameside - January 2015, Wakefi eld workers they had recently lost and which had Inspectors said; ‘Like too many prisons we - November 2014, Wormwood Scrubs 32% Remand 8.7% Number of foreign left some gaps in coverage. have been to recently, the prison was beset by - September 2014, Wymott - October nationals 29% Age 16 or under 17% chronic staff shortages which impacted 2014 Lost property on arrival 47% Treated The institution had gone to considerable adversely on many aspects of its work. The well in Reception 66% Food is bad or very lengths to address violence and bullying prison had recently taken on a new role as a Copies of the most recent report for your bad 54% Don’t know who IMB are 55% behaviour. The number of fi ghts and assaults national category B sex offender treatment prison are available in the library. had reduced since the last inspection but hub and two wings holding about 200 men Treated with respect by staff 33% New address for HMCIP despite this violence still remained too high had been re-roled to fulfi l this.’ Number who have felt unsafe 33% Vic- Victory House, 6th fl oor, 30-34 Kingsway and there had been more assaults on staff timised by staff 67% Had an adjudication London WC2B 6EX than ‘normal’. A signifi cant amount of violence Cells on the fi rst night wing were dirty and 60% Diffi cult to see dentist10% Easy to is gang related. badly prepared. Reception and induction get drugs 79% Had been excluded from school 29% Not engaged in any purpose- Inspectors said; ‘We were concerned about ful activities 10% Get no visits Our Team of over 25 the number of times boys had been placed in specialist advisors special accommodation, although a small have a wealth of number of boys with very acute mental health Feltham is divided into two sections - A holds experience to offer young people 18 and under; and section B and behavioural needs, who were placed on holds young men up to 21. They operate sep- this measure, were better cared for in the you including: arately but are managed as one. This report establishment’s Albatross unit. The number of • Parole Board Hearings refers to Section A only. A report on Section B self-harm incidents had reduced, but the man- • IPP Sentence Issues has also been published. agement of these cases was just adequate, and too many boys in crisis were left locked up • Mandatory Lifers • Discretionary Lifers Inspectors visit every establishment holding for too long with not enough to do’. • Automatic Lifers • Sentence Planning Boards • Re-categorisation beesleyandcompanysolicitors • Category A Reviews • DSPD Assessments Personal Injury and Civil Action against National means near YOU! • Accessing Courses the Police and other authorities We can help you in ANY • Parole • Recall PRISON in England and Wales, • Personal Injury (accidents both in and out of custody) • Independent Adjudications • Police Assault at ANY TIME. • Governor Adjudications • False imprisonment or Malicious Prosecution You can also write to us FREEPOST at: • Challenge of MDT’s • Negligence FREEPOST RTAB-BATB-HGAU • HDC “Tagging” • Compensation for Childhood Abuse in Care • Transfer • Mistreatment or Assault by Inmates or Prison Staff Carringtons Solicitors • Judicial Review • Inadequate Opiate Detox Nottingham • Tariff Representations NG2 2JR Contact: Mark Lees at, 736-740 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2DW • IPP Sentence Appeals • Police Interviews 0800 975 5454 (FREEPHONE) Tel: 0115 958986 34720983 [email protected] www.beesleysolicitors.co.uk Nationwide service available in certain cases Legal Aid available Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Newsround 11

Chris Grayling spent £72,000 of taxpayers’ Sikh wins compensa- The things people say… money to defend ‘unlawful’ prison book ban tion over prison

The High Court has ruled Chris Grayling’s prison book ban “unlawful” and Mr Justin Collins turban challenge said he could see “no good reason” for the Government’s stance and said their defence was “misleading”. A Sikh solicitor has won undisclosed compensation after being barred from entering a Andy Slaughter, the Shadow Justice Secretary, discovered the amount the Justice Depart- ment had spent on legal fees for the trial after submitting a written parliamentary question. prison to visit a client because he had pins in “We all knew the ban on sending books to prisoners was a half-baked policy from an out-of- his turban. Amrik Bilkhu, a criminal defence touch Government,” he told the Mirror. “Now they have spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ solicitor, was told to remove the pins even money on losing the case. Chris Grayling should focus on the bad decision-making in his own though he pointed out it would make the department, rather than waste public money in this way.” religious garment fall apart. He brought a ‘Not one Crown Office religious discrimination claim against the investigator or prosecutor Frances Crook, CEO of the Howard League for Penal Reform, which co-led the original Ministry of Justice, which has now settled campaign to scrap the ban, told The Independent: “It is a scandalous waste of public money, out of court and agreed to pay Mr Bilkhu’s has raised a concern about squandered on curtailing people’s right to read and learn. The Ministry of Justice must lift the legal costs. ban on sending books and other essentials immediately.” the evidence in this case’

Mr Bilkhu’s collegue Duncan Burtwell, of GT Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC Prison suicides in Stewart solicitors, said: “Any legitimate made this announcement on December security concerns relating to Mr Bilkhu’s 20th 2014 and added that ‘Lockerbie conspiracy theory is dismissed’ England and Wales at turban pins could have been more propor- tionately addressed than by the refusal to Dr Jim Swire (Father of Flora murdered ‘seven-year high’ admit him to the prison altogether. In any at Lockerbie) noted: ‘The Scottish

event, Mr Bilkhu’s attendances at Belmarsh Criminal Cases Review Commission Eighty-two prisoners killed themselves in on previous occasions and Belmarsh’s carefully investigated the case while Mr 2014, up seven from the previous year, ‘approval’ of his turban pins for subsequent al-Megrahi was still alive and found no according to statistics compiled by the legal visits rendered the entire incident ri- less than six reasons why the case Howard League for Penal Reform. diculous. “ should be the subject of a further appeal. Frances Crook, the chief executive of the The Appeal, as Lord Mulholland will Howard League, said: “The government has A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We remember, was cut short by the return of al-Megrahi to his homeland (Libya) just chosen to allow the prison population to respect individuals’ rights to wear religiously increase whilst it cuts staff, and that has led before crucial questions over the Crown’s appropriate clothing, including hats, turbans to an increase in people dying by suicide.” case could be re-examined in Court.” and caps.” Deaths in custody in England and Wales 2014 Supporting New Bridge’s vital work 84,250 Feltham prison: average prison population in 2014 235 Inspectors found deaths in prison, including: 1 in 4 children held 127 died of natural causes 82 prisoners took their own lives in what amounts to 24 deaths yet to be classified solitary confinement 1 murder and 1 alleged murder Source: The Howard League for Penal Reform The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Since 2010 the number of prison officers, Prisons’ report on Feltham prison, published governors and support staff in public sector on 13 January. jails has fallen by 10,000, with half the jobs going in the past two years, according to MoJ Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at figures. There has also been a huge increase the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: in the number of adult male offenders, up “One in four boys in Feltham prison is almost 5,000 since the coalition Government spending 23 hours a day locked up in his cell came to power. in conditions which amount to solitary confinement. This is unacceptable. Despite On a rainy day in January, New Bridge RECLAIM LEGAL AID some improvements, violence is endemic, Volunteer Hilary started the 1st leg of CONTRIBUTIONS including 79 assaults on staff in six months. walking the Capital Ring (6.2 miles Woolwich • Did you pay legal aid contributions It is particularly concerning that the use of to Falconwood) to raise funds for the prison in the Crown Court? force on children has increased dramatically charity New Bridge. • Were you charged with more than one offence? since the last inspection. • Were you acquitted of any offence? New Bridge volunteers write to and visit • Did the Prosecution not proceed with any “However, the problems outlined in this prisoners serving long sentences in prisons charges? report are not confined to Feltham; they throughout England & Wales. Volunteers If your answer is yes you may be entitled to mirror the findings of a series of inspections are linked to the prisoner not the prison and reclaim a proportion of your contributions! conducted across the country in recent stay in touch when prisoners are moved. Contact us today with details of your months. Staff are rightly praised by the in- Last year New Bridge volunteers travelled case to see if you could reclaim spectorate, but they are working in challeng- nearly 108,000 miles and wrote over 7,000 money owed to you. ing environments where they are being asked letters providing contact with the outside BRADSHAW LEGAL to achieve the impossible. world to the prisoners they support. SOLICITORS If you feel you would benefit from the 123 Bradshaw Road, Bolton BL2 3EW “It is high time we stopped locking up In 2015, Hilary aims to walk the 78 miles of support of a New Bridge Volunteer write to children in large, violent institutions and The Capital Ring in 15 stages to raise over Befrienders, New Bridge Foundation, 1a 01204 303 641 invest instead in what works in rehabilitating £15,000 to support New Bridge’s vital work. Elm Park, London SW2 2TX. [email protected] children whilst keeping them safe.” Insidetime February 2015 12 Newsround www.insidetime.org

Dangerous prisoners The things people say… to be stripped of human rights

According to the Legal Editor of The Times, the Conservatives plan to take a hard line on deportation. Terrorist suspects, criminals and illegal immigrants will be banned from using human rights on a ‘get out of jail free’ card under a Conservative party Bill of Rights The Times January 20 being prepared for the forthcoming General also state that British judges can ignore “I’m very happy to be judged “Only the Labour Party can Election. rulings by the European Court of Human on the record that I have as Rights in Strasbourg which outlaw bans on save the NHS”

A draft Bill drawn up by senior Conservative prisoner voting and the police being members Prime Minister” Ed Miliband, Leader of Labour Party, ad- lawyers will stop ‘family life’ grounds being of a trade union and restrict whole-life terms David Cameron on the Andrew Marr dressing the House of Commons in used to avoid deportation from Britain. It will on people convicted of murder. Show, 4 January 2015 January 2015. Mr Cameron appears to have forgotten this Conservative Government’s record. Mr Miliband appears to have forgotten the UN General Assembly resolution on children last Labour Government’s record. l One million people using food banks; l It allowed the NHS to squander millions and forced marriage l Largest A&E deportment closure in of pounds on a computerised system that A United Nations Resolution demonstrates health, education, economic and social status; NHS history; did not work; the broad international consensus that l • Is inherently linked to deep-rooted gender Hundreds of thousands of new l It oversaw the expansion of an inefficient urgent action is needed to end child marriage, inequalities, norms and stereotypes; and, insecure and zero hours jobs created; NHS bureaucracy, whose fat cat leaders flit a practice that holds back 15 million girls a l from NHS trust to NHS trust hoovering up year, or about 41,000 a day, denying them • Is itself a barrier to development and helps Bankers’ bonuses protected; taxpayer’s money in pay-outs and pay-offs fundamental rights and undermining their to perpetuate the cycle of poverty. l Debt higher than under Labour; on the way; future. If there is no reduction in child l Botched Royal Mail sell-off cost tax marriage, 1.2 billion girls will marry as More importantly, it’s the first time that l It virtually doubled the pay of GP’s payers £1bn; children by 2050 - equivalent to the entire countries have agreed on the steps that they without exhausting the necessary extra ef- population of India. - and partners in international organizations l 3.6 million disabled people targeted by ficiencies from them, hence the current and civil society - should be taking to address spending cuts; chaos in A & E departments; “The passage of a UN resolution does not the problem, including: l Introduction of the bedroom tax; l It mismanaged the recruitment and mean that we will end child marriage • Enact, enforce and uphold laws and policies training of nurses, forcing the NHS to tomorrow, but resolutions are important in l £3bn tax cut for the top 1% of earners; to end the practice; recruit overseas staff to make up the setting global norms. This is a firm statement l 3.5 million children living in poverty - shortfall. from the international community that we • Develop and implement holistic, compre- and expected to rise. have to act on child marriage if we’re to hensive and coordinated responses and ensure equality and reduce global poverty”, strategies in cooperation with stakeholders, said Heather Hamilton, Girls Not Brides. including civil society; and • Promote and protect the human rights of The Resolution recognises that child and all women and girls, including their right to forced marriage: education and to have control over and decide • Is a practice that severely impairs girls and freely and responsibly on matters related to women’s human rights and is a threat to their their sexuality.

The Clink named Cardiff City’s finest eatery

The Clink, at HMP Cardiff, is number one on TripAdvisor out of 946 restaurants in the Welsh capital. More than 350 satisfied customers left glowing reviews on the hugely popular site. The restaurant, which opened to the public in September 2012, has also been credited with helping slash rates of re-offending, as the latest figures show that it has reduced the re-offending rate of released prisoners who worked there to 12.5%. The national average is 47%. Around 30 prisoners work a 40-hour week either in the kitchen or restaurant, training towards nationally recognised City and Guilds NVQs before returning to the prison at the end of each working day.

Parole? Recall? Adjudication? OLLIERS SOLICITORS CAN HELP Life Sentences IPP, MANDATORY, DISCRETIONARY, AUTOMATIC LIFE SENTENCE PRISONERS - ORAL & WRITTEN REPRESENTATION Recall PAROLE BOARD REPRESENTATION Adjudications Canter Levin & Berg CONTACT: JEREMY PINSON or TOM CAWLEY 1 Temple Square, FREEPOST NEA 13621, MANCHESTER M3 9ZL 24 Dale Street, 0161 834 1515 Liverpool, L2 5RL Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Newsround 13

Smoking is bad NEWS IN BRIEF for birds

We know that smoking is bad for us. What’s less well advertised is the fact that it may also be harmful to birds. Urban birds have long been picking up cigarette ends, and using the cellulose in the filters to line their nests. The filters ward off parasites in much the same way as the leaves with which birds usually line their nests. And the nicotine in the filters also wards off fleas and the like, making them a practical substitute in built-up areas where the appropriate trees 7 million: increase in sales of the Charlie may be in short supply. Hebdo magazine and showing a great profit.

The HIV virus is getting less and less deadly, reports BBC News, and eventually could become “almost harmless”. And the cause of this lies in the very ease with which the virus adapts to © Stepan Popov - Fotolia the immune system. Scientists from Oxford University have discovered that its ability to mutate and get past the defences of particularly effective immune systems comes at a cost: it But they also contain toxins - and new reduces the ability of the virus to replicate, which over time makes it less infectious and In Los Angeles a leading cosmetic slower to turn into Aids. The scientists studied 2,000 HIV-positive women in Botswana and research suggests that these are damaging the genetic information within the birds’ surgeon takes delivery of Kim Kardashi- South Africa, and found that in Botswana it now takes 12.5 years for the virus to turn into Aids, an’s buttock implant. whereas in the 1990s it took just 10. In South Africa it still takes ten. That’s because in cells. ‘It seems that bringing cigarette butts Botswana, Aids arrived a decade earlier so the virus is further evolved. In particular it has to the nest has negative consequences that evolved to evade a gene called HLA-B*57, a potent immune defence, against Aids. “The virus may counterbalance the benefits of using So what is trapped between a rock and a hard place - it can get flattered or change to survive, if it them as ectoparasites repellents reported seems to be the the Journal of Evolutionary Biology. changes, that comes at a cost”, says Professor Philip Goulder. problem? Teenage girls self-confidence plummeting

Levels of self-confidence among teenage girls seem to be plummeting. According tonew figures from the Schools Health Education Unit, only 33% of 15 year-olds now report feeling good about themselves, down from 41% in 2007. By contrast, more than 50% of boys aged 14-16 have high self-esteem. Most teenage girls cited the way they looked as their greatest worry - above school work and family issues. Two-thirds said they were “too fat”; 14% had skipped breakfast that day. Younger girls had similar concerns: 53% of 12 and 13 year-olds, and a third of 10 and 11 year-olds said they wanted to lose weight. Yet only one in four boys aged 14 to 16 were worried about their body size. The national survey of around 17,000 © grafikplusfoto - Fotolia secondary school pupils also found that a third had looked for porn and violent images online. A patient is rushed to A&E. The growing Watch out for the © shockfactor - Fotolia pressure on the NHS ten-year itch Half of women in England are currently taking prescription drugs, as are 43% of men, a new They talk about a seven-year itch - but snapshot study suggests. The commonly according to a new study, it’s at ten years taken ones included cholesterol-lowering statins, that relationships start to really suffer. antidepressants and pain relief drugs. When Researchers gathered 2,000 women who questioned for the Health Survey for England, were born in the 1950s and 1960s, and had almost a quarter of women, and a fifth of married in their mid 20s, and quizzed them men, said they’d taken three different pre- at intervals over 35 years. scribed drugs in the past week, a figure that rises to 70% among the over-75s. Anti- Participants were asked, for instance, how Grumpy Cat, The first cat to earn $100m. depressants were taken by twice as many happy they were, how often they and their British men are women as men a total of 11% of women were husband laughed together, and also what taking them, compared with 5.5% of men. they argued about. The results suggest that getting bigger These were most commonly taken by mid- in almost all cases, happiness starts to dle-aged women and those from deprived British men have grown two inches in the decline almost as soon as the honeymoon is areas - 17% of the poorest women took anti- past half century, and are generally bigger over - and in most cases it never recovers. depressants, compared with 7% of the richest. all round. In 1954, the average male weighed The greatest proportion of prescribed drugs, 11 stone 6lbs, was just over 5ft 7in tall, and however, were for cardiovascular disease, Problems reach a peak at 10 to 15 years had a waist of 34 inches and a chest of 37 these accounted for 30% of the total. The possibly because it’s at that point people feel inches. He took a size seven shoe, and a size single-most prescribed drug was simvastatin most ground down by the responsibilities of 14 collar, and could expect to live to the age - which lowers cholesterol - with 40 million family life. But if couples soldier on for a few of 68. Today, the average man weighs 12 prescriptions (followed by aspirin, with 31 more years (by which time children are more stone 6lbs, is 5ft 9in tall, and has a 42-inch million prescriptions). And almost 50% of independent), the conflict levels start to drop chest and a collar size of 16. He takes a size over-65s of both sexes were taking some off, and by 35 years, some report being as nine shoe - and can expect to live to 79. He ... gives a beaver in Canada the idea to form of statin, reflecting the age group’s high happy, or even happier than they were at the also eats and drinks about 25% more than log on. risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease. beginning. his counterpart in the 1950s. Insidetime February 2015 14 Newsround www.insidetime.org

707 adults per every 100,000 residents is the when inspectors called. Children were being STRANGE BUT TRUE highest in the world, by a huge margin. With forced into care because their mother was NEWS IN BRIEF 1,800 state and federal correctional facilities imprisoned for failing to pay the fee. l West country bus timetable website and 3,200 local and county jails this means Owing to hacked by terrorists in many parts of America, particularly the l Thrown into the cells for beeping at a ongoing rail Islamic extremists hoping to disrupt travel South, there are more people living in police car improvements this across the Western World hacked instead prisons than on college campuses. In some After a driver sounded his horn at a police train will be late. into a website that publishes bus timeta- counties, prisons account for 10, 20 or 30 van which was moving slowly and repeat- bles for the Bristol area. Commuters who percent of the total population. edly braking in front of him he was visited the TavelWest website after Christmas handcuffed, thrown into a cell and had his were confronted by a black screen covered l Women hit hardest by courts for failing fingerprints, DNA and mug shot taken. in Arabic text and playing Arab music. A to buy TV licence banner informed them that the website Seven out of ten people found guilty of failing The driver’s solicitor said that the case had been taken over by DarkShadow, a to buy a TV licence last year were women. should never have come to court after the group that is believed to work out of Ivory More than 100,000 women were given criminal CCTV coverage clearly contradicted the Coast and Tunisia. The cyber-terrorists are records for not paying the £145.50 fee, each police account that he was shouting and presumed to have thought they were given a minimum fine of £1,000 on top of being threatening. Despite this the CPS hacking into a website that promoted court costs. Last year 32 people were sent seemed determined to take the case to international travel in the West - not bus to prison for failing to pay the licence fee. Court and it wasn’t until a week before the routes in the West Country. The TravelWest Women were also more likely to be at home trial they realised there was no case. site was still out of operation this week. l Constipated goldfish gets life saving operation A pet owner from Norfolk spent £300 to have his goldfish cured of constipation. The unnamed man took the two-year-old A gripping new scheme at Churchill for fish to his local vet in North Walsham when customers to get a reduction on their car it seemed to be ailing. Vet Faye Bethell insurance is launched. worked out that there was a blockage in the fish’s bottom - and warned him that without surgery, it would die. Initially, he balked at the cost of the treatment, but ten minutes later, he changed his mind and the hour-long operation went ahead. “There was nothing special about the fish. He just liked it a lot,” Bethell said. It is difficult to imagine what the murdered cartoonists would make of seeing the Saudi l The U.S. has more jails than colleges Ambassador to France taking part in the rally in Paris shortly after the jailed free- And Charles spots The USAs national incarceration rate of speech Saudi activist, Raif Badawi, received the first 50 of his 1000 lashes in Jeddah. Andrew in Davos. rmnj solicitors Oral Hearing? ... don’t go it alone Give our experienced Prison Law Team a call on 0151 200 4071 - we can help you.

Email: [email protected] Web: www.rmnj.co.uk 63 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 5JF Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Newsround 15

8 million 2.3 million 100,000 Estimated number of Americans who Syrian refugees who have fled Syria. have diabetes but are unaware of it. Deaths in Syria since March 2011.

3 billion 8 million 59 32,525 World’s population under 25 years of age. Estimated number of vinyl records sold in Number of British deaths from Islamist- Number of road deaths in Britain since 9/11. 2014, a 33% increase from 2013. related terrorism since 9/11.

8,000 £3.5 billion 5 55 Deaths from Ebola. Annual cost of alcohol abuse to the NHS. Average number killed annually in Average number of Americans killed America by terrorists since 9/11. annually by wasp or bee stings.

46% 1.45 trillion Drop in the price of crude oil since June 2014. Google searches in 2014.

14.6% 380 million How much more than last year Total number of diabetics in the World in consumers have spent on dining out. 2014.

15 5.1 million Number of ‘ailments’ the Pope said afflict Number of people killed annually by diabetes Vatican leaders, including ‘having a funereal - more that the annual death rates of face’ & committing the ‘terrorism of gossip’. AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Insidetime February 2015 16 Newsround www.insidetime.org

leading contender for Lianfairpwllgwyngyll “Sorry you’re stuck inside I am really campaigners are now calling for it to be m Do you know...? in Wales is “Word Puzzle Town”. Hadrian’s enjoying stretching my stomata and giving banned, on the grounds that it trivialises Wall has been dubbed “Mountain my chloroplasts a good workout. I spent the domestic violence. Earthworm”. Among the existing names for weekend well hydrated and preparing for the l The traditional “elderly people” crossing British sites are “the pickled little cucumber” summer.” l 64% of people think British intelligence road sign, showing a couple stooping over for the Gherkin. agents have been involved in the torture of walking sticks, perpetuates false stereo- l Since 1860, swimmers have gathered on terror suspects. 34% say there are circum- types about older people and should be l Among people who have turned vegetar- Brighton beach on Christmas day to take a stances in which torture is justified; 50% replaced according to the Government’s ian, 84% have gone back to eating meat; 53% dip in the sea. But the council cancelled this say it never is. However, 47% are in favour Business Champion for Older Workers. Ros gave up being vegetarian within a year. year’s event and closed the beach, owing to of the British security services using infor- Altmann says the image risks sending a safety fears. It says too many inexperienced mation obtained through torture. subliminal message to employers that the l The average British household bought 8% swimmers are taking part, many of them over-50s are “frail and disabled”, when in less food in 2014 than in 2007 but - owing to drunk. l 42% of people would vote for Britain to fact many are perfectly fit and healthy. rising food prices - spent 30% more on it. leave the EU while 31% think EU member- Meat has suffered the largest decline 20%, l Pope Francis implied that pets will be able ship has been bad for the UK. l More than half of British parents would families are buying 37% less lamb and 23% to join their owners in heaven after all. rather not brave the outdoors with their less beef than in 2007 as well as 4% less Catholic teaching is that animals have no l 59% of voters regard UKIP as sleazy and children, preferring to hang out with them chicken. By contrast sales of eggs are up 16%. souls, and so cannot pass through the Pearly disreputable, more than any other party. at home. According to a recent survey, 18% Gates. But Francis reportedly comforted a 44% think the description applies to the find it stressful to be outside with their l Officials in Melbourne are urging the city’s child whose dog had died saying: “Paradise Tories and 31% to Labour - the party’s families, while 41% fear for their children’s residents to email its trees. All 70,000 of the is open to all God’s creatures.” lowest ever sleaze rating. safety when they go for a walk. trees are contactable, and anyone who writes is guaranteed a reply. One emailer l Welsh rugby could lose its favourite song. l Children’s cartoons are “hotbeds of l The police were accused of failing to told a tree; “I am stuck inside and so jealous Delilah, the Tom Jones hit about an unfaith- murder and mayhem”, according to a new record 800,000 crimes a year - 20% of those of you soaking up the sun. You seem to be ful woman killed by her lover, is sung before study. Ian Colman of the University of reported. A third of violent crimes reported having a ball.” The Chinese elm replied: every Welsh rugby international. But Ottawa, who led the research, said that the in England and Wales go unrecorded, likes of Frozen and Finding Nemo featured according to the audit by the HM as much “rampant horror” as many of the Inspectorate of Constabulary. If alleged grisliest adult thrillers. Even films without crimes are not recorded, they’re unlikely to human characters are not as harmless as be investigated. The watchdog described they might seem: the study warned that this trend as “indefensible”. children could be traumatised by the animal violence in A Bug’s Life. l Almost 18,000 people died in terrorist attacks around the world in 2014 - an l Premiership football clubs have been increase of 60% from the previous year. accused of rampant commercialism when Four Islamist groups were responsible for it emerged that young fans are now having most of the deaths: Isis, Boko Haram, to pay to be match-day mascots. Around al-Qa-eda and the Taliban. half the clubs extract fees, ranging from £150 to £450. In the past, the places were l Trampolines account for nearly 50% of offered free, to charities and competition A&E admissions for injuries in the home winners. among children aged under 14. l One in three children under the age of 15 l There are an estimated 87,000 children woke up with only one parent on Christmas in England who are not attending regis- day. tered schools, and are thus “invisible” to the authorities. l Glasgow city council faces a huge compensation bill in the wake of the recent l Chinese visitors to Britain face a major devastating accident when one out of hurdle: there are no Chinese names for Russia has banned transsexual and transgender people from driving, including them in control truck killed six people and injured many British attractions. So tourism a list of “mental disorders” which preclude people from driving. Also included are scores of others. Across the country, officials are now inviting them to devise people whose sexual interests extend to fetishism, exhibitionism or voyeurism. councils and then insurers have paid out Pathological gamblers and kleptomaniacs are also banned. their own names, and post them online. A close to £23 million since 2008.

At Tates we never use unqualified caseworkers. All prison law work is undertaken by a We take pride in providing a full range of criminal and prison law services. qualified solicitor who specialises Prison Law services include: in Prison Law. • Parole Reviews • Re-categorisation • Life Sentence Reviews • Category A Reviews • IPP Reviews • Adjudications • Recall • Home Detention Curfew Tates • Judicial Review 2 Park Square East • Sentence Planning Leeds West Yorkshire If you require assistance with any Prison Law issues, LS1 2NE whether or not listed above, please contact our specialist 0113 242 2290 Prison Law Solicitor - Hannah Rumgay Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Website Comments 17

Website comments via www.insidetime.org

in the Guardian though which said it seemed E - These are the same type of people who fl y to have been enforced before Christmas. I drones over foreign countries dropping bombs guess not though. A bit more information on and killing innocent civilians. Because they the date would be great. don’t have to face the consequences of what they do they can happily damage and destroy L - Why are prisoners still not allowed to peoples’ lives with no conscience or victim receive books when the book ban was empathy. It’s the same as prison staff who overruled by the High Court? Who can we refuse very elderly visitors access because complain to about this? they are confused over ID.

M - I just called Cardiff Prison as I have purchased a book for someone. I wanted to Restricting prisoners’ access to know who to address it to etc. “Oh no” he books ruled unlawful said they cannot have books. “We have a New and improved Rod Clark - Prisoners Education Trust library for books”. I said the law banning Chief Executive, writing about the over- books was overturned in December, and you Inside Time turning of the book ban hoped that from are breaking the law. He said it will not be this month sending in books would be easier. given, it will be put in his property, accessible website now online only upon release, huh! Why is it ok for them W - The court ruling is great. But when will to break the law? Online readers of Inside Time have grown prisons enforce it? I am just being met by at such a pace our website was groaning shrugged shoulders from staff who haven’t under the pressure. We recorded over 10 heard anything about it. million visits in 2014! J - I have sent in diary, calendar and puzzle books ‘all new’ to my partner and so have The design of the website was also an other people. Why are they not allowed to issue as it had been adapted so many have them? times it was becoming a little messy and ‘OAPs pay to stay in prison’ diffi cult to navigate. The outdated software behind the scenes was not going C - When phoning the prison about it one A 70 year-old prisoner commented in person had said he had heard something but Mailbag about his pension being denied in to be suitable for those using tablets and ‘phone back tomorrow for a defi nite answer’. An abuse of power prison. mobiles. This meant we had to bite the After calling back and getting another person bullet and effectively start again. Charles Bronson wrote about how a faceless it was just a straight ‘No’ to sending books. I B - This is disgraceful treatment of the prisoner asked ‘but isn’t it meant to be changing?’ and person at prison headquarters refused to allow him to have a photo of himself taken and his wife. It amounts to daylight robbery. The bulk of the work was undertaken over she just said ‘no books’. I’m not sure if this is This topic has been covered in Inside Time the Christmas break but we hit a few snags just because she isn’t aware. I read an article and sent to his seriously ill mother. many times and the answer from the powers and were not quite ready for 1st January. that be is that the pension is a benefi t and Thankfully most of the work has now been prisoners aren’t entitled to benefi ts. I do know completed and we will soon see the that if a prisoner has investments he is still benefi t. Meanwhile we can only apologise expected to pay tax and National Insurance to our visitors for any diffi culties experi- (to pay for his pension) whilst inside; even enced. though he is entitled to nothing.

Christmas messages from your loved ones posted on www.insidetime.org

Happy Xmas to my wonderful son Gary Boyd. I love fortunate to have someone post a message to them you dearly son. X at this time of year. X

Happy Christmas Matt, will be thinking of youxxx Merry Christmas to my son Dylan at Hindley miss u Will toast you with Jack, Cyril & of course Katkins loads happy Christmas keep ur chin up love Mam, next Saturday. Dad, Soph, Chaz Bonnie-lea see u soon xxxxx

Gemma, Paulie, kyky xxx All the family xxxxxx Thinking of you at Christmas David xxxx Love Aunty Mary uncle Jim. Australia To Andrew, at Spring Hill. We all love u and miss u

and can’t wait till you are back where u belong with To my gorgeous fi ance, H Love you with all my Sarah & the Kids. Hang on in there kidda, not long heart, my precious. All my love Sharon George now Amanda, Paul & Finn xxx xxxxxxxx

To my son David aka Chips thinking about u always, John-boy/Dad & Grandad, We will miss your hope ur ok a big merry xmas fae dad and Phyllis luv company this Christmas. Hopefully Rochester will u loads keep smiling c u soon supply a roast dinner and not serve chips! Love you loads, Patricia To Glen Fitz at Bullingdon, Happy x-mas son, miss

you terrible. Keep the chin up it won\’t last forever! To lennon a love an miss u loads carn’t wait till u get love ya to bits Mam xxxx out merry xmas see u soon babe love always an 4eva your darling shelley xxxx Dear kev, (Horfi eld, Bristol) Hope all is well with you.

Have sent you a Christmas card. Will see you soon To all of you who will be in jail this Christmas ... when you send me a request visit. Lots of love remember one day you will wake up and be free. Auntie Annette John C

I love you with all my heart Marcus I wish we could Happy crimbo jaydine Ashley and lottie!! I miss you spend our fi rst new years together but we have both lots hun. Buff love Katie plenty more :) think about you all the time. My Merry Christmas to my son Lee in Elmley. You have number 1 man xxxxxxxx love you love Kirsty

caused me such a lot of grief, but you only have Baby (macca), love and miss u, each day that have one mum, and this one loves you very much , passes is a day closer to u being out. Blessings it’s unconditional. XXXXX Loraine. Also Merry Emma (Lol Big Face) Xxxxx Christmas to all the inmates in Elmley who are not Insidetime February 2015 18 Diary www.insidetime.org

the art and writing, it’s his ability to find and detailed information. This present exhibi- humour in any situation, however dire, which tion is as good as any I’ve seen with the ‘loons’ brings him through. It’s possible that those and the treatment of the ‘loons’ producing a Month by Month whom he threatened, kidnapped or otherwise wild imaginative world that recalls Charlie’s hurt, may not warm to his particular brand but hero and owner of his new name, Salvador by Rachel Billington then very few people have had to face his life Dali. (I wonder if Charlie also borrowed Dali’s and, as he remarks, more than once, ‘I’ve magnificent moustache which I once admired Rachel enjoys Charles Salvador’s (previously Bronson) never killed anyone.’ Although he then rather for myself on the rocks of Cadaques where he spoils this virtuous declaration by detailing lived.) mix of comedy and horror, before contemplating the joys how he once planned a murder but was foiled of owning a pet in prison, particularly the tasty sort by circumstances. For which he is grateful. Richard Dadd was a famous Broadmoor inmate and painter of the nineteenth century. The other point about Charlie is that he is a The tiny figures streaming across his pictures charmer. And like all charmers he understands are not unlike Charlie’s figures from hell, people very well and is prepared to like them except that Dadd’s tend to be fairies with if at all possible. When you consider his best gossamer wings. Dadd, who killed his father, mates in prison were Ronnie Kray and Frankie died in Broadmoor. Fraser you can see entertainment value is high on his agenda. I only once met Charlie, on a visit with my father, Frank Longford, to (I think) HMP Whitemoor. My father was fond of him, particularly after surviving a press-up competition, for Charlie was/is a passionate muscle-builder. Since my father was well into his eighties, the ratio of achievement was about a hundred to one.

here to begin with Charles injected with drugs. Bronson, ‘Britain’s most violent prisoner’, Michael That’s what this new exhibition, called ‘The Peterson (his birth name), Death of Bronson’ and curated by James and, since 2015 (name Elphick, is about: the five years from 1979 that Wchanged by deed poll) Charles Salvador? Bronson, then twenty-seven, spent in If Charlie is not ‘mad’, he is certainly unusual Maybe by describing the exhibition of his Broadmoor. An accompanying book is subtitled and the unusual is not well tolerated in institu- paintings I visited last week in London’s East ‘My Journey into Hell’, a description unlikely tions. ‘My Journey into Hell’ makes a good End. After all, Charlie is still in prison after to be contradicted by anyone who reads the case for his ‘bad behaviour’ - for example forty-one years so his work has to speak for book. One can only trust - which I actually scaling up on Broadmoor’s roof and hurling him. Which is not to forget his sixteen books. believe - that things are better there now. I still have some artwork Charlie sent me down nearly two hundred tiles - being exacer- Energy is not a problem - except when he was round this period when he was already bated by the inhuman treatment meted out to in Broadmoor Mental Hospital being forcibly Charlie is a survivor and, judging from both producing his special take of horror, comedy him and others. He is meticulous, incidentally, MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE? ARORA CONTACT US ON CONTACT MW Criminal appeals 0208 993 9995 ASHLEY SMITH & CO McMillan Williams Solicitors specialists LODHI our experienced and dedicated team are specialists in If you feel that you have been the 9 MARKET PLACE, victim of a miscarriage of justice or ACTON, Appeals HEATH LONDON W3 6QS that your sentence is too long then s o l i c i t o r s Parole Board Representations contact our specialist appeals team • Conduct a thorough For all cases **Don’t let the Justice System Overwhelm You** Independent Adjudications undertaken review of your case we will: • Discuss your concerns *Experts in Parole Hearings and Adjudications* Professional and approachable we offer a with you in detail and; nationwide service, including full coverage • Instruct experienced We’re on your side and here to help in the West and South West counsel to provide indepth advice on possible For a prompt response call grounds of appeal Legal aid work undertaken Criminal Defence Prison Law 0208 463 0099 Appeal - conviction Adjudications (24 hours) Appeal - sentence Parole Hearings Please contact CCRC Reduction of Life Sentence Tariff Ashley Smith & Co John Molleskog or John Pendlebury Proceeds of Crime Act Proceedings Recalls Criminal Defence Specialists Family Matters Sentence Calculations Immigration Matters 4-6 Lee High Road, London, SE13 5LQ 020 8669 4962 McMillan Williams Solicitors If your prison based problem cannot be publicly funded 9 Beddington Gardens, Wallington, Surrey SM6 OHU we can quote a reasonable fixed fee. Nationwide service offered NATIONWIDE ADVICE & ASSISTANCE Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Diary 19

prisoners’ wish to take captives. ‘The amount - Shahzad Javed, HMP Low Moss, ‘Tipple’ - of people who own, or have previously owned Bryan Kidd, HMP Shotts,‘Hinterland budgies is truly amazing’, he writes, ‘But what Detour’ - Graham Gardner, HMP Frankland, is even more shocking is the number of ‘Ambition’ - Don-Carlos Ellis, HMP Longlar- prisoners who admit to having caught or kept tin, ‘Going Home’ - Bob Beck, HMP such things as flies, spiders or cockroaches as a Grendon, ‘The Deceiving Countryside’ - pet in a small box. Yet simultaneously, the Daniel Tait, HMP Shotts, ‘In Praise of same people will moan endlessly about the Wharfedales’ - Tony Joyce, HMP Parkhurst brutality of caging a person in such a confined space day after day.’ Book review Charlie with his fiancé Lorraine Etherington ...... ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist’ - Paul Prendergast, HMP Swaleside in recording the ‘good’ nurses who tried to understand his point of view. The Final RUNNERS UP: ‘Roots by Alex Haley’ - Lennox Watson, HMP Thameside, ‘Let The Right Now sixty-one, Charlie has found a champion One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist’ - Andrew in Lorraine Etherington, a criminologist who is Countdown! Craigie, HMP Frankland, ‘For Those I Loved spear-heading a campaign for his release. He ...... by Martin Gray’ - Ian Holden, HMP Usk, says ‘The greatest dream in my life would be English PEN is delighted to announce ‘The Strange Voyage of Donald Crowhurst to be accepted in the art world and to live as a the 2014 winners, runners - up and by N. Tomalin and R. Hall’ - Gordon free man...’ Society, just like prison, finds it highly commended of the prison Chorlton, HMP Guernsey very difficult to accept oddballs like Charlie, writing competition. Their entries particularly when violence is an issue. He is still Recently, I had lunch at the Mexican street food kept in solitary confinement. Charlie says, ‘It’s restaurant, Wahaca, where their latest delicacy will be published in this year’s col- Fiction/Memoir is ‘Chapulines fundido’ which translates as lection ‘In a Parallel Universe and ...... non-violent all the way. It’s a peaceful journey WINNER: ‘A Face in the Clouds’ - Mark crickets cooked with onions and chillies. A other voices’ launched on 25 February from here on...’ I certainly hope he gets his way. Banner, HMP Stafford ...... useful note added that ‘Entomophagy (eating at a public event at the Free Word insects) is popular the world over and seen by Centre in central London. many as the answer to global meat shortages.’ RUNNER UP: ‘The Find’ - Anonymous, HMP Writer Meg Rosoff, this year’s Full Sutton, ‘A Fantastic Journey’ - Sean Perhaps Adam has misread the intentions of judge, said ‘Within this body of Meier, HMP Stafford, ‘A Letter To Myself’ - the owners of spiders, cockroaches etc. They work, I heard some amazing voices. Oisin Hendrickse, HMP Wormwood Scrubs, are not kept as pets but as food. Of course it Your voices. They were humorous, ‘The Road Ahead’ - James Henry, HMP could be argued that this is a worse fate - thoughtful, intelligent, wise, angry, Onley, ‘My House On The Hill’ - Patrick capital punishment as it were, versus life sad and passionate’. Regan, HMP Bullingdon, ‘Chance Encounter on a Sunday Afternoon’ - Steven Munn, imprisonment. At least cannibalism is not at This was a bumper year with over present part of any criminal system that I know. HMP Bure, ‘Anything Could Happen’ - Lee 500 entries from 80 prisons stretch- Gilmour, HMP Kilmarnock, ‘Beginning’ - ing from Scotland to London and Some animals really do have a purpose in prison Matthew Jones, HMP Parc, ‘Anything Could - and I don’t mean the sniffer dogs. In Scotland France so there are more winners Happen’ - Jon Webb, HMP North Sea Camp there is a rehabilitation programme called Paws than normal as you can see from for Progress which works with young men in the list below. A big THANK YOU to Flash fiction HM YOI Polmont. They are taught to train all who entered - we could not have ...... dogs from charities so that they can be done this without you. The collec- WINNER: ‘A Letter to Myself’ - Steven re-homed. All the seventy men who have been tion will be available from the English Millward, HMP Guys Marsh on it so far have rated the experience extremely PEN website after 25 February and helpful in improving their own behaviour as all winners will receive two copies, Highly Commended well as the dogs. It seems that bonding with ...... as will the libraries who took part. (Poem/Short Story) ‘Well, I Never!’ - Craig n At the end of last year my eldest son’s animals has a really good effect on people Topping, HMP Ranby, (Poem) ‘My Spiritual family acquired a beautiful Whippet puppy. who find it difficult to deal with their fellows. Home’ - Michael Thomas, HMP Glenochil, Since their last pets were a Californian King Poetry (Book Review) ‘The Diving Bell and the Snake and a Green Tree Frog, it is perhaps not ...... Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby’ - Roshan surprising that he immediately became the WINNER: ‘Kitchen School’ and ‘In a Parallel Danris, HMP Shotts, (Poem) ‘Chances’ - object of communal adoration. Loving a snake Universe’ - Gareth Kerr, HMP Shotts Alexander Holden, HMP Usk, (Poem) ‘Mug’s is not easy. On the other hand I read a story Game’ - Gareth Cooke, HMP Parc, (Poem/ about a former prison officer who keeps a pet RUNNERS UP: ‘Wall of Firsts’ - R. W. Flash Fiction) ‘ My Life in 100 Words’ - Craig crocodile in his home. He is quoted as saying, Beardsley, HMP Ryehill, ‘Life’s Lessons Roy, HMP Shotts, (Poem) ‘Ahm Bad’ - Eddie ‘I spent four decades keeping dangerous animals Ain’t Taught’ - Trust Maneya, Brook House McCreadie, HMP Shotts, (Book Review) behind locks and gates, so it’s no different IRC, ‘The Winding Road’ - Brian Hannah, ‘Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer’ - Matthew here.’ Would a prison officer really say that? HMP Low Moss, ‘The Last Breath’ - Warren Jay Matthews, HMP Frankland, ‘Flowers’ Jones, HMP Parc

In Northern Ireland, at Hydebank Wood prison, women, many of whom have problems ZMS SOLICITORS with violence, are taught to care for and train ZMS SOLICITORS Labradors. The Prison Service director general Prison Law specialists serving prisons throughout the Midlands. Sue McAllister said, ‘Looking after the dogs • IPP/LIFER ISSUES • has had a very positive effect on prisoners. But we have not stopped there. Hydebank Wood • PAROLE APPLICATIONS • © prisonimage.org also has a number of rescued battery hens. • CATEGORISATION • And managing and caring for those also has a The subject of pets in prison has always fasci- therapeutic benefit, plus they also provide • ADJUDICATIONS • nated me. Personally, if imprisoned, I would fresh free range eggs.’ • JUDICIAL REVIEWS • try to lure the more personable creatures into my cell - perhaps I’d try to get hold of the tra- Fresh egg or no fresh egg, I’d still rather bond LICENCE CONDITIONS • ditional budgie. Pigeons figure in quite a few with a dog. If you have a pet, I’d love to here • RECALLS • of the poems which come to Inside Time, from you. although I’ve never fancied them myself - too Contact Simon Mears - Prison Law Specialist noisy and greedy. Hot press news: A colleague at Inside Time ZMS Solicitors 11 Bowling Green St, Leicester LE1 6AS assures me that pets are now banned from 0116 247 0790 In one of his blogs from HMP Wakefield, prison. Can this be true? First books, then Free advice & representation under legal aid Adam Mac expresses disapproval at his fellow pets. What next? Insidetime February 2015 20 Comment www.insidetime.org

come to work and leave society’s concepts of right and wrong outside the gates as they try to impose their own warped ideas of middle- Fear, brutality and secrecy class morality on me.

Thankfully the open brutality from prison Sarah Baker looks back at the decades of state sanctioned abuse officers, which was commonplace before the Strangeways riots, is now a rarity. When prisoners have suffered and asks has anything really changed? officers used to give us a ‘hiding’ it was often as a deterrent to other prisoners and was done in full view of them. With more opportunities am not surprised that it has taken so to report such abuses of power nowadays the long for the historic sexual and physical staff tend to keep their hands to themselves abuse investigation into Medomsley unless they are overdoing their use of Detention Centre to take place, though approved ‘control & restraint’ techniques. In I was overjoyed when 900 men came the ‘good old days’ prison staff would just forward to highlight issues that have been I have mobbed us in the cell and thrown a occurring in prisons, detention and youth mattress over us so as to stop any external custody centres ever since they have been in bruises showing. However, I suspect that existence. Almost all of the most brutal incidents of brutality in our prisons will ‘alleged’ crimes would have taken place in continue to surface. As prison staff are secret, behind closed doors, in isolated segre- basically paid to control us this ‘control’ has gation units and without any independent always been underpinned with the threat of witnesses present. I would suggest that any violence on those of us who are unwilling or prison staff who were present when the abuse unable to submit to those in authority. took pace are highly unlikely to come forward and give evidence against their colleagues As the prison system is at present, thousands who could in turn implement them in the of us are serving our sentences full of pre- abuse. I suspect that very little will happen as scribed anti-depressants to help us deal with a result of this new investigation. the trauma brought on by the imprisonment short of a child abuser’s charter. It pains me to eating, drinking and sometimes even living itself. Without the prescription drugs there Maybe there is a slim chance that a few old know that many of the ‘alleged’ abusers are together, it is still nigh on impossible to get an would be a vast increase in both suicides and scapegoats (usually those who have since still working in British prisons and I can well officer to turn on a colleague who is corrupt, self-harm. I predict that it will be only a matter died) will be thrown to the wolves, but experi- imagine them whingeing to new recruits brutal or even mentally ill for fear of being of time before many of us succeed in bringing ence tells me that the POA (Prison Officers about how things were better in the ‘good old ostracised by their colleagues. Some may say successful actions against the MoJ for the Association) will protect its own as it always days’ when prison staff had the power of god that I am throwing generalisations around like post-traumatic stress disorders that our incar- has done. In the past the POA have protected over prisoners. I can remember when prison confetti, but I am speaking from experience ceration has caused. May the day soon come! perpetrators of abuse at all costs and the staff were regularly drunk on duty, drinking in and many reading this, those who suffered prison system has a history of never admitting their subsidised clubs over lunch break and the brutality of the British penal system, will Sarah Baker currently resides at HMP when its staff are at fault, just as it has never then coming onto landings staggering, looking know that I speak the truth. I have spent years Lewes admitted that it has always been a statistical for a fight and stinking of alcohol. I remember being locked up by so-called ‘officers’ who failure to both its prisoners and society! prison staff wearing Robinson’s Jam golliwog tiepins and/or National Front badges openly, With an absence of forensic evidence, I am and not shy about calling black prisoners any sure that few, if any, alleged abusers will ever abusive name you care to imagine. I never saw see the inside of a courtroom and be forced to a black or ethnic minority member of prison FIGHTING FOR YOU account for any criminal actions. As far as cir- staff until the mid to late 1980s. Institutional cumstantial evidence is concerned, who would racism, homophobia and bigotry of every kind and for your family ever believe the word of an ex prisoner/ imaginable was the norm behind the walls of FIRSTDEFENCE criminal over that of a state-sanctioned HMP. And for the prisoners, there were no turnkey? Unless there are staff whistleblowers ‘good old days’. • Parole Applications or substantial forensic evidence or independ- • Recall Appeals ent witnesses I can see this being quietly The mentality of many of the ex-military staff • Lifer/Cat ‘A’ Reviews brushed under the carpet. who joined the Prison Service in the 1970s and • Sentence Planning/Progression 80s was often frightening. They seemed to • Adjudications Whoever coined the phrase ‘Absolute Power have exchanged one institution for another, • Home Detention Curfew Corrupts Absolutely’ could have been describ- and brought with them their US and THEM • Recategorisation ing the thousands of prison officers and their ideology, often seeing prisoners as ‘the enemy’ • Sentence Calculations union who have abused their positions over who needed to be turned into submissive shells • Appeals against Sentence and Conviction the years. Prisoners have suffered state sanc- of human beings, by any means necessary! tioned abuse for many decades, though these FIRSTFAMILY days they tend to describe it as ‘restraint’. I With many officers, even today, working, • Divorce have been battered by prison staff in segrega- • Care Proceedings tion units and hospital strip cells on numerous • Contact with Children occasions and I invariably found governors, • Custody chaplains, doctors and members of the Board • Ancillary Relief of Visitors turned a blind eye to my injuries. PURCELL PARKER Prison officers always stated that my injuries Solicitors FIRSTIMMIGRATION were either self-inflicted or as a result of BIRMINGHAM’S TOP • Asylum having to be restrained. It is a well known fact PRISON LAWYERS • Representation at Tribunal that any member of staff who speaks out Licence Recalls • Overstayer about the abuse dished out to prisoners by • Judicial Reviews their colleagues will be ostracised by fellow Prisoner Adjudications staff and hamper their chances of further IPP & Lifer Parole promotion. The British prison system is run on HDC fear, brutality and secrecy. Sentence Calculations Re - Categorisation LAW As a child in youth custody I was mentally Call now to speak with: The First Law Partnership scarred by some of the scandalous things that Tiernan Davis, Sadie Daniels or Anthony Cartin 30-32 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2QD I experienced, heard or witnessed. As male Purcell Parker Solicitors prison officers were hurting thousands of us 204 - 206 Corporation Street Birmingham B4 6QB children this mistreatment would be officially 01234 263 263 sanctioned by the government who promoted 0121 236 9781 the ‘short sharp shock’, which was nothing Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Comment 21 Mental healthcare in prison Know what you’re entitled to and who to contact for help when it’s not given

struggling to get the healthcare you need and Polly McConnell & Charlotte Bull you can access an advocate, we strongly Rethink recommend that you make use of them.

There is also the prison complaints system. fter our article in August’s issue We’ve heard from prisoners who feel it’s not of Inside Time, we had a large worth using, however we would encourage number of letters about problems you to use it as much as possible. If there are you’ve been having accessing others in a similar situation to you, you could prison healthcare. We also heard think about all making complaints - it makes it from a lot of people who were struggling to A much harder to ignore. Also think about trying get a diagnosis in prison or felt that their to involve people outside of prison. If you mental illness was completely misunderstood have friends or family members who could by staff. write letters and make calls on your behalf, ask them to. You could also write to your local MP This is unacceptable and demonstrates the and make them aware of the problems that human cost behind the media headlines about you are facing. Ask him/her if they are willing prison budget cuts and staff shortages. It is the to get involved. The more people who can individual stories that we hear that demon- push for change the better. strate the true impact that bad decisions about the criminal justice system have on people’s lives. Whilst there is never going to be a quick fix solution to getting better healthcare in prison, We received a letter from Mark* who has a a combination of these different tactics can diagnosis of schizophrenia. Before he was in lead to positive results. Tony* received a life prison he took antipsychotic medication. In sentence and is currently in a secure hospital. prison he was being seen by healthcare staff, He was sentenced to prison, transferred to but had not been prescribed medication. He hospital and diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was starting to hearing voices again and his took a long time to find a medication that family could see his mental health was getting © prisonimage.org worked for him, but with the help of an worse when visiting him. We were able to advocate and support from outside prison he work with Mark and his family to contact the such as mild or moderate anxiety or depres- health improves in hospital, you could be managed to stabilise his mental health prison. Eventually he was prescribed medica- sion, the doctor may arrange for therapy or moved back to prison at any time. condition. He told us that he never felt so well tion and his mental health improved. We counselling These are known as ‘primary services’. and that he was so glad that he kept pushing heard from Mark* that a lot of other inmates These measures can make sure a prisoner gets for help and care. were having the same problems as him - If you have more complex mental health needs, the medical care and treatment they need. evidence of a widespread issue that needs such as severe depression, severe anxiety However, there are still very long delays for a addressing. disorder, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the transfer to take place, usually much longer The Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service prison mental health team will probably be than the 14 days stated in the Mental Health provides practical information and advice With this in mind, we wanted to let you know involved in your care. They are often called Act Codes of Practice. You should talk to a to people affected by mental illness and what your rights are when it comes to health- ‘in-reach teams’. They should offer services lawyer if you think that the Mental Health Act their families at all stages of the criminal care in prison. We think it’s important that you such as talking therapies, help with self harm may apply to you. justice system. know what you are entitled to and what you and suicidal thoughts, medication and help for can push for. carers. In most prisons, a psychiatrist will visit But what can you do when what should Rethink Advice and Information Service, at least once a week. happen isn’t happening? FREEPOST RRYH-TZBT-GEHU, 15th Floor, Everyone has the right to free healthcare in 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TP. prison and the standard of that care should be Some prisoners have severe mental illness that In some places there are advocacy services the same whether you are on remand or cannot be effectively treated in prison. The that help people in prison. Advocates are inde- Tel: 0300 5000 927. We are open 10am to serving a sentence. Mental Health Act is a series of measures pendent people who can help you to get your 2pm Monday to Friday. which mean that a prisoner can be moved to views or concerns across. Advocates can be Email: [email protected] You can ask to see a doctor at any time by hospital for mental health treatment. If you invaluable - they can act as a very powerful making a ‘general application’. The sort of are sentenced, you could be transferred using voice on your behalf and can make all the dif- *Names and some facts have been changed help you will get will depend on your needs. If section 47 of the Act. If you are on remand, ference if you are pushing for changes to be to protect client confidentiality. you have less severe mental health problems section 48 would be used. If your mental made to the way you are cared for. If you are

ANTHONY STOKOE SOLICITOR PARLBYS Independent Prison Law Expert since 1994 RECENT ACCIDENT? Solicitors Shaw & Co will pursue your claim at ‘People Before Profit’ no cost to yourself. We guarantee that SPECIALISTS IN CRIMINAL DEFENCE Continuing the Fight and Challenge you will keep 100% of all compensation Despite Legal Aid Cuts awarded to you. PRISONERS’ RIGHTS & PRISON LAW No Gimmicks just straight advice/representation Personal Injury Specialists • Proceedings before the Parole Board for Male and Female Prisoners where the board is considering to direct release. NO WIN, NO FEE • Sentence Calculation • Adjudications • Lifer/IPP Specialist • Recall • Personal Injury Claim where there is a dispute over the date of release • Parole • Judicial Reviews • Mental Health Law Expert • Dental Negligence • Minimum Term Reviews • Human Rights - European and International • Prison Adjudications Fixed Fee advice for For a free consultation please contact • Categorisation • Cat A Reviews • Pre-tariff Sift/Hearings Rebecca, Dave or Richard Other Prison Law work can be undertaken on a privately Do not Delay Call/Write Now funded basis, please enquire for further information 0800 0191 248 or 01302 326666 Suite 8 Vine House 143 London Road 6 Portland Place Doncaster DN1 3DF Prison Law Supervisor Leanne Rafati Kingston KT2 6NH Face to Face interviews available 1st Floor, 7 Whimple Street, Plymouth PL1 2DH NATIONWIDE SERVICE 020 8549 4282 www.shawandco.com Shaw & Co 01752 200402 NATIONWIDE SERVICE Insidetime February 2015 22 Comment www.insidetime.org Post tariff? Vote for change! A serving IPP prisoner calls for the implementation of Section 128 of LASPO

s a post-tariff IPP prisoner I read commonsense and fairness, to their credit, especially when he himself is on record in and friends can. And they read the same Inside with interest a recent article in made a concerted and cogent presentation in 2012 describing the whole IPP format as ‘A Time article and, like me, were ignorant of Inside Time concerning a House forensically highlighting Mr Grayling’s failings, stain on the Criminal Justice System’. The man Section 128’s existence and subsequently were of Lords debate relating to the aiming to either shame him into correcting his is media savvy, after all who else could sell a appalled at the inertia of the Justice Secretary increasing number of IPPs still now two-plus years of Ministerial inertia; or riot at HMP Northumberland last year as a in signing it into law. Especially as they have heldA well past their individual tariff dates. The allowing the power of Section 128 of the 2012 ‘minor disturbance’, even though the Inside just had to share my latest knockback because debate, on 20th October 2014 centred around LASPO Act to flow back to Parliament so that Time Mailbags reflected a major rather than a I do not meet the present release threshold. the abolition of the IPP sentence via the 2012 MPs can excise this judicial canker. minor disturbance. LASPO Act (Legal Aid, Sentencing and Pun- So here is a thought for every prisoner serving ishment of Offenders Act 2012) and how spe- Yet, for all that, he is an unreconstructed Right this draconian sentence, consider asking your cifically Section 128 of said Act had not been Wing stalwart whose thinly veiled capricious own family, friends, etc to sound out their signed off nor implemented by the Justice “ So here is a thought for nature towards prisons and prisoners is more local MPs regarding both Section 128 and also Secretary. This section, as I understood the every prisoner serving this suited to back-bench posturing rather than the ongoing mismanagement of those still article, gave him the power and legal authority front-bench ministerial rank. A view somewhat subjected to a sentence no longer in existence. in law, since 2012, to amend the much derided draconian sentence, consider validated by his ill-judged and pernicious book Have them ask if he/she will support the acti- and draconian release test then and it is still in ban, now ruled illegal by the High Court. Con- vation of Section 128 in the first instance if place for every IPP prisoner. asking your own family, versely it is easy to extrapolate that our present elected. No support = No vote, it really should friends, etc to sound out Justice Secretary’s non-endorsement of Section be that simple and in a marginal seat (of which For those readers with a determinate release 128 is because he does not want to sully his there are a few) such votes collectively make a date and other readers generally it has remained their local MPs regarding image with compassion or anything as bother- difference. There is an old adage in life that extremely difficult for any ‘on tariff’ or ‘post both Section 128 and also some as improving a prisoner’s lot generally; nothing changes if nothing changes. tariff’ IPP prisoners to demonstrate their indi- let alone those still tainted and hampered by a vidual ‘reduced dangerousness’. Why? Because the ongoing mismanagement sentence he himself voted to annul. Our present Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, the previous low threshold that was in place in of those still subjected to a has had over 2 years to remove the last order to give an IPP was and continues to be I must say that this article is not intended to be vestiges of what he has called this ‘stain on the measured against an extremely biased high sentence no longer in a constant diatribe against our Justice criminal justice system’; his signature on release threshold that even someone with the existence Secretary, but more of an expose of the Section 128 of the 2012 LASPO Act would be behaviour of Mother Teresa would struggle to ” dichotomy of the man and his public utter- a major step in helping to remove this stain. meet. ances. Moreover I do not want to appear as a So, again, get your people to vote in the proverbial lone voice ‘raging’ against the General Election for an MP or party that will Throughout the debate, various Lords made Unfortunately the motion was defeated at the machine per se; far from it as lone voices count finally put an end to this Orwellian construct repeated reference to the fact that the Justice voting stage which made me question what for nothing in prison, and to the minds of the of a sentence. Secretary has consistently avoided any and all else could be done to address this ongoing Justice Secretary and his ilk prisons and meaningful engagement on his refusal to Kafkaesque nightmare that myself and prisoners do not win votes. Though one could One does not notice the passing of days in enact Section 128. One can only imagine the thousands of other post-tariff prisoners are imagine his change of attitude thinking of a prison but the years stack up like flotsam at huge fiscal cost upon the taxpayer, coupled still living. One needs to step back to try to get 90,000 captive block vote! the high tide mark. I received a 14 month tariff with the emotional cost on those post tariff some perspective on why our present Justice that has long passed and, like many others, prisoners and their families because our Justice Secretary has been so intransigent, not only The idea of voting does bring me onto the there is nothing tangible to aim for given the Secretary, empowered by Parliament, has towards Section 128 but also in correcting the central tenet of my article regarding Section sheer indeterminacy of being an IPP prisoner. ignored Section 128. The Lords, on the side of iniquity of all those still serving IPP sentences, 128 etc. For whilst I cannot vote, my family Vote for change.

PROBLEMS FROM THE PRISON? CRIMINAL DEFENCE SOLICITORS YOU NEED The Independent Criminal Law Specialists

JP The Johnson Partnership Prison Law Service T Çxã |ÇwxÑxÇwxÇà áÑxv|tÄ|áà áxÜä|vx wxá|zÇxw Prison Law Service yÉÜ à{Éáx ÉÇ à{x Á|Çá|wxË ã|à{ áÉÅxÉÇx äxÜç á Specialist Prison Law and Criminal Defence Solicitors ` áÑxv|tÄ ÉÇ à{x ÁÉâàá|wxËA ÉÇ Éà{ tà| xÜËá ç àâÄ wtç Ëá wt zÜt tà{xÜ ÉÇ Licence Recall Adjudications ]â Y V T áà à ÇÇ É á çá |ä tç {wt i xÜ Á\ |Üà átÜ U tÄx |xá Lifer Panels Parole Applications ÄÉä Ç Çà| çÉâ x ç ãxÄÄ áÉÉ Çx g{tÇ~ Éâ Zxà Ëá w Ë tç Magistrates & Crown Court Representation Why not let your loved one know how much you care and appreciate them? Select from our catalogue one of the Immediate advice and assistance from one of many tasteful gifts available to be sent directly to them. the largest criminal law firms in the country, To place an order ask your wing officer or librarian USP available 24/7. GROUP for a the new ‘thinking of u’ catalogue and complete MEMBER an order form. Contact our Prison Law Department on: (0115)941 9141 at any time or write to us at To obtain your own personal catalogue please send your details, together with two 1st class stamps to: FREEPOST NEA15948,NOTTINGHAM NG11BR your details, together with two 1st class stamps to: ‘Thinkin of U’, Suite 236, Kemp House, Regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority And now you can order 152 - 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX cards from Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers us! Greetings cards for any occasion now available! Criminal Defence Service State the type of card you require, send your details & £1 cheque (payable to ‘Thinkin of U’) and we will send you a tasteful blank card for to you to write out and post on to your loved one. Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Comment 23 If there are no votes in prisons, why does the general election matter?

ment before release; the issue of prisoner by Robert Pettigrew voting rumbling on; changes to the Incentives Released Potential Community Interest & Earned Privileges (IEP) regime; continued Company stalling on the problem of indeterminate-sentenced prisoners held beyond their tariff date (frustrated by the imperative of population here aren’t any votes in prisons. management obstructing their sentence pro- The phrase is well worn and a gression in some cases) and an eye-watering conclusion speedily reached by backlog of cases waiting to be processed by election strategists and candidates the Parole Board; the impact of benchmarking plotting the path to power. It’s in public sector prisons necessitating signifi- probablyT true to say that there isn’t a great cant resources savings; an attitude of marginal appetite for politics in prisons either. And cost pricing which has seen high-performing whatever the decision of the European Court prisons shut as they prove more expensive to of Human Rights, it seems unlikely that ballot run; and plans to continue expanding the boxes will be crossing through the prison gate prison estate, not least through a mega-prison anytime soon. to be constructed in north Wales. And that doesn’t even begin to cover the reforms So why should those all but a handful of prisoners heralded under the banner ‘Transforming bother to take any interest at all in this year’s Rehabilitation’, which has shaken up probation democratic process? And why should voters services and institutionalised community reha- take more interest in how the consequences of bilitation. All in all, that is quite a lot for their decision will impact on prisons? prisoners, staff and all others voters to get their heads around and provokes much to Inevitably, the answer to both questions is consider when thinking about what might that decisions made by the winners after the happen over the coming five years. election will have a material difference on what happens behind prison gates. Indirectly, © graham tomlin - Fotolia It might be that those involved in prisons want it will also determine what happens elsewhere more of the same; but I doubt it. Given that in schools, hospitals, in the military, and much Yet despite that enlightened contribution, the associated with prisons, there is quite a large prisoners are unlikely to get the vote anytime more besides. It will even influence almost course of criminal justice policy for most of the body of people with a reason and interest to soon; budget cuts are here to stay at least into every community in the country, potentially last five years has been a further rhetorical make a difference. And with prisons costing the medium-term; and there will continue to for decades to come. With just several dozen arms race to see which politician can present more than £2 billion a year, there are many be a comparatively large prison population in of the tens of thousands in prison serving themselves as the ‘toughest’ on crime and reasons for the taxpayers to take an interest in this country - the challenge is how to achieve whole-life tariffs, even those not able to vote criminals. It seems that ‘effectiveness’ is sur- how their money is spent - as a comparison and deliver more and better outcomes. And if have a stake in what happens in May. rendered in favour of machismo for politicians the figure in 1987 was just £882 million. The you feel that politicians have yet to come up spouting off about crime and prisons. With a prison population has doubled over the last with the best ideas, then choosing to stand Before the last general election the House of further round of budget tightening promised twenty years or so, with no reduction in the aside is unlikely to steer them in the right Commons’ Justice Select Committee produced beyond 2015 (and coming on top of savings rate of re-offending. More than half of the direction. If that’s how you think, then they a report which they titled ‘Justice Re-Invest- of £175 million up to 2015 through bench- prison population are now serving sentences haven’t managed to find their own way to the ment’. Their conclusion stated the basic fact marking in public sector prisons), the availabil- longer than four years. More prisoners, serving correct answer. that every pound spent building new prisons is ity of more cash to make the system work longer, and costing more has been the experi- not only money that cannot be spent on other better seems a somewhat unlikely prospect. ence since the early 1990s. Is it time to change Politicians and journalists view elections as measures (including crime prevention, other So, making sure that prisons are decent the tune? Could things be made to work better? contests: would-be titans scrapping it out for public services or even tax cuts), but that working engines preparing ex-offenders for Surely the answer is ‘yes’, and there is more control of the levers of power. As the contest increasing the number of places in prisons means release will require some smart thinking - and than one way in which that could be achieved. becomes more of a joust, the arguments often paying the costs of running and operating possibly some degree of re-engineering. get lost beneath the rhetoric, the spin, and the those establishments in the future. What is more, Consider those decisions which have been characterisation of various opponents. Perhaps if money can be found to expand the prison I don’t expect much of the campaign to be made during the last five years, which have from the detached perspective of prison, it is estate, could that money more effectively be about prisons. But with around fifty-thousand ranged quite widely. We’ve seen proposals to time to look at the election more as an oppor- used to reduce levels of crime and re-offend- staff across England & Wales, some eighty- introduce a full working week; the ROTL tunity for good ideas to flourish? How to make ing? Their answer was an emphatic ‘yes’. five thousand prisoners, and the wider family review restricting opportunities for resettle- that happen is the real unanswered question. Need Help? BirchallBirchall BlackburnBlackburn -- SpecialistsSpecialists inin PrisonPrison LawLaw Be represented by a Qualified Solicitor with experience in prison law with a reputation for success Have the Parole Board refused you the right to an Oral Hearing? If so, Contact us urgently

We also offer assistance with: Magistrate/Crown Court Representation, Family Law, Personal Injury Initial Enquires to: Matthew Bellusci - Head of Prison Law Birchall Blackburn, Prison Law Department, Merchant House, 38 – 46 Avenham Street, Preston, PR1 3BN Video Link Facilities available B B Tel : 01772 552229 Fax: 01772 202438 Mobile:07834 630847 NATIONWIDE SERVICE Governors in all prisons should allow e-cigs to be used in their prisons and they should do it NOW.

Insidetime February 2015 24 Comment www.insidetime.org E-cigarettes: health revolution or fresh pack of trouble? John Butler explains the trials and tribulations of changing his smoking habits

have tried several times to stop smoking brought about because he smoked in prison and I’ve failed every time. I realise that and his solicitor claims that their client might patches, nicotine, hypnosis or strong not be about to die if he had stopped smoking willpower might work for some people COMPENSATIONbut the Governor FOR took his e-cig off him a but not me. Then e-cigs came on the couple of years ago? Prisoners who are Imarket. All I can really say about these things attacked in prison or who slip on a wet floor, is they are the Holy Grail that everyone who VICTIMS OF CHILDsue the Prison Service ABUSE for ‘Neglect of Duty of wants to stop smoking has been searching for. Care’’ I’ll bet there’s a solicitor out there who The impact e-cigs have already had on Helping victims plan for the futurewould view and a Governor’s achieve delay justice in making the people’s health and the potential to save Our specialist team are committed to helpingdecision victims to returnof abuse something and are to experts a prisoner in - which thousands, perhaps even millions, of lives bringing action against local authorities, suchhe hadas social already services, been told and heresidential could have only must rank alongside the discovery of antibiot- institutions, such as children’sto have taken homes. from him, as more than a simple ics. Unlike every previous ‘anti smoking aid’ oversight. Especially if this delay might be seen the e-cig is the complete package: Our dedicated team of male and female lawyersas contributing have a proven to a prisoner’s track record poor with health. sexual, physical and emotional abuse claims. • It feels like a cigarette (and looks like one); Child abuse can take a long time to come Governorsto terms with in alland prisons it can beshould difficult allow for e-cigs to • It tastes like a cigarette (just don’t use victims to speak out about their traumatic experiences.be used in theirRegardless prisons of and how they long should ago do it ‘flavoured cartridges’); NOW. If they don’t the Prison Service should • It delivers nicotine just like a cigarette; the abuse took place, you may stillissue be a ableNational to make Directive, a claim. instructing Governors • It doesn’t smell (and neither do your clothes); Anything you say to us will be handled withto the allow utmost them. levels There of professionalism, is no need for ‘pilot • It doesn’t drop ash anywhere; sensitivity and understanding.schemes’, ‘consultation with medical experts’ • It doesn’t burn holes in the duvet cover; or a ‘phased programme’ of allowing them. • It doesn’t stain your fingers and; Child abuse claims are© pixarno often eligible- Fotolia for pubicAnd funding the anddecision Jordans should are recognisednot be left by to any • It doesn’t cause lung cancer, heart disease the legal services commission as one of the‘Governors’ few specialist local providers discretion. of legal aid for etc. Plus; his heels - perish the thought. saw someone, a few months ago,this using type anof work in the UK. • You can ‘smoke’ it in the pub while you’re e-cig inside a hospital. Health experts, doctors, Some prisons and some Governors are very drinking alcohol which causes liver damage. However, I am a fair man. Erlestoke prison Government advisers, senior medical experts supportive of the use of e-cigs and they deserve does provide nicotine patches if prisoners are all saying the same thing: Using e-cigs will credit for that, but others adopt a far different I’m surprised the Government don’t give them want them, which I believe cost £15 a box and save thousands of lives every year. approach and they should perhaps be exposed away; they’ll save the NHS millions of pounds. some prisoners do use them - I’ve tried them and held accountable for their failings. but they didn’t work. So this costs the prison a While the PrisonCall ServiceChristine drag their Sands heels andand the team on 01924 868911 few hundred pounds a week. I told the make ridiculous excuses to deny prisoners the Some people say that e-cigs will encourage Email [email protected] children to smoke, what a load of nonsense, Governor that I don’t expect the prison to buy chance to use e-cigs, here’s a thought: What John Butler currently resides at HMP that’s like saying that selling apple juice, which my e-cig or pay for refills. I will pay for them, I will theWrite Prison to Service Neil Jordansay if one House, day a prisoner Wellington Erlestoke Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL looks and tastes like cider but has no alcohol in already have! If other prisoners were allowed is told he has a terminal medical condition it, will encourage children to start drinking to use e-cigs the money spent on nicotine ‘Diamond White’! patches could be spent on something else, or put back in the ‘public purse’. But I think the The ONLY problem with e-cigs is that they Governor already knows all this, even officers COMPENSATION FOR contain nicotine which is a very addictive I’ve spoken to have said they cannot under- drug; apparently it is more addictive than stand why I can’t have my e-cig. E-cigs have VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE heroin, so people who switch from Benson & been around for quite a while now - is five Hedges to e-cigs will remain addicted to years a safe bet? Tens of thousands of people Helping victims plan for the future and achieve justice nicotine. So what? If a doctor can show me have used them. Some people use them to one case of a person being killed by ‘nicotine give up smoking but a lot of people use them Our specialist team have already helped victims at the following places; poisoning’ I’ll shake his hand, admit that I’m because e-cigs allow us to have everything we In Foster Care wrong and never speak about e-cigs again. enjoy about smoking, the taste of tobacco, the hit that we get from nicotine etc, without the Leeds Care Homes The Prison Service, so I’ve been told, have tar and all the other things found in cigarette Wales Care Homes refused to authorise the use of e-cigs in prison smoke - all the ‘good’ things and none of the because they don’t know enough about them bad. I think if you asked anyone who smokes North East Care Homes and are concerned that there could be some what they would ask for if they had one wish, health risks. Perhaps the Prison Service could it would be to have a cigarette which gives Manchester Care Homes explain why they allow us to buy tobacco on them everything they get from smoking with St Williams, East Yorkshire our canteen? I mean the health risks associ- none of the health risks and the genie in the ated with tobacco are well known - it kills lamp would say ‘Your wish is granted’ and Medomsley Detention Centre, County Durham people. Tar, carbon monoxide, toluene (don’t would hand them an e-cig, it’s that simple. mix this with nitric acid!) benzene and 1001 If you have suffered sexual abuse in any institution or whilst in chemicals are found in cigarettes, and every If the Prison Service want to know if e-cigs are the care of your local authority we may be able to help. single one of them is toxic. But the Prison ‘safe’ to use, look at how many people use Service let us have them. I spend £10-15 per them ‘outside’ and try and find one person week on tobacco and £3 on coffee and the who has had any medical problems which could be attributed to using an e-cig. If the Prison Service have a little business arrange- ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ ment with DHL but of course they don’t get Prison Service want to know if e-cigs could cause any problems for people who are near any ‘financial reward’ for this, do they? Call Christine Sands and the team on 01924 868911 Because if the Prison Service did earn a few someone using an e-cig - like second hand quid on all the tobacco bought by prisoners it smoke - why are shops, offices, restaurants, Email [email protected] might explain why the Governor is dragging allowing people to use e-cigs in these places Write to Neil Jordan House, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HL when smoking cigarettes is banned. I even Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Comment 25 Prison reform for rehabilitation What to do with our failing prison system? A R Mears believes he has the answer

any knowledgeable and courts to their local prison and should be they do not require any changes to the present prisons overcrowded. In the ten most over- concerned people are agreed released once their sentence has been served failing system. Curiously, the latest official crowded prisons the overcrowding ranged that prisons are failing, the and they have been rehabilitated. But are strategy for reform though entitled ‘Trans- from 52% to 86%. These figures are published reconviction figures giving a they? A resettlement prison can be defined as forming Rehabilitation’ does not highlight by the MoJ but the politician heading this measure of this failure. Such a local facility to which young people who actions within prisons, where rehabilitation department was able somehow to assure par- aM broad conclusion is unhelpful in providing have gone off the rails and committed offences has to begin, but concentrates on managing liament that there is no overcrowding crisis. guidance on the measures to be taken to end can be sent to get their lives back on track. offenders after release by contracted providers. Over the last three years the number of prison failure unless the aspects of prisons’ perfor- Prisons should not be closed institutions The idea seems to be that rehabilitation is a staff has been reduced by 28% so that now mance in which they are failing are precisely dominated by security and run for punishment marketable commodity to be delivered by a there are 4.8 prisoners to one officer. identified. Unless there is some consensus on (and private profit) determined by risk analysis privatised probation service. what their performance should be, there is no (by psychobabes) but places of hope for the The first priority, before any positive actions way of assessing the precise way in which future. Places for correction to learn both how The answer by those campaigning for real can be taken, must be to reduce the numbers prisons are failing and consequently what to behave (by discipline and example) and to reform is that prisons should be for rehabilita- inside as the minister Simon Hughes and the actions have to be taken to end failure. learn skills to get jobs for rehabilitation back tion. By enabling prisoners to regain jobs and former minister Denis MacShane (January into the community. As a former governor, housing and making it easier for them to 2015 issue) have argued, so that face to face Would be reformers must face this fundamen- now released from the NOMS gang, has continue loving relationships with families and contacts build constructive relationships. A tal question before they can propose effective written ‘prison is an opportunity to intervene, friends outside they will thereby be reformed high prison population may boost the egos of reforms, otherwise their proposals, however to try to put right what has gone wrong’. from being offenders to being honest citizens politicians who can then boast that their well intentioned, can achieve no more than who pay their taxes. To get jobs they have to policies are tough on crime to please the tinkering with the problems. Just for examples, However, the answer that appears to be held learn skills, manual or intellectual, so education tabloids and earn votes. The first move is to visiting procedures for families and the internal in practice by those responsible for the penal must have a high priority. Yes, but is this a suf- end short sentences of imprisonment - some complaints procedures can be improved once system is that prisons are for punishment, ficient answer? If they want to continue to go ridiculously short - just two weeks has been the will is there but piecemeal improvements both because offenders have harmed their for easy money by robbery, will education just awarded. The power of magistrates to leave the basic system untouched. victims and so deserve to suffer pain, to make them smarter gang leaders or invest- imprison must be curbed in favour of tough dissuade them from further offending, and ment bankers? Not only does behaviour have community sentences known to be effective When considering the performance of prisons, because others will thereby be dissuaded from to be corrected but also the intention behind and cost less than imprisonment. These are comparisons can be made with other organi- starting to offend - retribution and deterrence. the behaviour needs to change. the preferred sentences in public opinion polls. sations operating in the public sector. People A related answer is that offenders once put Short prison sentences only make unproduc- who need medical treatment are sent by their out of (temporary) circulation cannot continue Rehabilitation is a psychological process that tive work for staff occupied in processing doctors to their local hospital and are released to commit offences while inside - incapacita- starts inside the person; it can be encouraged people in and out. Those with mental illnesses once they are healed. In a similar way, people tion. These three answers are thought by poli- but never enforced. Trying to improve behaviour should be diverted to secure hospitals by the who509 Outdeserve and Aboutpenal Adtreatment 22.10.14A_Layout are sent by 1 the22/10/2014 ticians 22:29 to be Page the 1key to reducing crime and by extending control by authorities after courts, not sent to prisons where little is done release is not rehabilitation. The offending ‘old for their recovery. People suffering from drug me’ needs to decide for itself to change and drink addictions cannot recover simply by direction to become the ‘new me’ that always being imprisoned (a punitive law is no MONTHLY should have been. How can this change be solution). The deep seated reasons for their Out and about POLICIES advanced? Mainly through empathetic rela- desperation to opt out of harsh reality have to tionships which can discern the ‘new me’ be addressed. AVAILABLE within the ‘old me’. Establishing relationships takes time - people in prison have plenty of A parallel move is to transfer those remanded that. Some teachers and some wing officers in custody to secure hostels under the control have the necessary abilities to act as mentors of the courts, where their attendance is but in the present climate of austerity and staff needed, not the prison service. These changes reductions they are overwhelmed by the will easily halve the prison population. The numbers that need their help. The prison prison staff will then have a chance to get to officer friend of Terry Waite (December 2014 know the prisoners and encourage their reha- issue) puts it well ‘The magic bullet is to get to bilitation. Everybody wins, the reformed ex- know the man or woman and to encourage offenders and the public whose taxes pay for and support that desire to change’. their (expensive) time inside.

The prison population in September 2014 of A R Mears is a prison commentator 84,400 was 112% of CNA with 80 out of 118

Inside Time is proud to publish the 2015/15 On the out? Freedom 45 years experience in EDITION of the most in sight. Driving around, catching car insurance especially with comprehensive guide up with friends, visiting favourite places. Ex-O ffenders. We are discreet and your to prisons and prison Specialists in Don’t forget the insurance. You will have confidentiality is assured. related services. to disclose your conviction as driving on an Already out and about? Then contact Family and Child Law ‘any driver policy’ is no longer an option. us direct. We know the inside story. Supplied free of charge Social Services So get ahead of the game and be ready to Telephone 01733 882 500 to every UK prison - it’s go. All you have to do is ask your partner or a even bigger and better! Relationship disputes family member to get in touch with us. We www.cglloyds.co.uk/exoffenders will quote and get you ready for the out and Children matters from day one of the policy being active, you Offices in Barking, Romford, Grays £35 from all good To order your copy will start earning your own No Claims Bonus! bookshops or online at contact: Inside Time, and Kentish Town We are an independent broker with over www.insidetime.org for PO Box 251, Hedge End, In the first instance please contact us at: Get ready for the out with Clegg Gifford Hampshire SO30 4XJ. Focal House, £25 +£7.50p&p 12-18 Station Parade, Barking, Clegg Gifford & Co Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England Tel: 0844 335 6483 ESSEX IG11 8DN and Wales No 2838391 at 128/129 Minories, London EC3N 1NT. 508/221014 www.insidetime.org Tel: 020 8591 3366 Insidetime February 2015 26 Comment www.insidetime.org

light in the prisoner’s darkness and she has someone has been so kind to me and my clearly dedicated her life to help those who family.” Another ex-offender calls Bob “a are lost.” really good person who genuinely cares for us all”, and says Bob “doesn’t need to go out of Johanne Tomlinson his way to assist us but he does.”

Johanne is a Lead Nurse at HMP Stafford. The nominating prisoner says “she has shown complete dedication, understanding, commitment and professionalism when conducting the Veterans’ Anxiety Group…Johanne developed a course that can and will only grow stronger throughout the prison service.” Another says “Jo’s the first one I’ve ever come Finding treasure across who takes a personal interest in how you feel,” while another adds, “It made such an impact on me, and I’m a hard person to A selection of prisoners’ contributions to the make an impact on, believe you me, but this did.” One describes her work simply and 2014-15 Butler Trust Awards powerfully, “It’s like a whole world has opened up in front of me.” “Rather than deterring me, I wanted to under- John Pollock stand why prisoners chose their paths in life Ali Joubert The Butler Trust and to help and support them in trying to change their behaviour for the better.” One Ali at HMP Huntercombe created a highly e had a phenomenal ex-prisoner says “I have personally seen Clare regarded gardening project, and prisoners say response from prisoners take verbal abuse from rude, angry, immature, Ali is “always bubbly and laughing”, “always making nominations for upset, confused offenders and still she has time for everyone no matter what their problem”, “is especially patient with those the 2014-15 Butler Trust continued to help guide them on their journey We hope that selection of prisoners’ input to who don’t understand English” and, like a line Awards: hundreds of you regardless. Clare has helped so many people the Awards show how it enriches our under- from a song, “She turns your mood upside Wmade dozens of nominations or added helpful from B Wing, myself included.” standing of some of the best work in the down and puts a smile on your face.” comments. Now the Awards are announced, system - and so, once again, our thanks to all and with the winners off to St James’s Palace Kath Davies, Paul of you who have taken part. Fifty years on in April to get their certificates from our Bob Paterson from Winston Churchill’s death, his words Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, we can share Goodridge, David Griffiths about prison still ring true. He praised the more details about the outstanding people and John Watts Bob is a Faith Services Team Leader at HMP “tireless efforts towards the discovery of who won an Award or Commendation this Addiewell in Scotland. One ex-prisoner, John, curative and regenerating processes and an year - thanks in part to prisoners… All work at HMP & YOI Parc where they says “I would like to thank you for helping my unfaltering faith that there is a treasure, if only created an Assisted Living Unit for elderly wife and kids. It’s been a long time since you can find it in the heart of every person.” Trevor Lewis prisoners. An 83 year old prisoner says, “I have been treated with kindness and respect. Trevor, a Physical Education Instructor in HMP There are days when I do not feel very well 61 Birkenhead Street, Exeter, was nominated by fifteen prisoners. At and am in a lot of pain. The staff know what 66 years old, he’s the longest serving and to do, and do all they can to help me.” Another GC LAW London WC1H 8BB oldest ever PEI. Prisoners call him ‘a big dog’ simply calls the unit his “family.” Now get SOLICITORS 020 7843 4344 with a gift for spreading laughter. Another your hankies out: this is from the Chief Inspec- says Trevor “organised activities for the tor’s report. “During the inspection one [email protected] www.cg-law.co.uk children and the parents which are always prisoner asked to return to the prison from very good, he also takes part. He always hospital to die among people he knew and CG Law Solicitors is a London based firm of criminal defence lawyers and can makes the family and children welcome on who cared not just for but about him.” these visits. When I have been on these visits, assist in all defence cases regardless of where the court may be. We specialise my partner, son and me have always enjoyed in the following types of offences: them…He is a gentleman and a role model for Elizabeth Shapland all staff.” Elizabeth has spent 25 years as a volunteer • Murder • Serious Drug Cases • Cannabis Cultivation giving bereavement counselling at HMP Bull- Clare Cowell ingdon. “Elizabeth has unselfishly given up • Fraud Charges • Money Laundering • Confiscation Matters her time for all the prisoners who are in Clare at HMP Grendon was nominated for her desperate need. When we feel alone and sad, therapeutic work. Taken hostage by a prisoner she gives us comfort; when we feel lost and in Clients can be represented at the Magistrates or the Crown Courts and a team at HMP Woodhill in 1995, she says that despair, she gives us hope. She is like a shining of lawyers are available to undertake representation on all types of criminal If you have ever served in the Armed Forces cases. They can also advise on matters of : J D Solicitors and you or your partner need help you may Malthouse Chambers be interested to see what’s on offer from: 30 Walsall Street, Appeals against a Conviction and/or Sentence Willenhall WV13 2ER The Royal British Legion and SSAFA Prison Law Specialists You can write to When representing you, you can be assured of the very best attention at all Serving the East and West Midlands TRBL/SSAFA times and committment to achieve the desired outcome. • Parole Applications and Reviews (Ref Inside Time) Freepost SW1345 • Licence Conditions and Recalls 199 Borough High Street London SE1 1AA Only the best barristers are employed to assist and represent you. • Categorisation and Transfers or tell your partner to call either We will not turn our back on you, you will not be alone. • Cat A Reviews and Lifer Panels the Royal Bitish Legion Contact Centre on • Sentence Planning and H.D.C. 0808 8028080 (Mon - Sun 8am - 8pm) Please write to us at the above address. For free professional expert advice. www.britishlegion.org.uk You can ring, write or e mail us with all your Kendi dilinizde davanizin hazirlanmasini istiyoursaniz bizi arayin veya bize mektup gonderin or gelip sizi gorelim, sizi dinleyelim, size yardim edelim cunku bizimle yalniz oldugunuzu unutacaksiniz. prison law issues. SSAFA on 0207 403 8783 Please call our Prison Law Team: www.ssafa.org.uk Turk vatandaslari cezanizi Turkiyede tamamlamak istiyorsaniz bizi arayin size yardimci olalim. 01902 632123 Full details are shown in our advert in the Nese ju duhet ndihma yne ne gjuhen tuaj na kontaktoni. 24hr Emergency No: 07971 194 042 classified section of Inside Information. [email protected] Copies are available in all prison libraries Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Comment 27

of chance? And if so, did this change take the individual into the normal range for the Something has to change measure used? This kind of analysis yields an objective metric which can then be used to place an OBP par- A serving prisoner puts forward ideas to make Offending Behaviour ticipant into one of four categories: reliably deteriorated, no reliable change, reliably Programmes more effective improved or, recovered. An evaluation like this would be invaluable, not just for the prisoner who then has concrete validation of their s I see it, the biggest issue with success (McNeill et al 2005). focus can be on reinforcing positive shifts in efforts but also for those concerned with Offending Behaviour Pro- our identities. Going further, there is some future treatment or management plans. A grammes (OBPs) is twofold: The I am not suggesting that facilitators ignore evidence that a ‘de-labelling’ process encour- prisoner who finds himself in the ‘reliably suspicion with which prisoners concerns when they arise, only that they be ages desistence (Trice & Roman 1970) and deteriorated’ category can hardly argue that view programmes’ staff and the prepared to accept proven and potential that this is most effective coming from he has been ‘stitched up’ with recommenda- Away programmes’ staff view prisoners. Both biases in their perspectives. Wherever a con- treatment professionals (Wexler 2001). tions for further work. are problems which ‘rose-tinted spectacles’ clusion is drawn, care should be taken to Genuine identity change requires external rec- could go a long way towards fixing. weigh up the evidence against that position. ognition as well as the internal changes made Just as the problem is double-headed, so must With most CBT based OBPs being supervised, by the prisoner. ‘Not only must a person be the solution. Trust is a two-way street and All of us know that the label ‘offender’ is a the system is already set up to facilitate this accept conventional society to go straight but will require effort from both prisoners and serious handicap. Once labelled as abnormal, approach. Disagreeing with or challenging a conventional society must accept that person programmes departments alike. Should pro- even the most educated and qualified of colleague’s opinion should never be seen as as changed as well’ (Meisenhelder 1982). grammes staff be seen to be open to prisoners treatment professionals can interpret perfectly personal criticism but as a positive contribu- Unfortunately, it is much easier to mistrust or input; more accepting of positive change and normal behaviour as problematic pathology tion to the process. If a conclusion is correct, it downplay positive change in prisoners to less prone to reinforce negative labels. I believe (Rosenhan, 1973). Anecdotal evidence from should stand up to scrutiny - that is good science. avoid being caught out by the minority who prisoners would have no reason to mistrust other prisoners backs up the view that prison may try to fake it (Lofland 1969). OBPs. Conversely, if prisoners are prepared to psychologists can also sometimes focus too It is not always straightforward for the prisoner drop the cynicism; take responsibility for their much on negative one-off events, rather than to question either course material or facilita- The nature of psychology is that some level of rehabilitation, and engage honestly and see the big picture when forming an impres- tors. Research has shown that inmates who subjectivity and professional judgement is actively there should be no reason we cannot sion of us (Skowronski & Carlson 1989). resist the rhetoric of CBT can be seen as evi- inevitable. However, there are tools available all be ‘reliably improved’. dencing criminogenic pathology (Fox 1999). which could solve the problem of acknowl- While it may not happen often, this can have This is supported by anecdotal evidence from edging progress in addressing offending Treatment professionals must ask themselves a devastating impact on a prisoner - not just in prisoners again and again; the fear of the con- behaviour without risking the professional constantly if they are creating the environ- terms of parole, but also on a deeply personal sequences of disagreeing can seriously impact reputation of staff. ment which makes rehabilitation likely. The level. Having potentially overcome an internal on sincere and open engagement with any rest is on us. struggle in their decision to engage with an OBP. If we are to truly buy in to the collabora- One method of evaluating the effectiveness of OBP, any perceived unfairness could feel like a tive nature of CBT, we must feel safe to voice CBT is Jacobson’s Clinical Significance Analysis betrayal of trust. That trust is integral to the differing opinions. (Jacobson et al 1999). Essentially it boils down therapeutic relationship, which in turn is a to two questions. Did the person demonstrate C Zeb currently resides at HMP Bullingdon huge factor in determining rehabilitative Without fear of further stigma or labelling, the change significant enough not to be the effect BITTER PILLS YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO SWALLOW

Clinical negligence is as unacceptable inside repercussions far into the future which is why you If you feel you’ve been badly treated, prison as it is out. need expert, experienced advice to secure the misdiagnosed or kept waiting for an unacceptable compensation which is due to YOU. amount of time contact us now and we will get the The reported cases of clinical and dental negligence compensation you deserve. during confinement is on the increase. Whether it is As one of the countries leading personal injury due to a lack of resources or inept practitioning there lawyers Michael Jefferies have been successfully is no excuse if your health has suffered physically representing prisoners in cases of clinical and or mentally, as a result you could be due 1000’s of dental negligence for many years. We have won pounds in compensation. Negligence may not just compensation from 100’s to 1000’s of pounds all on affect you now it could have painful or expensive a NO WIN NO FEE basis.

N ON I JUR IS Y R L P A W E Y Call: 0161 925 4155 I Click: jefferies-solicitors.com I email: [email protected] E H

T R

S S

O R

pilaC B

or write to us at: Jefferies Solicitors Limited I Ashley House I Ashley Road I Altrincham I Cheshire I WA14 2DW M T

I O M N Insidetime February 2015 28 Comment www.insidetime.org

must apply, because that’s what the statute existence as an organisation, would be if it which governs our decision making says. We was effectively directed to release prisoners decide whether the risk of the prisoner is now whom it believed constituted a danger to the Parole Board: such that it is no longer necessary for the public. There is no sign of any will, in any safety of the public that he or she be confined. future Government, whatever its complexion, That is the only criterion we can apply and the come May next year, to reverse the upward hurdle is a high one. drift in sentencing policy. Many of the changes in my lifetime such as reducing the time served ‘want to get the The prisoner is dangerous because a Court has from two-thirds to a half or allowing discre- said that he or she is dangerous and we have tionary release after a third, were clearly no power to, for instance, say well we don’t induced, not by penal policy considerations, think he was dangerous in the first place, and but by financial ones. I suppose it’s conceiva- right answer’ therefore we are going to release and effec- ble that if things get to be as bad as some of tively allow an appeal against sentence. We our speakers have predicted they may, then have to take that as a given, as do, of course, the sheer pressure of finance may bring about Sir David Calvert-Smith,Chairman of the Parole the professionals who prepare the reports the sort of change which many have which we have to consider. advocated should be brought about as a result Board addressed the Westminster Legal Policy of sensible penological thinking and the Forum in December. This is what he said: Various possible solutions have been proposed implementation of more sensible policies. But such as the power of the Ministry of Justice, for the moment, we must continue to operate which is within the Legal Aid Sentencing and our test as we are instructed to do. same offending with exactly the same back- Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 to alter ground are serving determinate or indetermi- the test for release to impose conditions which The last thing I would say is that Parole Board nate sentences, depending on which side of if fulfilled could result in the release of the Panels, when they are hearing a case, sit in a December 2012 they were sentenced. In prisoner by the Parole Board. For example small room with a prisoner who wants to be addition we have the growing concern “changing the burden of proof” so that unless released or, at the very worst, recommended expressed most recently in the House of Lords the Secretary of State can show that the for progression to open conditions, with two about what to do with dangerous offenders, person is still a danger, then the Parole Board or three professionals who are totally focused in particular those short tariff prisoners now must release him. The reality of such change is on the future of that prisoner, and three panel many years past their tariff, and whether there that they perhaps ignore the way in which members who want to get the right answer. I is some way in which the remaining group of Parole Board hearings are conducted. Parole can assure this audience, as I’ve assured many IPP prisoners, which will continue to occupy Board hearings are investigative hearings, they In the long time I’ve spent as a prac- others, that that is the only thing that a Parole our prison system for 10, 20 years if nothing is are not adversarial hearings. The Parole Panel titioner of one sort or another in the Board Panel thinks of when it is hearing a done about it, can be reduced. is endeavouring to find an answer and will criminal justice system - in fact I was case. It is not thinking, on the one hand, “Oh welcome help from whoever can give it, but at thinking about it recently, it’s only two years well we must release more people because it On the back of the dangerous offender the end of the day it will not apply a burden or shorter than Harry Roberts spent in prison - I will save the Prison Service money, and it is concept, a whole science, a very sophisticated a standard of proof, it will simply answer the have noticed that with two possible excep- not saying, “We must keep them in science, of risk assessment has been developed, question set by statute. One thing that the tions, one being the maximum sentence for prison because sections of the press so that our dossiers at hearings are frequently Parole Board would resist strongly, because I theft and the other the general sentencing 200-300 pages long, and contain an enormous believe it would affect public confidence in its will take a dim view if we don’t”. policy for the possession of small amounts of amount of information based, not only on dangerous drugs for personal use, all changes personal observation, but on various, as most to maximum sentences have been increases. of you will know, scientific methods or tools of DOES THE TAXMAN OWE YOU MONEY? determining risk. The last speaker, Andrew Neilson, spoke about Transforming Rehabilitation, and that too is a However, I’m going to go back to what the big issue for us. I must say there are some Alison Liebling said, and indeed Nick Hardwick Were you employed or self employed before hopeful signs to us at the Parole Board, from repeated, an enormous amount depends on the “dangerous offenders” end of TR. The the people. If the prisoner is lucky enough to going into Prison? aim is that dangerous offenders will be dealt have had a good offender supervisor, and to with exclusively by the National Probation have a good offender manager who has got to Did you enter prison after 6th April 2010? Service, and that the continuity in Offender know the prisoner and started to make really Manager for such prisoners will be better than sensible plans for his or her release and condi- it currently is and it’s right to say that members tions on release, then the chances of that of the Parole Board are already seeing, albeit prisoner being released are higher. Imagine a If the answer is ‘yes’, you need to contact it’s patchy, improvements in that direction. Parole Panel which is faced with a prisoner TM who has only recently arrived at the prison The Tax Academy The dangerous offender concept has gradually where he is, who has a new offender supervi- developed within the Courts on the back of sor, and an offender manager who has never the discretionary life sentence, so that you actually met him. Some of our panels direct only received a discretionary life sentence if the attendance of the offender manager at the The Tax Academy C . I . C . the Court found that you were dangerous, or hearing, not only so that they can ask the Unit 4 Ffordd Yr Onnen Lon Parcwr Business Park so dangerous that you needed to be kept in offender manager questions, but also so that prison until the Parole Board said you were he or she can actually meet the person, whom, Ruthin Denbighshire LL15 1NJ sufficiently low risk to be released. This was if released, he or she will be supervising in the Telephone: 01824 704535 | E m a i l : [email protected] made statutory and indeed mandatory in some community. This is a sad state of affairs, but as cases by the 2003 Criminal Justice Act. We are previous speakers have said, the human factor still living with the consequences of that. is very, very important. Time and again I’ve Include as much information as possible including your name, prison attended hearings or spoken to members, and prison number, release date and national insurance number. As a result of the concept of the dangerous who have said in effect that they were so offender and the imposition on such offenders impressed by the work that had been done in of the sentence of imprisonment for public prison with the prisoner, and the relationship The Tax Academy™ is a Social Enterprise created by Paul Retout, protection, we have currently several thousand, that had been built up and was being built up over 5,000, prisoners who are in prison and with the offender manager, that they were a Tax Specialist to help Prisoners with their tax affairs in Prison and on effectively serving a life sentence compared able to direct release, whereas in another case the outside. He was recently profiled in ‘The Times’ with a population pre-2003 Act of a few that would not have been possible. hundred. Now the sentence has actually been ‘ tax rebates for cellmates’ abolished so that no prisoner sentenced since Various solutions have been suggested as to December 2012 is serving an IPP. The result is how Parliament might reduce the IPP popula- having run tax seminars for inmates in ‘HMP Wandsworth’. that people now sentenced for exactly the tion. We have one criterion only which we Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Comment 29 Two paths to surviving the

Doug Heming winter Volunteer Prison Chaplain

inter is a season when anyone belongs. There is no-one whose much of life seems to be natural home is in the four walls of a cell. displaced! It is the season Prison is a place of nomads who belong on the of migration and hiberna- outside but find themselves displaced for a tion and incarceration. As season. Like the migratory birds in winter, it Wthe season of incarceration it is perhaps the might be possible to build a second home, but season of prisoners and refugees in the wheel you never truly belong there. But waiting is Echoes of human experience. not the same as giving in.

Imprisonment and displacement can make life But the waiting way does not mean rolling feel like an eternal winter. Life is curtailed for over and giving in. It means a real fight. Not the those in prison just as winter means those fight of gang warfare, battling for resources of an old life outside have to deal with short and cold days and survival, but a fight against loss of hope and a sense that the land around them is dead. and of darkness. Breaking through to feel the So prisoners, and those over the wall, each sun again from a hidden place is no easy task. Ross Bell’s impressions of life on the inside look for the signs of life to bring some hope It requires a drive for life. A spirit of never and cheer. But all the flowers are gone and the giving in or accepting a situation. It demands t is often said that operational tours words said at exactly the wrong moment. A usual sound of birdsong which can lift the resilience against an entire season of challenges. are vast passages of debilitating situation you think is normal shifts dramati- spirits is no longer heard. It can feel like boredom punctuated by moments of cally just because the other person doesn’t survival is the name of the game in winter. The The winter season of imprisonment is about extreme terror. It may be likely that agree with your point of view, or doesn’t same can be said for the season of human survival there is no doubt. But believing in a most prisoners can also relate to this understand your sense of humour. incarceration or displacement. Spring season is where hope can come again maxim.I Also with the concept that there are and allows us to have a choice of how we only two good postings in the whole of the Threats, either real or perceived, stalk the This challenge can be met in two ways. There spend our winter. A choice of how we fight. Army, the last one and the next one, never corridors of most prisons like a malcontent are those who see this season as a call to arms; Fighting those around us for material resources the one you are on. This could also equate to spectre and the hum of violence reverberates to gather in groups and fight the lean season or fighting the unseen forces of anger and the dissatisfaction I experience from most in the base of the skull ready to come to the together. Groups help us find the things we need darkness and hatred than can kill our hope inmates about whatever prison they are forefront at the hint of a challenge. Kindness to survive and to avoid predators too. This is and faith of a better season in our lives. I choose currently in, how it was better in the last one is often seen as weakness and individuals why prison life, and indeed life outside for many, the second way because I am reminded that: and how their next move is redolent with build emotional barriers around themselves can seem best dealt with in gangs. Strength in improvement and opportunity. to hide their true personalities to avoid numbers to fight the reality of the winter of In the littlest baby, conflict, or deflect others attempts to the soul and the season of imprisonment. the tiniest star, You are acutely aware of the boredom and dominate them. The system attempts to the smallest bulb in the winter ground, the terror when they descend upon you but control with its own violence (solitary con- But there is another way in which we can face in the weakest prisoner, what you cannot perceive is the low level of finement, loss of privilege, loss of family this season. It avoids gang warfare and is the seed of love found which can overturn continual anxiety. It hunkers down on your contact) and the subjugated deal with the fighting for scarce resources which can leave the universe. subconscious and slowly grinds the nerves shame of holding their confrontation in as some maimed and scarred in the spring. It is a until they begin to twist, fray and splinter. they grate upon each other’s egos. The way of hope, of looking forward, of gratitude. Wouldn’t it be a good thing for the policies Your ability to deal with small irritations whole, roiling tempest of emotion held back It is in my mind the better way but it is also the and procedures of our criminal justice system becomes eroded and slight differences in the by the ethereal promise of open prison. harder way because it is the way of waiting. to also embrace this second way? To see calm of peacetime become vast vaults of prisons as places of potential where we can misunderstanding when the fog or war Others will try to have conflict with you, but The way of waiting in the winter season is nurture and germinate new life? it isn’t about you. It’s got everything to do based on the truth that most life begins buried descends. And this is just with your and hidden and incarcerated. Think about it. comrades. with them and their anxiety. I’m glad I can The birth of a human life begins deeply hidden recognise this echo from an old life and in the body of another. Buried in the flesh and It is with these mental challenges I struggled gently steer my way through a crowd of out of sight. The birth of much plant life is the through a couple of tours. I’m beginning to unknowing anger. same. In most cases the seeds of a fruit, which realise these challenges exist in here. Even will germinate and bring new life, are at its though the situations and environment are core and hidden within its protective outside entirely different, you have to recognise that skin. So the new life of spring often comes the same symptoms of stress occur here and About The Man can colour your daily interactions with from imprisoned places; down in the earth I was born in Broadstairs, Kent 42 years people. hidden from the sun; deep within the fallen ago. Punctuating my career as an Army fruit of the trees; out of the hibernation of Officer and working for the family business caves and holes in the ground. Not only do you have to realise these (booze), I committed VAT fraud in 2005. tensions exist within you, but with everyone For this crime, I was sentenced to 8 years in This then is another way of looking at any in the prison (staff and inmates alike). The 2014. season of imprisonment and displacement. problem is that many people will not be con- Not as something to fight but something to sciously aware of the burden that is upon This blog is an attempt to communicate endure because it has the potential for new them and don’t even know why they react with my friends and family about how I am life, for vitality, for change, for emergence. I in the ways they do sometimes. Small feeling and what’s happening inside (and understand this is not easy. It may seem like incidents can spiral completely out of control ‘inside’). If you’re reading this and I haven’t giving in. This is because prison is not where in such a short space of time with the wrong met you before, you are most welcome. Insidetime February 2015 30 Comment www.insidetime.org

involved include the probation service, the (StopSO) who are spending part of their police, local authorities, drug and alcohol award on providing 60 hours of subsidised Quote of the Month services and local health providers. The psychotherapy for sex offenders and their approach recognises that repeat offenders families; have multiple problems which contribute to Spotlight their offending which cannot be addressed by l £4,835 for the Voice Hub, a volunteer - run a single agency. The programme ensures that community space for people in recovery from Police and Crime all offenders leaving prison have co-ordinated drug and alcohol issues in the city of Newport; support to help them stay on the straight and Commissioners narrow. The Gwent IOM programme has l And £8,400 to Victory Outreach UK to In 2012 elections took place throughout been singled out as one of the best in Wales provide woodwork, employment and IT skills, England and Wales for 41 Police and Crime after securing a 9.1% reduction in the rate of Book keeping, CV Writing and Healthcare and Commissioners to replace the Police Au- re-offending amongst the most prolific fitness sessions to help in the rehabilitation of thorities. Commissioners with a variety of offenders. men and women from a life of addiction, backgrounds and interests in specific crime and prison. This child abuse issues were appointed to serve a four year Substance abuse is one of the many factors term. They all produced individual police that can make it hard for people to break I’m also a big supporter of using innovative inquiry is pointless and crime plans to suit the needs of their away from offending and that’s why I fund and more restorative approaches to divert respective regions and now, half way and support the Gwent Drugs Interventions offenders away from the criminal justice Dominic Lawson - The Sunday Times through their four year tenure Inside Time Programme (DIP) - a key partner within the system to prevent future offending. There’s a is in touch with them and looking to see local Integrated Offender Management (IOM) strong and growing evidence base that restor- how things are developing. and Priority and Prolific Offenders (PPO) ative justice meets the needs of victims and Six months on, debate still arrangements. The programme has supported reduces the frequency of reoffending. rages about who would chair nearly 2,000 clients since 2006 and 70% of the Government’s landmark the IOM cohorts have come through DIP. This is why I was delighted to secure nearly inquiry into historic child abuse. But Earlier this year, I visited DIP clients in Newport £235,000 from the Home Office’s Police Rehabilitation to find out about the challenges they face and Innovation Fund recently to support the whoever gets the job will have been how effective DIP was at supporting their creation of the Women’s Triage Scheme, a “set an impossible task”. He or she is the key needs and I have also visited staff and inmates Wales-wide project which aims to divert will have to investigate how allega- at HMP Usk to better understand their work women who have been arrested away from tions of child abuse were dealt with and the challenges they face. criminality and provide them with a new ‘from 1970 to the present’ across a The Police and Crime Com- ‘restorative’ approach to their rehabilitation. missioner for Gwent, Ian The DIP programme has developed both vast range of public and private effective and strengthened partnership I have also provided £50,000 over two years bodies - Whitehall departments, Johnston, highlights how he working with all the agencies involved by towards the Making Connections project run schools, care homes, prisons, is working with local and ensuring a single point of contact for service by Monmouth Comprehensive School which religious organisations, the armed providers. It delivers recovery and rehabilita- aims to bring together those harmed by national partners to rehabili- tion services that are absolutely key to my aim conflict and those responsible into communi- forces, to name but a few. If Lord tate offenders with the aim of reducing crime in Gwent by tackling the cation. This enables everyone affected by a Saville’s inquiry into Bloody Sunday of reducing the revolving underlying causes of offending. particular incident to play a part in repairing - an incident that lasted barely two the harm and finding a positive way forward. hours - took 12 years and cost nearly door of reoffending in Gwent. I also have commissioning powers and funding Since its inception, the project has seen exclu- to help support my remit to reduce crime. I sions for inappropriate behaviours at the £200m, imagine how long and costly y role as Police and Crime have established a Strategic Commissioning school reduced by 93% and the school is an ‘elephantine’ inquiry of this sort Commissioner goes beyond Board which includes key local partners as currently looking at ways of rolling the project would be. It wouldn’t report for policing and since being members and the rehabilitation of offenders is out through Gwent and beyond. decades. Nor would it be much help elected into office in 2012 I one of five themes which form part of my in establishing ‘lessons that can be have drawn together a wide strategic commissioning intentions. And through my Community Safety Fund rangeM of partners in the community to help grant, I awarded the Positive Futures project in learnt’, because, in truth, such tackle crime and its root causes. My Partnership Fund awards cash seized from Newport with £280,000 two years ago. The reports are “rarely read by anyone”. criminals and from the sale of unclaimed project uses sport and physical activity to help Besides, what new lesson could this Rehabilitation plays a vital role in supporting found property to support projects that meet inspire young people in Newport at risk of inquiry teach us? Officials are offenders to break free from the cycle of reof- my priorities. Some of the money has been crime and substance abuse and acts as an fending and it helps them to rebuild their lives awarded to projects which enhance work with alternative to anti-social behaviour. already ‘vigilant almost to the point by making some positive changes which prison inmates and offenders to help reduce of paranoia’ about child abuse. In enable them to turn their backs on criminality. crime. It’s important to note that every £1 invested in sum, a public inquiry into abuse interventions saves £33 in tackling crime claims will waste time and money. I’m a key stakeholder of the Gwent Integrated This includes awards of: overall and these partnerships and initiatives Far better to leave it to the Offender Management (IOM) programme which I fund and support assist me in develop- which takes a multi-agency approach to l £9,600 for the Specialist Treatment Organi- ing approaches which ensure people in Gwent police. managing high risk offenders. The agencies sation for the Prevention of Sexual Offending are less affected by crime.

UUSP GGrrouupp CLARKE KIERNAN An independent group of providers of Useful Services for Prisoners and their Families. SOLICITORS Inside Time provides free or subsidised advertising for the USP Group. FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOUTH EAST WE ARE A RESPECTED ‘LEGAL 500’ FIRM FRANCHISED BY THE LEGAL SERVICES The money they save funds an exclusive range of money saving offers for all who COMMISSION AND OUR DEDICATED AND EXPERIENCED TEAM IS AVAILABLE register online. Prisoners’ family and friends, solicitors, barristers and others who TO HELP YOU IN ANY AREA OF LITIGATION are involved with prisons are invited to register and start saving money today. Prisoners can benefit from money saving offers when families register. PRISON LAW DEPARTMENT CIVIL DEPARTMENT FAMILY DEPARTMENT Catherine McCarthy Tafadzwa Chigudu Jennifer Mundy All aspects of criminal law, including Legal aid available for Housing problems, All aspects of matrimonial and children Full details and registration form can be found at www.insidetime.org Appeals/CCRC/Confiscation Orders. due to your remand or looking forwards disputes, including proceedings involving No catches, no strings - just savings from the USP Group 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 adjudications, parole, DLP, eligibility for local authority housing and Civil partnerships. E Mail A Prisoner, Fonesavvy, Gema Records, Inside Time, Jailmate Cards, categorisation, Judicial Review following release. All aspects of financial disputes. Prison Chat UK, Prison Images, SIS Insurance and Thinkin of U. USP Where you see the USP logo you will know they share the Unique Selling Point of all USP members. They will not be motivated by profit and are committed to providing fair and honest services that are Group Member Useful Services for Prisoners and their families. GROUP MEMBERSHIP IS BY ‘INVITATION ONLY’ 2-4 Bradford Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1DU Tel: 01732 360999 Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Comment 31 Transforming lives: reducing women’s imprisonment

ince the of the country, services women could ill afford Soropti- to lose were at risk of closing. In others, last- mist’s UK minute funding extensions had been granted, Programme but in the long-term, the expectation was that Action services would demonstrate their worth locally CommitteeS (UKPAC) and be commissioned and funded from main- took the decision to stream grants and budgets. mount a campaign, in partnership with the l Attitudes to women in trouble are perceived Prison Reform Trust, as barriers to progress to reduce women’s Soroptimists around the UK found evidence imprisonment, Sorop- that political, media and some public attitudes timist members have been working to gather towards women in trouble are barriers to information and increase awareness of how reform. Despite these concerns, evidence from women in the criminal justice system are public opinion polling has found that attitudes treated in their local areas. In 2013-14 Sorop- towards women who offend, and support for timists asked police officers, probation effective responses, are more nuanced, with Informing you about officers, criminal justice social workers, mag- strong public support for community solutions istrates, sheriffs, health professionals and to the drivers to women’s offending. That this managers of women’s community services dichotomy exists suggests the need for strong what happens in their local areas to women leadership across governments and local agencies where to find help who offend or are at risk of offending. The in making the case for women in trouble. report highlights progress and good practice gang culture but now works to inspire young l whilst identifying constraints, gaps and There are clear opportunities to reduce the people – including those in prison. shortcomings in local service provision. women’s prison population Whilst limited availability of women-specific Recently Chris has been telling Spotlight The majority of women in trouble with the law community orders was cited as a reason sen- about the people who’ve inspired him are minor but persistent offenders and often tencers felt they had no option but to impose including Bob Marley, Nelson Mandela and have histories of domestic violence, abuse, custodial sentences. Poor-information sharing Michael Jackson. coercion, mental illness and addiction. Many about services available locally hampered take are also mothers. Most women serve short up of women-specific orders where they did You can hear him on Spotlight every Monday prison sentences for non-violent offences at exist. Some services had sought to address this potlight is the show on National at 11am and 5pm, repeated Sunday at 9am. huge public cost. 59% of women entering by involving local sentencers in management Prison Radio which shines a light prison serve custodial sentences of six months boards but a more systematic approach is on those charities and organisa- or less. Theft and handling offences account needed if women’s community services are to tions in prison which are there to NPR is changing! for 30% of women’s arrests and 41% of fulfil their potential as alternatives to custody. help you. It’s on every Monday at custodial sentences given to women. 11am, repeated at 5pm. We’ve been speaking to people in prisons Soroptimists across the UK were particularly S across England and Wales about how they’d Whilst Soroptimists encountered differences in concerned by the large number of women in Among those organisations recently featured like National Prison Radio to sound. governance and approach taken to women in prison who were mothers. Imprisoning on Spotlight has been Llamau – a charity the criminal justice system between the four mothers is counter-productive and costly to which helps people in Wales at risk of home- We’ve listened to what you have to say, and nations, a number of themes (many of them the state, both in the short and long-term, and lessness – including those just out of prison. next month we’re going to be launching a inter-linked) were common across the UK. could often be avoided if courts took proper brand new schedule. account of primary caring responsibilities in One of those who has been helped by Llamau l Leadership is needed to bridge the discon- sentencing decisions, and women were is Jody who is living in one of the charity’s We’ll be introducing some exciting new pro- nect between policy and implementation supported to stay with their children. hostels. She’s now taking qualifications to grammes, including a show especially for Despite commitments to reforming women’s achieve her dream of becoming an engineer women in prison, as well as a show focusing justice voiced by politicians of every stripe, a l Sharing learning across jurisdictions is in the Royal Navy. on your health. leadership deficit has meant UK-wide change important has not been delivered. As this report demonstrates, women in contact She told Spotlight: “People in hostels – and The schedule will be launched on Monday with criminal justice agencies across the UK those who’ve been in care – are always being 2nd March and full details will be in the next l Gender-specific approaches are the have much in common, and it stands to reason targeted as bad people, so I want to prove edition of Inside Time. exception but should be the rule that, despite different approaches and legal them wrong. Llamau don’t judge you Equality law requires specific treatment for systems, lessons which are drawn from what because they know what position you’re in groups with protected characteristics where works in one corner of the UK will apply and it’s easy to speak to them because you this has been shown to be more effective in equally across the rest of the country. In the know what you say is confidential.” meeting their needs. Despite the evidence that course of their inquiries, Soroptimists women specific responses to offending are uncovered pockets of interesting practice, Jody was awarded the weekly Spotlight cost-effective and reduce reoffending, innovative approaches to funding and ‘Woman of the Hour’ award, which recog- enabling women to live healthier, more pro- examples of integration which need to be Criminal Defence and Prison Law Experts nises someone who’s achieved something ductive lives, most women in contact with applied more widely. Sharing learning across Nationwide professional and experienced special either inside or outside prison. criminal justice agencies across the UK are still jurisdictions would not only ensure the spread Advice and Representation in the following subject to generic systems and practices which of effective practice, but also protect against areas: If you’ll be living in Wales after your release have evolved in response to men’s offending. the temptation to reinvent the wheel when • Adjudications, Judiical Reviews and you want to find out more about Llamau, working with women in trouble in different • Categorisation speak to your offender supervisor. l Uncertain funding of services working with parts of the country. As this report finds, what • Parole Review/Hearings, Licence Recalls • Tariff/Minimum Term Reviews & Appeals women in trouble is counter-productive works with women in the criminal justice Other organisations featured on Spotlight • CCRC, Confiscation Proceedings Despite operating across jurisdictions charac- system is in evidence across the UK. The recently have been Spark Inside, St Giles • Criminal Defence of all types from terised by their differences rather than simi- challenge is now to take that learning and turn Trust, Sova, Safeground, Justmentoring, Murder to Motoring Offences larities, the community services identified in it into standard practice. Elemore and Prisoners’ Education Trust. the course of Soroptimists’ inquiries shared an Contact Tony Marshall at: uncertain funding future and were at the Alexander Johnson Solicitors Transforming lives: reducing women’s Another regular feature on Spotlight is Chris mercy of budget cuts and short-term funding 246 Bethnal Green Road imprisonment Report can be downloaded Preddie OBE (pictured) who’s NRP’s poet-in- decisions. In each of the nations, services were London E2 0AA from http://new.ukpac.org.uk residence. Chris grew up on the fringes of expected to do more with less. In some parts 0207 739 1563 Insidetime February 2015 32 Comment www.insidetime.org Reducing violence in prisons

of assaults using a weapon are classed as PRISON Francesca Cooney ‘other’. This includes things like balls or cues REFORM from the pool table, hot water, furniture and Advice & Information TRUST plates. The problems of prison violence are Manager not due to the ‘weapon’, which is often an Ben on Channel 4 News everyday item. This shows that other here has been a lot of media measures to prevent violence are needed. attention recently about the rise in violent incidents in prison. The Prison violence can be reduced when officers records show that serious have the time and training to confront anti- The media tart assaults in prison have risen by social behaviour consistently and when 27%T over the last year, with prisoner on prisoners have a proper regime. The prison officers assaults rising by 12%. In theory, discipline system works most effectively prison staff can prevent assaults by using when it is part of an approach across the dynamic security. This is the idea that staff whole prison. This includes officers being experience are regularly talking to prisoners, aware of alert to any aggressive behaviour or potential what is going on in the wings and using trouble. Communication with prisoners is for me at Paddington. I could get used to information and communication to prevent crucial - prisoners can be consulted about how to reduce violence, for instance through this… Whisked to the studio - I forget where! and reduce violence. However, as the Ben Gunn numbers of prison staff reduce prison culture regular wing meetings that can discuss - and the Green Room. This is where guests sit can change. Firstly time out of cell and mean- causes of tension and through prisoner around awaiting to be shoved into the studio. ingful opportunities are reduced, potentially surveys about victimisation, which provide Channel 4 had the makeup artist in the corner, leading to frustration and tensions. Secondly, knowledge about the underlying factors con- henever I have a camera who faced one hell of a challenge. The night staff are less able to monitor what is tributing to violence. pointed at me, I am aware before I has fallen down the stairs face first, happening on the wings and communicate of all the times I used to skinning a line from my chin to my forehead. I with the prisoners in their care. So, if we really want to keep prison staff and watch ex-cons on the ended up with more makeup than Coco the prisoners safe, action against weapons is a telly. Often it was painfully Clown, although through the magic of TV The government is aiming to change the law small part of the strategy. Prisoners need to Wfrustrating - “tell them about X!” - and none of this was obvious. sometimes toe curlingly bad. When the little to make possessing a knife or other offensive be able to access support for resolving red light goes on, then, I am acutely aware weapon in prison a new offence. At the conflict and be protected from victimisation. TV studios are strange. Some are actual sets. moment, prisoners can receive an additional We would like to see more mediation that my harshest critics, the most important Some are merely concrete boxes with a couple audience, is the one I never get to see or hear 42 days time if found in possessions of a schemes in prisons as these help to provide a of chairs; all the images, walls, etc are special weapon. The new offence could be punished safe environment and can develop prisoners’ from - you guys inside. It is important that I do effects. Its odd being told to look at a cross a good job for you, as best I am able. by a sentence of up to four years. The Prison skills in preventing violence. We would also chalked on a concrete wall and told to pretend Reform Trust supports measures to reduce like to see an assessment of the necessary its another person. Channel 4 is pretty much violence in prisons but we are concerned that ratio of staff or prisoners required to maintain I am not a spokesperson for prisoners. No one how it looks on screen. can claim that position and I’d quickly slap this proposal does not address the underlying a safer and secure prison environment and down anyone who claimed it. The best that reasons for violence in prisons. more resources for training and supporting While I always know the topic being discussed, prison staff. any of us outside can do is try to reflect the particular questions aren’t shared beforehand. pains of imprisonment, the concerns, to It is important to remember that we don’t This makes quick thinking essential. And a know about all prison assaults, just those that educate a wider audience. The longer we have thoughtful use of language - swearing is a are recorded by prison staff. The information If you have any questions or need advice been out, the harder that can become. Of no-no! I think I’ve only been caught by we have shows that between 2009-2012, about prison matters you can write to us at course, I could be making a complete hash of surprise once, when I thought a co-guest, an just 12% of recorded assaults in prison Prison Reform Trust, FREEPOST ND6125 it; I daresay someone will let me know! ex copper, was advocating vigilante justice. I involved a weapon. Most assaults in prison London EC1B 1PN. Please note that we was all “Well I never, I’m appalled”, when don’t involve weapons. And when prisoners The weird thing is, none of it phases me. My cannot give immigration advice. Our free what I’d usually say is “fecking muppet”… do use weapons, usually these are items that first media thing came a few weeks after my information line for prisoners is open are found close to hand. Very few assaults Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3.30- release. Channel 4 News with Jon Snow, Perhaps my best day was when Grayling include a designed for purpose or handmade 5.30. The number is 0808 802 0060 and responding to some silliness the Prime Minister announced his new horrible regime changes. weapon. The evidence shows that nearly half does not need to be put on your pin. had spewed. Evening primetime. Millions Sixteen interviews around London, giving my watching. My first glimpse into the world of opinion of our dear Minister. The highpoint telly! And its always a big deal. Not just because was at Sky; I was leaving the studio as Grayling I somehow have to get to London and back was entering. “I’ve just spent ten minutes in from Somerset, but because if I screw it up there giving you a kicking”, I told him. “That’s J C HUGHES then it gives people an excuse to slag off cons alright”, said Grayling, “I’m up next and I’ll Solicitors For Scotland and ex cons even more than they do. Having return the favour…” gone through 13 parole hearings may have • Criminal Defence Experts • Criminal Appeals helped me develop a tolerance for pressure! It’s been a busy couple of years. I’ve popped • Parole Board Representation (Oral and Paper Hearings) up on every channel and endless radio stations The process begins with an Email or phonecall from here to Russia. But I don’t buy into much • Prison Law • Family Law from a producer. They explain the story and of it. I’m not called by the media out of explore your views. If they think they can use Write to: kindness, and I know there is always another ‘Freepost’ J C Hughes Glasgow you, the process rolls on. The news agenda is ex con round the corner who can become ‘Freepost’ J C Hughes Glasgow a fickle beast, though, and it is common to be (no stamp required) media flavour of the month. Perhaps Inside FREE told later in the day that the story had been Time should take over the role, become the or Call us on dropped because something else more inter- “go to” source for media interviews? ( 2 4 h r s ) esting had happened. There comes a point 0800 279 3090 ( 2 4 h r s ) www.jchughes.net when the news agenda is settled, though, and Ben Gunn is a Lifer released in 2012 after 36 the gig is definitely on. years in prison - BEN’S PRISON BLOG - Lifer On The Loose prisonerben.blogspot.co.uk TIP THE SCALES OF JUSTICE IN YOUR FAVOUR Off to London I trekked, to find a car waiting Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Comment 33 Open prisons - a failing holiday camp? There is currently a crisis in the open prison system. This much we know from reading our daily papers. But for those individuals personally involved in the workings and machinations of the prison system there is a worrying and growing realisation that the wrong crisis is the one being highlighted.

ment, the changes in regulation don’t reflect this point. It has often been accompanied by a The prison service has been subjected to some by Bill - father of a prisoner any current reality so the kind of problems the sense of anticipation over an arrival in open of the severest cutbacks of any sector, and it is system is now experiencing become inevitable. conditions which can then lead to resentment not only in open prisons where shortfalls are he recent ‘wave’ of absconders In fact over the last decade the number of and anger when things don’t work out; when being felt. But as open prisons are usually the from open prisons was undoubt- prisoners absconding while on temporary they discover there is little or no constructive last stage of the incarceration process, and edly a story that ticked tabloid license has gone down from 1300 a year to or meaningful activity to fill the day or contrib- with much of the anecdotal evidence suggest- boxes. The ticking of enough red 204. Yet this fact is not reflected in the press. ute towards rehabilitation; where they see ing some, quite frankly, baffling decision rag, or red-top, boxes will usually If we look behind the numbers there are also other inmates shipped out daily to closed con- making, it is here where mistakes or inadequa- beT enough to get a story splashed across front other factors hidden in these statistics which ditions without explanation and their day cies threaten to totally unravel any positive pages. The fact that a totally different picture reveal more layers beneath the one-sided becomes spent worrying if they will be next to work that may have been previously achieved is often going on behind the headlines is disre- coverage. The main cause of ‘absconding’ is meet this fate. In the current climate it has with inmates. garded even when inaccuracies are suspected not an uncontrollable urge to go on a crime become the easy option to just send someone by readers. Delving deeper for reality or spree, but where inmates have received bad back into the closed system, to abstain any While none of us wants another ‘skull cracker’ answers is often sidelined in a rush for hysteria. news from home. Little or no account is taken responsibility for making decisions on allowing on the loose, the spiral of damage this man of inmates not returning due to bullying and a temporary release, especially with lifers. caused may have spread beyond the crimes he It is certainly true that the difficult process of many of the cases include late returns where committed when on the run. The simmering Whatever people’s views are on crime and gradual and temporarily licensed release from time spent travelling has formed a part of frustration of inmates, who have often served punishment, prisons have a duty to prepare open prisons is undergoing a period of major release time, and with more prisons closing their time in the way society demands, now inmates for life in the outside world. Bearing upheaval, and many families and inmates many inmates have found themselves residing finding themselves unable to prove their suit- this in mind we have to ask ourselves whether trying to restart lives are becoming collateral in prisons far from their homes. ability for release may not only prove a con- stopping town visits or banning inmates from damage in these changes. tributory factor in rising suicide rates within In the eyes of many people the finger of ‘walking the streets’, in any way, helps prepare prisons, already up a scandalous 64%, but the them for engaging in these exact same activi- These issues are not just being raised by the blame, and the apparent bogeyman in this continued stalling of prisoner progression will ties when they are released? odd lone voice. A consensus is growing from scenario, seems to point squarely at Chris also surely hinder chances of achieving suc- those frequently exposed to the system, who Grayling, the Secretary of State for Justice - a An open prison system that works should cessful outcomes on re-offending rates. have the ‘inside’ knowledge, and who man whose actions and words scream denial surely be a stepping stone between the almost recognise the real flaws occurring in open of any crisis. Searching for one sole scapegoat artificial environment of a closed prison and Although the aims and purposes of our prisons prisons. Unfortunately these are voices that is rarely productive or helpful but there does the often daunting prospect of life outside. It will always involve some degree of retribution, lack any power as they usually come from the seem to be a direct line from most of Gray- should be a place to pick up extra life skills to even attempts at revenge in a number of disenfranchised; the ignored; the sidelined; ling’s ideas and policies to the situation that aid in this transition, research employment or cases, setting prisoners up to fail in this way is those who have experienced the process can now be found. The unknown factor is training options to avoid landing back in not only an inhumane way of dealing with the themselves and witnessed first hand its inade- whether it is down to a lack of strategic thinking society with no prospect of earning money problem of crime, it is also catastrophically quacies in preparing an individual either for a on his part, or whether he is, in fact, with the other than from crime, and to find accommo- short-sighted. This seems particularly true if temporary release or for a life in the outside assistance of the newspapers, achieving his dation when the social housing crisis means these aims are to ever include rehabilitation world. Ex-prisoners and their circles don’t own pre-defined set of objectives. that in most cases they will have little or no and creating end-products of individuals being form a strong lobby when it comes to getting priority until their release. With such chal- released as free of bitterness and aggression as a message across to a mainstream, but it is this The changes implemented by Chris Grayling in lenges ahead this period should be used as possible, and ready to function in society. mainstream that will have to bear much of the the wake of the high-profile absconders constructively as possible. cost of failed transitions. includes dramatically cutting down on ‘town visits’; a freeze on any day/weekend release The debate on the exact purpose of prisons is applications to stay with family; psychological a long and ongoing one. It is highly divisive risk assessments before any license can be and emotive, and as a society we have not granted which adds yet more delay and rown really reached satisfactory conclusions. Whether another level of bureaucracy into the system; C solicitors Expert advice is only a phone call away… • Criminal Defence and Appeals prisons are for retribution and punishment; and all prisoners to be tagged for day release THE Experts in Prison and Detention Law perfectly Specialising in all areas of criminal law, from minor taking people off the streets; or forming part when this option is eventually reintroduced. based in the Midlands with a 24/7 Nationwide Service offences to serious crimes - Murder, Fraud, of a rehabilitation process, the one issue there While some of these, on the surface, may seem • Adjudication hearings / appeals Conspiracy to Defraud, Confiscation Proceedings can be little doubt on is that if prisons create reasonable the result is a dramatic slowing • Parole hearings – paper / oral inmates ill-prepared for release the conse- down of what was hardly a seamless process Appeals, Variation and Discharge of Restraint Order • Licence conditions / recall and Money Laundering quences will be vast. even before the recent press coverage had • Re-categorisation / transfers shone a grossly biased light on the proceedings. • IPP Sentence issues / accessing courses • Immigration and Nationality Law • HDC / ROTL / MDT There have undoubtedly been incidents of Comprehensive solutions to immigration and British absconding in recent times which are alarming We are now consequently witnessing a reality • Foreign National Prisoners • Lifer panels / reviews nationality issues. and these have raised issues that need address- where large numbers of arbitrary decisions are • Terrorism / SIAC representation made to return prisoners to closed conditions ing. But a misleading picture, where hordes of • All Judicial Review work • Family Law dangerous criminals appear to be wandering with little or no evidence to back up decisions ALSO Divorce - sound advice about your rights and the our streets coming and going as they please and after Mr Grayling’s recent changes to • Criminal Defence - Magistrates, Crown, SIAC & Appeals options available from open prisons, has been portrayed to the legal aid they only have a slight chance of • Immigration - Tribunals, Asylum, Deportation prevention, public and led to a depressingly standard knee challenging such decisions; increased over- Human Rights - “WE get Bail” We cover the London area and jerk reaction to the problem. This kind of crowding, frustration and anger in a closed • Family and Child Care - Child contact/custody, Social all of the UK on serious matters. deception normally occurs because politicians prison system already at crisis point; and the Services care, divorce, separation, ancillary relief - “Know your rights” are predominantly big fans of a tough on effective breakdown of this most crucial stage * Legal Aid unavailable? Free initial assessment offered Please contact Anthony Mordi or crime rhetoric: it understandably plays well prior to release. This is a time when inmates with the media and large sections of the elec- often have to rebuild relationships with family, Contact: Shiva Misra LLB (Hons) Michael Okogwu torate. And part of that tough on crime message shake off the effects of being institutionalised, Crown Solicitors, 36 Church Street, Mordi & Co Solicitors is to be seen to be particularly tough on perpe- and hopefully begin to undergo this necessary Bilston, Wolverhampton, WV14 0AH trators of crime, even if this may lead to some staggered introduction to freedom and 01902 353 300 (24hr) First Floor 402 Holloway Road counter-productive measures. This is often increased responsibility. [email protected] London, N7 6PZ achieved in partnership with a compliant media Legal Aid work undertaken. Tel: (020) 7619 96 66 keen to provide the requisite level of outrage There is immense pressure on inmates during Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers this stage with so much at stake; a lot of 24 Hour Emergency: 07904 953 427 for change. Without an accurate analysis ›› ‹‹ being put forward by the media or govern- progress has already been made just to reach Registered with EMAP

Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Education 35 Rod’s look ahead to 2015

the sentiment behind these commitments, but challenges for the sector in 2014, there were Rod Clark PET has also expressed its concerns about the highlights too. Throughout our 25th anniver- Prisoners Education Trust, introduction of secure colleges in particular. As sary year we reflected on the many positive Chief Executive legislation was still going through parliament achievements of our learners and alumni; at the end of last year, the government simul- people who have overcome adversity and taneously continued with its plans and issued have changed their outlook on life, carved out his time last year I predicted that a consultation on the rules. In the Prisoner new futures and focused on being productive 2014 would be a year of anxiety Learning Alliance’s response, I expressed our citizens, both in prison and out. and opportunity. It was more concerns that the large size of the institution extreme than that. Over the past and distance from young people’s communi- In 2015, PET’s New Year’s resolution is to twelve months we’ve seen severe ties will severely compromise safety and build on the successes of its learners, staff and staffT shortages and dangerous conditions therefore, the ability of the College to function supporters over the past 25 years. Evidence impact negatively on education in some as an effective learning environment. Just this shows what we do works and we hope to prisons. Reduced regimes have meant week, a damning report on Feltham YOI iden- expand even further. Thanks to generous “When I came to prison it felt as prisoners unable to get to education and with tifying high levels of violence found that funding we are planning new projects for if I had lost everything. After a overcrowding, there have been not enough though education provision was good, attend- young people and women in prison and devel- period of undiagnosed depres- activity places for the population. Inspection ance was too low and sanctions imposed for oping our new alumni network. We are also in sion, self medicated with copious amounts report after inspection report has revealed a poor behaviour outside education sometimes the process of completing an ambitious project of alcohol, I irrationally set fire to my own saddening litany of problems and just this included missing classes. working with prisons to develop rehabilitative flat. So when I say I’d lost everything, I week a report of HMP Garth found staff cultures by taking advantage of the talent literally mean everything! shortages meant most prisoners could only As the government brings in a whole raft of prisoners possess and we look forward to eval- attend education or work for three and a half new changes this year, we sincerely hope uating the results this spring. More than material things, I’d lost my self- days per week. officials will listen to the expertise and experi- confidence, I’d lost all self-belief and par- ences of charities and organisations working In 2015 colossal changes are underway to ticularly any hope of returning to my Over the past few months the government to deliver services that are really making a dif- probation and prisons. As the landscape previous role as a ‘jobbing artist’, painting has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to ference to the lives of people in prison. In changes with new community rehabilitation murals, meeting client briefs, facilitating education, with recent announcements spring last year we brought many of these companies beginning to carve out their plans art projects and producing my own doubling the amount of education young organisations together for the PLA’s Smart to help people leaving prison, it is our hope artworks. It had all gone. people receive and a new holistic women’s Rehabilitation conference, where criminal they will see education is one of the clear Shortly after I’d settled in, as much as one curriculum. At the PET annual lecture NOMS justice and education experts together pathways to reducing reoffending and will can settle in prison, I got the opportunity to Chief Executive Michael Spurr gave a heartfelt discussed the benefits of a tailored education work closely with prisons to plan individuals’ attend an art class during the day. I started commitment to support the needs of longer- package encompassing a broad range of activities in custody and after release. tentatively, working through a short course, sentenced prisoners. PET very much welcomes subjects and styles of learning. Despite the struggling to meet my own standards. Although difficult and frustrating, I felt a spark of my creative fire and I was eager to do my own thing. Further Education doesn’t have to I was told Prisoners’ Education Trust may be able to fund some basic materials for me. These would help with the course but just be about employment more than that allow me to practice my art in my cell. sweating through exams to please a potential tion, Dan was guided to the computer, I was granted the funds and obtained some Jon Lindsay employer. Your life can be enriched by something he’s never used before, where he quality pencils. When they arrived it was education in ways other than finding a job. learned to touch-type. With just a few hours a an absolute delight and in no time I was Further education can mean making the most week effort, Dan was typing his stories like producing art to my standards, I was of your time behind bars, developing a new any proficient computer user. Dan is now feeling more confident and with that my outlook on your future and building your self- studying a Fiction Writing correspondence course depression was lifting. confidence. Take Dan’s story, for example. through distance learning and has submitted his stories to the Koestler competition. The breakthrough came when I drew a Dan is a big guy in his fifties. Sociable and portrait of Albert Einstein for no other quick with a funny story, Dan is a good guy to Through distance learning, Dan has increased reason than to prove I could still do it. I know. Although he’s been a successful farmer, his confidence and self-esteem. He’s pro- have since won awards from the Koestler when he entered prison he realised his basic gressed by leaps and bounds and now has an Trust and had work exhibited at the Royal education wasn’t up to scratch. He quickly activity he can use when he leaves prison. He Festival Hall in London. I have also had progressed through the Toe by Toe to tighten can spend his retirement writing his funny work included in various local art projects up his literacy, and then he swiftly passed stories and sharing his knowledge of farming. and completed pieces for the prison. through Level 1 and Level 2. He was soon fre- Dan’s knowledge will be handed on to his I owe my gratitude to PET because those quently seen lurking in the prison library friends and family as well as the community. few materials really allowed me the oppor- checking out detective novels. With his new Dan can make a valued contribution to society. tunity to express myself creatively and as a confidence in literacy Dan never gave further Dan can also hold his head up high knowing consequence my depression and self-belief © xalanx - Fotolia learning a thought. He had money in the he’s as smart as the next guy and can learn has gone from dark to light and colourful. bank, was nearing retirement and had no anything he puts his mind to. Maybe it’s not I also owe a great deal to the prison art an said he wasn’t interested in need to learning anything more than the all about certifications and qualifications, but if department and my tutor for the chance to further education. “I can read and basics of what he already had. Or did he? they gave out certificates for self-esteem and turn a very negative frame of mind into a write well enough,” he said. personal confidence, I know Dan would have them positive, brighter one. “Besides, I already know what Dan and I spoke frequently about his personal thanks to his commitment to further education. I’m going to do when I leave jail.” life. He revealed some issues around confi- When I’m released I plan to have my own D dence and self-esteem. He often referred to Further education doesn’t need to focus online gallery. I have so many pictures queuing In the distance learning unit of HMP Parc we himself as not very bright. But I can assure you strictly on employment. Consider studying to up in my mind waiting to be painted so the hear a lot of excuses from people who don’t Dan’s knowledge of farming and hunting increase your self-confidence, create a new materials you funded will be getting well want to study. “I’m too old to learn anything could fill the libraries of academic colleges. He positive direction, spend your time in jail more used over the coming months. Once again new.” “I’ve had a tough time in school so the also had us in stitches with his many stories of productively and fill your future with interest- many thanks - art is so underes- last thing I want is more frustration while I’m life in the shooting club. ing activities and people. There’s a corre- timated in helping someone’s locked up.” spondence course to help you succeed in just mental health.” Dan was encouraged to have a go at writing about whatever you wish to learn. Just ask But education doesn’t have to be about some of his stories down. With great trepida- your education department. by John Insidetime February 2015 36 Short Story www.insidetime.org

‘Oi, dippy,’ the man said from somewhere dressed in prison greys. behind him. ‘You’re going to end up doing yourself a serious injury. Aint it dawned on ‘Do you seriously expect me to believe all you yet? I’m not actually here. This is just this?’ He asked the man. some sort of weird dream, either yours or mine, I’m not entirely sure.’ The man shook his head then pulled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo of a pair of fluffy dice Blake held his head. on his forearm. Blake pulled up his own sleeve to reveal the still red and blotchy tattoo he’d ‘Look,’ the man said, ‘This is kind of strange, I had done just yesterday - a pair of fluffy diced. grant you, but I’m you, twenty years from For the first time in his life he was totally now. Somehow, here I am in a cell with my speechless. younger friends. I remember being in this very The competition attracted a record 624 entries from men, women and children in cell, waiting for my release papers to be ‘I was outside less than a month,’ the man prisons and the community. Judges included Rachel Billington OBE, Kingslee ‘Akala’ signed.’ said, ‘before getting myself lifed-off. Fast Daley, Erwin James, Michael Morpurgo OBE, Chris Mullin and Femi Oyeniran. forward nearly twenty years and I was just Prizes were awarded in three categories for comment, short story and lyric/rap. Now he really looked at the man, Blake had to laying there thinking about how much time admit it, the man did look very much like him, I’ve wasted in prison when, suddenly, here I Here Inside Time publishes the winning entry in the ‘Time’ 1,000 word short story albeit somewhat older. am looking at my younger self right before I prize category, Every Passing Moment by Daniel. The judges said the winning piece got out and really messed things up. Look, I showed”skill in telling an unusual tale, a worthy winner”. ‘How can this be?’ Blake asked, confused and don’t know if this is my dream or your dream, sore. or what the hell’s going on here but, if this is somehow real, if you are real, if I really am ‘I don’t know.’ The man said. ‘Some sort of talking to my younger self, then know this: the ‘That time goes too quickly sometimes,’ the lucid dream. Listen, it’s not important. Instead, past and the future, they don’t really exist. man said. for once in your life, just shut up and listen. The past is gone and the future is yet to Every You think you’re clever, but you’re not. happen. All you have is the present moment. Blake glanced around the cell. He felt the Tonight you’ll be in the boozer bragging about It’s the only reality there is.’ slightly strange sensation of being in the you done the time standing on your head. middle of a conversation that he couldn’t Believe me, you won’t do the next twenty ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Blake asked. Passing remember the beginning of. standing on your head.’ His older self looked slightly frustrated. ‘It ‘It doesn’t seem to be going very quick right ‘I’m never coming back to prison.’ Blake said. means now is your point of power. Every now,’ he said, looking at his bare wrist, passing moment is another chance to start Moment wishing he had a watch. The man nodded knowingly. ‘Yeah, I remember turning your life around. Use your present thinking exactly that but, trust me, unless you wisely, you’re painting your future with it.’ by Daniel ‘But how about the last six years?’ The man listen to what I’m saying right now, you’re asked. ‘How quick have they gone?’ definitely coming back - for a long, long time.’ ‘I don’t get it,’ Blake said. Blake stood now, confused. ‘Do I know you?’ icky Blake had done it. He’d The man sounded sombre and reflective. Blake ‘You will.’ His older self said, vanishing as served his time. Six years he’d noticed for the first time that the man was quickly as he’d appeared. been sentenced to and six years ‘Not exactly,’ the man said. he’d served. Today, he was finally ‘Then how do you know I’ve done a six?’ going home. He might have been Rout and home a lot earlier were it not for the The man smiled slightly but didn’t speak. stubborn streak that ran through him like the name of a seaside town through a stick of rock. Blake’s jaw tightened.

As Ricky Blake waited alone in the reception ‘What do you mean not exactly?’ he asked the holding cell for his release papers to be signed man, annoyed. ‘What are you trying to do, off he smiled smugly. He’d done things his mess with my head or something?’ way, on his own terms. As far as he was Getting your life back on track concerned, he’d won. In less than an hour The man carried on smiling. Blake’s temples Ricky Blake would be a free man, answerable started to pulse a little. after you leave prison isn’t easy. to no one. He looked at the cell door. Time definitely seemed to be dragging this morning. ‘See,’ the man said, ‘There you go again, We understand. He lay back on the hard wooden bunk and getting all irritated. What is it with you? When rested his tired eyes. are you going to learn?’ Are you residing or being released in London? ‘Funny how quick the time goes, in it?’ a deep ‘Who do you think you’re talking to?’ Blake voice intoned above him. said, tightening his fist. Our service will support you with: • Benefits and Housing advice • Getting identification documents • Blake bolted upright. He’d only just closed his ‘I wouldn’t do that,’ the man said, looking at eyes and he definitely hadn’t heard the door Blake’s clenched fist. ‘Why are you so irritated • GP registration • Mental health advice • Drug and Alcohol advice • open or close. He rubbed his eyes and glanced all the time? You’re just about to get out of • Employment and training advice • up at the man now standing in front of him. prison, just about to get another chance at life, yet here you are losing your temper over the ‘What time is it?’ he asked the man. slightest little thing, the same temper that’s We will help you develop a plan for positive change got you in trouble your whole life I might add. The man shrugged. You can be such an idiot at times.’ If you are being released in London, contact the Offender Advice Line The lines etched into the man’s leathery face ‘Right,’ Blake shouted, swinging his fist at the 0800 035 6471 (Freephone) or 020 8690 8561 betrayed his advanced years but he was man’s jaw. Penrose otherwise in pretty good shape for a man of If you are being released in the South his age. Blake put him somewhere in his mid- A second later Blake felt an explosion of pain Solutions London area, visit our resource centre for fifties. in his knuckles. He’d somehow missed the www.penrose.org.uk One to One Support man and hit the hard concrete wall. Somehow ‘I must have dozed off,’ Blake said. ‘I didn’t the man was now standing behind him, 2nd Floor, Ivy House, Bradgate Road even hear the door go.’ laughing. Blake spun round and lunged for the London SE6 4TT man. Once again, though, he missed, this time [email protected] The guy nodded, then said: ‘So do you agree?’ crashing head-first into the wall. A sickening pain erupted in his forehead and quickly Registered name: Penrose Options - Registered in England No. 8466743 and with the Charity Commission: 1151455 Blake furrowed his brow. ‘Agree with what?’ engulfed his whole body. Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Wellbeing 37

Head-to-Knee Come down as far as you can. 10 breaths each side Bridge Preparation Focus and and Bridge Push up your hips and stay like this for 2 deep breaths. Gently place your back on the face the day ﬂ oor again and rest. Repeat.

The Prison Phoenix Trust We all have times when we feel overwhelmed - when your head is spinning, you can’t concentrate and you don’t know what to do next. Not a nice feeling! In this state, you make mistakes, forget things, or sometimes do things you regret. Yoga and meditation are perfect for handling these kinds of feelings and preparing to face whatever’s troubling you. If you do the poses below while breathing as deeply and slowly as you can, you’ll feel better, calmer and more centred at the end. Do them every day and you may fi nd that as well as your body getting suppler and stronger, you aren’t as easily wound up. If you don’t have time to do the whole sequence, but you can feel yourself getting over- Rest whelmed by panic or anger, just take 10 deep, slow breaths. Tuning into 20 breaths the breath can really help if you are interested in calmness, happiness and the real you. The breath is always with you, waiting to help.

Child 10 breaths Down Dog 5 breaths

Sitting Sitting with a straight back however is comfortable for you. Keep your eyes open Standing Forward Bend and breathe normally in and out through 5 breaths the nose. Count the breaths silently to yourself, in 1, out 2, in 3, out 4 and so on, up to 10, and then start from 1 again. If you lose count, it doesn’t matter. Just come back to 1 and keep going. Do this for 5 mins

THE PRISONTHE PHOENIXPRISON TRUST HeadPHOENIX doing TRUST you in? Stressed out? Eagle and Easy Eagle Head doing you in? Triangle Can’t sleep? Wrap your left arm under your right Stressed out? arm and touch your palms together. 5 breaths each side If they don’t reach, do the easy Simple yogaCan’t and sleep? meditation version. 5 breaths each side practice, workingSimple yoga with and silence and the breath,meditation might practice, just transformworking with your silence and the breath, might just transform If you want a free book and CD to help you life in more ways set up a regular yoga and meditation your life in more ways than practice write to: The Prison Phoenix Trust, than youyou think... think ... Interested? PO Box 328, Oxford OX2 7HF. The Prison Phoenix Trust supports prisoners and Write to The Prison Phoenix Trust prison offi cers in their spiritual lives P.O.BoxInterested? 328, Oxford, OX2 7HF. through meditation and yoga, working with silence and the breath. The Trust Write We’dto loveThe to hear Prison from you anytime Phoenix and have Trustsupports people of any religion or none. P.O.Boxseveral 328,free books, Oxford, which could help OX2 you 7HFWe also run weekly yoga classes for build and maintain a daily practice. inmates and prison staff.

We’d love to hear from you anytime and have several free books, which could help you build and maintain a daily practice. Insidetime February 2015 38 Terry Waite Writes www.insidetime.org

of. If you are very widely read and have gone deeply into sides of life that you have not actually experienced then you may be able to write about that but a good rule of From over the wall thumb is to start with what you know and weave a story out of that. You don’t necessarily need to sit down and wonder what on Terry Waite writes his monthly column for Inside Time earth you are going to say in the fi rst sentence. Spend time working things out in your head. Daydream. Let your mind explore different situations. Travel across the world and take yourself into other worlds. It’s possible even though you will be constantly disturbed Terry Waite CBE by the never ending din of prison life. When you come to writing remember it is a hard slog. There will be days when the words or the past few weeks I have been just fl ow and days when you just can’t think occupied with many things including of what to say. Don’t worry, just keep at it. preparing for the launch of a new book in April. This is the fourth Long Walk to Prison Diaries A Rusty Gun The Little Book Letters from Your book may never be published, or may book of mine to be published and Freedom Nelson Denis Noel Smith of Prison Birmingham Jail even be rejected by possible publishers. letF me tell you it’s a hard slog. Often prisoners Mandela MacShane Frankie Owens Martin Luther King Don’t worry. Many of the fi nest writers have feel that they would like to write a book and had dozens of rejections and the world is indeed some very good books have found vidual has a unique life experience and thus that I am a dreadful speller and although I love littered with unpublished manuscripts. My their inspiration from behind bars and some has stories which will interest others. After words I can’t spell for toffee. These two latest book, due to be published in April, is a have become best sellers. Of course you serving a while in prison, life becomes very handicaps meant that I avoided writing for comic novel and it was not an easy job to get have a head start if you are already known to familiar with the same routine day in and day years. What saved me was when my father it into print because so many publishers the public as were some of the politicians out but it is a life totally strange to the vast gave me his old Olivetti typewriter and associated me with serious books and not who were locked up in recent years. Before majority of the population. Who are you? although my spelling was not great I could with humour. Well, we shall see if they were they ever put pen to paper the general public How did your life unfold? If this is your fi rst now write more comfortably. These days with right in not wanting it. I really don’t care too were interested in them and so it was not too time inside what are your observations? What a keyboard and a computer the spellchecker much how many it sells. I enjoyed writing it. diffi cult for them to get an agent and even- are the positive aspects of prison life and of solves the second problem. Well, almost. The It has made many people who have read the tually a publisher. It’s not so easy if you are course what are the negatives? Within this spellchecker is not always right and I often draft laugh and that is fi ne by me. If it brings not already a ‘public name’. broad framework there are a wealth of experi- know when a word is not correct even though in a bob or two so much the better. So, if you ences and stories to tell. If there is a creative I have a problem in spelling it. are thinking of putting pen to paper why not Broadly speaking, books written by prisoners have a go and if you never had a proper fall into two broad groupings. There are the writing group which you can access in your prison it may well be worth your while to When I fi rst started to write with the type- chance to learn to read or write well, I only classic memoirs which detail the everyday writer I thought I needed to impress by using hope your prison is enlightened enough to events of different forms of captivity. The attend, even if you have never written a word in your life. long and complicated words. That was a total provide you with the opportunity to learn. often horrifying memories written by former mistake. I had to learn to write as simply as I You won’t regret it. prisoners of war make the reader wonder It took me years to enjoy writing for one very could and as you will see, if you have read this how on earth these people survived such simple reason. When I was in my fi rst school, far, I have not yet mastered this art. conditions. Then there is whole collection of just after the war, we had to write with steel Terry Waite was a successful hostage Hostage memoirs and of course some of the nib pens and real ink which was in an inkwell The second main group of books written by negotiator before he himself was held classic works recounting the day to day lives on the desk. I am left handed and my teachers serving or former prisoners are novels and the captive in Beirut between 1987 and 1991 of civilian prisoners. It’s a cliche often repeated tried to convert me to the right hand without like which are not literally true but are based (more than 20 years ago). He was held that everyone has a book somewhere inside success. I could not manage this as I constantly on the writer’s experience. There is the clue. If captive for 1763 days; the fi rst four years them and generally speaking this is true. Not smudged my writing across the page and you are going to write a novel, write about of which were spent in solitary confi nement. everyone can write, certainly, but every indi- writing became a terrible burden. Apart from something you know or have had experience

Need Inside Advice? Subject to Confiscation Proceedings? David Phillips and Partners Need advice concerning the Variation or can help out. Enforcement of a Confiscation Order? We offer legal advice and representation on:· We are specialists in Serious Fraud • Independent Adjudications work, enjoying close links with the • Recall - written representations and oral hearings country’s top financial experts. • Parole - written representations and oral hearings “Sources respect IK&P for its high profile caseload covering serious fraud...” Chambers & Partners 2013 Leading Firm 0151 236 3331 Contact James O’Hara or Balvinder Gill "I would like to thank DPP and most of all Rachel on 0207 404 3004 Barrow. I feel no other legal firm could do a better job! Even the Prison Governor commented on David Phillips or freephone 0800 012 4498 and Partners by saying he had never known in his time any solicitor to put so much hard work into a case. Thank you once again." Wesley Lafferty We specialise in all prison law matters including: Escape the technicalities and let us fight your case - call Parole Hearings, (IA) Adjudications, Recalls & Appeals. us now and ask for our Specialist Prison Law team. If your matter no longer falls under legal aid, we can still assist Established 1982 - Top ten provider of Criminal Defence you for a small fixed fee. If you feel that you have been treated services 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012. unfairly within the prison system or have been the subject of an David Phillips and Partners irrational decision made against you, call us now to discuss your Solicitors and Higher Court Advocates possible claim in judicial review. 1st Floor, Oriel Chambers, Contact Niall Brooks or Kirsty Neill 14 Castle Street, Liverpool L2 8TD 47 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8SP Almy & Thomas Solicitors 71 Abbey Road Torquay TQ2 5NL Nationwide Service 01803 299 131 or Freephone 0808 178 9060 www.ikandp.co.uk ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Valentine’s 39

Robert, Aaron, Emma, Mum - love & miss you all so my wife this year, in my heart always. Love Charles

much. I’ll be home soon. Love Lisa Lisa, my sexy lady I was meant to come to prison to Mum, I low you, I miss you always, thanks for everything meet you, I even timed my visits to meet a wonderful you have done for me in my lifetime. Love Maria xxx person. I love you x Tanya xxxx

Madelena one dream what always try draw for my To Leanne the love of my life, happy Valentine’s. I love heart, but now draw exist in my life. I love you you with all my heart xxxx Love always from Alan xxx Huguinho x

Nikki, you have done every day with me, without you To Gail, roses are red, violets are blue, great for us this would have been so hard, you’re so special to me. both, cause I’m home soon. Love Ken xxx All my love Mark O xxx

To Jackie G; Roses are red, violets are blue, Elvis To my dearest darling Naomi, happy Valentine’s day rocks and so do you. Love you always Stu xx For my sexy hubby, Simeon, happy Valentine’s day you. Vicky xxxx bubs, I love you with all my heart forever & always. Andy xxxx To my darling Carrie (Caz), thank you for coming back my baby. A love like ours gets even stronger with To my Lauren I love you so much. I dream of your into my life and making me the happiest man on these days we have to spend apart. You are my lover, Happy V day Damini, words can’t express how much beauty. I will be back with you soon. Your dearest earth. You are my Valentine’s love every day. I love my soul mate & my best friend. I love you with all my you mean to me. Thank you for always being there for Richard xxxx you with all my heart. Your darling Graham (Taz) xxx heart. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together. me. 143 until the end. Love from Raj Miss you like crazy too. Love your wifey Ellie xxxx Warren I love & miss you more than ever, please be The only person to really love me, support me and my Valentine. Your girl Kellie aka Ferret Face xxxx Natalie, I want you to be mine forever. You are my one Jessy, you’re my girl & I love you loads. Love Kellie xx always be there for me through all the hard and good true love. Love you always Adz xxxx Thinking of you all the time. miss you millions, you are times. You’ll always be my Valentine Mum. Love Dannkia Brown happy Valentine’s day, I love you Michelle Latimer I love & miss you so much stay always Thomas xx my world. Love you always your Khanny AKZ4LYF xxx millions with all my heart forever & ever. Love your strong. Love Lee xxxx wifey Vicky xxxxx Amreen, the new year was not right without you. Seni Nicola Johnson make me the happiest, proudest man

seviyorum, thinking of you always. see you soon Mwah xx Lucy you complete me, I will always love you & forever ever by agreeing to become my wife. Love you baby Spud, loving you is everything I could wish for. I love be your baby boy & best friend! Adey Soko xxx Grant xxx c c c you with all my heart. Always & forever Emma xxx To my very much loved one, sorry I’m not with you

today, but baby I promise you I’m home soon. Love Vicky Byron love you always & forever my stunningly To my darling wife Elaine, love you always no matter From the very first time we met I knew we would be beautiful & sexy iccl wifey. Cuddles n kisses your what the future holds, all my love Paul xxx you always your hubs Richard xxx forever. Happy Valentine’s day babe. All my love Richie xxx Lauren xxxx To my wife Margaret, thank you for all your love & To my beautiful girlfriends Sha Niu and Xiao Xin have

support. Together forever & always, your devoted To my beautiful Mandy, you mean the world to me a good Valentine’s day. Da Shi Xiong loves you two xx To my soul mate Emma, I love you more with each husband Craig xxxxx happy Valentine’s day. All my love today & always breath I take. Always yours Ellen aka Spud xxx Happy Valentine’s day Richard, sending you all my Matt xxxx Donna, thanks for standing by me. I love you a little bit love today, tomorrow and forever. You complete me. Aiden, good times ahead. Looking forward to May. & no more from Mark xxx Love you babes. Jane xxx Love you loads & loads Rainbow xx

Dear Jessica I’m thinking of you always. Madly in To my hubby John Maughan, happy Valentine’s day Twinkle, no distance or time can stop our true found love, can’t get you out of my mind. Love you forever baby. Love and miss you always, your wife Jane xxx love. My love for you is beyond words. A bond so Stephen xxxx close however far apart we are, I love you today, Happy Valentine’s day babe, I love you more than tomorrow, always & forever. Happy Valentine’s. Your Syl, pleae be my Valentine, I love you with all my heart words describe, next Valentine’s day we will be & always will. Keep strong babes, love Karl xx together. All my love Gemma Sparkles x Vicky Lamb; for my angel princess, I love you uncon- To my darling wife Katie, happy Valentine’s day - we Tash, you’re my lover, best friend, my soul mate, my ditionally & that will never change until the end of have so much to look forward to Princess! Love you one, happy Valentine’s day, forever and always for all time & longer. Love Dannika xxx Darri xxx eternity. Love Sarah xx

Jodie Lee, my one & only, my heart belongs to you & Roses are red, violets are blue, can’t wait to come To my sexy babe Sheree, you’ll always be my one and home, just to be with you. I love you BBE xxx only Valentine. Missing you, loads of love Dean xxxx yours to me, I love you baby. Happy Valentine’s, snuggles & cuddles Karl xxxx You are not just my fiancé, you are my world. Happy Rachel, I’ll never forget you was there for me when To my baby Helen Cooke, I love you more than words Valentine’s day Han, I’ll always love you uncondition- My baby Clare, happy Valentine’s. I love you all the world, nobody else was. Happy Valentine’s day my queen. describe. You’re my everything, my number one now ally. Ben xx only 8 months Babe. All my love your angel JM xx Love Kyle xxx and always, your wifey Emma xxxx Happy Valentine’s

To my darling wife Vicky, I truly love you 100% with day xx Dawny D my princess, happy Valentine’s day. This is Chelsea, you mean the world to me, I love you. Love all my heart & soul forever together. Love Noel. Xxx our year babe. All my love your husb& Gary D xxxx from Baby Kini xxx I love you Peter Riley, you’re my soul mate. I couldn’t

Happy Valentine’s Kayleigh I’ll love you always, I’ll imagine my life without you. Marry me please. Love Simeon you are my life, my light, my sunshine. Happy Evette since you came into my life you’ve brought a never forget the amazing times we had together, always Shane Peake xx Valentine’s day. Love you always & forever. Nicole xxx new happiness & a world where all my dreams thank you for everything. Xxx become possible. Love Lofton xxxx To Sparkles, missing you more every day. Happy Val- Happy Valentine’s day, I lus you pink pinks, bum bum, You mean the world to me Ms Molly B love you with entine’s day, lots of love Kevin xxx balls balls love from Sophie To my little sexy Minx Amanda, happy Valentine’s day all my heart Mwah Mwah xxx my princess. Lots of love your big strong sexy man Kieran G. You’re my strength. My love. Amazing You! E x Deano, thanx for the Christmas card. Soz for not being Gary xxx My dearest princess Samantha, I’m yours forever, in touch. Take care & happy Valentine’s. Love Lisa xxx I asked God for a flower and he gave me a meadow, I can’t wait to ‘fabuyrtc’ happy Valentine’s day Babes. You & our kids have given me the strength & courage asked God for water and he gave me sea, I asked God Hi Mr Handsome! Happy Valentine’s babe. Hope you Love you always Pete xxxx to change our lives. I am nothing without you. With for love and he gave me YOU. Happy Valentine’s day! are ok. I love you with all my heart S xxxx To my baby Courtney, I love you with all my heart, I’ll love xxx I love you Patty! Your Concha xxx be home soon. You’re my life, happy Valentine’s day. Hey Jarhead! Just wanna say happy Valentine’s! Well I love you Darren Noel, will you marry me this year? Love Shane xxx To Becky you’re my life, you’re my rock, happy Valen- gorjus keep that schmile on yer dial, no matter what! I’m home March little Monkey baby your looney tune xxx tine’s day. Lots of love yours forever love John Hoe xxx Lee xxxx Holly Huxford, I love you c I don’t wanna miss a chance

Well my sexy princess happy Valentine’s day Paigey. I with you. Will you marry me baby? Love Clint xx Princess Vicky, happy Valentine’s day. Roses are red, To all you beautiful dames of jail all Cheery Valentine. love you with all my heart. AAF love your baby boy violets are blue, sugar is sweet but not as sweet as Luv right - C Davison HMP Exeter Roses are red, the sea is blue, I can’t wait one day to Darren-Mark xxxxxxx c c c you c love you from the bottom of my heart. Martina xxxx be back home with you. Be my Valentine’s you’re very Sweetheart, I love & adore you. My heart will always Dipsy, wifey, KJ, Kirsty, my wife to be, I really can’t special to me Diane Burgess. From your loving husb& Adele Black, you’re my life, my soul mate & every- wait to have you next to me. Love AJ Barry xxxxxxx thing else babe! Happy Valentine’s day. Lots of love belong to you. Forever yours, love your sexy little numskull xx Tushy xxxxx Babes, you are my angel. A beautiful wife, a caring mother, High tension, true love is hard to find but we found it. my best friend. I love you always & forever. Xx My heart belongs to you forever! Floopies forever! Xxxx Dods, happy Valentine’s day. You mean everything to My drillmaster, our love will last forever, we’re meant me & I can’t wait to be your wife. Yours forever Dumps xxxx to be together, it’s written in the stars, love always Happy Valentine’s day Sissy Girl. I love you baby girl & Gaynor, the most gorgeous, loving wonderful sexy Chantelle xx I will see you soon, with love Steve xxx Valentine you make me feel wanted, loved & happy. Sarah, my princess, happy Valentine’s. Thank you for

Your future husb& Wayne. xxx being there. I love you so much. All my love Budge xxx Jason, you are my world & I love you more than you To the love of m life & soon to be wife. I loves ya tons know. Happy Valentine’s day. Love from R xxx Gail Wilson. Happy Valentine’s day xxxx Lydia, you’re my reason for getting up every morning. You Harley-Jane, in my darkest moments you are always

give me the strength to survive. Thank you, love you xxx at my side. You’re my Valentine guardian angel. Love Katrina, you’re my lover, friend & soul mate. I couldn’t Andrea you are my soul mate & the love of my life. Big Daddy x imagine life without you. Happy Valentine’s day, love Love Simon xx My stunning wife Gail, I’ve loved you from day one always Gareth xxxx and I will always love you, you’re gorgeous Love Lee xxx Jordan, my first, my last, my everything. You will always Nicola Hendy, I loved you then, I love you still, I always be my Valentine. Love you millions Samantha xxxx Craig, Roses are red, prison wife is blue, Memphis, have, I always will love Dean xxx Dear Carol baby, my love, my life, my soul mate; be kettle, Dickens & Gym, look to our future, just me & Insidetime February 2015 40 News from the House www.insidetime.org

Parliamentary Questions Highlights from the House of Commons

Prison Accommodation Secure Training Centres stitutions from May 2010. While the National Offender Management Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Service (NOMS) collects the total number of Justice, what new additional capacity in the Justice, what estimate he has made of the Average Distance from Home (miles) for prisoners held in crowded conditions (e.g. adult prison estate is (a) planned or (b) average distance from home of young people Young Offenders two prisoners held in a cell designed for one, under construction; which prisons are so accommodated in secure training centres in 12 or three prisoners held in a cell designed for affected; how many additional units are each year since May 2010. May 2010 - April 2011 49 45 two) it does not centrally record how many being created through such work; and when May 2011 - April 2012 52 50 prisoners were held in a cell designed for each additional space will come on stream. Andrew Selous: Overall crime and proven May 2012 - April 2013 51 51 one prisoner and shared it with more than offending by young people has fallen in May 2013 - April 2014 54 50 one other prisoner. To identify the number of Andrew Selous: This Government will always recent years. Fewer young people have 1 Secure Training Centres prisoners who were held in a cell designed ensure that we have enough prison places entered the criminal justice system and as a 2 Young Offender Institutions for one but shared it with more than one for those sent to us by the courts and we result fewer young people have ended up in other prisoner in each of the last four years continue to modernise the prison estate so custody. To deliver the best value for taxpay- would require manually going through indi- that it delivers best value for the taxpayer. ers we have reduced the number of youth vidual prison cell certifi cate records in each We have a long term strategy for managing custody places. Prison Accommodation prison, followed by a manual trawl of prison- the prison estate which will provide more The Youth Justice Board (YJB) is responsible Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of ers’ individuals records to identify each pris- adult male prison capacity than we inherited for the placement of young people in custody. State for Justice, how many offenders held oner’s cell location in each of the last four years. from the previous Government. We also have Young people are placed in establishments in a cell designed for one inmate shared it a range of contingencies available to manage that can most effectively manage their indi- with (a) one other and (b) more than one Secure Training Centres temporary or unexpected increases in the vidual needs. While every effort is made to other inmate in each of the last four years. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for population. place young people as close to home as pos- Justice, which of the four secure training Four new house-blocks (which will be com- sible, other factors are taken into account in Andrew Selous: Figures for the number of centres currently operating in England has pleted by May 2015) consisting of a total of placement decisions, such as age, suitability prisoners held two to a cell designed for one received the best rating from Ofsted. 1,250 new places are being delivered at of regime, risk of self-harm and the risk of (known as ‘doubling’) are set out in the table HMPs Thameside, The Mount, Parc and Pe- harm to other. below for the years 2008-09 to 2013-14. Andrew Selous: All currently operating terborough. These places will open when The YJB holds data on the distance from Secure Training Centres were rated ‘good’ in they are required. home of young people accommodated in % of average prisoner population held their most recent Ofsted reports. We are also delivering around 500 places by Secure Training Centres and Young Offender two to a cell designed for one April 2015 through small scale investments Institutions. “Home” is defi ned as a young Prisons: Publications at the following prisons: Cardiff, Chelmsford, person’s address at the time of placement. If 2008-09 23.1% Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of Deerbolt, Hatfi eld, Hewell, Hollesley Bay, no address is recorded, the address of the 2009-10 22.7% State for Justice, with reference to the deci- Humber, Kirkham, Lancaster Farms, Littlehey, Youth Offending Team overseeing the young 2010-11 22.7% sion by Mr Justice Collins of 5 December The Mount, Norwich, Standford Hill, Stoke person is used as a proxy. 2011-12 23.3% 2014 on the legality of a ban on sending Heath, Swansea, Thorn Cross, Wandsworth, 2012-13 22.2% books into prison, when he plans to amend Warren Hill, Wymott. We are also construct- Table A: Average distance from home (in 2013-14 21.9% the rules of the Incentives and Earned Privi- ing a new, modern 2,106 place prison for North miles) for young people in Secure Training leges scheme in line with that judgement. Wales in Wrexham, to be opened in 2017. Centres and in Under 18 Young Offender In-

Criminal Defence Solicitors The Con�iscation Law Specialists FRAUD Facing Conﬁscation Proceedings? SERIOUS CRIME A di cult Con iscation Proceedings can often be more lengthy and PROCEEDS OF CRIME complex than the criminal case that came before. Having situation a specialist� team of lawyers onon youryo side to ight your case can make all the difference.e. Call 0161 794 0088 or � needs a At Criminal Defence Solicitors we specialise in providing Freephone 0808 155 4870 expert representation and advice at every stage of the Nationwide Service con iscation process, even where we did not act for you lawyer in your original Crown Court case. � We have extensive experience in revising prosecution who bene it calculations, challenging criminal lifestyle will assumptions and working with forensic technology Mary Monson specialists� and accountants to prepare, analyse and Founder and Principal Solicitor present complex inancial evidence to the advantage of “Fearless and endlessly generous” our clients. Michael Mans eld QC � If your case requires expert representation, contact us today.

Salford O ce O ces also in ght 87 Chorley Road London Swinton Birmingham Manchester M27 4AA Manchester

CRIMINAL DEFENCE SOLICITORS www.marymonson.co.uk FREEPOST: RSJS- SHTS- HHGB www.fraud-lawyer.co.uk Humanity, Expertise and a Fighting Mentality 227/228 STRAND, LONDON, WC2R 1BE

Tel: 0800 051 1069

Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org News from the House 41

Andrew Selous: We need to await the terms The second table shows the number of IPP of the Court Order before we can decide how prisoners whose minimum tariff expiry date House of Lords: Secure colleges best to fulfil the ruling of the Court. has passed and who were sentenced on or The judgment in this case was surprising, as after 14 July 2008, by offence, as at 30 Sep- there was never a specific ban on books. The tember 2014. where others have tried and failed? Why restrictions on parcels have been in exist- has he not released any research, scientific ence across most of the prison estate for or otherwise, proving that he is right and Violence against the person 480 that every single organisation and individu- many years and for very good reasons. Pris- Sexual offences 411 oners have access to the same library service al in the country who knows anything about Drug offences 2 dealing with troubled young people is wrong? as the rest of us, and can buy books through Robbery 286 the prison shop. Burglary 43 I mentioned the need for healthcare, par- Theft and handling 2 ticularly mental health care, to be of equal Prison Sentences Other offences 172 status with education in deciding the ethos Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Offence not recorded 3 Lord Ramsbotham (CB): I have a confession of the secure college. Since then, I have Justice, how many and what proportion of Total 1399 to make about the whole secure college heard yet more evidence that healthcare prisoners serving indeterminate sentences proposal. For the first time in my life, I feel provision is imperfectly understood in the of imprisonment for public protection ashamed to be British because I am so ap- Ministry of Justice. I have told the House of 52.2% of the total number of IPP prisoners, handed down before 14 July 2008 are beyond palled that anyone should have dreamt it the number of children in custody with who were sentenced on or after 14 July 2008, their minimum tariff; and what offences up, let alone tried to blandish Parliament speech, language and communication needs, have passed their tariff expiry date. each such prisoner committed. with spurious claims that an entirely un- and the remarkable results that speech and tested and unevaluated proposal involving language therapists can achieve with them. Andrew Selous: The indeterminate sentence The third table shows the number of IPP increased education will reduce children’s prisoners whose minimum tariff expiry date of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) offending. All the available evidence, not When the time comes, I invite the whole has passed, by offence, as at 30 September was abolished in late 2012, but not retro- least that the smaller the establishment the House, both those in the Chamber and 2014. spectively. It is for the independent Parole better when children and young people are those waiting to be whipped, to cast aside Board to determine whether a prisoner detained - which I recognise from my expe- party politics and approach this issue from serving an IPP should be released once he Violence against the person 1204 rience when inspecting young offender in- the point of view of a parent, grandparent, has completed the minimum custodial period Sexual offences 1026 stitutions, secure training centres and uncle, aunt, close relative or friend of a set by the Court for the purposes of retribu- Drug offences 4 secure children’s homes - points to the child with a multiplicity of problems, whom tion and deterrence - commonly known as Robbery 902 proposal to establish the biggest children’s the Secretary of State for Justice intends to the “tariff”. Under the statutory release test, Burglary 93 prison in the western world being far more detain in his proposed secure college. I ask the Parole Board may direct the release of an Theft and handling 3 likely further to damage some of the most your Lordships to ask yourselves whether, IPP prisoner only if it is satisfied that it is no Motoring offences 1 vulnerable and damaged children in our knowing what you do about the proposal, longer necessary on the grounds of public Other offences 396 society with their multiplicity of problems you could live with yourself if an errant protection for the prisoner to be detained in Offence not recorded 4 and needs, not just lack of education. child in your family or of your acquaintance custody. It is right that IPP prisoners should Total 3633 In his letter dated 4 December, the Minister was to be detained in such an establish- remain in custody until it is safe for them to ment. I realise that there is no exact paral- be released. described the secure college proposal as a pioneering approach to educating young lel, because while we all know children Some short tariff IPPs who were sentenced 72.4% of the total number of IPP prisoners with learning difficulties or disabilities, or prior to the 2008 changes are achieving have passed their tariff expiry date. offenders and tackling stubbornly high reoffending rates. He is absolutely right to mental health or behavioural problems, I release, where they engage with opportuni- doubt whether anyone in our immediate ties provided to them to reduce their risk. As The fourth table shows the number of IPP describe laying a proposal before Parlia- ment about which no one, not even the ken has been subjected to unspeakable the table below shows, a total of 594 of these prisoners whose minimum tariff expiry date parental neglect, or sexual or domestic vi- prisoners remain in custody as at the end of has passed and who were sentenced prior to proposer, knows any details, as a pioneering approach, but I hope that it is one that olence, or to a lifestyle at what passes for September 2014. This compares to 650 at the 14th July 2008, by Offence, as at 30 Septem- home is best described as chaotic and end of March 2014. ber 2014 will never be repeated. I fear that those in both Houses who have voted for the pro- dysfunctional. Of course these children have posal thus far have done so because they committed crimes, but that does not mean The first table shows the number of IPP pris- Violence against the person 723 that they should not be decently treated. oners whose tariff length was less than 2 are attracted by the word “pioneering” and Sexual offences 615 seduced by the blandished prospect of past years and who were sentenced prior to 14 July Drug offences 2 Therefore, when your Lordships vote, I ask 2008, by offence, as at 30 September 2014. failure being swept aside. But if anyone who you to follow your conscience as opposed Robbery 615 voted in favour bothered to probe deeper Burglary 50 to party diktat. This is the last chance that into what the proposal actually meant other we have of preventing something that I Violence against the person 163 Theft and handling 1 than the provision of more education, they Sexual offences 159 Motoring offences 1 would contend to be a stain on our nation, would find nothing other than the assertion whether or not it contains boys under 15, Robbery 161 Other offences 224 that the market will find the solution. Burglary 6 Offence not recorded 1 and girls. Theft and handling 1 Total 2232 Of course reoffending is too high and too Other offences 103 many of our young offenders have appalling Editorial note: It is reported that 100 Par- Offence not recorded 1 educational records, but on what evidence liamentary Bills have been rejected by the Grand Total 594 95.4% of the total number of IPP prisoners, does the Secretary of State base his belief House of Lords since the start of the Coa- who were sentenced prior to 14 July 2008, that a commercial contractor can succeed lition government. have passed their tariff expiry date.

AB MACKENZIE fisher SOLICITORS meredith We specialize in Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers • Representations to Home Office Award winning firm offering specialist advice on prisoners’ rights Prior to Deportation Decisions • Appeals Against Deportation • Lifer panels • Inquest • Adjudications • Judicial review • Bail Applications • Parole review and early • Human rights • Representation at Police stations, release • Compassionate release Magistrates and Crown Courts Please contact Hakeem, Billa or Raphael Contact solicitor Andrew Arthur Fisher Meredith LLP, Blue Sky House, 405 Kennington Road, AB Mackenzie Solicitors London SE11 4PT Unit 3, 99-103 Lomond Grove Telephone: 020 7091 2700 Camberwell London SE5 7HN Fax: 020 7091 2800 020 77011900 Emergencies 07442 505012 Or visit our website www.fishermeredith.co.uk [email protected] Insidetime February 2015 42 Legal www.insidetime.org Is anyone listening to Parole Board delays your privileged and resentations that there are clearly benefits to Laila Smith of Blavo & Co Solicitors being transferred to open conditions immedi- confidential access calls? ately. ndeterminate sentenced prisoners are Therefore should a dossier clearly state that an phone system to the one that exists in the rest of experiencing delays waiting for their Parole inmate has successfully completed all of their David Wells & Jason Elliot the prison estate. This appears to have resulted IBoard oral hearings to be listed. sentence plan targets, all report writers are in some difficulties - “We were told by NOMS supportive of a move to open conditions, there One solution to this problem is for prisoners are no outstanding concerns and a swift move n 28th November 2014 HM Chief and BT that recordings were automatically deleted who wish to be considered for a progressive to open would benefit to the inmate, then it Inspector of Prisons, Nick Hardwick, after 90 days, but in one of the Serco prisons move to open conditions to make a Guittard would be beneficial in making an application. reported his findings in relation to recorded calls were apparently ‘archived’ after Application. This allows for indeterminate The application is considered by the Secretary the interception of prisoners’ 90 days.” [2.13] The Inspector has vowed to sentenced prisoners to be transferred to of State on the papers, so inmates do not have telephoneO calls to Members of Parliament - the examine this issue further in stage 2 of his inquiry. category D conditions without a Parole Board to wait for a hearing to be listed. Nor would “Prison communications inquiry”. The report review where ‘exceptional circumstances’ they have to go through the stress and ordeal was issued ahead of a “detailed investigation” to The Interception of Communications Commis- apply. of an oral hearing. take place in early 2015. sioner’s Office have alleged that the authorising documents governing the recording of and Exceptional circumstances are defined as: An application can be made any time after the PSI 49/2011, 13.2 says that “In signing the Com- listening to prisoners’ calls are “fragmented and • The dossier must contain evidence that the disclosure of your dossier and you can run munications Compact and accepting the terms contradictory” making it difficult for prison staff prisoner had made significant progress in your general parole review at the same time as and conditions of PIN phone use prisoners will to understand the regulations. [2.19]. addressing all identified risk factors. a Guittard application. You therefore do not be aware that, with the exception of legally priv- • All report writers must agree on the prisoner have to choose one review or another. ileged conversations and calls made to confi- On 10th November 2014 NOMS globally regis- transferring to open conditions. dential access organisations, all calls will be tered all MPs’ office and constituency numbers • There must be no areas of concern identified Should you require any further information recorded and may be monitored by prison as confidential on the PIN phone system. [2.23]. by report writers which would require further in relation to this Laila Smith of Blavo & Co staff…” Members of Parliament fall within the Recordings of some calls to MPs’ employees exploration at an oral hearing. Solicitors would be happy to assist you. definition of Confidential Access (PSI 49/2011, had not been destroyed, prompting the Inspector • The prisoner has demonstrated by their rep- See advert page 2 14.1(b).) It follows that, if you need to call your to state - “in my view, calls to MPs’ offices should MP, that call should not be recorded. evoke the same considerations of confidentiality as calls to MPs themselves.” [2.23] Surveys conducted on behalf of the Chief Inspector in 2013-2014 revealed that an Assurances have not been obtained by the average of 41% of prisoners said mail from their Inspector that recordings of calls made in SERCO legal representatives was being opened by staff prisons are being destroyed after 90 days. [2.23]. in their absence, contrary to Prison Rules, r. 39(4). The Chief Inspector commented that “In During test phone calls placed by Inspectorate my view, the attitude to confidential communi- staff, MPs numbers registered under ‘family cation in some establishments is too casual and and friends’ as opposed to ‘confidential access’ it is not surprising that in some cases this has Wrongly convicted included communication with MPs.” [2.3]. were recorded in SERCO prisons (but not in other prisons). [3.3] Calls made to the Samari- of a crime? Investigations by NOMS concluded in tans (who are covered by the confidential November 2014 that telephone calls made by access provisions) were also recorded in prisoners to MPs had been both recorded and SERCO prisons. [3.3]. Unify Business Solutions, listened to since 2006, the earliest date from who run SERCO’s PIN phone system, said they which data is available. [2.5]. The investigation were unaware that calls to the Samaritans were found that 358 calls to 32 separate MPs had being recorded. [3.4]. NOMS said that MPs’ been recorded and listened to between March numbers had not been placed in the global list Lost your appeal? 2006 and October 2014. [2.20]. of confidential access numbers in SERCO’s PINphone system. [3.4] Calls to legal advisors and MPs can only be recorded or listened to if there is a belief that the In 60 phone tests to MPs numbers, 5 calls were communication is being made to further a criminal recorded. 4 of these 5 recorded calls were made purpose. There has to be authorisation from the from SERCO run prisons. [4.1]. Chief Executive Officer of the Prison Service. Prisoners are entitled to communicate confi- What next? The Inspector has also suggested that the list of dentially with their MPs. This right has not organisations to which the Confidential Access always been respected. The efforts of the procedure applies is not up to date and should Inspector have gone some way to ensuring that be broadened to include, for example, the Inde- the issue is addressed but you may be wise to pendent Police Complaints Commissioner. check that your confidential access numbers are appropriately listed before you assume that SERCO run prisons operate a different PIN nobody is listening. The CCRC can look again If you think your conviction or sentence is wrong ells apply to the CCRC V 01727 840900 It won’t cost anything urcombe 24 hr Emergency Number - 07592 034170 • B LLP Solicitors • Your sentence can’t be increased if you apply Specialists in • You don't need a lawyer to apply, but a good one Appeals against Conviction & Sentence, CCRC, can help IPP Appeals and Parole, Prison Adjudications & Discipline, Criminal Investigations, Confiscation & POCA proceedings. You can get some more information and a copy of the For advice and assistance anywhere in England & Wales, CCRC's Easy Read application form by writing to us at either in person or via video link, please call or head office: 5 St Philip’s Place, Birmingham, B3 2PW. or calling 0121 233 1473 5 Holywell Hill, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1EU Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Legal 43 Winding roads to freedom and funding It has been 12 months since we reported on the launch of a new charity to work on appeals cases, so we thought an update was in order. What have we been up to, what have we learned and what have we achieved?

faces such a tragedy the more time we take. It’s our prisoner clients are going through behind By Sophie Walker & Emily Bolton A number of prisoners have asked us a grave and poignant responsibility. bars. Second, it stands for hope, and the Centre for Criminal Appeals how they can help the project. What importance of responsibly handling a prison- would be really useful would be for Contrary to the popular myth that “all er’s expectations regarding when that last day prisoners to give us anecdotes about prisoners will tell you that they are innocent,” might arrive. Third, it represents the bigger ince we last wrote, we have received their own experiences of the system’s our experience is that they don’t. But everyone picture that our work seeks to expose - a tally 169 requests for assistance for problems, and their permission to who writes to us tells us that something is or audit of the justice system’s mistakes, and appeals from prisoners all over the publish these. We are particularly inter- wrong with this country’s criminal justice the opportunity to provide black box data that country. The consistent feature of ested in short, personal accounts of system, and often they can give us specific and can be used to prevent such catastrophes from these requests is how very difficult it issues relating to quality of representa- deeply troubling examples. recurring. is to find a lawyer to help with any sort of S tion, access to the documents needed to appeal. fight your case before, during and after We are a year in. We have a long way to go. So trial, and the difficulties associated with do our prisoner clients. But we are in it for the Our approach is different. Of course we read conducting a factual investigation for an long haul. Stay tuned. the paperwork, once we have tamed it. Some appeal from behind bars. If you do send of the case files we have received are pretty us something, please make sure you are wild. Think pile of random stacks of paper with Sophie Walker is a solicitor and Director of happy for us to make the information post it notes clinging on at various angles, the Centre for Criminal Appeals (www.crim- public, and write “I give my authority for bundles held together with pink string, plus inalappeals.org.uk). She previously worked this information to be used by the the prisoner’s own hard won treasure trove of on death penalty cases in the United States Centre for Criminal Appeals in an documents, tinged with the aroma of old and around the world for the UK legal action anonymous form for publicity, fund- cigarette smoke, scraps of thoughts about the charity Reprieve. raising and public education,” and sign case scrawled on the back of medical call-out your name. slips, names, phone numbers, on which all Emily Bolton, also a solicitor, is the former hope is pinned. director of Innocence Project New Orleans and co-founder of the Centre for Criminal Appeals. We have been asked about our logo. The idea and 9 minutes and in neither case is the job of a tally-mark with a circled final mark came complete. We anticipate filing 2 or 3 more Contact address: Emily Bolton and Sophie The Centre for Criminal Appeals aims from a Fine Cell Work cushion cover. We think applications in the next couple of months. We Walker, c/o Scott-Moncrieff & Associates to be the UK’s first freestanding non- it captures many things about the work we are think this caseload is about right, if we really Ltd. 88 Kingsway, Holborn, London WC2B profit, publically funded criminal law doing. First, it is a reminder that every day are to give these prisoners the best possible 6AA. DX 37969 Kingsway practice. The Centre’s lawyers will counts, for what we can achieve, and for what chance of winning in the Court of Appeal. Of work only on appeals, with priority course, the Legal Aid Agency struggles to fund given to cases where “boots on the all this work. We estimate that about 50% of ground” investigation can make a dif- our casework is covered by Legal Aid - we must ference. The Centre will be taking only raise the rest from private grants and cases from England and Wales, where donations. CriminalCriminal AppealsAppeals the prisoner cannot afford to pay for a lawyer him or herself. In the course of our work on behalf of this handful of clients we have constantly had to We will be tendering for a public Ledgisters Solicitors balance “doing it well” against “doing it fast”. funding contract this April, but in the Not just because of the natural impatience of Offices in London and Manchester meantime, we are continuing to the wrongfully convicted prisoner client and conduct a pilot period of casework the 72 weeks it takes for a case to get through ledgisters under the existing public funding the Criminal Cases Review Commission fÉÄ|v|àÉÜá contract of the law firm Scott-Moncri- process just now, but because of the terrifying eff and Associates, a firm that is An exclusively criminal practice offering a ticking clock of mortality, for prisoners them- authorized and regulated by the Solic- selves, and their loved ones. Losing a parent An exclusively criminal practice offering a itors Regulation Authority (596379). nationwide service to those wishing to have while you are in prison and not being permitted Please note that the Centre’s personnel nationwide service to those wishing to have to attend the funeral is heartbreaking for the their conviction or sentence reviewed. are not yet engaging in casework for prisoner, and for us it is a salutary reminder their conviction or sentence reviewed. the Centre and are not yet regulated by that we are exacerbating the risk that a prisoner the Solicitors Regulation Authority. If you feel there has been a miscarriage of If you feel there has been a miscarriage of Lewis Sidhu Solicitors justice,justice ,are are considering considering an an appeal appeal andand/or /or All of this information is painstakingly scanned require a second opinion on your appeal and sorted into our case analysis software, so Prison & require a second opinion on your appeal that patterns and anomalies can be more prospects, call Roy Ledgister now on: readily identified and word searches Criminal Law Specialists prospects, call our Appeals Department on: conducted. This means that when name or 020 8832 7321 issue comes up that is new to us, we can instantly work out whether it is new to the case. CCRC Applications Then its time to move outwards from that core Recatagorisations 0200161 8746 920 11229727 of information, onto the internet and into the Adjudications streets. Its people and places that provide the Complaints 35 Warple Way London W3 0RX breakthroughs in cases, not just pages. Appeals 4, The Lanchesters, 162-164 Fulham Palace Parole 40Road, Princess Hammersmith, Street, Manchester London W6 M1 9ER 6DE Of the 169 people we have committed to and Even as a serving prisoner you still have rights and we will do directly represent 11 prisoners between the our best to protect and advance two of us, in 8 individual cases. We have two those rights. cases currently with the Criminal Cases Review 11 The Pavement, Popes Lane, “Together,Together, wewe shallshall pursuepursue justice”justice Commission. One has involved 429 hours and Ealing, London W5 4NG Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority Contracted with the Legal Aid Agency 21 minutes of work and the other 268 hours Insidetime February 2015 44 Legal www.insidetime.org

How do I request an independent psychological report? Inmates who have decided to represent themselves during their parole review may fi nd Prison psychology themselves in the position where they wish to challenge a psychological assessment. If this is the case it is advisable to consider your position and decide whether to contact a prison law solicitor. If an inmate is eligible for The confusing, complex and often daunting subject representation under the legal aid scheme then it may be possible for the costs of instruct- of tackling psychological reports during the parole ing an independent psychologist to be met by the Legal Aid Agency. process and the danger of ignoring them Any applications for funding for a report would need to be made by a prison lawyer, and simply because an inmate wants an independent take place to determine the extent to which I have my parole dossier and there is no psy- report does not always mean that the Legal Aid by Emma Davies (partner) and they have benefi ted from the course. Th is end chology report…. What should I do? Agency will pay for it. of course assessment will seek to identify A very common cause of delay in an inmate’s Matthew Smith - Hine Solicitors In order to apply for funding, quotations will whether there is any further work that needs to parole review is the realisation that there is no need to be obtained from a number of inde- be completed and will often provide a recom- psychological report within their parole pendent psychologists with the requisite expe- n the last issue, we discussed parole mendation about the inmate’s suitability for dossier. It is therefore essential that an inmate rience and expertise. Once these quotes have reviews and identifi ed some issues that progression. Such recommendations are par- takes time to read their parole dossier carefully been received an application will need to be prisoner’s should be aware of. One area ticularly important when it comes to an and check its contents. If you think your made to the Legal Aid Agency for funding for which was touched upon in that article inmate’s parole review process. dossier should include a psychological report this report. Funding is not guaranteed and an was psychology reports. Th is article then you should raise this with your solicitor in argument as to why the request is justifi ed will aimsI to discuss the topic in greater detail and What is a SARN/DARNA? the fi rst instance. Enquiries can then be made need to be made. Th is justifi cation will need to to provide some guidance on who may be Th e most common psychological assessments as to why your dossier does not contain the be carefully drafted, as often the Legal Aid subject to psychological intervention, when that appear in a parole dossier are the SARN report. Agency will refuse applications for funding this intervention may take place and the impact (Structured Assessment of Risk and Need) and If, through enquires, it transpires that a report without a well set out argument. this may have on an individual’s parole review. the DARNA (Domestic Abuse Risk and Needs that was expected has not been prepared, it Assessment). If the Legal Aid Agency gives authority to may be advisable to consider drafting repre- Will a psychological report be undertaken by instruct an independent psychologist, then Th e SARN report is an assessment that is sentations to the Parole Board enquiring when the prison? arrangements would be made for the expert to completed following completion of a Sex the report is expected to be available and high- A psychological report will often be commis- see the inmate before they prepare a report. Off ender Treatment Programme. Th e DARNA lighting the diffi culty that the Parole Board sioned by the prison when an inmate has Upon receipt of the report, a prison law report is prepared following completion of a may have in accurately assessing risk without a completed a fundamental course such as the solicitor will consider the content of the report course such as the Healthy Relationships copy of the psychological report. A prison law Sex Off ender’s Treatment Programme (SOTP) and advise the inmate concerned as to whether Programme and looks at work undertaken to solicitor can assist with this. or the Healthy Relationship Programme (HRP). the report should be disclosed to the Parole address previous off ending of violence in a Board and other parties. Once an inmate has fi nished such a domestic setting. I don’t agree with what the report says about programme, a psychological assessment will me. What should I do? What is important to understand is that simply Inmates should make sure that they carefully because a report has been requested the read all of the reports in their parole dossier. contents are not guaranteed to be positive or Particular attention needs to be paid to psy- support an inmate’s parole application. If an chology assessments due to the reliance the inmate fi nds themselves in position where the Parole Board can often place upon them. independent report is not benefi cial then the report does not have to be disclosed to the Many inmates will fi nd the contents of the Parole Board. Th erefore, it could be said that SARN and DARNA reports daunting due to the there is no real detriment in an inmate obtaining way in which they are written and how long an independent psychological report as if it is they usually are. However, it is important to negative they can simply choose not to rely ensure that what the report says is correct. upon its contents. Th ere will often be information in these reports that only the inmate themselves will be able to What do I do when my independent report say is wrong. A prison law specialist will be says something diff erent to the prison’s report? able to assist inmates on any legal issues arising. In some cases inmates will receive an inde- Once the facts upon which the report is based pendent report that is wholly benefi cial and have been considered, it is important to look at counteracts the conclusions drawn by the the conclusions and whether there are any rec- prison psychologist. In such cases it would be ommendations about the inmate’s progress or advisable to serve the report on the Parole need for further work. Recommendations can Board as soon as possible and request that the Our open, friendly solicitors working range from suggesting that an inmate remain writer of the independent report be required to in Criminal Defence will help you with all in closed conditions for further work to be attend any Parole Hearing to give evidence as completed, or to consolidate the work they to the reasons why their report should be aspects of Prison Law including: have undertaken in closed conditions or do followed as opposed to the prison psychologist. this is open conditions. Alternatively the report Licence recall • Adjudications Parole reviews are a confusing and compli- may say that an inmate is ready to be released Parole hearings • IPP queries cated process even for individuals who have on licence. Judicial review • Sentence planning issues not had any psychological input during their Often the recommendation arrived at will not sentence. Th e key to being prepared is to tackle be one that is supported by the inmate the issues head on and be proactive by con- concerned. Th ey may disagree and it may be tacting a prison law specialist who will be able Call us on 01865 518971 contrary to the application that they wish to to help guide you through the process. or visit make to the Parole Board. Sometimes the www.hinesolicitors.com content of the report can be challenged. Th is is something that an inmate would need to carefully consider with a prison law specialist If you need any help or advice with any prison who will be able to advise as to whether there law issues please contact the prison law depart- Oxford Freepost address are grounds to obtain a report from a psychol- ment at Hine Solicitors; Telephone - 01865 FREEPOST RTHU - LEKE - HAZR ogist who is independent from the prison. 518973 or FREEPOST - RTHU - LEKE - HAZR Hine Solicitors | Seymour House Th ese reports are commonly referred to as Hine Solicitors, Seymour House, 285 Banbury 285 Banbury Road | Oxford | OX2 7JF independent psychological reports. Road, Oxford OX2 7JF. Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Legal 45

a “serious risk of injustice” (see s10); this was always very difficult to establish. But, despite the Waya case being limited to non-lifestyle cases it has, we suggest, CONFISCATION: Taking the profit out influenced criminal lifestyle cases too as proportionality arguments can be brought to bear in submissions that s10 ought not to apply as a disproportionate outcome would produce a ‘serious risk of injustice’. of crime, or just taking the Mickey? R v Ahmad & Ahmed [2014] 2 WLR 2335 This case is the latest seminal case on confiscation from the Supreme Court, handed down last summer. The case related to how to deal with joint findings of Pro-active defending in confiscation proceedings benefit. The Courts in conspiracy and joint enterprise cases had been handing down Confiscation Orders where the full value of the offence, e.g. a fraud, would fighting back. For example, the prosecution might party affected by a Restraint Order to be heard before be regarded as the benefit amount for each individual Aziz Rahman, make those bold assertions in their prosecution the Confiscation Order is made as the Order starts defendant. This was clearly capable of producing real Solicitor and statement because they see no down side - but what if ‘biting’ immediately. Arguments can then be put injustice but nevertheless remained good law for years. The solution, according to the judgment, is for Jonathan Lennon, there was a down-side? forward that, e.g. the 3rd party’s interest in the property can and should be severed from the Restraint Order. each Order to contain a condition that it should not be In 2013 the authors were involved in a case where we Barrister Depending on the facts this may be an early argument enforced if the sum has already been recovered from successfully reduced the size of one confiscation for, in effect, a reduction of the claimed final Order another defendant. claim before it came to Court by reminding the pros- figure. Again, this process will have the effect of putting ecution about the very little used provisions on costs. Finally, the Court briefly considered the issue of ine- those issues in the mind of the Court at an early stage. quality of outcome between defendants, for example if Introduction Section 19 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 This is so even if the Restraint Order is not in fact It’s impossible to do justice to the topic of confiscation provides for awards of costs between litigation parties, the full amount were to be recovered from one, and varied. The variation application also serves to flush in a short article such as this. We’re not going to even in respect of unnecessary or improper acts and the others were therefore released from their obliga- outthe Crown’s arguments very early on, well before attempt to explain the law on, for example, tainted omissions; see also Costs in Criminal Cases (General) tion to pay. The Court held that this was an inherent the main battle. gifts, criminal lifestyle, hidden assets and so on. Regulations 1986/135. This is not the high test of feature of joint criminality, and that in such cases the Instead we’re going to try to rise above the black letter ‘wasted costs’ that suggests negligence that profes- Proportionality ‘losses must lie where they fall’ - it seems the potential of the law, so far as is possible, and look at strategy, sional lawyers fear, but a lower test of just effectively The essential problem with the POCA regime is the for injustice remains. tactics and the real mechanics of confiscation litiga- wasting time and money by not doing the job right. apparent lack of judicial discretion it permits. In 2012 tion in practice. This is rarely utilised for some reason yet this is how the Supreme Court ruled in an important case which civil cases are fought all the time; i.e. the tactic of using addressed this apparent lack of judicial discretion; R v Jonathan Lennon is a Barrister specialising in Why the unfairness? costs as a weapon that turns the litigation into a real Waya [2012] UKSC51. serious and complex criminal defence cases. He All criminal defence practitioners will tell you that the gamble. In that case the target was specifically the is based at 33 Chancery Lane Chambers in London. confiscationprocess is capable of producing unfair The Supreme Court considered the effect of the prosecution who relied on the FI’s s16 Statement He has extensive experience in all aspects of and sometimes absurd results. After many years Human Rights Act 1998, specifically Article 1 of the 1st whose original claims were spectacularly unreasona- financial and serious crime and the Proceeds of dealing with asset forfeiture and Proceeds of Crime Protocol to the European Convention on Human ble. So it can be seen that, with careful tactics it is Crime Act 2002. He is ranked by both Legal 500 Act 2002 (POCA) issues we are convinced that the Rights; this is the right to peaceful enjoyment of possible that the defence can make the prosecution Chambers &Ptnrs& is recognised in C&P’s spe- unfairness in the system is not just down to the Act property. The Court found that applying Convention review their “nothing to lose” attitude. cialist POCA and Financial Crime sections; ‘he is principles a Confiscation Order had to be ‘proportion- beings deliberately ‘Draconian’, as it has been described. phenomenal and is work rate is astonishing’ (2015). There is also an inbuilt unfairness on the battleground Third parties ate’ and therefore the final Order had to “bear a pro- itself. Prosecution applications for confiscation are The same is true in the case of third parties; i.e. those portionate relationship to 2002 Act’s purpose” - i.e. to Aziz Rahman is a Solicitor- Advocate and Partner generally not in the hands of the prosecution Barrister, non-defendants affected by a potential Confiscation strip criminals of their proceeds of crime. at the leading Criminal Defence firm Rahman or even the CPS lawyer, but the police/ HMRC Financial Order. Typically this might be a wife in a family house The Court specifically noted that this proportionality Ravelli Solicitors, specialising in Human Rights, Investigator (“FI”). Straight away you have lost the that the Crown have placed a value on. It maybe that argument was not applicable in ‘criminal lifestyle’ cases; Financial Crime and Large Scale Conspiracies/ impartiality, or at least the appearance of impartiality, the prosecution apply the standard 50%; i.e. they will see R v Morgan [2014] 1 WLR 3450. This is where, in Serious crime. Rahman Ravelli are members of that should be present in any sentencing exercise. only suggest that 50% of the value of the house is certain circumstances, the Court will make assump- the Specialist Fraud Panel and have been available to go towards the Confiscation Order as the The FI is the person that will normally produce the s16 tions under s10 of the Act; e.g. the assumption that the ranked by Legal 500 as an ‘exceptional’ firm wife has a 50% interest. Of course that still means the ‘prosecution statement’ - the document that sets out defendant’s past 6 years earnings have all come from with Aziz Rahman being described as ‘top class’’. house has to be sold and the wife may be in real diffi- the prosecution’s case on benefit and available criminal offending. These assumptions must apply The firm is also ranked in Chambers & Partners. culties at that point. What if the truth is more compli- amount. A good FI is needed in almost every confisca- unless proven to be factually incorrect or liable to produce Rahman Ravelli are a Top Tier and Band 1 firm. cated - what if the defendant husband’s real interest in tion case. Some FI’s are meticulously fair but it has to the house is in truth much less that 50%? be said that many are less so. It is an oft cited compliant of the defence that the estimates of benefit and the The standard mantra is that third parties have no right Services available amount are unfair exaggerations and bear to be heard during the actual confiscation proceed- • Serious Crime little resemblance to the reality. So why do some FI’s ings; they can only asset their right at the enforcement • Serious Fraud behave this way? Well for a start they are not meant to stage. This makes confiscation cases much more • Covert/Human Rights be impartial. Of course they have a duty to the Court to difficult to settle and greatly increases costs - just to SOLICITORS be accurate and to be fair but many defence lawyers avoid the Court hearing from third parties; see e.g. R v • Health & Safety will tell you that the incentivisation scheme is where Ahmed & Qureshi [2005] 1 WLR 122. • Assets Forfeiture the risk of injustice starts. • Regulatory Crime Specialists in Defending Serious Crime In fact, with careful strategising third party scenarios Since 2006 the Home Office has run the Assets can work well for the defence.Just because there is no If you feel we can assist Rahman Ravelli has built an enviable reputation as a leading criminal Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), which ‘right’ for a third party to be heard at the confiscation you please do not defence firm. Our Practice is nationwide and we have developed an apportions all asset recovery monies. Of money stage does not mean he or she cannot be heard. This hesitate to contact our expertise in handling substantial and complex cases particularly those recovered in confiscation the Home Office keeps 50%. may be especially important where it is alleged that Serious Crime Department involving difficult legal challenges, especially in the Human Rights area. We continue to successfully protect the rights of the individual in The rest is split 3 ways; between the, the investigators the third party is in receipt of a ‘tainted gift’ from the Call: (usually police or HMRC), the prosecution agencyand defendant. Given there is no legal aid for third parties all areas of criminal law. the Court Service. In these cash-strapped times one at the pre-confiscation order stage it is often only We recognise that criminal cases today are not merely decided on eye can see the benefit of maximising confiscation claims. those third parties with access to private funds that 01422 witness testimony, but on other issues such as whether evidence can Conversely however, the defence will often be funded can put up a proper fight. For example, the Court be successfully argued to be inadmissible or the prosecution made to by legal aid but the Legal Aid Agency, which is could be asked to list the case for mention to argue for disclose evidence helpful to the defence case. Our dedicated team of strapped for cash like all public bodies, sees none of third party participation in the main hearing where 346666 criminal lawyers are always up to date with the latest developments the revenue generated from confiscation despite the Judge will determine the ‘available amount’. The (24 Hour) in the law to ensure that no stone is left unturned. The lawyers have having to pay for its process just as the Courts, CPS argument being that that confiscation raises issues of wide ranging experience of defending cases of significant complexity and investigators do. Also, confiscation proceedings fact that need to be determined and, to make those Roma House and seriousness. Our reputation means that we are able to instruct the are notoriously badly paid in legal aid cases. This is so findings, the fact finder needs to hear all the relevant 59 Pellon Lane most able counsel to conduct trials. Halifax even though the work can often at times be much facts. If a Judge chooses to shut out a deserving third We appoint Counsel, Queen’s Counsel and Experts who have passed more time-consuming and complex than the main party at that stage then there may be routes of redress HX1 5BE. our vigorous vetting procedures. criminal litigation. The authors of this article are expe- following from that decision. Even if the application is Offices now in London rienced practitioners recognised in, for example, the refused at least that pro-active defending puts before www.rahmanravelli.co.uk High Profile Cases Rahman Ravelli routinely deals with large, high legal guide ‘Chambers & Partners’ section on ‘POCA the Court arguments and/or evidence that it might not profile cases and is experienced in dealing with criminal matters all the otherwise have had until after an Order was made. It way to the House of Lords. and Asset Recovery’ which only ranks a handful of TOP RANKED Solicitors and Counsel.. We do not say that to grand- might also influence the prosecution as they will see CHAMBERS RIPA Our speciality is defending cases involving large scale police opera- stand but to highlight the fact that this area often that there will be troubles ahead after the Order is tions where authorities have been granted under the Regulations of demands a commitment and an expertise not always made, and perhaps it might be better to grasp the third Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA); i.e. matched by the limits of legal aid. party nettle earlier than they might otherwise have done. Excellent firm UK2012 The use of Informants / Covert Surveillance (including Covert Listening LEADING FIRM Thesebackground factors can serve to create a toxic Restraint orders 2011 devices) / Undercover Offices; andMaterial which demands an expertise mix for the un-witting defendant. But knowing the Similarly Restraint Orders also present potential in disclosure & PII concerns ingredients of the mix can at least give some hope of opportunities. There is an absolute right for a third ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ If you have a question you would like answered please send to: ‘Legal’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Insidetime February 2015 46 Legal Q&A Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. (including your name, number and prison) www.insidetime.org

The law relating to compensation not realised by defence counsel or by myself, which I was considered required changes by Afollowing an acquittal by a jury is that if given the time and facilities I could my OM. She then instructed my OM to change complex. The burden of establishing that the have prepared a good defence and can rebut my sentence plan, which my OM did. This compensation should be paid is on the the allegation in its new guise. My current removed SOTP from the plan. I requested a applicant, and it is not sufficient to argue that solicitor in one breath has stated that this led ‘de novo’ re-cat review based on my corrected compensation is due simply because a jury to injustice and that I have a prima facie case sentence plan, but was told I had to wait until found the defendant not guilty. Compensation but now says that there is no remedy. Could next January. I put in a COMP1 about this following a recent change in the law is now the outcome have been different if the around 3 months ago, to which I received no reserved for cases where it is clear that the amendments were not made so late in the reply. The IMB confirmed that this COMP1 defendant in criminal proceedings is innocent. trial after all the evidence had been heard? had been logged and was overdue for a The law as it presently stands is, that anyone Could it be considered that I was denied the response. A month ago I put in another who overturns their conviction on appeal must right to a fair trial? Is there no remedy? COMP1, but have had no reply again. The demonstrate that they have shown to be con- Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has said clusively innocent before compensation is con- From what you say, there are a number that they can’t get involved until I have a sidered. Defendants acquitted after trial will A of enquiries that could have been made reply. The IMB have sent me back to the PPO have to show that the evidence on which they during the course of the trial process which because they can’t get a reply either. My solic- were cleared was so compelling, that no convic- could have assisted you with your defence. If itors say that they will write to the Governor tion could possibly be based upon it. This is those enquiries are still able to be made, then I Inside Time and Complaints Clerk for £150 which I am going to prove very difficult and there are few would advise that you contact a solicitor spe- very apprehensive to pay if a response is still examples that I have heard about where com- cialising in criminal appeals to make them on not necessarily going to come. PAS have said Legal Forum pensation has been awarded, even in cases your behalf so that you can be advised on the where the jury has returned a verdict or verdicts merits of appealing against your conviction I need to ask the IMB again but they can’t Answers to readers’ legal queries are given of not guilty. once the fresh material has been obtained. It help. Could you please advise me? on a strictly without liability basis. If you will be particularly important for your original I would advise you to involve the IMB propose acting upon any of the opinions that Response supplied by Wells Burcombe LLP lawyers to confirm that the new lines of enquiry and the PPO once again and explain that appear, you must first take legal advice...... were not known during the original proceed- A ings. their response is not helping to resolve the Carringtons Solicitors, Cartwright King LT - HMP Isle of Wight This will be one of the hurdles that you need to issue and that someone must be held account- Solicitors, Crown Solicitors, Henry Hyams overcome when submitting your case to the able. I suggest the PPO is reminded of their Solicitors, Hine Solicitors, Olliers Solicitors, In 2010 after pleading not guilty to all appeal court, should you reach that stage. I Terms of Reference which, at paragraph 10 Rhodes Law (Scotland), Wells Burcombe Qcharges I was found guilty on 12 counts suggest that you write to a new solicitor setting states: Solicitors for sexual offences and acquitted of any out precisely why you feel that more could 10. The Ombudsman will investigate com- Send your Legal Queries (concise and clearly wrong-doing on 5 counts with another charge have been done originally and to set out clearly plaints submitted by the following categories marked ‘legal’) to: Lorna Elliott, Solicitor c/o being withdrawn by the CPS, stating that this what lines of enquiry you feel should now be of person: Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, complainant was ‘incapable of belief’. made and what you hope to be achieved by (i) prisoners who have failed to obtain satisfac- Hampshire SO30 2GB. For a prompt response, However, during the trial after I adduced these enquiries. If material is obtained which tion from the prison complaints system and evidence that discovered the allegations readers are asked to send their queries on is capable of undermining the safety of your whose complaints are eligible in other respects; made were an impossibility, consistent with conviction, then you are likely to receive white paper using black ink or typed if possible. that the complainant testified that the alleged positive advice on the merits of an appeal. Under paragraph 12 ‘matters subject to inves- offences supposedly occurred on a ‘new sofa’ tigation’ it clearly states: PS - HMP Maidstone on 5 November 2008, the evidence adduced Response supplied by Wells Burcombe LLP (ii) decisions and actions (including failures or was a receipt of delivery and purchase that ...... refusals to act) relating to the management, showed that this ‘new sofa’ was not in situ at In 2012 I was arrested for kidnapping supervision, care, and treatment of prisoners in the relevant time, and hadn’t been delivered JR - HMP Highdown and robbery. After spending 5 months custody, by prison staff, people acting as agents Q until 16th December 2008. The CPS not happy on remand I was released after 7 days trial or contractors of NOMS and members of the with this proposition were permitted to My re-categorisation was considered because I was found not guilty. So I spent 5 Independent Monitoring Boards. amend the dates on the indictment, extending in January 2014 and they declined to months in HMP Winchester and I’ve been Q the date to 21st July 2009. As a consequence I reduce my category. On appeal, the deputy trying to get compensation. How can I apply Response supplied by Carringtons Solicitors was found guilty on 3 counts at the time it was governor said that the sentence plan upon for compensation? c M . IVOR . FARRELL Northern Irish Solicitors RUSSELL-COOKE SOLICITORS • Criminal Appeals against Sentence or Conviction • Parole Hearings • Proceeds of Crime/Confiscation Hearings • Police Interviews under PACE throughout NI and in Prisons • All Criminal Defence Cases • Judicial Review & Human Rights Cases • Family Law Dedicated department of Prison Law Specialist insurance for • Injury Claims within the Prison solicitors with specific expertise in: • Welfare Issues non-standard risks • Prison Visits Arranged within 24hrs Getting insurance is expensive enough Contact us now for a free n Lifer & IPP Parole Reviews n Recall Representation without the added burden of a criminal confidential review of all record, bankruptcy or voided policy to your insurance requirements. WE’RE HERE TO HELP n Adjudications n Re-categorisation disclose. We recognise that your past is n Judicial Reviews n Sentence Progression not necessarily a guide to your future, 0161 969 6040 Please call us on 028 9023 7053 or 028 9032 4565 [email protected] whatever your circumstances. or write to us at Our underwriting authority allows us to 129 Springfield Road Belfast BT 12 7AE provide affordable cover for: aaCar & Van Home & Property IT’S THAT SIMPLE!! 020 7440 4840 Business Travel [email protected] aa 8 Bedford Row Sale Insurance Services Ltd www.mcivorfarrell.co.uk So whether you need business or 15 - 17 Washway Road, London personal cover, or both,we can arrange WC1R 4BX Prison Law Supervisor Sale, Cheshire M33 7AD appointed by the the right policy at the right price. www.saleinsurance.co.uk Legal Services www.russell-cooke.co.uk Commission Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Insidetime February 2015 If you have a question you would like answered please send to: ‘Robert Banks’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, www.insidetime.org Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. (including your name, number and prison) Legal Q&A 47

seriousness or reflecting personal mitigation’. entitled ‘Record of Electronic Monitoring of Matter f) cannot be mitigation as it cannot Curfew Bail’ which is required to follow the reduce the seriousness of the drugs conspiracy. defendant from court to court. When a Banks on Therefore, the Judge may have been wrong to defendant is sent or committed to the Crown say there was no mitigation, although the Court, the form (properly completed) must go factors above are unlikely to have made a sig- with the papers to the Crown Court. If the nificant difference. defendant has never been subject to curfew Sentence So what does all that mean? and tagging, the magistrates are required to If the Judge was able to ascribe a significant say so, or to send a copy of his bail conditions. role to you with the lack of mitigation, that If on receipt of a case involving a defendant on Robert Banks, a barrister, writes Banks on Sentence. It is the second-largest sell- would mean that the starting point of 8 or 8½ bail there is no such form and the question of ing criminal practitioner’s text book and is used by judges for sentencing more years would also be the actual sentence. If the his status is not clear, the Crown Court must Judge was wrong to ascribe a significant role ask the magistrates for clarification and get than any other. The book is classified by the Ministry of Justice as a core judicial then the sentence should be less than that. hold of the form if it exists. text book. The book is available for tablets and computers and costs £80 + VAT. From what I have seen your barrister was right 2) Solicitors and, if they have not done it, The print copy costs £102 on the web and there are regular updates on www. to draft an appeal. counsel are required to ask the defendant banksr.com. If you have access to a computer, you can follow Robert on Twitter: What about the barrister not coming to see you? whether he has been subject to curfew and @BanksonSentence and you can receive his weekly sentencing Alerter. The Guide to Commencing Proceedings in the tagging. If he says that he has, they are required Court of Appeal 2008 para A1.1 states that, to find out, from the court of record, for which ‘Immediately following the conclusion of the periods. It is also the responsibility of the CPS www.banksr.com case, the legal representatives should see the to have a system for ensuring that such infor- defendant and counsel should express orally mation is available. However, if he or she departs from the I was convicted of a drugs conspiracy his initial view as to the prospects of a success- (I have missed out paras 3 to 7 through lack of suggested role, he or she must give reasons. An and the amount of heroin was 2.2 kilos ful appeal (whether against conviction or space.) Q appeal should succeed when it is shown that with between 51% and 65% purity. There sentence or both).’ Your barrister breached 8) Save in a case where it is clear that there is his or her assessment was outside his or her were three of us and all our barristers said it that requirement. Unfortunately with the no possibility of crediting a period of remand discretion. Considering the reasons given, the was a Category 2 offence. My barrister said I minimal fees paid to advocates this breach is on bail, the order of the court should, in nature of the operation cannot be a reason to would receive 4-6 years. During the trial, the more common than it should be. Some accordance with R v Nnaji 2009 2 Cr App R (S) put you in a significant role because within all prosecution said we were ‘foot soldiers’ and advocates consider they have more important 107 (p 700), be along the following lines: “The operations with a number of people in them, ‘fetchers and carriers’. The Judge said it was a things to do. I consider seeing a defendant defendant will receive full credit for half the one would expect the three role categories to Category 1 offence and that we were ‘trusted after he or she is sentenced is one of the most time spent under curfew if the curfew qualified be present. The high purity and value cannot lieutenants’ and sentenced me to 11 years. important things an advocate does. Defend- under the provisions of section 240A. On the be used to support a significant role for the He said I had a significant role due to the ants especially need advice at this stage. information before me the total period is … same reason. In any event, the purity of the drugs nature of the operation, the high purity and I wish you luck with your appeal. days (subject to the deduction of … days that I was not high for quantities of that amount. thus the value of the drugs. Category 1 in the have directed under Step(s) 2 and/or 3 making 51-65% purity is just the purity drugs weighing guideline is for weights of 5 kilos and a total of … days), but if this period is mistaken, 1 kilo or more are. So the Judge’s reasons Before I was sent to jail I was on a tag Category 2 is for weights of 1 kilo. The Judge this court will order an amendment of the didn’t justify the finding of a significant role. on and off. After I was sentenced I was said there were no mitigating features but it Q record for the correct period to be recorded”. Will the Court of Appeal therefore reduce the told the tag days should have been taken off. was an isolated incident and I have no recent 9) It remains the case that it ought not to be role because the Judge’s reasons were faulty? Is this true? I wrote to my solicitors but they or relevant convictions. The barrister never expected that this Court will routinely grant This is more difficult. The Court of Appeal is don’t respond to my letters. Can you help? came to see me afterwards, but has drafted long extensions of time to correct errors when normally very reluctant to disturb the findings grounds of appeal. I feel let down and your no one has applied his mind to the issue until of sentencing judges particularly when the I hope I can. If the tag time qualifies, as it view would be greatly appreciated. long after the event. judge has conducted a trial (as opposed to invariably does now, half the number of A The Court noticed that their instructions to the sentencing after a plea of guilty). If the judge’s days should be deducted. The first Court of I would not normally give legal advice courts and to advocates had not been heeded. reasons for a particular role are inadequate, Appeal case of the year, R v Thorsby and Others when you have a legal team acting for The Court of Appeal wants to restrict late A the Court is likely to look at the telephone 2015 EWCA Crim 1, which was published by you in a continuing appeal. In your case I can, appeals. The lengthy judgment includes the traffic which I understand there was along the Court of Appeal yesterday, deals with tag because your letter was sent to Inside Time by observation that none of the responsibility for with everything you did. The Court of Appeal time. The Court considered four cases where your solicitor so I cannot be ‘treading on your the failure to deduct tag time lay with the four looks for reasons not mentioned by the sen- counsel and others had failed to ask for tag legal team’s toes’ (which is not permitted). I defendants personally. No one suggested that tencing judge to support the role the sentenc- time to be taken off and appeals were launched have no access to your papers so cannot advise there was a long gap between the discovery of ing judge found. The Court of Appeal fre- long after the appeal time limits had expired. fully on an appeal but from what you say, there the error and the lodging of the appeal. In the quently supports a higher role than the one the The Court identified five steps for the Crown are a number of issues, which I will divide up. circumstances, the Judges thought they were facts suggest. The descriptions for the catego- Courts and Magistrates’ Courts to take when What category does 2.2 kilos of heroin fall into? obliged to grant permission to appeal out of ries are also very poorly drafted. Without clear sentencing defendants with tags: It is important to remember that the category time and they ordered that the tag time for boundaries between the various categories for Step 1 Add up the days spent on qualifying will sometimes reflect the amount of drugs each should be deducted. the roles, I would be surprised if the Court of curfew including the first, but not the last, if on traded which may be greater than the amount So what about your case? Appeal altered the role ascribed to you. You the last day the defendant was taken into custody. that was seized. However, reading about the It appears that your advocate failed in his or have probably already discovered that the law Step 2 Deduct days on which the defendant facts in your case, it does appear the Judge had her duty to you. The prosecution failed in their and its application are not always fair. was at the same time also: i) being monitored to take 2.2 kilos as the weight for sentencing. duty to the Court. The CPS failed you in not What about the mitigation? with a tag for compliance with a curfew In your case the weight of drugs was nearer the having the procedures in place to stop this I see your counsel listed the mitigation as: a) requirement, and/or ii) on temporary release Category 2 weight. There are two ways to deal happening. The Crown Court failed to have letters from your mother and partner, b) the from custody. with cases where drug amounts are in between their paperwork in order. I expect the Judge effect on your 10-year-old daughter from a Step 3 Deduct days when the defendant has these two category weights. The first is to treat failed to make the order (detailed above in previous relationship, c) your gambling broken the curfew or the tagging condition. the case as Category 2 and make an upward para 8) for the flexible approach to the days in addiction, d) the short length of the conspir- Step 4 Divide the result by two. adjustment. The second and better approach his sentencing remarks. Having read your acy, e) your lack of any drugs convictions other Step 5 If necessary round up to the nearest is to choose a figure between the two starting letter, I am sure you are blameless. than possession of cannabis and f) there was whole number. points. These approaches, however, amount to Justice requires that your days on a tag should no other link to drug dealing. Matters a) to c) They added that: 1) It remains essential that much the same. reduce your sentence. As your solicitor appears are routinely ignored in drug supply cases as every court which imposes a curfew and A significant role Category 1 starting point is 10 to have no interest in helping you, I will ask the overriding consideration is the offence, not tagging condition uses the Court Service form years and a Category 2 starting point is 8 years. David Wells to write to you. the personal details of the offender. This can Using the second approach, 9 years would be be shown where three defendants with the for a weight halfway between the two category Asking Robert and Jason questions: same involvement but different mitigation are weights. Your weight is nearer the Category 2 Please make sure your question concerns sentence and not conviction and send the letter to sentenced. They invariably receive the same weight. The appropriate starting point would Inside Time, marked for Robert Banks or Jason Elliott. Unless you say you don’t want your sentence. Matter d) would normally make be 8 to 8½ years. When the sentence is over 5 question and answer published, it will be assumed you have no objection to publication. It is little or no difference. However in fact, years, courts invariably pass a sentence which usually not possible to determine whether a particular defendant has grounds of appeal ‘Isolated incident’ is mentioned in the Drugs is either a whole number or one with a half without seeing all the paperwork. Analysing all the paperwork is not possible. The column is Offences Guideline 2012 as a ‘factor reducing year in it. designed for simple questions and answers. seriousness or reflecting personal mitigation’. Was the Judge able to place you as having a No-one will have their identity revealed. Letters which a) are without an address, b) cannot be Matter e) may be a mitigating factor. ‘No significant role? read, or c) are sent direct, cannot be answered. Letters sent by readers to Inside Time are sent previous convictions or no relevant or recent The Judge does not have to accept the role agreed on to a solicitor, who forwards them to Robert and Jason. If your solicitor wants to see previous convictions’ is mentioned in the Drugs between the prosecution and the defence. questions and answers, they are at www.banksr.com. Offences Guideline 2012 as a ‘factor reducing If you would like to contribute to the Poetry section, please send your poems to Insidetime February 2015 48 Valentines Poetry ‘Poetry’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. www.insidetime.org

I Hope It Snows Star Poem of the Month H Carl Mason - HMP Kirklevington Grange

Love is Life I hope the snow falls this year Suguru Gomi - HMP Dovegate You know I really do Because at this time of year What is a life? When it snows People wake up, they work, they eat and they sleep It makes me think of you If that is life, what is a life? I know that many years have passed Locked behind walls nothing to do And this year she’s found another How do they find the will to live? But in my heart it doesn’t change a thing What is a life? I can’t help it, I’ll always love her He did it for his family Yes I would walk forever in the snow He did it for pride © aliasching - Fotolia.com I would embrace every single shiver He did it for a precious memory There’s no distance I would not go He lives for pleasure Butterflies If it only meant I could be with her He lives for money Muir Taylor - HMP Barlinnie Well every man needs a dream What is a life? So you’re at the top of my Christmas list He wakes up to the same routine, same faces, In second place is a sprig of mistletoe Crazy butterflies same places Under which we can share a kiss Flying all around inside People go through life thinking what? What is this feeling Now I know that I am only dreaming What do you live for? I can’t seem to hide? So I’ll wish you all the best Not for any reason, not any more.... what is a life? Perhaps the beef enchilada I hope you get all you want I live for love, where there is love I enjoyed late last night And it’s better than all the rest I can live on, for love is life Or a side effect I hope the snow falls this year What is this pain deep in my chest? Of sucking in my abs too tight You know I really do Bit by bit love is changing me Because at this time of year No, I’m pretty darn sure If God can let me live again When it snows It’s neither of those I know I can change, I will, right now, forever, I always think of you I think it’s something BIGGER march on I need to expose I live for love I’ve fallen hard for you For you and only you A Radio Four Girl and a Radio And not from just a couple of feet I want to live again Six Boy I’ve fallen from the tallest building Love is life And splattered all over the street Gordon Chorlton - Guernsey Prison I give myself all to you, I want to live Love is life Lolly, lozenge, lollapalooza To hear your voice again, I’ve kept my heart alive Pushing the Right Buttons This is a poem just for yousa So say to me, “Dear welcome home” Craig Burger - HMP Lewes Then I will return back to my life with you I couldn’t hope to be as funny as Matt Harvey and say to you “I’m home” I stand at the blue box on the wall Though I am now resident in Guernsey Love is life Punch the numbers, making my daily call Stomach gurgling, waiting to talk to you I have a terrible short term memory Congratulations to this months winner who receives our £25 But I recall the day we went to Jersey prize for ‘Star Poem of the Month’. Will it be joy or will you be blue?

“Hi, it’s only me, how’s your day been? And all the films and all the coffees What have you done, who have you seen?” Wells and Exeter and Totnes On Moving Wing Trying to imagine the life of the free That sculpture park what a surprise John Gowers - HMP Wandsworth Always knowing you are struggling without me And all the times we met at The Hive Pigeons make prison sounds ‘I’m fine, doing my time’ Dorchester Gardens, Paris and Lyme My swift thoughts soar like birds You don’t need to hear my sobs or me whine And how could I forget the times In a sky fleeted with words I’d rather be positive and give you hope But those dull British clowns It eases the pain and helps you cope Build their nests in the eaves We went swimming at the pool and Eype And all the art in Dorset Arts Week Of the dim prison wing You’re serving my sentence from a different place And content not to sing With strength, character and ultimate grace Sometimes you say you feel kinda blue They conspire like thieves You’re my rock, my gem - the fabric of my life Which is one of many things I really like about you Behind bright razor wire I know I am blessed to have you as my wife Where they choose just to sit It seems like ages since we would meet at Spoons And to gossip and sh*t There are not enough words for me to say And listen to Jack Johnson and other tunes Ah my heart is a choir I will have to continue, my love, another day That sings for you Until tomorrow when I rejoin the queue So enjoy this day, it’s all we’ve got My love Just know that I am sorry and I love you One minute we’re here, the next we’re not Insidetime February 2015 If you would like to contribute to the Poetry section, please send your poems to www.insidetime.org ‘Poetry’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Inside Poetry 49 It’s True Evergreen Alex Carr - HMP Wandsworth Mark Hogg - HMP Peterborough

I’d never really get it, or know how you’re feeling I wonder where I’m going, where does my future lay I can’t really empathise, I don’t know that demon Failed promises of rehabilitation, the devils imps have come out Getting held down and raped, how could I relate? to play I could tell you it’s destiny, I could say it’s fate So as a scholar I have become, a graduate of a human sewage farm You could pray to a deaf God, or cry on invisible shoulder As I’m set to be released soon, I’m sure it can do no harm Most the time it rains stones, sometimes they’re boulders I guess I could tell you that I understand I peer out of my window, as that fateful day slithers closer But all that would be, is another lie from a man At the weak winter’s sun, shining above towers of conifer and pine I can tell you something though, and believe me it’s true They cause my mind to wander, the plane of past and future That shame belongs to them, it doesn’t belong to you As those evergreen towers are de ant of time I’m sorry you felt you couldn’t tell, it wouldn’t matter to me I would never think you’re damaged, it’s not like you’re my I wish I could be evergreen and tower above these walls of wire property To make my enemies fear me, as they try to look me down You can feel ashamed if you want, or feel contaminated If I had but one more wish, I’d wish also to be de ant of time

It’s your right to feel like that, and sit around devastated And I would move deep into my past and refrain from causing crime © pupes1 - Fotolia I have to say something though, and trust me it’s true That shame belongs to him, it doesn’t belong to you I’m a very honest person, it causes me trouble The Looking Glass I bite off more than I can chew, I burst people’s bubbles Cathy Conway - HMP Hydebank Wood I think you’re hard as f**k, I think you should be proud Coz you’re stronger than an Angel, who’s fallen from a cloud Mirror, mirror, on the wall Look at what you’ve got through, most people would break When will the mighty ever fall? But you keep your head held high, and a smile on your face Round and round in circles I run I think you’re an inspiration, so please don’t cry Most of life has lost its fun Maybe I should just stay quiet, and try catch the tears from your eye Mirror, mirror, who am I? I’ll tell you something though. And believe me it’s true Many thoughts ﬂ oat in the sky That shame belongs to them, it doesn’t belong to you Up above like long lost friends It’s funny how the river bends Escaping the Shadow Kevin Follis - HMP Magilligan Mirror, mirror, where do I go Time is moving really slow Future plans are seldom made Round and round the yard I go Life dwelling mostly in the shade Escaping the shadow and its relentless ow Walking in the shade holds no interest for me Mirror, mirror, see me now I’m mostly out here for some vitamin D The furrowed lines across my brow The shifts and changes do not bring any news I just want some sunlight, there’s little to be had © Antonio Gravante - Fotolia.com To make my heart sing As my days are jam-packed in the pen for the bad The evenings come near and the silhouette creeps My Body the Temple Mirror, mirror, gently treat Re ecting the wire mesh of the surrounding keep Mat Rogers - HMP Chelmsford Within dwells parts that are almost dead I look a bit odd as I edge from the side Keeping pace with the sun as the shadow abides These old church walls are broken down We will award a prize of £25 to the entry selected as our ‘Star Years of neglect can do that Poem of the Month’. To qualify for a prize, poems should not Striding anti-clockwise to gather some tness Tramps piss in the corners while drunk have won a prize in any other competition or been published previously. Send entries to: Inside Time, Poetry, Botley Mills, Though all I want, really, is to be a witness Then nestle with the rats so fat Botley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 2GB. Please put your To the glory of the sun and all it entails Forgotten things roam these dirty halls name, number and prison on the same sheet of paper as your Ghosts of self worth and pride poem. If you win we can’t send your money if we don’t know And to possibly avoid looking a deathly shade of pale who or where you are! Damp attracts mould and disease By submitting your poems to Inside Time you are agreeing NEW And the darkness helps the junkies hide that they can be published in any of our ‘not for profi t links’, insidepoetry I stagger from pillar to altar of stone these include the newspaper, website and any forthcoming Tears ﬁ ll the cup I offer books. You are also giving permission for Inside Time to Voices from prison use their discretion in allowing other organisations to repro- On my knees I feel alone duce this work if considered appropriate, unless you have Copies are available at a special clearly stated that you do not want this to happen. Any work discount price of £7.50 +£1 p&p for And on my own I suffer I pray the Lord my soul to take reproduced in other publications will be on a ‘not for profi t’ Inside Time readers, family & friends. basis. WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR WORK PLEASE INCLUDE Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, But will he hear these psalms THE FOLLOWING PERMISSION: THIS IS MY OWN WORK AND Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB When all I do is drink and drink I AGREE TO INSIDE TIME PUBLISHING IT IN ALL ASSOCIATE Tel: 0844 335 6483 Then put needles in my arms SITES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS AS APPROPRIATE. Insidetime February 2015 50 Reading Groups www.insidetime.org Reading group Shared Reading Amanda Brown and the Shared Reading round-up group in the Healthcare Centre, HMP Image courtesy of Matthew Meadows Liverpool, are reading Frankenstein by The review this month comes from Wandsworth Mary Shelley.

prison where Charlie Bland and David Jeffs “I am not mad,” I cried energetically; “the voured phrases are repeated. Then the con- sun and the heavens, who have viewed my versation shifts and Elizabeth’s generosity is in report on Melanie McGrath’s book ‘Silvertown’ operations, can bear witness of my truth. I am dispute. the assassin of those most innocent victims; “How can he leave her now? Even if he does This month provided us Melanie hadn’t mentioned all the love and they died by my machinations. A thousand times would I have shed my own blood, drop love someone else. He couldn’t after getting with a special guest. After care for one another people showed. Melanie this, could he?” reading Melanie McGrath’s was happy to listen to everybody’s views and by drop, to have saved their lives; but I could best-selling book Silver- meeting her really gave us an understanding not, my father, indeed I could not sacrifi ce the “She’s giving him the choice.” whole human race.” town, the group were of where she was coming from when writing “She’s being highly manipulative!” bursting with questions. the book. A lot of emotion was put into the “The conclusion of this speech convinced my Thanks to Sarah from book and you could feel it when speaking to father that my ideas were deranged, and he “’One smile,’ and ‘I shall need no other hap- Prison Reading Groups we Melanie, especially when she enlightened us instantly changed the subject of our conversa- piness.’’ She’s saying she’ll be happy. He can were able to have Melanie about how her mother felt about her writing tion and endeavoured to alter the course of walk away.” in to answer all that we the book. my thoughts. He wished as much as possible wanted to know. to obliterate the memory of the scenes that “That’s what she’s saying to him - ‘Be happy.’ Overall the group would advise reading this had taken place in Ireland, and never alluded She’s telling him to do what he wants, because Silvertown is the story of an East End family book whether you’re from East London or not. to them, or suffered me to speak of my mis- that’s what she wants. So she still wins. “ from before the Great War stretching through It’s a great insight into the life and story of fortunes.” “That’s true: it’s win-win for her.” to more modern times, seen through the eyes those who struggled through some of Britain’s and recollections of Melanie McGrath’s grand- most tragic periods. “If he doesn’t want to be ‘supposed mad,’” “So through this act of selfl essness, she’s actu- mother, Jenny Page. It shows deep and at says J, “then what’s he doing? What’s his dad ally gaining self-satisfaction. Is it possible to be times dark memories of the struggles that took Melanie was absolutely wonderful and a real supposed to think?” entirely selfl ess, then?” I ask. place in London. Throughout the book we pleasure to meet. She took time in answering “They don’t have a proper relationship, N, who arrived late group (the others have meet some fl amboyant characters, but there is everybody’s questions and even signed books though, do they? I mean, his father can’t told me he is not feeling so good) now speaks. also a real sense of the pain and sadness that for us. An inspirational women with a wonder- cope: ‘he instantly changed the subject of our “How it’s done - so persuasive - that’s what went on behind the doors of families in the ful story. conversation.’ He just wants to sweep it under what’s interesting. We’ve got to remember it’s historic East End of London. the carpet and forget about it,” says P. Mary Shelley writing this. Remember what it The Wandsworth Heathfi eld group is part “Don’t you think he feels guilty - his dad - was like for women then. And she was married Melanie describes what life was like, including of the Prison Reading Groups network because he’s responsible for bringing Victor to Shelley: she’s got to prove herself as a the impact that the docks had on the locals (PRG), sponsored by the University of Roe- into the world?” asks D. writer. This is Mary Shelley’s way of showing and the effects on their lives when the docks hampton and generously supported by how good she can be.” closed down. The landscape is very fertile and Give a Book www.giveabook.org.uk, We embark on a long nature/nurture debate. productive in the East End but also unlovely Penguin Random House and Profi le Books. P is new to the group. He tells us about his We segue into a discussion of the genesis of and deprived, mirroring a lot of the people in If your prison doesn’t have a reading group, parents sending him to Sunday school when the text, fl ipping back to the introduction for the book. encourage your librarian to have a look at he was a child and how this set him apart confi rmation. We marvel afresh at this feat - a the PRG website www.roehampton.ac.uk/ from the other children. young woman writing in this way in the early A particularly horrifi c story was when Jenny’s prison-reading-groups. 19th Century. teeth were all pulled out at the age of 17 so PRG has also worked with National Prison We return to the text. M reads the letter Victor that her future husband would not have to Frankenstein receives from his sweetheart, Radio to start a radio book club. If you The Reader Organisation is an award-win- bear any future dental costs. Elizabeth. have access to NPR, listen out for details ning charitable social enterprise working to and ways to take part. “It is your happiness I desire as well as my connect people with great literature. Our The group felt that the bombing in the Second own when I declare to you that our marriage groups meet weekly to listen to a short World War affected the whole of London. But would render me eternally miserable unless it story or an extract from a novel and a Melanie quite rightly stated that East London were the dictate of your own free choice. poem being read aloud by a trained practi- was more seriously affected because the docks Even now I weep to think that, borne down as tioner. No one else has to read aloud, were targeted, not only stopping any way we you are by the cruellest misfortunes, you may although some choose to do so. There are had of supplying our troops and putting many stifl e, by the word “honour”, all hope of that pauses in which we discuss how we feel out of work, but more importantly lots of love and happiness which would alone restore about what we’ve read. homes were destroyed and many lives lost. you to yourself. I, who have so disinterested an affection for you, may increase your miser- Jenny and her husband Len were like many ies tenfold by being an obstacle to your other families in the East End, struggling to wishes. Ah! Victor, be assured that your make do. Len dipped his hand into the ever- ShannonTrust cousin and playmate has too sincere a love for Forensic Accountants growing Black Market and always had his eye you not to be made miserable by this supposi- out for new ideas. Melanie writes: “The press Do you, or anyone you know, tion. Be happy, my friend; and if you obey me CONFISCATION PROCEEDINGS of his business, of his businesses (there seem in this one request, remain satisfi ed that UNDER POCA! struggle with reading? Bartfields have considerable UK wide experience of to be a new one every week) left him irritable nothing on earth will have the power to inter- analysing and revising prosecution benefit calculations and tightly wound”. rupt my tranquillity. within tight deadlines. (Legal aid available) The Shannon Trust Reading Plan (Toe by Toe) Free prison visit for all pre-confsication hearing cases is a simple & effi cient way of helping people Recent Cases: Just after the war Len bought The Cosy Café, “Do not let this letter disturb you; do not to learn to read. Prisoners who can read teach Prosecution Benefit Bartfields Benefit which introduced many colourful characters to answer tomorrow, or the next day, or even prisoners who can’t. Mr M £69,000 £8,000 the book. But when Len eventually leaves until you come, if it will give you pain. My Mr C £3,684,000 £47,000 Jenny and the café is closed down, Jenny If you would like more information on how to uncle will send me news of your health; and if Mrs D £271,000 £45,000 I see but one smile on your lips when we Mr O £378,000 £16,000 seems to become more bitter and keener to become involved, as either a Mentor or a Mr L £1,015,000 £111,000 have a moan to whoever will listen. Learner , contact the Reading Plan Lead in meet, occasioned by this or any other exertion Mrs N £785,000 £103,000 your prison (ask a Shannon Trust Mentor who of mine, I shall need no other happiness.” Contact Raymond Davidson on 0113 2449051 this is) or write to: Shannon Trust, Freepost Bartfields, 4th Floor Stockdale House, Some of the group felt that the book was all “Why can’t I get a letter like that?” says S. doom and gloom, a constant reminder of how RTKY-RUXG-KGYH The Foundry, 17-19 Oval Headingley Office Park, 8 Victoria Road, Leeds LS6 1PF Way, LONDON SE11 5RR [email protected] poor and miserable times were, and that Elizabeth’s choice of words is discussed - fa- www.bartfield.co.uk/services/forensic Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Book Reviews 51

him for so long. Broadmoor: A Quiet This novel can be enjoyed on several levels. It My Journey Into Hell Belief is much more than your average ‘whodunnit’, although its power as a straightforward thriller by Charles Bronson - Review by Noel Smith in Angels was enough to make me want to re-read it once ‘all was revealed’, discovering with the R J Ellory benefit of hindsight the clues I had missed. It This book covers the Broadmoor years, when Say what you like about Charlie Bronson but also succeeds admirably as a ‘rites of passage’ the prison system had had their fill of Charlie there can be no doubt that he is a very talented Reviewed by Douglas Chadwick insight into the mind of a confused young and decided that ‘nutting him off’ was the man. His artwork sells all around the world, Prison Supplied man who is desperate to find his identity best way to get rid of their problem, and is sometimes for silly money, and his books are whilst at the same time longing to run away probably his best book yet. It benefits from always great sellers. The most amazing thing is Eleven year old Joseph finds a white feather in from it. being well laid out and easy to read, far from that he does it all from a virtual hole in the his room and is convinced it has been left by a the chaos of some of Charlie’s offerings. It ground! A lot of people forget that Charlie visiting angel. The untimely death of his father However, the most powerful aspect of the gives a real feel of the misery and desperation does not even have the basic liberties afforded later that day leaves Joseph struggling to make novel is its philosophical reflection on questions that pervades an institution like Broadmoor. to most of the prison population, and yet he sense of a painful and mysterious world. His such as truth, words, value and choices, and it The killings, brutality and wholesale abuse of still manages to reach out from behind cell secret love for Miss Webber, a teacher who is this which raises the book on to a par with ‘patients’ is horrifying and well-documented doors, iron bars and stone walls and touch encourages him to develop his skills as a literary classics. Tales of child murders do not here. In Broadmoor the ‘liquid cosh’ reigns people in the outside world. That is true deter- writer, is contrasted with his hatred for an generally lend themselves to ponderings on supreme. The book is dedicated to Michael mination and self-belief (which the authorities the meaning of life, but it is a combination Martin, a young inmate who came to Broadmoor have been trying to strip him of for decades, unknown assailant who brutally murders a which works well here. Ellory interweaves the as a healthy fella and was dead within a short with little success) driving him on. And his last local young girl. various threads with supreme skill, resulting in time in mysterious circumstances. A lot of book as Charlie Bronson (he has changed his a novel which is both enjoyable and thought people have died at Broadmoor and not name to Charles Salvador) is a perfect illustra- Joseph and his friends pledge to protect their provoking. always from natural causes. As Charlie points tion of that determination and self-belief. classmates from the killer, but are left feeling out, this place is not a ‘hospital’ and those big powerless as one child after another is lumps walking around in white smocks are not Broadmoor is a frightening and secretive place murdered. The resulting sense of failure and Fans of traditional thriller fare will find them- ‘nurses’, they are all members of the POA and this book opens the gates and doors so fear overshadows Joseph’s life long after the selves drawn into deeper waters, an unex- (Prison Officers Association) and, in reality, that we may see something of what has gone on murders have ceased, and he never wavers in pected but enriching journey. Try it and see Broadmoor is nothing but a prison. there. A great read and highly recommended. his determination to bring the killer to justice. for yourself.

There is a chapter on the history of Broadmoor Fifty years later, he finally finds himself face to and another on the famous and infamous Broadmoor; My Journey Into Hell by Charles Bronson face with the man who has blighted his entire prisoners who have been held captive there Published by John Blake Publishing life. Joseph is critically wounded in the con- A Quiet Belief in Angels by R J Ellory over the years, but the story is mainly RRP £9.99 frontation, and as he calmly waits for the Published by Orion concerned with exposing the brutal and illegal angels to come and collect him, he reflects on ISBN 978-0-7528-8263-5 practises of Broadmoor in the 1980s. I would the nightmares and ghosts that have haunted RRP £6.99 hope that this prison has changed since the days when Charlie and others were drugged- up and housed like mad cattle because if this Late News regime is still in place then I feel for those A piece of art has been stolen from the incarcerated there. ‘Death of Bronson’ Artexhibition Show, being held at Apiary Studios, Hackney. The exhibition Charlie has gone down in the record books as was targeted by a thief, who made off with being the only man (and I doubt this will ever a large piece on card (pictured below). be bested) to get on Broadmoor’s roof, not once, not twice but THREE times! An amazing feat for an extreme climber, but Charlie was CHILD under ‘close supervision’ and pumped full of mind-altering drugs. And it is these victories that manage to alleviate the extremely depress- ing story of men being crushed by the weight of a corrupt and brutal institution. ABUSE Helping victims rebuild their lives since 1994.

Helping you achieve justice for the abuse Our dedicated team of specialist, legal experts you suffered. have a proven track record in handling We have been helping abuse victims claim child abuse claims and can help you if you their legal rights for over 15 years. have been the victim of sexual, physical or emotional abuse in childhood. The law allows people to make claims for compensation even if the abuse they In 2013 we secured nearly three quarters of a suffered took place many years ago. million pounds in compensation for our clients. We also deal with cases against children’s Speak to one of our specialist male or female homes, other institutions and social services solicitors in complete confidence. for lack of care. • Prison visits • Legal Aid available • Complete confidentiality QualitySolicitors Abney Garsden

Changing the way you see lawyers. 0845 604 7075 [email protected] 37 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 5AF www.abuselaw.co.uk Insidetime February 2015 52 Jailbreak www.insidetime.org

Crossword TWENTY QUESTIONS TO TEST YOUR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

1. Which US author wrote the horror tales led to the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia? ‘The Telltale Heart’ and ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’? 12. In 1963, which Conservative politician renounced his earldom before becoming 2. Which 2000 Tom Hanks fi lm is mainly prime minister? set on a deserted island? 13. Which screen legend founded the 3. The Wallaroo is a large, stocky variety of Sundance Institute? which Australian animal? 14. What nationality is Heath Ledger, the 4. Which British comedian and actor pub- actor and star of Brokeback Mountain? lished his book of Flanimals in 2004? 15. What was the fi rst name of journalist 5. Publicly voted the greatest painting in Carol Thatcher’s father? Britain in 2005, The Fighting Temeraire is by which artist? 16. In the TV cartoon series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, what was the 6. With which sport is Steve Davis most name of He-Man’s alias? closely associated? 17. The French writer Victor Hugo spent 7. Which city in French Guiana shares its the majority of his years of exile living on name with a type of pepper? which Channel Island?

8. What type of animal is the title charac- 18. In the Superman fi lms, what colour is ter in the children’s TV series Arthur? Superman’s cape?

9. Traditionally, which UK country cele- 19. In the traditional children’s song brates Hogmanay? about London church bells, what do the bells of St Clements say? 10. Pop star Kylie Minogue came to fame in which Australian TV soap? 20. Who played the character John Shaft in the 2000 remake of the fi lm Shaft? 11. In 1968, which Czech leader’s reforms Across Down 1. Largest of the United Arab Emirates (3,5) 1. Brian —, English novelist whose works include 5. French seaport with a ferry service to Dover (6) “The Helliconia Trilogy” (6) Inside Chess 8 9. Town in South Dakota associated with Calamity 2. Planet with an orbit between those of Saturn and Jane and Wild Bill Hickok (8) Neptune (6) by Carl Portman 7 10. Johnny —, highly successful American lyricist and 3. Author of “The Scarlet Letter” (9) co-founder of Capitol records (6) 4. Veins and arteries (5,7) I realise that you only get one chess problem a 6 12. Partially melted snow (5) 6. “The Secret —”, a novel by Joseph Conrad (5) month folks (that’s what space allows) so I have to 5 13. A small coffee-cup (9) 7. Lineage (8) try to aim it for all levels. That’s not easy when you 14. Part of a gun that can be opened for loading (6) 8. Italian resort on the peninsula between the Bay of have beginners at one end of the scale and some 4 15. French revolutionary leader assassinated in his Naples and the Gulf of Salerno (8) bath by Charlotte Corday (5) 11. An oval or circular building with seats rising in very strong players at the other. This month I will 3 18. Complacently foolish (5) tiers around a central open space (12) give you a diffi cult but fantastic puzzle from a 19. The stitching of a wound (6) 15. A complex situation or muddle (5,4) problem set by a Polish player called David Przepi- 2 22. Singer who had a hit in 1963 with”Losing You”(6,3) 16. Italian bread with a sponge-like texture, made orka. He perished in a concentration camp during

24. Father Christmas (5) with olive oil (8) the Second World War and his collection of chess 1 25. First name of the poet T. S. Eliot (6) 17. The southernmost point of South America (4,4) books was looted by the occupiers. More on the 26. And so forth (2,6) 20. “Full many a fl ower is born to blush —”(Gray: chess problem shortly. A B C D E F G H 27. English mystic who took the Shaker sect to Elegy) (6) America (3,3) 21. Lauren —, American actress (6) Now to that chess problem. It is white moving I wanted to thank the Staff and inmates at HMP Full 28. A person assigned to keep guard (8) 23. A male duck (5) up the board to move. The question is how Sutton for inviting me before Christmas and for David Anthony Shaw A9834AA HMP North Sea Camp playing their part in making the day a very special does white win? This will take the majority of you a good while to solve, so be prepared for Hollywood Women AmyACTS Adams LeslieMATTHEW Mann one. As usual I gave a brief introduction about why I COLOSSIANSAnna Faris LivNAHUM Tyler am doing this voluntary work, followed by a short a sore head after so much cogitation. CORINTHIANS PETER U M A T H U R M A N I R A V U S A N E M Anne-Marie Megan Fox Q&A session. The questions were very interesting N I T E A L E O N I M E G A N F O X T G DEUTERONOMY PHILIPPIANS EPHESIANSDuff MegPROVERBS Ryan especially the one about who was my favourite ever You can write to me with your answer care of The O C R U D D G D H E L E N M I R R E N N AnneEXODUS Reid MenaPSALM Suvari player. I gave the answer as Capablanca but there GALATIANS REVELATION English Chess Federation at The Watch Oak, Chain O H A H N N A M E I L S E L E A N N E D Charlize Michelle are so many reasons for choosing others as I am HEBREWSTheron ROMANSWilliams SAMUEL Lane, Battle, East Sussex TN33 OYD or you can M E M B B U M L S V E R A H D U F E F V ISAIAH THESSALONIANS sure you agree. I then gave a simultaneous display Dakota Naomi Watts email me at offi [email protected] and they G L Y E H M Y E U L I V T Y L E R U J E JAMES TIMOTHY TITUS against inmates and a very good time was had by JEREMIAHFanning Noomi Rapace all. To be honest, they are the strongest group of will forward it to me. Please note that you should F L Y L D A A S C B G E C D E G B N M R EllenJOB Page Penelope Cruz JOHN players I have met yet and I lost on a few boards due always write to me at the ECF not via InsideTime. E E H L F N D L K B Z O E S A L D A N A Emily Sandra Bullock JOSHUA to their skill, perseverance and preparation. I take The winner to be announced in the April edition of C W I E S H A I E I L E O V N I N N O F BrowningLUKE Tara Fitzgerald A I L N G D M F L A N N E R E I D N T A EvaMALACHI Green Tea Leoni my hat off to them and wish them well for their Inside Chess. The answer to January’s puzzle was P L A P D D S R R T H G F S A F S A N R HelenMARK Mirren Tilda Swinton chess club in the coming months. 1.Qe6+ Kh8 2.Nf7+ Kg8 3.Nh6+ Kh8 4.Qg8+! Rxg8 A L R A G N A O M I W A T T S R T F I M Hilary Swank Uma Thurman 5.Nf7checkmate. (Please note that a + sign means Not only were they of a very strong standard, they R I Y G V H P E N E L O T D D G H A W I Kaya Vera Farmiga check. An exclamation mark means a good move Scodelario Zoe Saldana had used the prison resources available to them - I A S E C Z U R C E P O L E N E P R S G and # means checkmate). The winner to be chess books from the library - to study and prepare M M W T G N I N W O R B Y L I M E I A A announced. Thanks to David Anthony Shaw - HMP lines which clearly paid off. In that sense they had O S A T A R A F I T Z G E R A L D S D M North Sea Camp for compiling this made their moves before they even got to the board. O A N N E M A R I E D U F F M E H G L A word search. If you fancy compiling one for us please just send it in max Naturally, now that we all have the measure of each The winner of December’s problem was Carl from N V K Z F K C O L L U B A R D N A S I Y 20 x 20 grid & complete with answers other, I will be keen on a return visit some time in 2015 HMP Standford Hill. A chess magazine donated by shown on a grid. If we use it we will K A Y A S C O D E L A R I O F N H U T R to try to put some of my own preparation into play. Chess and Bridge of London is his prize. D A K O T A F A N N I N G N A Y R G E M send you £5 as a thank you!

Amy Adams Anna Faris Anne-Marie Duff Anne Reid Charlize Theron Dakota Fanning Ellen Page Emily Browning Eva Green Helen Mirren Hilary Swank Kaya Scodelario Leslie Mann Liv Tyler Megan Fox Meg Ryan Mena Suvari Michelle Williams Naomi Watts Noomi Rapace Penelope Cruz Sandra Bullock Tara Fitzgerald Tea Leoni Tilda Swinton Uma Thurman Vera Farmiga Zoe Saldana Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak 53

Albatross Pathﬁ nder Bits and pieces “QUOTES” Concrete and clay Pathfinder Grid Delilah 50s50s & 60s &Hits 60s Hits In the ghetto Very little seems very funny today I can understand why people are ➢ Little red rooster Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye, reacts to into S&M, but standing outside S S Y O U A L B A T R O S S W Puppet on a string the murders at the French satirical maga- Heathrow’s Terminal 5 waiting for Revolution zine Charlie Hebdo. Ryanair to come in? H E N D P I E C E S R A E H O Rock around the clock Plane spotting is much odder than sado- She loves you E V A H G E H T N I T Y O N O Shout He’s the greatest man there is masochism, says the actor Jamie Dornan, L O S E T E P P U P Y A U E D Son of a preacher man Sarah, Duchess of York sticks by her for- star of Fifty Shades of Grey. Twist and shout mer husband, Prince Andrew, who denies B I T T O S T L K I N L W E R Walking back to having had sex with an underage girl. If you don’t like it here because happiness K W O T N A R A A B G C D N E Wooden heart some humorists you don’t like are World without love Ladies, I’m very flattered, but making a newspaper, may I then say C O L A H N I W C K T O H A M You were made for me has this not set feminism back a you can f**K off. O R I I L G O N N I P P A E A little bit? A message to fellow Muslims from Ahmed The actor Benedict Cumberbatch takes Aboutaleb, the Moroccan-born mayor of L L L T E R I S E W T N A T D issue with his female fans’ decision to Rotterdam style themselves ‘Cumberbitches’. C D E T V U T S S I U O M E E E W D L O L O S T A T H R R F H I E E R E N A P N D S E C O T T V O L D O F R E A C H N R

D H O U T R O O S T E R C O M If you would like to win £5, please submit your N U O R A K C O R T U O H S E Pathﬁ nder - grids should either be 15 x 15 or 12 x 12 Neil Speed is a former prisoner who came up with the concept squares. Remember when of GEF BAD CHI whilst in prison. Inside Time features a GEF BAD you send us your Pathfi nder Ian Hislop Sarah, Duchess Benedict Jamie Dornan Ahmed Aboutaleb CHI puzzle on this page. GEF BAD CHI by Neil Speed is published to include your name, number of York Cumberbatch by Xlibris. RRP: £12.35 Using the letters G,E,F,B,A,D,C,H & I fi ll and prison - otherwise you will in the blank squares. Each letter A-I must appear only once in not receive your prize money. each line column and 3x3 grid.

9 6 1 Answers Submitted by Kaya Duncan - HMP Peterborough. Start on the left with the first number and 6 7 2 work your way across following the instructions in each cell. See how quickly you can do each puzzle and how your times improve month by month! Answers on page below. If you would like 3 7 5 to submit similar puzzles we will pay £5 for any that are chosen for print. Please send in a 5 2 4 MIND GYM minimum of three puzzles together with the answer! 3 5 14 ×7 / ÷2 / +109 / ÷2 / ×3 = ? 7 4 8 9 5 8 86 ×4 / +117 / ×3 / -623 / ÷2 = ? 2 7 5

SUDOKU & GEFBADCHI ×18 / ÷10 / -5 / ×25 / ÷4 = ?

4PROBLEM? 2 5 9 8 6 1 7 3 WE6 CAN1 7 2 HANDLE5 3 4 8 9 IT! 9 8 3 4 1 7 5 2 6 We guarantee5 6 8 a 7prompt2 1 response, 3 9 4 friendly advice1 3 4and 8 thoroughly 6 9 2 5reliable7 representation from an experienced team. 7 9 2 3 4 5 6 1 8 Parole Hearings, Judicial Reviews, 2 7 9 5 3 4 8 6 1 Recalls, Adjudications, & Categorisation 8 4 6 1 9 2 7 3 5 reviews • Indeterminate / Life Sentence issues • Lifer, ESP & IIP Panels We3 are 5 Criminal1 6 7 and8 9 Prison 4 2 Law(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. Daily Sudoku: Sat 3-Jan-2015 hard • Recalls & Oral Hearings Specialists • Adjudications (North West region) • Parole Representations The latest video link interview facilities are • Extensive Judicial Review experience • Appeals / Criminal Cases Review Commission available to speed up the http://www.dailysudoku.com/processes and avoid delay in having your concerns Accreditations include: addressed. • Members of Criminal Appeal Lawers Association • Association of Prison Lawyers Write to Mark Bailey • Manchester Prison Law Practitioner Group Bailey Nicholson Grayson Solicitors 15 Bourne Court Southend Road Ilford Essex IG8 8HD or call 0208 418 2909 For a prompt service throughout the midlands and the south of England Insidetime February 2015 54 Jailbreak www.insidetime.org

Read all about it! CAPTION COMPETITION

Peter Smith HMP December Wakeﬁ eld Fonesavvy providers of ‘landline type Winner numbers’ for mobile phones. £25

Proud sponsors of Inside Time’s new PRIZE quiz ‘Read all about it!’ Did I pack 1. What game is being played in the ‘Big Bash’ series? my own bags... If you don’t want callers to be REALLY! 2. What is the amount of time a patient can wait in A&E disadvantaged or put off by the high before the hospital is considered to have breached the cost of calling your mobile - just get a waiting times? landline number for it.

3. What is the name of the car transporter that was run Calls to mobiles don’t have to be expensive! aground in the Solent? 4. Which Coronation Street star has admitted drink driving? Full details are available on our main advert in Inside Time and at 5. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz died late in January, of www.fonesavvy.co.uk A £25 prize is on offer for the best which nation was he king? caption to this month’s picture. 6. Eddie Redmayne recently won a Golden Globe for his Sponsors of Jailbreak Simon Cowell and David Walliams portrayal of which physicist? arrive at the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Santa Claus Goes Through auditions in Edinburgh. 7. The Royal Air Force will be commemorating which Security Checkpoint At U.S. anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2015? December David Burenshaw HMP Wakefi eld (£25) Winners John Pearce HMP Littlehey (£5) Capitol 8. What precious historic artefact has been spoiled by the Gordon Gough HMP Stafford (£5) use of epoxy during repairs? >> To enter Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. 9. Which ex Home Secretary died in January? Please do not cut out any of these You can use one envelope to enter The winner will receive £25 and the panels. Just send your entry to one more than one competition just mark 10. Which two ‘celebrities’ were ejected from Celebrity two runner ups £5. See black box to it ‘jailbreak’. A 1st or 2nd class stamp is the right for details of how to enter. or all of these competitions on a Big Brother? separate sheet of paper. Make sure required on your envelope. your name, number and prison is CLOSING DATE FOR ALL COMPETI- Answers to last months News quiz: 1. Lindt, 2. Ben Haenow, 3. 132, 4. TBA, 5. Stockport, on all sheets. Post your entry to: TIONS IS 07/03/15 6. Jo Pavey, 7. Dressage, 8. Canada, 9. Carl Foggarty, 10. Candy Crush Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley,

8. Which rehabilitation programme teaches prisoners to train dogs? 9. Who is Spud’s soul mate? 10. Which ‘anti smoking aid’ is the complete package? insideknowledge 11. Which awards show was originally called the Daily Mirror Rock and Pop Awards? The prize quiz where we give you the Questions and the Answers! 12. Who has spent 25 years as a volunteer giving bereavement counselling at HMP Bullingdon? All the answers are within this issue of Inside Time - all you have to do is fi nd them!! 13. Which novel can be enjoyed on several levels? 14. Which project was awarded £280,000 two years ago? The fi rst three names to be drawn with all-correct answers (or nearest) will? receive a £25 cash prize. 15. Who admits to being a dreadful speller? There will also be two £5 consolation prizes. The winners’ names will appear in next month’s issue. Answers to Last Month’s Inside Knowledge Prize Quiz 1. Which hip-hop artist has a family reality show and new album on the way? 1. Nayirah, 2. Mark Banner, 3. Catholic Prisoners Aid Society, 4. 173,000, 5. 9000, 6. Glass 7. Edie, 8. Rum Ration, 9. EFFRR (Employers’ Forum for Reducing Reoffending), 10. The Voyage of the 2. Which actress has said that being a Quaker is essential for her life and work? Golden Handshake, 11. 4, 12. How I Live Now, 13. Simon Short, 14. The Serious Crime Bill, 15. 27% 3. Who has increased their self confi dence through distance learning? 4. How many years did Charlie Bronson spend in Broadmoor Mental Hospital? December 5. Which album is a dancehall album for Jamaica and beyond? Winners Our three £25 Prize winners are: Jamie Netherton HMP Hull, J Lench HMP Littlehey, 6. When will NPR’s new schedule be launched? Troy Mason HMP Wormwood Scrubs Plus our £5 Consolation prizes go to: 7. Whose art work sells all around the world for silly money? Badshah Khan HMP Moorland, Shane Cope HMP Oakwood.

Don’t take Chances simon bethel with Your Freedom ! Here are 5 good reasons to call us FIRST: solicitors 1. One of the UK’s biggest specialist defence firms 2. Led by lawyer previously shortlisted for criminal Criminal Defence & Prison Law Specialists defence lawyer of the year

3. Proven, specialist expertise in Appeal work © iQoncept - Fotolia Licence & Parole Hearings 4. Our Advocates are always ready to represent you HDC & Recalls 5. We don’t give up! Adjudications Appeals • Adjudications • Parole Hearings Recall • Categorisation • Lifer Tariffs We will be extending the closing dates for Re-categorisation & Transfers Crime • Housing • Family Appeals & CCRC Referrals “The lawyers here are not just going through the allcompetitions, quizzes and poetry contribu- motions; as a barrister you have to be at your plus all Family Law and Immigration Matters tions. This will mean we will have to publish the best at all times to satisfy the high standards names of winners two issues later but prizes and set by them” (Chambers & Partners 2009) Please contact Dapo, David or Kay notifi cations will still be sent out on time. All Simon Bethel Solicitors GT Stewart Solicitors answers will appear in the next issue as usual so 58/60 Lewisham High Street London SE13 5JH 21-22 Camberwell Green London SE5 7AA Freephone 0800 999 3399 you won’t be kept waiting to fi nd out if you got 0208 297 7933 [email protected] t or 020 8299 6000 g Leeds • London • Kent them right. ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ s Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers Insidetime February 2015 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak 55

PLEASE ENJOY THIS CULTURALLY, ETHNICALLY, ANNIVERSARIES ROCK & POP QUIZ RELIGIOUSLY AND POLITICALLY CORRECT CARTOON RESPONSIBLY. THANK YOU. 3 Feb 1815 // 200th Anniversary The world’s fi rst commercial cheese 1. Achtung Baby was the biggest selling factory began operating in Switzerland. album (eight million units) in America for which band? 1 Feb 1840 // 175th Anniversary Baltimore College of Dental Surgery was founded in Maryland, USA. It was the 2. Which road did Elton John say world’s fi rst dental college. ‘goodbye’ to in 1973? 10 Feb 1840// 175th Anniversary 3. Which classic album spent over seven Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. months at the top of the American charts and received a Grammy in 1977? 26 Feb 1935 // 80th Anniversary Adolf Hitler re-established the Nazi Party 4. What is the title of the 2006 music in Munich, Germany after a ban on its existence was lifted. reference book by Robert Dimery which lists a multitude of recommended albums 28 Feb 1935 // 80th Anniversary from Frank Sinatra to White Stripes? Nylon was fi rst produced by a team led by Wallace Carothers at DuPont’s research 5. According to the title of Neil Young’s station in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. 1979 album, what doesn’t rust do? 10 Feb 1940 // 75th Anniversary 6. Whose Bigger Bang Tour’ was the The cartoon characters Tom and Jerry made their fi rst appearance in the Hanna subject of a 2008 documentary movie and Barbera cartoon Puss Gets the Boot. directed by Martin Scorsese? (Tom the cat was named Jasper, and Jerry the mouse was named Jinx.) 7. Which musician founded the Area Festivals, the fi rst of which took place in 8 Feb 1950 // 65th Anniversary 2001? The fi rst-ever payment by credit card: the founders of ‘Diners Club’ paid their restaurant bill at Major’s Cabin Grill in 8. Which theatrical act produced the New York. satirical Rock Concert Instruction Manual? 24 Feb 1955 // 60th Anniversary Britain’s Big Freeze. Deep snow and 9. Which female singer’s hit albums freezing temperatures caused havoc in include Hounds Of Love, The Sensual 60 counties, with many parts cut off. The World and The Red Shoes? RAF dropped food and medical supplies to affected areas. Thousands of sheep died from exposure. 10. Where do the alternative rock band The Cranberries originate from? 15 Feb 1965 // 50th Anniversary Canada adopted its national fl ag, the red-and-white maple leaf design.

HOWARD AND BYRNE 21 Feb 1965 // 50th Anniversary SOLICITORS Assassination of Malcolm X, controversial PRISON LAW EXPERTS African American Muslim leader and LEGAL 500 RECOMMENDATION human rights activist. Nationwide Coverage 11 Feb 1975 // 40th Anniversary ‘in-house’ video link facilities available WRONGLY CONVICTED Margaret Thatcher became the fi rst Specialist advice on: female leader of the Conservative 4 parole reviews IS YOUR SENTENCE TOO LONG? Party in the UK. 4 recalls OUR DEDICATED APPEALS TEAM IS 19 Feb 1985 // 30th Anniversary 4 CALL adjudications AVAILABLE TO ADVISE YOU NATIONWIDE The fi rst episode of the BBC TV soap opera 4 judicial review US EastEnders was broadcast. 4 human rights 11 Feb 1990 // 25th Anniversary 4 criminal appeals Nelson Mandela was released from prison 4 criminal defence experts after 27 years. (He became President of 4 confiscation & proceeds of crime South Africa in 1994). Members of the Association of Prison Lawyers 2 Feb 1995 // 20th Anniversary Contact our prison law department 020 8688 2573 | 07709 431 885 (Emergency 24 hr Number) Death of Fred Perry, British tennis player, commentator and co-founder of Fred 01904 431421 www.amosurobinshaw.co.uk Suite 25, Suffolk House, George Perry sportswear. World number 1 for [email protected] four years in the 1930s. Won Wimbledon or write to: [email protected] Street, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1PE three times in succession.

Howard and Byrne 14 Feb 2005 // 10th Anniversary Chestnut Court 148 Lawrence Street SPECIALISTS IN CRIMINAL DEFENCE | LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE The popular video-sharing website York YO10 3EB (subject to specific criteria set down by the Legal Aid Agency) YouTube was founded. ›› Registered with EMAP ‹‹ Insidetime February 2015 56 National Prison Radio www.insidetime.org

March 2011 What’s on National Prison Radio? Day Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Eve Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun

17:00 07:00 The Brixton Hour Special programme made for HMP Behind Bars Porridge Brixton’s prisoners. Information in this programme ON LY Behind Bars is your award-winning daily feature show focusing on a different side of prison applies to HMP Brixton. life each evening. We bring you the best chat, music and information to keep you informed The first national breakfast show made by and for prisoners For information on services available at your prison, speak to a member about prison life and give a voice to your thoughts about life behind bars Big tracks, news, sport, information and real stories of prison life of staff Mondays Induction Show - all the basics about how prison works 08:00 Behind Bars Tuesdays Women Inside - focusing on life for female prisoners A repeat of last night’s show, broadcast at 17:00 Wednesdays Your Life - looking at how to keep your body and mind healthy Thursdays The Inside Story - your in-depth guide to staying out of jail 09:00 The 9:05 9:05 Fridays The Album Show - we play an entire album in full from start to finish Brit 40 All Music Daytime NPR Request Behind Bars Selector Show Repeat from Saturdays The Love Bug - helping you keep in touch with family and friends on the outside The UK’s number Music and information designed to Repeat Tuesday Sundays The Magazine - featuring the best bits of National Prison Radio one chart show, help you make the most of your time Two hours of presented the best in new 10:05 10:05 10:00 by prisoners UK music, plus NPR Request Behind Bars 18:00 inside interviews, mixes NPR Request Show The Brixton Hour exclusively for Show Repeat from For information, see edition at 07:00 National Prsion and live sets Repeat Wednesday Get your requests in to: Radio National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 11:00 11:05 11:05 NPR Request Show NPR Request Behind Bars 19:00 19:05 19:05 Show Repeat from Porridge Oldies Gospel Hour Get your requests in to: Sounds from the Uplifting Repeat Thursday A repeat of this morning’s show National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 60s, 70s & 80s gospel music 20:00 20:05 20:05 20:05 12:00 The Selector The A List This American Behind Bars Two hours of Life Stories Brit 40 the best in new from the US A repeat of last night’s show, broadcast at 17:00 UK music, plus Running through the latest music to hit the National A repeat of Friday’s show 21:00 interviews, mixes Prison Radio offices 21:05 13:00 13:05 13:05 and live sets. The State Porridge NPR Request Behind Bars We’re In Show Repeat from A repeat of this morning’s show Repeat Friday 22:00 14:00 14:05 14:05 The Love Songs Hour All Music Daytime Brit 40 NPR Request Behind Bars The UK’s Show Repeat from 60 minutes of classic love songs, the perfect soundtrack for writing those letters home Music and information designed to help you make number one Repeat Saturdey the most of your time inside chart show, 23:00 presented Red Bull Music Academy Radio by prisoners Live recordings, interviews, mixes and documentary features, exclusive to NPR. 15:00 exclusively for 15:05 15:05 National Prsion The Selector This American Radio Life Stories from 00:00 Two hours of the US NPR Request Show The Brixton Hour the best in new Repeat from 18:00 For information, see edition at 07:00 16:00 All Music UK music, plus 16:05 Daytime interviews, mixes The State We’re Overnight and live sets In Non-stop Music and Information

Want to hear your favourite song on National Prison Radio? We want your requests! News on National Prison Radio: To hear your song, message or poem on the radio, write to us at: National and international news from the studios of Sky News, every hour, on the hour National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF The latest news from prisons across the country at 10:00, 12:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 22:00 Then tune in to the Request Show, Monday to Friday at 18:00, repeated at midnight, the following morning at 11:00 and throughout Saturday. Your daily TV Guide at 9:00, 11:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 20:00 Email a Prisoner Inside Time are proud to GEMA RECORDS SIS INSURANCE • Faster than 1st class post • Faster than 1st class post sponsor the NPR Supplier of music, dvds and games Second chance! 1 in 5 people are • Cheaper than a 2nd class stamp • Cheaper than a 2nd class stamp Prisoners in over 100 UK prisons now get e mails schedule along with the routinely refused insurance from their family, friends and legal representatives For full details call 0844 873 3111 following advertisers. (See full advert page 46) See advert page 3

Gema Records - Supplier of the UK’s Email a Prisoner Largest Back Catalogue of Music • Faster than 1st class post plus DVD’s, PS2 Bundles and pre owned • Cheaper than a 2nd class stamp games and new Xbox 360 consoles. For a Prisoners in over 100 UK prisons now get e mails > ANSWERS CROSSWORD GENERAL KNOWLEDGE personal catalogue send a £2.00 postal order to: from their family, friends and legal representatives

Gema Records PO Box 54 Reading RG1 3SD For full details call 0844 873 3111

ROCK & POP QUIZ Jackson L Samuel 20.

19. Oranges and lemons and Oranges 19.

0 Ireland 10.

SIS Insurance Gema Records - Supplier of the UK’s Sentinel. 28

AWARD WINNING INSURANCE PRODUCTS Red 18.

DESIGNED FOR FORMER PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES Largest Back Catalogue of Music Bush Kate 9.

27 Ann Lee, Lee, Ann 27

MOTOR, HOME & PUBLIC LIABILITY plus DVD’s, PS2 Bundles and pre owned Guernsey 17.

13 Northenden Road Sale Cheshire M33 2DH games and new Xbox 360 consoles. For a Group Man Blue The 8.

16. Prince Adam Prince 16.

23 Drake. 23

0161 969 6040 personal catalogue send a £2.00 postal order to: cetera, Et 26

Gema Records PO Box 54 Reading RG1 3SD

Contact a member of our friendly team Moby 7. 15. Denis 15.

21 Bacall, Bacall, 21

A perfect solution for mobile phone Thomas, 25 6. The Rolling Stones Rolling The 6. 14. Australian 14.

20 Unseen, Unseen, 20 24 Santa, Santa, 24

SIS Insurance Redford Robert 13.

AWARD WINNING INSURANCE PRODUCTS Sleeps Never Rust 5.

17 Cape Horn, Horn, Cape 17

users wishing to reduce costs for Lee, Brenda 22 DESIGNED FOR FORMER PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

12. Sir Alec Douglas-Home Alec Sir 12.

MOTOR, HOME & PUBLIC LIABILITY Die You Before Hear

16 Ciabatta, Ciabatta, 16

13 Northenden Road Sale Cheshire M33 2DH Suture, 19

11. Alexander Dubcek Alexander 11.

those0161 who 969 6040 call them. Must You Albums 1001 4.

15 Mares nest, nest, Mares 15

Contact a member of our friendly team Inane, 18 10. Neighbours 10.

Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood

Amphitheatre, 11 15 Marat, Marat, 15

9. Scotland 9.

3. Rumours by by Rumours 3.

8. Aardvark 8. 8 Sorrento, Sorrento, 8 14 Breech, Breech, 14

Yellow Brick Road) Brick Yellow

7. Cayenne 7.

7 Ancestry, Ancestry, 7

All packages are Pay-As-You-Go. Demitasse, 13 (on the album Goodbye Goodbye album the (on

6. Snooker 6. 6 Agent, Agent, 6 12 Slush, Slush, 12

Turner 2. Yellow Brick Road Road Brick Yellow 2.

4 Blood vessels, vessels, Blood 4 10 Mercer, Mercer, 10

5. Joseph Mallord William William Mallord Joseph 5.

1. U2 1.

3 Hawthorne, Hawthorne, 3 • No minimum term or hidden charges! Deadwood, 9

4. Ricky Gervais Ricky 4.

2 Uranus, Uranus, 2 5 Calais, Calais, 5

• No mystifying bundles! Kangaroo 3. 1 Aldiss, Aldiss, 1 PATHFINDER Dhabi, Abu 1 2. Cast Away Cast 2.

Down: Down: Across: Across: • No catches or gimmicks! Poe Allan Edgar 1. *****TryTry a a trial trial membership membership for for just just £1 £1- -no no obligation! obligation! SUDOKU EnterEnter thethe codecode‘itlovefonesavvy’‘itlovefonesavvy’ whenwhen youyou signsign upup > NEXT ISSUE

Week commencing Twist and shout and Twist Simple solutions tailored to the individual man preacher a of Son 2nd March 2015

requirements of our customers. happiness

Walking back to to back Walking > LOOKING AHEAD

Please note restrictions may apply in some geographical areas. Revolution

http://www.dailysudoku.com/ http://www.dailysudoku.com/ http://www.dailysudoku.com/

Fonesavvy - the brainchild of a former prisoner. string a on Puppet • March Concrete and clay and Concrete

hard 3-Jan-2015 Sat Sudoku: Daily

Delilah

5 3 7 2

a prison cell became a reality - the only service of its kind. 9 1 6 4 8

World without love without World 1 6 8 4 3 5 9

Now Fonesavvy customers throughout the UK receive calls 7 2 • April In the ghetto the In 8 1 6 5 4 3 2 9

7 Inside Poetry 7 5 2 9 6 8 4 3 1

from people in prisons, hospitals and many other situations pieces and Bits

4 9 3 1 2 7 8 6 5

where keeping the callers’ call charge to a minimum is vital. clock the around Rock 6 2 5 7 1 4 3 8 9

Shout

9 8 4 3 5 2 7 1

Perfect for self employed people who are out and about all day 6 You were made for me for made were You

3 7 1 6 8 9 5 2 4 Wooden heart Wooden

www.fonesavvy.co.uk for more info..... Albatross MIND GYM

She loves you loves She Daily Sudoku: Sat 3-Jan-2015 Sat Sudoku: Daily

5 7 2

8 5 9

8 4 7

5 3

4 2 5

5 7 3

2 7 6 1 6 9