One of Britain's most notorious and longest-serving prisoners Charles Bronson has became the first person to formally ask for a public Parole Board hearing. Previously held behind closed doors, a change to the law this week now allows victims and reporters to request access to hearings which determine whether or not an inmate should be granted their freedom, or remain behind bars.
Prisoners, as well as Government ministers and officials, can also ask for cases to be held in public. It is hoped that the move will allow to shed light on the reasons behind Parole Board decisions - with Charles hoping to be out of custody by Christmas.
Recently changing his name to Salvador, Charles is one of the UK's longest serving prisoners, after initially being handed his sentence in 1974. The Mirror reports that the 69-year-old was put behind bars for armed robbery, but convictions for violence and blackmail have kept him locked up, including doing time at Durham's HMP Frankland.
