“I am hugely honoured “Guilty, I am - radicalised, “Being free doesn’t solve by the opportunity to I was. Yet I still find my your problems it just gives the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees lead HMPPS at such an entire situation incredibly you the space to deal with important time.” Jo Farrar surreal.” Zakaria Amara them.” Melanie Myers a voice for prisoners since Newsround // page 10 Comment // page 31 Comment // page 27 March 2019 / Issue No. 237 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication/ ISSN 1743-7342 WORLD BOOK DAY 11 // MOTHER’S DAY 46 // INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 54 An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations PAROLE REVOLUTION Justice Secretary David Gauke’s ‘landmark reform’ l Prisoners and victims l Process to be more l Victims still have no to have right of appeal transparent to counter veto on decisions to against decisions. ‘profound deficiencies’. release. Inside Time report whether there could have The judge would be able to been serious mistakes or legal either ask the original panel 14 flaws in the ruling. If the Jus- to review its decision or order Credit: HMP Hydebank Wood Under the new plans, victims tice Secretary decides that a fresh hearing by a new who want to challenge a deci- there is a case for the decision panel. The new system will sion to release a particular to be reviewed he will refer apply from this summer to New kids on the block! prisoner would be able to the appeal to a judge at the those with the most serious apply to the Justice Secretary, Parole Board. The judge convictions, particularly Birth of kid goats brings spring joy to Hydebank on the basis that the ruling would apply similar thresh- those serving indeterminate was “fundamentally flawed”. olds to the bar needed to suc- sentences. The case would initially be cessfully launch a judicial examined by officials at HM review, based on illegality, Prison and Probation Service, irrationality and procedural Parole Board CEO Martin an agency of the Ministry of unfairness, according to Jones page 18 / Parole changes Officially Justice, who will consider officials. pages 7, 19, 39 and 40 the LARGEST prison law provider in NEWS FLASH! Durham telly adjudications ruled unlawful! 14 the Country The National Prison Law Specialists Trusted by more prisoners in England and Wales than any other Solicitors. With Experts across the Country, we can represent you in ANY PRISON. Call our dedicated team on 0115 986 0983 or write to us at: FREEPOST RTAB-BATB-HGAU Carringtons Solicitors, Nottingham NG2 2JR. www.carringtons-solicitors.co.uk Our Expert team of over 40 specialist advisors have a wealth of experience to offer you including: • Parole Board Reviews • Category A Review Credit: NPR 44 • Recall to Prison • Minimum Term Reviews • Police Interviews • Sentence Planning Boards • Independent Adjudication Hearings • Re-Categorisation The Incredibles! • Governor Adjudications • Transfer A brand new three part National Prison Radio programme called ‘We Are • HDC “Tagging” & Sentence Calculation • Close Supervision Centre Review Incredible’ launches this month. The poet, former prisoner and NPR presenter Brenda Birungi (second left) will explore Women’s Centres which offer support for immediate FREE advice for women on release from prison to help get their lives back on track. In the first call us at the local rate on episode Brenda visits Brighton Women’s centre and talks to some of the residents. 08454 750 650 Carrington Advert 155x130 09.2018.indd 1 23/10/2018 12:37 2 Mailbag ‘Mailbag’, Inside Time, Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton SO30 2GB. Insidetime March 2019 insidetime Mailbites a voice for prisoners since 1990 Similar evidence case the national newspaper for prisoners published by Thomas Freeman - HMP Altcourse Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to I recently read an article in a newspaper about create links between the offender and the community. a police officer who was jailed for 25 years. Do we not think it’s about time that when a police Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial officer is found to be corrupt in any way, and content. Comments or complaints should be that includes being convicted of a crime, then directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge. ALL of his past cases should be undone, or at Board of Directors the very least looked at? This ex-policeman did not just become a criminal overnight, so how Trevor Grove Former Editor Sunday Telegraph, many cases was he involved in over the years Journalist, Writer and former Magistrate. where he may have lied in order to cover his Dr Peter Bennett Trustee, New Bridge own wrongdoing? All cases where a policeman Foundation and former Governor of HMP Grendon has been found to be bent, has been involved Geoff Hughes Former Governor of HMP Belmarsh John D Roberts Former Company Chairman and or given evidence in, should be examined Managing Director employing former prisoners again. Surely this is common sense? Louise Shorter CEO Inside Justice and former producer BBC Rough Justice Good treatment Alistair H E Smith BSc FCA Chartered Accountant, “We’re all in it together” Trustee and Treasurer, New Bridge Foundation © Andy Aitchison/Doctored image Name withheld - HMP Risley The Inside Team I just want to let you know that the treatment The insideteam What’s he in for? I’ve received down the block here has been first-class. I’m down here due to wrong Nikki - HMP Downview information that was put in my records by HMP Garth. It has made me a target for other I am writing with regard to ‘Phil of HMP Stafford’ and the mailbag ‘What you in for?’ in Janu- inmates. I got so low that I cut-up over ary’s issue. I couldn’t agree more with what he said - most of the people I have come across Christmas and was put on an ACCT. Staff here have had the same nonsense train of thought. Some people walk around proud as punch let- have supported me and helped me when I Erwin James John Roberts Rachel ting others know they have killed someone, that they took another life and destroyed a family needed it the most. There are cons down here Editor in Chief Publisher Billington OBE but to them that’s okay. Then there are people caught smuggling drugs, they seem to think spitting at the staff, making threats and and Director Associate Editor that it’s cool without thinking of all the people that probably overdose and die as a result of banging all night. The staff down here are their crime. I can say as an ex-user and drinker I am ashamed of the crimes I have committed sound and don’t deserve the abuse they get. and have been punished the right way, it saved my life too. But every case is different, and no Credit where it’s due, Risley gets a bad name one knows the truth and reason behind any crime except the people involved. Some are bul- and, in the past, rightly so, but they have lied, forced and manipulated into a situation while others are innocent. So, to quote Phil ‘It treated me with care and respect. seems like a lot of people look and judge other people’s actions and crimes, instead of looking at their crimes and the people they have affected.’ The people that walk around belittling oth- Noel Smith Paul Sullivan David Roberts Mental block ers need to take a long hard look at themselves and think about all the lives they have hurt Commissioning Editorial Operations Martyn Burke - HMP Garth Editor Assistant Manager and destroyed. Good on you Phil for saying what a lot of us have been thinking for a long time. Here in Garth the mental health help seems to be non-existent. For people who suffer with mental health problems we’re lucky to see anyone. The highlight of any involvement is seeing them walking in the corridors (am I seeing ghosts) I know this is not just an issue in Colin Matthews Justine Best Carla Rowe this jail and have read in Inside Time from Layout and Head of Admin Assistant FINANCE DIRECT LIMITED Design Administration other sufferers. The duty of care is a shambles. The health secretary needs to address this We are specialists in raising finance quickly to TIMELESS issue. Mental health is no longer a stigma in PROCESS society but a recognized problem worldwide. pay outstanding confiscation and other types It really comes down to the fact that people of enforcement orders. just want to know there is help out there, there are people who care and someone who wants Gary Bultitude John Bowers Louise Van to help. I wish you all the best of luck with your Website Design Proof Reading Mechelen DO YOU NEED MONEY TO and Advertising Accounts fight, hold your head high, you are not alone. Supervisor £ Correspondence PAY YOUR CONFISCATION? Inside Time Botley Mills, Botley, Southampton, Our efficient and helpful team can explore the No Upfront Hampshire SO30 2GB. Telephone: 01489 795945 possibility of releasing money from property and Fee [email protected] / www.insidetime.org other assets in the UK held or jointly held by you to The emailaprisoner service Facebook: InsideTime / Twitter: @InsideTimeUK allows family, friends, legal settle your order and preserve your property. Subscribe professionals and organisations a quick, efficient, secure way to Inside Time is distributed free of charge Our team works with experts who have extensive send a message to a recipient in throughout the UK prison estate.