tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post2428625084182509887..comments2023-10-25T09:49:43.089+01:00Comments on BEN'S PRISON BLOG - Lifer On The Loose: A Man with A Problemprisonerbenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14923205052778958118noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-54166367862385344752016-11-19T23:07:40.705+00:002016-11-19T23:07:40.705+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992827948732436718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-34234894149191370482016-11-19T23:06:56.333+00:002016-11-19T23:06:56.333+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992827948732436718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-14248107850058480552016-11-19T22:43:04.409+00:002016-11-19T22:43:04.409+00:00Who are you to describe my uncle as a sadistic kil...Who are you to describe my uncle as a sadistic killer? What is your motive to so passionately attempt to assassinate a man character, especially a man who is unable to respond to your biased opinion. What is your name? We can all be 'anonymous' and have strong opinions but be accountable for what you say, otherwise you are just as cowardly as the kkk who hide behind sheets. Its easy to criticise someone who can't defend the nonsense you are spouting. My name is Bryan Hedman and I'm proud to call John Bowden my uncle. Irrespective of his crimes in the 80's, uncle John is a man who devotes his time to civil rights issues at the cost of prolonging his time inside. My email is bhedman84@live.co.uk. Holla at me if your tired of being a coward. I love love to know why you have so much hate against my uncleBryan Hedmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-7454933123686085562016-06-02T13:02:25.069+01:002016-06-02T13:02:25.069+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10279559881970423740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-54153913937045965672016-06-02T13:02:04.621+01:002016-06-02T13:02:04.621+01:00I knew his step son. He found the head in the frid...I knew his step son. He found the head in the fridge. Any questions on the authenticity of my claim, email me. Justdie1990@yahoo.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10279559881970423740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-91742929773132646682015-04-19T19:55:10.183+01:002015-04-19T19:55:10.183+01:00hi, i new john Bowden years ago,long before his li...hi, i new john Bowden years ago,long before his life sentence for this murder, john was always a political person, angry with the system, strong vocally about social injustice, coming from the back ground which he did its little wonder, he defiantly got the short end of the stick in that respect,he would always try to encourage other towards his view, attempt to instigate changes of view. the problem for john was the fact that political evolution and social changes toward a fair society was to slow for him, even though all he has to say is mostly certainly true, it become destructive to himself, in a normal life one can go on as one wishes like other passionate politician like Ian paisley, look ,I knew john better than most people that are still alive, the big problem for john is his lack of a filter system to keep himself safe when in a venerable position were your hole well being is reliant on those you see as abusive, unjust or intolerant ,a prison cell is not a safe forum to make these points, if john hadn't gone to jail for murder I'm almost sure through his passion some changes may have been helped along by him, unfortunately he killed a man . now what's happened is all components of johns life and he crime have been mixed to together, in the big judicial melting pot and the pitcher looks something like this, this man rants and raves about this and that, stuff he has no power over, full of anger over injustice and resentment. And he kills a man, { the pitcher we see is that its related } but its not, its 2 different things, 3 drunk guys kill a man, thats one thing, johns political, thats another thing, because he holds on to all that stuff in a vocal way they assume its madness and he may kill again, Im sorry for john ,its right that he went to jail for what he done, I hope he,s not the same guy today that killed the man in Peckham, the sad thing is no one will ever know if he has changed because he is not giving them the chance to see the man and not his politics ,I will not leave my name, but if you read this john my gift to you is, if you ever want to walk free, quite your self before your moment passes,30 years or more have gone since I saw you last, I watch your life from afar and watch it pass without you living it, the world your so angry with is almost gone now, like me your getting old ,the years go quickly ,the last ones the quickest, you may with luck still have a chance,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-62153803791871194542013-02-07T08:34:53.881+00:002013-02-07T08:34:53.881+00:00I agree with you most of the time Ben but not with...I agree with you most of the time Ben but not with this case. I think there is a risk of harm there and, as the PB have to look at his risk of further offending over the whole of his licence - in this case indefinite, the decision not to release is justified. The fact he is a pain in the arse to the MOJ is neither here nor thereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-35659345097480073142013-01-20T20:58:40.748+00:002013-01-20T20:58:40.748+00:00Perhaps these out of work screws, can be sent to N...Perhaps these out of work screws, can be sent to North Africa, they are sure to go a b--b out there?noggin48https://www.blogger.com/profile/00745925847601358717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-4907570856309498362013-01-16T12:25:38.564+00:002013-01-16T12:25:38.564+00:00Thank you for sharing that profound analysis of a ...Thank you for sharing that profound analysis of a complex legal, political and moral issue.prisonerbenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923205052778958118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-54242020447516403042013-01-16T12:24:43.500+00:002013-01-16T12:24:43.500+00:00At this stage I thought that they were looking for...At this stage I thought that they were looking for an excuse to keep me down the block until my discharge on parole. But unknown to me; their motives were altogether more sinister. The governor informed me that it was his belief that the two tap-tops were to be used as weight in a sock as a weapon – and that he was remanding the case for The Board of Visitors (BOV) as he didn't feel he had sufficient powers to punish me properly. WTF!?.... This was a blatant fit-up!<br /><br />I went in front of the BOV on a Wednesday and was scheduled for release the following Thursday. Shortening the story further, I was found guilty and lost 60 days remission. I was informed at the same time that my parole was being sent back to the board with the recommendation of revocation. I was also given 28 days Cellular Confinement (CC) to ponder my lot! <br /><br />In effect, I went from ‘getting out next week’ to suddenly having 14mths to do - for no other reason than the petty-mindedness of some vicious thinking screws. <br /><br />Before the staff went off duty at teatime that day, a kindly old screw warned me that they were intending to move me to the strongbox when they came back on duty that evening. This, he said: was because of my use of some choice Anglo Saxon terminology I had aimed at the BOV’s (after the fiasco/circus of the adjudication!)explaining why I wasn't happy’ with the sequence of conspiratorial events thus far. <br /><br />This decent old boy also told me that a certain dog screw was the instigator of these developments - and that he was basically orchestrating a situation where I could be bashed up. I thanked him for the info (and the freshly lit fag he tossed into the corner as he left!) and frankly, began to worry! Worry then turns to anger.<br /><br />This is where I identify with Mr Thakrar: Unless you have sat in a dingy block cell waiting to be attacked by a bunch of goons in uniform – you really have little right to preach how others should act in the same situation. I recall my own emotions being a heady cocktail of fear and rage. <br /><br />The details of how that day panned out are not important, but it would result in my waking up – bashed-up - in the segregation block of a prison in the West Country (having been stabbed in the buttocks *and* stomach with a hypodermic needle!) facing 3 assault charges. Those 3 charges would result in me losing another 180 days (6 months!) remission. Overall, my sentence had been extended by about 20mths because of the whims of a wicked few.<br /><br />This is why I feel for these men – because (in a way) I've been there. The difference being; I was only ever a short-termer, and (short of killing me – as they have *certainly* done to others!) they had to let me out one day. <br /><br />I don’t have the answers that would help right the wrongs of the CJS. But not knowing how to fix something (e.g. a punctured tyre on a bike!); doesn't equate to not knowing what’s amiss!<br /><br />Good luck to both Mr Thakrar and Mr Bowden. <br /><br />P.S. It’s interesting to note that the governor of Maidstone would (18 odd months) later, give me 6wks ‘back’ after having ‘looked into’ my case.<br />Darbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-65218347930123741682013-01-16T12:23:07.023+00:002013-01-16T12:23:07.023+00:00I’ll apologise in advance for the length of this p...I’ll apologise in advance for the length of this post, but both the Kevin Thakrar, and John Bowden stories ring bells with me.... <br /><br />I don't know John, and in truth, wasn't familiar with the name before Bens' post. But it’s clear (having read 'Interview With Militant Prisoner' on the Prisoner Support Bristol ABC website) that I was alongside him and about 200 others in Wormwood Scrubs (in the early 1980’s) when we staged a ‘sit down’ and refused to come in from the (exercise) yard - in protest of the (violent) liberties being taken by the screws on the con population in general.<br /><br />I was serving a 3 year sentence, of which 2 had to be served before release. If granted parole however, I could hope to get out in 12mths. At the time of the sit-down I had already completed those parole reports and was awaiting transfer from ‘The Scrubs’ to my prison of allocation. <br /><br />My own reasons for staying on the yard that day included the fact that I had suffered a good/bad ‘kicking’ at the hands (and boots!) of the Scrubs screws as a Borstal Boy aged 15. In my experience, the Scrubs’ atmosphere was always dominated by an air of menace.<br /><br />That particular *battle*(which we initially expected to be crushed by force) was, in my view, ‘won’ by the unflinching demeanor of 200 staunch men; who left the screws in no doubt, that should it kick-off....some of the pain/blood - would (for a change) be their own! I (it has to be said; vaguely) remember the intoxicating sense of victory/solidarity that day; but unbeknown to me, my own *war* had only just begun. <br /><br />I have been physically attacked (by my keepers) on numerous occasions. But I believe it was my participation in the (non-violent) sit- down at The Scrubs which would result in the worst of those attacks.<br /><br />Within a couple of weeks of moving to my allocation prison I had received my parole answer which was a ‘yes’, the result being: I would serve my last 12mths on parole. I duly sat back to await my release - which was scheduled for 5 weeks time. However, I would soon find myself in much the same position as Kevin Thakrar - in that I would be defending myself from a mob of screws intent on doing me serious harm. <br /><br />With about 3wks of my sentence to serve - I was summoned from the yard for a cell search. I had only been in that cell since the previous day and there were certain odds and ends in the drawers from the previous occupant. To cut a long story short, I was placed on report for: The unlawful possession of two tap tops; and excess kit. By the time I saw the governor the next day (incidentally, I was taken straight from the search to the block – when one could usually expect it to be the next morning) the allegation of excess kit had vanished and I faced the governor on the ‘unlawful possession of two tap tops’ charge.<br />Continued....<br />Darbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-89996559523814207262013-01-13T22:16:34.321+00:002013-01-13T22:16:34.321+00:00Also, in my case, the prison service had no choice...Also, in my case, the prison service had no choice but to release me, at the 2/3 point, and to re-release me once the (falsified) new charges were dropped. <br /><br />It's also fairly hard to get your "enhanced" IEP as quickly as I did, both times. It took me 91 days from my initial incarceration, and less than 30 from my recall, which should prove something else about how "awkward" I was to the staff, as against the service.Fenrir Lukoinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-7967161479063622122013-01-13T22:11:53.365+00:002013-01-13T22:11:53.365+00:00Just out of interest - I don't know you, and v...Just out of interest - I don't know you, and vice versa - are you a fan of the "Life Means Life" concept of indeterminate sentencing in the UK?<br /><br />The issue I have is this. The test for parole is simple for Lifers, even Murderers. It's known as a "life and Limb" test - is he likely to cause harm to life and limb. Being a political animal, even denying his offences, is not relevant to the risk. After all, an innocent man cannot re-offend, and a criminal being a politician is not that rare...<br /><br />So how do you square the circle that there are innocent men in prison, denying their offences? Do they get punished more? John Bowden is not one of them, and he has long since served his tariff, why should his non-violent activities be held against him.<br /><br /> Fenrir Lukoihttp://fenrirlukoi.blogspot.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-30815202348954975692013-01-13T19:04:24.581+00:002013-01-13T19:04:24.581+00:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464849377554649087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-52644274804739202522013-01-13T18:48:08.113+00:002013-01-13T18:48:08.113+00:00Personally this john Bowden I feel safer where he ...Personally this john Bowden I feel safer where he is. His loss is the general public gain. Shame they couldn't of executed him. What a nasty excuse for a human being. super Saintnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-3360620162923914342013-01-12T15:47:52.781+00:002013-01-12T15:47:52.781+00:00No, but the extent to which a person is considered...No, but the extent to which a person is considered "dangerous" is partly based on factors such as the prisoner's successful rehabilitation - if a person was dangerous and has not been rehabilitated, they are still dangerous. <br /><br />You were bounced between prisons. There's a difference between being moved and being let out. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05009975067815186539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-82070181056305711472013-01-12T14:50:57.179+00:002013-01-12T14:50:57.179+00:00It's an interesting point of view - but it'...It's an interesting point of view - but it's legally wrong. There is no requirement for a prisoner to have "admitted his guilt" or "accepted responsibility" for the Parole Board to release him, nor does accepting same guarantee release - Look at Ben, he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity yet he was held 200% past tariff.<br /><br />Indeed, if I recall correctly, Ben's last knockback in 2010/11 was to test whether or not he was safe for release or was a product of the very system that had kept him inside due to his being "a fully paid-up member of the awkward squad". <br /><br />I was bounced between prisons several times for the same reason. On one occasion, when returned to a prison that I could not legally be held in any more by court order, the Ombudsman said "Make a complaint a day, they'll move you within a month". I did and they did... That's how the system works.<br /><br /> Fenrir Lukoinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-15643152516970449532013-01-12T11:41:32.671+00:002013-01-12T11:41:32.671+00:00A vital step in rehabilitation is the acceptance t...A vital step in rehabilitation is the acceptance that you did something wrong. Support for this movement appears to throw all that to the wind. As an example, he describes himself (as was) as "brutalISED". That's passive. It was done to him. Society did it. This is an issue in his rehabilitation, as demonstrated by his support of a radical movement, where the blame for his killing another person, is heaped onto "society".<br /><br />Procedurally, it's a shambles, and in and of itself, political activity and/or activism ought not to be a reason for keeping someone locked up. By the same token, if he hasn't been nominally "rehabilitated", a step in which is accepting responsibility, I understand why they aren't ready to let him out.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05009975067815186539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-4884299222694314882013-01-11T13:39:23.308+00:002013-01-11T13:39:23.308+00:00continued from above:
Which brings us to the Anar...continued from above:<br /><br />Which brings us to the Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) and the smears against us, and therefore against John. As anarchists, ABC members oppose coercive authority and advocate a non-hierarchical society based on community solidarity, mutual aid and cooperation. More specifically, we support and spread information about some of those prisoners who are sentenced for what we consider political actions (even if we may not actually condone their particular actions), and those who develop a political analysis close to anarchism after being sentenced for other offences (ditto). We do this by writing letters and sending literature to prisoners, organising demonstrations and spreading information publicly. Because of this stance, ABC groups have supported John over the decades for his political stance (even though he is not an anarchist), not what he did to end up in prison, just as ABC groups have supported Ben in the past because of his stand against the crushing stupidity of prison bureaucracy (and that doesn't make him an anarchist either).<br /><br />We do this because of a strange concept called solidarity, something that is sadly lacking in the wider society. But, just because we choose to support someone, to show our solidarity with them, it does not automatically follow that we necessarily condone their actions or agree with their rationale for doing carrying it out - one [solidarity] does not necessarily include (or preclude) the other [acceptance of actions]. Our actions do not make us terrorist any more than they do John (or Ben for that matter) any more than a family that sticks by an imprisoned relative who has killed someone makes them murderers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02854506920039760295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-6984030420643382102013-01-11T13:37:47.765+00:002013-01-11T13:37:47.765+00:00It is interesting how most people (and not just on...It is interesting how most people (and not just on this thread) constantly return to John's "offending behaviour", the crime he committed and that led to his last incarceration. Yes it was horrific, but it is not, and has not for a long time been, the reason he remains unreleased from prison. Being one of the people labelled as a terrorist by Matt Stillman*, the outside social worker employed the Scottish Prison Service to compile the 2007 parole report on John, someone who has supported him because of his victimisation for his political views (and in spite of what he did 30 years ago), I have some insight on his situation and have in fact had the dubious privilege of reading that particular fabrication.<br /><br />Then, just as now, John was in open conditions and allowed home leave i.e. he was considered safe enough to be let out amongst us, the general public. If the Prison Service and its plethora of trainee psychologist had had any concerns about any "offending behaviour" problems or "risk factors" on his behalf, he would not have gotten Category D status (itself clear indication that he is liable to be released on license). Instead, in 2007, they employed an outside (of the Prison Service) social worker to compile a parole report on him once their previously commissioned in-house social worker's report had been found to recommend John's release on license.<br /><br />Stillman subsequently complied with SPS's obvious desire to obtain a report hostile to John and stitched him up by claiming that his character [NB not his "offending behaviour"] had not been "sufficiently modified" by his time in prison and that, somehow, his politics posed a "serious risk factor" because of his links with "terrorists" - all this on the basis of 2 short interviews with John, where his only questions were about his links with outside prisoner support groups i.e. nothing about his "offending behaviour" or any real "risk factors". So, having been in an open prison for 9 months and a month before his most important parole hearing to date, on the say so of an non-prison social worker, John ended up in solitary in a maximum security prison cell and subsequently was denied parole, solely on the basis of his politics.<br /><br />Now it appears that, given the appearance of a secret annex in his latest probation report, the powers that be have come up with a new route by which they hope to deny him parole. Importantly, the "evidence" therein can only concern "risk factors" that those same powers fear could be successfully challenged in an open hearing, and cannot concern any "offending behaviour" problems that John could notionally address otherwise. Such is the looking glass world of prison 'security'. [See for example http://www.insidetime.org/articleview.asp?a=1381&c=secret_squirrels_at_work]<br /><br />Here, we should also note that it is not just John's political views as expressed in outside forums (such as newspapers and on website) that have led to him being banged up well beyond tariff, (just as in Ben's case) it is his activities as a jailhouse lawyer - his particular attempts at showing solidarity with his fellow inmates. The bottom line is that the prison system - the governors, screws and psychologists that run it, do not countenance dissent or accept criticism of what they say or how they behave. And anyone who stands up to the blatant injustice that it regularly metes out is labelled a troublemaker and gets 'knocked back'. Such is the fate of the 'troublemaker' in prison. Or anyone else whose face or politics do not fit.<br /><br />continued below: <br /><br /><br />*Apparently, in the view of Stillman, I am a "self-proclaimed anarchist" (is there any other sort?) and member of a "group [that] appear to be primarily eco-terrorists or para-military members", an opinion gathered apparently solely from a cursory visit to our website.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02854506920039760295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-21758833034829367622013-01-11T13:24:23.001+00:002013-01-11T13:24:23.001+00:00Granted, 'all the answers' would have been...Granted, 'all the answers' would have been too strong. But I *actually* wrote: 'who *often* claims to have the answers' That being so, maybe something along the lines of; claims to have his finger on the pulse regarding most matters probation, may have been more appropriate.<br /><br />I get the impression that you regard me as a bit of a nuisance - with little of value to say. But the bottom line is; my own experience of the system was longer and more colourful than most. So when Ben makes a claim like ‘Being "a pain in the arse" is more than enough for the PB to knockback’ I know that it’s a FACT. Just as I know, when *you* refute such claims; you either haven’t learnt much in all those years behind a desk. Or as Ben says, are in denial. <br /><br />I could make valid comments on many more of Ben’s posts, but it’s not my blog and I have no desire to be regarded as a been, seen and done that, kind of poster. Even *if* I have! <br /><br />I don’t use facebook, twitter or any other social networking site. And I rarely comment anywhere else (apart from my local paper). I give my tuppence worth on here because it’s very easy to agree (in a few words) with something I know to be fact. I can’t type very quickly (nor concentrate very long!) and consequently, find it difficult to put deeper (more complicated) thoughts to paper. What I don’t find difficult; is to agree with another’s views when *I know* they're are correct. <br /><br />Ben tells it as it is.<br />Darbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-55917592231510059582013-01-11T12:49:52.509+00:002013-01-11T12:49:52.509+00:00Yeah; I was quoting the buffoon who wrote the post...Yeah; I was quoting the buffoon who wrote the post... <br />IVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-62469838528290908752013-01-11T11:31:48.510+00:002013-01-11T11:31:48.510+00:00Ho ho ho. You said screw. Sorry - couldn't res...Ho ho ho. You said screw. Sorry - couldn't resist!Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708444000412716821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-14129138111339862352013-01-11T10:34:49.857+00:002013-01-11T10:34:49.857+00:00Darby,
I guess I should have been rather more spe...Darby,<br /><br />I guess I should have been rather more specific in referring to life sentences rather than indeterminate sentences generally. You are right in relation to IPP sentences because as you infer, the courses are often not available or can be completed before the tariff date is reached. As you know, tariffs for IPP sentences are often very short - typically 3-5 years or even less in comparison to life sentence tariffs. My comments were directed towards life sentenced prisoners and how they progress towards release.<br /><br />I certainly don't have all the answers Darby and neither does Ben. Obviously we both have very different experiences of the criminal justice system, but valuable contributions to make nevertheless in terms of discussion and debate. I think what tires many of us is the level to which that 'debate' descends sometimes, not helped it has to be said by Ben's somewhat deliberately provocative statements and rubbishing of contrary views, experiences and opinions.<br /><br />You may not agree with them, but they are nevertheless genuinely held and borne of some years experience of a wide range of offenders and Parole Board hearings. Lets try and keep a reasoned discussion going.<br /><br /> Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-75168243493749108872013-01-11T09:45:31.635+00:002013-01-11T09:45:31.635+00:00But isn't the point here that if someone is be...But isn't the point here that if someone is behaving in a way that inhibits their progress towards 'rehabilitation', then that might affect their eligibility for release? You seem to be suggesting that the reason for his treatment is that he is a political activist, whereas in reality the problem may be that his political activity is contributing to a perception that he is not fit for release, which is a different thing entirely.Tom Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03941520164254766362noreply@blogger.com