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.
Earlier this year, it is alleged that he feared his parole hearing may not take place until December this year. The Parole Board today (July 21) confirmed that a request had been made for Bronson's case to be heard in public and that it is under consideration.
It is also understood that the application was made on his behalf. Speaking from HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, Bronson revealed that he wouldn't "kick off" because it would only lead to more prison time.
He added: "Every time my jam roll (parole) comes up for the last 30 odd years they start playing games and this is the biggest, cruellest, nastiest game they have ever played - ever. I was expecting my jam roll to be in July or August.
"It’s now two-and-a-half years late. They have now said it's been put back again to December 12 so by the time I go up, if I go up, as it's possible they could put it back again, that will have been three years of my life I may not have had to serve.
"We've put in complaints, we have challenged it. Once the parole board says it's December 12, that's when it is.
"There's not a lot you can do about it. It could be because I'm going to have a public hearing, which I've fought for and I'm going to get."
The inmate continued: "They have just squeezed another six months of my life. I could go up next week.
"All the paperwork is there. It's all ready. And they have not even given a reason....there's no reason for it.
"I'm going to be 70 in December. So a 70-year-old man is going up for his jam roll when I should have had it when I was 67. It's an absolute disgrace. It’s a liberty.
"They are sucking away my life for no reason. The only reason is retribution...revenge.
"They don't want me to get out."
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