Not so credible, Prison on film! “I see these people with no not so true Insights abound with way out and make the con- ‘Nick’ inquiry blasted as the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees unprecedented TV access. nection. It was a special and ‘lamentable, inadequate and Rachel Billington tunes in. beautiful experience.” MIRI inexcusable’. a voice for prisoners since 1990 Comment // page 18 Comment // page 34 Comment // page 32 November 2019 / Issue No. 245 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 EVERYBODY NEEDS A BREAK 22 // SUDBURY OUTWORKERS 25 // SCOTTISH FOCUS 30-31 An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations AGEING PRISONERS As the number of prisoners aged 60 plus continues to multiply, are Britain’s prisons ready to cope?
Anna Walker any period of incarceration not needed for their physical adds around ten years to the capabilities and which inevi- physical age of a prisoner. tably are very expensive as Prisoners aged 60 plus are the well?” The oldest person in fastest growing group in Brit- Prisons Inspector Peter Clarke prison is a 104 year old man. 31 ain’s prisons. As of December warned the number of men 2017, more than 13,500 people over 50 being held in jails The obstacles facing this gen- aged 50 plus were incarcer- would rise to more than eration of prisoners include: Singing out of oblivion! ated, making up 16 per cent of 14,000 by 2022, representing mobility, incontinence, men- the entire prison population. 17% of the prison population. opause, isolation, dementia, Top Scottish songwriters work with those in recovery That number has trebled in “The Prison Service has so far bullying, poverty [state pen- the past 20 years. By 2020, it’s said that it’s not going to de- sion is no longer paid upon to create 5-Track EP with Distant Voices project expected to rise to 15,000. The velop an overall strategy to incarceration] and difficulty reason for this ageing popu- deal with this issue,” he said. adapting upon release. A Uni- lation is a combination of “When prisoners get older, versity of Oxford study found Young that more than 80 per cent of We can help you with all male prisoners aged 60 plus BEING ON YOUR suffer a chronic illness or dis- SIDE IS ONE THING. Criminal and Prison Law cases ability. Although there are some palliative care suites FIGHTING YOUR CRIMINAL LAW across Britain, there aren’t CORNER IS ANOTHER. • Police Interview Assistance nearly enough to meet demand. WE DO BOTH. • Magistrates Court • Crown Court Advocacy Many of our prisons were built during the Victorian era, • Defending false allegations to house young men in the peak of physical fitness. Says • Miscarriage of Justice © Andy Aitchison/Library image Peter Clarke, Her Majesty’s • Court of Appeal Applications tougher sentences and the less capable physically or in- Chief Inspector of Prisons, rise in convictions of historic firm, they don’t provide an “In [HMP] Dartmoor, con- • CCRC Applications sex offences. The latter means escape risk, they still have to structed in 1804 to house pris- that many are inside for the be held in custody very often oners of war, the cell doors We will always assess if you are eligible PRISON LAW first time, and struggling with and it’s not to say they are simply too narrow to ac- for legal aid. If you are not eligible for the physical disadvantages wouldn’t present a risk to the commodate wheelchairs.” legal aid we o er a ordable xed prices. • Independent Adjudications that accompany old age. public if they were completely • Parole Board Hearings What’s considered ‘old age’ in at liberty. But the question is Mark Newby, Hollie Alcock and Nick prison varies significantly do they need to be held still in Elderly prisoners feature Hayles are all Solicitor Advocates and • IPP and Lifer reviews levels of security which are pages 26-27 will always reply to your letters and calls. from wider society, because • Pre Tari and Guittard Applications • Cat A reviews Baby death at bronzefield QualitySolicitors • HDC applications The death of a newborn baby whose mother gave was able to happen.” Adding that it was vital Jordans • Sentence Calculation and Planning birth alone at Britain’s largest women’s prison findings were made public, she said: “The in- is the subject of 10 investigations, a justice vestigation must identify clear actions to safe- minister has told the Commons. The baby died guard the lives of mothers and babies, who we on 27th September. Deborah Coles, director of believe should not be in prison at all.” the charity Inquest, welcomed the involvement For Life’s Important Moments of the Ombudsman and said: “There must be Led by Mark Newby, Solicitor Advocate with a strong record for quashing convictions the most robust scrutiny of how this tragic death Inside Time reports page 12 Doncaster offi ce: 01302 365 374 4 Priory Place, Doncaster, DN1 1BP www.qualitysolicitors.com/jordans NEWS FLASH! LORDS ISSUE WARNING TO GOVERNMENT ON LONGER SENTENCES! 14 2 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2019 insidetime Joint Enterprise - No release date? Mailbites a voice for prisoners since 1990 No student loan Resolve - thank you the national newspaper for prisoners published by a sham Name withheld - HMP Hull Connor Beckett - HMP Channings Wood Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pawel Stragowski - HMP Armley The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to I have just completed a 10-week programme create links between the offender and the community. It has recently become apparent that Student I would like to mention a very important and called Resolve, which is a violence-reduction Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial difficult issue, namely Joint Enterprise. Finance England/ Student Loan Company is course that looks in detail about yourself and content. Comments or complaints should be seemingly acting in a discriminatory man- the reasons behind why you offend. After 10 directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge. intense weeks I feel like a new man, my wife I believe that this law is just an excuse for Po- ner; particularly towards prisoners serving and children can already see a difference in Board of Directors lice and Prosecution to use when they cannot indeterminate sentences. me, I’m not saying I’m now an angel, but I find enough evidence to convict the right per- Trevor Grove - Chairman Former Editor Sunday definitely feel like a better person. So, I would Telegraph, Journalist, Writer and former Magistrate. son. Obviously, the decision is always in the In two known instances, where the applicant just like to say to the people running this Dr Peter Bennett Trustee, New Bridge hands of the jury, but when a case is not for a post-graduate student loan is a post-tar- course - a massive thank you, you have done Foundation and former Governor of HMP Grendon clear-cut the Judge gives them the opportu- iff lifer, the SFE has declined the loan on so much more than the course for me and my John D Roberts Former Company Chairman and nity to convict everyone involved via Joint grounds that there is no release date. This is family. I would highly recommend this course Managing Director employing former prisoners Enterprise. Louise Shorter CEO Inside Justice and former contrary to their own policy and that of the to anyone. producer BBC Rough Justice Prison Service, which acknowledges for stu- Alistair H E Smith BSc FCA Chartered Accountant, “The result of this can be that the Think carefully Trustee and Treasurer, New Bridge Foundation dent loans that tariff-expiry is considered as Phil Wheatley Former Director General of Prison jury has a clear conscience because earliest release date. Benjamin Burns - Rampton Hospital Service. they are covered by ‘the law’, the As the Prime Minister has ordered a major responsible person is convicted, but Despite appeals against the loan refusal, the overhaul of sentencing guidelines it begs the The insideteam SFE remains intransigent. Such refusal has question is this really necessary? Judges what about others who are now already have adequate sentencing powers, e.g. affected the ability of these post-graduate victims of this law?” Extended Sentences (EDS), Discretionary Life, students to properly fund tuition fees and Automatic Life and Whole-Life sentences. The has necessitated borrowing from family as Of course, you can appeal, if you have concern here is that the judges will have enough money to pay legal fees then you may well as writing numerous begging-letters to limited or no discretion as to sentence. For charitable trusts. years the public have been angered by ‘soft’ or Erwin James John Roberts Rachel have a chance. I’m one of the victims with no unduly lenient sentences and this is aggravat- Editor in Chief Publisher Billington OBE money struggling in a fight for my life. I’m and Director Associate Editor here for being in the wrong place at the If there are other indeterminate sentence ed by the complexity surrounding sentencing. If experienced barristers struggle to under- wrong time. But I’m a pretty lucky man to prisoners who have been affected by SFE stand then how is the average lay person going have the support of my family and girlfriend loan refusals, please drop a line to Post-Grad- to understand? The government should think who never stopped believing in me. uate Research, The Learning Hub, A Wing carefully before implementing what could be PIPE, HMP Hull, HU9 5LS. draconian new sentences unless it wants an Somebody should make people understand American-style sentencing where whole life that justice is not about filling prison cells, Noel Smith Paul Sullivan David Roberts We would also appreciate hearing about suc- sentences are routinely given. Commissioning Editorial Operations but about being sure that whoever is sent to Editor Assistant cessful loan applications. Manager prison deserves it. Living in a toilet Simon Flint - HMP Durham Offi cially I sit in a cell that was designed for one person, the LARGEST yet I have to share it with another prisoner. Prison Law This compounds the problem created by a Colin Matthews Justine Best Carla Rowe Practice in recent ‘toilet-roll crackdown’. We are now Layout and Head of Admin Assistant the Country rationed to 2 toilet-rolls per week, per cell of 2 Design Administration The National Prison Law Specialists people. As we both utilise the water-closet at Trusted by more prisoners in England and least once a day, this means 15 to 20 visits per Wales than any other Solicitors. week is expected to be accommodated by 2 toilet-rolls, and, as said toilet-paper is of a With Experts across the Country, relatively budget-branded nature, the demand we can represent you in ANY PRISON. is exceeding capacity considerably. This Gary Bultitude John Bowers Louise Van situation is unsanitary and frankly ridiculous. 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A different view Mailbag 2-11 Karma “Continuous Tony Joyce - HMP Littlehey Paul Reitman - HMP Dartmoor banging, ham- mering and loud I believe in karma more and I would like to add a different view to Lee Morgan’s piece in inane chattering” more in relation to prison. It the September issue, titled - ‘Engaging the monster’. Page 7 seems everything is cyclic. Newsround 12-17 ‘Half of 1,000 prisoners on Mr Morgan asks the question - ‘what purpose, if any, do mod- “The more people the Isle of Wight maintain ern prisons serve?’ He provides a most vehement, if negative, like this, the more their innocence’ Inside observation. I understand his arguments, but he fails to men- Time, September issue. change we will see tion another aspect of imprisonment…sequestration. in others.” In 2014, Chris Grayling MP Page 16 changed the IEP Scheme. He Even in ancient times, a jail was an institute which seemed to Comment 18-34 said that it wouldn’t apply to separate wrong-doers from the public. I ask, would you allow established prisoners. Not so a persistent thief, drug-peddler, child-abuser or murderer to “It was as earthly, on ‘the island’, there it gave go free? I sincerely hope not. human and the governor carte blanche humbling an to punish prisoners who experience as I Page 20 maintain their innocence as “Our prison system is about containment and in could have had.” well as those in denial. this it is, for the most part, successful. Where it Information 35-38 That distinction should be fails miserably is in reform.” “Above all, learn to keep going made because many deniers forward.” facing loss of privileges sud- Our society is not prepared to take the time and trouble with denly found that they were those they convict to prepare these men and women to take Page 35 guilty after all. The 300 of us their place as useful members of society. Even the very best who maintained got pun- of establishments cannot wipe the mark of Cain from the General Nathanial Lyon Legal 39-45 ished and were downgraded foreheads of those they have cast out. Yes, we have commit- “I have been told to Basic; many in their 80s. ted crimes, but we are going to be released sooner or later, that you can be Putting the record straight Me, for 3 years and 2 months prepared to make a new and hopefully reformed life. We are until it was deemed illegal. ‘tagged’ and do hoping to be trusted but are greeted with suspicion. Barriers Ashley - HMP Doncaster We/I was never compen- your sentence at sated but rather banished to are erected against us; our sentence does not end with Page 43 home.” I sat down today and finally got around to reading the Sep- release. another prison so we Jailbreak 46-60 tember issue of Inside Time. When I got to ‘On this day’, page couldn’t claim. 49, I read the article ‘A Legend is Born’, about Jesse Woodson Of course, there are arguments, many criminals are persistent “I’m not your mate, James. The article claims that by the start of the American Those with personal agen- offenders and we may well be painted with the same brush. I’m not your pal. civil war, Jesse was aged 15. In fact, he was born on the 5th of das of discrimination and I don’t have the answer, but the prison system can only do My door has no September 1847, so he was actually aged 13 by the start of the prejudice blended into an- what it is asked and paid to do. Attitudes within society need shop sign. So f**k other regime and were never Page 53 war - which started with a confederate attack on Fort to change, perhaps we need to try something new because, off back to your Sumpter as early as April 12th, 1861. made accountable for their currently, prison is neither a deterrent nor a cure. cell and leave me actions. The governor, dur- be in mine.” As for paragraph 2, where the article says ‘It was said that at ing this period, a former ac- one time the young Jesse dressed up in women’s clothing in countant, realised that order to infiltrate a Union camp and shot everyone within’ - I ‘maintainers’ were costing would like to say that it was actually General Nathanial the prison money. By Lyon, with the help of his friend, Colonel Frank Blair, who 2015/2016 the political infiltrated Fort Jackson wearing women’s clothing in 1861. agenda descended into fur- ther misery for many. Re- They had prevented rebel troops from seizing the St Louis ar- gardless of length of senal, and ingeniously captured Fort Jackson, where the con- sentence they were kicked federate troops were headquartered. Lyon had entered the out, some to local ‘hell rebel camp on a scouting mission disguised as the familiar holes’ with total disregard figure of Frank’s mother-in-law, a well-respected old lady. He for their health or welfare. wore a dress and shawl with a thickly-veiled sun-bonnet to hide his red beard. Hidden in his egg basket were revolvers The ones that maintain in- in case he was recognised. The following day, with intimate nocence need support, the knowledge of the camp and seven-thousand troops, Lyon term ‘denial’ is an institu- marched in and took the fort. tional attempt to bring that status into disrepute, and I Editorial note believe it is now illegal in Thank you, we always welcome clarification from our readers. print. Contributing to Mailbag If you would like to contribute to Mailbag, please send your letters to the address on the left. It is very important that you ensure the following details are on all paperwork sent to Inside Time: YOUR NAME, PRISON NUMBER & PRISON. Failure to do so will prevent us responding to you and your submission being withheld from publication. Please note letters for publication may be edited. ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, We will be using the new ‘Money Transfer Service’ for prize money so include Botley Mills, your DOB on your entries. Botley, Southampton, To avoid any possible misunderstanding, if you have a query and for whatever Hampshire reason do not wish your letter to be published in Inside Time or appear on the SO30 2GB. website, or yourself to be identified, please make this clear.
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No lawful justification Not game over Er, diplomatic Mailbites Alexander Wood - HMP Highpoint David Adams – HMP Guys Marsh what? Created by a Labour government in 2003, IPP ‘Meat-gate’ sentences were introduced into law in 2005 When I stop and take a moment to gather my Colin Campbell – Alistair Goldie - HMP Lewes wondering thoughts, I always ponder how so as to protect the public from offenders who HMP Wakefield A while ago I wrote an article and you published it in your ‘pose a significant risk of serious harm’ but mysterious life truly is. All the twists and August issue under the title ‘What about equality?’ I would now whose index offence did not warrant a Dis- turns into the unknown and without that ev- Diplomatic immunity was like you to publish this reply to update the readers and to thank cretionary Life sentence. Whilst a number of er-elusive crystal ball we can never predict never established in order those who wrote to me with their support. But I would like to the future. Which brings me to my current IPP prisoners have committed very grave of- that the inhabitants of any make it clear that I am not trying to get rid of any Halal meats, I predicament, being surrounded by the four fences (and thus received lengthy tariff mini- given country could commit just want equality. I have had a reply from the Director (Kent, walls of redemption and the eternally daunt- mum terms), it is widely accepted that the crimes in another country Surrey & Sussex prison group), who is now looking at adding boundaries around IPP sentences were much ing steel door locking me away from society. and get away with those non-Halal chicken as a menu-option on a Sunday. I do too broadly drawn. appreciate this, but what about the rest of the meat and the rest crimes. It was always in- The majority of people in the outside world of the week? I mentioned to her that I may have to seek judicial tended to allow foreign citi- By 2011, England and Wales had 6,000 IPP would see us as failures and I’m not going to review in order to have non-Halal meat available as well as prisoners and held the most indeterminate- lie, it is hard not to look at myself sometimes zens to go about their lawful Halal. I know this is a small step into this meat-gate problem, ly-sentenced prisoners of any EU nation by and see a failure. However, this doesn’t business without hindrance. but I hope other prisoners will now fight for their right to have some considerable margin. Despite the sen- seem to be the case, and this isn’t game The emphasis here is on non-Halal meat. Prisoners affected by this problem should tence being abolished under the Legal Aid, over, this is just one mis-adventurous chap- lawful business, relatively complain on a Comp2 and mark it for the Prison Director. Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act ter amongst many more virtuous ones in the small infringements would 2012, having been accepted by the then-Jus- storybook of our lives. If your hopes and usually see the offender re- Killers behind the wheel dreams were to come to prison, then con- tice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, to be funda- called back to their country gratulations, you have succeeded and can Jim Callaghan - HMP Oakwood mentally unfair in principle, existing IPP of origin, for a short time, at prisoners were not addressed by the new be proud of yourself and maybe have a think A knife, a gun, a car, they are all lethal weapons. At the moment most. legislation. about consulting a professional, but for it is about knife-crime, but guns on our streets are a fact and those saner ones who didn’t see this blip the fight to contain gun crime is a way of life for some police. As of June 2018, over 2,700 IPP prisoners re- coming, we have failed but that doesn’t “Blatantly breaking the For far too long, killing someone by driving a car at them has main in custody. Of those, over 2,400 are make us failures. This mishap does not de- law of the land is not been taken far too lightly by the justice system. We have a well over their tariffs. In 2017 the Prison Re- fine us. strange way of looking at death by driving, it’s as if we class all form Trust reported that incidences of self- acceptable.” deaths by driving as ‘accidents’, but if you get behind the wheel harm by prisoners serving IPP had risen to Life is full of failures and successes too, we of a car, bus or lorry it can be a lethal weapon. People have to 872 per 1,000, many times higher than the in- should take this gift of time to re-evaluate Lying when spoken to by po- respect that fact. Education and training has to be undertaken, cidence for prisoners serving both determi- our lives and when we finally leave prison, lice regarding an extremely along with longer sentences for those who kill via motor vehicle. Until that happens the carnage on our roads will nate and life sentences. we do so with our heads held high, more de- serious incident is not ac- termined and dedicated to truly live a good continue. Families of victims killed on the roads suffer a life ceptable. And escaping the life, one we’ve only dreamt of. We can be- sentence, so, maybe that should be the cure - a life sentence for The decision not to make the abolition of the consequences of having sentences retrospective, or to take some other come better versions of ourselves and strive killers behind the wheel. committed a serious crime is form of action (for example, conversion to de- for what we’ve always wanted. When we not why diplomatic immu- terminate sentences equal to the maximum succeed with this new lease of life, we will No mercy for the sick nity was created. term for the index offences) in spite of the ro- have our failures to thank. We will never Jamie Turner - HMP Norwich bust declarations for its abolition by the gov- want to lose the precious gift of freedom My parole panel was set up on the 13-5-19, during which they ernment of the day, can be directly attributed ever again. This is a completely tragic gave me 28-days to respond. Then, on the 14-5-19 I was to electoral strategy (see Annison, H, (2015) story from beginning to admitted to outside hospital with pneumonia and lung Dangerous Politics. Oxford: OUP, ch 7.) and I always say to those around me not to give however it ends. One family emphysema and was given a 50/50 chance of surviving. I spent had nothing to do with the interests of up, gather the lessons our mistakes provide has lost a child and another 7-weeks in hospital, a week at outside hospital and then justice. and I promise you’ll find a path you haven’t family looks to be facing a discovered yet, leading to a more meaning- 6-weeks in the prison hospital. My key-worker gave me my partial; temporary break-up. ful life you never thought could be obtained. paperwork with 7-days left of the 28-days the Parole Board had Recent legal challenges on behalf of serving No matter how cruel the Remember, there are no outside factors that given. My solicitor contacted the Parole Board and was told IPP prisoners have been refused by the Court that I was ‘too late’. My paperwork is laden with errors that I control our lives, our future or our destiny, events that are certain to of Appeal on the grounds that it cannot now cannot legally challenge because I can no longer get Legal Aid just ourselves. Take full advantage of this follow will appear to some, be argued that such a sentence is manifestly as the parole process is finished. I’ve written to the Parole Board detour to once again become proud of our- it must be said and accepted excessive if it had not been so argued at the Chairman, and also the Parole Board itself, but I got no reply selves and go on to write many more pro- by all that this is not a case time that it was originally imposed. Whilst from either. I should not be missing out on a chance of parole found chapters in the story of our lives. for diplomatic immunity. this approach would be logical insofar as one because of medical circumstances beyond my control. If it’s ought to accept the sentence passed under happened to me then it can also happen to you. the legislative framework as it stood at the time, it is illogical in circumstances where A pinch of salt Thanks to New Bridge the framework itself was entirely flawed and David Goodstart - HMP Oakwood being used (to quote the former Justice Secre- James Stewart - HMP Lindholme tary) contrary to the intention of Parliament. A recent article claims that only 33% of rapes end in a conviction - an alleged I would like to recommend the charity New Bridge, who offer a fall of 47%. Such claims must be treated with a large pinch of salt since FOI befriending service to prisoners in the form of pen friends. ‘(IPP sentences are) unclear, inconsistent and data from the MoJ showed a conviction rate of 84%. I started corresponding with an absolutely lovely woman about have been used far more than was ever in- 5-years ago, when I was in a very dark place. She never gave up tended…That is unjust to the people in ques- Before a hysterical call for policy change kicks off, people need to consider on me and I would love you to print this so I can say a massive tion and completely inconsistent with the something. September’s issue of Inside Time reported that half of HMP Isle of thank you to this outstanding lady who has a heart of gold. policy of punishment, reform and Wight’s prisoners state their factual innocence. This figure tallies with fig- New Bridge is at 1A Elm Road, Brixton, London, SW2 2TX. rehabilitation’. ures I have collected over the last 5 years. If these figures are reasonably ac- curate then maybe what is happening is a positive move away from wrongful Nationally approved supplier? It seems, therefore, that there can be no law- conviction. Maybe: Michael D Souter - HMP Bure ful justification not to immediately and retro- spectively substitute all IPP sentences for • The police look at and disclose evidence that points away from the accused, One of my friends wanted to send me a Spanish dictionary for determinate sentences equal to or less than as is their duty. my Open University language studies and was directed to the the maximum available sentence at the time • The CPS are doing their job. Amazon ‘Send Books to Prisoners’ page. Apart from the claim (dependent on the gravity of the offence). The • Jurors are asking ‘Where is the evidence?’ that ‘prisons will not accept books from friends and family of effect of this will be to quickly free-up sev- • Defence teams are doing their job. the prisoner’ being totally untrue, the site infers that Amazon is eral thousand prison places in line with a nationally approved supplier. That is, of course, not true, Prime Minister Johnson’s aim of ‘creating an- One can sympathise with the few who see the guilty go free, however, justice although some establishments will accept books from Amazon. other 10,000 spaces in our prisons’ whilst si- should be about acquitting the innocent. Readers of Inside Time will be as incredulous as I am that a multaneously saving the exchequer the £128 company that already has a stranglehold on book sales in the million per annum that it costs to keep IPP It would be nice to think we can go back to the principle that would rather the UK is apparently resorting to underhand tactics such as these. I prisoners detained. guilty go free than the innocent are imprisoned. hope that the powers-that-be will take appropriate action. Adam was playing pool when he slipped on a wet floor, badly injuring his back. The personal injury solicitors at Prison Injury Lawyers secured him nearly £30,000 in compensation.
Adam was playing pool when he slipped on rainwater on the floor and fell onto his buttocks, injuring his lower back. The rainwater had come in through broken windows and the prison staff hadn’t put up any signs to warn inmates about the wet floor. Adam visited healthcare and an MRI scan showed that he was suffering from degenerative disc disease in his lower spine.
2 years after the accident, Adam still experienced stiffness in his back. He struggled to stand for long periods and the back pain disturbed his sleep. Our solicitors arranged for him to see an orthopaedic expert who stated that Adam’s symptoms were unlikely to improve and that, unfortunately, he would probably experience long-term back pain. We secured Adam £29,950 to compensate him for his pain and suffering.
“We understand prisoners and prison injury claims. We are the UK’s leading Prison Injury Lawyers and will fight for what you deserve.”
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InsideTime_Nov_PIL.indd 1 21/10/2019 12:20 6 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2019
Employment opportunities Change needed Loose cannons Name withheld - HMP Parc Lee Kelton - Ian Scott - HMP Grendon HMP Holme House I was both delighted and dismayed to read I often hear about prisoners preparing for about the upcoming relaxation of disclosure I am writing to put forward parole and more often than not they are rules as reported in your August issue. De- my vision for a future prison awaiting a psychiatric report. For me, alarm- lighted because this is a progressive move system. Boris Johnson is bells start ringing when I hear the word that will help ex-prisoners to get their lives right to focus on law and ‘psychiatric’. back on track and become contributing mem- order, but to just build pris- bers of society. Dismayed because these re- ons is not the right answer to The late Doctor Thomas Szasz, a professor of forms will not help me. the problem. psychiatry emeritus, once stated - ‘Psychia- try is probably the single most destructive I am subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Legal pain reliever force that has affected society within the last Order (SHPO) and this ‘ancillary order’ will © Deposit Photos “Reoffending rates are 60 years.’ Dr Szasz is a co-founder of Citizens remain on my record for its full 10-year dura- sky-high, and prisons Commission on Human Rights. There are tion. It will therefore need to be disclosed, are very overcrowded, some alarming truths to be considered. and will appear on a basic DBS check, many CBD Oil years after my associated conviction be- but to throw money at Dave E Ferguson - HMP Wakefield • In France, 33.2% of adults aged 18-29 have comes spent. the problem and build taken prescribed psychotropic drugs.
This to me seems entirely unjustified. Sup- CBD oil, a cannabis product, is now legally sold in the UK. more prisons is not the • One in three British women, and one in ten pose that someone is sentenced to 12-months For multiple sclerosis sufferers, those with anxiety, depres- answer.” British men have taken antidepressants. sion, osteoarthritis or long-term chronic pain conditions, for a sexual offence, and also made subject • Every 40-seconds someone is involuntarily to a 10-year SHPO. Now suppose that some- CBD oil can transform their quality of life. The Probation Service needs admitted to a psychiatric institution based one else is sentenced to 24-months for a to be looked at, but also the on the idea that they are a danger to them- non-sexual offence. The difference in length Currently there are no medical studies to verify CBD oils’ ac- root-cause of the problem. selves and others. between these sentences would suggest that claimed benefits in these aspects. Even so, this does not pre- Society likes to fret about a • Psychiatric drugs cause serious adverse re- our legislature considers the sexual offence vent its recommendation as a holistic treatment alternative to broken Britain, and it is bro- actions, including hallucinations, psychosis, to be less serious than the non-sexual of- long-term painkillers and antidepressant medication. This ken but not beyond repair. suicidal thoughts, heart defects and many fence. Nevertheless, the person who commit- means that its use is becoming increasingly widespread. more. ted the sexual offence would be effectively Firstly, people reoffend be- barred from most employment for 10-years, In view of this I would like to ask the Ministry of Justice and cause they have lost all • There are no blood-tests, X-rays, brain whereas the person who committed the more the Prison Service what steps they are taking to ensure that: hope. I foresee a prison sys- scans or any other medical test to confirm serious but non-sexual offence would be tem of the future where reof- any of these mental disorders. They are barred for just 4-years. 1) Prisoner’s visitors who use CBD oil are not adversely af- fending will be low, but this based on psychiatric opinions only. fected when visiting prisons. starts by attacking the Perhaps if the reconviction rate for those • Dr Szasz documented psychiatry’s harmful prison system from the core. convicted of sexual offences was unusually 2) Will drug-search-dogs indicate on CBD oil users? influence in our schools, nursing homes, There are not enough jobs workplaces, courtrooms, our homes and in high, this disparity could be justified. How- 3) If so, what steps are being taken to prevent for people while they are in prisons. ever, statistics show exactly the reverse: prisoners and visitors being placed on closed-visits unjustly? people convicted of sexual offences have prison and even when there among the lowest reconviction rates. 4) What is the situation for staff who legitimately use CBD oil are jobs it can take 6-weeks Have we just accepted that these profession- as a holistic medicinal alternative? just to get one. We should be als are always right, and if so, how many de- As long as ancillary orders must be disclosed paying prisoners a minimum cisions, rightly or wrongly, have been made for their full duration, most people convicted 5) As CBD oil is now legal and can be used in public, staff or wage; it doesn’t have to be on the report of a psychiatrist? of sexual offences are effectively exempt prison visitors could be cross-contaminated unknowingly. the national living wage; from the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Will drug-search dogs ‘indicate’ in such circumstances? And, maybe around £5 an hour Perhaps it’s time to look closely at what Act. I challenge anyone to explain to me how if so, what steps are the MoJ and Prison Service taking so as would make a big difference. might be an accepted profession in another this can be right. not to penalise staff and visitors unjustly? How about we try it and see? light.
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They wouldn’t dare Take mental Brave Greta! health into do this outside J Gillett – HMP Stafford account Christopher Theile - HMP Pentonville I admire Jeremy Clarkson for his humour Paul Pardon - and honesty, however, his recent article in Having been transferred from Thameside, HMP Long Lartin The Sun made me reluctant to agree with where a local canteen service is in operation him regarding Greta Thunberg and her com- with next to no error-rate, to a public prison With mental-health/depres- plete meltdown at the UN Summit on Cli- like Pentonville, I have gained experience of sion being spoken about al- mate Change. She is absolutely right to have most every day in national how DHL seizes the opportunity not only to a rant and rave at us, I am one of the genera- newspapers, mainly in con- benefit from cheap prison labour, but to skim tion she is talking about. We did, and still nection to rich superstars off prisoners in a number of dubious ways. do, things to get super-rich, and about the like Ant McPartlin or Pre- pompous arrogance of fat-cats she is spot-on. mier League footballers, I No online retailer outside of prison would wonder why no concerns are The government has double standards and dare to risk the things DHL do in prisons shown to prisoners and are so hypocritical it makes me sick. When without getting dragged through the press, ex-prisoners? the government says they are tackling cli- being avoided and ignored by customers, not mate change and the plastic crisis they are to mention the large number of credit-card “Even in court the I need zzzzzzzzz’s completely lying through their back-teeth. chargebacks for lost deliveries, deliveries © Deposit Photos Judges and Prosecution They really need to put things into action, with shortened but fully charged items and not just talk, and they should stop failing deliveries with the ordered product being re- show no concerns for Sleep deprivation prisons. placed with lower quality products. the mental-health of Walthari Nikola - HMP Birmingham So, when that brave lass (Greta) I studied banking at the start of my career, the accused.” “ which included accountancy. I hesitate to I really must voice my thoughts regarding the noise pollution does rant and rave in front of a There are many people sent call the waves of alleged mistakes by DHL, in this prison. I understand that the infrastructure of this large delegation you should think to prison who suffer poor prison needs repair, but why do they believe that it is ‘organised crime’, but will say there are mental-health, yet we are perfectly okay for this work to be carried out at night whilst about why she is doing what she does.” strange profit increase measures used to bal- locked away from home and inmates are trying to sleep? This is not creating a healthy ance the books of DHL. support-systems and treated environment at all. I am one of many inmates, on four It is for her generation and the ones to fol- like the scum of the earth. landings, who are being kept awake until the early hours of low. We had our time and messed it up. I do The first wave of profit increase measures oc- When it comes to sentenc- the morning by continuous banging, hammering and loud wonder whether climate change groups are curred around 2-years ago when prisoners ing, mental-health is rarely, inane chattering of the HMPPS employees. Why would you aware of what is happening in prisons, but I with a majority account balance higher than if ever, taken into account. decide to build or repair a residential building during suspect they don’t. I’m going to make it my £50 had items missing costing between £3 unsocial nocturnal hours unless you have absolute contempt mission to be part of the 70s, 80s and 90s and £4, with DHL banking on prison staff, Locking us behind doors for for the residents therein? What about the so-called ‘duty of generation to put our wrongs right, and I being understaffed and overworked, not a long time is not the an- care’, as this is paramount to inhumane punishment? It hope others do too. being able to manage to refund. But they did swer, so maybe we should causes stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation, something that not count on the fact that better-off prisoners look at how the rest of Eu- is banned under the Human Rights Act as torture. Please stop Say ‘no’ to plastic and make the government are usually strict bean-counters and a few rope copes. treating us as though we don’t matter. accountable over the prison plastic waste. even took them to the Small Claims Court. Contamination The prisons took the hit in court for not pro- at the hotplate cessing the refund, instead of DHL. Their next profit increase measures came around Name withheld - HMP Glenochil 9-months ago when prisoners started having high-value products replaced with low-value A prisoner was eating his food and found a products of the same type, although they tooth in it. When this was brought to the at- Shaw and Co were charged for the higher-value products. tention of staff he was told to put in a com- Specialist Accident Compensation Solicitors They were counting on the assumption that a plaint, and they refused to get a manager or OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS large percentage of prisoners would fall for duty governor to speak to the prisoner. We the deceit and open their bags (thus giving refused to lock up and eventually a duty gov- DHL an excuse to not refund). This did not ernor came and told us that it wasn’t a tooth, work well because prison staff noticed some- but a piece of plastic. Dental Treatment thing wrong and often did refund the I am on a protected wing and it is main- difference. stream prisoners who cook our food. They Medical Care seem to think that ALL prisoners on the pro- The third profit increase measure is in force tected wing are sex-offenders, so we are all General Accident Claims right now. This is their assumption that pris- tarred with the same brush. There have been Call Chris or Sharon about your claim on: oners would not complain about a small numerous incidents with our food being con- shortage in delivery if the missing item was taminated and all that happens is that it gets priced under £1. They figured most prisoners brushed under the carpet. would not be bothered to put themselves out FREEPHONEOr you can 0800email us at: 389 1590 and complain about less than a pound. Pris- “We have had human faeces, shoes, oners are deprived of their liberty but not their brains. chemicals, razor-blades and many other foreign objects put into our [email protected] This behaviour by DHL not only causes prob- food and nothing has been done Shaw and Co Solicitors Ltd lems for prisoners but also for the staff and despite our many complaints.” Three Indian Kings House can become a security problem. All too often 31 The Quayside landing-staff get verbal or physical abuse for Newcastle upon Tyne Yes, there are individuals in here for some handing out bags with items missing or heinous crimes. However, they have been NE1 3DE replaced. punished by a court of law and should not be getting targeted by prisoners who are ‘sick- All calls are confidential. Strangely, DHL never seem to deliver too ened’ by their crimes. We still have the right Your claim will be represented on a No Win No Fee basis. much canteen to prisoners, they never err on to food and water and management need to that side of things. Anyone affected by the be taking all complaints seriously. Why do I NO WIN NO FEE practises in this article should get in touch have to write this? It should be done as a with the Prison Inspectorate and tell them. matter of course. 8 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2019
Star Letter of the Month What money Death penalty by default? Not so sharp rip-off Congratulations to this months winner who receives Name withheld - HMP Pentonville Charlotte Williams - HMP Durham our £25 prize can buy Mark Wrightwick - After the very competent and pragmatic ge- As a prisoner with a number of mental HMP The Verne nius Rory Stewart MP had brought so much health problems, I find colouring-in is a instant improvement into the prison system, great way to keep me from self-harm. But The Supreme Court has spo- uprooting without mercy even the most es- when I ordered some colouring pencils from ken. The suspension of Par- tablished systematic atrocities against the canteen, I noticed there is no liament by the Prime human beings in British prisons resulting in pencil-sharpener. Minister never happened be- a very significant drop in suicides in 2017- cause the PM misinformed 2018. Now suicides are on the rise again. I think this is just another way for DHL to rip the queen. ‘Misinforming us off, we can buy pencils but not a pen- the queen’, is that not trea- I cannot remember any event on which Her cil-sharpener so if my pencils need to be son? If it is treason, then Majesty the Queen, through the House of sharpened, I cannot do it, I can’t even use a Good style at Styal why is the PM not in the Lords, has warranted the reintroduction of razor-blade as I’m on an ACCT and in Segre- Tower of London chained to the death penalty. This includes death-pen- gation. Staff won’t sharpen my pencils as Thank you for giving me hope a dungeon wall? alty by secondary means. they do not have a sharpener.
Ethel McGill - HMP Styal I am in prison, not because I It is no wonder that prisoners are reluctant to So, I’ve had to order sets of colouring-pencils did anything, but because a assist the PPO Investigator for Deaths in Cus- every week for the past 3-weeks, now I’ve got I have, today, read your paper for the first time and wanted to court has decided I have tody because it regularly backfires against 4-packs of blunt pencils. DHL took pencil give positive feedback in regard to my first time in prison. committed a crime (I still the prisoner who dares to report anything sharpeners off the canteen list but kept pen- maintain my innocence). that discredits the regime of the establish- cils on. I’ve spent £4 on pencils I cannot use Like most, I thought that going to prison was going to be hor- Why is the Prime Minister ment in which he is held because he will sud- because I have no access to a 30p sharpener. rendous, but on arriving here at Styal I was told by an officer not in prison? Why are there denly no longer be considered for that my punishment WAS my sentence at court, and they rules for peasants like me, open-conditions, adjudicated on for spurious This is so stupid and inconsiderate of DHL, were not here to punish me further. poor people, but a different allegations, subject to short-notice visit can- just put the pencil sharpener back on the list interpretation of the rules for cellations, strange canteen-losses without re- or include one with the pack of pencils. Is I have found that the officers, nurses and mental health staff the likes of the PM? fund, and will find his IEP status suddenly common sense too much to ask for? treat everyone with respect. I am on one of the houses and reduced to Basic. it’s like living in a little village, we have a beauty salon which The only thing stopping me Thank you Inside Time is training prisoners to become hairdressers and all aspects from having an appeal is It is not only this never-ending abuse of exec- of the beauty trade, which, in turn, gives them hope for the that I don’t have money. utive power that kills, or the absence of/diffi- Name withheld - HMP Barlinnie future. Those with money can buy culty reaching mental health services. It is, justice. Those that don’t all too often, the dysfunctionality within the As a new ‘guest’ of HMP and first-time of- We also have a library, gym, art, education and knitting and have money cannot have individual management of each prison where fender, I write to express my thanks to those sewing. The gardens and greenhouses are lovely and justice. the rule of law is switched off by either ab- responsible for Inside Time and all who con- manned by the prisoners. I am one of the disabled prisoners sence of training, good will, diligence, rea- tribute to its pages. Nothing prepared me for and have received a care-plan which follows me home when I All the members of the sonable competence or simply whole files the transition from life on the outside, with am released. House of Commons should leading to a systematic dead-end for prison- all of its freedoms and delights, to the re- be ashamed of themselves. ers, resulting in the loss of hope and conse- strictive, often lonesome, life on the inside. This is nothing like the prisons you see on TV. I can say from They all blame each other quently, death. Picking up Inside Time helped that transi- my heart that if more prisons would take the time to see how for the state of politics at the tion period with much needed information, the governors and all the staff here have turned this prison moment, but the truth is that HMP Pentonville has started working hard numerous inmate experiences and insights, around and given prisoners hope for the future, they would they all have their part to on this most dangerous cause of death, no along with some fun pages to boot. Words see how a prison should be run. play in it and they are all re- longer waiting for outside judges or unaf- cannot really express the relief I experienced sponsible. They should all fordable solicitors presenting a ready-to-go and continue to experience in reading the Prison life is not all bad, you can rebuild your life. Thank you be sacked, and new MPs solution but seeking solutions for prisoners newspaper for prisoners. Thank you to all Styal for giving me hope for the future. elected. themselves. who write in and long live Inside Time.
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the Private account for pin-phone credit. This will usually be deemed as an ‘Emer- Stockholm Mailbites gency pin-phone credit’, to which its authori- sation must meet a threshold. Syndrome Special Purpose License Phil Green - HMP Buckley Hall In episode 1 of the programme, we saw a Chris Morrison - According to PSI 13/2015, a low/medium risk prisoner could self-harmer’s reactions to waiting for the au- HMP Liverpool thorisation of the Emergency pin-phone potentially be released from closed conditions under Special credit to be facilitated. Purpose License (SPL). This may be to attend a funeral, visit a I am a PPO prisoner and I al- dying relative, or attend a hospital appointment. We know that ways end up coming to The HMPPS website allows prisoners to be prison, on and off for the nobody ever got released on SPL, but that’s not the point. The sent money online. How about the website last 11-years. I am actually new ROTL policy framework document was introduced on also allows the facilitation of pin-phone ashamed to say that over the 16-5-2019, and it looked pretty good at first glance. ROTL was credit purchases online? Potentially post- time I have been coming to made available to thousands more prisoners in open condi- age-stamps also; since these are allowed to prison I have started to tions; it opened up a great deal of opportunities for those who be sent in, and it also relates to communica- enjoy it. wish to move forward, rehabilitate and maintain family ties. So tions and maintaining family-ties. why on earth would they spoil such a refreshing, pragmatic policy by preventing release on SPL from closed conditions, There could be various positives: “When I get released, when it was available, at least theoretically, up until May 2019? 1) Prisoners would be left with more money I feel lost and empty “Honey, I won’t be home for a while…”
© Andy Aitchison/Library image to spend on canteen, food & toiletries, etc. and confused, so I end Some private prisons do work Sorting the 2) Prisoners families know the money they up back in prison Name withheld - HMP Peterborough send is going directly onto the pin-phone within a few months.” I am a 63-year old man with moderate to serious mental health phone-system out credit, and not being misused in going to issues. I’m diagnosed with chronic PTSD and severe social support a drug habit (perhaps the online The longest I have stayed anxiety disorder. I came back to prison on recall and within Mark Davis - HMP Highdown checkout could have a declaration box that out is around a year. I have weeks I was self-harming, isolating myself behind the door and the pin-phone money is not to be refunded to struggled with alcohol ad- I did not care if I lived or died. Private prisons have long had a the prisoner’s financial account unless the As you probably know, maintaining fami- diction and I’ve not really bad press, labelled as ‘cash cows’ and ruled by poorly-trained prisoner is being discharged). ly-ties is a main objective for the prison es- had any friends or purpose staff, or so the POA would have us believe. Nothing could be tate. Pin-phone credit is an issue - as can be 3) A prisoner will not have to wait for funds to my life, which has led me further from the truth here at HMP Peterborough, a Sodexo- witnessed in episode 1 of Channel 4’s ‘Crime to roll over, or for a manager’s authorisation to depression. run prison. The In-reach Team have supported me and other and Punishment’ programme. for Emergency pin-phone credit, as their out- men and women with positive interventions. The staff, from side support network can buy pin-phone I have to say that most times managers down to officers on the ground, have worked their Pin-phone credit is not governed by or lim- credit for them on the HMPPS website. I am sent to HMP Liverpool, magic on me. My PTSD is now under control, I have a job and ited by any IEP policy. The way the IEP pol- which has had huge im- I’m looking to the future in a much more positive manner. I provements and has always icy adversely affects pin-phone credit is that Note - On the HMP Lowdham Grange kiosk would like to thank all staff, you know who you are, for their made me feel welcome. you have a limited amount of Spends, and system, when you top up pin-phone credit, it belief and support for getting me through a difficult period. out of that you buy pin-phone credit. If you ‘activates’ immediately; there is no reason There is lots of help here for have low or zero Spends account funds, but why when pin-phone credit is purchased on- people with mental-health, funds in your Private account, a manager line that it cannot be immediately credited di- drug or alcohol problems. The law is an ass has to authorise funds to be deducted from rectly to the pin-phone account. Name withheld - HMP Winson Green I have tried to change my life Does anyone remember IPP? The government broke the law and have even got my own with this draconian sentence, but I don’t see any MPs holding accommodation from being the government to task for this. But why would they? It doesn’t in prison, but, for some rea- have an impact on them, their power and their pay-packets. No son, I just cannot keep out. There are still thousands of IPPs plus many more relatives, Upfront I feel I need some extra help Fee children and friends also suffering because of this sentence. If REQUIRED dealing with life on the outside. the government breaks the law then they should be held accountable, but still they refuse to change the IPP sentence. I I cannot thank the staff at am waiting to see if the Prime Minister or any of his pals are We are specialists in raising finance quickly to pay outstanding Liverpool enough, but there going to be my next cell-mate, but I rather doubt it. confiscation and other types of enforcement orders. is only so much they can do to help prisoners. Jailed for less DO YOU NEED MONEY TO PAY YOUR CONFISCATION? David Evans - HMP Holme House I’ve been in prison for a while now and the one thing that really Our efficient and helpful team can explore the possibility of releasing bothers me is the price of vapes. It costs £4 for 3 vials, but outside money from property and other assets in the UK held or jointly held by SEE you can buy double that amount for less. DHL must be laughing you to settle your order and preserve your property. ADVERT all the way to the bank, because we are a ‘captive audience’ and PAGE 46 cannot shop around for the best prices, we have to pay these Our team works with experts who have extensive knowedge of such shocking prices. I’ve been jailed for less criminality in the past. orders and who can provide realistic solutions to you whilst liaising directly with your case lawyer and family members to achieve Legal Aid aveilable for: this, or alternatively you can contact us directly. Parole & Recall reviews Cat A reviews Independent adjudications Magistrate/Crown Court representation POCA & Confiscation matters Fixed Fees for: Appeal against conviction & Sentence Governor adjudication Applications to CCRC £ ERS/FRS/Repatriation Sentence calculations ROTL & HDC Judicial reviews Prison transfer Family Law & Family Mediation TIMELESS No Upfront FIVE PROCESS Fee REQUIRED STAR REVIEWS Recategorisation Community Care
@ [email protected] 01992 568820 @ [email protected] Topstone Solicitors, 797 London Road, Bridge Finance Direct, Prince of Wales House, 3 Bluecoats Avenue, Hertford SG14 1PB 02034412700 London CR7 6AW 10 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime November 2019 On the Brexit Wire Panic attacks Subject to the same prejudice Leanne Mould - G Saunders - HMP Littlehey HMP New Hall Brexit madness Russian Federation and Turkey. Leaving the EU R Bagnall makes a valid point when he argues that juries are does not mean we will leave the European In the October issue, ‘The Sailor Gerry - HMP Birmingham prejudiced (i.e. they pre-judge) as soon as someone is ac- Convention on Human Rights. duty of care - chronic failures I would really love to see another referendum in the system of accountabil- cused of a sex crime, particularly one involving children, on whether we should leave the EU. There is However, are we really protected? Is it right to ity persist’ by Adam Mac of steps into the dock (Inside Time - October issue). one part of me that says we had the vote in handcuff a low-risk prisoner whilst he is being HMP Grendon - this piece of 2016 and voted Leave, and that vote should be operated on in hospital? Is it right to use cable writing is so very true. The But it is not only the jury who see an accused sex-offender in honoured. If not, then what is the point of ties on a low-risk prisoner whilst he is in an same things are happening a different light, lawyers are also subject to the same preju- democracy? What is the point in voting at all, if MRI scanner? Article 3 of the Convention states in women’s prisons. And it dice. The accused is not permitted to conduct his own de- our vote is to be ignored? And though I voted - ‘no one shall be subjected to torture or to has happened to me. I’ve fence. A barrister must be appointed, normally by the to Remain, deep down I cannot bring myself inhumane or degrading treatment or punish- been hearing a voice since accused’s solicitor. The accused has no knowledge of, and to join people like the Liberal Democrats in ment’. So, for us, the EU Convention on Human 2018. When I first heard it, I certainly no influence over, the patterns of patronage and their call to revoke Article 50 without a vote. Rights is no more than a theoretical smoke- put it down to being a bit past collaborations that lie behind the appointment decisions Doing that would really be the final nail in the screen, in the EU or out of it. Nothing will change. ‘cuckoo’ for a week through within the cosy cartel that is the legal professions. The rele- coffin of British democracy. the drugs I was on at the vant expertise and records of previous success may or may time. It’s horrible, I thought I feel that the only sensible thing to do is have Brexit, even if I die not be a guiding criterion. Danny Dodsworth - HMP Gartree it would go away but I’ve another referendum. Even this is fraught with heard it every day since. trepidation for me as it feels a bit like ignoring As Brexit comes ever closer, it is clear to see in Also, my anxiety and pan- “It is not surprising, therefore, that so many the democratic result of the first referendum. the last issue of Inside Time that some people ic-attacks are really bad, accused suffer growing realisation as their trial But it seems very obvious that the British in prison are worried about everything from and trying to get help in people now know a lot more about the prisoners’ rights to getting vital medication, prison gets me nowhere. progresses that the barrister appointed to repre- situation than we did in 2016. We now know and even the death penalty being brought They think that every pris- sent them seems to be making little effort to the economic, and also the human price we back. I am a Type 1 diabetic and depend on an oner is lying in order to get will have to pay for what is, essentially, a vanity insulin pen to keep me alive. Insulin is one of medication or to get off present a cogent defence. Are they subject to the project for the likes of Farage and the ERG. the meds in the government’s Yellowhammer Basic. Prisons do really need prejudices that Bagnall identifies?” Another referendum is the only way out. documents (for worst case scenario in the more help with the mental- event of no-deal Brexit) that could be at risk of health side of things. There In his book ‘The rights of man’, Thomas Paine argues that - not getting through and causing a shortage. is only one psychiatrist here ‘A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody and he is not popular because ought not to be trusted by anybody.’ He was writing in 1791, I am not worried at all, as in all likelihood of taking many women off but isn’t it still the case that the indifferent performance of a these shortages will not happen and, even if their medication. I need help, barrister not accountable to the accused is subject only to the they do then it would be a price worth paying it’s horrible being locked in to get away from the Brussels bullies holding a cell whilst suffering night- influence of his/her own prejudices (bolstered by the per- us hostage for £39 billion. As for human rights, mares, suicidal thoughts, ceived prejudices of the jury and the expectation of fellow Philip Hufton (Star Letter - September issue), panic attacks and flash- members of the legal profession) there can be few better ex- don’t worry mate, we live in a country with the backs. Don’t just leave us to amples of the impact of this prejudice within the justice sys- Robert Kilroy-Silk best human rights in the world, just because suffer, it’s not right. tem than the police handling of Operation Midland. we are leaving the EU please don’t think we The real villains will turn into North Korea overnight. Even Name withheld - HMP Grendon though Corbyn, Swinton and Sturgeon may have us believe this. With our country in severe disorder and really the laughing-stock of the world (only Trump’s America is higher on the chuckle meter) over Politics? Not for me Brexit, how about we take a moment to JR Ayensu - HMP Rochester National Prison Law Solicitors dishonour the people who kickstarted all of In the lead-up to the 2016 vote there was a this nonsense back in the early 2000s. burgeoning sense of participation. Most www.instalaw.co.uk people, families, colleagues, those on-line, A lot of people no longer remember a fella them down the boozer, were able to formulate called Robert Kilroy-Silk. He was a per- an opinion, after all it was a mere binary We have over 20 Prison Law Experts who can help you with: ma-tanned daytime talk show host who pulled choice, right? In or out. Wrong! The ramifica- the then fledgling UKIP out from under its tions of such a seismic miscalculation are what • Parole Board oral hearings • Breach of Data Protection stone and into the light back in 2004. UKIP have brought us to the current existential • Paper Parole Reviews • False Imprisonment already existed at this time, but it was a tiny impasse. The predictable buck-passing has • Recalls • Independent Adjudications crackpot party on the very fringes of British ensued across and within party factions. What politics run by a relatively unknown ex-Con- the incumbents are not addressing however is • Judicial Review • Private cases (Transfer/HDC) servative banker called Nigel Farage. Kilroy- the true responsibility for such a monumental •- MandatoryPersonal LifersInjury/Workplace accidents + more Silk brought the party to the attention of the cock-up lies with the voting electorate. Brexit public after he was sacked from the BBC for was never an in-or-out question. The politicians making some very dodgy comments on race, were aware. But, gripped as the majority are Call us today for free advice on: 01782 560 155 religion and gender. by opportunism and sense of entitlement, they were content for such an unqualified Nottingham office: Instalaw, 4th Floor Parliament House, He, Farage, and Tory MP John Redwood fought proposal to be put to the long-suffering tooth-and-nail to make the EU an issue in uninformed voter: it’s fair to say that those who 42 - 46 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG British politics in the days when it was nothing took part in the sham are equally to blame. of the sort. So, hats off to the real villains of Staffordshire office: Instalaw, 2nd Floor Copthall House, King Street, this piece. They did it so well they eventually So where are we now? Firstly, this blind Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1UE turned the Conservative Party into UKIP. franchising of our say in how the country is Robert Kilroy-Silk - truly a man of the sheeple. run must come to an end. If you are going to play politics, you must be compelled to learn Shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year by the Law Society Nothing will change politics. Secondly, we require a greater Phil Green - HMP Buckley Hall fit-and-proper person test for those who Winners of Client Care Initiative of the Year 2019 represent us in Parliament. The current failure In the October issue of Inside Time, concerns requires nothing less. And lastly, but in no way were raised regarding our rights under the finally, a review into restructuring the European Convention on Human Rights after Parliamentary party system. The emperor is Brexit. There are 47 countries that are completely naked; little short of renewing signatories to the convention, many of which these archaic practises in a modern rep- are not members of the EU, such as Ukraine, resentational constitution will suffice. £30,000 COMPENSATION because of a DODGY SCREW
Inmate James Costelios’ top bunk didn’t have a safety rail, prison and the NHS for personal injury and negligence and he rolled and fell 5 feet onto an unforgiving concrete floor were awarded £30,000. and fractured his pelvis. James is just one of many prisoners Jefferies Solicitors Unfortunately the subsequent operation failed because have successfully represented over the years. a collapsed screw underpinning the fracture went You may not have your freedom but you still have rights. undetected. You could be entitled to personal injury compensation Through no fault of his own James had to endure caused by trips, burns, gym or workshop accidents, even considerable pain for several months... so we sued the attacks by cell mates or staff.
Call: 0161 925 4155 I Click: jefferiessolicitors.com I Email: [email protected] The Triangle 8 Cross Street Altrincham Cheshire WA14 1EQ
Michael Jefferies Injury Lawyers is a trading name of Jefferies Solicitors Limited, authorised and regulated by the SRA
3056_MJ_Screw&BananaCampaign_Nov2019.indd 1 21/10/2019 12:19 12 Newsround www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
NEWBORN BABY DIES AT BRONZEFIELD Newsbites People who work with women in prison say the death raises G4S pulls out of immigration centres serious concerns about lack of access to midwives and lack of Private prison company G4S has announced that it is to stop full maternity care. The matter has now been raised in the managing immigration removal centres (IRCs) when its House of Commons who were told that there will be ten sepa- contracts run out next year. It currently manages Brook House rate investigations into the matter. The Prisons and Probation and Tinsley House, both at Gatwick airport. There have been Ombudsman has now been asked to conduct an ‘overarch- many problems with its IRCs including a damning BBC ing’ investigation. Panorama report in 2017 which showed assaults and abuse on detainees by staff. G4S says it wants to concentrate on their The ten investigations will be: ‘custody and rehabilitation business’. • Internal investigation at HMP Bronzefield; • Internal Sodexo review; Complaints rise in Northern Ireland Tragic prison • Joint investigation between the Prison Service and HMP The Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland says that there Bronzefield; has been a 74% increase in the number of complaints. The A woman was left alone at night to give birth to her baby in a • NHS Clinical Review; three prisons in Northern Ireland generated 408 individual cell at Bronzefield. When staff finally checked at 8:30 the • Police Major Crimes investigation; complaints - the most common complaints included attitude of next morning they found the baby was dead. An investiga- staff (50), accommodation (23), and property and cash (15). An • Police Safeguarding investigation; tion has been started by Surrey police and the death has example of a complaint is given where a prisoner complained • Surrey Social Services Rapid Response Review; been noted as ‘unexplained’. The Guardian columnist Joan that he had received his daily newspapers a day late on three Smith asks how could this happen in 21st-century Britain? • Camden Social Services Serious Case Review; occasions. The complaint was partially upheld, with the She writes: “So how was it possible for a woman in a late • Child Death Overview Panel (Surrey); Ombudsman recommending that the processing of newspa- stage of pregnancy to go into labour, give birth in a cell and • Coroner’s Report. pers be prioritised. The Northern Ireland Prison Service not come to the attention of prison staff for several hours? rejected the Ombudsman’s finding saying that all prisoners What that mother went through hardly bears thinking about, Following the announcement of the investigations, Naomi have access to television and radios to keep up with current but it intensifies previously expressed anxieties about the Delap, director of the charity Birth Companions, said: “Indi- affairs. safety of pregnant women in the UK’s understaffed and over- vidualised and carefully-informed care plans are the most ef- stretched prison service … No matter what that woman was fective way to safeguard the health and wellbeing of women Higher penalties for animal cruelty in prison for, she and her unborn child desperately needed and babies throughout pregnancy, birth and in the postnatal A new law was passed in October which means that, in medical treatment - and we are all entitled to an explanation period.” of how such a tragedy was allowed to happen.” Scotland, anyone found guilty of serious animal cruelty could face up to five years in prison. The law, as well as increasing the Deborah Coles said: “There must be the most robust scrutiny maximum penalties will also implement ‘Finn’s Law’, which The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, who investigates of how this tragic death was able to happen. The investiga- gives extra protection to service animals like police dogs: it also deaths in custody, said it will not investigate the baby’s tion must identify clear actions to safeguard the lives of removes the time limit for bringing prosecutions and removes death as it falls outside their remit. Deborah Coles, director of mothers and babies, who we believe, should not be in prison INQUEST has called for a full independent enquiry, she com- at all.” the cap on the fines that can be levied against the most serious mented: “The death of a baby behind bars warrants an inde- offenders. The new maximum fine will now be £20,000. pendent inquiry. The fact that the PPO is not investigating Sodexo, who manage the prison, declined to make comments Finn’s Law is named after Finn, a dog who was stabbed while makes this even more essential. This is horrifying and ex- to the media, but director Vicky Robinson said: “We are sup- pursuing a suspect, he sustained near fatal stab wounds to the poses the utter inhumanity of a prison system where a porting the mother through this distressing time and our chest and head, but only criminal damage charges could be woman can give birth alone in a cell and the baby dies.” thoughts are with her, her family and our staff involved”. brought against his attacker. Children leaving custody are set up to fail CRIMINAL Mark Carter A new report from HM In- Mr Russell added: “Our recent Head of spectorate of Probation and inspection found that a lack LAW Criminal Law HM Inspectorate of Prisons of suitable and safe accom- Leading defence solicitors in: says children and young modation is still an ongoing Conspiracies Robbery people released from young problem. Local authority re- Legal Murder Gang offences offender institutions are get- luctance to pay for accommo- ting too little support in the dation in advance means Manslaughter Fraud community and are being that some individuals were services Drug offences POCA “set up to fail.” The report, Justin Russell: “If the only informed of their new right services are not in published last month, looks address on the eve or day of place, these often-vul- Jeremy Moore at the support they received release. And we saw young you can APPEALS Head of Appeals nerable people are being from youth justice services people being offered accom- in their first three months set up to fail.” modation many miles away We have dealt with some of the most high profile after release. from family and in places trust. leading cases in the Court of Appeal and CCRC substance misuse and men- where they did not know an- including R v Barry George (Jill Dando case). Chief Inspector of Probation tal health issues also need ybody. Yet staff did not con- Experts in Justin Russell said: “Chil- seamless support in the sider the emotional impact serious and dren and young people are community. If the right ser- this could have on individu- PRISON Jo Davidson not getting the help they vices are not in place, these als. It is little wonder that complex cases Head of Prison Law need to prepare for release LAW often-vulnerable people are one young man told us he and to resettle back into the being set up to fail.” felt ‘like a parcel’ sometimes. Fixed Re-cat Apps/Appeals Transfers community. There are spe- There needs to be a national fees: HDC Apps/Appeals Guittard Applications cific programmes to help in- The inspectorates found network of community-based dividuals prepare for there was poor planning for Legal Parole Sentence Calculation release, but none of the peo- accommodation for children release. Chief Inspector of Aid: Pre-tariff review Cat A Review ple in our sample attended who pose the highest risks to Prisons Peter Clarke said: the public and better coordi- Recall Lifer/IPP removal one. We found staff in youth from open conditions “In some cases, planning nation between staff in cus- Independent offending teams had little Adjudications knowledge of the activity started just 10 days prior to tody and in the community that had taken place in cus- release or even after release to ensure children and PRISONER HOTLINE tody and were unable to - this is too little, too late to young people get help to build on this work in the be effective. A lot of the ac- plan, prepare and thrive on 0161 833 9253 community. Many of these tivity that we saw in custody release. This is not just in the FREEPHONE children and young people focussed on containing chil- individual’s interests. Their need help to find accommo- dren and young people, families, communities and 0800 1444 111 dation and to get into educa- managing their behaviour or society, as a whole, stand to www.cmsolicitors.co.uk Write to: • St James’s House MANCHESTER M6 5FW tion, training or simply trying to fill their gain from people living • 15 Old Bailey LONDON EC4M 7EF employment. Those with time.” crime-free lives.” Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Newsround 13
5,209 foreign national ‘offenders’ were de- “It’s a howler, but we Looking ported, whilst about 9,000 were being held Newsbites are not amused…!” in prison. Back... New keys for Wanno through the Inside Thirdly: From 2010, when Theresa May was According to The Sun a locksmith has been arrested and Home Secretary, police numbers were cut by Time archives accused of copying keys to Wandsworth, which were sold to 20,000. Johnson has now said this has led to prisoners. According to the paper, prison management was so November 2009 an increase in crime and his wish is to re- worried it has spent £1million replacing 3,000 locks. The Sun cruit another 20,000 police officers over the says the locksmith worked for the government’s Facility Service.
Credit: BBC next three years. As with the Prison Service, A prison source told The Sun: “You’ve got serious people in when numbers were cut it was the more ex- Wandsworth like sex offenders. The thought of them having perienced staff who left. access to keys doesn’t bear thinking about.” The key scare Something for all! comes just weeks after an officer at the prison was jailed for Queen speaks on Criminal Justice Fourthly: There has been a lot of talk of in- smuggling £90,000 of illicit items into the prison including creasing prison places by 10,000. This was mobile phones, drugs and tobacco. When governments feel their backs are announced initially in 2015 to be complete against the wall they often fall back on being by 2020. Most of the new places were to re- New tags detect alcohol ‘tough’ on crime and in the October Queen’s place old outdated prisons. A new target has The government has announced that it plans to use ‘sobriety Speech Boris Johnson did just that, introduc- been set by Johnson to increase the number tags’ to monitor alcohol use by released prisoners. The ankle ing seven new crime bills. This follows a of prison places by 10,000 by ‘the mid-2020’s’. tags will detect alcohol levels in the wearer’s sweat, and would number of announcements on the subject be used on repeat drunken offenders and alert the authorities made in the weeks after he became Prime Fifth: The government say they are to spend when someone has breached an abstinence order. Inflationary discharge Minister. Most of the actual content of the new £100million to improve prison security in- bills has already been announced but the cluding x-ray scanners, metal detectors and “I have, for many years, Dilapidated prisons to stay open bills put it on the official government agenda. new technology to block mobile phone use. wondered why prisoners’ The government has said that it has scrapped plans to close old The Ministry of Justice says the money will discharge grants never seem dilapidated prisons and sell them off for housing projects Firstly: In what the government call ‘extend- target crime, including violence and drug because, says prisons minister Lucy Frazer, the cells are needed to go up in line with inflation. ing sentences for serious offenders’ anyone smuggling as well as dishonest prison staff. to house the ever-increasing prison population. The idea of When questioned about it, sentenced to more than four years in prison shutting old prisons and building new ones, which is cheaper staff say ‘that is the way it is’. I will have to serve two thirds of the sentence Sixth: The government want to expand stop than renovating old ones and bringing them up-to-date, was have been told it is set by the instead of half. At the moment most fixed and search powers, allowing police to carry originally announced in 2015 when Michael Gove was justice finance department at Prison sentence prisoners are released half-way out the searches in designated areas without secretary. Frazer says: “If the numbers stay the same, we need Service HQ; that the discharge through their sentence. Johnson has not de- the need for suspicion or authorisation from to be prepared to house people who come to prison and that grant hasn’t gone up in over clared whether it will be retrospective or just senior staff. will mean we need to keep our Victorian prisons in operation.” ten years; but what I’m 100% apply to newly sentenced prisoners. Prison Reform Trust Director Peter Dawson said: “All the many sure of is that a £46 discharge Finally: The government plans to give the Victorian prisons that time and again attract the worst Secondly: Foreign national ‘criminals’ who grant, to last at least two Crown Prosecution Service an extra £85mil- inspection reports will stay open.” He said overcrowding would are deported after a prison sentence of weeks, is considerably less lion over the next two years. Since 2010, the get worse. “Ministers know that this produces an unsafe, twelve months or more but return to the UK than adequate to live on CPS has had its budget cut by 30% - or indecent prison system that puts lives at risk. The responsibility can get a six-month sentence. The govern- whilst benefits are being for it lies squarely at their door.” ment want to increase that but have not said around £225million. Staff numbers also fell sorted.” what they want to increase it to. In 2018, by around 2,500. Mailbag – HMP Stocken Hostage at Berwyn Not a good month for HMP Berwyn. A week after a prisoner Inside and angry climbed onto the roof, a female healthcare worker was “As an Irish prisoner, can I Child Abuse. Helping victims achieve justice. snatched and held hostage. The incident was resolved after 15 take this opportunity to thank minutes but police are undertaking an investigation and the everyone at Inside Time for all Prison Service say they will be “seeking the strongest possible the information and compel- Lambeth Council Redress Scheme punishment for the perpetrator.” ling reading over the years; I will continue to be a fan of Lambeth Council has set up a scheme to compensate people who, [email protected] the paper, however … vhs 0115 959 9550 congratulations … you’ve as children, were abused or feared abuse at a Lambeth children’s disappointed and infuriated home and/or Shirley Oaks Primary School. fletchers me yet again…” SOLICITORS PRISON LAW Mailbag – HMP Edmunds The scheme allows people to make claims for compensation even Dedicated Prison Law Department with over 35+ Hill if the abuse they suffered took place many years ago. years experience. We offer specialist prison law advice & representation – nationwide. Tweeting before Twitter Our specialist Abuse Solicitors have a proven track record in LEGAL AID “Can Inside Time offer advice handling child abuse claims. • PAROLE BOARD REPRESENTATON (PAPER on Prison Service national & ORAL HEARINGS) IPP/LIFERS/EDS/DCR policy reference taking your budgie when transferring If you would like to find out if you’re eligible to make a claim under • RECALL between different category the scheme, please contact our Abuse Solicitors for more • ADJUDICATIONS establishments? information. • CATEGORY A REVIEWS MoJ response: Any pet that a • CSC prisoner is permitted to keep Applications to the redress scheme close on 1st January 2020. • PRE-TARIFF SIFTS is entirely at the discretion of • SENTENCE CALCULATION the Prison Governor.” Prison Visits Legal Aid Available Complete Confidentiality In addition Mailbag – HMP Swaleside • POCA • JUDICIAL REVIEW “A technical error … no T. 0808 239 8516 FIXED FEES worse than not paying SIMPSON We also offer FIXED FEES to provide advice the congestion charge” MILLAR [email protected] The open lawyers and representation in other prison law and “This is what Attorney simpsonmillar.co.uk | abuselaw.co.uk release related matters General Baroness Scotland, VHS FLETCHERS also undertake criminal (above) said when it was © Simpson Millar LLP, 100 Talbot Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0PG. Simpson Millar LLP is a limited liability proceedings & appeals discovered she’d employed an partnership registered in England and Wales: No OC313936. Registered office 21-27 St Paul’s Street, Leeds, LS1 illegal immigrant to clean her 2JG. A list of members in available from our registered office. We use the term ‘partner’ to refer to an employee Write to us: Irene Tolley/ Louise winning of equivalent standing to that of a partner in a partnership. Members of the Law Society’s Personal Injury and 111 Carrington Street, Nottingham NG1 7FE house.” Clinical Negligence Panels. A list of our offices can be found at www.simpsonmillar.co.uk. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Registration No. 424940. Email: [email protected] Call: 0115 9599550 Newsround 14 Newsround www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
add an estimated 3,000 to president of the Prison Re- ‘Headline grabbers’ the UK’s prison population. form Trust, pointed out that Newsbites There would also be longer average sentence lengths Lords condemn Government announcements sentences for foreign nation- had increased in recent Drug scanners in Scottish prisons als who return to the UK years, and said there was no on crime and punishment Three Scottish prisons have trialled £30,000 Rapiscan electronic after being deported. evidence to support the scanners, which can detect microscopic amounts of drugs such claim by ministers that pris- In the House as Spice. 96 letters laced with drugs have been intercepted at Lord Hastings, who sits as a oners were serving too little one prison. Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The crossbencher independent time behind bars. He said: The prison system is “bro- SPS continues to seek innovative technological solutions to this of the main parties, claimed “Prisons have responsibility ken” with too many people challenge to ensure the safety of staff and those within its care. that Prime Minister Boris for keeping both prisoners being locked up for too long Johnson and Home Secretary and prison staff secure, but The SPS are exploring a range of actions, including the use of and reoffending once re- Priti Patel were “seeking to violence at present is en- scanners and other technology.” leased, a peer has warned. grab as many headlines as demic. We should not make Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick possible about being savage the job of the prison staff Northern Ireland prisoner outings said the increasing use of and unkind to prisoners”. He more difficult by increasing Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland have produced a prison to punish offenders said: “It is intended to reas- the overcrowding. The pres- report where they say that victims of crime should be informed was “beating up those who Lord Hastings: “We all sure the public that the Gov- ent state of prisons is, unfor- before prisoners are allowed out of prison for activities and are already destitute by their know that our system ernment are tough on the tunately, one of which we sports. They say that victims who have registered for informa- own failure”. is broken and does not nasty people but it comes should be ashamed.” tion updates via the Prisoner Release Victim Information work effectively.” from a nasty place.” Scheme should be contacted before outings. Participation And he accused the Govern- Lord Carlile, former presi- levels by victims have been very low in the scheme. ment of electioneering in its The peer also warned that dent of the Howard League measures to crack down on Our rehabilitation rates are police use of stop-and-search for Penal Reform, said: criminals outlined in the poor and the return-to- Name the new prison powers was alienating “Generations of research Queen’s Speech. Lord Hast- prison rates far too high.” The Ministry of Justice has asked the public to suggest names young black men. He said: demonstrate that longer sen- ings is a vice-president of for the new 1,680 capacity mega-prison at Wellingborough. “Coming from one of the tences, fuller prisons, re- the Catch22 charity, which He urged the Government to Construction of the new prison started in September, five years ethnic minority communi- duced parole opportunities, helps get ex-offenders into learn from countries which after the original prison was closed, and is expected to be ties, a black community, and diminished prison educa- work, and is a regular prison have reduced the use of completed by spring 2021. The government say the name knowing many young men tion and other cuts are abso- visitor. Speaking in the prison, and called for a should embrace the history and culture of Wellingborough. who have been stopped and lutely no way to relieve the House of Lords, he said: “We wide-ranging review of sen- Why not write in with your suggestions? searched, I can tell your tensions caused by crime. I all know that our system is tence lengths and how pris- Lordships that this does not urge the Government to de- broken and does not work oners are rehabilitated. The drive an effective approach velop a mature and consid- Tabloid outrage at ‘knock first’ order effectively. We incarcerate Government announced to safety or policing.” ered prison policy rather The Daily Mail declares outrage as youth custody staff working far too many people, we lock plans in the Queen’s Speech than one founded on sound- in child prisons (holding children under 18) have been asked to them up for far too long, and in October to make offenders Speaking in the same de- bites prepared ahead of an operate a more child friendly regime and knock on children’s we ensure, by the bad man- sentenced to four or more bate, two more senior cross- election, as we have started doors before walking in. The Mail quotes a story in The Times ner in which we hold them years for a violent or sexual bench peers condemned the to hear.” about the recent report that says children are set up to fail by behind bars, that very few offence serve two-thirds of Government’s move to the system. It quotes Mick Pimpblett of the Prison Officers’ are effectively rehabilitated their sentence behind bars, lengthen time served in A surprising note of warning Association telling The Times: “We will be advising our mem- and that they do not return instead of half as most do at prison. Lord Woolf, life was sounded by former Met- to society as sound citizens. present. The measure would bers to ignore any instructions based on this. We will not be ropolitan Police Commis- doing this if we are instructed to do so by a governor who feels sioner Lord Hogan-Howe he wants to be politically correct.” Pimpblett says that the about the Government’s children might have drugs or weapons which they could hide if plans to jail offenders for staff knocked before entering. longer. He said: “People may imagine that I would natu- POA criticise transfers to open prisons rally support these, and I do Following a number of recent absconds from Kirkham, the support long sentences for Prison Officers’ Association say hundreds of prisoners have serious offences. However, there has been sentence wrongly been transferred to open prisons. Mick Pimpblett from drift upwards, and parole the POA said: “There were 250 to 300 prisoners in Kirkham reduction, over the last 20 transferred back to closed [prisons] last year because they were years. The consequence has inappropriately allocated there.” Pimpblett blames overcrowd- been a prison population, ing at other prisons for unsuitable men being put into the open now, of around 85,000. estate and says there should be tougher risk assessments before There is a serious risk that prisoners are moved. The Ministry of Justice responded to the that is too many. It is possible criticisms saying that they work closely with police to catch that we need to look seriously absconders and: “Offenders are only moved to open conditions at that - if we allow it to con- if they have passed a thorough risk-assessment and any tinue, we will have worse suggestion that the process is not being followed is wholly problems, not less crime.” incorrect.” M c. IVOR . FARRELL Northern Irish Solicitors
• Criminal Appeals (Sentence or Conviction) WE’RE HERE TO HELP • Parole Hearings Please call us on • Proceeds of Crime/Confiscation Hearings 028 9023 7053 or 028 9032 4565 • Police Interviews under PACE throughout or write to us at NI and in Prisons 129 Springfield Road • All Criminal Defence Cases Belfast BT12 7AE • Judicial Review & Human Rights Cases IT’S THAT SIMPLE!! • Family Law • Injury Claims within the Prison • Welfare Issues • Prison Visits Arranged within 24hrs
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Belgium closes last maximum-security Italian prison torture World prison review prison Fifteen prison officers in Italy Belgium is closing its last maximum-security are under investigation for prison. There are only three prisoners left in allegedly torturing a Tunisian the Bruges prison, which only opened in 2007, prisoner. Prosecutors in Siena and they will be moved out shortly. A spokes- accuse the 15 of beating and person said the decision to close the prison humiliating the prisoner last “stems from the legal framework within which year. The case against them is Caught short… it operates, but also because it was becoming based on surveillance footage increasingly difficult to reconcile it with ‘the “Just nipping to the shops, do you want and witness statements from latest evolutions’ regarding the study of prison other prisoners. Italian prison anything?” populations”. Four inmates who repeatedly escaped from a rights group Antigone said it federal prison in Texas so they could return was the first such case to be Online shopping with whiskey and cellphones were back in Prisoners sleeping in the yard brought by prosecutors since Residents in Estonian prisons may soon be custody after they were finally caught in the able to do their shopping online as the Centre torture was criminalised in act, authorities said. Acting on “repeated Over 5,000 prisoners die at this prison every year 2017: they say: “Those who One in five detainees at the Philippines’ national penitentiary of Registers and Information Systems (RIK) is reports” that prisoners were regularly escaping have seen abuse and violence die every year, officials at the prison hospital have revealed. mulling the idea of opening e-shops to cut from and returning to the Federal Prison must knock down the wall of About 5,200 inmates at the New Bilibid Prison die annually due bureaucracy. RIK’s plan is to announce a state Complex in Beaumont, U.S. marshals and silence protecting to overcrowding, disease and violence, according to hospital procurement tender to develop a solution that Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies lay in wait medical chief Ernesto Tamayo. The high number of deaths is allows prisoners to safely enter an online perpetrators.” for them to catch them in the act. shocking - but not exactly a new problem. Other prisons store, track balances on their accounts, and to around the country are facing similar problems; when CNN place orders. The aim of the e-shop is to unify That’s one party! Indian prisoners to get the shopping environment across the visited a Quezon City jail in 2016, more than 4,000 inmates A California prison agency spent $12,000 country’s three prisons in Tallinn, Tartu, and their own radio station were living cheek by jowl in one of the most densely populated Prisoners in Parappana Viru. It would also be possible to order (£9,300) in public money on a retirement party corners of the Philippines. Conditions were terrible, with the Agrahara Central Prison, in products that are not part of the daily prison with 300 guests for a longtime manager. The inmates crammed together into crumbling, ramshackle cells. India, will soon have the first product range. Restrictions could also be Prison Industry Authority paid for food, There’s barely space for them to sleep - one room held 85 prisoners’ radio station in the applied to different products available for sale, equipment, supplies and luxury portable inmates in a 200-square foot space. Another one, bigger but country. The service is being as well as allowing the prison administration not by much, held 131. It was designed for 30. Critics say this toilets. The restrooms were outfitted with set up and operated by 40 to monitor the progress of orders which will overcrowding is a predictable effect of Duterte’s war on drugs flowers, artwork and mints and cost $5,700. prisoners and some prison allow them to intervene if necessary. - a bloody and brutal crackdown on the methamphetamine The report says two dozen employees took staff who were provided with trade that has seen thousands killed by police and vigilantes. time out of two workdays for the event at a specialist training by a charity Man with name tattooed across neck Folsom State Prison warehouse. Women in a and a local radio station. The Prison officer smuggles Venezuelan prisoners arrested after trying to give cops fake prison culinary program prepared food. Chief Superintendent of the condoms tortured name prison, V Sheshmurthy, said: “We are planning to air A prison officer at a prison in According to the Daily Mail, A US man in Toronto was arrested after he Chinese escapee found in a cave Kenya has been arrested after graphic videos have emerged gave police a fake name - despite the fact he devotional songs, old and A prisoner who escaped from a Chinese prison latest film songs and news he was found trying to showing Venezuelan prison has a large tattoo of his own name across his 17 years ago has finally been returned to bulletins everyday from smuggle male condoms into guards making prisoners lie neck. Police interviewed Matthew Bushman in naked, face down, whilst connection with a forgery case they were prison after he was found living in a two-me- 7am-7pm. The inmates will his prison, along with other roosters have cock-fights on investigating. Bushman gave the cops a false tre square cave. He escaped in 2002 after also be able to hear birthday illicit items including 675kg of their backs. According to the name and date of birth, probably because being jailed for trafficking women and wishes from their family. The bhang (an edible form of radio will also broadcast talks paper, at least 82 prisoners there was an existing warrant out for his children. After a tip-off the police used drones cannabis). Following a search were tortured in this way and arrest. The only downside for Bushman was on prisoners’ rights, parole to scan the area and eventually saw a blue tin for other contraband, also beaten and refused food that he has his own name branded onto his eligibility, conditions a convict prisoners at the jail refused to and water for 24 hours. An skin with a large neck tattoo that says ‘Matty roof and rubbish strewn nearby. Police said should fulfil for release on eat their breakfast of porridge investigation has been B’. Bushman was then arrested for obstructing that he had been living his isolated life for so grounds of good conduct, and and climbed onto the roof. announced. justice and taken to Coles County Jail. long he now found it difficult to communicate. other general information.”
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Good Prison News Newsbites
Sara from Macmillan said: “We understand Explorers break into Camp Hill how cancer can affect people’s whole lives Usually people try to break out of prison but last month a - health, money, family, job: everything. We group of people calling themselves the ‘Urban Explorers’ broke do understand that the most important thing into Camp Hill prison on the Isle of Wight, which closed in 2013 is to treat people as individuals, not patients, - despite 20 foot fences, barbed wire and security guards - and so we take the time to understand the made a mini-documentary video of the inside of the prison. support people need to live their lives as fully They have posted the video on YouTube, which shows the as they can, from the moment of diagnosis prison is still in good condition. and whenever we are most needed, at Dwayne Fields Macmillan we offer our help and support for New Barlinnie on the way people to find their best way through. Our The Scottish Government has announced its intention to close help is totally focused on each individual Motivational and sell the current Barlinnie site, which opened in 1882, by person, so everyone receives the support that 2025 and build a new prison in another area of Glasgow. Colin is best for them.” speaking at McConnell, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, told the Justice Committee at Holyrood last month that a deal to I asked one of the residents here at Whitemoor Ranby buy land for a new super-prison was in its final stages. The SPS how he feels being there. He said: say they hope to have a Barlinnie replacement built by the end During October’s Black of 2024. “I am a human, I am visible, History Month, the equali-
Credit: Macmillan ties team at HMP Ranby Reading Prison up for sale I am more than a locked-up person, organised a range of The Ministry of Justice has announced that the old Reading Prison, Coffee break of hope I care. activities. One of the ” where Oscar Wilde was a prisoner between 1895 and 1897, has highlights was a visit by finally been put up for sale. There has been much protesting Youssef Wahid - HMP Whitemoor Everyone was warmed up and excited. Another motivational speaker about original plans to turn the prison into flats with campaign- Dwayne Fields. He is an resident said: “I had the great pleasure of ers calling for the site to be preserved as a heritage site. The chapel was filled with over 150 people: being among the charity community attend- adventurer and explorer, with residents and staff from HMP ing the Macmillan Coffee Morning event.” born in Jamaica, who spent The Grange (Hewell) open prison to close Whitemoor and visitor’s from The Macmillan his early years involved in The Ministry of Justice has announced it is to close The Grange, Coffee Morning. It was an opportunity to Everyone was overwhelmed by the event street gangs and became the the open prison in the grounds of Hewell. They say the current connect with charity work for both residents itself and chatter including the activities victim of knife and gun condition of the prison, which holds around 200 prisoners, is and staff members. The Coffee Morning is performed by the people involved, and the crime. After nearly losing his unacceptable and refurbishing it would not deliver value to tax Macmillan Cancer Support’s, each year amount of donation which was around £2000. life he made the decision to payers. In September, prison inspectors said conditions at The people in the UK and worldwide host their change his life for the better. Grange “were the worst they’ve seen at an open jail” and own Coffee Morning. The first Coffee Morning The residents and staff used an exercise bike Ranby residents found described conditions there as “squalid” and “demeaning and was held in 1990, when local fundraising Dwayne and Leo, another and completed 466km. As the crow flies that depressing”. The Grange is housed in a Grade-II listed country committee held a Coffee Morning where the motivational speaker who covers from HMP Whitemoor to Belfast. house and will close by March 2020. cost of the coffee was donated to Macmillan. told how he became hooked on cocaine at the age of 13, Leyhill prisoners support SSAFA Everyone had a fantastic time. The support The event here at HMP Whitemoor itself to be inspirational in A new liaison between Leyhill and the armed forces charity consisted of chatter and activities performed we got from everyone attending was inspir- making them reflect on their SSAFA will see prisoners refurbishing the charity’s collection by the people involved. Everyone gave a ing and their generosity and support showed own lives, one saying: “I tins which, the charity says, will lower their environmental demonstration of how important the charity in how much we raised. could identify with them impact and save them money as they will not have to keep work means to them. and found them inspiration- buying new tins. Dawn Civill-Williams, SSAFA Branch Chairman, The event not only gave focus, it also brought al and powerful. The more said: “We’re proud to have the back of the whole Forces family The host of the event said: “It was a great the Whitemoor community together and people like this, the more from every walk of life and know that our non-judgmental style honour to welcome Macmillan Coffee allowed us to give something to those outside change we will see in of support can often be a real turning point for veterans who Morning to HMP Whitemoor”. the walls. others.” find themselves in the Criminal Justice System.”
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IMB watch Newsbites
Slopping-out at Scotland buys more prison places Coldingley As the Scottish prison population spirals the Scottish govern- The Independent ment have been forced to give the Scottish Prison Service Good as new Monitoring Board (IMB) at £6million to buy extra places at Kilmarnock and Addiewell, Coldingley have said they both private prisons. The money will provide spaces for Stocken restore are “appalled at the lack another 192 prisoners. A damning report by the Scottish public of in-cell sanitation” spending watchdog published in September said that Scotland’s RAF bikes which has seen many prisons are close to breaking point, with overcrowding and prisoners having to resort rising assaults on staff by prisoners posing a threat to “opera- to throwing human waste Prisoners at Stocken are set to tional safety”. recycle bicycles from nearby out of the windows. The RAF Wittering as part of the Ministry of Justice has Unusual way to smuggle drugs My Bike project. The RAF promised to address the A shoplifter sent to Bullingdon raised the suspicion of officers station has a pile of old bikes issue of prisoners being in reception and was given a ‘full search’ during which he was which have accumulated as issued buckets to use as asked to pull back his foreskin. There, officers found four wraps staff move on and abandon toilets during the night. their old bikes. The prisoners More than 350 men live in of heroin. He admitted the drugs were his but said he didn’t are studying for a City and cells without toilets or intend to take them into the prison. The judge said it was an Guilds qualification in cycle sinks which the IMB, in unusual way to smuggle drugs but, rather than give him more mechanics and hundreds of their latest report describe prison time, released him with a drug rehabilitation order. bikes have been recycled. Planting hope as “degrading and totally Credit: HMP /YOI Sudbury Once allocated to the unsatisfactory”. They say Warm showers at last mechanic, the bikes are that at night men have to Remedial work is said to be finally underway at Hollesley Bay to Sudbury’s Secret Garden Centre cleaned, completely stripped press a buzzer to be let fix the unreliable plumbing which saw prisoners often having to down and the components out of cells to use a toilet take cold showers. A Prison Service spokesperson said that the Christmas is fast approaching and the men who work in HMP checked to make sure they but the queues are often showers in two blocks have now been completed and work is are still safe to use. Ray & YOI Sudbury’s Secret Garden Centre have been busy getting so long the men have to starting on the third. Goodliffe, said: “The prisoners it ready for the festive season. This includes selling planters use a bucket and ‘slop- seem to thoroughly enjoy it such as those in the photo which are filled with plants grown out’ in the morning. Building starts at Wellingborough in Sudbury’s market gardens. The reindeer, in particular, because they are giving Work started last month on the new Wellingborough prison have attracted a lot of attention and are already flying off the something back to charity. with Justice Secretary Robert Buckland attending a ceremonial shelves! The Garden Centre is open to the public and because Some of them have actually Concerns for BAME event to mark the start of work. The 1,680 place, category C of the men’s excellent customer service skills and knowledge, gone on to work at bike prisoners at Swinfen prison will cost £253million (£150,000 per prisoner) to build a very loyal customer base has been established. The skills shops.” Once restored, most Hall the men gain are transferable to other areas of employment bikes donated to the My Bike Higher rates of Black, and is expected to be completed in 2021. The new prison thus helping to reduce reoffending. In addition, any profits project are given free of Asian and Minority Ethnic replaces an older one on the site which closed in 2012. from the Garden Centre are reinvested to benefit the whole charge to families, individuals, (BAME) prisoners at Speaking at the event, Buckland told attendees that the new prison community such as helping to improve the accommo- charities and hospices across Swinfen Hall are being Wellingborough will provide a major boost to the local dation, facilities etc. Rutland. punished for their economy - creating 100 new jobs and 50 apprenticeships, with behaviour and put into a target of at least 25% of jobs being filled by ex-offenders. segregation according to Once the prison becomes operational, hundreds of additional the IMB’s latest report. new jobs will be created in the prison. The board say there are higher rates of adjudica- Disturbance at the Lazy L tion charges, lower rates Seventy prisoners were transferred out of Long Lartin last of employment within the month after a riot by about 20 prisoners saw pool balls hurled prison and higher rates of at staff who were obliged to retreat from a wing. One officer confinement in the was treated in hospital for minor injuries. The incident was segregation unit. Fewer resolved after a special ‘Tornado’ squad was sent in to regain BAME prisoners were control. This is the second time in less than a year that violence awarded earned privileges. and disorder has erupted at the prison; the last being in Your Prison Injury Specialists October 2018. Commenting on the disturbance the Prison Winchester making Officers’ Association said it raised concerns about the safety, insufficient progress order and control in prisons, they said: “It was only through the In their latest report, professionalism of prison officers that this incident was Winchester IMB say safety resolved by surrender of prisoners.” Medical Negligence is being compromised because of unrest at the Hep C eliminated prison. The IMB say that, Haverigg has become the first prison to successfully screen and despite some improve- treat 99% of its population for hepatits C. Hepatitis C is more ments, not enough common amongst prisoners than the general population and progress has been made the body is unable to build immunity to it so people can keep Accident Claims with drugs still prevalent catching it after treatment. Haverigg healthcare say they will and high levels of continue to give all prisoners regular checks for the disease. self-harm. Their report says: “Safety has been No prosecution over Scottish prison deaths compromised by regular Families of two young people who took their own lives in instances of violence by Scotland’s Polmont have expressed their anger that the Scottish Assault Claims prisoners, requiring the Prison Service (SPS) will not be charged with corporate use of force by staff manslaughter over their deaths because the SPS is exempt from (averaging between 40-60 prosecution under health and safety laws. The revelation interventions each comes after a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) was highly critical of month), which reflects the prison and some of its staff. Prison officers were offered the fragile nature of the Call us: 0161 429 8383 / Freephone: 0800 387 967 immunity from prosecution if they gave evidence but the jail. Drug debts and Sheriff presiding over the FAI said that some of the officers power struggles, particu- were “completely dishonest”. The mother of one victim said: larly between gangs, are “I want justice but it looks like the Lord Advocate doesn’t give a Write to us: Prudential Buildings, 63 St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1DH seen as the main causes damn about young people like my [son] and so once more the of violence.” SPS will get away with another death in their care.” 18 Comment www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
a woman who had no obvious films about the criminal jus- It is up to the Parole Board, disadvantages. Gillian, now a tice system and other wider represented by Margaret and manager in a Timpson store, aspects of society over fifty Paul, with help from Wil- stole from the company she years. I asked him a few ques- liam’s probation officer, Mi- worked for … ‘It just esca- tions about this new film, first chelle, to decide his future. lated. We drank. We mort- of all what was his aim in We sit in on it all. We also gaged and re-mortgaged.’ making ‘Crime and Punish- have the benefit of filmed in- After six years, when she was ment?’ His answer makes terviews with a very honest finally caught, she had de- clear why this new series is William. ‘I was high on crack frauded the company of different from so many oth- when I offended. Smoked £106,000. Prison, she sug- ers: ‘I want to change the de- crack through the night. I gested, was almost a relief. fault narrative. For too long, stabbed hell out of him. Then people have watched fiction I jumped out of the window.’ Jack told Bloomstein … ‘I and documentaries about sin- This doesn’t sound good for came from a decent family; first person to go to university - first person to go to prison.’ His downfall was cocaine and Everyone deserves a second chance alcohol and eventually he be- Credit: A Second Chance / Rex Bloomstein came involved in a violent burglary. He was cuffed and brought into the police station by his own father - a Police Inspector. He got seven and a Prison on film! half years.
Insights abound with unprecedented tv access These stories, and others, might make ‘A Second William and Sheryl a fresh start Chance’ grim viewing except Month by Month Credit: Channel 4 that the whole point in telling the bad stories is to show how gle justice agencies: mostly his parole chances. But on his Second Chance’ made by Rex the in-depth interviews con- getting a training and a job police, some courts or prison, side is his partner of many Bloomstein and produced by ducted by Bloomstein in can give their lives a happy, or very occasionally proba- years, Sheryl, and the fact he Rachel Billington James Timpson of the Timp- which his questioning is both or at least a happier future. tion and parole. The assump- has been working outside son business organisation. sympathetic and unflinch- tion is always that the system successfully on ROTL. As he ingly direct. Antony, who started burgling works. In fact it doesn’t, and says, ‘I’m different - I listen to Noel Smith interviewed Rex as a child when his father sent even professionals know far A Second Chance Radio 4 for f***s sake! ‘Paul Bloomstein in Inside Time Under huge close-ups, Tracey him through windows to open too little about the rest of the and Margaret’s questions re- If an alien descended on the last month. He stated emphat- describes her teenage back- front doors, stabbed a man - services. I want to show peo- volve round his use of drugs UK and turned on the televi- ically that: ‘The film is about ground of burglary, fighting ‘it was about not losing face’ ple how the whole spectrum and his ability to control his sion, he might be surprised at the importance of being able with the police and always in - and then took up heroin in works, or does not.’ emotions. At length they are the amount of people who live to get a job after being in and out of prison. She then prison, is now working for convinced he has truly in large brick buildings with prison. The three major fac- reveals almost nonchalantly Timpsons. He comments Bearing this aim in mind, I changed and, three months small personal spaces, a lot of tors for newly-released pris- that her last relationship calmly, ‘I feel normal, like was indeed aghast at the early after his release, we are as- locked doors and bars and a oners are family/ ended when her boyfriend any other person who comes episodes, which dramatically sured ‘he shows no sign of great deal of anger. Prisons relationships, having some- attacked her and burnt their to work.’ illustrated the problems in- have become a way of life at where to live, and getting a house down. ‘The police side Winchester Prison in May re-offending.’ any one moment for nearly job, and we illustrate this in thought I was dead when The night I saw the film in 2018 when prison officer cuts ninety four thousand people the film... Timpsons features they found me...He got eight West End’s Picture Palace caused lengthy in-cell hours, The assump- in the UK. And just now this in ‘A Second Chance’ because and a half years.’ there were questions after the were a huge provocation to tion is always that screening and James Timpson prisoners, culminating in se- People who we was asked how he rated his rious unrest. But what really the system works. six hundred ex-prisoner hooked me was Episode 4 recruit from prison workers. He answered: ‘Peo- where William, a lifer con- In fact it doesn’t, are more stable, ple who we recruit from victed of attempted murder, is and even profes- prison are more stable, more up for parole - yet again. As more loyal, more loyal, more honest, and stay someone who had his first sionals know far honest, and stay with us longer than people we prison sentence for armed too little about the recruit off the street.’ robbery at the age of fifteen, with us longer than and then became a drug rest of the services. people we recruit Crime and dealer, it is no surprise that he Roger Graef is considered a dangerous off the street. Punishment criminal and a potential risk Episode 5 also explains the Tracey, trainee photographer James Timpson ‘Crime and Punishment’ is a to the public. William’s vic- Credit: A Second Chance / Rex Bloomstein tim, who was left blind in one workings of our criminal jus- series of six-47 minute docu- tice system, and episode 6 mentaries showing on Chan- eye, comments dourly, ‘He’s population is on view, as of their commitment; they Yet the woman we see is put- reverts to Winchester Prison nel 4. I’ve known its spent the last fifteen years in never before, not only in fic- employ six hundred ex-pris- ting on a pink Timpson t-shirt - although this time to inves- originator, Roger Graef, for a prison. No-one is ever reha- tional fantasies, but in televi- oners.’ and going for her training as tigate that little known area, long time and admired his bilitated in prison.’ sion documentaries seen by a photographer in the Max the Segregation Unit. I asked hundreds of thousands. This focus on employment Spielmann side of the busi- Roger if he believed his films gives the film a strong theme ness. As Tracey’s life is turned had changed peoples’ atti- The TV series I’ve been which runs through each in- round and she looks back on tudes outside prison. His an- watching are ‘Crime and Pun- dividual story. A wily and her past, the mother who was swer was equivocal: ishment’ on Channel 4 and knowledgeable film-maker of always in and out of prison, ‘Hopefully. That’s why I write ‘Inside Prison: Britain Behind fifty decades, Bloomstein has her abuse by her mother’s for the Mail whenever given Bars’ on ITV. Some of you who chosen to make his point boyfriends, she adds the the chance, and do radio in- are behind bars yourselves through the stories of six pris- spine-chilling line, ‘I always terviews to reach people with may have watched one of oners or ex-prisoners. In most thought it was my fault.’ different views. But reaching them or both and will have cases he follows them through ministers and their advisors your own views based on ex- their prison experience and Tracey is not the only one is much harder. The feedback perience. I’ve also watched a their training to become one with stories of a disastrous I get from films suggests I documentary showing in Pic- of Timpson’s employees. A growing-up, although Bloom- have in some cases, but William, refl ecting on future dreams turehouse cinemas called ‘A major strength of the film is stein also includes a man and Credit: Channel 4 clearly not enough.’ Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Comment 19
it can co-ordinate their work, and that includes schools and social services too, there is little chance of putting things right.
Perhaps my friendly alien at this point would decide the bigger picture is not for him and turn instead to watch yet another TV documentary film, ‘The Best Little Prison in A drug free wing? Britain’, where 150 men and Credit: ITV women on the Isle of Man Inside Prison: but resolutely uncooperative, share the same prison and, as Britain Behind Bars she refuses the offer of a drug far as I can make out, are rehabilitation course when mostly related to each other, she leaves prison imminently Get a move on Brian! The second series I watched, although not always on © Deposit Photos ‘‘Inside Prison: Britain Be- and everyone, probably in- speaking terms. One man was hind Bars’ shown on ITV in cluding herself, expects her serving time, although not four episodes, ranges across back in again shortly. too much of it, for hitting his various prisons including elderly mother with a HMP Isle of Wight, HMP HMP Bullingdon has a hap- Snail paced time… rolled-up copy of Hello maga- Downview, a woman’s prison, pier story to tell where Gover- zine. Of course no prison is HMP Bullingdon and HMYOI nor Ian Blakeman has Chris Parsons it used to be,” “Youngsters are doing my head ever a laughing matter and Deerbolt, a young offenders instituted a drug-free spur. in,” “I’ve had enough Chris, I’ve had enough” there were women inter- prison. The opening narra- Antony, a long time user, tri- and “I don’t want to die in jail.” tion, ‘We followed the ex- umphantly manages to stay viewed serving substantial It was a small, hard lump in my breast pocket. tremes of life inside’ did not clear for six months and time for drug charges. So I I could roll it between my fingers. We had been This does not prove prison works. All it shows give me confidence that we Blakeman is encouraged to guess the alien might give up clearing away some hedge cuttings and I guess is that prison is good at recycling low skilled, would get a true picture wonder if he should try to set altogether and head home in something must have fallen in. The next day poorly educated, frightened men who now rather than a hyped drama up a drug-free wing. his spaceship. the lump was still there, I was still rolling it. have nothing - no money, no house and no and there was an annoying stake in society. They are just so ‘done-in’ that narrative habit of exaggerat- After work I popped down to Morrisons, food they want to stay out. ing the problems that we for tomorrow’s lunch, Thai green curry, 18 ex- could perfectly well see for pected at LandWorks. Then a voice shouts But it is not straightforward. Today, over 50s ourselves. There was also a (best read loudly in a strong Brummie accent) now account for one in six people in prison. much greater emphasis on “All right Chris, how you doing mate? I’ve been The answer? Well, it is too simplistic to say asking prison officers to ex- out 4 years now, yeah doing okay mate. How’s ‘just get a job’. Of course, that is the ultimate plain what was going on J and the kids…Christ, what the fuck is that?” goal, but after years of ‘doing time’, people are rather than talking to the men unsure, often scared and need long-term sup- and women inside. This was “Oh my God Chris, it’s a snail, its head is com- port, somebody to walk alongside... particularly obvious in HMP ing out of your shirt pocket… is there nobody Isle of Wight when a search that you lot won’t help get sorted?” Ahhh, “Chris, how long you going to have Brian? officer and his team spent two that’s what the lump was! LandWorks is about that long-term connec- disruptive weeks looking for It’s a family affair tion.” I agreed with him and we parted com- a USB stick allegedly contain- Credit: ITV I warmed to the resettlement theme and intro- pany, knowing we’ll meet again soon. ing child pornography. Even- duced Brian (the snail) as the latest placement tually they did find it but it So what would my alien make Those of us left here will, as at LandWorks. He did look quite cute - little Brian and I carry the bags out. On the way to only contained adult pornog- of all this? I think he would always, turn to the government antlers moving around and not too much ob- the van I decide that my daughter (visiting us) raphy. The best they could relate to the human stories, as the only place where real vious slime. should meet Brian, she might like him I show for their energy was a even if he did boast green changes can be given proper thought! As I opened the van door, the lump few bottles of urine for throw- skin, pointy ears and red consideration plus appropriate “He’s a bit like you Karl, got to that point, just had disappeared. Brian had, a little surpris- ing purposes. Not nice, but eyes. The stories, when told in financial backing. There was, done too much time, had enough.” ingly, decided to resettle somewhere in Morri- not child pornography. reasonable depth, make it I was assured, a representative sons car park! clear that prison and our from the Ministry of Justice at How true this is, so many men I’ve met in their Perhaps the saddest and tru- criminal justice system are the showing of ‘A Second 50s who have not really had a life changing Chris Parsons is the Project Director of est story was from HMP coping with people, with very Chance’. So let’s hope politi- moment to renounce crime, but just years and LandWorks - an independent charity Downview where Tracey, with few exceptions, who present cians and their civil servants years of jail. They are now worn out, knack- providing a supported route back into a long prison record, is still a complicated problem for our turn on their television sets ered, tired of it all. The fight is over or gone. employment and the community for those in using drugs whenever she society. Just as Roger Graef too and find out what is going prison or at risk of going to prison - can get hold of them. Friendly suggests, until all the parts of on in their - our - prisons. So many times, I hear … “It’s not the same as www.landworks.org.uk
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prison, justice, forced labour, drawn from his patient take out his hearing aid and turn his Laura, provoking questions own family history. Justin’s surprising and face downward. It was too much for him. He clever use of sound is inspired by grief, trauma, came up to me afterwards to explain he had healing and memorial. All projects were chal- been abused as a child, and he couldn’t listen, lenging for the audience, with touch points it was too painful. Another shook my hand and that triggered their own difficult pasts and, said he hoped I hadn’t been worried about presumably, crimes and convictions. coming to prison, tears in his eyes. He was grateful I’d come. One man asked me repeat- I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous. Prison is a edly if I had been hungry to see naked women fear - maybe because I instinctively under- when shooting Bare Reality and Womanhood. stand we are all one easy mis-step away from I expected more of those sorts of questions, to making a terrible mistake; one psychological be honest. I have no problem with the ques- gear shift away from mental imbalance. The tion, but the repetition betrayed whose hunger day and the men defied my expectations. My was really in question. work has helped me to learn to suspend judge- ment, to listen. I always say you don’t know Prison is about community and isolation, pun- someone’s story till you ask. It’s not done to ishment and treatment. How do we want to ask what someone has ‘done’ in prison, so I deal with those who have committed the worst met each man as a fellow human being, a crimes - those once considered untreatable? human who has known pain, caused pain, and Questions about the validity of the death sen-
Credit: HMP Whitemoor wants (I hope) to change. tence are regularly resurrected - but can the approach to recovery and rehabilitation be Once considered untreatable, and with severe re-thought? I’m glad to have contributed to personality disorders, the patients at HMP part of this experimental therapy, and it’s pro- Whitemoor weren’t what I expected. Everyone voked me to think about other ways in which Art as Catharsis art might be cathartic in prison, and also invite listened with focussed attention. The ques- tions never stopped. There were laughs. I people to see the person and the history be- hind the conviction. A rare visit to special Whitemoor prison unit learnt a new name for vulva from one of the men - ‘tun tun’ - and that really was unex- When the day was over, I travelled back ‘humbling and earthy’ pected, I thought I’d heard them all. The men through the ten locked doors and the holding displayed extraordinary vulnerability; a few also had histories of trauma in childhood, in- bay. It was an unusual experience, a rare invi- sought me out over lunch to tell me their potted cluding sexual abuse, bullying, alcoholic and tation, but rather than offering the vantage of life stories. They showed me self-harm scars drug-addicted parents, being in the care sys- space or otherworldly underwater experience Laura Dodsworth (so many self-harm scars), tattoos, talked tem, missing school. Many of the men self- it was as earthly, human and humbling an about body hatred. I didn’t know their of- harmed or had eating disorders, or were experience as I could have had. fences, so I could only interact with what was I look out of a small window, separation. A hyper-masculine in some way to conceal before me - on this day it was courage, dignity, new perspective, view to a remote earth I can’t vulnerability. easily reach, unable to travel without uni- humour and polite gratitude. formed escort, someone else in charge of keys These men were freighted with shame - their One of the stories I read from Manhood had and pressing buttons. Protocol, procedure. own body shame and childhood traumas, ex- Laura Dodsworth is a photographer, artist and child sexual assault in, and I saw a male Does the air taste different? I wait in a holding acerbated by committing terrible and shameful author. bay. Then ten carefully locked doors to pass crimes. They’ve spent their lives avoiding through. thinking about what happened to them as chil- dren and young men, but are now choosing to Visiting a maximum security prison evoked be part of a five-year pilot programme at the feelings of what it might be like to go into Fens Unit, which aims to address their back- space, or underwater in a submarine. It’s less grounds and issues. As Darryl ‘DMC’ McDan- rare to be invited into the secure unit of a iels of Run DMC said, “Therapy is the most prison than it is to fly with astronauts in a gangster thing anybody can do for shuttle, or cruise with the navy in a sub, but themselves.” it felt like a different world, and unlikely opportunity. The Fens Unit has treated 175 men; 60 have passed through successfully, 68 are currently I was invited by Dr Naomi Murphy, clinical in treatment, and 47 have not completed the psychologist at HMP Whitemoor’s Fens Unit treatment and left the unit. It offers the pris- to give my TEDx talk ‘Busting Taboos - one oners intense therapy, four to five hours a body part at a time’ to the prisoners, although week, individually and in groups. If they com- they call them ‘patients’ there. I felt like a cou- plete successfully, they might be able to pro- rageous and controversial choice of speaker. gress through the categories of prisons, then My ‘Bare Reality’ series uses physical taboos potentially, in time, to open prisons and the - breasts, penises and vulvas - to explore social community. Without the Fens Unit they would and emotional taboos and provoke thought remain ‘stuck’ - excluded from other treatment FREE ACTING CLASSES about our sexed experiences. The photographs options. show the spectrum of normal bodies, but also Acting classes for young people who have or have had a parent in serve as visual signposts through stories Art is cathartic for me. Essentially, the drive prison. Learn techniques used by professional actors and explore which deal with the politics and themes of to create comes from my own discomfort or sexuality, power, pleasure, shame, body tension. I’ve always felt if it helps me, the re- them in fun practical sessions leading towards a short performance. image anxiety, motherhood, fatherhood, sults will help others. To be frank, I feel re- health, ageing and more. warded, and even a little validated, when I If you have a passion for theatre and think acting might be for you hear from psychologists that they appreciate As an artist, I want to provoke questions and the therapeutic value of the books. I know from then get in touch! emotions. Broadly, how can art help people? my own creative and emotional evolution that I think anyone who creates, secretly hopes if we find understanding and compassion for RUN BY A PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS AND DIRECTOR their work changes the world in some way. others, then we can find it for ourselves. I was Email - [email protected] And in this situation, I wondered how projects curious to know whether my projects could be that are intrinsically about shame could affect of benefit to the men. Location - London this specific cohort of people who are deeply Call - 07546728970 affected by shame. Naomi chose three artists whose work she thought would resonate with the prisoners. Start date - January Naomi had told me that the men were serving The others were Jan Banning and Justin Wig- long sentences for serious crimes, but they gan. Jan has movingly explored themes of Deadline - December 1st Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Comment 21
hatred. Regardless of its ori- even Goebbels might have people defining homophobia; Inside Voices gins, bigotry is bigotry and we raised a quizzical eyebrow. Muslims defining Islamophobia. should confront it wherever it takes root. It’s perfectly accept- The essential problem with We would have to be consist- able to dislike someone for beliefs of this kind is that they ent when dealing with Jews their political leanings, the become a part of who we are, calling out something as an- Modern day hatreds validity of their superstitions and we defend them in the face ti-Semitic as leftist non-Jews and the gods they worship, or of all contrary evidence. We feel curiously entitled to tell ago, I would have told you that even their football team, as see this in our loyalty to the Jews they are wrong, that they after the Holocaust, real, seri- these are positions to which aforementioned religions, po- are exaggerating or lying or ous anti-Semitism, the sort one has subscribed and can litical affiliations and football using it as a decoy tactic to then where Jews were killed solely un-subscribe, such as being a teams - and few things bring launch into lectures on what for the fact that they were Jews, Tory, a Mormon, even a me greater joy, as a Liverpool anti-Semitism really is. was a thing of the past, in civ- Manchester United fan. fan, than the sour-lemon face ilised Europe, at least. But we of losing Man Utd fans. But Most people would call it mi- are not talking about the old One does not rather than accepting that peo- sogyny if a man talked to a style anti-Jewish hatred of ple believe in different gods or woman that way, or a white Nazis or skinheads running have to be Jewish engrossing ourselves in the man to a black man, and they’d through the streets. These or Muslim, black political machinations of a be mortified if they were days it is far more subtle than prorogued Parliament or sim- caught doing the same thing © Deposit Photos that. The truth is that an- or white, or left or ply loving the beautiful game, to LGBT people or Muslims. we seem more interested in But to Jews, they feel no such Steven H Relf - You need to have a long hard ti-Semitism never really left right of the political what separates us than what restraint… such hypocrisy is HMP Oakwood think before taking a position us, and besides, by what ra- binds us, and these draft divi- nauseating. on any subject today, as doing tionale would our century divide to comment sions become the stubborn so invariably means opening alone be worthy of being free There is a modern day portent on racial hatred. rock upon which we base our Perhaps we could start by oneself up to a hostile attack of the oldest hatreds. to the age-old Chinese proverb identity. treating with respect those from a contrary opinion hold- … ‘may you live in interesting But by far the most ludicrous with whom we disagree. How er. Today’s public discourse If you are pro-Palestinian/an- times’, so much so that it reason one can give to dislike How you solve a problem like about treating Jews the same contains no grey areas, nuance ti-Israeli, which I accept is an makes me wonder what the your fellow man is the race to anti-Jewish hatred is beyond way we’d treat any other mi- or subtlety; everything is a entirely acceptable position to creator of that adage might which he ascribes, because race me, but that doesn’t mean we nority? No better, no worse. If binary choice, for or against, hold, it’s an unpalatable truth make of the ‘interesting times’ is immutable, and you can’t shouldn’t try to do so, and we’re opposition to any kind of dis- right or wrong. No one wants for you to accept that no group we are currently living in. do anything about it. Racial never going to do so if we can’t crimination means anything, to listen, but everyone has an of people has seen more death, hatred of this type is redolent talk without the pre-existing it surely means that … but this opinion, which they can only torture and misery come their For example, what would he of a deranged mind: You really biases, the shouting and is fraught with unforeseen cir- share with equal amounts of way than the Jews, often at the or she make of the rising num- do have to be thick in the head swearing and pointing. cumstances. I mean, seriously, shouting and swearing. hands of bigotry that has last- ber of predominantly young ed not just centuries, but mil- to hate someone based on how many African Americans black men stabbing and killing nothing more than the colour Perhaps we could start by al- can you envisage willingly In short, we have lost the art lennia. You simply cannot, or each other on the streets of of their skin. Anti-Jewish ha- lowing Jews to define what sharing a burger with Donald of conversation. And few will not, get your head around cities throughout the country; tred takes this deranged mind- anti-Jewish hatred is? After all, Trump or Jews willingly break- things exemplify this better the facts, making any attempt or the small but increasingly set to another level, as it re- black people are allowed to ing bread with Jeremy Corbyn? than the ongoing debate over to have a calm and rational vocal minority who advocate quires its adherents to buy into define what racism is; ditto for Perhaps in the end, such things the prevalence of anti-Jewish conversation with you on an- the proscription of he/she pro- conspiracy theories at which women defining sexism; gay are easier said than done. hatred in society. I am long ti-Jewish hatred a hapless task. nouns and all reference to And the reward for simply them and gender in public since tired of asking otherwise rational people why they be- attempting such a dialogue? discourse; and, most trou- The charge that I am the worst blingly, the shocking rise of lieve all they have heard about With our team of Prison Law specialists we can provide Jews and believe all the dis- of all things in their mind: an- verbal and physical attacks on ti-Palestinian and pro-Israeli. assistance Nationwide. innocent members of the LGBT tasteful/unsupportable tropes concerning this tiny percent- Our commitment and service to you, does not stop when community as they go about How sad is that where I, a their business. age of the world’s population you leave the dock. Reeds solicitors are dedicated to and the power, wealth and mixed-race non-Jew, stand on influence they’ve supposedly anti-Semitism is perceived as providing legal expertise along with unparalleled client care. Throw in concerns surround- being where I stand on the ing the rights of the old v the wielded over thousands of years. Strewn throughout their labyrinthine Israel/Palestine This service also includes issues you may experience in young; rich v poor; Brexiteer issue, which is then viewed as v Remainer; not to mention the responses is a consistent ha- custody. tred, almost as if their thinking a right v left litmus test of my NHS; austerity cuts; every political position. Amazonian forest fires and and answers had been preor- dained and then passed down RTXS-CHLX-SYRC climate change…oh yes, the One does not have to be Jewish times they may indeed be in- like a language or a song or an oral tradition. or Muslim, black or white, or Reeds Solicitors teresting, but only to the extent left or right of the political di- to which we are utterly divided Offices Nationwide If you had asked me 20 years vide to comment on racial on almost every issue. Suite 358, First Floor, Silbury Court 358 Silbury Boulevar, Milton Keynes MK9 2AF
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back some of the money she had given him His visions when on Spice over the years when times were hard. of dark madness and when How long ago those thoughts seem now. He clean of hope and inspiration, had watched the news. Well, listened with eyes shut as he always did, and heard the Home shows him he has talent. Secretary or some other know-all government minister spouting off how she wanted crimi- his artwork, yes his, on display at the South nals to ‘feel terror’ and feel guilt so they would Bank Exhibition Centre because it had been change their ways. Danny spat at that. Since highly commended in the Koestler Arts Exhi- that first couple of weeks his conscience had bition and, Kelly told him, someone had vanished. Now it was someone else’s fault. The bought it for £400. But better than that, he had shopkeeper had exaggerated. The judge over a little letter included from his beloved daugh- harsh. Kelly’s alright, his mother OK. All he ter who had been there too - telling him she thought about was getting through the day and had spent her afternoon in the Gallery showing getting some smoke. everyone that her clever daddy had painted that. And his painting, to Koestler’s chosen And Kelly? He had spoken to her yesterday and theme of ‘Another Me’, depicted his visions she had seemed strange. Has she got someone when on Spice of dark madness and when else? He knows she lies to him saying she’s OK clean of hope and inspiration, shows him he when they speak, because he lies to her when has talent. One year left to serve, a genuine Artistic therapy he tells her he is fine. She thinks she is funding future and with a settled life thanks to Kelly © Deposit Photos his weed; he hasn’t said Spice is his choice and her fighting spirit. She is a strong woman. now. Cheap and in plentiful supply, £10 an ID He’s re-found life. He has hope. Not due to card, much easier to get and easier to hide from being locked in a cell thinking of his wrong- Everybody needs a break searches. OK, he knows it harms him, he doing but because, thanks to a dodgy vape, he knows it has hooked him, but who cares? And has, with the support of classmates and staff, But you need to make the right choice he owes money to suppliers when she hasn’t dragged himself up and is looking forwards, come up with the cash … but so what? Nothing not just at a dark, dank ceiling in a cold prison Raymond Smith stitched him up rotten. 10 years. 5 and 5. And to lose. He also lies to Kelly about classes in- cell through a hazy crazy mind. He wants to sent here to what? To rot. side. He is supposed to attend Art every day get his life right on release. He wants to meet and tells her he is, but he can’t be bothered. his victim and apologise. He wants to be a fa- Sunday night, 10 pm, Danny sat perched on After the trial, arriving at prison, he had been She could be lying to him too and be sleeping ther and husband. He now knows what he can the top bunk. The wing was happily quiet, thinking hard about what he’d done. He’d seen with someone else. do and has the strength to do it. Because when evening work finished and the day had passed that the shopkeeper was hurt, still shaken. He all’s said and done, the only person who can peacefully. Bloody boring again, lock-down did regret that. He’d seen his partner Kelly and As normal he half-slept half-sprawled out until help your life is you, and when you take that day, 23 hours banged up and he was sick of the thought of their little daughter he was leaving 7 in the morning then got up for his morning decision you’ll find there are people to support same old films on TV and frankly had nothing at home. His own mother was shattered by it Spice escape. But this Monday the vape was you inside and outside. in common with his cell-mate; though at least all. When he first entered his cell he was full broken and charger bust. He couldn’t smoke he was quiet and by this time asleep. of remorse and determination to get away from it. He could not cope with another full day with It isn’t because you’re in prison you decide to weed and drink, get through the sentence and no relief, so just for a laugh and boredom change your life. It’s because one day, for some Danny had done 2 years so far, 3 to go before back to work. He was a painter by trade; a good breaker, and to get away from any more written reason, in Danny’s case a broken vape, you opt release on licence. Robbery with violence and one. But while it paid enough for rent and food, warnings for absence, he went to class. After to push yourself and find out what you can do. carrying a blade. Sure, he’d robbed the shop, it was insufficient for his extra-marital fun all, Spiceless he had a clear head for once. When you do, you will find it isn’t because he was stoned, and sure he had pushed the with drugs and the odd woman. So petty theft prison works; it is because of you. shopkeeper over who cracked his head, but it helped supplement his lifestyle. If he got away Two years later, to the day, he was up at 7am was only in his anxiety to escape. And the from that ‘other’ life and went out clean he as always now. He couldn’t wait to get to Art knife was in his pocket; he wouldn’t have used could earn enough to keep his partner happy that day where he was now a classroom assis- it. Rubbish legal aid brief, ‘hanging’ judge, Raymond Smith is a former resident and spoil his kid, as well as pay his mother tant. He’d got a letter from Kelly plus photos of totally baffled jury, and the CPS and police had of HMP Pentonville.
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people and how easy I found work things out differently. trouble arrived at my door. Be reason-able and critically think Both of us were put up for dis- On my estate I was close to the cussions in the community Lee Morgan - HMP Oakwood when predicting reoffending rates, and we all other lads. We grew up togeth- meeting. I learned about how know how reliable they are. er and so went out and did I came across. We discussed the reasons why he felt so ii) Deductive reasoning is the most reliable what we did to survive. We How are we thinking when we reason? Perhaps angry; and how I made the method and relies upon generally accepted weren’t seen as a gang but I this question should be reframed; perhaps I whole scenario worse. Over principles. An example of this would be this… guess we were the equivalent should be asking, ‘How are we reasoning?’ Do time we clashed some more. It If ‘X’ is true and ‘Y’ is true of ‘X’, then ‘Y’ must today. Poverty was obvious all we give any thought at all to reason? Most of took months of minimal talk- also be true. around and so if we could find us don’t. Why would we? We simply take it for a way of getting a few quid ing but eventually, somehow, we sorted out our differences. granted because we’ve always done it, often iii) Abductive reasoning is the ‘funny little together, then that is what we without much reason. And there’s the problem. friend’ of critical analyses. You could also refer did. Never a thought for any- I went through a tragic loss, shortly after he went through To remedy any problem, we first need to accept to it as ‘regression to the most plausible’, since body else we might be harm- that there is actually a problem in need of rem- it offers little of any substance to any argument ing. Now and again, we would his own life-changing experi- © Fotolia.com edy. Obvious to many, but could we do this? If (sorry Mr Holmes). An example would be the get a ‘run in’ with lads from ence and it resolved itself. Not a punch in sight. there’s something off-beam with our reasoning creation of crop-circles. How do they occur? Nathan Joshua the next estate; though if there processes, could we ever hope to recognise this? Three possible solutions for this are: aliens did was fighting, it was punches If you haven’t had enough of Could we see the wood for the trees? Introspection it; wind vortices created it; and human only. I remember one journey the life you are living. If you is not for the faint hearted. ingenuity. Calling all young home with scuffed knees on aren’t fed up with watching my tracksuit and a sore head offenders! your back and fighting for the Consider this theory; there are problems which Those of you who believe in little green men - but we always got home in face of your corner, then I sug- surface when we humans use our faculties to may choose the alien option, though they will one piece. It’s difficult to comprehend gest you will still be doing that reason. There are, hypothetically, three main (I hope) be few and far between. The chances schools of critical thought…of reason. These of a wind vortex whipping up such an intricate what it must be like to be a young When I was much older I when you’re 40 like me. schools are: Inductive, Deductive and Abductive. design is about as likely as kicking over a few prisoner in the system today. clashed with a gang, not long Though I get it if you think Inductive reasoning is the method most used, pots of paint to create a masterpiece. That leaves The sentences are so much after I got out of jail and ended differently (I regrettably did). but, oddly, the least reliable of the three. human manipulation…out of the three, this longer that it must be hard to up being stabbed 5 times in the And that is if you are lucky Deductive reasoning is the method least used, seems the most likely. This is abductive reason- see an end to the time some of neck, face and head. I met with enough to suffer long enough, but is, again oddly, the most reliable. Abductive ing at work. It offers little and leaves less to the the young men I meet are cop- a different side of life, which to survive until then. I never reasoning is the method employed by the fic- imagination. ping before they are 21. So, if had never made any sense up planned on spending the best tional super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes in the the authorities are untrustwor- until that point - or since. I put years of my life fumbling books written by Arthur Conan Doyle. We’ve The problem we have with these three methods thy for many, and our captors myself in the car park and I around in the dark - do you? all heard it said that … ‘when you eliminate the is that the structure of our arguments rests heav- are too few, change is going to attacked one of them too - but The Criminal Justice System, impossible, whatever is left, however improb- ily upon the premises we use to justify our con- have to come from anybody the attack which followed saw as a whole, is useless at reha- able, must be the truth.’ Abductive reasoning clusions. This where our problems often begin. who can influence it. And I my life flash in front of my eyes bilitation. And I will continue simply suggests the best available solution for We often ‘convolute’ the three methods by em- believe that can start with you. in two minutes of carnage. As with that opinion until the day the problem under consideration. It is not ploying all of them within the structure of one they left me there on the floor, it isn’t. As soon as you’re 21 - reliable. single argument. This inevitably leads to an When I was a young offender, bleeding out, those who I there is something that you unjustified (and unjustifiable) climax. The struc- I had already been fending for thought were my enemies were can do though. Put in a transfer ture of one’s argument is paramount if the ar- myself for many years. I hated actually who I counted on in request to a Therapeutic gument is to stand the test of open debate. Open it when I heard older cons say the end. The PC held my neck Community like Grendon. This and honest debate is the way of verifying one’s to me ‘when I was your age’. until the hospital - a policeman gaff is different. It is tough and assertions. According to Plato, the philosopher It was such a patronising ex- saved my life that night. perience I would usually will challenge a lot of your Socrates relied upon this open debate method beliefs about the world. It will switch off before they had fin- One clash in particular that as a way of testing his theories; though I was require a serious commitment ished saying it - even though took me back to that night hap- not there and cannot verify this (can you see to change, real courage and they were trying to help. pened when I first arrived at what I’ve done?). If it was good enough for perseverance - but this prison Grendon. The man really was Socrates 2,500 years ago… is rehabilitation in action and Back then, my choices were my nemesis. I hated the way often based on how I would be it’s so worth the effort. “Hmm... and your point is Watson?” The point I am trying to make is this…ensure he walked, the way he spoke © Deposit Photos seen around my peers. I was that the premises for your arguments, both ver- to me and I felt completely Please trust me when I say - on driven by not being ridiculed. mugged off on several occa- Examples are as follows: bal and written, justify your conclusions. a level - I wish I had come here Another way to achieve this is you need 1) An Ensuring I saved face and kept sions. It brought up vivid mem- i) Inductive reasoning extrapolates data. It refers when I was your age. Implicit Moral Premise, followed by 2) At least my corner, even when I could ories of that car park; and how to the past to predict the future. The problem one Descriptive Statement. These should flow tell I was behaving foolishly. it didn’t end up with me on the with this approach is that it presumes to have smoothly to 3) Your Prescriptive Statement. An Creating for myself problems deck or both of us kicked out Nathan Joshua,a nom de been present everywhere, and at all times, in example - this time of a moral argument - would I didn’t need; in the way I I will never know. Well, apart plume, is a resident of HMP the past. How else could it claim to function? be as follows: A) Fare-dodging on the train is walked, the way I spoke to from the fact we learned to Grendon Current risk assessment tools use this method the equivalent of theft, B) Theft is wrong, C) Therefore one ought not to fare-dodge.
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longer. We still have a risk assess- social relationships with a wide “My life goes from strength to ment period at Sudbury when men range of people. strength, day by day. For the first first come to us which is on average time in my life I’m a law abiding 8 -12 weeks. One of the main reasons our men citizen, drug free and able to pro- want to progress into paid work is vide for my family. You deserve a How do you know prisoners will be family and being able to provide for medal as you have given me a life safe on ROTL? them again. This instils pride, in- I never had. I will be forever in debt creases self-esteem and confidence to you. Resettlement at HMP Sud- All our men are rigorously risk-as- and helps them build a renewed and bury really does work and I am sessed prior to progressing to our positive sense of self. living proof of that.” outworker scheme. This is a mul- Prisoner ti-agency risk assessment including Offender Managers, Offender Super- “It is clear from the evidence avail- to the current 200 outworkers on the visors, Police, VLO etc. We also con- scheme, we also regularly ROTL men able that if prisoners have some- duct a number of checks on the out to attend job interviews, external where to live, a job and a Just make sure you get back on time… placement providers to ensure we are courses, vocational training etc. supportive family on release they not putting our men at risk. These are less likely to return to commit- checks are ongoing throughout the Aside from the above ROTL, our men ting crime. This is why we believe Sudbury Outworkers placement period. are also facilitated to go on RDRs ROTL has significant benefits by and RORs to start building and ensuring they have the best possi- Sharon Murray, Business and Community Engagement “My main resettlement goal was maintaining family ties. ble chance of getting employment always to gain paid work that ide- prior to release and also spending Manager at HMP & YOI Sudbury speaks to Inside Time ally I could keep on release. What type of work do prisoners do time with their families. These are about the success of Release on Temporary Licence Through the Resettlement team, I under ROTL? jobs that, in many cases, are kept (ROTL) from the Derbyshire prison (and why employ- applied to work for a local com- after release thereby helping pris- pany that specialises in building Our men work across a range of sec- oners demonstrate pro-social val- ers come back ‘time after time’) modular housing. I was successful tors and, where possible, we strive ues, contributing to their families, in being offered a job and my role At what stage do the prisoners start to get them into jobs that they can their communities and to them- involves joinery, window fitting getting ROTL? keep on release. selves. The success of our outwork- and roofing. I have been given a ers scheme is evident by both the second chance and I am looking Paul Sullivan With the recent ROTL review, our How does ROTL affect rehabilitation number of prisoners who engage forward to providing for my family men are available for charity and and release? in the program and the number of without having to look over my paid work ROTL sooner and for employers that come back time shoulder all the time.” The benefits of progressing our men after time to take on people they Could you give us some figures for Prisoner on to our outworker scheme are nu- “This experience has changed me often regard as some of their best prisoners on ROTL? merous. Being in paid or charity so much so it shows that with the employees. It is of no doubt that work helps our men fill their time right help and support, people can this significantly contributes to less As of Tuesday 1st October we cur- What is ROTL given for? constructively and, when in paid change. If I can do it then anyone re-offending and safer rently have 200 men accessing either work, become economically inde- can- but you have got to want to communities.” paid work or charity work via ROTL The outworker scheme covers paid pendent. Employment facilitates do it.” Adrian Turner, the governor at (147 in paid work and 53 in commu- work, charity work and external ed- reintegration into wider society and Prisoner Sudbury nity work). ucation and training. So in addition helps our men develop positive
Answers from the Bible Why pray? New Life
God knows everything. So, why bother Prayer is talking to God. He longs for to ask God for things when He already us to spend time talking with Him. knows what we need? And if He has He wants us to share with Him our A look at the New Life Please write to us for a copy of already planned the future, can our feelings, our anxieties and our joys, that Jesus offers our book, Prayers from Inside, prayers cause Him to change His as well as our requests. And He also which has been written for mind? wants us to show our gratitude and those who want to pray but to confess the things we have done These are good questions but they need some help. which have offended Him. really miss the point of what prayer actually is. Prayer is far more than just When Jesus was on earth, His disciples We will also send you a copy asking God for what we think we need. realised how important prayer was for of our booklet, New Life, which Jesus and so they asked Him to teach explains what it really means to be in a right relationship Prayer is far more than them how to pray. And, today, unless we take prayer seriously, we cannot with God. John Phillips just asking God for enjoy the personal relationship with what we think we need. God which He wants. Prayers from Inside
BeaconLight Trust, PO Box 91, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 9BA 26 Comment // Feature www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
Anna Walker “Some of these poor women have had pretty horrible lives, being controlled by men for many years. One woman in her fifties and new There is no comprehensive national strategy in prison said she felt freer than she had for for the provision of social care in prisons, the past 12 years, so actually she was quite which means that no long-term plan has been happy to be inside. There’s a lady in Bronze- devised for coping with the problems and pres- field who’s been inside for 40 years and it’s her sures raised by the growing age of our prison home. Her parole’s coming up and she’s trying population. The UK has had four justice sec- to avoid getting out. Once she pretended she retaries in four and a half years, and the dis- was going to strangle an officer with a shoe- traction of Brexit and lack of permanent string, just so that it would look like she wasn’t attention from a single minister means no safe to be taken out.” meaningful domestic policy has been constructed. As overwhelming as the problems facing this demographic undoubtedly are, there are some As it stands, older prisoners are often at the signs of hope. mercy of the so-called ‘postcode lottery’ in determining the dignity they’ll be afforded “There’s some good work being done in [HMP] during incarceration. In HMP Littlehey, they Northumberland,” says Peter Clarke. “There’s might find refuge in one of the prison’s wheel- an entire block there that’s given up for older chair-adapted cells but arrive at HMP Foston men. Last time I was there, one man was hav- Hall and they may be unable to attend educa- ing a problem standing in the lunch queue and tion or offending behaviour courses as they his colleagues got him a wheelchair, and it was take place on different floors, and no provision all very supportive. The men I spoke to said is made to take them there. they really liked being away from the drugs, violence and loud music from young prisoners “I’ve been talking about this for years,” Peter on the other wings. So, there are some exam- Clarke explains. “The Ministry of Justice said ples of good practice, but then I go around jails they were going to develop a strategy for older and ask, ‘Do you know what’s happening in prisoners, so we were all living in hope, but HMP Northumberland?’ and they look at me what eventually emerged wasn’t a strategy. blankly and say no.” They published the ‘Model for Operational Delivery’ and it’s no more than a menu of op- “I know I deserve this but don’t forget I’m human too”
© Andy Aitchison/Library image “At [HMP] Stafford, rather than trying to reha- tions for governors to choose from.” bilitate prisoners by getting them ready for Without this policy in place, prisoners are miss- work, which is rather pointless [as they’re ing out on vital support. In some facilities in- post-retirement age], they have a facility that vestigated by the Inspectorate of Prisons in late ‘A postcode lottery’ works like a drop-in centre. The older men 2018, older prisoners who weren’t in specialist meet their peers and have a cup of tea and health units were forced to remain in their cells, ‘Some conditions in which elderly prisoners are that’s realistic rehabilitation in terms of what unable to shower regularly or safely access the the future might hold for them. So, there are toilet. When sleeping on top bunks, inconti- currently living border on the inhumane’ good examples, but it feels patchy.” nent prisoners are often bullied by their cell- mates. Speaking to the Prison Reform Trust* being treated and what conditions they’re diabetic so I saw first-hand the inadequacies. When Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC an anonymous inmate explained, “I have blad- being kept in. There’s a particular emphasis If you have a complaint, more often than not MP was Prisons Minister he didn’t respond to der trouble and I often wet my bedding. I’m on decency at the moment as there’s an imbal- it’s ignored. The prison system is so over- our request for comment. A Prison Service very embarrassed and don’t want to be a nui- ance between prisoner numbers and the abil- stretched they have no time for the medical spokesperson said: “The ageing prison popu- sance. When I mentioned it to my officer he ity to provide a decent custodial complexities of the older generation. I pushed lation poses challenges but inspectors noted laughed and said we all have problems like environment.” one guy up and down to education in his last year there is already good work going on that as we get older, but now I’m wetting my- wheelchair, because there were no staff avail- with the NHS and local authority partners to self in the daytime… some of the younger men Grainge says, “Before the Care Act of 2014 there able. Because there’s no capacity, younger adapt prisons for their needs.” and officers are teasing me about the smell.” was little to no social care for this population, prisoners fulfil those caring roles.” so it was tough. One man we worked with “They should be thinking about a different Though punishment is certainly an objective wasn’t able to wear shoes because he couldn’t Carl’s experience is far from unique. As one type of custody entirely,” says Clarke. “To put of incarceration, alongside rehabilitation and cut his toenails and they’d become long and prisoner told the Prison Reform Trust, “I can’t it crudely - an old peoples’ home with a wall public safety, some conditions in which elderly painful. The Care Act was great in that it pro- get my wheelchair through the door of my around it. Older or disabled prisoners don’t prisoners are currently living border on the vided the local authorities with the responsi- room. When it’s mealtime someone has to col- need the levels of security in which many of inhumane. bility to provide those services, but there’s still lect my food and bring it to me. I’ve been told them are held. We’re missing opportunities to a long way to go.” that officers aren’t allowed to push me. I would think imaginatively about a different type of The charity RECOOP (resettlement and care for be lost without the support of my friends.” custody.” older ex-offenders and prisoners) aims to pro- A particular victory for RECOOP has been the mote the care, resettlement and rehabilitation development of their four-day resettlement “Institutionalisation is something you never Paul Grainge says that groups of prisoners he’s of older prisoners, offenders and ex-offenders. courses and formalised buddy support train- get over,” Carl reflects. “It’s like building a consulted on the idea have been split almost Founded in 2008, the team recognised that ing, which aim to reduce the anxiety that sur- concrete structure in a forest. The ivy can grow 50/50. “I don’t know why HMPPS or the Min- some older men were being manipulated and rounds release and give inmates the tools to back, it can get hidden, but there are still istry of Justice don’t start looking at secure neglected. One of their first solutions was to live independently. Both schemes are sorely lumps of concrete beneath the surface. I think care home models.” implement an informal buddy support system, needed across British jails. “We spoke to a it’s much harder to adjust into the community followed by day centres, providing purposeful gentleman less than two weeks ago,” Grainge as an older person than it is if you’re coming “The narratives of our prisons are constructed activities for a cohort that were presenting with explains, “who’d been given four hours’ notice out in your twenties or thirties.” by three main groups: journalists who haven’t needs that weren’t catered for within the ex- that he was being released, having served over been to prison, scriptwriters who haven’t been isting regimes. 50 years. The plan was to give him a phased In women’s prisons there are some even more to prison and politicians who haven’t been to support package, but it didn’t happen. He’s not complex issues at play. Many incarcerated prison,” Carl Cattermole explains. “Factors “It’s a contentious but important area of work,” even seen decimalisation, never mind hybrid women have found themselves in prison as like homelessness, poverty, prison, PTSD, Paul Grainge, RECOOP’s chief officer sighs, silent cards, chip and pin, Google pay, all the part of a chain of domestic violence that can poor health; they all feed into one another. If technology we take for granted.” span their entire lives. “few are interested in prisoners.” He nods to you don’t get into one of them, then you’re the prevailing lock-them-up-and-throw-away- unlikely to get into any of them and you surf Former prisoner Carl Cattermole, who spent A GP at Europe’s largest women-only facility, the-key mentality that pervades much of pub- above it all without knowing anything about time in five different prisons for a non-violent HMP Bronzefield, Dr Amanda Brown, has lic opinion. “A lot of people say, ‘Well they’re it. And people don’t want to know about pris- offence and is now the author of Prison: A Sur- worked in prisons for 15 years. Now the author offenders, why should we be trying to make ons. They don’t want to know anything about vival Guide, explains, “The prison system is of The Prison Doctor, a no-holds-barred ac- conditions more comfortable for them?’” it.” good for no one but in particular for older pris- count of her eventful career, she recalls female For Peter Clarke, it comes down to human de- oners. In prison, you’ll wait six months just to prisoners who have told her that their first cency. As he told the Prison Service Journal in see a dentist, let alone the complex health night in prison was their first experience of Anna Walker is Senior Editor late 2017, “My role is to see how prisoners are needs that older inmates might face. I’m sleeping with a sense of safety. at Readers Digest UK Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Comment // Feature 27
poses important questions sentences, or releasing more population required a na- about ethics and justice. Like of them on compassionate tional strategy “to remove it or not, sex offenders have grounds near the end of their inequity of provision and human rights. The United Na- lives. But there are undoubt- maintain minimum stand- tions General Assembly has edly some prisoners who ards”. Six years on, there is endorsed a set of standard would reoffend if released, so little sign of such a strategy, minimum rules for the treat- this would require careful and prisons and prison staff ment of prisoners, known as case-by-case assessments. must still try and cope with ‘The Nelson Mandela Rules’, Inevitably, sometimes the de- the challenge in an un- which includes rules govern- cision would be wrong. planned and under-resourced ing healthcare. Rule 24 states: basis. “Prisoners should enjoy the On the other hand, if society same standards of health care decides to continue to im- Dr Mary Turner is Reader in that are available in the com- prison increasing numbers of Health Services Research at the munity, and should have ac- older people, then adequate University of Huddersfield. cess to necessary health care facilities - secure care homes, services free of charge with- for example - need to be built, This article first appeared in The out discrimination on the urgently. Conversation - an independent grounds of their legal source of news and views, status.” In 2013 the House of Com- sourced from the academic and mons Justice Committee research community and deliv- The End of Life Care Strategy stated that the needs of older ered direct to the public www. for England and Wales also prisoners were “distinct from theconversation.com/uk states clearly that all people the rest of the prison popula- approaching the end of life tion”. It recommended that Can we prevent natural should be able to access high the growing older prisoner deaths in prison? Page 37 quality care, regardless of who or where they might be. So the Prison Service has a duty to provide adequate and equivalent care to those dying in prison.
“Where did I leave my stick?” What sort of solutions are Credit: Edmund Clark available? It’s clear that either the number of older prisoners needs to be reduced, or far greater resources need to be provided to keep them in cus- Growing old and tody. Reducing the number of older prisoners would entail using alternatives to custo- The bitter end... dying in prison dial sentences, shorter Credit: Edmund Clark The ethics and practicalities of dealing with elderly prisoners
will continue into the foresee- dealers, are viewed as having able future. at least some sort of moral de- cency. So it’s not surprising Mary Turner The Prison Reform Trust has that older prisoners in gen- identified four distinct eral, and sex offenders in par- groups of older prisoners. ticular, elicit little public It may surprise you to learn These are repeat prisoners , sympathy, even when they that there are prisoners in the those who are in and out of are approaching the end of UK who are now into their prison for less serious of- their lives in custody. Get the flu jab before the flu gets you 70s, 80s and 90s. There is fences and who find them- What are the common l Keep warm even one aged over 100. The selves in prison when older; However, HM Prison and Pro- l Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ‘tough on crime’ policies of those who have grown old in bation Service faces an in- symptoms of flu? lower your temperature and treat recent decades have resulted prison who were handed a creasing challenge to provide l Fever aches and pains in harsher sentences and re- long sentence before the age appropriate and safe custody l Aching muscles l Drink plenty of water to avoid duced opportunities for early of 50; first-time offenders for older prisoners. My re- l Chills and sweats dehydration release, which means that given a short prison sentence; search has shown high levels l Headache offenders now spend longer and first-time older prisoners of frailty and vulnerability in l Dry, persistent cough in prison than they would given a long sentence. the older prisoner population, If I get flu how can I help l Fatigue and weakness have done previously for the including multiple complex l Nasal congestion to stop further spread? same crimes. Across the world, A specific issue with this pop- health and social care needs, l Sore throat l Avoid using common areas the number of incarcerated ulation (particularly the first- and challenges associated l Keep your living environment clean people is steadily increasing time older prisoners) is the with having to take multiple l Cover your mouth and nose with and now stands at around nature of their offences: 45% medicines regularly. Many What should I do a tissue when coughing or sneezing 11million, even though in of male prisoners aged 50 and prisons are simply not suita- if I have symptoms? l Sit at least three feet away from most societies, levels of crime over are convicted sex offend- ble for old, frail people, and l others, if possible are actually falling. ers, and this number rises to the equipment and resources Inform a member of staff l Discourage visitors, especially 87% of the over 80s. Sex of- needed to care for them are IMMEDIATLEY children and vulnerable adults As sentences grow longer fenders are amongst the most often not available. Prison l Support the prison by adhering to there are more people grow- vilified of prisoners, particu- staff with responsibility for What is the usual treatment? other restrictions which may be ing old in prison. In England larly those who have offended older prisoners need ade- l Rest and sleep needed and Wales the number of pris- against children. In prison quate training and support, oners aged over 60 is rising they are often contrasted with particularly when dealing faster than any other age ‘ODCs - ‘ordinary decent with deaths in custody. Public Health group, and government pro- criminals’ - who, while they England Ask healthcare if you are eligible jections are that this trend might be burglars or drug Ageing and dying in prison 28 Comment www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
Advertorial ‘State of Violence’ The Scottish independent review Worryingly high numbers of military service into the delivery of forensic mental veterans in prison health services calls for evidence
Jimmy Johnson violent crimes committed which could have Forensic mental health ser- ery of these services. made via the following link been prevented - including the most heinous vices specialise in the assess- www.fmhr.citizenspace.com. of crimes … murder. ment, treatment and risk Mr Barron, Director of Care at It is also possible to contact The problem with the Ministry of Defence is that management of people with a Erskine, said: “This is an the team by e-mail and tele- they have been ignoring the difficulties of com- Appallingly, for over four and a half decades mental disorder who are cur- independent, non-statutory phone using the details bat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder these veterans were never checked for com- rently undergoing, or have review. Its remit is wide-rang- below. (PTSD) for decades, and rather than properly bat-related PTSD at the time of their trials, and previously undergone, legal ing and covers people’s expe- address the problem they covered part of the instead they were summarily dealt with and or court proceedings. The fi rst riences of support they have The review will consider all phase of the review, the gath- received in custody, through responses before publishing consequences inside the Criminal Justice System then dumped inside the prison system and left ering of evidence, is expected courts, prison and/or hospi- and presenting a report to - for example: In 1970, shortly after the start of to cope with the disorder alone. the conflict in Northern Ireland, there began a to last until January 2020. tals and when returning back Scottish Ministers by June rise in the numbers of combat veterans in the to their communities. 2020. It is expected to make Unbelievably, they were then released back Review chair Derek Barron recommendations for change prison population, yet this increase has been into the community in exactly the same mental allowed to continue to the present day. and his team would like to “To do this, we need to get as and improvement. To contrib- condition as when they returned home from hear from: broad a range of evidence as ute to the review, you can: Tragically, a very high price has been paid over serving in conflicts. The national newspapers possible to allow us to capture the past half century by combat veterans, their • Anyone who is currently • Complete on-line survey - quite rightly shout out about the reoffending fully what the existing servic- families and also the victims of their violence receiving Forensic Mental www.fmhr.citizenspace.com rates of criminals in this country, because we es across Scotland are and Health Services or has as a result of being psychologically injured in have one of the highest reoffending rates in how well they are working. I • Contact the review team by received them in the past; service to their country. Europe, however combat veterans who are un- hope as many people as pos- telephone on 0141 242 5605 or knowingly suffering from this disorder are not • Family members or carers of sible will respond to this ‘Call 0131 244 8070 Despite the fact that combat-related PTSD has people who have received being rehabilitated by doing prison ‘Offending for Evidence’ - or get in touch • Email on secretariat@foren- received a lot of publicity in recent years, and these services; Behaviour Programmes’. This is because these with us if they want to arrange sicmentalhealthreview.scot this is how it should be, the problem of the high courses do not touch the sides of combat-related • Individuals working to alternative ways to share numbers of combat veterans with the condition PTSD, which means they are still suffering from deliver these services; their views.” For further information in the prison population carries on. Yet these this mental disorder and still ‘ticking time- please contact: Secretariat, • Organisations who are combat veterans did not cause this mental illness bombs of violence’, and will continue to be so Responses can be submitted Independent Review into the delivering, commissioning or from Monday 14 October 2019 - it was the violence they were duty bound to because it will not miraculously disappear with Delivery of Mental Health monitoring these services; until Friday 17 January 2020 deal with while serving their country. The main age. Services, Room GE.19 St. problem with combat-related PTSD is that the • Anyone who has research or in a number of ways. An Andrew’s House, Regent on-line contribution can be vast majority of combat veterans ‘do not realise’ The mind must know it is safe before it can be personal interest in the deliv- Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG. they are suffering from this mental disorder on confronted with the harrowing complexities of their return home from serving in conflicts. But combat-related PTSD, otherwise barriers auto- in reality, when people think about conflict matically go up and it will seek escape routes situations, they naturally think about ‘soldiers to avoid all the problems. Thankfully, the char- and violence’ without asking themselves why ity ‘Care After Combat’ now use ‘The Veterans’ this happens. Yet, for reasons known only to Survival Guide’ in some of their therapy group themselves, the Ministry of Defence are leaving sessions with veterans in prison, and combat combat veterans’ minds in a permanent state veterans and their families can readily relate Wrongly convicted of violence after their service in conflicts. to this important publication in their recovery Shockingly, the full gravity of this truth is evi- from this mental disorder. of a crime? dent in the high numbers of combat veterans imprisoned for violence. Then, on release from prison, their inability to adapt to a peacetime environment leads to more violence by these Jimmy Johnson, resident combat veterans and yet further serious involve- at HMP Frankland, is the ment with the police, law and criminal justice author of The Veterans’ Lost your appeal? system. Survival Guide available at www.veteransinprison.co.uk Shamefully, combat veterans have knowingly for £4.99 been betrayed and abandoned by the Ministry of Defence once their time in conflict situations was completed. This is because the MoD have What next? failed to recognise, and treat in a timely manner, Unit 19B, Imperial House, the symptoms and effects of the debilitating 64 Willoughby Lane, mental disorder of combat-related PTSD London N17 0SP Call us: 0208 8017422 amongst their serving combat soldiers. Email: [email protected] Scandalously, the MoD conveniently leaves the www.legalguys.co.uk problems of this mental disorder for Veteran The Legal Guys The CCRC can look again Charities to sort out once veterans have left the Do you need an immigration lawyer? If you think your conviction or sentence is wrong armed forces. This is far too late, as the lives of apply to the CCRC many combat veterans will have been destroyed We can help with: It won’t cost anything by the time they ask for the help and treatment Represantations to the Home Office • Your sentence can’t be increased if you apply they need and fully deserve. • Appeals against deportation • You don't need a lawyer to apply, but a good one can help Disastrously, this mental disorder, when left Bail applications untreated, will change the entire psychological Leave to remain applications profile of veterans, making them do extremely You can get some more information and a copy of the Partner applications CCRC's Easy Read application form by writing to us at violent things they would not normally do as 5 St Philip’s Place, Birmingham, B3 2PW. or calling 0121 233 1473 they unknowingly and unwillingly bring the conflict back home. As a result, there have, over Prisoners in Scotland should contact; The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, 5th Floor, the past decades, been many thousands of Portland House, 17 Renfi eld Street, Glasgow, G2 5AH. Phone: 0141 270 7030 Email: [email protected] MINDMIND FULL?FULL?
Meditation, mindfulness or yoga can help to LET OFF STEAM.
Remember you can speak to a Listener, ask for the Samaritans phone or call them on 0845 450 7797 at any time 30 Comment // Scottish Focus www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019 Inside Scotland A selection of news and features relating to prisons and justice for our friends and colleagues north of the border. Barbed Wireless! Bar L prison radio …‘a show worth listening to’
receive a £2 bonus for teaching newcomers the skills they have mastered. This can be a great way of connecting with the listeners and shar- ing knowledge, while also helping organise Michael and his mentor Mark the activity as part of education in prison. It Photo Credit: The Wise Group can be a challenge, where attendance can be Sacro’s ‘Shine’ project, where uncertain and being able to attend a series of Fiona Mackinnon is the Part- sessions built on each other is difficult to plan. Vital Services nership Manager. In my own experience as a radio broadcaster from Hungary, the real task in this situation is Prison leavers in Scotland securing a future She said that from the infor- to keep up the high standard and to maintain mation provided by SPS, the the interest among the radio presenters, espe- Rachelle Cobain and other services was that majority of women who cially in an environment lacking much inspi- half the mentors have pris- worked with Throughcare rational input. on-based experience, allow- Support officers were already Two charities have stepped in ing them to better connect known to and had previously Fife College Tutor Robert Cudmore, who took to provide vital services to with their customers and un- engaged with Shine. over from Monica Brown two years ago as part support people as they leave derstand their needs. “Men- of the education provider change, carries on prison, months after the SPS toring isn’t about giving out From 1st October, Shine with the well-tried and tested training material Throughcare service was cuddles”, he said. “It’s practi- Prison Based Champions pri- of the international (UK founded) Prison Radio abruptly suspended due to oritised referrals to Shine for Inside in tune cal, hands-on support with
© Deposit Photos Association while implementing new ideas staff pressures. housing, finding employ- women remanded for more and schedules. Now they have a theme for ment, guidance and advo- than 14 days. Fiona said: every day of the week, which serves more as a The Scottish Government an- “Shine is continuing to have Judit Hajdu cacy. It’s a person-centered guideline and idea-bank than something pre- nounced that the Wise approach, so our customers discussions with SPS with senters are required to strictly abide by. Group’s ‘ New Routes’ and tell us what they think their regard to how we can ensure Sacro’s ‘Shine’ projects will I had the good fortune to interview two of the needs are, they write an ac- we maintain a positive ser- Happy Monday is the time for guest interviews. now extend their programmes Barbed Wireless presenters at Barlinnie Prison. tion plan and an end date is vice for women in custody.” They invite experts from drug rehabilitation, temporarily to include a wider Sean and Billie were telling me their first mem- determined by them. “ housing or career services to inform prisoners range of prisoners who were, Similarly to New Routes, ories of listening to the radio and the present- about their opportunities after release, but until recently, supported by The project has already seen Shine has provided mentor- ers they still enjoy. They both love fast-paced also try to host popular public figures like mu- the Scottish Prison Service. national success, proving ing for six years and engages programmes with a mix of good music, fun and sicians or sportsmen. The Mitchell Library in they can reduce reoffending around 300 mentees per year. laughter, where presenters maintain continu- Glasgow, for instance, has offered to invite The New Routes service, among 18 - 25 year -old males ous contact with their listeners. Although there twelve authors per year for the prison and also is no way to phone into prison radio, they get which has been in operation with just 9.7% of young men Jennifer, who first came into provide the books for presenters and listeners for six years, has supported contact with Shine last year immediate feedback in other ways that they alike to prepare for the interviews. returning to prison within a aim to act upon. The two of them - together men from between the ages of year of completing their men- after she was remanded in 18 and 25, but by removing custody for four weeks for with their colleagues - do everything they can Health, mental health, rehabilitation and fit- toring journey, compared to a the age limit they will now missing a court appearance, to inform prisoners as well as keep them in ness issues are dealt with during Take your life national reoffending rate of include those men who would said it was the first time she good spirits. Two commodities you probably back Tuesday, while personal development 34%. have been supported by the felt listened to. She said: need most in prison. and education opportunities find air-time dur- SPS Throughcare service. “Shine as a woman’s mentor- ing Wise up Wednesday. Throughcare Thurs- Michael, 26, is just one of New ing service is invaluable, but In Barlinnie, ten prisoners at a time can learn days broadcasts jail-tales and advice. Listening Routes’ success stories. After Hamish Robertson, Strategic you can only get out of it what communication, creative media and radio by to the radio you learn about all the activities a string of short prison sen- Development Lead at The you are prepared to put in. If signing up for work at Barbed Wireless, the and programmes people can sign up for, re- tences he started to work with Wise Group, told Inside Time you accept the help and en- prison radio. They operate a rolling system peated frequently during music mixes. Infor- a mentor, Mark, and with his it was ‘logical’ for them to gage properly with the service where people who are already at the radio can mation is dealt out in memorable sound-bites, support managed to secure a step in temporarily and fill then it’s a life changer. All in heralded by jingles you cannot ignore. Adver- two year contract in construc- the gaps in service. “We have all a very positive experience tisements for prison programmes, their word- tion and is looking forward to 01324 invested in new technology to and I can’t praise this service Taylor ings and their sounds are the pride of the radio a new life with his partner. 614015 presenters. reduce the amount of time enough because they were & elly spent on administrative tasks with me every step of the way K Michael is clear that working Stir Friday presents sport commentaries and and found capacity within when no one else was.” our existing service to ensure with a mentor was the turning 15 years’ experience in assisting prisoners throughout TV and film reviews while Saturday Special is point for him. He said: “I’ve we can now support men of Individuals leaving long-term Scotland with prison law and parole matters. filled with features. Everybody can find their always been the one to call Recognised by Chambers as one of the best favourite radio item and reporters are encour- all ages. sentences will continue to be human rights firms in Scotland. friends, ask them how they supervised by Criminal Jus- aged to produce shows they personally find an are, but I’ve never had anyone interest in, be it of Scottish castles or even “Anyone can self-refer to New tice Social Work, to ensure We can assist you with: call me to see how I’m doing. Brexit. The broadcasting team work together Routes and we would encour- that they abide by the condi- All Parole Board proceedings (Tribunals/paper reviews) This was what Mark did. Just with other education programmes offered by age people to contact one of tions of their release. a call to ask how I’m doing Challenges to recall the prison. Their next enterprise is a radio soap our prison based mentors and someone to keep me on Prison disciplinary/orderly room issues opera, written and directed by the literature which we have in most pris- the straight and narrow.” Downgrade challenges group, recorded and acted by the radio pre- ons in Scotland - except Cas- To find out more about how mentoring makes a difference, Progression senters. Judging by the expertise of my inter- tle Huntly, Shotts and Low Women leaving prison from visit www.thewisegroup.co.uk/ Internal prison disputes viewees, as well as the other media workers of Moss.” short-term sentences or who community-justice Falkirk Business Hub, 45 Vicar Street, Barbed Wireless, this could be a show worth have been remanded will con- www.shinementoring.org/re- Falkirk, FK1-1LL listening to. Maybe also on the outside? Hamish said that the biggest difference with New Routes tinue to be supported by ferrals/prison-referrals Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Comment // Scottish Focus 31
Advertorial way the prison and the state investigations following death pathologize the individuals Prison is who kill themselves. He argued that it is not only the physical violence of the state that kills SCOTTISH CHILD ABUSE but also the systemic indifference by state servants that induce deaths in prison. He cri- tiqued the state’s definition of dangerousness the thug by asking for whom is the prison dangerous? INQUIRY - TALK TO US Criminology Professor Professor Sim concluded by focusing on the The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is appealing for lack of democratic accountability and the cul- says prison, not prisoners, ture of state immunity and impunity that un- witnesses to come forward and give evidence, as its derpins deaths in prison. The sold out event cause violence included audience discussion about what can investigations into child abuse by state, voluntary and should be done to hold to account those Liverpool John Moores University Professor Joe responsible for deaths in prison. and religious institutions in Scotland continues Sim gave a talk at Strathclyde University on 24 Suicide in prison, he October titled, ‘Help Me Please: Terror, Trauma l Were you abused as a child in care? and Self-Inflicted Deaths in Prison’. The title argued, may be the person’s is taken from the words written by prisoner l Do you have information about children being abused in care? Tony Paine in a letter to his mother before kill- only response to the brutal l Did this abuse happen at any time up to 17 December 2014? ing himself in Liverpool prison in February exercise of penal power. l THE SCOTTISH CHILD ABUSE INQUIRY WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU 2018. There was much reflection on the death of Figures compiled by the charity INQUEST in- Allan Marshall, a prisoner who died in HMP The Inquiry is looking at the relevant information please about being abused in care dicate that Tony’s death was one of 245 prison Edinburgh in 2015 after more than a dozen abuse of children in care in contact our witness support said: “I stand here today not deaths that occurred in England and Wales guards held a towel over his head, took turns Scotland. We look at what team as soon as possible. Pro- as a victim but as a survivor between January and October 2018, 65 of stomping on him and holding him down, and happened, why and where cesses are in place for people of systematic abuse in the which were self-inflicted. Altogether, between placed him in handcuffs as he went into car- abuse took place, the effects in the prison system to give Scottish care system ….Hope- 1990 and September 2019, nearly 5,000 pris- diac arrest. Sheriff Liddle excoriated prison of abuse on children and their evidence to the Inquiry in pri- fully, I am a voice for other oners died in prisons in England and Wales. staff in the Fatal Accident Inquiry following families and whether the or- vacy, and specific arrange- survivors who for whatever Over 2,100 of these deaths were self-inflicted. Marshall’s death stating ‘it was clear that ganisations responsible for ments can be made with the reason cannot be here today.” Recent research showed the Scottish figures prison officer staff did not tell the whole truth children in care failed in their prison Governor to ensure He was, indeed, a resounding for prison suicide are higher than England and [and] appeared to be mutually and consistently duties. We look at whether confidentiality is maintained. voice but he was more than Wales, with a rate of 125 per 100,000. dishonest’. any failures have been cor- that; his reflections will also rected and if changes to the be of great value when I come Professor Sim argued that the dehumanizing The Crown Office has stated no one will be law, policies or procedures TALK TO US to assessing how best to pro- nature of the prison environment forms a cor- prosecuted over Marshall’s death and the SPS are needed. By phone: 0800 0929 300 tect children in care from rosive context in which individuals choose to unsuccessfully sued to stop the Daily Record By post: SCAI, PO BOX abuse. He was one of very kill themselves. Suicide in prison, he argued, from publishing horrific CCTV images of 13 We carry out our investiga- 24085, EH7 9EA many witnesses whose en- may be the person’s only response to the brutal guards ‘restraining’ Marshall. Scotland, too, tions and hearings as part of By email: talktous@child- gagement with the Inquiry exercise of penal power. Sim challenged the appears to have a problem with accountability. what is called an “inquisito- abuseinquiry.scot has been and continues to be rial” process, meaning we invaluable. decide what matters to inves- tigate, rather than relying on Lady Smith, Chair of the In- “I would encourage anyone Oblivion and Beyond others to choose what evi- quiry: “Those who were, are who has evidence to offer in dence to present to us about and will be children in care in relation to any of the investi- New EP from the Distant Voices project and Vox Liminis those matters. Scotland remain at the heart gations listed on our website of our work. The identifica- to get in touch. We want to An inquisitorial process does tion of abuse, giving a voice hear from you. I know that the last two years, the Distant synth-pop number ‘The Pack- not involve putting anyone on to those who were abused and some people have already Voices team has been working age’ recalls Hot Chip’s more trial. No one is treated by us learning from the facts that made a report to the police or with local partners in the tender moments. The EP as if they are facing a criminal these voices establish are of to other agencies/persons and Highland area and many of closes with the soothing, charge. We can’t decide if an- critical importance. may have been involved in these songs were written in, ‘White Horses’, where warm yone has committed a crime other investigations. That or have a tie to, Inverness. The acoustic guitar is elevated by or is at fault in law, nor can we “An applicant who gave pow- does not matter – please also result is a powerful collection soaring strings and lush har- award damages or compensa- erful, convincing evidence talk to us.” of songs that convey strength, monies. The EP’s first and tion. These matters can only resilience and compassion. final tracks - both co-written be decided by the courts. by Gus Bear - act as powerful We can decide what facts are We hope that sharing stories bookends, offering a glimpse established. in song can play a part in into one journey of recovery, Oblivion and Beyond is a new changing our culture, so that acknowledging its perpetual The overall aim and purpose 5-track EP from the Distant we recognise drug and alco- nature. Gus comments: “I Voices project (hosted by of this Inquiry is to raise pub- hol harm as issues of public hope it gives people hope, lic awareness of the abuse of Scottish charity, Vox Liminis), health, inclusion and equality and that no matter where you which brings together cele- children in care, particularly that affect - and is affected by are or how far you think during the period covered by brated Scottish songwriters - us all. The songs challenge you’ve fallen there’s always a and people with experience the Inquiry. It will provide an us to imagine what a more just chance to come back. And a opportunity for public ac- of the criminal justice system, Scotland could look like; one reminder to everyone else and particularly of recovery knowledgement of the suffer- in which people affected by that change is possible - that ing of those children and a from drug and alcohol-related problematic substance use are people do get better, there is harm. Stories of recovery are forum for validation of their valued, listened to, and sup- change possible and hope in experience and testimony. told from the different per- ported, rather than blamed there.” spectives of people with sub- and stigmatised. stance problems, in recovery, We always act independently of any person, group, organi- supporting loved ones and Oblivion and Beyond is a di- The EP is online only https:// working in this sector. Tracks soundcloud.com/voxliminis/ sation or body. We are not verse compilation bursting part of the Scottish Govern- were co-written with partici- with emotion and energy; sets/oblivion-and-beyond/ pants in workshops which s-xMrWV. However, if you ment. We are independent of from bouncing Britpop-in- Scottish Government. took place in communities spired opener ‘Fuck-It Button’ work in prison radio and want and in prisons by musicians to share the songs please get in to the brooding beauty of folk The Inquiry wants to ensure Donna Maciocia (artistic touch with us (admin@voxli- song ‘Autopilot’. ‘Satellite’ is that all available evidence is lead), Fiskur, Martha Ffion, minis.co.uk) and we’ll work to reminiscent of 90s shoe-gaz- gathered. If you have any Raukarna & Jill Lorean. Over ers Mazzy Star, while mellow get the EP to you. 32 Comment www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
Harvey Proctor Lord Bramall Leon Brittan this type of assault. That does not Saunders was the DPP who said that excuse the mistakes made, but it ex- people claiming sexual assault do plains some of the thinking we had.” not lie and they must all be believed by the police. In fact, the law was The BBC also come in for criticism changed in 1994 to require no cor- because their home affairs corre- roborative evidence in sex assault spondent Tom Symonds met the ac- cases. cuser and showed him pictures of two boys who were either murdered The IOPC also comes in for severe or went missing in the late 1970s and criticism from the judge because it early 1980s. The judge said that this, cleared officers of any wrong doing and the intervention of a retired so- (including the search warrants and cial worker, meant that the accuser searches). He says they did not do a was effectively being fed informa- proper investigation and police of- tion he could use in his claims. A ficers were not interviewed during now-defunct website, Exaro News, the course of their ‘investigation’; a also showed the accuser photos of proper criminal investigation should prominent men, from which he take place. Rodhouse, who was in picked out Proctor and Bramall. This overall charge of the ‘Nick’ investi- information allowed the accuser to gation, has since been promoted to convince police he was credible, so a £250,000 a year job heading the Not so credible, not so true much so that they helped him make National Crime Agency (described a £22,000 claim for compensation as the UK’s FBI). ‘Nick’ inquiry blasted as ‘lamentable, inadequate and inexcusable’ from the Criminal Injuries Compen- sation Authority. Stephen Glover, writing in The Mail, high profile men accused included Harvey Proctor points out that the says: “Having read this spine-chill- Paul Sullivan Field Marshall Lord Bramall, former effect of using the words ‘credible The judge said: “Assisting a claimant ing account of a police force out of Home Secretary Lord Brittan - who and true’ meant that the police were to recover compensation before an control, I’m left with a terrifying re- Following the debacle over the ‘Nick’ died while under investigation - and putting on public record that those investigation is complete prejudges flection. If the constabulary can sexual abuse case, whereby a num- former Conservative MP Harvey accused and named were child abus- the outcome of the investigation and treat leading public figures like this ber of prominent people were ac- Proctor. They had their homes ers and murderers. Because of that should not have happened. Having - those with powerful friends who cused of abusing and murdering searched; actions which the judge statement, Proctor lost his job and his assisted ‘Nick’ to claim compensa- know how to look after themselves boys in a London paedophile ring, a said were illegal because police of- house. He says: “I’m not the same tion rendered it more difficult to dis- better than most of us - then none of retired senior High Court judge, Sir ficers lied to magistrates to get the person I used to be, I don’t think I will continue this investigation.” us is safe. None of us is safe from the Richard Henriques, investigated the search warrants. ever be that person again.” He says knock on the door in the middle of £2.5million investigation and the the Met were desperate to make The web of errors spreads wide, as the night, the search of our houses behaviour of the Metropolitan Police The senior officer told the media that amends for their failure to investigate Labour’s now deputy Tom Watson, without proper authorisation, and and the Independent Office of Police the claims made by ‘Nick’ were Jimmy Savile correctly and consumed who takes a special interest in abuse ludicrous and unfounded charges Conduct (IOPC). Initially the Met de- ‘credible and true’. The judge, how- by the politically-motivated notion cases, had written to the Director of being made against us so that our clined to publish the report, then it ever, says his claims were not con- that all alleged ‘victims and survi- Public Prosecutions , Alison Saun- names and reputations are dragged published a highly redacted (edited) sistent and there were ‘no reasonable vors’ were to be believed. ders, passed onto police, on House through the mud.” version but finally, last month, was grounds’ to believe him and this of Commons notepaper, and de- forced to publish the first three chap- announcement was a serious mis- The Met’s Deputy Assistant Commis- scribed Leon Brittan (who was sub- A quick read through some of the ters of the judge’s finding. The result take. The Met also ignored findings sioner, Steve Rodhouse, who was sequently cleared) as: “As close to comments on the Inside Time web- is damning of the conduct of both the from another force that had dis- fully aware of the ‘credible and true’ evil as any human being could be.” site will bring up many comments Met and the IOPC. missed his claims. The accuser’s claims, has made profuse apologies from people whose husbands have computer was never seized and it but says: “There was a significant Watson denies wrongdoing, saying been convicted based on allegations The accuser - known as ‘Nick’ - has was months before they interviewed amount of pressure on a lot of differ- he was merely quoting the words of of offences committed decades be- now been jailed for 18 years for mak- his mother who was able to debunk ent public bodies in relation to not a victim. As Brittan was cleared, fore with no evidence except the say ing false accusations. Some of the his claims. taking seriously allegations around there were no ‘victims’. Alison so of one person.
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care for mentally and physi- One way of showing that not cally handicapped adults. all prisoners are out to exploit Terry Waite CBE the vulnerable would be for Each day they meet together some readers to club together and gradually they are en- and send a donation to the Glass House couraged to make the most of Castlegate Centre in Colchester is reputed to be the their lives which have been so Colchester. Such a move would oldest town in the United badly afflicted by illness and speak volumes. Money does Kingdom. It was established misfortune. I have kept in not solve all problems I know, by the Romans in 43 AD and touch with them across the but such a gesture in this case became home to the Twentieth years and the other day they would be very meaningful. If Legion of the Roman Army. invited me to attend a concert Today, it continues its military which they had arranged es- you show this article to a chap- associations and many years pecially for my birthday. lain I am pretty sure that he ago, when I was in the Army, or she would set things in mo- it was best known to us as the ‘When *** first came here tion to assist Castlegate. place where there was the no- some years ago’, said Sharon, torious ‘Glass House’ or The who is one of the leaders of Change for the better Military Training Corrective the project, ‘He was uncertain There is a happy story to finish Centre as it is more formally and frightened. Today he is a with this week. Some time ago, Winchester Cathedral - getting the great and the good to think about prison known. member of our choir and I met with a woman who had Photo Credit: Leo Suarez shortly will be singing for you.’ been inside for 40 years - much Reverend Jonathan Aitken delivered his sermon. Although I have been in One by one members of the of that time in the seg unit. To He spoke about the chaotic state of some of our Colchester many times, I have group sang a song which they cut a long story short, the other Law Sunday prisons, and in particular HMP Winchester, never visited the centre but had been practicing for weeks. day I went with my PA Jenny which had recently been featured on a Channel before writing this article I I have to confess that I had a and we took the lady out to “So execute justice - That 4 series called ‘Crime and Punishment’. Three watched a documentary pro- lump in my throat as they put lunch. You can imagine the episodes were filmed inside the prison. duced some years ago for on their performance. problems she is facing after so you forget not mercy” Channel Four. As I watched, long inside, but with proper ‘To those of you who haven’t seen it, how I wish it seemed almost identical to Afterwards, as we had a coffee support she is doing well. The I could stop talking from this pulpit right now, the regime I was under when, and slice of birthday cake, I press a button and play you clips from the pro- fact that she is doing well is as a young man, I did my basic spoke with the staff about the gramme. For they accurately reported the ap- because she is supported and training at Caterham with the finances. As we all know, so- Noel Smith palling problems of drug-fuelled mayhem on determined to make a go of Brigade of Guards. cial services have had their the wings, suicide attempts, self-harming, budgets cut and this little cen- things and is also trying to live dirty protests, rampant Spice abuse, crum- Endless kit inspections and tre has to manage on £130,000 the remainder of her life in a On Sunday the 13th of October, beset by wind bling infrastructure and brutal assaults on wading through mud carrying a year. That is just about what reasonably contented way. I and rain, my wife and I arrived at the cathedral prison officers, whose morale was plummeting a telegraph pole; it made life it costs to keep three people have suggested to her that she in the historic city of Winchester. We were to the point where a third of them were hand- in a civilian prison seem like in prison for a year! One cold might write a book and she there as guests of former Cabinet Minister and ing in resignations a year ago. If we were a holiday camp. Interestingly, and rainy day they arrived at may just do that. I include this now prison chaplain at HMP Pentonville, Jon- watching these scenes now, I think many of the film said that only 6 per- the centre to discover rain story just to show that even in athan Aitken. Back in the 1990s, Jonathan and you would be squirming in your seats.’ cent of those who have been pouring through the roof and the most difficult of circum- I were neighbours for a while on Houseblock through the establishment flooding the building. Earlier, stances there is always the 3 in HMP Belmarsh and have remained friends. At a time when our prisons are in such a terri- reoffend but I don’t think that someone had got onto the roof possibility of changing things We were at the cathedral for Choral Mattins on ble crisis it is comforting to know that there statistic can be used as a guide and stripped it of lead! for the better, even if it takes Law Sunday, which was also attended by Her are people out there who are not ignoring it but to introducing a similar re- a long time! Majesty’s Judges, Magistrates and representa- trying to bring the problems to the forefront of gime in British prisons. The ‘Do you think they knew what tives of Civic and Legal Bodies in Hampshire public consciousness. The Reverend Aitken military life and civilian life this building was?’ I asked. Until next month, yours Terry and the Channel Islands. finished on an optimistic note by outlining the are very different. ‘They knew alright,’ said improvements that have been made at HMP Waite Sharon. ‘We are well known The beautiful cathedral, one of the largest in Winchester as a direct result of the Channel 4 Castlegate Centre in the town.’ Europe, was built in the 9th century and is the programme. I was back in Colchester the final resting place of William II. The morning other day, but this time to visit Regular readers of this column Terry Waite was a successful started with civil and legal processions where As we exited into the wet streets of the city amid a totally different establish- will know that I am a fighter hostage negotiator before he bewigged and gowned holders of the various the throngs of VIPs, I was glad that, at least for ment, the Castlegate Centre. for a fair deal for prisons and himself was held captive in offices walked the length of the cathedral amid today, the plight of the British prison system was This is an unpretentious prisoners but when I meet vic- Beirut for 1763 days between fanfares. The choir sang beautifully, and on the minds of the great and good. My thoughts building in a back street in the tims of crime - especially the 1987 and 1991; the first four prayers were said. being; the more people hear and know about centre of the town; run by a vulnerable - I can’t help but years were spent in solitary our broken system, the more likely it is that small staff, it provides day feel terrific sympathy for them. confinement. The highlight of the morning was when the something substantial will be done to fix it.
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Amy Garcia been there. To the injustice. To the lack of de- cent education for everyone, chocolate box housing and white picket fences. It highlights Not a day goes by when my husband doesn’t things that scare us, that we wish didn’t still moan at me about my taste in music, which exist - violence, sexism, racism, economic un- consists of Reggaeton and ‘urban’ styles. This fairness and crime. But creating music about is not to say this is my only choice in ear relish, it, expressing its existence, doesn’t make the but I can’t lie, I love urban music, especially artists the perpetuators, nor the criminals. Reggaeton and UK Garage. Perhaps it has They are the ones reminding us that these lev- something to do with where I grew up, the els of injustice still exist. rough ends of the city where chances of suc- cess were harder to find. Is that why Reggaeton artists were ‘uninvited’ Proud MIRI making special connections to the Latin Grammys? Because they represent However, with the current polemic surround- everything people dislike about society? Does ing the lack of Reggaeton nominations Who were your musical it scare people because they think that just awarded at the Latin Grammys, it got me think- influences? because they sing about it, they must ‘be’ it? Soul Provider ing that there was more to this than just music taste. This was about class and social The things that influenced me Or are they discriminated against, because, stereotypes. Good vibes and a whole lot more from musically were many and var- heaven forbid, they reflect those council es- ied. I grew up listening to a lot tates and barrios in the way they dress or a dedicated musical campaigner There’s no question that urban music is exactly of Motown soul and 1980’s walk? Do groups of ‘anti-urban music’ feel as that, music created by those most likely to live pop, but also other things like though individuals from poorer backgrounds in urban parts of their country, where the op- forefront and working to- musicals, just a really eclectic in government funded housing need to stay portunities are low and the temptations are wards equality on the UK gig mix. where they are? Keeping themselves to them- circuit. high, and where social difficulties, poverty, selves, playing whatever music they want, as Noel Smith lack of decent education pepper the lives of too long as it doesn’t seep into the mainstream? MIRI has performed exten- I think it’s many. But where inspirational music, and mes- sages contained in that music, have long re- If you listen carefully, there is a considerable MIRI is a singer/songwriter sively around the UK and Eu- important to con- minded people that the council estates/barrios desire by urban artists for these communities and campaigner with a smoky rope, including the 100 Club can produce some very talented individuals. to change, to grow, to demonstrate what they soulful voice that is reminis- for the official Bob Marley nect with people. Ones that have something to say, and that have can do and show hardships can create cham- cent of the early Motown art- Birthday Celebration, sup- I see these people their own views. Some of which verge on the pions. If you listen to the likes of urban music ists and that golden age of porting Laura Veirs at Bush political. successes Tupac, Eminem and Daddy Yankee, early 1960s soul. But, more Hall, Safe Gigs for Women, with no way out there are some definite messages. Ones with than this, she is a social- Sofar Sounds (Amsterdam, and make the So why has it been regarded with such distaste depth and strong emotion, where they appear ly-conscious lyricist and Rotterdam and London), and by so many groups? Why does it appear to almost thankful to the lack of opportunities. songwriter with her finger on on the main stage at Man- connection. It was a represent an underclass of people who are so And why on earth not? It made them work the pulse of what is going on chester Pride. She has also special and beauti- horribly looked down on, despite its impact harder to prove a point. It has slowly started to in the world today. Her single performed in 3 male prisons, and relevance in local communities? There are become inspirational to be a success story ‘Good Ones’, taken from her 2 of which were organised by ful experience. a couple of decent arguments I’d like to ad- rooted in a low socio-economic start, but it is forthcoming ‘Soundbites’ EP, musician Minnie Birch for her dress here. slow, and the acceptance of urban music in the premiered on BBC 6. Her pre- charity Josie Dear. She also And you’ve taken your music into 3 prisons, how was that more prestigious award events has been reflec- vious tracks have been fea- works with various grassroots One, there seems to be an aggression or bitter- experience? tive of this. tured on BBC 6 Music, Radio music charities that offer ad- ness, a theme that runs through a lot of urban DIVA, Soho Radio, BBC Intro- ditional opportunities for music, and one that perhaps gives the artist The Latin Grammy Awards would argue that ducing and Radio X. MIRI has It came about through Minnie young people and people of an image of actually being those things. there is an urban category, and there is. I think co-hosted ‘Get In Her Ears’ - a Birch (singer/songwriter) who all ages experiencing men- a continent with such variety of society and show supporting women and was involved with a national tal-health problems and has Two, there seems to be a misogynistic element desperate gaps between rich and poor would non-binary artistes on Hox- charity called Storybook Dads worked on the wellbeing team to it all too - men appearing fully dressed in be pushing their luck not to have one at all. ton Radio and this year did and then set up events with for the Girls Rock sum- the music videos. The women in those same Latin music, like all music, needs to represent her first interview on BBC In- prisons. I did an event for mer-camp which empowers videos? In underwear, bikinis, and draping as many people as it can. However, it could be troducing, Herts & Bucks. LGBT History Month and got girls aged 11-16 through themselves over the artists. I can’t say I like it. some great feedback. I think argued that the urban category has been care- music. Inside Time was lucky If the male artists want respect from their fully designed to allow a more polished version Three of MIRI’s songs feature it’s important to connect with enough to get to talk to MIRI. mainstream counterparts, they could start of ‘urban’ Latin music - not the authentic, in the film ‘Fear of Water’ people. I see these people expressing a less primitive respect for the ma- earthy version we know as Reggaeton. starring ‘Skins’ actor Lily with no way out and make the Hi, firstly let me ask where you jority of hard-working modern women. The Loveless and Sara Stewart connection. It was a special grew up? depiction of women in urban videos may be Questionable, isn’t it, how much progress we and was screened at the Inter- and beautiful experience. true and accurate in some cases, but not par- have made in inclusivity, when we see that national Women’s Film Festi- Well, I grew up mainly around whole groups are simply uninvited to show- val in Los Angeles. She has What about the future for you? ticularly representative of all females of the Essex and London. case their perspective of art and society. It worked with artists such as world, urban or otherwise. should be recognised that highlighting social Xylaroo (Sunday Best), Es- It seems like I’ve been work- injustices to the world doesn’t mean urban telle, Plan B and Anita Blay. How important is music in ing non-stop and maybe I But it’s the first argument that rings more artists are the cause of it, nor does it evidence For over 8-years MIRI co-pro- your life? need to make time for a bit of loudly for my personal attention. Urban music their agreement of it. It authenticates its exist- moted, co-hosted and per- rest and to create some space sounds angry at times, it sounds like there’s a ence, whilst proving wholeheartedly that lack formed at monthly live music Very! Very important. It al- for writing and poetry. chip on its shoulder, no? Sometimes, yes. of opportunities, money or a difficult start night ‘Blue Monday’ at The lows people to express emo- Urban music was born to express what goes does not mean lack of intelligence or values. Boogaloo in London, created tionally and we all need Have you any message for our on in society from a very authentic perspec- And therefore, we perhaps should be embrac- for LBTQ women and allies. something that allows us to readership? tive, whether we like the sound of the stuff or ing it, and listening more carefully to the mes- Blue Monday collaborated express ourselves. Music not. It errs on the side of Marxism but gather- sages. I mean, how else are we going to bridge with award-winning music helps me to have a good ca- I’d like to send them lots of ing interest and momentum by people who the gap? venue Green Note on 10 sold reer/life balance, it allows me good thoughts and vibes, listen to it, because it resonates with so many out live music events called to grow as a person. Without peace and support. I hope people who feel the same way. ‘Girls to The Front’ bringing music the world would be a that they can find their way in female musicians to the little bit darker. their lives once again. It forces people to listen to what has always Amy Garcia is an education specialist // Through the gate
Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Information 35 ‘I found my freedom studying science’: Dalton’s story
was connecting me to ideas and to theories; I felt like I was Fox Mulder and I had just started a case I wanted to believe in.
We covered the science of sleep, and I found myself connecting my patterns of sleep to In September, PET alumnus Dal- stress levels and behavioural problems. I ton spoke at the Prisoner Learn- thought of my own life and where things had gone wrong, but was now thinking about the- ing Alliance conference about ories and methods behind fact, and what it the impact of studying science means. in prison. Read on to find out I felt like I was finding my freedom: science how Durham University’s inno- was breaking down myths, uncovering truths, vative ‘Think like a scientist’ challenging me. It was giving me a purpose and relevance I had so longed for. This uni- programme helped give him verse was so much bigger than I had ever newfound purpose. dared to dream and the mystery substance that physics still can’t identify, which makes up I see nothing: a wall, some barbed the majority of our universe, was dark matter, wire. I hear nothing: an alarm, some- and that’s where I felt I had been. Turning a negative into a positive
one running and then screams, shouts. My Credit: PET environment might as well be the surface of Science had given me back education. People the moon; I don’t even feel like gravity applies that I put my name down for a course. It was asking me why the lights wouldn’t come on like Dr Heron have given us all a chance. It to me anymore. I am floating, bouncing off the first course of its kind and it had a Durham and I jumped around saying, “It’s on a sensor.” didn’t matter who we were or the fact that we walls. I am so far removed from life it’s like a University stamp on. It was called: ‘Think like And he said, “What if it’s broken?” Before long, were in prison; it was re-investment in people dot outside my squared slit they call a a scientist’, and it would go through topics I had gone through ideas and come to a few who had felt discarded like space junk. window. such as climate change, plate tectonics and conclusions, and as we sat down, he said, artificial intelligence (which would be deliv- “Congratulations! You are already thinking Science taught me about a world I had never I am trapped, along with so many others. We ered by Professor Danielle George MBE). We like a scientist!” I have never grinned so much. felt part of because I didn’t understand it. Sci- carry identities that keep our closed secure would do assignments and analyse data. At It was like my Karate Kid moment of, “wax on ence taught me to connect ideas, take notes, environments intact: druggies, criminals, vil- the end of the course, we had to do a final pres- wax off”, but for scientists! create plans, and figure out routes; it showed lains, victims, women, men. In a system of no entation on an assigned scientist in front of me that scientists will take a chance and if it information, we have no idea what has shaped everyone, to choose the face of the £50 note. I suddenly sank back into my chair and felt does not work out, they will find another way, us, how it broke us, or how to un-become this gravity again. I felt connected. I felt like I was and another way; that you can build ideas negative world we are living in. What can I do? I remembered how I had felt at school; I felt all living in a TED video, which I had waited up through other people’s work and add on, de- those negative feelings about education bub- to see on Wayout TV at 11pm. My perception velop, teamwork, build on failure as an What I wanted to remember was how to feel ble up. I wasn’t sure what I thought a scientist began to slowly go beyond the constricted achievement; but above all, learn to human again. It was with this line of thought would look like, but Dr Phil Heron started views of bars, to see a bigger world. Science keep going forward.
will need a bookkeeper or If you feel ready to go straight there’s no need to stop after their skills, including the into accounting, PET can just one course. self-employed. fund a Level 1 and 2 combined course in Computerised Ac- Alternatively, if you’re look- The Level 2 Bookkeeping Cer- counting for Business, pro- ing to become self-employed tificate, offered by NEC, pro- vided by Sage Qualifications. and have already gained a vides learners with knowledge This comprehensive course basic understanding of book- of the core elements of book- covers banking procedures, keeping or accounting, you keeping, ensuring they will business legislation and ac- might want to take a look at have what they need to keep counting software, as well as PET’s other business courses. on top of their finances. Cer- bookkeeping basics. As the ‘Business Start-Up, Digital tified and accredited by the course goes into more detail Entrepreneur’ and ‘Creating Course Notes International Association of than the bookkeeping certif- and Starting a Digital Busi- Bookkeepers, the course cov- icate, the guideline for study ness’ are just some of the op- PET fund over 300 types of ers a range of important skills time is up to 250 hours. It’s tions out there. distance-learning courses. - including day-to-day books, also important to note that Speak to your Education De- To apply, you will need to: VAT records, wages and sala- this course requires access to l Bookkeeping and accounting: partment or write to FREE- Have at least six months ries, and calculating profit an offline computer. Sage POST, Prisoners’ Education left to serve in custody; and balances. The guideline offer distance learning l which should I study? Trust to find out more. Be serving your sentence for study time is around 60 courses up to Level 5, so in a prison in England or Skills in bookkeeping and ac- According to the Association hours, or three to six months, Wales; of Accounting Technicians, but if you want to take it Our team of specialists can o er l counting are invaluable in Have Level 2 Numeracy bookkeeping is ‘the first step slower, tutor support is avail- free advice and assistance in and Literacy, but we can business and can open the relation to Legally Aided issues, door to employment. Last in the accounting process’. able for 12 months. be flexible depending on The main tasks of a book- including: year, PET funded just over 60 the applicant and the keeper will include logging people to study bookkeeping, Accounting takes bookkeep- chosen course. and keeping accurate records Lifer/IPP Parole Board Reviews (Pre/Post Tari ) while 20 started accounting ing one step further. Once the Recalls of financial transactions - transactions have been re- To look at a full curricu- courses. Independent Adjudications often relating to payroll, in- corded by the bookkeeper, Category A Reviews lum, or for more informa- voices, petty cash and accountants will use this in- We often get asked by learn- tion about how to apply, receipts. formation to look at the bigger We can also o er competitive xed fees for matters ers interested in finance, please speak to your picture. This can include fore- which are not currently covered by Legal Aid such as: prison’s Education “Which should I choose?” In Bookkeeping would be an casting financial statements Sentence planning/calculations this article, PET’s Grants Pro- Department. You can also ideal starting point for any- and evaluating the efficiency Challenging Licence Conditions write to FREEPOST, gramme Administrator Dan one who has a keen eye for of a business. Because of the Re-categorisation Prisoners’ Education Trust. sets out the differences, their detail but no background in specialised skill-set this re- Accessing O ending Behaviour Programmes applications for the real finance. It also provides lots quires, it takes longer to be- Contact us today: Address: world, and the courses PET of opportunities for someone come an accountant than it T: 01752 600833 Genesis O ce 6, 235 Union Street can fund to set you on your looking for flexibility in their does to learn the basics of @: o [email protected] Plymouth, Devon PL1 3HN way. employment: every business bookkeeping. 36 Information www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
Rules 2000. For a long time, respect and improve out- line with the timeliness re- useful to read. Complaints • Complaint boxes must be the issue of the prisoner com- comes in terms of their daily quirements set out in this made under the old system located in a prominent posi- The plaints system has generated life.” Framework; should still be processed and tion, but not directly outside much correspondence with done so under the new wing offices, so that prisoners Inside Time. This new Policy Revised complaint forms will • Complaints are considered system. feel they can use this system RULE Framework provides greater be issued … ‘to ensure that using the ‘balance of proba- freely; guidance for staff in respond- there is greater procedural bilities’ burden of proof and The new Policy states: Book ing to complaints which, it justice within the prisoner appropriate action is taken • The prison must allow a says, should lead to less frus- complaints system’ so that, it when complaints are • To make sure that no one is prisoner who is a victim of a with Paul Sullivan tration from prisoners and says: ‘Prisons have an effec- upheld; unfairly disadvantaged, all crime to report that crime to reduce the number of litiga- tive system with a clear set of prisons must have arrange- the police if they wish to do tion claims. It replaces PSI procedures for dealing with • There is a confidential sys- ments in place that will allow so, even if the prison has de- 2012-02 and amends PSI 2010- prisoners’ complaints … Com- tem for complaints; a prisoner to make a formal cided not to report that crime 58 in sections dealing with plaints are managed effec- complaint orally to a member directly; the Prisons and Probation tively at an early stage to • Complaint management and of staff where the prisoner Ombudsman. avoid a similar occurrence in monitoring arrangements has difficulty doing so in • Staff must decide how to the future … Prisoners who drive improvements across all writing. In such circum- manage complaints in respect The introduction to the Policy have disabilities, literacy and services; stances the complaint must of prisoners who are legiti- states: “Evidence indicates learning difficulties or for be recorded and the written mately believed to be abusing that when people believe the whom English is not their first • Complaints identified as re- answer must be explained to the process on an individual process of applying rules language are given the neces- lating to Reserved Subjects the prisoner in the same time- basis. Staff must discuss the (how a decision is made, sary support needed to sub- (see Annex B) are passed on frames as for typical written issue with the prisoner and rather than what decision is mit a complaint.’ to the relevant people for ac- responses; seek to find a simple solution. made) is fair, it influences tion and processing; In addition, the following out- The issue of making com- their views and behaviour. • Establishments must have comes are listed: plaints and getting proper, Prisoner This is called procedural jus- • There is an avenue of appeal arrangements in place to en- fair and timely responses is tice. When people feel pro- and Governors/Directors and able urgent complaints to be • Prisoners have confidence important and, as you would Complaints cesses are applied fairly and all staff are familiar with the considered at weekends and in the system and believe that expect, this policy is quite justly, they have more confi- role and remit of the Prisons on public holidays (e.g. com- Policy the decision-making is fair; lengthy (49 pages) and in- dence and trust in authority and Probation Ombudsman plaints about refusal to attend cludes much information on Framework figures, see authority figures (PPO) and all prisoners enter- a funeral or see a dying family • Responses are meaningful, the making of, and responses as being more legitimate, and ing a prison are made aware member); considered and easily under- to, complaints and includes Issued: 5th July 2019 they are more likely to accept of the function and accessibil- stood through a problem- information about moving a - implementation date: and abide (or commit to abide) ity of the PPO. • Prisoners must not be de- 1st August 2019 solving approach; complaint on to the Prisons by decisions and rules, and terred from submitting com- and Probation Ombudsman. comply and cooperate with A copy of the new Policy plaints nor encouraged to Prisoners are statutorily enti- • Prisoners do not suffer det- It is available in prison librar- authority, even if the outcome riment as a consequence of Framework should be availa- withdraw them. Staff should ies and on the Inside Time tled to make complaints under is not in their favour. It is also ble in all prison libraries and take care to avoid the percep- Rule 11 of the Prison Rules complaining; website and is an important necessary in order to ensure prisoners wishing to make a tion that complaints are not reference for anyone wishing 1999 and Rule 8 of the YOI prisoners are treated with • Complaints are answered in formal complaint may find it encouraged; to make a formal complaint. WILSONS AUCTIONS DOES THE WE CAN SELL YOUR ASSETS TAXMAN OWE · Do you have an outstanding confiscation order? · Would you like a free valuation and a no obligation YOU MONEY? quote to sell your assets for the highest price? Free Four Year Tax Review WILSONS AUCTIONS CAN HELP TAX REFUND DUE? As the sole agent for over 40 law enforcement agencies, Wilsons Auctions specialises in selling assets that are subject to confiscation proceedings, often in sensitive TAX RETURN DUE? circumstances. 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Jewellery Cars Property All Assets DON’T DELAY AND WRITE TO THE TAX ACADEMY™ For more information THE TAX ACADEMY™ Include as much information as possible: Unit 4, Ffordd yr Onnen • Prison/Prison number FREEPHONE 0300 124 0438 Lon Parcwr Business Park • Your full name including middle name Simply provide us with the following Name Solicitor (if any) Ruthin • Your date of birth
details and we can do the rest! Prison / Prison Number Your Asset Details Denbighshire LL15 1NJ • National insurance number • Employment history Trench Lock 2, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 5YL 01824 704535 • Contact address/number on the outside [email protected] Please advise if you change Prisons after responding. www.wilsonsauctions.com The Tax Academy CIC is a service exclusively for Prisoners and Ex- Offenders and was conceived by Northern Ireland | England | Republic of Ireland | Scotland | Wales Paul Retout (a tax specialist and tax author) whilst running tax seminars in HMP Wandsworth and HMP Brixton. Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Information 37
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Paul Retout Importance of ‘starter checklist’ deaths in prison? When leaving prison and starting a new job and you do not have a Form P45 from a previous With prison sentences getting the care of older people in Most of the articles written in this column have employer or the Department for Work and longer, more people are grow- prison, dementia, end of life been about going self-employed. However, Pensions, your employer should ask you to ing old behind bars. One in care and use of compassion- many of you when released from prison will be complete a new employee ‘starter checklist’. If Juliet Lyon CBE six people in prison are aged ate release. going employed and working for an employer. your employer does not provide one, you can 50 or over – of these over In this article I look at the importance of your obtain it by simply typing ‘starter checklist’ in 3,300 are in their 60’s and a The IAP and RCN will then It’s an odd question - that is tax code and the employee ‘starter checklist’. Google. further 1,747 are 70 or older. produce a briefi ng paper for until you realise that the For the year 2018/19, deaths Health and Justice Ministers average age of someone dying Your Tax Code At a recent meeting with HMRC, they informed by natural causes accounted and NHS and prison offi cials, in custody is just 56 years- An individual has a personal allowance that me that whilst ‘starter checklists’ are provided for most deaths (54%). The outlining how best to avoid old. A massive contrast to enables you to earn an amount of money prior to employees by employers they are often not leading causes of natural people dying in custody and, almost 81 in the general pop- to paying tax. This personal allowance is set by completed. Without the correct information, deaths in prison are firstly where that is not possible, ulation. If you focus just on the Chancellor in his budget and the allowance the employer will then be unable to operate the diseases of the circulatory how to care for people with deaths that are classifi ed as for the tax year 2019/20 is £12,500. In other correct tax code and an emergency tax code system and secondly cancer. dignity and respect. ‘natural’ in prison, and not words, you can earn £12,500 without paying will prevail. for a moment on tragic deaths income tax. The personal allowance is spread This is where we would wel- The ‘starter checklist’ is important for the fol- by suicide, or those that are equally across months if monthly paid and by If we are unable come your views. How can we lowing reasons: drug-related, you fi nd that at weeks if weekly paid. Employers provide you prevent or reduce natural least some of these so-called to walk to health- with this allowance through your tax code that • The employer can operate the correct tax code, deaths in custody? Please ‘natural’ deaths are avoida- ensuring you pay the correct tax when released care we can be write to IAP Freepost (that is will appear on your payslip. ble. from prison, and you will get the additional neglected… Often the full address) and mark benefit of any unused personal allowance in your envelope ‘Confidential This allowance (divided by 10) will precede the An inquiry into prison health that tax year; prisoners with Access’. As many Inside Time letter in your tax code. So, for the financial year was published a year ago by readers know already, the IAP 2019/20 the most common code is 1250L - this • The ‘starter checklist’ can also help with the the Health and Social Care serious medical is an independent advisory means that you are under 65 and entitled to the calculation of Universal Credit award, if appli- Committee in Parliament. As needs have to rely body committed to making standard tax-free personal allowance. If you cable, and ensuring that it is the correct amount; part of the evidence submit- sure that the views of people live in Wales, the tax code will be prefixed by ted by Inside Time readers, on other inmates for • HMRC will have up-to-date data about you - in custody reach those in the letter C (e.g.C1250L) and if you live in one man wrote to the keeping your tax records current. This is par- things like diabetes authority with the power to Scotland with S (e.g.S1250L). Committee: ‘If we are unable ticularly important if you are due a tax refund. change things for the better. to walk to healthcare we can injections. Ministers have a duty to take Emergency Tax Code be neglected… Oft en prison- Please contact The Tax Academy CIC on re- active steps to protect life. The real problem arises when the employer ers with serious medical lease if you think your tax code is incorrect. On 18 November the And we all need to work does not have enough information about you needs have to rely on other Independent Advisory Panel together to keep people safe. and operates a code W1 (weekly pay) or M1 inmates for things like diabe- 5 April 2019 marked the end of another tax on Deaths in Custody (IAP) (monthly pay) - meaning that you are being year - 2018/19. tes injections.’ taxed as if it were the first week/month of the and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are holding an financial year. Investigations by the Prisons Juliet Lyon is Chair of the Get your tax affairs in order pre-release! expert roundtable on how and Probation Ombudsman Independent Advisory Panel Remember to contact The Tax Academy CIC to best to prevent or reduce nat- Example: Were you to be released from prison and casework by the charity on Deaths in Custody (IAP) review your tax affairs to ensure they are up- ural deaths in custody. Health in November 2019 (the 2019/20 tax year) and Inquest have found that some to-date. There is nothing worse than being re- and justice professionals, commence work, you would be entitled to the deaths could have been pre- leased from prison and finding that you have bereaved family members The IAP would like to cumulative personal allowance between April vented. This is because they thank everyone who has tax penalties and tax debt that need to be re- and former prisoners, inspec- 2019 and October 2019. However, were the em- occurred due to mismanage- written to us with such solved with HMRC. See our main advert page 36. tors and regulators are gath- ployer to not have enough information about ment of serious and/or long good, thoughtful advice ering from across the country you, you could end up with a W1 or M1 code, standing physical disorders on how to prevent to discuss their concerns, and you will lose the benefit of the cumulative oft en found within the prison deaths in custody. What Paul Retout is a tax specialist and author share good practice where it personal allowance. population. In some cases a you say matters. So do exists, examine chronic dis- prisoner didn’t receive the write to FREEPOST IAP ease management in prison care they needed, or there and mark your envelope Watch out if the employer operates a BR code, and how to respond to social was a delay in their care ‘Confi dential Access’. as you will be paying basic rate tax without the care needs. They will discuss benefit of any personal allowances. which proved fatal.
Forensic Accountants Miscarriage of Justice? TurningPages with over ASHLEY SMITH & CO 20 Years Experience Our experienced and dedicated team are specialists in • Proceeds of Crime & Confiscation Prisoners who can read • Money Laundering Appeals & CCRC • Tax Investigations Undertaking work for privately funded clients only. teach prisoners who can’t • Fees with Legal Aid Funding • Ex-Serious Fraud Office Forensic Accountant Parole Board Representation If you would like more information on “The case settled very favourably thanks in large For both legally aided and privately funded clients how to become involved, as either a measure to your report. It is not often that one Mentor or a Learner, contact the Reading finds an expert who is so thorough” All Prison Law matters including Independent Adjudications Plan Lead in your prison (ask a Shannon Client Benefit Amount Riley Moss Benefit On behalf of privately funded clients. Trust Mentor who this is) or write to: Mr M £783,000 £6,000 In all privately funded matters we will quote you a reasonable fixed fee - staged where appropriate. Mr D £1,176,000 £18,000 Shannon Trust, Freepost RUAU-LAHR-JGZH Mr A £2,040,000 £77,000 Professional and approachable we offer a Nationwide Service and accept agency work for Parole Board Representation. Studio 1.15, Edinburgh House, Kennington Contact Waseem Yasin or John Rafferty for For a prompt response please write or call Lane, Lambeth, London SE11 5DP FREE no obligation advice Ashley Smith & Co, Criminal Defence Specialists 0161 832 1438 4-6 Lee High Road, London, SE13 5LQ [email protected] Registered with www.rileymoss.co.uk emailaprisoner ShannonTrust 0208 463 0099 184 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 8LQ
Miscarriage of Justice? Contact ASHLEY SMITH & CO Our experienced and dedicated team are specialists in Appeals & CCRC Undertaking work for privately funded clients only. Parole Board Representation For both legally aided and privately funded clients All Prison Law matters including Independent Adjudications On behalf of privately funded clients. In all privately funded matters we will quote you a reasonable fixed fee - staged where appropriate. Professional and approachable we offer a Nationwide Service and accept agency work for Parole Board Representation. For a prompt response please write or call 0208 463 0099 Ashley Smith & Co Criminal Defence Specialists 4-6 Lee High Road London SE13 5LQ 38 Information www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019 The Inspector Calls Enhanced Behaviour Inside Time highlights areas of good and bad practice from the most recent Reports published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons Monitoring
PRISON These targets are shared with risk manage- REFORM Marc Conway ment boards, ROTL boards, OASys reviews and TRUST Policy Officer Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). All staff who have contact with the With the recent changes to the Release on Tem- person subjected to EBM are asked to provide porary Licence (ROTL) policy, people in open observations and comments on any reduced conditions and women categorised as suitable or raised risk. for open conditions could benefit from the ROTL process sooner than they would have For people who are subjected to EBM, the ex- done before, subject to the relevant risk assess- pectation is that they work with their offender ment processes. manager and supervisor and other staff to HMP Hewell HMP Bullingdon identify and manage behaviours that may be Category B local male prison with a Local and resettlement prison However, if you are under a Restricted ROTL problematic or have reduced in risk. They will category D open male prison site Unannounced Inspection: 1-12 July 2019 regime, then you may be subject to Enhanced be required to attend monthly meetings as part Unannounced Inspection: 3-14 June 2019. Published: 15 October 2019 Behaviour Monitoring (EBM). This means that of the extended monitoring. Published: 25 September 2019 you may not be able to access full ROTL bene- Safety: Reasonably good; fits until this process is completed. The pur- For people who refuse to engage with EBM, the Safety: Poor at the closed site and good at Respect: Reasonably good; pose of EBM, through additional monitoring, process can continue without their input. This the open site; Purposeful Activity: Not sufficiently good; is to give assurances that ongoing risks (e.g. could have an impact on future ROTLs, but Respect: Not sufficiently good at both sites; Resettlement: Not sufficiently good. of harm; re-offending or abscond) are being they should be able to re-engage with the pro- Purposeful Activity: Poor at both sites; correctly recognised and managed within the cess at any point. Resettlement: Not sufficiently good on the “Safer and more respectful though open estate and with relevant residents of closed site and poor at the open site. weaknesses in public protection must be women’s prisons. Whilst subjected to EBM, staff members in- addressed” volved should give support and advice at every “Worrying decline in standards on closed PSI 24/2015 Enhanced Behaviour Monitoring stage of the process and assist with the desired and open prison sites.” The latest report says that inspectors found the (EBM) was recently replaced by the Enhanced changes in behaviour. Full involvement of those prison to have overcome staff shortages and Behaviour Monitoring Policy Framework involved in meetings and decisions made Inspectors found a marked decline in treatment become safer and more respectful than at its (EBMPF) which covers prisons in England and should be a priority for all those under EBM. and conditions for prisoners at both the closed last inspection two years ago. However, inspec- Wales. The EBMPF states that men in open and open sites. Safety and purposeful activity tors also found that outcomes in purposeful prisons and women who are assessed as suit- The EBMPF outlines that Governors are not were classed as ‘poor’, the lowest grading, at activity, including training and education, and able for open conditions who are subject to allowed to use EBM with those subject to the closed site. This was the third consecutive rehabilitation and release planning remained Restricted ROTLs will have an EBM case file Standard ROTL, male residents in closed con- ‘poor’ for safety at the closed site, which in- not sufficiently good. review that is completed by a psychologist. ditions, women not categorised suitable for spectors said was a ‘cause of great concern’. Once the case file review has been concluded open conditions, or use EBM as a risk assess- HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Peter Clarke it will be decided if the person is suitable for ment or an evaluation for suitability for open Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, says: “It was notable that since the last inspec- EBM. conditions. says: “At the open (category D) site we found tion, when chronic staff shortages had led to that, extraordinarily for an open prison, it was the prison struggling to deliver even basic ser- Restricted ROTLs apply to people who are: Another important provision of the EBMPF is poor in both purposeful activity and rehabili- vices, an injection of new staff had arrived. • Indeterminate sentence prisoners (ISPs); that once the EBM process has been com- tation and release planning.” He says that over- Although this meant that some 75% of staff had • Prisoners serving Extended Determinate pleted, then the person’s ongoing risk manage- all, at the inspection in June, four of the eight less than two years’ service, our sense was that Sentences, or other legacy extended sentences; ment remains the responsibility of their scores across the two sites were poor. This led new staff were being well supported, and their • Prisoners serving sentences imposed under offender manager and must be returned to him to consider invoking the rarely used Urgent presence was contributing to the prison being section 236A of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 normal prison management monitoring. How- Notification (UN) process. However, he decided under control and feeling well ordered.” (offenders of particular concern); ever, the decision could be made to extend against using the UN after assessing that al- • Any other offender who is currently assessed EBM up to a maximum of 6 additional months. though a period in ‘special measures’ had failed Although there had been reductions in the levels as high or very high risk of serious harm on to improve Hewell, many of the necessary of violence in recent months it had risen ‘sub- OASys. changes were within the gift of the prison man- You can contact the Prison Reform Trust’s advice stantially’ since 2015. Clarke says that he rec- agement, under a recently appointed team at Freepost ND6125 London EC1B 1PN. ommends that the prison does more to under- The EBM process can take up to 30 weeks to governor. Our free information line is now open 3.30pm- stand precisely which aspects of violence be concluded. This means that if you are sub- 5.30pm on Mondays and Thursdays, and reduction work were having an impact. jected to EBM then your access to ROTL will The report highlights four major challenges on have extra restrictions. For a full detailed time- 10.30am-12.30 pm on Wednesday. The number the closed site: line see Annex A of the Policy Framework. The is 0800 802 0060 and does not need to be put 23% of cells which were designed to hold one • Many prisoners felt unsafe. Nearly 70% of process is divided into three main stages. on your pin. prisoner were holding two. The report says: prisoners said it was easy to obtain illicit drugs Stage one is arrival and screening. Stage two “This meant that around 400 prisoners were in and just under a quarter said they had acquired is EBM case file review and stage three is EBM cramped and overcrowded accommodation, a drug habit in the prison; meetings and monitoring. which, when combined with the fact that we CANTERS CRIME • Self-harm had doubled since the last inspec- We are a friendly rm, with solicitors and legally found around a third of prisoners locked up tion in 2016; Within week one of being transferred to open quali ed sta who are experts in their particular during the working day, had a highly damaging • Many prisoners said they were treated respect- conditions the EBM screening will take place. impact on living conditions.” areas of law fully by staff, but far too much low-level mis- If an individual is suitable, they will receive behaviour was going unchallenged; an EBM case file review with a psychologist AREAS OF WORK Many high-risk prisoners received little or no • Education, skills and work were assessed as from the regional psychology team between LICENSE RECALL PAROLE REVIEWS offender supervisor contact and public protec- ‘inadequate’. weeks two and four. In week five it is decided tion arrangements were poor. Summing up IPP REVIEWS ADJUDICATIONS if EBM is required. If it is not, then the estab- Clarke says: “Despite very serious issues, we Other Prison Law issues considered Summing up, Clarke says: “This was a very lishment’s normal ROTL procedures are fol- found that Bullingdon was a prison that had but payment may be on a private fee basis worrying inspection. The prison leadership and lowed. However, if EBM is found to be needed, made some significant improvements. It can All areas of Criminal work including Police regional HM Prison and Probation leadership then the individual is allocated a case admin- continue to do so, as it now has far more staff Interviews/ Court Appearances were left fully aware of what needed to be done, istrator who liaises with both the offender than at the time of the last inspection… I would and I trust that they started to address our find- manager and offender supervisor to start the of course encourage prison leaders, drawing CONTACT US ings immediately following the end of the in- EBM process. From weeks 6 onwards the pro- 0151 239 1020 spection. We shall have the opportunity to on the energy and enthusiasm of new staff and cess consists of an initial EBM meeting which the experience of existing colleagues, to aim scrutinise their progress at the (Inspectorate’s) identifies six main behavioural targets. The [email protected] Independent Review of Progress (IRP) that will higher, and give themselves a realistic chance individual is meant to be given an opportunity follow within a matter of months.” of making further progress.” to discuss and contribute to the proceedings. 24 DALE STREET , LIVERPOOL L2 5RL Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Legal 39
Advertorial What happens if my matter is A basic adjudication manual for prisoners referred to the police? In the event that the Governor or Adjudicator refers your matter to the Darryl Foster and Kiran Mohammed as some have a significant amount Reporting Officer and any other wit- breached a Prison Rule they will be police, you could face a police inves- more than others. nesses who can give evidence on the given a form called a DIS1, common- tigation. The police can arrange for issue/s in question. The prisoner or Adjudications (also known as ‘nick- ly known as a ‘nicking sheet’. It is a police interview under caution to If the prisoner has been referred to their Solicitor will be given the ings’) can be given to any prisoner important to check this form as it take place in custody. Prisoners the Independent Adjudicator, they opportunity to ask questions of the for a variety of offences varying from will contain the details of the alleged should be reminded that they are must appear before them within 28 Reporting Officer and the witnesses. possession of unauthorised articles breach; such as the time and place entitled to free, independent legal the incident was said to have taken days of appearing before the Once that evidence has been heard, to disobeying lawful orders. advice for police interviews conduct- place and which rule has been alleg- Governor. The Independent the prisoner and any defence wit- Adjudications can either be dealt ed in custody and will have the ben- Adjudicator has the power to impose nesses will be invited to give evi- with by the Governor or the edly breached. The nicking sheet additional days onto the sentence of dence so that their version of events efit of the same rights as those inter- Independent Adjudicator (District will also contain the name of the the prisoner, subject to the sentence can be put forward. viewed at the police station in the Judge). All adjudications will be officer reporting the offence, often that prisoner is serving and the stage community. dealt with by the Governor in the referred to as the ‘reporting officer’. at which they are within that sen- Once all the evidence has been first instance, with the more serious This form must be issued within 48 tence. The Judge can impose up to 42 heard, the adjudicator will decide if If the Governor refers a matter to the offences being referred to the hours of the offence being discov- days for an offence. the prisoner is guilty or not guilty. police who decide that it is not in the Independent Adjudicator. It should ered, unless there are exceptional The standard of proof in an adjudi- interests of justice to proceed with a be noted that both Governor and circumstances. Can I instruct a Solicitor to repre- cation is the same as in criminal prosecution it will revert back to the Independent Adjudicator have the Once a prisoner has been given a sent me before the Governor/ proceedings before a Court, this Governor, who then has the option power to refer an adjudication to the nicking sheet the Governor should Independent Adjudicator? being that the adjudicator must be of referring it to the Independent police which could lead to a prose- be informed and hear the case with- Governor: There is no right to legal sure ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that Adjudicator. In circumstances where cution. in 24 hours. Governors have various representation for adjudications the offence has taken place on the an Independent Adjudicator refers a options, including dealing with the which remain before the Governor evidence heard during the hearing. matter to the police which is also What is an adjudication? case themselves, referring the mat- as the Governor does not have the If a prisoner is convicted a conduct sent back to be dealt with by the pris- If a prisoner is alleged to have ter to the Police or referring the mat- ability to impose additional days report, setting out any previous find- on, the Judge will proceed with the breached a Prison Rule they can ter to the Independent Adjudicator. onto your sentence. Prisoners ings of guilt before an adjudicator adjudication and can pass a sen- receive an adjudication. PSI 47/2011 Matters referred to the Police could appearing before the Governor can and general information on compli- tence of up to 42 days. If the prose- sets out the Prison Rules and pro- lead to further investigation includ- make a request for legal representa- ance during the sentence, will be cution is proceeded with the adjudi- vides guidance on the adjudication ing an interview under caution and tion or a McKenzie Friend to attend read out. The prisoner or Solicitor cation should be dismissed. process. PSI 47/2011 is available to potential proceedings before a the hearing with them. A McKenzie will then be able to mitigate about prisoners and a copy should be kept Court. The Governor will normally Friend is someone who provides sup- the circumstances of the offence or Police referrals for adult male pris- in the Prison Library. A finding of deal with less serious matters, with port and advice but does not active- any other relevant matter that can oners are governed by PSI 47/2011. guilt at an adjudication can result in more serious matters being referred ly represent the prisoner at the hear- assist the adjudicator before passing This PSI lays out the procedures to a punishment being imposed. The to the Police or to the Independent ing. Any request for representation sentence. be followed if a decision is made by Governor has the power to impose Adjudicator. or a McKenzie Friend is made to the the adjudicator for the case to be losses resulting in the prisoner suf- Governor and will be considered in What are the punishments I could referred to the police fering anything from loss of earn- Who is the Independent Adjudicator? accordance with what are known as face? ings to loss of privileges. The An Independent Adjudicator is a the Tarrant Principles. The princi- There are a range of sentences avail- Why should I arrange for a Independent Adjudicator is able to District Judge who will attend the ples include issues such as the com- able to the Governor and the award a maximum of 42 additional Solicitor to represent me? prison to deal with more serious alle- plexity of the case, the capacity of Independent Adjudicator. Matters days onto a prisoner’s sentence. Those subject to adjudications face gations of ill-discipline. The the prisoner, the seriousness of the dealt with by the Judge generally Adjudications can also have an the potential for significant punish- Independent Adjudicator will attend charge and fairness. attract additional days but the Judge adverse effect on applications for ments to be imposed. Proven adjudi- the prison on set days to deal with does have the power to impose pun- Home Detention Curfew, cations will remain on a prisoner’s adjudications that have been Independent Adjudicator: Prisoners ishments available to the Governor. Re-Categorisation and Parole. referred to him/her. The amount of record and can be considered at a appearing before the District Judge Other punishments available later stage should a prisoner be seek- times they attend each month will are entitled to legal representation include loss of canteen, cellular con- What is the adjudication process? ing a move to a less secure prison or entirely depend on the amount of should they wish for it. It is a prison- finement and loss of privileges. Once a prisoner has allegedly adjudications there are at the prison, release into the community. It is er’s responsibility to arrange legal These punishments, amongst oth- important to seek legal advice, representation once their matter has ers, can be found within PSI 47/2011. where available, as arguments can been referred to the Judge by the be put forward to have matters Governor. However, in the event that There are sentencing guidelines against you dismissed. Prisons are you do not arrange for legal rep- which are used by the Judge in deter- under an obligation to ensure that resentation, the Judge may grant an mining how many additional days, the PSI is followed and that paper- if any, should be imposed as a pun- adjournment so that a Solicitor can work is completed appropriately and ishment. Every offence will have a be arranged. This is at the discretion accurately. Any breaches of the PSI of the Judge and you should not starting point and a range of addi- could potentially lead to the matter assume that the Judge will grant an tional days that can be imposed. If being dismissed, at which point no adjournment, especially in circum- a prisoner pleads guilty to an offence punishment is given. Failing that, a stances where there has been ample they will be entitled to a reduction solicitor can assist in the cross exam- opportunity for you to arrange legal of one-third credit off their sentence. ination of the reporting officer and representation. Should you instruct witnesses, the obtaining of informa- a Solicitor, they can consider the As in the Criminal Courts some of tion from defence witnesses and the allegation against you, take your the sentences imposed by adjudica- advance of legal arguments - much instructions, and represent you tors, including additional days, can Our open, friendly solicitors working like in a criminal trial. before the Independent Adjudicator. be suspended. This means that the in Criminal Defence will help you with all punishment does not become active aspects of Prison Law including: Legal aid is available for those unless a further offence is commit- If you require any assistance in rela- Licence recall • Adjudications appearing before the Independent ted during the period of suspension. tion to Adjudications or matters that have been referred to the police, Parole hearings • IPP queries Adjudicator and those prisoners who Prisoners can also apply for remis- please do not hesitate to contact our Judicial review • Sentence planning issues appear before the Governor and are sion of up to half of the additional granted legal assistance. days imposed by a Judge by complet- Prison Law department at Hine ing a DIS9 and submitting it to the Solicitors on: 0121 752 9350 or Call us on 01865 518971 The Adjudication Hearing Governor. This can be done six months FREEPOST - RTZU - GXKA - KSXG or visit www.hinesolicitors.com At the adjudication hearing the (four months for young offenders) Hine Solicitors, 558 Walsall Road, charge will be read out to the pris- after the date of the offence(s) for Great Barr, Birmingham B42 1LR oner and the prisoner will be asked which the additional days were to enter a plea of ‘guilty’ or ‘not imposed. In order to successfully Oxford Freepost address guilty’. If a prisoner enters a not apply for remission a period of good Darryl Foster and Kiran Mohammed FREEPOST RTHU - LEKE - HAZR Hine Solicitors | Seymour House guilty plea the Adjudicator will hear behaviour and compliance must be are Solicitors in the Prison Law 285 Banbury Road | Oxford | OX2 7JF evidence of the offence from the demonstrated by the prisoner. Department at Hine Solicitors 40 Legal www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019 Inside Voices Imbalance of probabilities SOLICITORS Graham Gilmour - HMP The Verne team and not abuse the ME6d form to hide ev- wellsburcombe idence. The prosecution also has access to tools that the defence does not, for example, the use Here in the UK there are two main types of court of ‘bad character’ evidence about the defendant cases; criminal cases and civil cases, and for (the defence are not allowed to attack the char- years both were kept separate from each other acter of the alleged ‘victim’). Having to prove and with very different formats. guilt beyond reasonable doubt set a high thresh- old that, by and large, protected the innocent In civil cases; two opposing sides present their from wrongful conviction. The system worked arguments in front of a tribunal. They both have well for many years and became the standard what is presumed to be equality of arms and of justice by which all others were measured. both have an equal opportunity to present the evidence of their case. In other words, two Recently things have changed and we now face equally opposing arguments presented on what may well turn out to be the greatest mis- equal terms. Finally, the tribunal or jury must carriage of justice in British legal history - per- POLICE INVESTIGATIONS COURT PROCEEDINGS decide on their verdict based on the balance of haps on a scale not seen since the appalling probabilities; does one argument outweigh the Witch Trials of the 16th century. l l other, if only by the slimmest margin. This Are you about to be interviewed Have you received a postal system works perfectly well so long as both In an effort to raise the number of criminal con- by the Police? requisition? sides have had equal time and resources in victions, and therefore claim to be ‘coming down l l order to gather and present their case. Facing the prospect of fresh Have you been charged with harder on crime’, as well as trying to placate charges? new offences? public anger on the failure to prosecute sexual Recently things have offences in the past, the government ordered l Want to avoid an additional l Do you have a hearing coming courts to replace the requirement to prove guilt sentence? up and need representation? changed and we now face ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ in sex offences - with what may well turn out to be the jury now only needing to be ‘sure of guilt’. l Waiting for the Police to make l Are your current lawyers doing the greatest miscarriage of In other words, verdicts based on the balance a decision on potential fresh enough to help? of probabilities. charges? justice in British legal history l Do you face POCA proceedings? Balance of probabilities is the civil standard of l - perhaps on a scale not seen Concerned over Police delays in verdict and it relies completely on both sides making a decision? since the appalling Witch having an equal argument. In a criminal trial, this is not the case: only one side presents the l Had no update from your Solicitor? Trials of the 16th century. argument - the prosecution. So how can there have been a balance on which to base probability l Been recalled and worried about In a criminal case, the process is very different. on? Add to this the fact that the police are pri- being charged with new offences? Only the prosecution presents the case, this is marily looking for evidence that supports a done in order to accuse the defendant of a crime. prosecution and a jury that will naturally have It is commonly accepted that it is up to the a negative attitude towards those accused of prosecution to prove the guilt of the defendant sexual offences - especially if they are alleged and that the defendant does not have to prove to be against children. It’s no surprise to discover their innocence but merely argue against the that the prosecution are now winning cases prosecution’s case. If there is any doubt about where there is no evidence at all. It would seem APPEALS the defendant’s guilt, then he or she must be there is no longer any place for even basic com- found to be innocent of the crime. mon sense in British courtrooms. l Do you feel your sentence is too The traditional view of criminal verdicts was The consequence of this is that thousands of long? that the defendant was ‘proved guilty beyond people have been locked up for crimes they may l all reasonable doubt’. Bear in mind that the not have committed; all so that a few politicians Do you disagree with your Lawyers police and prosecution are working together can pander to the public’s misplaced lust for PRISON LAW about not lodging an appeal? to achieve a successful prosecution; it often vengeance and at the same time advance their l relies on trust that they will gather evidence careers. Justice is not a plaything for politicians, Wrongly convicted? l fairly and share everything with the defence but a basic right for everyone. Due for parole? l Concerned about disclosure l Been recalled? failures? l Due for a category A review l Let down at trial by your legal team? Jason Elliott Associates l Suffered parole delays that Specialists in Prison Law, Parole and Criminal Appeals you feel you should be l Do you feel you have grounds compensated for? to appeal? Expert in release from custody Legal Aid available in suitable cases LEGAL AID / PRIVATE REPRESENTATION / NATIONWIDE SERVICE
- Please contact - Herts, Beds, Bucks, Essex London & Thames Valley, Appointment only Jason Elliott Associates Limited Kent, Surrey 5 Holywell Hill, St Albans, 4 Britannia Court, The Green 13 Halstead Road, 18 Albion House North Shields Tyne & Wear NE29 0DW Hertfordshire AL1 1EU. West Drayton, Middlesex Wanstead, 0191 447 4389 Tel: 01727 840900 UB7 7PN. Tel: 01895 449288 London E11 2AY. [email protected] www.wellsburcombe.co.uk Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Legal 41
Advertorial ordinary meaning of ‘arrangement’ - to which it Conspiracies referred must be one which related to property In R v Saik [2007] 1 A.C. 18 the House of Lords con- which was ‘criminal property’ at the time the Money Laundering sidered allegations of conspiracy to money launder arrangement began to operate upon it. It did not under the old, pre-POCA, law. The Court found an extend to property which was originally legitimate inbuilt tension because a conspiracy allegation but became ‘criminal’ only as a result of the carrying requires a knowing agreement to commit an offence, out of the arrangement. In that case ‘G’ was han- Keeping it clean… whereas the actual offence itself (i.e. not a conspir- dling money which was going to be hidden from a acy) could be committed by the defendant merely spouse in a divorce case and could, at that point, conduct. How do they do that? It all depends on the suspecting that the property he was dealing with have become criminal property. The case was more facts of the case; if the money laundering is a sec- derived from the proceeds of crime. The conviction recently approved in the Supreme Court in R v GH ondary count to the principal crime alleged in count in that case was quashed. The case seems to have [2015] 2 Cr. App. R. 12. Jonathan Lennon 1, then the focus for all sides is to concentrate on been accepted as applying equally to POCA cases - and Aziz Rahman count 1. If though the alleged money launderer is after all, you cannot agree to have a suspicion, you It is especially important in money laundering cases not included in count 1, or the original criminal either know or you don’t know in a conspiracy case. to keep an eye on the basic ingredients of the offence activity was committed by someone else convicted and if it is a ‘suspicion’ case, seek to get rebutting Laundering charges under POCA and in an earlier case; or even where there is no convict- Attempts evidence, and in complex cases ensure that full ‘Criminal Property’ ed principal at all, then the case for the Crown on This is another area where there has been some disclosure has been given of all the accounts and There are three main money laundering offences money laundering becomes more problematic. The recent return to common sense. In R v Pace and audit trails etc and an expert for the defence con- created by POCA - they all carry penalties of up to Crown will first of all want to prove a link between Rogers [2014] EWCA Crim 186 (18/2/14) the principal sidered. One thing is for sure; given the authorities 14 years imprisonment. They are s327 - concealing, the principal criminal, the drug trafficker for exam- issue before the Court of Appeal was the mental emphasis on money laundering, an increasing disguising, converting or transferring criminal ple, and the defendant as launderer. Under the three element required for an attempt to money launder. amount of this publication’s readership are likely to property, or removing it from the jurisdiction. This offences the Crown has to show not only that the Thames Valley police sent undercover officers into fall into POCA’s net in the months and years to come. is one offence which can be committed in the five money derived from crime but also that the suspect scrap metal yards to sell power-cable, lead flashing, different ways listed. It is perhaps the easiest way ‘knew or suspected’ it was. even a brass war memorial plaque - all purportedly Jonathan Lennon is a Barrister specialising in serious for the Crown to proceed on ‘self-laundering’ charg- stolen. None of the items were in fact stolen. The and complex criminal defence cases at Carmelite defendants were convicted of an attempt to convert es - i.e. laundering the proceeds of one’s own crim- Where the prosecution is unable to show/explain to Chambers, London. He has extensive experience in inal activity. Section 328 is entering into, or becom- criminal property - s327(1)(c). The Crown’s case was the jury what the exact underlying criminal offence all aspects of financial and serious crime and the ing concerned in, an arrangement to facilitate the was then that task becomes more difficult and the that though there could be no knowledge that the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He is ranked by acquisition, retention, use or control by, or on behalf Crown will then usually have to rely on circumstan- goods were stolen - since they were not - there could Chambers & Ptnrs in their specialist POCA and of another person, of criminal property knowing or tial evidence to try and prove that the money is be a ‘suspicion’ which is all the Act required. The suspecting that the property is criminal property. ‘criminal property’. The same often applies where Court of Appeal thought it odd that a man could not Financial Crime sections as a ‘leading barrister’; “he That offence can cover a wide range of evils but it a particular crime can be proven to have been com- be guilty, under these circumstances, of actually is capable of grasping issues at short notice despite can be seen how it would be used in cases where the mitted by someone else; then the only issue for the laundering, but could be guilty of attempting it voluminous and complex obstacles.” “His easy-going launderer is not said to be the principal offender in jury, in the money laundering trial, will be what was (para 64) and, following the case of R v Montilla manner makes him popular with clients and juries. the criminal conduct. Section 329 is the offence of in the defendant’s mind - did he/she ‘know or sus- [2005] 1 Cr. App. R 26, found that for an offence of This is backed up with real determination.” (2019). acquiring, using or having possession of criminal pect’? converting criminal property to be made out the property. Again, this can cover a whole range of property had actually to be ‘criminal’. Aziz Rahman is a Solicitor-Advocate and Partner at situations but will often be used to prosecute an ‘end In R v Anwoir [2008] 2 Cr. App. R 36: the Court of the leading Criminal Defence firm Rahman Ravelli user’; i.e. the person who buys a car, a house etc Appeal found that in that sort of case the prosecu- ‘Arrangements’ Solicitors, specialising in Human Rights, Financial from a criminal. tion had two ways of proving that the property was Section 328 has produced some interesting case-law Crime and Large Scale Conspiracies/Serious crime. ‘criminal property’. Firstly, by showing that it - but again it is all really common sense, or the Rahman Ravelli are members of the Specialist Fraud There are exceptions to all 3 charges where the per- derived from a specific ‘kind or kinds’ of crime, e.g. checking of a prosecution tendency to depart from Panel and have recently been ranked by Legal 500 son concerned makes an ‘authorised disclosure’ to fraud, drug-trafficking etc. Secondly, that from the common sense. In R v Geary [2011] 1 WLR 1634 the as an ‘excellent’ firm with Aziz Rahman being the relevant authorities but this is really to protect circumstances the ‘irresistible inference’ can be Court of Appeal considered that the natural and described as ‘first class and very experienced’. banks and other businesses from committing what drawn by the jury that it can only be derived from would otherwise be an offence when dealing with crime. a criminal’s money. The Act is clear that certain businesses are under a duty to inform the authori- In R v Da Silva [2006] EWCA Crim 1654, 11/7/06: the ties of any customer they believe is laundering crim- Court of Appeal considered a trial Judge’s direction inal cash through their business. Many profession- to the jury on the word ‘suspicion’. Generally there als have fallen foul of the Act in one way or another. should be no jury direction on what it means but in A leading firm law ‘suspecting’ means that ‘there is a possibility, What is ‘Criminal Property’? which is more than fanciful that the relevant facts offering the The lynchpin of the 3 offences is the notion of ‘crim- exist. A vague feeling of unease would suffice’. Of inal property’. The prosecution has to prove that the course the circumstantial evidence which the pros- strongest legal property, whether it is cash, a house, a car or what- ecution may bring to Court can be quite damning ever, is ‘criminal property’. This is defined at s340(3) at first sight, e.g. large sums of cash, contaminated representation as property which represents a benefit from criminal notes, lies in interview, or a lack of commercial conduct, either directly or indirectly, in whole or in sense in some transactions, linked possibly with to those being part, so long as the launderer ‘knows or suspects’ connections to someone convicted of the principal investigated that the property represents such a benefit. The offence. However, though the power of circumstan- Crown thus has to show that the launderer commit- tial evidence should never be underestimated, the ted the relevant act (i.e. transfer, concealing etc) or prosecuted fact is that the defence may, either through cross-ex- knowing or suspecting that the property derived amination or through the defendant’s evidence, from criminal conduct. in serious and show that there are other ‘co-existing circumstanc- es’ which explain the issues and can go to weaken In R v IK [2007] EWCA Crim 491, 8/3/07 the question complex crime cases. the prosecution’s inference. The Judge may be per- for the Court was whether the proceeds of cheating suaded that the case is a suitable one for direction the revenue could be ‘criminal property’. In a nut- to the jury on circumstantial evidence. This simply shell, a legitimate trader had earned legitimate money undertaking a legitimate business (a shop). means that the Judge will remind the jury that, as a The allegation was that not all of the income was matter of law, it should distinguish between arriving declared - thus cheating the revenue. The Crown at conclusions based on reliable circumstantial prosecuted a money laundering offence but the trial evidence, and mere speculation. Juries are often told Judge ruled that there was no ‘criminal property’ - that speculating in a case amounts to no more than • Specialists in defending cases • Expertise in arguing admissibility of the money did not come from crime. Following a guessing, or making up theories without good evi- involving large-scale police operations. evidence, abuse of process, disclosure prosecution appeal, the Court of Appeal found that dence to support them and that is an un-supportable and public interest immunity. the undeclared income could in part ‘represent’ the basis for a conviction. • Experienced defenders in Regulation proceeds of crime, as that undeclared amount would of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) • Our reputation ensures the very best be representative of the ‘benefit’. Thus, applying the Rebutting inferences therefore can be a very signif- cases involving informants, undercover experts represent our clients. statute properly, that undeclared income could at icant part of the job of defending and must get early police, surveillance and interception of that point be criminal property. The case was fol- attention. It may lead to the instruction of an expert, communications. • We have helped shape the law. lowed in R v William [2013] EWCA Crim 1262 - the for example a forensic accountant. It may be that an ‘criminal property’, as defined by s340, was the accountant or auditor with a particular knowledge entirety of the undeclared turnover, not merely the of the business concerned can help a defendant Roma House, 59 Pellon 36 Whitefriars 3 Brindley Place, tax due - even if only the ‘benefit’ was the tax that show, for example, that it is not unusual for signif- Lane, Halifax, West Street, London, Birmingham, West should have been properly due. icant cash flow to come from the sort of business Yorkshire HX1 5BE EC4Y 8BQ Midlands, B1 2JB concerned, or that certain losses appeared to fall Tel: 0203 947 1539 How do the prosecution prove the existence outside the indictable period. The expert may be Tel: 01422 346666 Tel: 0121 206 2287 of ‘Criminal Property’? able to help with the rebuttal by comparing with To prove any of the above 3 offences the Crown have other like businesses in the area and/or show the www.rahmanravelli.co.uk / [email protected] Nationwide Service to prove that the property was derived from criminal existence of a reasonable audit trail. 42 Legal Insidetime November 2019
Q I’ve just been convicted of committed against the appli- there are grounds on which to sentence imposed for the latest caused more extreme move- a number of offences against cant’s girlfriend. The appli- seek leave to appeal against offence. ment of the head or neck on my girlfriend. I didn’t do any cant had a number of previous it. impact. The appellant was convictions, some of which This means that, ordinarily, a of the things I’ve been ac- 1 S. 226A(1)(b) Criminal Justice Act devastated by what he had were relevant to the extent that cused of, she made them up. 2003 inserted by s. 124 Legal Aid, downward adjustment will be done and there was very gen- they had occurred in the I’ve never been in trouble for Sentencing and Punishment of made for the latest offence to uine evidence of remorse. The course of a relationship, but anything like this before but Offenders Act 2012 better reflect the totality of the sentencing Judge passed a he had never been convicted my solicitor told me that I 2 R v Osinski [2019] EWCA Crim offending. Therefore, a Court term of 4 years (based on 6 of a specified offence. might be found to be a dan- 1686 will usually take account of years after full credit for a gerous offender. Is she right? the old offence and will pass guilty plea). This was based The Court of Appeal took the Q I’m serving a long deter- a lower sentence than they on an assessment that the case A The test for dangerousness view that the Judge had set minate sentence and I have otherwise would for the most fell within Category C of the Sentencing is whether “the court considers the determinate term too low recent offence. If you have any just pleaded guilty to similar Guideline for cases of unlaw- that there is a significant risk (they replaced it with a sen- offences from around the doubts about whether your Answers are kindly to members of the public of tence of 13 years) but they also ful act manslaughter. That same period of time as my sentence has been appropri- provided by: Jason Elliott, serious harm occasioned by made a finding of dangerous- Guideline also said that: earlier offences. Will they ately reduced then you need a barrister at Jason Elliott the commission by the offender ness and converted the deter- treat it separately to my old to consider seeking legal ad- Associates Ltd, a barrister of further specified offences”1. minate sentence to an extend- “…the Court should … reach a offences? vice on the subject. led entity specialising in If you’ve never been convicted ed one. They relied on the fair assessment of the offend- 3 Prison Law and Criminal of a specified offence then that pattern of conduct and the R v Allen [2019] EWCA Crim 1281 er’s overall culpability in the A No, in R v Allen3 the Court Appeals. is certainly a factor that a sen- timescale over which it took context of the circumstances of Appeal reiterated that it is tencing Judge will have to place. Although there were no Q I had an argument with of the offence … [and] should not ordinarily appropriate to consider in deciding whether previous convictions for spec- my friend. We were both avoid an overly mechanistic Answers to readers’ legal or not the test is made out. The ified offences, the current treat these sentences separate- pretty drunk. I hit him a cou- queries are given on a strictly application of these factors.” more important issue will be offending indicated an esca- ly and simply add them ple of times. I didn’t mean to without liability basis. If you together. do him any harm but he died. the nature of the offences that lation in seriousness. The In light of this, the Court took propose acting upon any of I’m devastated by what I’ve you have been convicted of. applicant had also failed to the view that the case fell on the opinions that appear, you comply with Court Orders that They stated that a sentencing done and I pleaded guilty The Court of Appeal recently the borderline between cate- must first take legal advice. he was subject to at the time judge must apply the straight away. I’ve got to live dealt with an application by gories C and D and reduced the Solicitor General that a when these offences were Guidelines for Offences Taken with his death. The Judge Send your Sentencing Query the appellant’s sentence to determinate sentence of 11½ said to have occurred. into Consideration and gave me 5 years. Was this the (concise and clearly marked one of 3 years (reflecting a years imprisonment was un- Totality, which set out that the right sentence? ‘Sentencing Query’) to: starting point of 4½ years duly lenient following convic- The decision whether to make appropriate course of action Inside Time, Botley Mills, tion for 1 count of controlling a finding of dangerousness is is to consider what the sen- A The Court of Appeal recent- after a trial). Botley, Southampton, or coercive behaviour in an subjective and fact specific tence length would have been ly dealt with a man who had Hampshire SO30 2GB. intimate relationship, 1 count but it can have a massive if the court had dealt with the killed his brother in a drunken In the circumstances of your of false imprisonment, 3 impact on how long you will offences at the same time and argument.4 He was said to case I certainly think you For a prompt response, counts of rape, 4 counts of actually serve. If you are ensure that the totality of the have punched him to the head should seek advice as to the readers are asked to send common assault, 1 count of made the subject of a finding sentence was just and propor- about 5 times. He admitted merits of an application for their queries on white paper ABH and 1 count of criminal of dangerousness you should tionate in all the circumstanc- responsibility straight away. leave to appeal against sen- using black ink or typed if damage.2 All of the offences certainly consider seeking es. If it is not, an adjustment Because the deceased had tence. possible. were said to have been legal advice as to whether should be made to the been drunk, this may have 4 R v Eldred [2019] EWCA Crim 1595
Edward’s Story... Edward from Birmingham, was orginally convicted of possession with Intent to supply Class A drugs and producing a controlled drug of Class B. Crown Defence Solicitors is a team of dedicated His benefit from Particular Criminal Conduct, being experts, who care about your situation. the valuation of the drugs involved within the conspiracy was £11,780.00. Crown Defence Crown Defence can help you with: successfully argued that he did not have any involvement in the sale of the drugs Prison Law Advice & Representation and therefore did not benefit. Criminal Defence & Appeals The Prosecution removed the valuation of Confiscation & POCA drugs from Edwards Benefit Figure. Immigration Donʼt give in to sums that you will regret. Let Crown help protect your legitmate income & assets!
CONTACT CROWN TODAY Contact: 0121 392 8000 Email: [email protected] Freepost: Crown Solicitors Web: crowndefence.com Insidetime November 2019 ‘Legal’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GB. Legal // Q&A 43
Anon HMP Elmey Sexual Offences Act 2003 and addressed in the interest of do not require registration, but fairness? Q I am 5 years into serving a the possibility of that being the 12-year sentence for a historic case is almost non-existent. A You should be aware that sex offence. When the judge Kaizen is a course that is suit- sentenced me, he said I would Upon the assumption that the able for those prisoners main- be on the Sex Offenders reg- requirement is correct, then a taining their innocence and ister for life. People in here sentence of over 30 months therefore you do not need to have said to me that they have requires indefinite registration accept the index offence in read that if the offence was and so the judge was correct. before 1997, they cannot en- order to successfully complete Response by Stevens Solicitors the course and reduce risk. Prison Law & force this, is this true? LT HMP Lewes It is difficult to advise you in A The Sex Offenders register © Deposit Photos Compensation was introduced in 1997 (and full without more information Q I was recalled and accept Anon HMP Hull is available to those serving then amended by the Sexual of exactly what the report writ- Hine Solicitors full responsibility, so have custodial sentences of at least Offences Act 2003) and re- ers have written. However, Q I have been told by fellow Stevens Solicitors agreed to engage with the 12 weeks but less than four quires anyone convicted of a maintaining your innocence inmates that you can be Michael Jefferies Injury new Kaizen Programme in years; so in your case unfortu- sexual offence to tell the police is not a bar to re-release and ‘tagged’ and do your sentence Lawyers relation to the recall offence. nately this will not be available their details. Failure to do so any successful engagement in at home. Please can you tell Tates Solicitors However, I am maintaining is a criminal offence. offending behaviour work and to you. There are also a number my innocence for the alleged me how long of your sentence custodial behaviour will evi- of other criteria that must be index offence. I have my sen- you have to serve in order to In general, persons convicted dence a reduction in risk. be considered for this? met should a curfew be con- tence end date but report Answers to readers’ legal and sentenced before 1997 do sidered, including the nature queries are given on a writers in my parole dossier of the offence a person has not have to register. There are If you are currently subject to A If you are serving a deter- strictly without liability are stating that if I do not seek some exceptions, but they are an annual recall review we minate custodial sentence you been convicted of. For exam- basis. If you propose acting to reduce my risk factors as- limited and do not affect your would strongly advise that you will be released depending on ple, those that have been con- upon any of the opinions sociated with both my index question. seek legal representation. the length of sentence you are victed of violent or sexual of- that appear, you must first offence and recall offence my Should you have already done serving and when the offence fences serving an extended take legal advice. release is unlikely. You were not arrested, con- so you can discuss the reports was committed. Offenders sen- sentence are ineligible. victed and sentenced until Send your Prison Law with them, and they will advise tenced to two years or more after 1997 and almost certainly Therefore I am now burdened Query (concise and clearly you further in terms of what is will serve half their sentence A curfew could be imposed for you are properly required to with two conditional clauses, marked ‘Prison Law Query’) expected from you to reduce in prison and serve the rest of the individual to be at home to: David Wells, Solicitor sign on to the register. I say one I have agreed to do but risk and progress to being the sentence in the community for 9-12 hours so they would c/o Inside Time, Botley ‘almost certainly’ because I do as for the other, I cannot on licence. With regard to sen- re-released. not be confined to their homes Mills, Botley, Southampton, not know the exact nature of make a false admission of tences under two years; the 24 hours a day. Hampshire SO30 2GB. the offence (or offences) for guilt for the alleged index rules changed in February which you were convicted and We hope the above assists - For a prompt response, offence because I maintain 2015.These will not apply to If we can be of any further as- would need that information however if we can be of any readers are asked to send their my innocence, therefore my you as you are serving an 8 sistance please do not hesitate to be sure. The reason for that further assistance, please do queries on white paper using release without this work is year sentence. to contact us. is because certain sexual of- not hesitate to contact us. black ink or typed if possible. unlikely. What are my legal fences were abolished by the options to have this Response by Hine Solicitors A Home Detention Curfew/Tag Response by Hine Solicitors Specialists in Prison Law
• Cat A Reviews • Pre-tariff Reviews • Adjudications • Recall • Sentence Calculation • Re-categorisation • HDC • Parole
0151 200 4071 63 Hamilton S quare Birkenhead Wirral C H41 5J F solicitors QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Jefferies Solicitors is a specialist you have spoken to and make a note of what a COMP2 directly to the Governor. If you are off, complain to the Governor in writing by personal injury law firm dedicated their responses were. Ensure the accident still not happy, you should send copies of COMP2 and keep a copy yourself. to helping you with accident has been logged by Officers and go and your complaints and evidence and refer the see healthcare. The prison and healthcare matter to the Internal Monitoring Board (IMB) It does appear in your case that it is worth claims, personal injury, industrial are classed as separate entities. If you only to ask them to investigate the matter. This investigating the matter further because diseases and medical negligence report it at healthcare, the prison will have usually has to be done soon after the event. you have identified the risk prior to the compensation claims, including no record of your accident. Put in a COMP1 if assault and it looks like the prison did not claims that have arisen from an no one will assist, or a COMP2 if you get no Q. I was put in a cell with another inmate. properly assess the risk towards you. It is for response from your COMP1. incident in prison. He was very agitated for about 5 days and I a firm of solicitors to request all the relevant spoke to an Officer and said I didn’t feel safe documentation between the associated If you have suffered an accident or Q. I was recently refused access to my being in the cell with him. He told me it would parties, which will enable a full assessment injury on the road, had an accident healthcare appointment. I was told the be okay and they would monitor it. On the 7th of what was known about your cellmate and appointment had been changed to from 3pm day, he attacked me for no reason and I had or injury in a public place, been the risk he posed at that time to take place. to 3.30pm and I would be collected then. I to press the cell bell to get help. I have since We would certainly investigate this further on injured as a result of medical pressed the bell and half an hour later I was been told that he also attacked a cellmate your behalf. malpractice or negligence or had told that healthcare was running late and that last year. I now have a broken cheekbone and my appointment had been rebooked. think they should have taken him out of my work-related accident while in Q. I have been taking lifelong prescription cell when I complained. Can I claim? prison, the expert solicitors at medication for a pre-existing condition. I have The next day, I spoke with healthcare and they Jefferies can help you. been incarcerated now for a number of years said the appointment had been rebooked A. You must always be able to prove and I recently moved prison. Since being at later that day due to an inmate not attending. negligence against the prison in order If you have been injured while in the new establishment they have stopped This was not due to healthcare running late to claim compensation for injuries. The prison, contact our specialist injury dispensing my medication to the treatment so this contradicts everything I had been told. Officer you spoke with should have lawyers to find out if you have hatch. Can I make a claim? I was denied my right to attend healthcare completed entries within the wing book grounds to claim. and was physically made to suffer until a new and immediately referred these concerns A. Whether or not you can claim will depend appointment was made. I was suffering from to the appropriate department so that your Write to us at Jefferies Solicitors on how long you have been without your severe migraines and blurred vision. Could you cellmate’s, ‘Cell Sharing Risk Assessment’ medication and what effect this has had Limited, The Triangle, 8 Cross Street, please help me? could be re-assessed. However, if the Officer Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1EQ. did not complete any paperwork, or refer the on you. If you have been without your medication for a short period of time, for A. It will also be difficult to prove that matter, you may struggle to prove that you the prison failed to allow you to attend did raise concerns about his state of mind example, a couple of days due to a mix-up, Q. I cut myself on a machine while working in healthcare unless you have evidence of you and your safety. it is unlikely you will have a successful claim. the workshop. Afterwards, prison staff told me trying to get there. Your healthcare records If you have been without your medication for more than 2 months and, as a result, I should have used the machine’s guard, but will show the appointment and subsequent Generally, if you have any concerns about didn’t know it had one and no one had shown treatment, but unless you can show that the your safety from anyone, you should speak have been in severe pain or required urgent me how to use it properly. They now want me treatment was substandard, you will need to with a Safer Custody Officer and put all medical treatment, you will have a claim to sign my training record and backdate it. put in another complaint against the prison your concerns in writing on the appropriate worth investigating. What should I do? for this separate issue. COMP1/COMP2, keeping a copy yourself. The prison is more likely to take any such It would be tricky to predict the amount of A. Never sign anything unless you date Putting in a COMP1 to the prison, detailing document more seriously than a quick compensation you could receive without it correctly. Obtain the names and prison the chronological events and conversations conversation with an Officer who may not knowing more about your circumstances. numbers of all witnesses who saw the with Officers about your healthcare realise the seriousness of what you have The experts at Jefferies would be happy to incident, or who started at the same time as appointment would be a starting point to said and should then take immediate steps investigate your case and if you make a claim you (and also received no training). Obtain any action. If you do not get the satisfactory to investigate the risk and take action as will work hard to get you the compensation the names of the supervisors and officers responses you want, you should then put in necessary. If you feel you are being shrugged you’re entitled to.
Call: 0161 925 4155 I Click: jefferiessolicitors.com I Email: [email protected] The Triangle 8 Cross Street Altrincham Cheshire WA14 1EQ Michael Jefferies Injury Lawyers is a trading name of Jefferies Solicitors Limited, authorised and regulated by the SRA
Crossword
Answers T P Y G
Down Across E
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AURU N 1. Country in West Africa bordered by Ghana 3. Country’s name means “land of the Tswana” NAM 5. Located along the Gulf of Guinea and 2. Separated from Great Britain to its east by Atlantic Ocean
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LAND N I 6. Nordic country in Northern Europe F
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A N A W S T O 5. The capital of this country is Berlin B
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I J I F OLA G N 11. Raised coral island located in south- A
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InsideTime_Nov_Q&A.indd 1 21/10/2019 12:44 £2,799 COMPENSATION due to a slip in the shower
Joe slipped in the shower and caught his leg on the bench in the shower had been broken for three weeks. protruding bracket of a broken bench. He sustained a While his injury healed after 2 months, Joe was left with deep cut to his leg and was taken to healthcare to be a permanent scar on his leg which distorted one of his treated. He subsequently suffered an infection and tattoos, which was of significant personal value. attended healthcare 9-10 times for the wound dressing Our solicitors helped Joe claim £2,799 for his leg injury. to be changed. This amount also covered the cost of a replacement tattoo In our investigations into Joe’s case, we found that the which will be required to hide his scar.
Call: 0161 925 4155 I Click: jefferiessolicitors.com I Email: [email protected] The Triangle 8 Cross Street Altrincham Cheshire WA14 1EQ
Michael Jefferies Injury Lawyers is a trading name of Jefferies Solicitors Limited, authorised and regulated by the SRA
3056_MJ_SoapCampaign_Nov2019.indd 1 21/10/2019 12:44 46 Jailbreak www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
‘We know. We checked with hostel staff.’ An hour later, they sat in the kitchen, Alf’s pipe ‘So you know I’m bleeding skint!’ smoke gradually conquering the smell of the Looking Up drug dogs. Curran’s face was iron. ‘Listen here, Jason. If I find you’re involved with Dennis and his gear ‘They’ll always mek it hard for you round here The ups, downs, challenges and triumphs of a again, I’ll pin that dodgy smack on you so hard lad, you know that. Especially when you’re up even you’ll fucking squeal, got that?’ to mischief.’ prison leaver’s journey Jason scowled but kept his tongue, heart ‘Yeah… well, I’m up to nothing.’ paperwork away into a folder. pounding as he stepped at last into the street ‘Aye?’ Alf sipped from his mug. ‘Temptation’s ‘You alright, Jason? Fancy another cuppa be- and the clean, cold air of morning. a terrible thing lad. But dishonesty is worse.’ fore we let you go?’ ‘I’m not lying.’ ‘This is bollocks. You wrecked my house for Listen, lad… I promised ‘Don’t tek me for a fool lad, I saw you getting nothing. There was no need.’ rid of all them clothes. Wondered what you was your Uncle Frank I’d watch out up to with all that bleach. Should’ve bloody DI Jenson handed Jason a form. ‘There’s an for you, and I take promises guessed.’ application for compensation. You’ll need Jason swallowed hard, but kept quiet. receipts.’ seriously. So whatever you’re ‘You could’ve just knocked, I’ve been home doing, I’m pleading with you ‘Listen, lad… I promised your Uncle Frank I’d and straight nearly a year. I’ve nothing to hide.’ watch out for you, and I take promises seri- DCI Curran shrugged. ‘We don’t take chances to drop it, or you’ll never see ously. So whatever you’re doing, I’m pleading where there’s firearms on record.’ with you to drop it, or you’ll never see your ‘That was eight years ago for fuck’s sake… and your daughter again. daughter again.’ what about my job at the hostel? You lot in- Jason stared out of the kitchen window, wor- sisted I get it, now you break down their shed He trod painfully home, head swimming as he rying about the parcels of heroin he’d stashed looking for god-knows what!’ reached his house, the front door leaning nearby. They may have already been found, ‘You’ve still got your job, and they’ll get a new drunkenly on one hinge, hall carpet trampled and the police would be waiting for him to shed. No harm done, eh?’ to buggery, boot and paw-prints everywhere. return … but to destroy them he’d have to risk ‘Are you kidding?’ They’d raided him at dawn, doors cracking, returning to clean up his mess. At least the ‘We take drugs seriously Jason, especially if drug dogs yapping, voices clamouring. The police hadn’t found the fifteen hundred quid they’re contaminated. Two people are still in business with Dennis and the drone chase had he’d got from Dennis. They may have searched hospital with some kind of infection from that been a week ago - long enough to dispose of the hostel’s garden shed, but hadn’t realised heroin. One of them is critical.’ Curran leaned the clothes he’d used that night. His only he had access to the storerooms inside where closer. ‘One last time. Do you know if there’s amazement was that Curran hadn’t actually he’d stashed it, hidden in plain sight.
© MW any more of Big Dennis’s gear on the streets?’ fitted him up - which meant the police weren’t Alf sniffed and put down his cup. Jason swallowed hard. Dennis had been re- entirely sure of his involvement. Jason had no Frank Cotton manded for possession with intent to supply, idea if it was his batch of gear that was con- ‘I’ll see myself out lad. Leave the glue to set after his dodgy boyfriend had ratted him out. taminated, but still felt bad about Dennis before you use that door again.’ ‘I’ve told you. I am not involved.’ being back inside. ‘Thanks… thanks, Alf.’ ‘The sound of Da police’ Curran stared unblinkingly at Jason then turned away. ‘Interview terminated.’ The front door jamb was cracked, though bi- The sun rose as Jason painfully trawled Jason sighed, lost for words, the relief of not zarrely the lock was still solid, jutting out use- through the wrecked house, scattering discs being charged just beginning to dull the terror Jason laced up his trainers awkwardly in the lessly. Jason tried to lift the door back into of light wherever he went. of his initial arrest. He looked across the table police station waiting room, hiding the pain place, but the pain in his ribs was too great and shook his head. that gnawed at his wrists, chest, back… fum- and he slumped to his knees. ‘For the benefit of the tape, Jason’s shaking his bling with his Tag before realising the watch Frank Cotton is a former resident of HMPPS head.’ strap had been snapped at the buckle. ‘Need a hand, lad?’ Alf, his old neighbour, ‘We’re on video, Sir.’ ‘Nice watch.’ DCI Curran stood at the station stood at the gate, toolbox in hand. Jason smiled If you are new to prison or have missed any previ- ‘Oh! Aye, keep forgetting. Bit behind the times, door, Jenson lurking outside near their un- as Alf bustled in, the old man’s pipe smoulder- ous instalments you can ask somebody outside to me.’ DCI Curran smiled up at one of the inter- marked patrol car. ing fragrantly. ‘Mek us a cuppa, lad, I’ll see to visit our website and download them or contact view room’s cameras as DI Jenson shuffled ‘It was a present.’ this.’ Inside Time and request free copies.
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We specialise�� ���������� in Prison �� ������ Law, ���� we ��also ���� offer ����� expertise ��������� in Public�� Fixed Fees From £150.00: Law, Mental ��������Health and ������� Actions ��� Against ����������� Public Authorities Guittard Applications Pre-Tariff Review �� ����� ��������� �� ���������� � ������ ������� �������� Re-cat Reviews HDC �������� ������� ����� ������� ��� ��� ���� ����� ���� Legally Aided We provide legal aid servicesPrison in Law : We offer competitive Parole Independent Adjudication Category A Reviews • Parole HearingsIPP's - Recall - AdjudicationsFixed - Parole Fees: Re-call Pre tariff Parole Board Reviews • Adjudications • Re-categorisation Closed Supervision Centre Public Law matters • SentenceHuman calculations Rights Act - Prison Conditions • Sentence planning Mental Health Law (Legally Aided) • LicenceJudicial recalls Review - Prison Decisions and Policy • Governor Transfer to Hospital under Section 47 & Section 48 Mental Health Act • Pre-Tariff & Tariff Reviews Mental Healthadjudications Criminal Law • ChallengesTransfers toto ParoleHospital Board - Representations • ����������� for Patients ���� decisions DO YOU have an ongoing confiscation order? Detained under the Mental assessmentsHealth Act A charity providing expert DO YOU have an ongoing case and want to change solicitors? • Cat A Review Boards • ��� ������ Actions Against Authorities DO YOU want to appeal your IPP sentence? • Challenges to Close Supervision • Segregation and legal advice to prisoners CentreChallenging and Separation the Police Centres - Prison - Local Authority Abuse Cases - Inquests• Transfers who claim they are innocent. Mental Health Law (Legally Aided) �� ����� ���� ���� ��� ���� ������������� ����������� Transfer to Hospital under Section 47 & Section 48 Mental Health Act andWe Asylum. offer fixed fees in HDC, Recategorisation and all For an immediate response, please contact: �� ����� ���� ���� �� ��� ����������� �������� Prison Law matters. If that’s you, please write to us at: Yasmin Aslam WeWe have have Legal Legal Representatives Representatives who who speak speak Lithuanian Lithuanian and and Solicitor Advocate/Prison Law Supervisor Bengali and can assist you. One Business Village, West Dock Street, Spanish and can assist you. Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire HU3 4HH AGI Criminal Solicitors,489 Chester Road For more information, please contact Kathryn Reece-Thomas or Sara Watson or email: [email protected] Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 9HF www.insidejustice.co.uk T: 0203 841 8580 24 Hours -7 days a week ReeceThomasWatson, 758 H olloway Road, ,VOLQJWRQ/RQGRQ1 -)b CALL US! 0161 226 2070 Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak 47 On this day… November 5th 1605 Behind the gate The life and infamous times of Britain’s prisons: this month HMP Doncaster
Doncaster was the third prison to be handed over to the private sector in the UK. In 2006, Noel Smith the Prisons Inspectorate criticised the prison for ‘institutional meanness’ aft er hearing that there were no pillows available for many pris- HMP Doncaster is a category B male adult pri- oners, or toilet seats. The Inspectorate called vate prison operated by Serco, and is located conditions at the prison ‘squalid’. in the Marshgate area of Doncaster in South Yorkshire. In July 2008, the prison was again publicly criticised, this time for overcrowding. It was Gunpowder plotters Doncaster prison quickly gained a bad repu- reported that prisoners were having to sleep tation amongst prisoners when it opened in in toilets at the prison. This was revealed aft er 1994. The nickname given to it by prisoners an unannounced visit by the then Chief was ‘Doncatraz’, meant to denote the prison Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers. Ms Owers PLOT TO KILL THE KING! as being as harsh as the infamous American said that the practise must stop. She stated; island prison Alcatraz. The prison was built ‘We were disappointed to fi nd that two-person Inside reporter The penalties for refusal were January 1606, eight of the sur- on the site of Doncaster Power Station, a coal- cells had been turned into three-person cells severe, and repeat offenders vivors, including Guy Fawkes, fi red power station which opened in 1953 and by placing a third bed in the shared toilet. This risked imprisonment and ex- were convicted and sentenced closed for the fi nal time on 31st of October 1983. was worrying.’ The gunpowder plot of 1605 ecution. Catholicism became to be hung, drawn and quar- The prison sits on an ‘island’ between branch- was a failed attempt to blow marginalised, but priests con- tered. Though Catesby and es of the River Don, River Don Navigation and Inspectors also found a ‘worrying’ deteriora- up King James the First, and tinued to practise their faith Thomas Percy had both been River Cheswold. tion in healthcare and poor access to doctors; the Houses of Parliament. in secret, despite the threat of killed in the initial escape, incidents of violence and self-harm had also The plot was hatched by a torture or execution. their bodies were ordered to Management of the prison was contracted out increased. HMP Doncaster was found to be band of English Catholics led be exhumed and decapitated. by the Home Offi ce to Premier Prison Services 200 prisoners over its capacity. by Robert Catesby. In the absence of any sign Their heads were put on Ltd, a joint-venture between Serco and an that King James would end spikes outside the House of American company called Wackenhut The prison provides education, including lit- The plan was to blow up the the persecution of Catholics, Lords. On a cold 30th of Jan- Corrections. In 2005, Serco bought out eracy, numeracy, information technology and House of Lords during the it was decided that the only uary morning, Everard Digby, Wackenhut and now run the prison alone. State Opening of Parliament way to bring about a change Robert Wintour, John Grant vocational skills. There is a healthcare centre, drug and alcohol counselling and off ending on November 5th, 1605, as the was to bring about an end to and Thomas Bates were tied In 1999, the then Home Secretary, Jack Straw, prelude to a popular revolt in the King. And so, the die was to hurdles (wooden panels) was heavily criticised for awarding the prison behaviour courses. The prison has links with the Midlands, during which cast. It was decided that bar- and dragged through the a Charter Mark when it emerged that Doncaster the local community in an attempt to reduce the King’s 9 year-old daugh- rels of gunpowder be brought crowded streets of London to had the worst suicide record of any prison in the chances of former prisoners reoff ending. ter, Elizabeth, was to be in- to Parliament and secreted St Paul’s Churchyard. Digby, England and Wales. Mr Straw defended his Schemes have been set up with local employ- stalled as the Catholic head below the hall. Guy Fawkes the first to be executed, re- decision as an ‘unfortunate coincidence of ers, landlords and other agencies to ensure of state. Hopes of securing was left to guard the explo- fused the attentions of Prot- timing’. Ten prisoners had hanged themselves ex-prisoners have a successful resettlement greater religious tolerance sives, which were to be deto- estant clergy. He was stripped at the prison - including fi ve deaths that had into the community. The prison also has links under King James had faded, nated on November 5th of his clothes and wearing taken place in the year before (1998) Mr Straw with a halfway house where prisoners can live leaving many English Catho- during the State opening. only a shirt, climbed the lad- gave the prison the award. aft er release. lics disappointed by the King. der to place his head in the noose. He was quickly cut The plotters were Catesby, Fawkes man- down and, while fully con- John and Christopher Wright, aged to jump from scious, was castrated, disem- ASN LAW Robert and Thomas Wintour, the gallows and bowelled and then quartered Thomas Percy, Robert Keyes, (cut into four quarters), along SOLICITORS Thomas Bates, John Grant, break his neck, with the other three Anthony Stokoe Ambrose Rookwood, Sir prisoners. Rasheed Nujeerallee Everard Digby, Francis thus avoiding the Independent Prison Law Tresham and Guy Fawkes. The following day, Thomas agony of a more Expert since 1994 Fawkes, perhaps the most Wintour, Ambrose Rook- commonly remembered, had gruesome death. wood, Robert Keyes and Guy ‘People Before Profit’ 10-years military experience Fawkes were hanged, drawn Continuing the Fight and Challenge fighting in the Spanish Neth- Dillex Solicitors The plot was revealed to the and quartered opposite the Specialist in Prison Law Despite Legal Aid Cuts erlands in the failed suppres- authorities in an anonymous building they had intended to sion of the Dutch Revolt and letter sent to William Parker, blow up. Keyes did not wait & Straight advice/representation was given the job of looking the 4th Baron Monteagle, on for the hangman’s command Criminal Defence for Male and Female Prisoners after the explosives. 26th of October 1605. During and jumped from the gallows, a search of the House of Lords but he survived the drop and Matters Adjudications Lifer/IPP Specialist Between 1553 and 1540, King on the evening of the 4th of was led to his fate on the Appeals (All convictions & Sentences) Recall Parole Judicial Reviews Henry VIII took control of the November, Guy Fawkes was quartering block. Although CCRC & Judicial Reviews Mental Health Law Expert English church from Rome, discovered guarding 36 bar- weakened by torture, Fawkes Human Rights - European & International which was the start of several rels of gunpowder - enough to managed to jump from the Parole, Adjudication decades of religious tension, reduce the building to rubble gallows and break his neck, Recall & Re-categorisation Cat A Reviews as English Catholics strug- - and arrested. thus avoiding the agony of a Police Station/Crown/ Pre-tariff Sift/Hearings gled in a society dominated more gruesome death. Magistrate Court Representations by the Protestant Church of Most of the conspirators then Suite 8, Vine House, England. Henry’s daughter, fled London and made a The thwarting of the gunpow- Confiscation/Forfeiture Elizabeth I, introduced the stand against the pursuing der plot was commemorated 143 London Road, Elizabethan Religious Settle- Sherriff of Worcester and his for many years afterwards by Do Not Hesitate To Contact Lucy Today Kingston KT2 6NH ment, which required anyone men at Holbeche House. In special sermons and other Dillex Solicitors appointed to a public or the ensuing battle, Robert public events such as the 107b Ripple Rd, Barking IG11 7NY church office to swear alle- Catesby was shot and killed. ringing of church bells, which TEL: 02085913351 020 8549 4282 (24H) 07572086247 giance to the monarch as evolved into the Bonfire Night NATIONWIDE SERVICE head of the church and state. At their trial on 27th of we celebrate today. 48 Jailbreak www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019 Cell Workout Gavin’s Workout
Each exercise is a full body complex made from com- 2 Plank complex ‘An incredible opportunity’ bining multiple individual movements/exercises into one flowing motion that Rebuilding life one rep at a time challenges strength, balance and coordination. The exer- cises have been broken down The second of guest pieces by an LJ Cell-workout graduate into each individual step but should be performed fluidly offences, I have learnt valua- something I was born to do. I as one, all steps combined is ble lessons from my mistakes am passionate about the fit- one rep, repeat for the full and wouldn’t be where I am ness industry and I am com- time to get as many com- 4 Full plank with knee without these experiences. mitted to improving the plete reps as possible. to opposite elbow health and wellbeing of my- During my sentence I took ad- self and others. With the pas- FULL BODY BURNER: 25 vantage of courses available sion I have for sports, I Minute AMRAP (as many to me and became a qualified decided it was time to give rounds as possible) 5 reps of chef, but my main passion something back and start each of the 5 exercises, work and goal has always been to helping others to reach their your way down and back to do with sports and fitness. I desired goals and targets. I the top, work continuously ran and participated in circuit am turning my life around with as little rest as possible. classes and worked in the and I’m still on the journey to prison gym for the past 3 be the best version of myself How many rounds did you years, having the opportunity I can be - while helping other complete? at Parc to gain level 1+2 fitness people do the same. Whether Gavin Etchell and nutrition, then my per- it’s leaner, fitter, stronger, 1 Lateral burpee sonal training qualification. lighter, heavier or just health- I am a 38 year-old Personal The last 11months I served in ier, I use my experience and Trainer from the Rhondda HMP Prescoed, which is an evidence-based training tech- Valley in South Wales. Sport open jail, working with Car- niques to help people achieve has always been a big part of diff City FC Foundation which their goals. my life, from playing football allowed me to obtain my cur- 5 Front loaded kick and rugby when I was rent job at PureGym Cardiff I have been so lucky to meet through younger to using the gym, Central, setting up my own some amazing people at the 3 Quad burnout doing MMA and snowboard- business within the fitness right time in my life. It is hard, ing and most recently getting industry. I was also lucky with a lot of hurdles along the into CrossFit through my enough to meet and become way, but if you want it enough friend Sam Childe, who is friends with L J Flanders, who you’ve just got to stick at it currently serving a life sen- is the founder and author of because it is possible. Don’t tence that I met during my ‘Cell Workout’. I have been let anyone else put you down time at HMP Parc. able to participate in some of or drag you down - everyone his projects, including going deserves a chance to better I spent a total of nine and a back into Parc to run circuits themselves. As long as you half years in prison, the most for prisoners and staff as well are willing to work hard to recent was a nine-year sen- as being part of the HMP Brix- push for something positive tence for conspiracy to supply ton 200th anniversary street then there’s no reason you class ‘A’ drugs and posses- party. can’t succeed as well. I’m re- sion of a Taser. Although I am building my life one rep at a not proud of the period in my This has been an incredible time, this can happen for an- life where I committed these opportunity as I feel it is yone, including you! 2019 WINTER SUPPLEMENT OUT NOW! “FRENCH MONTANA - MONTANA” £11.50 2019WINTER SUPPLEMENTAVAILABLE NOW INCLUDES XMAS SALE!
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ALCOHOLICS ANNONYMOUS POLISH SPEAKING HELPLINE MONTANA” £11.50 MONTANA” - MONTANA “FRENCH 2019 WINTER SUPPLEMENT OUT NOW! NOW! OUT SUPPLEMENT *[fromWINTER a specific list]2019 ShannonTrust 2019 WINTER SUPPLEMENT AVAILABLE NOW INCLUDES XMAS SALE! XMAS INCLUDES NOW AVAILABLE SUPPLEMENT WINTER 2019 Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak 49 Yoga for bad backs Tales of Wisdom realised that the statue only had a thin coat of concrete to The Prison Phoenix Trust cover the solid gold statue that lay beneath; a statue worth By Brent your hips and lower back about four £200 million and weighing 5.5 inches off the ground for posture num- tons that can be seen today in a temple in Thailand. I’ve had lower back pain recently and ber 7. doing these exercises each day has really Whilst this is an amazing helped. Even if your back is fine, they are 1. Take a big deep breath in through the story, what it offers to each of still good to do. Try them and see how nose - and sigh out through the mouth. us is the importance of seeing they feel. You’ll need something to lift Do this twice more. below the current exterior to what might lie beneath. When 2. Raise your arms to a height that suits you and sway side to side for one minute, you look round the men on a Sid Arter As the years went by, on sev- prison wing you often see a going only as deep as is comfortable. eral occasions the community crowd of hardened individu- offered to buy the monks a als, strutting and posturing to What lies splendid new metallic statue save face in a rather harsh that would make their temple world; a world full of offensive beneath look glorious. The monks re- language, threats and fre- fused, in part because the quent exchanges of hostility One afternoon, one of the money would be better spent where resisting authority monks at a Buddhist temple on the local community; rules. Underneath this are made a discovery. For years building and maintaining a often very frightened individ- they had focussed their prac- school and health centre. uals desperate to change and tice on a large, rather dull, After years of commenting, to make more of themselves grey stone statue at the front the community managed to but not wanting to appear soft of their temple. The statue had persuade the monks to allow or compliant. What prisoners, been given to the monks to the meditation hall to be up- and indeed so many of us in 3. Turn slowly to the side and hold for 5 breaths. Repeat safeguard in the temple for graded to accommodate more the wider world, need to do is on the other side. fear that an invading army people - even if the old grey to chip away that hardened might desecrate it. The monks statue was to remain. The exterior shell and see what lies were sure the invaders would community were surprised to beneath - it may not be solid respect the holy site and in- find the concrete statue was gold but it will so often be deed long after the war was remarkably heavy and indeed worth so much more than we over, and the invaders retreat- as it was being moved it top- have on display at present. ed, they continued to use the pled over and the concrete statue as the centrepiece of cracked at the side. To every- Sid Arter is a teacher their worship and practice. one’s amazement it was and entertainer
4. Hold each of these positions for 5 full breaths. Repeat on the other side.
THE INSIDE TIME FREE PRIZE DRAW 25 Lucky readers can have a gift sent to their loved one at home 5. This stretch can be in- 6. Come down and rest 7. Position a blanket or Select one gift from those shown (Please also include a second-choice). tense, so bend your knees briefly, taking 3 breaths. pillow or whatever you if needed. are using somewhere Thornton’s Chocolate Gift Set Either Reindeer, Either ‘Yankee Candle’ or under your hips where it Santa or a Cheeky Elf male ‘Ted Baker’ gift sets feels most comfortable. Let your outstretched leg feel heavy. If it feels okay, stay for 3 minutes each side. 9. To finish, take 3 more You can also do this on sighs. Now let your atten- your bed. 8. Relax completely as you tion stay with your natu- ral breathing - letting hold your knees. Stay for 1 Thornton’s Christmas minute. your whole body relax selection of chocolates and be easy. Stay for 5 - 10 minutes. Use a blanket To enter just send your request, with a short message (20 words max please), and the if it’s cold. full delivery address (inc. postcode). Hurry, the closing date is 12th December. Please note it will be necessary for us to obtain confirmation that the person you nominate is approved to receive mail from you so please include your full details and send your entry to: Inside Time “GIFT” Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB 50 Jailbreak www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
things? Maybe you’ve had successes and achievements Reading Group in prison which you’re proud of, no matter how small? Maybe prison has changed how you think about success? Round-Up Or maybe you have an idea in your head of an ideal scenario Promoting reading and reading you’d like to be in?
groups in prisons The best entries will be read out on air, and the top ten will win an NPR T-Shirt and fea- ture in a special ‘Speak Out’ show on NPR over Christmas ... where we will announce the ultimate winner!
We’ve got a panel of amazing judges who will be looking through the entries, so listen out for some exciting an- nouncements about who’ll be deciding the winner.
Remember - it’s just 100 words and it’s spoken word - so you The report this month comes from Gypsy Boy don’t have to be great at writ- HMP Bristol where librarian Sophia At every meeting, con- ing to take part; just get your pad-mate or someone you Dutton worked with some of the men versation moves freely between the chosen Poet Mr Gee will be judging the Speak Out competition trust to write your words to set up a cultural awareness reading book and individual down for you. Or if you’re group that would challenge assump- experience. For exam- reading this and you know tions and create good discussion. ple, in the discussion NPR EXCLUSIVE: someone who should enter, of Mikey Walsh’s help them do it. Then tell To get things started one of the men went Gypsy Boy, Romany ‘Speak Out’ - a spoken everyone on your wing and round the wing to get suggestions for good members were able to get them to do the same! books to tackle. The titles he collected ranged provide context and Entries should be posted to: from Germaine Greer’s The Female Eunuch to deeper understanding word competition Speak Out, National Prison Stormzy’s Rise Up along with Monica Ali’s for others through some of their own life sto- you could win an NPR T-Shirt Radio, HMP Brixton, London Brick Lane, Mikey Walsh’s Gypsy Boy and Re- ries. And overall, the group provides a safe and have your bars read out SW2 5XF. We need to get your demption, the autobiography of ex-LA gang space where members can explore the effects on air! entry by Friday 6th Decem- leader Stanley ‘Tookie’ Williams. of prison, in particular the ways in which it ber for your spoken word forces people ‘to wear a mask’ to protect them- All you have to do is send us Rise Up Are you into poetry, rap or piece to be considered. selves. But as one member put it, ‘the mask can 100 words on the theme of The group decided to spoken word? For this month lead to a loss of identity, to not knowing who success. What does success kick-off with Stormzy’s only on NPR we’re running an ‘Speak Out’ is sponsored by you are anymore’. This is exactly the danger mean to you? Is it about fam- Shannon Trust, who train peo- autobiography and it exciting competition in part- explored by the African American poet Paul ily, friends, good health, ple in prison to help others provoked plenty of nership with Shannon Trust Laurence Dunbar in his poem ‘We Wear the called ‘Speak Out’ - where keeping hope, achieving unlock the power of reading. lively debate. Where Mask’ written well over 100 years ago: does inspiration come from, especially for ‘We wear the mask that grins and lies, Roll Call: The show for ex-forces those in prison trying It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes- to ‘chip away at doubt This debt we pay to human guile; and negativity’? For With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, returns to NPR this month! some, Stormzy is a role And mouth with myriad subtleties. model for young black men - someone who organisations which can help you on the inside makes anything seem possible. And indeed he Why should the world be over-wise, and after you get released, and there could be has helped make it so by creating the Stormzy In counting all our tears and sighs? support for your loved ones on the out as well Scholarship to fund black students at Cam- Nay, let them only see us, while as you during your sentence - from financial bridge University. In his words: ‘There are so We wear the mask…’ assistance to specialised mental health many young black kids all over the country who services. have the level of academic excellence to study Reading confidence and experience in the at a university such as Cambridge - however we group vary but members are alert to this and We’ll be travelling across the country to hear are still under-represented at leading universi- go out of their way to support each other. As stories of prisoners who’ve been in the forces, ties. I hope this scholarship serves as a small one man put it: ‘it’s unlike anything else in the specific issues they face, and how they’re reminder that if young black students wish to prison … an opportunity to relax in the library using their time to prepare for Civvy Street. And if you’ve been in the forces yourself, no study at one of the best universities in the world, and talk about things you would never nor- matter how long you served, we want to hear then the opportunity is yours for the taking - and mally discuss on the wing. if funding is one of the barriers, then we can from you! It could really help other ex-service personnel inside. Just tell us if you want it to work towards breaking that barrier down.’ For Sophia: ‘the book is the springboard that © Deposit Photos be anonymous. lifts everyone out of the prison environment Have you spent any time in the armed forces? But for others in the group, Stormzy’s image for that one meeting’. Even if it was just a day, you could be entitled Maybe you’ve got help in prison from SSAFA and music are more complicated. How do we to more support in prison - and from this read the cover of his album Gang Signs and or another armed forces charity? Perhaps you HMP Bristol is part of the Prison Reading Groups month there will be more information about Prayer: Stormzy in the middle of a black table, want to get some advice about what support is (PRG) network, which helps set up, fund and this on NPR. wearing all black and leaning on his fists, sur- available? Or maybe you just want to share support reading groups in more than 45 prisons your story? rounded by figures in balaclavas, including a nationwide. In 2018 we provided over 3,000 Roll Call, our show for ex-service personnel, young child? books. If your prison doesn’t have a reading is coming back from 5th November for 6 weeks Write to Roll Call, National Prison Radio, Lon- group, encourage your librarian to look at the and there will be loads of information about don, SW2 5XF. And make sure you tune in every ‘And what do you think when you hear that Prison Reading Groups website www.prison- the support you can get if you’re ex-forces. Tuesday in November at midday and 6pm to line “kick up the yout”?’ readinggroups.org.uk. There are some amazing charities and hear the show! Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak 51
IPP Emotions Knife crime Joe - HMP Onley Gary Hopkins - HMP Wormwood Scrubs
Chorus (x2) I’m back again, I’m in my prime Emotions, emotions on the phone, phone Here’s another poem for Inside Time Coz the answer to these questions It’s all about knife crime I don’t know, know What music do you like, Drill or Grime This is the music teaching you killing is fine See I wanna recompense with my son And makes young boys want to run that county drugs line but im scared cos he’s like daddy this sentence don’t make sense This isn’t funny Coz all he’s seen is I aint coming home Life’s not just about girls, guns, drugs and money Trying to explain it’s down to a Parole board & home secretary So think twice before you use a knife 13 yrs now this sentence is illegal & kinda scary Or you’ll be in here with me riding life Along the way I’ve met man People left burying loved ones in a hole More twisted than the bird from the film American Mary. While you’re rotting away waiting for parole Plz don’t get twisted, coz I put myself here in this position But you cant justify to me why Some reasons are black on black Its jail life im still living Other reasons are cats killing dealers for crack And all this is just getting harder for me There’s postcode wars that don’t mean jack My son has had to grow up with his daddy trapped in the da HMP And some people just like stabbing you in the black Rap Star of the Month That’s just making him another Government statistic The thoughts of what I’ve put him through & missed out on The big boys have got the police running around like cats after a mouse Congratulations to this months winner who Coz they’ve got plenty more young G’s to go to that country trap house. receives our £25 prize Just makes me feel sick This has been my life since 2006 They say it takes two to tango I aint dreaming, IPP is what im feeling But be the bigger man and put down your Rambo Putting pen 2 paper to release Get a job and save some money in your bank Real talk This eternal pain Or you’ll be in HMP working for £10 a week if you use that shank David Anna - HMP Northumberland Black marks under my eyes You can see the strain I’m sometimes silly but not a berk Chorus I cruise around in my merc Lifes hard and it doesn’t last long Chorus x2 I’ve got 4 kids I need the snip Look to the future and move the past on But I still get girls in my German whip See I’ve been holding it down People live people die that’s the way that it works I’m back in jail now I’m not happy Answer me this whats f*cking wrong with this world (x2) But I feel trapped in a whirlpool Going round & around Blasting tunes by Dappy Stuck up in this government’s progressive tool I can’t believe I’m back in Wormwood Scrubs Young children dying and the killers are getting younger Blasting out tunes by N Dubz Young children dying and they’re struggling with hunger feeling in a stand still on the M25 So how do you explain this to all the young mothers when I come to jail my mum WAS ALIVE When you come to prison you pay the price Guys die at 13 and the mums still love to suffer don’t know about you but I think Seeing everyone out their nut on Spice What the f*ck do we do to stop the next hit I’ve had my share of pain & strife I’ve tried it and don’t think it’s nice Everyday a youths on the news dead at breakfast Yet these Brexit lot keep playing God Next time I get offered some I will think twice The Government don’t care they’re too focused on this Brexit With thousands of lives. We don’t care about the E.U we should’ve already left it We need to cut down on the numbers of people Whats the next move to stop the next youth dying Getting shot or stabbed We need to do something to help the young kids surviving It’s not worth it and it won’t be long Boris said he’ll stop this but Boris man you’re lying Until you get nabbed. Kids are killing kids and the mothers cant stop crying London, Liverpool, Brum and Ne1 Kids theses days are pulling tools on anyone Protect my dogs Fedz get to the scene but the murder is already done D Wells - HMP Edinburgh Fedz are at the scene and the killer is already gone. Chorus x2 Chorus x2 If they put me back in hell, protect my dogs There is nothing more important, forget me not Young girls are being prayed on by predators And you don’t need to come and see me where they let you rot That’s just more work for the newspaper editors Put your time in a letter box to protect my thoughts Kids committing suicide cos they think that its better than Put a stamp on the envelope and one inside living like a lost boy like Peter Pan in Neverland So that I can write you back when I want to write I cant count how many times I’ve heard a kids died © Deposit Photos This’ll be the sixth time that I’ve gotten time Coz another young kid stabbed him with a knife Tell my mum, cause of rain, never see her son shine Kids as young as 14 going to jail for their life Solider to the system I used to tell her she was wrong and now I let her win Stuck behind bars cos of 1 daft fight Marley - HMP Bullingdon Navigating all the troubles that I’m getting in And county lines youths are given hand fulls of packs I’m creating all the puddles that I’m stepping in And they don’t come back til they’ve made rolls of cash This life done me dirty, man I wish to rewind Now I’m escaping in a bubble and I’m getting thin Coming up in the ranks kids handling shanks As I think about the jail, and what its like inside I need to clean it up alone and that’ll never change Do the olders proud you’ll be rewarded with a strap Man im sitting in my cell, with bail denied Story of the only life I know, I have to live in pain Get packed with a strap and then unload it And im thinking to myself, that I failed in life Never coming back, rather sleep than to live again Don’t f*cking do it just coz your so called bro did One big dream I’ll achieve when I slip away Don’t listen to the lies selling drugs doesn’t make you loaded Im looking out the window, and the bars im behind When I was 18, I called my self Dandy Drugs get you jail trust me kids it isn’t worth it As I try eliminate, dark thoughts, from my mind Became ill-Dando and now I’m just angry Depression got me deep,, im in a state of decline Really thought I knew it all growing up quick Chorus x4 You can see all the pain, if you look in my eyes Blowing up quicker when they don’t understand me I pray for better days, for my freedom im wishing Chorus x2 u We will award a prize of £25 to the entry selected as our I done 2 years, without a family visit ‘Rap Star of the Month’. Send entries to: Inside Time, Rap, Botley Many my hearts still there but my sanity isn’t The only break I ever had, it was intravenous Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 2GB. Try to keep My lifes dedicated to her Majesty’s prison Strapped up, shooting for the moon, slipping into Venus rhymes under 300 words. When submitting your work please Putting stars in a spoon to restrict my feelings Ive seen man find god to be free from the sinning include the following permission: ‘This is my own work and I But you don’t want them coming back, so you start to need it In this life man you lose, if its spent as a villain agree to Inside Time publishing it in all associate sites and It’s a wonder I’m alive, I’m surprise I’m here They labelled me a menace, for the crimes im committing other publications as appropriate.’ By submitting your rhymes All my life, how can I be strong? Can’t deny the fear If to blood on my hands, and it came from my victim to Inside Time you are agreeing to our terms, to read them in full So many reasons that I’m scared but I’ll over come see the Inside Poetry pages in this issue. Solider to the system where nobody’s winning. 32 times round the sun, I’m rocket man 52 Jailbreak // Inside Poetry www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
Star Poem of the Month The new prison mentality Congratulations to this months winner who receives our £25 Yo Yo - HMP Littlehey prize “Wanna stay with mi mates” the lad said As they showed him the gates “Don’t wanna return to the streets Happy Snapper Where re-tweets already say I’ve been released. A G Morgan - HMP Littlehey Boys in the ‘hood’ will be after my blood, ending lives With their inconsequential knives Riding on the tube, one afternoon in May Where do I run; where do I hide? I saw such gloomy faces, for such a sunny day I’d really rather stay inside I viewed the situation, which made me rather sad running the landings So this is what I did, I know it sounds quite mad Where I’ve got some standing My trusty Polaroid camera, hung loosely round my neck commanding respect, protected An idea came to mind, so I thought ‘what the heck?’ not selected or rejected I asked a couple near me, if I could snap their pic Want some meaning in mi life They said it was ok, as long as I was quick not just made to carry a knife.” © Andy Aitchison/Doctored Library image The camera flash was blinding, then its workings whirred “I want to stay with my pals” the old man said The people all around me saw what had occurred “In a couple of years, I’ll probably be dead As the whirring ceased, a picture was produced Got nothing to go out for Morning visitor Existing on a pittance; poorer than poor For people looking on, their gloom somewhat reduced Vinny B - HMP Wymott A minute or two later, the image had appeared Stuck in some high-rise bed-sit I gave it to the couple, whose spirits now had cheered Surrounded by gangs, drugs and all kinds of sh*t I gave my picture freely, I sought no recompense No-one to speak to every day With bright red eyes he looked at me with no surprise To those more money-minded, this really makes no sense Scared to go out; bills to pay The sun had risen at the usual time I moved to where two ladies looked mournful as they sat Answering the door to a ‘cuckoo’ Bringing him to my window just as I awoke to hear his beat- One wore a sorry frown, the other wore a hat No respect, just f*ck you and use you ing heart I gestured to the ladies, who nodded their approval In here there’s ‘two square’ a day; Alive and hungry just as I Lazy staff but what can you say The gift that was my picture ensured the frown’s removal No voice to greet or say hello Hiding away Other people saw the pictures I’d created In the office all day Just those shiny eyes filled with curiosity all aglow Biding their sweet time, patiently they waited Taking their frustration out on geriatrics By now they were assured, of no impending danger Scapegoating and putting them on ‘Basics’ Back and forth on the window sill So all of them were pleased to take pictures with a stranger But even though they take the p*ss Knowing full well that I always will I moved on up the train, snapping one by one I’m strong enough to overcome this. Fill his belly so he could start his day feeling happy The happy smiling faces said gloominess had gone So, please don’t send me home As I took more pictures, the interest in them grew Carefree and proud - confident in his day I really don’t want to die alone One quaint old couple asked, ‘can we have one too?’ From sky to ground Please don’t give me parole Another man he beckoned, a father with his son No care in the world as he soared up above knowing It will put me in a hole Their day out to the city, was soon to be more fun I’d always be there with food and love I’ve got nowhere to go I snapped their happy picture, the father and his boy Nothing to show When the laddie saw it, his face was full of joy But my sense of pride Wet and windy the day began The next man sat beneath cascading dreadlocked hair That I nearly died But right on time he did arrive He smiled as I enquired, ‘is anyone under there?’ For my country’s freedom To eat his morning meal Beside him sat a granny, her hair was blue rinse grey And those mates that I now need them.” To survive I took their pic together, it really made their day So I did all I could The carriage was now filled with buzzing conversation For my little feathery friend from above And happy smiling faces as we reached the station Soon the train doors opened, and many folk alighted But alas one day I must go to leave him But those who left with pictures, they truly were delighted To fend for himself once again But hopefully find another friend with a heart like me Because even though I was behind bars Not a rice feeling That little bird set me free. David Dunigan - HMP The Mount Spice
You wanna no the truth about spice, rice and mamba Evan Prevett - HMP Lewes Depression, frustration, anger and pride makes their victims feel inside © Deposit Photos I will open up my heart to you and let you read my mind Book loving Let’s have a chat about a drug called Spice Black mamba, potpourri, man down or rice As it’s there answers we long to find Emmanuel ‘Femi’ Olorunnijola - HMP Belmarsh Chemicals combined to make you feel high How to describe the feelings it gives We smoke it knowing there’s a chance we could die Start the heart race and take deep breaths Every time we come together, we form an alliance Walking round like a zombie, no use of your brain Every time you kick knowledge, I adopt Neuro-science Sometimes I can cough so hard I’m sick Others look at you and think you’re insane But 5 minutes later its time for my next hit Each time I handle your thick frame, you reveal through the sheets That when you open up, you practice what you preach The hours fly by, day and night I will run the lengths of the wing over and over Funny enough I’m hypnotized, you’re the only one I approve to teach Sleeping properly turns into a fight Inmates and screws can see the lengths I would go to get hold of Coz you manoeuvre your way to my heart, cracked my soul Always forgetting things, memories fading I got no tv, no kettle and no cabinets but that’s fine And managed to breach. Worrying about officers thinking of raiding 2 mins before bang up, I realise I need a light However what you’ve displayed has only made me better Day to day life becomes a drag Once that door shuts that’s it until the morning That’s why you can’t judge any book by its cover, after this proposal Tabloid rags posting stories “Oi, look at that lag” Some will say we belong together When I start the chase for spice again, 1st thing still yawning! “He’s in prison, why’s he allowed toilet roll?” Sometimes from afar I check you out “If it were up to us, we’d have a prisoner cull” All wires I had have been ripped to shreds Whether I look you up or scan you down you’ve made me clever, Treated worse than dogs and fed worse too Nearly electrocuted myself again this morning Now I’m strictly about profit I bet you’d try some Spice, yes, even you A businessman after his cheddar. Black stains on hands, walls and plug socket An escape from the realities of life inside Still smoking all of this for 1 hit of spice Side by side hand in hand whatever the deal I’ll come out triumphant If I ever lose focus you’ll come back and grab me by the hand like an infant A simple way for us to just hide This is your life now, it’s not nice I pray and I also hope that we never depart If the Governor wants to sort it, then fix up Please can I have 1 min of your time Because without you I have to find an alternative start Get off your arse, put down your cup Now you lie, you cheat, you act and you fool Me and you belong in a different class, once you open up to me Make prisons a place we can live, not just exist Guess what my friend you’re the biggest fool of all. I can see everything exposed, behind the mask. Do some work instead of ticking boxes on your list. Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Inside Poetry 53 The story of Billy Blue Kettle time Stupid O’clock It’s an equitable Luke Harlow - HMP Rye Hill life, Henry Paul Lumsden - Little Paul - HMP Whatton HMP Castle Huntly JP - HMP Stocken Little Billy Blue never grew up When my daydreams, Drank every night ‘til he threw up Have me gasping for air, Broken bodies Having entered When my imagination, Broken heads He lied to everyone that he knew The past ruins of a world, Leaves me without a care, Broken minds Did everything he should not do You sit on the sofa When I’m fighting, Broken hearts If there were drugs then he was there All Jerusalem and judgement, To remember nothing, Looking a state, he did not care © Deposit Photos Accepting tea with a ‘ta’ Life A day in the future, Never really went to school Sifting through rising steam Breaks That my past isn’t touching, Too busy trying to be cool Want … want … want For my every intent. Us He always thought he knew best When I’m surviving, Michael Phelan - HMP Stoke Heath Down But got himself into a mess We’re not lovers An I just wanna die, Bad blood With alcohol as his fuel So can’t get naked When I know I can make it, I want to flog these trainers pal And share a biscuit, But I don’t wanna try, Bad karma He mixed with people who were very cruel I want all you can pay You’re casual, focused When I’m on a one-way track, Bad parents They asked him to do something bad I want a vape that you can lend me As if my next moment And it’s me setting the pace, Bad luck He did not think of Mum or Dad Till it’s canteen day Deserved merit, When I’m still running, Born They had taught him to be kind I want a spare stamp from you as Or the insanity of containment. Even though I’ve won the race, Under a But alcohol had made him blind I want to mail my wife When my day is step by step, Bad Trying to impress his peers ‘More tea?’ I want batteries for my radio As I’m walking my mile, Sign He totally forgot his fears Cos mine are not long-life Though there’s no When I’m whistling my tune, No job And broke into a house one night Corpse or crime I want some proper teabags I’ve got my old vacant smile, No money Not thinking they’d put up a fight Below the garden tree, I want some sugar as well When my wise old eyes, No love ‘No thanks, I’ve got to go, The man wanted to save his wife I want a spoon to stir it Have seen too much for me, No hope I’ve got another sixty-three And Billy Blue brandished a knife As I’ve left mine in my cell When the suns on my face, Ex-cons to see.’ People Billy thought he could not fail As I look out to sea, I want things though you need them Rise Now he’s doing life in jail We’re not friends When the thoughts of my future, I want them, I don’t care People He hates the person he’s become Where the trust-mantra Hold the scars of my past, I want to use your clippers Fall He never hears from Dad or Mum So that I can cut my hair Could only go so far, When can I stop walking, He cries himself to sleep at night I’m paying in full Not until my heart beats it’s last. Perfect bodies I want your eggs, I want your bread Wishing he didn’t take that life For all the inflicted hell. Perfect hair I want your fish in brine He wants to scream, he wants to shout Kettle time again Perfect love I want shower-gel because A letter to my son Perfect life He prays that one day he’ll get out. My pad-mates used all mine I rush to the doorbell. I want to sell a polo top Craig Campbell - Some I want to sell Lacoste Please don’t, HMP Holme House Have I want to sell my Hugo Boss It It’s one that someone lost but ‘do’ A letter to my son All I want a milk for bang-up mate Aleeya King - From inside my cell Good genes I want some coffee too HMP Newhall Please don’t follow in my footsteps Good looks I want to scrounge from everyone Be a good boy instead Good family But mainly bother you Please don’t judge me Fighting in the streets Good luck I want to get right off my face But get to know me Doesn’t make you hard Born I want ‘high as a kite’ Please don’t talk about me And crying tears of sadness With a I want your meds that you’ve just got But talk to me Silver They’ll knock me out tonight Doesn’t leave you scarred Spoon Please don’t laugh at me Be honest, kind and polite I want to nag you senseless The best that you can be © Deposit Photos But laugh with me I want what I can see Business class And trust me T’J one day Executive suite I want to clean you right out Please don’t ignore me You can rely on me Gilt-edged pension & Morning breeze Just as long as it’s all free But include me I’ll fight all your battles Offshore account I’m not your mate, I’m not your pal David Wernham - HMP Barlinnie Please don’t dismiss me I’ll wear all your scars My door has no shop sign They say But give me a chance All I ask from you my son Walking through the morning breeze So f**k off back to your cell That we Admiring the birds and the trees And leave me be in mine. Please don’t argue with me Is have a glowing heart Are all But have a debate with me I hope you grow up wealthy Equal Looking at the flowers and bees Please don’t tell me I hope you’re strong and wise Things I wish and love to see But some Handcuffed in sin But show me But mainly all I want to see Are more Trampling through the woods and fields Is your face filled full of smiles Equal Please don’t fail me Kicking up piles of leaves Steven Bell - HMP Hewell Than others But teach me. I love you my boy! The Glens in view as I pass by At 14 I felt the key in the padlock Climb over the occasional sty The chemicals rushed full throttle, non-stop, u We will award a prize of £25 to the entry selected as our ‘Star Poem of the Month’. To qualify My moods toss and turn, anger that blocked for a prize, poems should not have won a prize in any other competition or been published previously. The birds fly and sing in the sky Send entries to: Inside Time, Poetry, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 2GB. Fluffy clouds floating by My emotions from releasing from bottom to top Wasted my life, drugs A to Z, the life I yearn for It is very important that you ensure the following details are on all paperwork sent to Inside Walking the hills, blue skies above I’m focused I’m shocked Time: YOUR NAME, PRISON NUMBER & PRISON. Failure to do so will prevent us responding to Seeing animals that we all love Time flies when you’re having fun, you and your submission being withheld from publication. We will be using the new ‘Money Transfer Service’ for prize money so include your DOB on your entries. From cap-gun to handgun, bang and you run Mooching through the long wet grass Run for your life, from the demon within, By submitting your poems to Inside Time you are agreeing that they can be published in any of our Sheep in the fields as I pass It catches you - you’ll be handcuffed in sin ‘not for profit links’, these include the newspaper, website and any forthcoming books. You are also From prison cells to cells hell on earth giving permission for Inside Time to use their discretion in allowing other organisations to reproduce Seeing horses running free at play this work if considered appropriate, unless you have clearly stated that you do not want this to From baby to adult and death and your birth Walking past fields with bales of hay happen. Any work reproduced in other publications will be on a ‘not for profit’ basis. Please note Make sure the devil doesn’t win poems for publication may be edited. When submitting your work please include the following Beauty never fails to please ‘Cause from birth to your death permission: ‘This is my own work and I agree to Inside Time publishing it in all associate Reminds me how life should be. You are handcuffed in sin. sites and other publications as appropriate.’ 54 Jailbreak // Prize Winning Competitions www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019 Read all about it! Caption Competition Last Months £25 Winner A £25 prize is on offer for the best 1. How many days are in November? Fonesavvy providers of ‘landline type Martin Southen - HMP Manchester Then you caption to this month’s picture. 2. Which flower represents Remembrance Day? numbers’ for mobile phones. left your successor to clean up your Proud sponsors of Inside Time’s mess 3. Who is judging this year’s Celebrity X Factor PRIZE quiz ‘Read all about it!’ with Simon Cowell? If you don’t want callers to be disadvantaged or put off by the high cost of calling your 4. Who won the Rugby World Cup? mobile - just get a landline number for it. 5. November the 5th is known as what day? Calls to mobiles don’t have to be expensive! Full details are available on our main 6. Paddy McGuinness returns to ITV with series advert in Inside Time and at 11 of which show? www.fonesavvy.co.uk “Nice to M-eat you...” This remarkable photo has won the top award 7. What building did Guy Fawkes plan to blow up? Last Months Winners “I shat at the TV” in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of Katie Lowlett - HMP Downview (£25) Former Prime Minister David Cameron had a the Year competition. The image, captured 8. Who won the England v Germany women’s K Plant - HMP Doncaster (£5) slip of the tongue while talking about the by Yongqing Bao, shows the Tibetan fox football game on 9th November? Christopher Thompson - HMP Rye Hill (£5) night of the UK’s 2016 attacking the terrified Himalayan marmot. See box to the right for details of how to enter Brexit vote to leave the Dubbed “The Moment,” the photo clinched 9. What time does BBC Breakfast start? EU, sending ITV ‘This the grand title in the competition, which saw Answers to last months News Quiz: 1. Channel 4, Morning’ hosts into a fit of 48,000 entries received from 100 countries. giggles. What do you 10. What is Alan Sugar’s famous line on The 2. Japan, 3. Greg Rutherford, 4. The end of the British summer time, 5. Rylan Clark-Neal, 6. X, 7. Italy, think Philip and Holly are Closing date for all competitions is 22/11/19 Apprentice? 8. Stuart, 9. Australia , 10. Ireland, saying/thinking here?
Inside Knowledge // All the answers are within this issue of Inside Time - all you have to do is find them! How to enter: Send your entry on a separate sheet The first three names to be drawn with all-correct answers (or nearest) will 11. Who said ‘temptation’s a terrible thing lad. But dishonesty is worse’? receive a £25 cash prize. There will also be two £5 runner up prizes. 12. Who asks how many African Americans can you envisage willingly sharing a of paper. Make sure your burger with Donald Trump? NAME, NUMBER & 13. Who, after visiting a maximum security prison, said it was ‘as earthy, human 1. At which prison in 2015 did a prisoner die after more than a dozen guards held PRISON is on all sheets. a towel over his head and took turns stomping on him and holding him down? and humbling an experience as I could have had’? 2. How many ex-prisoners do Timpsons employ? 14. Who wants to say a massive thank you to an ‘outstanding lady who has a Failure to do so will 3. Who was Jonathan Aitken’s neighbour in HMP Belmarsh back in the 1990s? heart of gold’? invalidate your entry. 4. The police helped who to make a £22,000 claim for compensation from the 15. Speaking about prisons, who said ‘we all know that our system is broken and We will be using the new Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority? does not work effectively’? 5. Who hopes that Inside Time readers ‘can find their way in their lives once again’? ‘Money Transfer Service’ 6. The Independent Adjudicator is able to award a maximum of how many Answers to Last Month’s Inside Knowledge Prize Quiz 1. Paul, 2. HMP Long Lartin, for prize money so include additional days onto a prisoner’s sentence? 3. Ishmail, 4. Andrew Clifton, 5. Reni Eddo-Lodge, 6. Rex Bloomstein, 7. Dario Marini, 7. Who said ‘what I wanted to remember was how to feel human again’? 8. Simon Shepherd, 9. The Probation Service, 10. 542, 11. Pia Sinha, 12. The Domesday Book, your DOB on your entries. 8. Who has met many men in their 50s who have had years and years of jail and 13. 1st October 1975, 14. Jean-Paul Sartre, 15. Owen Davies, Post to: ‘jailbreak’. Inside are now ‘worn out, knackered, tired of it all’? The three £25 Prize winners are: The £5 runner up prizes go to: Time, Botley Mills, Botley, 9. Who was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder? Kelly Tomlin - HMP Foston Hall James May - HMP Durham 10. The United Nations has endorsed a set of standard minimum rules for the Southampton, Hampshire Craig Hawkins - HMP Hollesley Bay Alan Robertson - HMP Doncaster treatment of prisoners known as what? SO30 2GB. Hayley Owen - HMP Drake Hall Answers to last months quizzes Have you got a problem with alcohol? CRISS CROSS QUICK CROSSWORD “Recent Cases dealt with by MKS LAW “ Across: 1 Full-scale. 6 Mug. “Only YOU can decide” 8 Repast. 9 Norse. 10 Plinth. CROWN COURT 11 Element. 13. Example. R v S and Others – Charged with Murder. All defen- If drinking has cost you more than money and 16 Cha-cha. 18 Enter. dants found Not Guilty. 19 Unique. 21 Tic. R v W and Others – Charged with supply of drugs. you believe you may have a problem? 22 Horseshoe. Hung Jury. Discharged. We are here to help… R v B - Charged with Attempted Murder. Reduced to Down: 1 Foe. 2 Learn. GBH following negotiation with CPS. 3 Satchel. 4 At once. 5 Emerge. 7 Great Dane. 8 Represent. Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Lecture. 14 Attach. 15 PAROLE HEARINGS LICENCE RECALL Porter. 17 Apish. 20 Use. JM, BH, AL, AM, DC National Helpline: 0800 917 7650 Clients all released following Parole hearings. GEFBADCHI www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk 6 4 7 APPEALS AGAINST CONVICTION/ SENTENCE 4 2 5 1 1st stage appeals undertaken on private client basis only. 2 9 Alcoholics Anonymous has over 4,400 Groups CATCHPHRASE WORD MORPH 6 1 4 CCRC REFERRALS throughout Great Britain, designed to help those 2nd appeal attempts undertaken privately and some 1. Forgive and Forget crazy 7 9 with a drinking problem. Through mutual 2. Back Door craze 1 2 7 Legal Aid. 3. Go on a Double Date braze 3 5 support, sufferers assist each other in coping 4. Almost Impossible brake 7 4 6 5 ADJUDICATIONS with their problem. There are no fees for mem- 5. Afternoon Tea brave
(c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. - Client found Not Guilty following positive MTD. 6. Not in Use 8 3 1 FA bership of Alcoholics Anonymous and anonymity Daily Sudoku: Tue 3-Sep-2019 medium Murder, Drugs, Fraud? Facing serious criminal charges? LETTERBOX ANAGRAM SQUARE SUDOKU is carefully preserved. Face them with the Legal Team that is right for you. Slogan 1 GLOBE 1 9 6 5 3 4 2 7 8 4 3 2 9 8 7 5 1 6 MKS LAW - Suite 19, Unit 9 Liberty Calls will be kept strictly confidential 2 HUNCH 7 5 8 2 6 1 3 4 9 Centre, Wembley, HA0 1TX 3 OPTIC 6 1 7 8 4 2 9 5 3 4 SLAKE 8 2 3 7 5 9 4 6 1 Tel: 020 8123 3404 Fax: 020 8181 6512 For more information: 5 4 9 6 1 3 8 2 7 5 TES LA 3 6 1 4 9 5 7 8 2 MKS LAW Solicitors PO Box 1, 10 Toft Green, YORK YO1 7NJ 9 7 4 1 2 8 6 3 5 Criminal Defence Lawyers
2 8 5 3 7 6 1 9 4 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. Legal Aid & Private Client Tel: 01904 644 026 Daily Sudoku: Tue 3-Sep-2019 medium 020 8123 3404 - [email protected] - mslaw.co.uk
http://www.dailysudoku.com/ The Personal Injury Specialists
You may be entitled to claim compensation
“NO WIN -NO FEE” PERSONAL INJURY
Recent changes in the law now mean that the Prison has more responsibility than ever to ensure your safety whilst under their care. We are happy to consider all injury claims that Injuries suffered due to negligence occurred within the last three years.
• Accidents at work • Injured by someone else’s mistake, at work or elsewhere • Falls from bunks • Assaults following threats that have been ignored • Slip & Trips • Faulty equipment, furniture or fittings Medical Negligence (Delayed / Wrong Treatment)
If you have suffered and you are not sure whether you should claim, then contact us by phone or freepost and we will advise you on the best way forward - all “no win, no fee”.
Contact us today, you may be entitled to compensation! Dental Negligence This month's challenge 0800 145 5105 Find the goat Request a Claim Form Send your: Name, Prison Number and Claim Type to FREEPOST RSSU-GCXH-SJLG Attwood Solicitors, 5-7 Hartshill Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 1QH www.attwoodsolicitors.co.uk Last Months Answer: [email protected] F will ll up rst due not the multiple blockages and low pressure. 56 Jailbreak // Just for Fun www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
What happens if a man Anagram Square Criss Cross Do you know? takes a contraceptive pill? What on Earth?! Whether you did it for a dare or out of Rearrange the letters in each row to form a word. Write your sheer curiosity, only taking answers into the blank grid. the one shouldn’t cause you The first letter from each word, problems. More than once reading down, will spell the might bring about some mystery keyword. changes… Nothing will happen if he only took one. 1 BERIT
2 HGTRI
3 DRNUE
4 LEAST Why Don’t Any Animals Have Three Legs? The animals of our planet walk on two legs, or four legs, or six, 5 STEST or even 750 for that matter. So why don’t any animals have three? While truly three-legged animals don’t exist in nature, various creatures rest in a “tripod stance”, placing their weight on two legs plus a tail or beak. Meerkats perching upright to There’s a one in four chance 1 3 LETTER OWL NEAP ASSAY WHIRR assess their surroundings rest on their hind legs and tail, and that the pill was a dummy 2 ANT OWN RIOT CHAMP kangaroos prop themselves up with their muscular tails as they anyway, as most packets 6 LETTER feed. We know that legs can come in sets of threes, as insects include seven tablets with no ASP SKY USES CHEEK 3 ASS URN YAWN INAPT METRIC have a total of six. As they walk, three legs are kept on the drugs in them (meant to MOMENT ground (two on one side and one on the other side) while the maintain the habit of taking COO YOLK MANGY 4 DIE 4 LETTER METAL PLYING remaining three step forward. This mode of walking is known as the pill while the ‘withdrawal TSETSE the alternative tripod method. Being positioned in a tripod is a bleed’ happens). If he regular- NET CLAN 5 LETTER RODEO 5 fairly effective way of balancing and doesn’t cost the animal any ly took the ‘combined pill’, ONE EURO ACRES SKUNK 9 LETTER OWE HOCK ALTAR TITHE extra energy, so why did three feet never evolve? which contains oestrogen and STONEWARE progestogen hormones, it Thanks to Jack Jones HMP In a piece published in the journal BioEssays, Tracy Thomson, a would have mild feminising Berwyn. If you fancy compiling an Anagram Square for us please graduate student at the University of California, Davis, discusses effects, such as wider hips, just send it in 5 x 5 squares, com- Tectonic the conundrum, noting that the explanation is likely rooted softer skin and slight breast plete with answers shown on a deep in our evolution. “If we’re trying to understand evolution as development. The oestrogen grid. If we use it we will send you £5 as a thank you! Remember Each square must contain a digit. A one-square block contains a process we need to understand what it can and can’t do,” dose is about a tenth of that Thomson said in a statement. “Almost all animals are bilateral.” taken by transgender women, to include your name, number, only a 1, a two-square block contains 1 and 2, a three-square prison. We will be using the new block contains 1, 2 and 3, and so on. The same digit cannot This means that the vast majority of species seem to have two but it’s a form of oestrogen ‘Money Transfer Service’ for prize appear in neighbouring squares - not even diagonally. symmetrical sides; we have an arm and leg on each side, fish associated with higher risks of money so include your DOB on have symmetrical fins on both sides of their bodies, and spiders deep vein thrombosis, so it your entries. have four legs on either side, for example. Thomson argues that wouldn’t be a good idea for being bilateral, when it comes to limbs at least, became rooted anyone wanting to transi- Fun facts... in our DNA very early on in the tree of life, potentially even tion. Regularly taking a before limbs and flippers evolved. After all, three-legged fossils progestogen-only pill would • Margaret Abbott was the are non-existent in the fossil record. It seems evolution made have the main impact of first American woman to win way for a variety of leg numbers, but thanks to our symmetrical reducing his sperm count and an Olympic gold, coming first bodies, three just didn’t make the cut. Iflscience libido. BBC Science Focus in the women’s golf tourna- ment in 1900. She didn’t real- The aliens are coming! ise she was competing in the Images from an aviation expo in China show a new Chinese Olympics at the time, and military aircraft that looks strikingly like a flying saucer out of a lived her whole life without vintage UFO movie. Last month, photos started circulating finding out. online of a craft with an alien-looking outer shell and a central cockpit. The state-run Chinese newspaper Global Times had • Before the invention of confirmed that the vehicle is an experimental attack helicopter penicillin, the cure for syphilis dubbed the Great White Shark, which could fly as soon as 2020. was malaria. A detailed analysis of the project argues that the vehicle probably generates lift using a 16-foot rotor that’s armored by • Ringo Starr wanted The its outer shell, while two jet engines provide forward thrust. The Beatles’ “Revolver” to be craft isn’t the first to feature a circular, saucer-like design called “After Geography”. The - although military contractors have struggled to make the Rolling Stones had recently concept practical over the battlefield. Futurism released an album called “Aftermath”.
How do baby birds breathe inside their eggs? Stand or deliver? • The Japanese marathon It’s all down to some nifty engineering inside Ping, dinner’s ready! Or is it? Leaving your runner Shizo Kanakuri fell the eggshell. Early on in a chick’s development, delicious microwaved meal to stand as the asleep while taking a break during the 1912 Olympic it grows a hollow, sac-like structure from its packaging recommends is an important part of marathon in Stockholm. In gut, known as an ‘allantois’. This pouch fuses Quotes the cooking process. Microwaves only 1967 the Swedes invited him with a second membrane (‘chorion’) surround- penetrate to a depth of around three or four to return and finish the race. “A person reveals his charac- “Technology is the reason we ing the chick and its yolk, which together form centimetres, so anything deeper is heated His final time was 54 years, 8 ter by nothing so clearly as get old enough to complain the ‘chorioallantoic membrane’. With one end indirectly, by conduction from the outer layers months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 the joke he resents.” about technology.” Garry attached to the chick, and one end close to the of food. The cooking instructions on a ready minutes and 20.3 seconds. Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Kasparov eggshell’s inner surface, this membrane meal might say to heat it on full power for five • A well-known vasectomy effectively acts like lung tissue, connecting the minutes and then leave to stand for another “The four essentials in life are “Telephone: an invention of the doctor in Austin, Texas is hot baths, cold champagne, devil which abrogates some chick’s circulatory system to the outside world. two. The first phase adds enough energy to named Dr. Richard (Dick) new peas and old brandy.” of the advantages of making Oxygen diffuses through microscopic pores in cook your lasagne, but when it comes out of Chopp. Winston Churchill a disagreeable person keep the shell to the blood vessels in the chorioal- the microwave, that energy is unevenly his distance.” Ambrose Bierce • Sphenopalatine gangli- lantoic membrane, and then on to the chick’s distributed. Leaving it to stand allows the heat oneuralgia is the scientific “The caterpillar does all the “Human beings can lose their bloodstream. Carbon dioxide, the gaseous to make it to the centre, where it will kill off term for the brain-freeze you work but the butterfly gets all lives in libraries. They ought waste product of respiration, passes in the any bacteria. So always respect the instructions. experience after eating ice the publicity.” George Carlin to be warned.” Saul Bellow opposite direction. BBC Science Focus BBC Science Focus cream. Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Just for Fun 57
November facts The path to success Did I say that? Top facts... • The name ‘November’ comes from the Latin for 5 3 2 9 7 BRITISH ROAD MAP nine (novem), as it was the ninth month of the Roman 1. The first main Roman road calendar. 2 5 6 4 7 was the Fosse Way, which was • In Anglo-Saxon times, built in cAD50 and linked November was known as 6 7 3 9 9 Exeter and Lincoln. Blotmonaþ (blood month or sacrifice month). 2 5 4 4 6 2. Parliament passed a law “Don’t argue with me, I’m “I walk unsteadily and my “The thing about the greased enforcing traffic to drive on • “November’s sky is chill the Queen!” hearing is going and it’s piglet, he manages to slip the left on London Bridge in and drear, November’s leaf 2 4 3 7 6 Elton John claimed he once bizarre that bits of me are through other people’s hands 1756. is red and sear [withered].” saw the Queen playfully slap falling off but it’s interest- where mere mortals fail.” Sir Walter Scott. Start at the bottom left square her nephew while saying the ing. I’m quite happy taking David Cameron’s assessment 3. The Locomotive Act, known and move up, down, left or right above quote. “As her my medicine and getting of Boris Johnson. You’d think • Researchers showed that as the Red Flag Act, came into until you reach the finish. Add the nephew left, the Queen saw along with it.” his team would have briefed Valentine’s Day causes a effect in 1865. It set the speed mini-spike in the number numbers as you go. Can you me staring at her, gave me a Sir Billy Connolly reveals him to stay clear of any pig motorcars could travel at a of November babies. make exactly 49? wink and walked off.” latest symptoms of his analogies by now. thrilling 4mph. A person Parkinson’s on The Chris carrying a red flag had to walk Evans Breakfast Show and GEF BAD CHI in front of them. Adrenalin said he doesn’t plan to junkies finally had their return to the stage. Using the letters G,E,F,B,A,D,C,H & I fill in the thrill-seeking desires sated in blank squares. Each letter A-I must appear 1903, when a new Act set the “Diabetes on a plate.” only once in each line column and 3x3 grid. speed limit at 20mph. Tasteless description by Paul “There are good men out Hollywood of a cream filled “Girly swot Cameron.” 4. White safety lines on roads there, girls, don’t give up. French Gateaux on TV’s Bake Boris Johnson referred to were introduced in 1918. You don’t have to be gay.” Off. He apologised after his David Cameron as a “girly Miley Cyrus is receiving quip upset type 1 diabetics, swot” in a recent cabinet 5. The first electric traffic light backlash with comments about whose condition is not paper and was condemned appeared in 1926 on the Neil Speed is a sexuality, like it’s a choice. linked to lifestyle. for sexist language. former prisoner corner of St James’s Street in Piccadilly, London. who came up and icon of the modern era. If you think chess with the concept Inside Chess has changed your life in some positive way on 6. Spaghetti Junction in the of GEF BAD CHI the inside - or indeed (especially) prepared you by Carl Portman Gravelly Hill area of whilst in prison. for a better time on the outside then I am very Birmingham is Britain’s most GEF BAD CHI by keen to hear your stories. Neil Speed is complex interchange. It published by opened in May 1972. A total of 18 routes run through it Xlibris. £12.35 8 and three canals, two railway lines and two rivers under- Catchphrase 7 neath it. A whopping £7million The object is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, 6 a year is spent keeping it in place, or thing that each square is meant to represent. good order. 5 7. The record for the longest 4 straight road goes to an After 43 years of trying, I realised a dream; I met 18-mile section of the A15, 3 Anatoly Karpov (above standing). He was the between Hackthorn, just north of Lincoln, and the 12th World Chess Champion and my hero as a 2 kid. I tried to copy his style when I was a youngster ancient village of Scawby.
and desperately wanted to meet my idol. After 1 four decades it finally happened in France this 8. The steepest road in the UK summer, in the city of Chartres. I thank the French title is shared between two Chess Federation. Not only did I meet Karpov I A B C D E F G H roads, which both have got to play him! I took my place in a 15-board This month you are looking at one of Karpov’s one-in-three gradients simultaneous exhibition that he gave and he won finishes from way back in 1966 (above). He was - Chimney Bank between the lot 15-0. However, I can tell you that I am White against Kushnir who had just played 29… Hutton-le-Hole and Rosedale very proud to have been the last board to finish Bxg2 believing that he had a certain perpetual Abbey in the North York Moors, and Hardknott Pass in and at one point it was just Karpov v Portman check draw if Karpov recaptured with the king. in a one-to-one rook and pawn endgame. the Lake District. Dear Editor Anatoly did not oblige. What did he play instead?
I am so happy to have been the last man standing 9. The bendiest road in my favourite drink is White A back copy of Chess Monthly donated by the • Avoid getting pissy splashes (or sitting) and I shall always cherish the signed Britain is a mile-long stretch Lightening cider. Barty - Derby London Chess Centre is the prize for the first on your new shoes in public score-sheet. I shall give the game in the next of the B3081 near Shaftesbury toilets by taking them off just correct entry drawn. • Did you know, the word ‘pier’ issue but first I want to discuss a more important in Dorset. It goes through the before you step up to the matter - you, dear reader. I attended a mas- villages of Cann Common and comes from the Scandinavian Write to me with your answer, care of The English urinal. Brian - Bristol ter-class by Karpov and in the Q&A afterwards Tollard Royal. verb ‘piør’ which means ‘to Chess Federation at: The Watch Oak, Chain Lane, I don’t know why James burn down for insurance I plucked up the courage to ask him why he • Battle, East Sussex TN33 OYD. Please note that Bond is so revered as a spy. purposes’. Hector - Hull supported chess in prisons. His answer was quite 10. Britain’s highest road, at you should always write to me at the ECF not via The times I’ve heard “Ah Mr astonishing and I would ask every chess-playing an elevation of 2,199ft (670m), Inside Time. Also, please include your prison Bond, we’ve been expecting • Dentists make their living prisoner to write down these words and put is the Cairnwell Pass in the number and if you can, the date and what months you. Martini shaken not fixing people’s bad teeth, so them in their cell. He said “Chess gives prisoners Cairngorms National Park, puzzle you are entering. stirred, if I’m not mistaken?” why would I buy a toothpaste the key to a free world”. Now that to me is in- Scotland. Now that MI5 is recruiting, recommended by 4 out of 5 credibly profound. He said that chess can help can I throw my hat into the dentists? It seems to me that people to restore contacts on the outside in a The answer to October’s (lovely) puzzle was All the above facts were taken ring and say that I got caught they’ve got a nice little scam free life; that chess gives people a chance; but 1.Ra3-h3+ Ng7-h5 2.Rh3xh5+ g6xh5 3.g4-g5# from The AA British Road Map trying to dodge my fare the going on there. In the future I also that the ‘Second Society’ must also give Winner to be announced. Puzzle Book by Helen other day and even won’t bother brushing my support to inmates. It must ‘give chances to pris- Brocklehurst, which came out Stagecoach didn’t know I was teeth at all, see how they like oners’. I believe we can all agree to that. So, you The winner of September’s puzzle was Stephen in October (£14.99 by Little lying about my name, or that them apples. Ivor - Swansea have the support of a former World Champion from HMP Whatton. Brown). 58 Jailbreak // Just for Fun www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019
Number Search In this month... Number Search – Ashley Rathbone HMP Altcourse
1 November 1834 0 3 1 6 0 7 6 1 8 4 First published reference to poker (as 9 4 7 0 9 1 3 5 7 0 Mississippi riverboat game). 9 0 3 5 0 4 9 1 6 9 2 November 1983 “Thriller” single released worldwide by Michael 7 1 1 4 6 2 5 0 4 4 Jackson. 5 8 9 1 0 7 1 3 1 9
4 November 1879 8 6 7 1 4 6 9 4 2 6 James Ritty patents first cash register, to 4 0 9 1 9 1 5 2 3 8 combat stealing by bartenders in his saloon in Dayton, Ohio. 1 0 4 0 1 2 8 6 7 4 4 7 1 6 6 3 6 0 8 8 4 November 1963 John Lennon utters his infamous line at a Royal 4 3 9 8 8 1 7 4 7 9 Variety Performance “Will the people in the 9191, 439, 137, 412378, 09102958, 709135, cheaper seats clap your hands? And for the rest 7114,9191, 439, 195, 137, 9426, 412378, 7584144, 09102958, 709135,137, 090 7114, 195, 9426, 7584144, of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewellery…” in London. Thanks137, 090 to Ashley Rathbone - HMP Altcourse for compiling this Number Search. If you fancy compiling one please send in max 10 x 10 grid 5 November 1605 complete with answers shown on a grid. If we use it Gunpowder Plot: Catholic conspirator Guy we will send you £5 as a thank you! Remember to Fawkes attempts to blow up King James I and include your name, number and prison. We will be the British Parliament. Plot discovered, Guy using the new ‘Money Transfer Service’ for prize Fawkes caught, tortured and later executed money so include your DOB on your entries. along with seven others. Celebrated ever since as Guy Fawkes Day, where his effigy is tradi- // Hard tionally burned on a bonfire, accompanied by Sudoku fireworks. 1 4 6 November 1975 First performance of the Sex Pistols at St 6 8 2 3 1 Martins College, London. 1 3 8 November 1974 Britiish peer the Earl of Lucan disappears and is 8 5 4 never seen again after his nanny is found 2 6 8 7 murdered in London. 4 9 3 11 November 1880 Australian Bushranger and outlaw Ned Kelly is 9 8 hanged at Melbourne Gaol. 2 3 7 6 1 15 November 1492
6 7 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. Christopher Columbus notes 1st recorded reference to tobacco. Daily Sudoku: Thu 3-Oct-2019 hard © MW Released life sentenced prisoner Word Morph 15 November 1986 Beastie Boys release their debut album Can you morph one word into another by just “Licensed to Ill” - 1st No. 1 rap album on changing one letter at a time? It isn’t quite as Billboard charts. See our easy7 as1 you think!3 6 5 8 4 9 2 page in the 19 November 1990 6 8 4 2 CRAZY9 3 7 1 5 ‘Jailbreak’ section Pop duo Milli Vanilli are stripped of their 9 5 2 7 1 4 6 3 8 Grammy Award after it is learned they did not sing on their award-winning “Girl You Know Its THE PRISON 3 7 8 5 6 2 1 4 9 True” album. PHOENIX TRUST 2 6 9 4 3 1 5 8 7 19 November 1895 Like to have a American inventor Frederick E. Blaisdell 5 4 1 8 7 9 3 2 6 patents the pencil. Christmas message Head doing you in? 4 9 7 1 BRAVE8 6 2 5 3 20 November 1917 to your loved ones Stressed out? Just8 2for laughs5 3 4 7 9 6 1 1st successful tank use in battle, at the Battle of Can’t sleep? Cambrai in World War I as Britain uses the new published in our
1 3 6 9 2 5 8 7 4 (c) Daily Sudoku Ltd 2019. All rights reserved. technology to break through German lines. December issue? Simple yoga and •Daily I’m Sudoku: reading Thu a 3-Oct-2019horror novel in Braille. hard Something bad is going to happen, I can feel it. 24 November 1874 Send your message (max 25 words). meditation practice, American inventor Joseph Glidden patents They can read it and view the whole working with silence and the • Who can defeat Captain America? barbed wire. issue on our free access website breath, might just transform Captain Vietnam. http://www.dailysudoku.com/ www.insidetime.org Postal 25 November 1971 subscriptions are also available. your life in more ways than • Just burned 2,000 calories. That’s the last American “Dan Cooper” hijacks plane, extorts you think ... Interested? time I leave brownies in the oven while I nap. $200,000 ransom before jumping out of plane If you’re outside, and your message is to over Washington State, never seen again. somebody in prison, send it to Write to The Prison Phoenix Trust • I’m a bad electrician and when people find Inside Time ‘Christmas Message’ Botley P.O. Box 328, Oxford, OX2 7HF. out, they’re so shocked. 26 November 1983 Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB World’s greatest robbery; 26 million pounds or [email protected] We’d love to hear from you anytime and have • A colon in a sentence can make a huge (sterling) worth of gold, diamonds and cash several free books and CDs, which could difference. For example: Sam ate his own stolen from Brink’s-Mat warehouse at Closing date midday 19 November help you build and maintain a daily practice. lunch after school. Heathrow Airport, England. Sam ate his own colon after school. Insidetime November 2019 www.insidetime.org Jailbreak // Just for Fun 59
The joke’s on you! WordsearchJailbreak November 2019 // Parliament Matters Would you believe it? Parliament Matters – Robbie Ellis HMP Littlehey
Man finds baby girl buried • The coach grimaced as he watched his young B A C G X A I N R E F E R E N D U M O N alive while digging grave football team. At one point during the game, E S I P A Z M O E K I S M E L I N A C I for his own daughter he called one of his 7-year-old players aside K O E E R I B E T A D I D N A C O L P A I L A T P L A X S I C U R E F A S B I L A trader from the Bareilly and asked, “Do you understand what coopera- L A X I O P I N I O N P O L L N O R E E district in the state of Uttar tion is? What a team is?” The little boy nodded O B E F L V E I G L E L A F O V Y M R B Pradesh in India, was digging affirmatively... “Do you understand that what B L I A L G R M E I O E H M I A U J P O a grave to bury his stillborn matters is not whether we win or lose, but Y A W H I J A K R E X I M O H S L E N Y daughter when something how we play together as a team?” The little A M C E N O C Y L B A O E K A S P G U T shockingly unexpected boy nodded once more. “So...” the coach con- D R Y K G R U H A R C S C I T I L O P O happened. Just as the grieving tinued. “I’m sure you know that when a penal- N I B O S S A L R F R Y I G U N T V A X The “blob” father was putting down his ty is called, you shouldn’t argue, curse, attack O J R P T T L I O N E E K R A G I E C E A Paris zoo showcased a mysterious new daughter and preparing to say the referee, or call him blind. Do you under- I A A Q A O O E T R A W Y E S M X R I S organism in October, dubbed the “blob”, a his goodbyes, he heard the stand all that?” Again the little boy nodded. He T H E U T I S P C O N S T I T U E N C Y yellowish unicellular small living being which faint sound of an infant crying. continued, “And when I call you off the pitch C I N B I U C Y E A P I D O H I R M A I looks like a fungus but acts like an animal. This Assuming it to be his daugh- so that another boy gets a chance to play, it’s E P O S O C R A L I E S I A G S B E L J newest exhibit has no mouth, no stomach, no ter, the man began to dig not good sportsmanship to call your coach a L X E H N A U S E T R O B B I E E N I G eyes, yet it can detect food and digest it. The furiously, but what he found dumb asshole, is it?” The little boy nodded yet E I W A S X B L A R E F A M R I G T H O blob also has almost 720 sexes, can move has left everyone shaken. Just again. “Good.” said the coach. “Now go over I Q R E C I F F O G N I N R U T E R I N without legs or wings and heals itself in two three feet below his daugh- there and explain all that to your mother.” M E L H A P A R L I A M E N T A Y I P A minutes if cut in half. ter’s grave, he stumbled upon an earthen pot that contained • A Jewish man sends his son on a pilgrimage BACKSTOP,BACKSTOP, BALLOT BALLOT BOX, BREXIT, BOX, CANDIDATE, BREXIT, CANVASSING, CANDIDATE, CONSTITUENCY, CANVASSING, ELECTION DAY, “The blob is a living being which belongs to a newborn baby girl who had to Israel. Three months pass and the man is CONSTITUENCY,ELECTORAL REGISTER, GOVERNMENT, ELECTION HOUSE DAY, OF COMMONS,ELECTORAL LAW, MP,REGISTER, OPINION POLL, GOVERNMENT,PARLIAMENT, POLITICS, HOUSEPOLLING STATION, OF COMMONS, REFERENDUM, RETURNING LAW, MP, OFFICER, OPINION RIGHTS, one of nature’s mysteries”, said Bruno David, been buried alive, but had confused when his son is not wearing a VOTES. POLL, PARLIAMENT, POLITICS, POLLING STATION, director of the Paris Museum of Natural managed to survive. Along Yamakah. The son informs the man that he has REFERENDUM, RETURNING OFFICER, RIGHTS, VOTES. History, of which the Zoological Park is part. “It with his relatives present at converted to Christianity. Dumbfounded, the surprises us because it has no brain but is able the scene, he quickly rescued man goes to his friend (also Jewish) and tells Thank s to Robbie Ellis HMP Littlehey for compiling this Wordsearch. to learn and if you merge two blobs, the one the baby and contacted the him of his son. His friend replies, “How inter- If you fancy compiling one for us please send in max 20 x 20 grid that has learned will transmit its knowledge to police and an ambulance esting. I too sent my son to Israel and he complete with answers shown on a grid. If we use it we will send you £5 the other. We know for sure it is not a plant but after feeding her some milk. returned a Christian. The two then go to the as a thank you! Remember to include your name, number, prison. We will be using the new ‘Money Transfer Service’ for prize money so we don’t really know if it’s an animal or a The baby has been put under synagogue to seek answers. They meet the include your DOB on your entries. fungus,” said David. Reuters hospital care and named Sita Rabbi and ask him why their sons have con- by the staff. While they aren’t verted. The Rabbi responds, “Weird. I also sent sure how long she was buried my son on a pilgrimage to Israel and he has Quick Crossword for, the baby is expected to renounced his Judaism in favour of Christianity.” make a full recovery. Police The three are confused, and decide to pray to are currently on the hunt for God himself. They asked him why their sons her birth parents and are have left Judaism? They spend hours praying, looking to punish the people until they hear from God himself up from responsible for this latest above. In his echoey voice, he says, “Funny you incident of attempted female ask that, I too sent my son to Israel....” infanticide, which is, unfortu- nately, a major issue in India. • A man walked outside to get his newspaper Vice only to find his neighbour hopping off his horse, walking behind him, picking up his “I’m (not) strong to the finish ‘cause I eats me spinach” tail,and kissing him right where the sun don’t A Russian bodybuilder who earned himself the nickname Popeye because of his shine... He couldn’t believe what he had just impossibly huge arms has taken part in his first MMA bout - but things did not go witnessed so he decided to walk over and see well for the man with the synthol-boosted biceps. Twenty-three-year-old Kirill if his suspicions were correct.”Good morning Tereshin fought Oleg Mongol at a gym in Abakan in Russia. Although he got a Bill,”he says. “Howdy Frank,what brings you few punches in early on, Kirill was knocked down and ended up tapping out in by?” “Well,I’m not sure I had witnessed what I just three minutes. He previously faced off against Russian slapping champ Vasiliy had just witnessed.” “And what might that be?” ‘The Dumpling’ Kamotskiy, where he was knocked to the ground after one hit. “Well,it looked like you walked behind your horse, lifted up his tail and kissed him right Not having a very good run, is he? Poor Popeye. Lad bible there on the asshole.” “Oh yeah,that. Well I Exterminate! have chapped lips Bill replies.” Frank contin- YouTube removed videos of Flower of the Month ues.”Well,does that heal them?” Bill answers, ”I don’t know about that but it sure keeps me robots fighting, calling it from licking them.” animal abuse. When two Across Down robots face off in a concrete ring to battle to their brutal, Words of the month 1. Save from destruction (7) 1. Dearth (8) oily deaths, no animals are 5. Hay bundle (4) 2. Generosity (8) harmed in the process. But 7. Ventilate (3) 3. Shrewd (6) • SNIRT - (US Upper Midwest) — a mixture of YouTube has been taking 8. Wolfram (8) 4. ______Hemingway, writer (6) snow and dirt. down videos of Battlebots and 9. Use unfair means (5) 5. Chesspiece (6) 10. Halt (4) 6. Look lasciviously (4) issuing strikes against their • ÁILLEÁNACH - (Irish) - an attractive and yet 13. Rain heavily (4) 11. Form the population of (8) creators, citing animal cruelty. useless man. Autumn Hawkbit 14. Chore (4) 12. Thrives (8) YouTube has confirmed that it • VOORPRET - (Dutch) - joy in anticipation of 18. Direction (4) 15. Martial art (6) removed the videos in error, Our flower of the month this month is Scor- the actual fun event, e.g. planning out just how 19. Roughnecks (5) 16. Undresses (6) that the videos have already zoneroides autumnalis, still in flower . Com- monly known as Autumn Hawkbit, it brings many naps you will take on holiday. 21. Cultivated plant (8) 17. Cricket sticks (6) been restored, and that 22. Wonderment (3) 20. Second Greek letter (4) YouTube has no policy against a cheerful bright colour to our verges and • SÓLARFRÍ - (Icelandic) - when staff get an wildflower meadows/gardens. It provides a 23. Weekly pay (4) videos of robots fighting. unexpected afternoon or day off to enjoy valuable late food source to moths, bees and 24. Female siblings (7) YouTube prohibits videos warm sunny weather. Literally it means butterflies. Its presence can be an indicator “where animals are encour- “sun-vacation.” of ancient wild flower meadows. In the Latin The last word... aged or coerced to fight by synonym of the plant name, Leontodon au- • LAYOGENIC - (Tagalog language) - a person humans,” according to its tumnalis, “leontodon” means “lion’s tooth”, who is attractive from a distance but not from restricted content policies the same as “dandelion”, which it can often close up. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive - which it seems to have and believe, it can achieve.” be mistaken for. • CLIMACOPHILIA - the feeling of sexual applied to videos of bots By Joannah Metcalfe - greenergrowth.co.uk desire for the act of falling down the stairs. Napoleon Hill scrapping in a ring. Vice 60 Jailbreak // National Prison Radio www.insidetime.org Insidetime November 2019 National Prison Radio is available in prisons across November 2019 England and Wales, and HMP Grampian in Scotland. What’s on National Prison Radio // November 2019 We broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, into your cell. If your prison has National Prison Radio, you can National Prison Radio is currently available in prisons across England and Wales. We broadcast 24-hours a day, seven days a week,listen into through your cell. your TV by using the tuning buttons on If your prison has National PrisonWhat’s Radio, you can listen on through National your TV by using the tuningPrison buttons on yourRadio? remote control. your remote control.
Day Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Eve Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun
07:00 Love Bug 17:00 Bob Free Mother Inside Love Bug Free Hot 20 Write to the (or local and Flow Land Music Write to the Flow The famous ones you love shows) Beyond Find your Music Artist ones you love Find your UK chart Reggae & beat. Afrobeat profiles beat. rundown. Porridge Write your from HMP Write your Includes dancehall. bangers. The world’s first national breakfast show made by and for prisoners. bars. Peterborough bars. Future Heat. 08:00 NPR Bob 18:00 NPR Talk Helping you make the most of your time. (or local Friday and shows NPR Fresh Sport, Beyond NPR Roll Call NPR Talk YO Stories Ear Brixton made chat and The best Specials Must-have Helping you Real lives, Hustle Calling in your The freshest new music, here on National Prison Radio. ents. Your reggae Real talk. information make the real talk. News and prison) If it’s fresh, we’ve got it. start to the and Don’t just do for ex-service most of your Stories requests weekend. dancehall. your time, personnel in time behind from young from HMP use your time. prison. bars. people in jail. Brixton. 09:00 Desi Decibel NPR The Ear Hustle 19:00 The NPR Drop The finest Urban Rock Asian dance The best in Show The Request Show Rock Fresh Two hours To hear your song, message or poem on the radio, write to us at: Show beats. music from urban music. Turn it up Two hours of around the of new Hip-hop, loud. Join National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF Join the the freshest 10:00 Deja Vu world, British music grime, R&B, the Rock NPR 20:00 Get your loved-ones to request tracks for Thursday’s show at: Rock new music. Classic direct to from Jamz bashment Show Specials Show If it’s fresh, www.nationalprisonradio.com we’ve got it. tracks. your ears. Supernova. and afrobeat. Family. family. 11:00 Roll Call 21:00 Hot 20 Mother NPR NPR Decibel Bob and The famous Land Fresh Urban The finest Beyond Porridge UK chart Two hours Reggae & Another chance to hear this morning’s show. rundown. Music The best in dance of the urban music from Two hours dancehall. NPR Roll Call NPR Talk Open Your YO NPR Talk freshest music. around the of new 12:00 22:00 Inside Deja Vu Hip-hop, world, British Love Bug Specials See 18:00 See 18:00 Mind Stories new music. (or local Music Classic If it’s fresh, R&B and direct to music Write to the shows) See 18:00 See 18:00 See 18:00 we’ve got it. more. your ears. from Jamz ones you From HMP tracks. love. Peterborough Supernova 13:00 Open
The Request Show Your Mind 23:00 Running until Sunday 1 December: The Request Show Books Unlocked Washington Black by Esi Edugyan Want to hear your favourite song on National Prison Radio? Write 14:00 To hear your song, message or poem on the radio, write to us at to us at: YO Write to National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF for a free copy. National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF National Stories Music and advice to help you sleep Prison 23:30 safe and sound through the night. 15:00 Hot 20 Radio, Books Dream Time UK chart HMP Unlocked NPR Fresh rundown. Brixton, A repeat of The freshest new music. 16:00 New London the week’s NPR Specials: Across England and Wales. If it’s fresh, we’ve got it. SW2 book British NPR readings Monday 4 November - Outside In: helping you prepare for life after prison. music 5XF Friday Monday 11 November - Awr y Ddraig (Hour of the Dragon): Welsh culture. with Jamz Start your Supernova. weekend. Monday 25 November - YO Takeover: the sound of life at HMYOI Isis.
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