LETTER FROM ALAN RAYMENT -  15 October 2006

Alan Rayment
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Head of Operations and Security
HM Prison Service Headquarters
Cleland House
Page Street
London, SW1P 4LN

15 October 2006

Dear Sir,

I am a friend and regular visitor to Charles Bronson who has been recently returned to HMP Wakefield. I have been in contact with him for a period of four years and to date have not felt the need to write to the Prison Service concerning Mr Bronson’s treatment. However, following recent events at HMP Full Sutton I was compelled to ask one or two questions.

I and other friends and family are deeply concerned that he was moved from HMP Wakefield following an incident of indiscipline, with the use of “pepper gas spray.” I understand that trials in the US have proven that this can produce severe health problems.

Can you tell me if it is now the prison service’s policy to use the spray in all incidents that require the Control & Restraint of a single, unarmed, prisoner, as I understand that the 3 man team C&R techniques had always been considered entirely effective?

The incident at Wakefield was due to a long term feud with another Cat A inmate, Robert Maudesley and in hindsight Charles could have handled the situation much better than he did. He had been at Wakefield for six years, which I am sure you will agree was excellent progress for him.

My concerns were raised again at Full Sutton, when I witnessed, what could only be described as intimidating behaviour by prison service staff. My first visit was cancelled at the last moment, following what the governor described as an amicable arrangement with Charles. I later discovered that this had not been the case and he had been restrained once again following an incident on the exercise yard. He was taken to hospital and suffered bruising and kidney problems. Apparently, the number of staff involved in the restraint was fifteen. It worries me that this number of men utilised against a single prisoner is a recipe for serious injury, if not death.

Charles has stated that he was told he had to wear escapee clothing and was denied access to his own sportswear. He had not attempted to escape at Wakefield or Full Sutton, and this order therefore seems to have been made only to further provoke a violent reaction from him.

Further to this, he remained double cuffed during a “closed visit”, despite the fact that he was now compliant and another visitor saw 15 to 20 staff dressed in what he described as “riot gear”.

On the second visit an officer stared at Charles for almost an hour, before another fair minded officer asked the man to move away and allow the visit to continue under relatively normal conditions.

Following the second visit Charles was transferred back to Wakefield, where he informs me that he is once again in a stable environment.

Myself and several other long term friends are making an effort to encourage Charles to make positive progress, and by all accounts the Wakefield staff are able to relate to him well, treating him with humanity and respect as much as they can under difficult circumstances.

This is not a formal complaint about any one incident, but it is the only way I could think of to share my serious concerns with somebody in a higher authority. I doubt very much that prison staff want to come to work in a climate of violence or fear, and I know that Charles wants to change the pattern of the last ten years. We are all supporting him with his efforts.

I am hoping you will look into the issues I have raised and give me some assurance that, as far as possible, Charles will be managed by staff that have the skills and experience to handle this category of prisoner.

Once again, I wish to praise the staff at Wakefield, who continue to treat him in a humane and dignified manner and I am hoping that together with the support of family and friends, we can all help him to progress towards normal location.

I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Yours sincerely

Alan Rayment