BRONSON’S JAIL TALES... A RIGHT ROYAL READ?

By Mark Lavery

5th August 2011

HARSH stories of life behind bars penned by Britain’s most notorious prisoner may not be on Her Majesty’s list of must-read books this summer.

But Charles Bronson’s supporters are determined The Queen should get a chance to thumb through his latest tome on her summer holidays.

They plan to hand over a copy of Prison Diaries: From the Concrete Coffin during a peaceful protest outside the gates of Buckingham Palace tomorrow.

Bronson, who has spent over 30 years inside as a result of his violent behaviour, claims to have written a raw description of his life as a Category A prisoner in a solitary cell at Wakefield’s maximum security prison.

His family has set up The Charlie Bronson Appeal Fund, to help pay his legal fees as he campaigns for release.

Bronson said: “If you locked your dog up in this hell hole you would be prosecuted by the RSPCA. If zoo animals were caged in this way they’d be closed down.

“But it’s been my existence for as long as I can remember. I spend my life behind these two doors, not allowed to mix with anybody.

“Year after year of isolation. They try to hide this cage away from the public, they don’t want anybody to see it.

“They are ashamed of it. But I aim to expose this system for what it is and what it represents. Rehabilitation doesn’t work! I will die in this cage if the powers that be have their way. There is no surer thing.

“That is why I aim to get my case back to the Appeal Court. Failing this, I’ll take it to the European Court of Human Rights.”

Jailed in 1974 for robbery, his sentence has been repeatedly extended and he has spent only three months out of custody.

He has served 30 years of his time in prison in solitary confinement due to repeated attacks on prison staff and inmates, including a number of hostage situations and rooftop protests.

Bronson’s dangerous behaviour has meant that he has spent time in over 120 different prisons.

In 2000 he received a discretionary life sentence for a hostage-taking incident.