theRecord
Issue 14 August 2012
The free magazine for law-abiding people facing discrimination and inequality as a result of a criminal record
In this issue... 2. Editors Welcome 2. Music in Prisons Concert Review 3. Overseas Convictions 4. Window of Opportunity 6. Writing with Conviction 7. Poems 9. Tell, Don’t Tell Film Review 11. Unlock Media / Unlock Vocal
original image Š Krappweis on sxc.hu
Welcome... Erica Crompton This month poetry, oh! Sweet poetry! theRecord embraces ye olde literary essence, with words spun from cells, and lines made from experience. This month we bring to you a wealth of features and news, plus a healthy dose of well-carved verse as well as you own views. This month we have the usual contributors, plus a new breed of writers. Who deal with the caviar of their craft, and, we hope, make the journey that much lighter!
Music in Prisons Concert Review Simon Williams The concert was at St Marylebone Parish Church on 5th July 2012. I arrived at this beautiful old church and upon entering saw the ornate stuccoed ceiling, elaborately decorated with gold detailing. The musicians and their respective friends and families were arriving thick and fast, I was introduced to Sara Lee, the Artistic Director of Music in prisons and it was evident she was very passionate about her work and the musicians who were all ex-offenders just as keen. The playlist went as follows: Mark-Anthony Turnage, a composer of music with international renown. Then followed the stars of the show ‘Platform 7’. These 7 talented people came together after leaving prison and were brought
2
together through Sara and the Music in Prisons project team. The group kept in touch with MiP after their original project inside, showing positive tenacity and the ex-offenders do have a big say in how the music was arranged. Mr Turnage went to HMP Lowdham Grange and worked for a week with serving prisoners and after a week had laid down some very poignant music. We saw a film of how the group produced ‘Beyond This’. I can only describe it as hauntingly bliss and had elements of rap running through it. Of course, all of this done under the watchful eye of Mr Turnage. At times they reminded me of UB40 circa late 1970s when they burst on to the pop scene. The applause received was testament to the fact there are so many talented people incarcerated throughout the UK.
Platform 7 came to the stage next and Sara summarised the history of how these musicians came and collaborated their respective talents, and really bought the house down with the tracks they performed. They sung in unison alongside the sounds of the cello, bass and 2 guitarists, 3 on vocals and a percussionist. The song ‘Apology’ packed with serious lyrics, that if you’re honest to yourself you’ll recognise some words of this song and identify with life and its tribulations. Get this song released like now!! The playlist of this group was truly amazing and Simon Cowell best get an invite to the next show. Then came the Neil Cowley Trio, a jazz fusion group who complimented what ended up to be a great evening with musically talented exoffenders proving that transition for the better is possible with guidance of Sara Lee, mark-Anthony Turnage and the MiP project team. However, current cutbacks make life difficult for us all, but with music I have my sanctuary and I hope you have yours in the same light.
The issue of overseas convictions is extremely complicated, with practices relating to those convictions received in a European Union member state not finding any corresponding equivalent practices in relation to convictions received in non-EU countries. The procedures for recording convictions received overseas onto the Police National Computer are developing unevenly.
ECRIS, the European Criminal Records Information System, was due to be adopted by all 27 EU countries by 7 April 2012, this regulating the sharing of any convictions received in an EU country from this date. Information regarding convictions received in non-EU countries is gathered from most Interpol countries, but this procedure, however, is not specifically defined or regulated, and is more informal and piecemeal than the EU system.
Overseas Convictions MB
User Voice exists to reduce reoffending by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. We establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and present the case for service user engagement to a wide range of key audiences. We are seeking to appoint a Programme Manager to be primarily based and work in Essex but also support projects in the South East. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. The
primary role of the Programme Manager is to manage the development and delivery of a peer mentoring project with Essex Probation. The successful candidate will have responsibility for engaging staff and service users, delivering training and overseeing the delivery of this project. User Voice particularly welcomes ap-
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, convictions received overseas are treated in the same way as those given by British courts. That said, some other EU member countries operate different practices in recording convictions; for example, in countries such as Belgium and Germany, records of convictions resulting in prison sentences of less than six months or fines of less than 500 Euros are destroyed after three years. While it is probable that even a sentence of this nature will be shared following the implementation of ECRIS, for an accurate record of all information stored about you, it is advisable to contact the relevant authority in the country concerned. My full piece related to overseas convictions can be viewed here. Whilst I have been unable to provide concrete information on all elements of this complex subject, this information is as comprehensive and wide in scope as was possible, and I hope that the information I have collected from a number of different sources will assist those interested in this issue.
plications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. For the full job description, person specification and application details: Amie-Rose Long at amierose@uservoice.org Applicants for either post should send a CV and a statement of their suitability for the role to Daniel Hutt, User Voice, 20 Newburn Street, London, SE11 5PJ or daniel@uservoice.org. The statement should set out the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification.
Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 24 August Interview date: week commencing 10 September
3
Second Chance
A window of opportunity Interview with Christopher Syrus Chris Syrus is a young man on a mission. Raised in south London, he has spent time in prison, convicted at the age of 24. During his time in an open prison, Chris used every opportunity he could lay his hands on to turn his life around, securing employment before release. This role was in personal development and has resulted in Chris undertaking many projects, having a poetry book published, looking after his family and concentrating on an area that needs people like him - motivated, driven and dedicated. Chris highlights the point very clearly that he wants to make to young people. While his mission is to reduce youth offending, he concentrates on tackling an increasing problem in today’s society. What do we do
4
with the current youth offending population? Where do these people go, after conviction? Who takes care of them? Who mentors them on to a path of leading a normal life? Chris has cornered a market that looks at this. That finds a chink in the armour where people who have little or no insight, into what is an increasing problem, and facilitates programmes on a section of society that is rife, yet huddled away in the eyes of the public. He gives them what he found beneficial to him, serving as a prisoner. We hear often, “If I could bottle this and give it to you, I would�. Well, Chris has bottled his own experiences and is handing those bottles over to young offenders, to young people and handing them a brighter future.
During his time in prison, Chris centred his thoughts on utilising all that was on offer. During his time he studied Psychology with the Open University, he completed an NVQ in Advice and Guidance, 7303 Teacher Training and Goals for Young People facilitation. In 2008 he was awarded the Learning Skills Council “Achieving Against the Odds” award. He is the author of the book of poetry, titled LoveLife6958, his allocated prisoner number, which transcribes his progression from his negative past towards a positive future. On release in 2009, Chris used his acquired skills and training to start his own business, delivering workshops, which are based around arts, music and creative writing. Chris also delivers personal development skills, creative writing skills, movie making skills and the opportunity for young people to accompany him on musical tours. In the pipeline, he’s currently looking to be a Job Centre Provider. He also works in forensic units throughout the country offering his workshops to young offenders. He works actively to secure job apprenticeships for young offenders on their release from prison and young offenders institutions. As if that wasn’t enough, he continues
to offer guidance and mentoring to young people for them to go on and become mentors. In all of the above, Chris’s primary purpose is to offer young people what he benefited from and used to turn his life around. During our interview, Chris wants to make absolutely clear that there is light at the end of the tunnel for young people in the Criminal Justice System. But also, any adult cannot fail to be inspired by his achievements while in prison and his ongoing achievements since then. This is more than just offering a service to a disadvantaged section of society. It is giving young people the opportunity, under his guidance to move forward from the dark days of prison to life on the outside and to discourage re-offending. Chris also reaches out to young people, to discourage offending. Any person can attend any of his workshops. They are available to all. Chris also points out that if given a custodial sentence, young people should approach all areas of education, which was ultimately what kept Chris going through his sentence. He opens a window of opportunity for young people to go through, and move their live on from, offending, re-offending
and getting off the hamster wheel of offending behaviour. He points out that offending is behavioural: change the behaviour and the risk of offending and re-offending is reduced. His hope for the future is to show young people that there is opportunity after a conviction. Nobody can fail to see that Chris has overcome immense obstacles, in a society that discriminates against reforming offenders at whatever age. An open, willing mind and approach to how to move a life on the wrong path, to a good, solid, positive path. Achievement and growth can only come with a willing mind, a positive approach to one’s own life. In a society where reforming offenders are often denied access routes to employment, education and a right to lead a life without offending behaviour, Chris proves, shows, and continues to offer a service that is priceless.
For more information or to purchase the book, spoken word CD, short film or documentary DVD visit www.syrusconsultancy.com
5
Writing with conviction David Honeywell The recent television series, ‘Gordon Behind Bars’ was fascinating and yet disheartening. I watched with interest as it brought back lots of memories for me. Firstly because I worked as a chef for many years after leaving prison with no skills or qualifications and secondly, because I worked in the Savoy and Ritz Hotels in London too. Gordon Ramsay notched up almost six months working with inmates at Brixton Prison but his aim was to leave a viable business behind to keep them working and earning. He persuaded Caffe Nero to stock the Bad Boys Bakery’s lemon curd treacle slice for a make-or-break event and asked Justice Secretary Ken Clarke for vital financial backing. To prepare for the occasion a branding expert and the prisoners packaged the slices to appeal to socially-conscious consumers. Then as Ramsay said goodbye to Anthony Kelly, one of his most trusted workers, who was released, another, exdrug addict Paul Wyatt, was given a chance to work at Ramsay’s restaurant in London’s Savoy Hotel.
6
Sadly, Paul didn’t last long as he also learned – as I did - that the downside to this work, was the immense stress. And I could certainly empathise with Paul for slipping back into his old ways. Even Gordon said that perhaps it was too much of a stressful environment for him – straight from prison. On the other hand, another inmate has thrived off working in his new found employment which is very encouraging. This was the perfect job for me in the 80s and 90s in some respects after leaving prison, as they didn’t delve into your past. But like Paul, I went down that slippery slope too and for me, it was alcohol that was my nemesis. After 12 hour straight shifts, I headed for the clubs for the rest of the night and was in the pubs all day on my day off. When I worked split shifts, I consumed as much alcohol as possible during the four hour break before the evening shift – kidding myself it helped me work better. In Gordon’s interview with Channel 4, he said: “This isn’t just a ‘let’s go and cook along with Gordon in pris-
on’ thing. The idea came from the fact that there are approximately 80,000 inmates across the country now, which is a hell of a lot. It was about getting them doing something with their time, giving something back, and also getting job-ready. The biggest problem is the re-offending percentages, people just go round and round in the system.” I felt that although learning new skills in prison is essential, there were some real bigoted screws working there - hell-bent on seeing Gordon’s project fail. It seems the old school screw hasn’t become extinct after all. And the Prison Service’s ‘caged mentality’ amongst some of the screws is still very much alive. Catering is a respectable industry which offers a way in for ex cons because there’s no CRBs unless you’re working in schools, or nursing homes. But I still believe that honesty is the best policy and many places would give you a chance.
POEM Touching Hand Carlos Gutierrez When I was little a hand used to touch me And I couldn’t run I grew up afraid of the dark Scared of being alone But I was fragile and little And I couldn’t run My uncle used to visit us He hugged me and took me away from mum He cut dry banana leaves and asked me to lie down And I couldn’t run
POEM Stepping Stones Alun Rogers
I was afraid of my uncle I didn’t want to sleep with him And I never spoke to anyone And I couldn’t run At school, I was a shy and lonely child I was afraid of the teachers And bigger boys in my class And I couldn’t run I never saw my uncle again Then I started to run I ran free in my dreams And I learnt to run away from my life
At last I knew how to run But I couldn’t run away from my past I am now again afraid, alone and fragile like a child I am now inside a cell where it is forbidden to run I am now paying the price for losing a race Trying to get away from the touching hand.
One step at a time alone Out of this rage into a calm Out of the dark into the light Out of this box into the air Out of my dream into your heart Out of the gate into your arms One step at a time together.
7
POEM For Luther (28th June 2012) Martin Favager And I have seen such beauty That does not insist desire But stead fast moves and darts In mind and bones Growing and flexing its new born soul. For though we all March wisely towards life’s shade Our hearts retain some majesty That replays the scenes of much loved Innocence Again, repeat until No more for it swells too much And presses the present Ugly fool from necessary grasps To maintain our future plans For he and she who trust And depend upon our fortitude and not Our folly. I once dressed as the King you know With sceptred hands and glorious entrances Proud like the dumb show Posturing in pleasantries and portents Until only they remained. Now I strut for the gutter’s edge Who applaud my hopeful slip and fall While secretly praying each step Preserves by proxy their terrible souls. For no man is wholly bad Nor good. Or no man can truly be, For in our iniquities and darkness we hide The rough edges of our souls That must, by force of will be rounded or At lesser force repelled till morning comes again And we again Can breathe.
8
Let me explain. I once knew a man who forced melted powders through his skin To fill his blood with delicious poisons The kind that only peril possesses And curiosity beguiles. He said to me “What is this fascination with Length, Time, Age?” Coughing and sighing he added, “We live and die is all The time between is ours to do with as we will and I...” The blanket against the window glass grew darker as the sun In poor winter receded apologising And fires burnt strong across the land As a candle was lit in the here and now To provide dual purpose, so the smoke curled, “And I... Have little now to prove or say more than has been said Much finer and purer than ever I could”
“Let’s listen to Zappa and ignore the banging drums” For we are the retinue of the future Purpose now set and not ours But to prepare the fields of glory upon which Our feet shall never tread. And that matters not, For I have seen such beauty That does not require assent But stead fast moves and darts In mind and bones Growing and flexing its new born soul To claim the lands bequeathed.
Film Review
UNLOCK members A video produced by London training organisation, Red Kite Learning, has been produced, working with Inside Job Productions. Red Kite Learning describe the film as: “An innovative, interactive drama which aims to follow through the consequences of choices made by ex-offenders when looking for employment. The film is based on the engaging story of one man’s journey and the impact on his family, where the viewer can decide which course of action they want the main character to take at a number of critical points.” Here’s what you thought... “I would say that it does achieve what it says it wants to - thinking about options and their consequences. As such it could be useful to people in thinking about the situation they are in and the potential impact of relevant
choices. I found it easy to watch and thought provoking.” - by Sententia “It highlights the difficulties anyone with convictions has. It’s a complete no hope situation and very depressing to watch but clearly demonstrates to the public how frustrating it all is, and proves you’re doomed if you do and doomed if you don’t! No one is going to employ this bloke with just one conviction so what chance does a bloke have with 4 pages of convictions over the past 25 years? How would you be able to go through each one at a job interview! I’m thinking on the lines of a riot van with a load of coppers outside waiting in anticipation? Having said that if they knew your past you would not even get the interview. ” - by Peter “I don’t really know what to make of it. Like Peter said, you’re doomed
if you do and doomed if you don’t. I started my new job 2 days before I was convicted, so strictly speaking I didn’t lie about convictions in the application. I suppose you could say I mislead my current employer though, but where do you draw the line?” - by Jono-gt6 “The video brings out a sad state of affairs. Once you get a criminal record you become a class two human being. Disclose upfront and pray and hope somebody has a heart and gives you a chance. This chance is not based on what you can do in terms of skills. It is based on the pity or philanthropic mind of anybody that holds the key to the door. It touches a raw nerve, it gives you a reality check, it tells you - ‘Dear ex-criminal, you are at the mercy of not only the elements but every other human you will encounter
9
going forward.’ It also highlights how your personal life can be destroyed for ever. Even your own wife and kids will not want you if you cannot bring home vitamin M. It’s a tragic story played over different scenarios.” by RG “I’m not an ex-offender, but the wife of one. I did watch with interest as I was caught on the other side of disclosing that my husband was inside long and short, I lost my job. I’ve been in new job now for nearly one year and only just the other day decided to tell colleagues that my husband was inside. Now, interesting video. But what I thought was strange was his tone that totally changed when he decided not to disclose until the interview. He became defensive, dismissive about his crime, I almost felt that was the reason for his non-employment. That aside, it was very thought provoking - for ex-offender AND potential employer. It does demonstrate that it’s going to be tough, but I suppose the big voice in the background is shouting - ‘admit your crime, disclose and all will be well’. The sad fact is that you will probably take double, treble the time to find employment if you do. If ex-offenders were given meaningful training in how to find work when they come out (and I don’t just mean how to fill out a form). This, in conjunction with the video, would be a huge help. To re-frame your offence into an experience you learned from, to be able to discuss what you did, how you’ve changed, would be really helpful. But, big but, only if you managed to get to the interview stage. It’s a knotty issue presented in a rather black and white version. Be good, tell the truth and all will be well, Hmmmm, if only society was that forgiving.” - by Ottomummy “No offence to Red Kite (who interestingly have just lost the contract where I am as a provider of employment advice to those on Probation) but this video’s message is crap. The cynic in me has to ask the question ‘qui bono’ (who benefits) as far as
10
this video is concerned? Not the exoffender that’s for sure. As has been intimated, it’s bad enough for those with a single conviction for shoplifting that happened years ago. If you disclose (especially in this climate where employers have lots of ‘law-abiding’ people to choose from) then 999 times out of 1000 you’re not going to get anywhere. As an employer, you’d have to have had a pretty dubious batch of candidates to be considering an exoffender! So who does benefit? Well, the moment the offender gets a job, providers like Red Kite have one less client. One less reason for the state to
pay taxpayers money to them. Yeah well, maybe I’m being too cynical. Never attribute to malice, that which can be attributed to incompetence. Have to say, that video made me pretty angry. It just looked like propaganda, not useful advice. One thing I should say is that I have no evidence for the above other than my own view of the film and a bit of (maybe overly cynical) logic. It is just a opinion and may well not reflect reality.” - by SouthernChap To view the film, click here
Second Chance! 1 in 5 people are routinely refused insurance
AWARD WINNING COVER FOR MOTOR – HOME PUBLIC LIABILITY Contact a member of our friendly team
SIS Insurance 13 Northenden Road Sale Cheshire M33 2DH
0161 969 6040
enquiries@saleinsurance.co.uk www.saleinsurance.co.uk
SIS is authorised and regulated by the FSA
UNLOCK Media A round-up of relevant news and views in the media this month
The Guardian Naseem Hamed and me click here The Guardian Erwin James: why are so many former soldiers in prison? click here The Guardian Welfare cuts: housing benefit claimants not welcome here – click here
The Guardian High court rejects prisoner’s challenge over victims levy – click here
The Guardian - Sports book created by prisoners to be part of 2012 Cultural Olympiad click here
UNLOCK Vocal You have your say at forum.unlock.org.uk
General Information > Latest news & current affairs> ROA strikes again... SouthernChap flags up an interesting BBC article titled ‘Fijian-born soldier Isimeli Baleiwai fights to stay in UK’ click here
Information & Advice Online > Ask the forum a question > Changes in Rehab of Offenders Act .. need advise – New member Ish discusses changes in the ROA with others click here
Public Forums > Employment > Voluntary work – GasGasGas and other members interested in doing volunteering in their communities click here
Public Forums > Finance (e.g. insurance, banking, mortgages etc) > Opinions please- Declaring insurance cancellation directly due to conviction. - Member fifi brings UNLOCK’s “insurance guide for consumers” to the table click here
Public Forums > Other areas of life > Physically Disabled Ex-Offenders – Release2Succeed ponders physical disability in relation to a criminal record click here
Public Forums > Housing > Robert Greens - Protests in Scotland to get him moved out of the village Chris Bath poses the question “is the community really a victim in crime?” as well as raising other concerns related to UNLOCK’s work and the Robert Green case click here
11
Con-tribute jingle Unlock on the web Facebook
Youtube
Delicious
Editorial
• Email newsletter@unlock.org.uk • Web www.unlock.org.uk
• Forum forum.unlock.org.uk
• Post 35a High Street, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5AG
• Editor Erica Crompton
• Designer A kind volunteer
• Executive Director Chris Bath • theRecord’s content may be repro-
duced providing UNLOCK is referenced as the source
• Views expressed in theRecord are that of contributors and not necessarily those of UNLOCK or the publishers • We welcome submissions to theRecord
sent to newsletter@unlock.org.uk , however publication is not guaranteed.
Subscriptions
• theRecord is distributed to all
subscribers at the beginning of every month by email • To receive theRecord, you can subscribe here
• To unsubscribe, click the unsubscribe link in the email that you received.
Advertising
• To find out more about advertising in theRecord, please contact Debbie Young at enquiries@unlock.org.uk
12
Writing, pictures and contributions That’s what we need! Your opinions matter, and readers they feed. We’re looking for all your thoughts, your artwork and literary designs! What gets you going and what you love. We promise we won’t leave anyone behind. So put pen to paper, don’t hesitate, write into us now on the usual address newsletter@unlock.org.uk A warm welcome awaits you It’ll keep theRecord a-okay!