I have just spoken to Ben. He is sorry there have not been many posts recently, but he has not been feeling too good. He lost sight of release for a few days and got very down. (I am still sitting on the post he wrote about staff corruption in Sudbury for his own protection).
Ben moved into shared cell yesterday with someone who "snores like a train", but other than that the guy is okay to live with. Ben is back in Education and has been asked to produce a second magazine.
He said to thank you for your continued support and promises more blog posts over the weekend.
Ben's parole hearing is still set for July 23rd.
Ed.
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Thank goodness for that! Don't get this close and blow it now Ben
ReplyDeleteI hope Ben keeps on top of this, he's come so far.
ReplyDeletePlease pass on my best wishes and support to him.
Keep strong Ben, you can do it!
ReplyDeleteBen! keep quiet and get yourself out of there mate!
ReplyDeletetake care of yourself
keep smiling :-) x
Visited Ben yesterday.
ReplyDeleteAs a spin-off from the nicking he has also lost his work in Education, and been sent to Farms and Gardens instead.
At least it is sunny!
Ed.
Ben, Listen to 'Fat Arse' and others above - you must contain yourself and do everything you can to get out. Thinking of you - keep strong.
ReplyDeleteI'm really loathe to comment on a live case such as this, however I feel I should just say that experience tells me there is a very real danger that prisoners in this position often become depressed and are susceptible to 'blowing it'. Now really is the time for those close to Ben to offer constructive support and, dare I say, positive action to help him avoid what I suspect may be an enormous urge to self-destruct by thwarting a positive Oral Hearing. Never forget that getting released can be an extremely scary scenario for anyone who's served as long as he has, despite whatever bravado he may display from time to time. There is a real danger that he feels he has more invested in being a prisoner fighting for release, than actually celebrating being released.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... Well, you are right about one thing Jim - he is very depressed. But what can be done, on a practical level? I mean, with no town visits or home leave and it being a 6 hour round trip to Sudbury and back?
ReplyDeleteEd.
It's difficult, but those close to him must try and encourage him to cast off the self-fulfilling role of victimhood and concentrate instead on a positive future for himself. On a practical note it might mean exercising firm editorial control over what gets published and could be deemed as likely to hinder progress towards release. If I was involved I would be tempted to be very blunt - 'Look, do you really want to be a martyr?'
DeleteIf you feel I can be of assistance, my contact mail address is on the blog.
Jim
For those of you who do not know and say this with total admiration - I was lucky enough to have personally known Ben for 6 months. Ben knows me and he certainly knows my whole situation. I like to think I was very much like him while we knew each other in a certain establishment, although for a fact I know that sometimes retaliating or purely making a comment can land you in deep trouble. Myself I made things harder for myself with the Police and also probation by making genuine complaints, which went on for at least two years after my release. Ben is a strong person and he is very good at putting his points across. Personally what I feel that has happened here is that the screws are basically trying to throw obstacles into Ben's hearing and delay his release. Of course such action will affect other aspects of his life while there. I just want Ben to know and hes heard it all before - do not be intimidated by them, do not fight back, keep your head down and just ride this very short journey left!! Finally, don't forget you owe me a BEER!! :)
ReplyDelete