I am now into the 11th year of my life sentence. I was sentenced in 2004, under the old two-strikes life sentence. My offence was GBH and my tariff was two and a half years. I am now some eight years over tariff.
I have been to many prisons on this sentence: Bullingdon, Durham, Holme House, Preston, Leeds, Leicester, Altcourse, Blakenhurst, Leyhill, Winchester, and now here. I’ve met many people in jail, some knew Kevan Thakrar from Frankland and I was told about the trouble he was involved in that led to his current location. Kevan is just one of many prisoners who are being kept in isolation, moved between various segregation units.
The system has certainly shifted in the way in which we prisoners are able to defend our rights and access to the courts. Some prisons are very astute when it comes to recognising the limitations we prisoners enjoy in challenging the rules that bind us. As such, these prisons are now able to behave as they see fit, safe in the knowledge that they cannot be challenged easily. The internal complaints system is not fit for purpose and the ability to access challenge by way of judicial review is very difficult.
Your article in the April/May 2014 edition of FRFI ‘Books for prisoners – an ongoing fight over may years’, in which you state: ‘Hopefully, the current campaign, though misguidedly focused on the latest amendments to IEPS and not on the whole invidious scheme, will have a positive effect’ is exactly right. The whole IEP scheme is the real issue, not books! The blanket ban on all items being sent into prisoners is the real issue. Prisoners, on average, receive little pay as it is. Most cannot afford to save any money and so cannot purchase items through the approved channels. Most prisoners are being released without any monies and are therefore in huge difficulties on release. I am currently serving life and have long yearned for the chance to earn a decent wage. All I’ve seen is the prison population being fleeced for the paltry sums they are paid weekly.
After some 11 years in Her Majesty’s custody I feel somewhat embittered. A recent interview with a psychologist involved a question on what would prevent me from reoffending on release. ‘Not being disenfranchised, demonised, marginalised or ostracised’, was my reply.
I want to end with the deepest gratitude for your continued support. It has been some years since my first request for a copy of your highly appreciated publication.
I also recently read an interesting book called Walls have mouths – a record of ten years’ penal servitude by Wilfred Macartney, published in 1936 by the Left Book Club. A damning indictment of British penal policy, with much content similar to the issues faced today – some things never change.
Many thanks.
Herpal Nijjer
A1888AK, HMP Erlestoke, Devizes, Wilts SN10 5TU
Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! 239 June/July 2014
