“I’ve had a long engagement with prisons in one way or the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees It’s the revolution another. Once you get into Hip Hop star Akala helps this sort of work it’s very The Ravenmaster a voice for prisoners since launch Inside Time’s difficult to escape from it.” Comment // page 19 explosive new Rap section Jon Snow November 2018 / Issue No. 233 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 Inside Scotland 30-31 An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations Jailbreak // page 52 Comment // page 18 ‘ADMISSION OF FAILURE’ Last month, in a historical moment in British Prison Service history, Prisons Minister Rory Stewart announced the roll-out of PAVA incapacitant spray to prison officers across the country Inside Time report support their rehabilitation number of quarters. David and manage difficult behav- Isaac, chair of the Equality 12 iour - before the need for any and Human Rights Commis- www.dominicparkesphotography.co.uk Following a ‘successful’ pilot force is required,” according sion (EHRC), said the use of Outstanding services to campaigning and human rights! programme conducted by to the MoJ website. PAVA could cause pain and HMPPS which took place over serious injury and puts pris- Inside Justice CEO Louise Shorter has received an Honorary Fellowship from the University six months at HMPs Hull, “Prison officers’ ability to oners at risk of inhumane of Winchester. Louise, above second left, with Alan Titchmarsh MBE far left, Professor Preston, Risley and Weal- keep control of prisons, and treatment. “We understand Joy Carter CBE second right and Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Stuart far right. stun, the decision has been the chaotic individuals that prison officers need made to roll the use of the within them, is vital to ensur- methods to protect themselves spray out nationally. At a cost ing everyone’s safety,” said and other prisoners,” said of £2m, every prison officer in Mr Stewart. “Violent individ- Isaac, “but such protections the adult male estate is to be uals are as much of a danger must not be at the expense of Officially equipped with PAVA - a pep- to other prisoners as they are the basic rights of prisoners.” the LARGEST per spray which temporarily to prison officers. Most pris- prison law incapacitates those it is oners want to keep out of Nick Hardwick, former Chief provider in sprayed upon. The Ministry of trouble and see the prison Inspector of Prisons and the Country Justice says that the spray authorities given the means Chair of the Parole Board will only be deployed in lim- to keep control, so that they until he was sacked, echoed The National Prison Law Specialists ited circumstances when can focus on rehabilitation. Isaac’s concerns. “I heard there is serious violence or an Safer prisons means dealing today that staff are now going Trusted by more prisoners in England and Wales imminent risk of it taking effectively with a dangerous to be given pepper PAVA than any other Solicitors. place, and where its deploy- minority, while allowing more sprays. What an admission of With Experts across the Country, ment will reduce the risk of offenders into education and failure,” he told the annual we can represent you in ANY PRISON. serious injury. All prison of- work and reducing the likeli- conference of the Prison Gov- ficers will receive specialist hood of them reoffending.” ernors’ Association. Call our dedicated team on 0115 986 0983 training. “This will allow of- or write to us at: ficers to build more positive However the move has National roll-out of FREEPOST RTAB-BATB-HGAU relationships with prisoners, brought criticism from a PAVA page 10 Carringtons Solicitors, Nottingham NG2 2JR. ‘Prisoners are dying preventable deaths’ www.carringtons-solicitors.co.uk Inside Time report continued to see a significant number of deaths where illicit drug use played a role.” Our Expert team of over 40 specialist advisors have a wealth of experience to offer you including: In her annual report, acting Prisons and There was an overall fall in self-inflicted deaths Probation Ombudsman Elizabeth Moody in prisons last year but Ms Moody said that • Parole Board Reviews • Category A Review says that prisoners are dying preventable while some jails “appear to have learned the • Recall to Prison • Minimum Term Reviews deaths, particularly as a result of the alarm- lessons from previous self-inflicted deaths, • Police Interviews • Sentence Planning Boards ing levels of drug abuse in jails. others are still repeating the same failings • Independent Adjudication Hearings • Re-Categorisation - with tragic consequences. Ms Moody Ms Moody said she was gravely concerned warned against complacency over the fall • Governor Adjudications • Transfer about the destructive impact of synthetic from the record high of 2016-17, as the rate • HDC “Tagging” & Sentence Calculation • Close Supervision Centre Review ‘psychoactive substances’ (PS). Another of self-inflicted deaths has been rising again major concern is the absence of a strategy in the first six months of the 2018-19 year. to deal with the rising number of elderly for immediate FREE advice and infirm prisoners. Of drug-related call us at the local rate on deaths, she says in her report: “We have See more on page 12 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 November 2018 Listening in? insidetime Discharge grant inadequate Mailbites a voice for prisoners since 1990 A prisoner’s family Terry Olson - HMP Littlehey member DHL scrooges the national newspaper for prisoners published by Consider this - in 1996 the prison discharge grant was £46, R Hamilton - HMP Holme House Inside Time Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of The New Bridge Foundation, founded in 1956 to I have a relative in HMP and I know this to be an absolute fact. Today, in 2018, the dis- I have genuine concerns over DHL’s integrity charge grant remains at £46. create links between the offender and the Frankland and he recently and blatant money-grabbing tactics. This on community. top of treating their workers (prisoners) with made a call to the Samari- In 1996, £46 was sufficient to survive on until benefits were absolute contempt and 100% suspicion. I have A not for profit publication. tans. He was then surprised paid or a job was available, usually 2 weeks. Assuming the worked at DHL here at Holme House for two Inside Time is wholly responsible for its editorial that the officers were wind- months. There are 6 civilian workers here but content. Comments or complaints should be same timeframe is relevant today, that gives a released pris- directed to the publisher and not to New Bridge. ing him up about it. oner approximately £2.60 per day to survive on until either even they work in a climate of fear and I thought calls to the Samar- benefits or a job shows up. bullying from the management. My message Board of Directors itans were confidential and to DHL is stop treating us like scum and we won’t resent you and the work will be done. It had been for some time? Is it any wonder that newly-released prisoners are turning to Trevor Grove Former Editor Sunday Telegraph, is no fun working in this climate. crime to survive or getting into serious debt? Clearly, the dis- Journalist, Writer and former Magistrate. I am appalled to hear this. Dr Peter Bennett Trustee, New Bridge Can they act in this manner? charge grant is woefully inadequate and whilst a succession Foundation and former Governor of HMP Grendon of governments have been willing to throw huge amounts of Brexit behind bars Geoff Hughes Former Governor of HMP Belmarsh Stephen Mitchell - HMP Wakefield Editorial note money at innovations that have never worked, I would sug- John D Roberts Former Company Chairman and gest that enough money in your pocket to survive is a better What does Brexit mean to those who are in Managing Director employing former prisoners Our understanding is that start than £2.60 per day. prison? And what difference will it make to Louise Shorter Former producer, BBC Rough Justice calls to the Samaritans prisoners when we leave Europe? It will Alistair H E Smith BSc FCA Chartered Accountant, should be private. However, Trustee and Treasurer, New Bridge Foundation So how do we fund this? If you are reluctant to raise the dis- probably not make any significant impact on it is not clear whether that charge grant in line with current living standards, and no prisons at first, but I should think that in the The Editorial Team privacy relies upon the officer doubt the likes of The Sun and The Daily Mail will be out- long-term things may change for the worse, if to stop listening when the raged as they always are, perhaps a minor reshuffle of a de- the news about the stockpiling of food and Samaritans answer or the duction from prisoner’s wages that is currently made every medicines is anything to go by. Differences will system prevents anyone from week could be the answer? certainly be felt and seen on the outside, and all the things that Brexit will affect are at the listening in. We have asked I’m talking about the £1 deduction taken from every prisoner forefront of our economy. Even major HMPPS to clarify this point companies are now relocating to other for the use of a television that has already been paid for and their response will be countries and are afraid of what leaving the EU many times over.