tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post5741447998395280802..comments2023-10-25T09:49:43.089+01:00Comments on BEN'S PRISON BLOG - Lifer On The Loose: Arbitrary Insanityprisonerbenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14923205052778958118noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-9021372269664784112010-12-15T00:30:49.306+00:002010-12-15T00:30:49.306+00:00I have heard of you because of the Times article a...I have heard of you because of the Times article and have since told my family about you. I hope it offers a small glimmer of hope that more and more people are becoming aware of your situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-38461582981052777702010-12-14T16:19:37.909+00:002010-12-14T16:19:37.909+00:00JHL has just summed up why we desperately need ref...JHL has just summed up why we desperately need reform. That someones life is decided by the mood of one or two people is a disgrace.Queenienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-60967925729030238042010-12-14T11:17:35.439+00:002010-12-14T11:17:35.439+00:00In an earlier post I said that in 1994 I had the s...In an earlier post I said that in 1994 I had the same experience as Ben with a psychologist's report. It is this one which carries the most weight with the Parole Board. For example, 6 out of 7 reports favoured either release or open prison but the Parole Board relied on the 7th which recommended a move from Category B to C. The Parole Board thought 18 months in C would suffice, it turned out I was there for 5 years! It was dead time, I simply stagnated. The amount of lifers who get stuck in C like it is a swamp is amazing.<br /><br />Then I was transferred backwards to B, went to another B Rye Hill (where I met Ben) before jumping over C and went to D an open prison. In short, instead of getting out in 1994 I got out in 2004. To date, the prison authorities have not justified the extra 10 years.<br /><br />In 1990/91 a welfare officer wrote a bad report about me. When I confronted him he said he wrote it on the ground that his next report would be positive and thereby show an improvement in my conduct. The problem being he moved on and the bad report remained.<br /><br />It used to be the case that reports were secret but then came a change in the law and open reporting came in. They followed a template with headings. Staff knew which words or phrases to use to either help or harm your case. One psychologist who spoke to staff wrote that they were not happy about my litigation. He said, whilst this pursuit is legitimate but because of the negative staff comments I needed to change my positive mentality to suit them! It beggars belief that someone with such qualifications could turn right into wrong rather than suggest that those who are wrong change their attitude.jailhouselawyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795278184797990706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-17407035362904439222010-12-14T10:58:48.603+00:002010-12-14T10:58:48.603+00:00I think the problem is that a parole board can mak...I think the problem is that a parole board can make thousands of mistakes and detain people who should have been released and nobody says a word but if they make a single mistake and release a murderer who kills again all the tabloids will be calling for their heads.A.J. Wimblenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-58914115420646829472010-12-14T09:36:03.366+00:002010-12-14T09:36:03.366+00:00I agree with the above comments, "they" ...I agree with the above comments, "they" I believe the politicians, are now trying to justify their response to the actions of a 14 year old who should never have stood trial for murder. Ben is the product of our system, what does that say for the system if after all this time they still dont want to admit the injustice which has been done to him, and act with some compassion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3184990032979540229.post-28718238996820225432010-12-14T09:02:50.368+00:002010-12-14T09:02:50.368+00:00Is it possible that this opinion was generated to ...Is it possible that this opinion was generated to justify the length of time you have been detained or some other political reason?<br /><br />Or a safety net such that should anything not go to their plan, they can fall back on this rogue opinion and say, "See, I told you so."<br /><br />I look forward to hearing of your experiences in open prison soon. How long for that now?zoemercerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07268151542492070710noreply@blogger.com