John
Bowden: I Leave Prison Unbroken My Political Integrity
Uncompromised and Unyielding
On
the 20th February, the Parole Board finally agreed to my
release after forty years of my imprisonment and four
previous parole hearings when my release was denied not
because I represented a risk or danger to the public but
because I was labelled an "anti-authoritarian" prisoner
with links to anarchist and communist groups on the
outside, specifically Anarchist Black Cross and the
Revolutionary Communist Group.
Following
a parole knockback of my release last year, I instigated a
Judicial Review of the decision. Which although it did not
succeed fired a judicial shot across the bows of the
Parole Board and Ministry of Justice. And persuade them
that future decisions on my release or not would have to
be based on proper legal criteria. Specifically, whether
my continued imprisonment could be justified in the
Interests of public protection and-not just because I was
labelled a "difficult prisoner" by the - prison
authorities.
So,
the parole panel considering my case in February of this
year had to admit there was no real lawful justification
for my continued imprisonment and so reluctantly agreed to
my release. However, in its written decision, the Parole
Board claimed that my "current risk factors" included
"anti-authority views" and "attitudes supportive of the
use of violence." It also wrote: "During your sentence,
you have evidenced that you have a mistrust of those in
authority and professionals have previously reported that
if you felt unfairly treated or discriminated against,
coupled with any engagement with anti-social peers, then
this could increase your risk of violence. Your attitude
towards authority and your personality characteristics
have also been considered by professionals to present a
potential challenge in your future risk management."
Focusing
specifically on my contact with prisoner support on the
outside the parole decision report says:. 'it is clear
from official reports that you have passionate political
views and during your sentence, you have engaged with
groups that have been described as anarchist groups
(specifically Anarchist Black Cross). You stated that
these groups could be forthright and radical in their
protests, but they were not terrorist groups and did not
advocate violence.
You
told the panel that you've had a lot of time on your hands
in prison, and this has facilitated your contact with such
groups and your general interest in criminal and social
justice, equality, unfairness and inequality." It then
concludes with "The panel accepted that your passion for
standing up for people whom you believe need support is
unlikely to impact adversely on your risk to the outside
community. However, the panel was mindful that when you
were previously at large having escaped you were helped
considerably by associates you had met through these
groups and therefore it would need to be borne in mind
that you might be provided with assistance if you
disengage with supervision in the community".
However,
in its final decision, the parole Board admitted that my
actual risk or danger to the public was minimal and
therefore there was no lawful reason why I should remain
imprisoned, and on the 13th March the Ministry of Justice
agreed to my release.
Despite
40 years of imprisonment I finally emerge from prison
unbroken and my political integrity uncompromised and
unyielding, and I want to deeply thank all the comrades
who have supported me during my long imprisonment and
provided me with the strength to maintain my struggle,
especially comrades in Anarchist Black Cross and the
Revolutionary Communist Group. I salute you, comrades!
John
Bowden
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