MOJUK: Newsletter ‘Inside Out’ 71

MOJUK: Newsletter ‘Inside Out’ 71

Ramblings on a Christmas Day

Not been a good year for reason, good will, or that mythical beast 'Justice, has it?

Blush And Blair have their troubles too of course, even with nearly all the Western press and other media churning out propaganda it is difficult to convince anyone with two brain cells to put together that their need to secure the diminishing oil resources for the West and at the same time destroy a rallying point for the armed dissent of much of the Middle East, must involve the bombing of women and children.

Verbal, written and now electronic communication is the foundation of all humanity has achieved, but since the gold standard of communications, truth, was first subverted by priests, politicians, and the greedy the virus has spread to all quarters and like the electronic viruses could end up destroying a great achievement.

In prison one gets the distinct impression that things are going out of control, greed is protected, the poor , old, and sick are neglected. Every year more laws are enacted to control those already disenfranchised, government takes pension money to pay for the occupying army of the police. For that's all they are in tactics and in being used virtually only for the protection of corporate and private wealth.

The authorities preach against drugs but turn a blind eye to the main reason for there proliferation , the sense of hopelessness, of abandonment by the government. Poor education and social conditions, poor pay, amounting in the case of millions to self imprisonment if they don't find some fiddle to augment poverty wages, but who gives a dam so long as the rich get richer? for ultimately they are the masters of the politicians.

It can't go on for ever of course, communism was the first real trial mode for change, it failed for lack of principal among the elite, new models will arise and capitalism will find it has to share the world and its managed resources equally, for too many are being driven quietly mad and death can prove a refuge from the pain of oppression, as is shown by more and more people willing to strike a blow for others at the sacrifice of their on lives. Does the whole world have to turn into a madhouse of violence before perhaps too late, the corporate masters and political lackeys, realize that violence and social control over the masses can only go so far. Those whose life becomes meaningless toil will in the end throw that life away.

That is how it seems to me anyhow, and frankly having been tortured and persecuted for so long by our corrupt and criminal social controllers, I would relish the coming conditions that are going to rupture the fabric of life as we know it, but for the fact that my daughters are young and poor through their circumstances are who would wish a world that was more violent and worse for them?

Perhaps I should put a title to this, how about "Ramblings on Christmas Day".

Anyway, I wish everyone well in the coming year.

With respect to all those who try,

Ronnie Easterbrook,

Britain's oldest political prisoner

Ronnie Easterbrook

B 88459, HMP Whitemoor,

Longhill Road, March, Cambs, PE15 0PR

"Victims of Miscarriages of Justice have the right to be Presumed Innocent"

Blunkett blow in damages case - Court of appeal backs man cleared of terrorism

A man whose terrorism convictions were quashed after it emerged he had been illegally deported from Zimbabwe at the behest of MI6 is entitled to compensation because victims of miscarriages of justice have the right to be presumed innocent.

The ruling in the case of Nicholas Mullen, 55, stated that the Home Office was wrong to deny his compensation claim because it believed he had only been freed on a technicality.

The appeal judges gave the home secretary, David Blunkett, leave to appeal to the House of Lords, but if their decision is upheld, the Home Office could face claims from hundreds of prisoners who have been denied compensation on the grounds that having their convictions quashed did not prove their innocence.

Lord Justice Schiemann, sitting with Lord Justice Rix and Mr Justice Pumphrey, said prisoners were entitled to the same "presumption of innocence" they had before they went to trial.

The 1988 Criminal Justice Act did not say that the state could "proceed on the basis that a wrongly convicted man is guilty", Lord Justice Schiemann said. "Had parliament intended that compensation should only be available to those who could prove themselves inno cent, it would have said so clearly."

Mr Mullen's lawyer, Louise Christian, said the ruling was a reinforcement of a defendant's rights, and showed the court of appeal had decided on a broad rather than a narrow definition of what constituted a miscarriage of justice. "There is no halfway house. Either you are guilty or you are not guilty. This says you cannot be found not guilty by the court but remain guilty in the eyes of the home secretary."

Mr Mullen, from north London, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in June 1990 for conspiracy to cause explosions. He was alleged to have acted as quartermaster for an IRA unit in London. Police said he fled to Zimbabwe in December 1988, hours before Semtex, detonators, incendiary devices, mortar bomb equipment, firearms and ammunition were found at a flat he had rented in Battersea, south-west London.

Mr Mullen, 55, who has always denied the charges, was freed in February 1999 after the court of appeal held that his prompt deportation back to Britain following his arrest in Zimbabwe was a serious abuse of the extradition process. MI6 had "leaned on" Zimbabwe's intelligence organisation, saying that Mr Mullen should be deported to the UK "in short order". Mr Mullen was arrested, denied access to lawyers, and taken to London.

He successfully appealed against his convictions on the grounds that he had been brought to trial unlawfully. The Home Office refused his claim for compensation, a decision that was upheld by the high court. The court of appeal overturned this, rejecting Mr Blunkett's argument that a miscarriage of justice denoted only cases where the accused had proved he had not committed the crime.

Mr Mullen said he was disappointed the Home Office could appeal. "I have been waiting four years for compensation." Nick Hopkins, The Guardian,Saturday December 21, 2002

Be Free wherever you are!

Prison is one of the worst human inventions. It is an alienating place and negative experience (better not tried first hand!), it's anti-human - it intervenes or restricts every movement you make, every choice you could make, intercepts the air you breathe, how much sky you can see ...

Loosing one's liberty is indeed one of the most painful experiences and dear losses besides loosing life. At least to me.

As well of robbing you of liberty, in prison you need to forget about privacy and things like proper rest. Your time and space are always interfered with or interrupted.

In the face of all this, one has to search for and dig deep in and hold tight and firm to your inner freedom and dignity. Nothing and no one can take these away or compromise them no matter what. Respect yourself (and others) everywhere and always and everything will be better. Free your mind and spirit. Rise above and beyond your physical hardships and realities and a whole new world and possibilities open up. Always remember no one can stop the time and just as you came in to prison your day to come out must and will come. Prison will only he a chapter in your life, and no matter how long and hard it is, it's never all doom and gloom.

You will encounter lots of human mediocrity and wickedness, selfishness, greed, arrogance and pettiness. But there is also kindness, humour, some friendship, some humanity. No matter how bad are your conditions and treatment, don't let anyone take away your humanity.

Prison is a negative experience to be avoided! If you're in prison because of 'politics' then don't regret your commitment (but always review your actions!). Be prepared for a new struggle, new different serious sacrifices. No matter who you are there is a lot of daily 'wear and tear' and waste of energy and time. A lot of restrictions, crazy rules and contradictions etc. All the time something tests your patience or tolerance. Lots of frustrations, also lots of ignorance, cynicism and maybe some provocations if you're 'politically motivated'. But then you must 'fight back', learn to be patient, let go of a lot of worries, demands, expectations etc. Compromise but don't compromise your basic principles or yourself. Avoid unnecessary battles and arguments. Don't trust easily, let go your guard except in the fewer cases. Defend yourself and answer back, or fight them only on major important issues. Don't Set the system wear you out, use its strengths! We each have different circumstances and 'lines' to draw.

At the same time prison can be a positive experience, an opportunity to 'win' and 'grow' despite 'the costs'. As I said you can learn to be patient and tolerant, let go of a lot-of worries- Learn about yourself and others. Reflect on your life, on your case, on your actions. Think about your future, and our future.

Learn/try new things or do things you've always wanted to do. Try to concentrate on what you can do rather than can't do. Develop your own mini routine or program, e.g. read 1 book this week or month, do cell workouts etc, try hobbies, writing, reading etc. Go to the gym, get fresh air when possible. Do something creative like art, craft, music or writing. Try to maintain health and mind. Maintain relations through phone, letters, visits, live mind. Altogether continue life though a different one. Never give up faith and hope. Enjoy the little things, maximize use of whatever is possible and available, but keep an eye out for changes for the better and remember there is a world much bigger than prison and just as real. And keep some 'bridges' to that.

One can find a lot of inspiration from prison writings (there are some anthologies) and books like Mandela's 'Long Walk to Freedom', poems like 'Reading Gaol' by Oscar Wilde, books by Steve Biko, and R. Lovelace. It's good to remember you're part of struggles and traditions worldwide defending humanity/ for justice. No matter why you're in prison remember you're not alone. You will always matter to your loved ones and they will always matter to you.

If you were engaged in some struggle you remain so but in different ways. You can and should maintain dialogue and interaction about the issues and concerns with others. Use the time to review and reflect.

If you're in prison for other reasons still prison is a phase of struggle and possible positive change. Issues about your family, friends and community are much the same. It's a social and psychological 'learning pot'. Indeed no matter why you end up behind bars, one needs to try to reconnect to our common humanity. Stay strong, be proud (but not arrogant or self-important). Be humble, learn to give and take from others. No matter how small your world becomes and limited your livelihood you can still broaden your horizons and keep your mind open and heart free.

It's a victory to survive prison without too many scars or 'distortions'. You must and can do it - even though it does take its toll. It is also possible to emerge better and undiminished.

That's a challenge!

- What can people do outside?

- Stay committed and connected

- Maintain letters, visits, phoney remember each other

- Send practical things: stamps, trainers, T-shirt, music, books, magazines, jokes, postal orders, some hobbies. Depending on local HMP rules

- Promise each other to look after yourselves!

-Support the case where appropriate

- Help the family where needed, where possible

What else? Don't know!

That's all for now.

La Lutta Continua (The struggle continues)

Samar Alami,

Miscarriage of justice prisoner serving 20? years

HMP Send,Ripley Road,Woking, GU23 7LJ

Latest fad in prison education - reducing overcrowding by Killing Oneself!!!

Jail chiefs will show prisoners how to kill themselves By Ian Burrell,The Independent, 10/12/2002

Prisoners across England and Wales are to be shown how to hang themselves in a "shocking" campaign ordered by jail chiefs hoping to reduce the record numbers of prison deaths this year.

Haunting poster images of hanging inmates, with descriptions of how easy it is to commit suicide in a cell, are to be used in a radical attempt to save lives of prisoners who accidentally kill themselves making "cries for help".

The director general of the Prison Service, Martin Narey, told The Independent he had decided on the measure after consulting the Prisons minister, Hilary Benn; the Samaritans and prison reform groups. He argued that the campaign would not encourage more prisoners to kill themselves, saying that, after 89 jail deaths this year, hangings had become commonplace at prisons.

The decision comes as new Home Office figures forecast that the prison population could rise from 73,000 to 100,000 in four years' time. Even under a best-case scenario, the figure could be 91,400 in seven years time. Prison reformers argue the number of suicides is a by-product of overcrowding.

Mr Narey said: "Not everyone agrees with me about this. Some people believe if I do as I'm going to do it might put this in people's minds. But this is in people's minds already, we've had 89 people kill Themselves."

He said that he hoped the "very frank and very stark" images would "shock, and grab young people's attention and get them to take the danger to themselves seriously". The director general said: "We are going to put up posters in the New Year which will frankly remind young people and tell them how easy it is and tell them not to do it. A cry for help does not work if it leads to immediate death."

Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the poster idea was "appalling", adding: "These are mostly young people who need someone to sit and talk to, rather than be subjected to a frightening poster.'' She said action was needed to reduce the prison population and the number of young people inside.

Wrongfully jailed couple get compensation

"If you know you are innocent you just keep battling on until someone listens. There is nothing else you can do." Christopher Lillie

David Blunkett, has agreed to pay compensation of £200,000 each in damages, the maximum possible to Dawn Reed and Christopher Lillie, the former nursery nurses who won a libel case after being falsely accused of child abuse.