The bureaucracy has finally spewed out a date for my parole hearing - July 23rd. A mere eight weeks to my probable release.
I never thought that I would ever be able to say that.
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Ben
Lecturing
About Me
- prisonerben
- United Kingdom
- Previously known as "one of Britain's best known prisoners...he constantly questions authority and exposes the futility of the system" The Times, Ben was finally released from prison after 32 years in August 2012. Pleading guilty to the murder of a friend when he was 14 years old, he renounced violence and fought for the recognition of the inherent dignity of all human beings. As a result of speaking truth to power, he served far longer than the recommended 10 years, leading Education Secretary Michael Gove to argue that he had "been punished excessively for a crime committed as a child". One of the more intellectual of prisoner-campaigners, Ben chose to educate himself from schoolboy level to having both undergraduate and post graduate degrees. He is currently one of very few prisoners in Britain ever to attempt a Doctorate. Ben's speciality is non-violent action and the Human Needs Theory. Now on Life Licence, He is forging a career as a CJ policy consultant, writer and - as ever - campaigner.
Enjoy the beautiful sunshine. Good luck to you x
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you for the hearing - but keep calm and do not do anything to jeopardise your chances. Keep your feet on the ground - there is a possibility you won't be released and that will be hard - but you would have to deal with it. Many of us out here are rooting for you - keep calm and strong. Don't want to sound negative - but it is important to keep realistic.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations ! Great news, so excited for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteIt ain't over yet! B.
ReplyDeleteBest of British, Ben! Hope it all goes as easily and as well as you might wish.
ReplyDeletetop banana ben, you deserve it. not try to lecture you, but keep your head down!!
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well Ben - what happens if (when) they decide on release, do you walk straight away, or is there a delay while they process the paperwork?
ReplyDeleteI am rtrying to stay off the management radar but crap like the Daily Star is out of my control and gives them the hump! Of all my Lifer mates, I am the only one who has so far avoided making any error leading to a grounding and now that a release date is in sight I can only hope that I can stay clear of such events.
ReplyDeleteUnsurprisingly, I am not completely au fait with release procedures.... Once they have sat, the parole board has 2 weeks in which to hand down its decision. Often, at this stage, it is done within days. Assuming they order my release, there is then some bureaucratic dancing over the conditions of my Life Licence, the issuing of travel warrants and sorting the disposition of my property and then out the gate I go. This process can take as little as a couple of days. As ever, I will keep you posted!
Any ideas as to how the blog should morph after release would be greatly appreciated.
In theory, the SoS MUST secure your release within seven days of the Parole Board notifying him of their decision.
DeleteIN practice, it can be as fast as 24 hours...
Lets hope that, for once, the process woks speedily for you, and the result comes while on home leave...
Excellent news. Finger and toes crossed and all of the above in spades :)
ReplyDelete