theRecord
Issue 12 June 2012
The free magazine for law-abiding people facing discrimination and inequality as a result of a criminal record
In this issue... 2. Editor’s Welcome 3. Review : More Than Just A Prisoner 4. ROA Changes 5. Opinion : ROA Changes - A Missed Opportunity? 6. Opinion : Guilty Or Not, Does It Matter? 7. Review : A Prayer Before Dawn 8. Writing With Conviction 10. Second Chance : Business Startup 12. Second Chance : From Bars to Stars 13. Unlock Media / Unlock Vocal
original image Š punnks on sxc.hu
Welcome... Erica Crompton Prisoners’ voting rights are under the spotlight this month.
The UK Government is currently at a crossroads regarding the issue after a long legal battle with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which judged that the current blanket ban preventing all prisoners from voting contravened the European Convention on Human Rights. In April 2011 the UK Government lost its final appeal against the repeal of the ban and was given six months to introduce legislation repealing it. Despite the legal situation, the ban in its current form appears to have strong political and public support. A debate held in the House of Commons on Thursday 10 February 2011 backed the continuation of the current ban by 234 votes to 22. At the time of that debate, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It makes me physically ill to contemplate giving the vote to prisoners. They should lose some rights, including the right to vote.” But a public workshop is debating the issue further. Democracy and Criminal Justice, run by world-renowned experts on the matter, is underway at the University of Sheffield, part of a wider project between the University’s Department of Philosophy, School of Law and Department
that the blanket ban on voting rights for
undemocratic? Is a ban on voting
of Politics.
prisoners contravenes the European
justified by the moral demand to make
Convention on Human Rights.”
sentences reflect the seriousness of
The workshop is led by Dr Chris-
2
topher Bennett from the University of
Questions currently being debated
the crime? If the blanket ban is to be
Sheffield’s Department of Philosophy
include: Would the UK be right on prin-
who says: “Just this week the Euro-
cipled grounds to maintain a blanket
pean Court of Human Rights in Stras-
ban on prisoners’ voting, or is a blan-
at forum.unlock.org.uk or send your
bourg confirmed its verdict that the
ket ban a breach of human rights? Is a
views for publication to newsletter@
UK must comply with its judgement,
blanket ban on prisoners’ voting rights
unlock.org.uk
lifted, with what should it be replaced? What do you think? Discuss this
Film Review
More than just a prisoner causing more trouble, or come out as
Erica Crompton There’s so much in a name, so much
The event took place at Only Connect, 32 Cubitt Street, London WC1 – a
private members’ club for prisoners,
ex-offenders and youth at risk. Take a look at their work, here .
productive members of society and inspiring role models?” More than
more to a prisoner. That’s the key
just a prisoner features the stories of
message behind the fantastic new
people from a range of backgrounds
short film ‘More than just a prisoner’.
who have all spent time in prison, but
The film is by Prisoner’s Educa-
have used learning to transform their
tion Trust and expert film maker Will
lives. They explained how learning
Francome who also produced ‘In
enabled them to move away from their
Prison My Whole Life’. This month
label as a ‘prisoner’ or ‘offender’ to
The Record was invited to a screening
develop pro-social identities such as
followed by a unique panel discussion
youth worker, writer, teacher, actor,
chaired by the Guardian journalist and
academic and charity worker. Susan
ex-prisoner Erwin James. At the event
Simmonds, Director of Prisoners Edu-
James said: “We’re better versions of
cation Trust said: “We’re very pleased
what we were. Education is the last
to be releasing this short film that
bastion of rehabilitation.” The panel
features the voices of prisoners and
included UNLOCK’s Chair of Trus-
ex-prisoners, who are so often not
tees, Dr. Andreas Aresti, an expert on
heard in discussions around criminal
desistance and learning, who founded
justice. Each story shows the power
the ‘British Convict Criminologists’.
of learning in giving people a new
Speaking at the event on the topic
understanding of themselves and the
of reform, Aresti asked: “Would you
opportunity to change their lives.”
rather people come out crazier and
Watch the film here .
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Megan 3
ROA Changes Ministry of Justice The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
seeks to achieve this whilst still hav-
the length of the sentence plus an
ing regard to public protection.
additional period. For example, a
Under the ROA, following a
1974 (ROA) is designed to improve
specified period of time which varies
posed on an adult will have a four
the chances of offenders being fully
according to the disposal adminis-
year buffer period, making the total
rehabilitated into society by removing
tered or sentence passed, all cau-
rehabilitation period six years. The
some of the barriers that they face. It
tions and convictions (except those
rehabilitation periods are linked, as
resulting in prison sentences of over
now, to the disposal given rather
30 months under the current law) are
than the type of offence committed
regarded as ‘spent’. Where a caution
as the disposal reflects the serious-
or conviction has become spent, the
ness of the offender behaviour.
offender is treated as rehabilitated
The Government believes that
in respect of that offence and is not
these amendments will achieve a
obliged to declare it for most pur-
proportionate and relevant balance
poses, for example, when applying
towards improving the chances of of-
for employment or insurance. For
fenders being fully rehabilitated into
persons under 18 when convicted,
society. The necessary changes to
the rehabilitation periods are gener-
systems and processes to deliver the
ally halved so the offence is ‘spent’
reforms are expected to be in place
more quickly.
by Spring 2013 and it is only then
The Government has, through
that the changes to the scheme can
the Legal Aid, Sentencing and
be commenced. In the meantime,
Punishment of Offenders Act 2012,
the current law will remain in force.
introduced reforms to the ROA. The
4
two year custodial sentence im-
We will, of course, be revising the
amendments extend the scope of
guidance on the Act to take account
the ROA so that custodial sentences
of the reforms and this will also need
of up to and including four years in
to be in place before the provisions
length can become spent, and in
are commenced. We will continue to
most cases reduce the time before
monitor the effectiveness of the ROA
which convictions can become
and the impact these changes have
spent. The majority of sentences
on ex-offenders and their ability to
and out of court disposals for
secure employment.
young people will also have the
It is important to emphasise
same or shorter rehabilitation
that an employer or other body is
periods than at present. The
only entitled to a standard
reforms would also introduce
or enhanced
‘buffer’ periods, where appro-
criminal re-
priate, which mean that the
cords check
rehabilitation period comprises
provided by
the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in respect of an individual, where that individual is engaged in an activity listed in the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975 (the ‘Exceptions Order’). The Exceptions Order lists exceptions to the ROA in recognition that there are certain activities for which a person’s full
ROA changes:
a missed opportunity? Andrew Henley The spring of 2013 will see the first
Furthermore, those who have served longer prison sentences of between six months and four years will have
progressive changes to the Reha-
longer rehabilitation periods at the
criminal record history is relevant.
bilitation of Offenders Act since its
end of their sentence than those
The Government’s amendments to
introduction in 1974. The Legal Aid,
who have served shorter sentences.
the ROA make no changes to the
Sentencing and Punishment of Of-
Quite why this should be so is not
Exceptions Order.
fenders Act will have the effect of
clear as the commission of one seri-
reducing disclosure periods under
ous offence carrying a long determi-
are made following careful consid-
the ROA for the majority of those
nate prison sentence will have the
eration of the risks associated with
convicted of criminal offences. The
impact of labelling an individual as
a particular activity. There must be
relevant section of the legislation is
legally ‘beyond redemption’ despite
compelling evidence that there exists
available to view here.
any efforts they may make to reform
Inclusions in the Exceptions Order
an exceptional opportunity for em-
The obvious positive outcome of
themselves.
ployees or people involved within that
this move by the Ministry of Justice
activity to cause harm to the public
is that many people with previous
fender who re-offends many times
or that there is a real risk to children,
convictions will benefit from the
over but who manages to avoid a
vulnerable individuals or some other
protections of the ROA a lot sooner
long-term prison sentence will still
particularly sensitive area of work.
than they would have done previ-
have the opportunity to have their
ously. Notably, those given non-cus-
offences become ‘spent’ at some
even where employers are entitled
todial and shorter prison sentences
stage based upon a suitable period
to ask for a criminal records check,
of less than six months will have
of desistance from crime. In effect,
knowledge of a conviction, spent
significant reductions in the length
it is better to be a formerly persistent
or unspent, should not act as an
of time before they can regard their
offender with a huge number of rela-
automatic barrier to employment.
conviction as spent. This is broadly
tively minor convictions than to have
Information about convictions is only
in line with the Breaking the Circle
made just one very serious mistake
part of a wide range of information
review of the ROA published back
and to never reoffend.
available to employers, for example
in 2002 which had proposed that
references, academic achievements,
determinate custodial sentences be
period is necessary to demonstrate
previous employment.
regarded as spent after a period of
rehabilitation for those who have
two years beyond the sentence ex-
served longer custodial sentences of
encouraged employers to take a
piry date and all non-custodial sen-
up to four years. The logical conclu-
balanced approach when consider-
tences would be spent after a year.
sion seems to be that, in the eyes
ing the suitability of ex-offenders for
The amendments will also apply
of the law, a longer time served in
employment, having regard to such
retrospectively, meaning that convic-
prison and on licence supervision
factors as: the person’s age at the
tions received prior to spring 2013
means that an individual remains
time of the offence; how long ago the
will also benefit from the changes.
‘unreformed’ for a much lengthier
It is also important to be clear that
The Government has always
offence took place; whether it was an
Unfortunately, many UNLOCK
On the other hand, a prolific of-
It is also not clear why a longer
period of time. Does this perhaps
isolated offence or part of a pattern
members may view these legisla-
suggest that the government has
of offending; the nature of the of-
tive changes as something of a
lost faith in the capacity of prison
fence; its relevance to the application
missed opportunity. There will still
and probation to rehabilitate offend-
or post in question; and what else is
be no legal rehabilitation available
ers and in the efficacy of its own
known about the person’s conduct
to anyone who has served a prison
offending behaviour programmes?
before or since the offence.
sentence of more than four years.
5
Opinion
Guilty or not, does it matter?
IanC Firstly, let’s understand which sort
of legal system we actually live under and by default, as citizens we are required to participate in and accept. This in itself will help to partly explain why we have a high prosecution rate in the UK and more disturbingly, why it is theoretically and practically possible to politically increase or decrease a prison population and use this to increase state control. The purpose of this article is to offer an opinion that the amount of crime is not necessarily linked to the prison
Clapham omnibus,” meaning the use
times the verdict is often not by virtue
population figures, or indeed that
of public opinion and value judg-
of an intended common sense, but
figures in any way represent anything
ments as a measurable criteria for
by a warped cultural Marxist per-
but a moral panic. The article proposes
determining guilt. In other words,
spective in which everyone eventually
that the amount of crime is a social
the use of a subjective individual’s
becomes a victim.
construct used by recently formed
opinion to judge in/appropriate
political elites, in an effort to promote a
behavior(s).
progressive and controlling society.
therefore there has to be a lot of crime; therefore the accused defend-
to suppose that a political ideology
ant standing before you is likely to
of trials. The word ‘adversarial’ itself,
might want to increase the prison
be guilty. Note the disappearance of
meaning confrontational and argu-
population or the amount of guilty
the terms, ‘accuser and accused’, to
mentative, gives an apt description of
verdicts during its term in office, but
be quietly replaced by ‘victim and de-
two sides engaged in putting forward
in my opinion the adversarial sys-
fendant’. The defendant, having been
facts to lead and convince others, the
tem currently does just that. Both
convicted now also becomes a victim
jury, of a beyond reasonable doubt
the CPS and police, (service - as
and the state is free to allocate them
conclusion. The end result then is not
opposed to force), are now highly
a responsible government Minister in
necessarily the truth, but a com-
politicized and their decisions subject
the name of equality.
petitive battle between two sides in
to performance indicators, quality
Politicians tend to engage in this
which the jury act as referees. Hence
assurance, targets and efficiency
construction to further their own ideol-
the oft used phrase by the defendant,
criteria.
ogy of state control. Harriet Harman,
The UK has an adversarial system
“I hope I get a good brief”. This concept of was first de-
6
It might be thought rather odd
The prison population is high,
They are both under political
“I pledged to you that we would press
pressure to produce the victims
forward on our progressive agenda .
scribed by Collins MR in the early
(pun) which are then judged by a jury
. .” (Labour Party Conference, 2009 –
part of the last century when he used
susceptible to moral panics, political
by ‘progressive’ read, control by the
the term, “the ordinary man on the
bias and media influence. In recent
ruling elite).
Book Review
Billy Moore’s A Prayer Before Dawn Wayne T A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN charts the years Billy spent in Thailand, his drug addictions and his incarceration in
sexual liaison with who he describes
his macho-ism take over. But this may
some of their most notorious prisons.
as [MISS METHADONE 2004].
be because he cannot allow himself
Billy has managed to convey in this a
The book covers his exploits in
to dwell on the more deep emotions
very descriptive use of language and a
Thailand and his fall back into drug
range of contrasting emotions - from
addiction, but it also covers his dis-
utter despair to ones of laughter.
covery of Muay Thai boxing, a brutal
“convictitis”, in the fact that like so
martial art, in his detailed accounts
many ex-cons he spouts the mantra
with the story of how for his birthday
of the origins of this sport, and his
that all cops and authority are bent
he received a beating from his father
obvious reverence of it, Billy shows
which if he he allowed himself to
just for being Billy. I think in these first
his one true love, and maybe that love
analyse, he could realize that this is a
passages the seeds of Billy’s addic-
has helped him through his ordeals.
fallacy which allows ex-cons to play
He starts his book at the age of 13,
tions, and propensity to violence are first sown.
His use of descriptive language is particularly impressive, and through-
which lay inside him. He also has a case of what I call
the blame game. However, overall Billy should be
He has a nice way with words,
out the book, one can literally smell
proud of the book he has written.
particularly his descriptive passages.
the stench and see Thailand and its
Many a seasoned writer would not
This comes to the fore in his descrip-
prisons as if watching with 3D glass-
have been able to write in the way he
tions of the various characters he has
es! However I also have a few qualms
has, to convey the atmosphere and
encountered. One which particularly
with Billy, sometimes he comes
despair of Thailand.
tickles me, is when in rehab he has a
across like Rocky on crack and lets
He says at the end of his book, he needed to put pen to paper, to exer-
Guilty or not... continued... In recent comments, the solicitor
cise the ghost of what he has been various registers, (restrict). The adversarial system lends itself
through, but I think to totally achieve this, he would have to write another
general, Vera Baird, said: “Conviction
to influence by third parties by con-
book, one that deals with the early
rates are far too low … we need to
structing state dominant narratives,
part of his life, and the violence suf-
drive up conviction rates.”
which are then passed down to the
fered at the hands of his father.
The adversarial system is just one
masses through the media and laws.
of the areas in which this is appar-
In this respect then the adversarial
ent and has been hijacked by recent
system can be used to create control,
governments. Others are NOMS,
by producing convictions to enforce
(management); the ROA, (control); the
further controls and restrictions.
A Prayer Before Dawn, A Nightmare in Thailand is available now, here 7
Writing with Conviction David Honeywell It’s every man’s worst nightmare and
partner stating she had been raped.
released without charge due to lack of
one of the most despicable things a
Then after Byron reluctantly made
evidence or because they are in fact
woman can do to a man.
a statement to police, the man she
innocent, they will still get the mut-
accused of rape was arrested at his
terings and sheepish glances from
home and detained in police custody
groups of gossiping neighbours, snide
for almost nine hours.
comments from local yobs and frozen
A recent article I saw headlined,
‘Teesside University student who cried rape is spared jail’ immedi-
ately made the heckles on the back of my neck rise. I’m not sure if it was the fact that an innocent man had spent several nights
out by the bigoted. Read more, here Teesside University student who
back to their once unblemished lives
cried rape is spared jail
and take up where they left off? How
in the cells for something he didn’t do or the fact his accuser was spared jail that really made my blood boil. In a bid to grab the attention of
can life ever be the same? For all the For those who have witnessed how sex offenders are treated in prison, they will understand how the
many supporters they will have, they will have as many doubters. My point is clear. Should anyone
an ex-boyfriend, Hannah Byron met
very thought of being accused of a
falsely accuse someone of rape or any
a man outside a Middlesbrough bar,
sex crime and going to prison for it,
sex offence, they should experience an
shared a taxi with him and the pair
is a terrifying thought. Not to mention
ordeal they will never forget including a
had consensual sex, Teesside Crown
being treated with contempt by some
lengthy custodial sentence, be named
Court had heard.
of their closest friends and family.
and shamed, lose their job, and be
But in the early hours of the morn-
8
How can one in this situation go
ing, Byron sent texts to her former
And if they are lucky enough to be bailed for a while, or in some cases
made to apologise to their victim. Having witnessed someone who
was attacked on a daily basis during
Read more, here Jailed: Girl, 18,
his six month ordeal in prison on re-
whose rape lies led to the arrest of
mand, accused of rape, I can’t imag-
Afghanistan war heroes
ine what he must have gone through physically and emotionally and neither could the majority of others.
those who wonder if it was just lack of evidence or a fearful victim that brought about their reprieve. Not only should these malicious
For anyone falsely accused of such
liars be jailed, but also the victims need
heinous crime, most of us can only
to be compensated enough to leave
imagine the despair, fear and anxiety
their old life behind and start some-
month ordeal until he was eventually
they must go through. No matter how
where else. Mud sticks and one of the
released after his accuser admitted
many times they tell their accusers and
worst things that can happen to a per-
she had invented the whole story.
the finger pointers of their innocence –
son is to be falsely accused, abused
their lives can never be the same.
and shunned by society as a result.
He had to fight every day of his six
Not only does this make real cases less likely to be taken seriously, but
During the initial stages of the
For the devastating affect this can
it undermines all those genuine rape
arrest, even those closest will often
have on the victims lives, laws need to
cases resulting in women choosing
doubt their innocence. And even when
be changed to send out a clear mes-
not to come forward because of the
proved beyond all shadow of a doubt
sage that it will not be tolerated.
way they will be scrutinised as possi-
to be innocent, there will always be
bly making the whole thing up. In 2001, two soldiers back from the Afghanistan frontline were falsely accused of rape by teenage girl, Bobbie Martin, hours before a parade in their honour. The men were woken up to be arrested at dawn and instead of proudly marching through town with their comrades, spent the day in police custody falsely accused of a brutal sex attack. Bobbie Martin, 18, was found in a ‘distressed state’ by a friend shortly after the alleged late night attack outside the Royal Hotel in Scarborough. She told police one of the men held her down while the other raped her. In reality it was all a ‘charade’ and ‘wicked lies’ made for no apparent reason against two honourable men who had done nothing wrong at all, the judge said. Returning war heroes Major James Thurstan and Regimental Sergeant Major Edward Pickersgill of the Coldstream Guards – and who are both married – never laid a finger on the jobless teenager. They were sitting on a bench eating a takeaway meal when the drunken teenager approached them, flirted and exposed herself
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9
Second Chance
Business Start-Up In order to make your business a
tional insurance. Any profits generated as a sole trader are by definition yours. The business of a sole trader is not distinguished from your personal affairs so that if there are any debts, you are legally liable to pay those debts without limitation.
The second option is Partnership.
A partnership is an extension of being a sole trader. Here, a group of two or more people will come together in business. The partners will agree to
share the joint profits in pre-determined
success there are a number of key
proportions. It is advisable to draw up
factors which need to be considered.
a Partnership Agreement which sets
First off you need to be commmited.
the rules of how the partners will work
Starting a business is demanding and
together and how disputes are dealt
it’ll take over your life. For the self-em-
with. Partners are taxed in the same
ployed, working hours are 24/7. You’ll
way as sole traders, but only on their
need skills – apart from your own
own share of the partnership profits.
skills you will need other skills such as
As with sole traders, the partners are
book keeping/accounting and market-
legally liable to pay the debts of the
ing skills. You’ll also need to manage
business in their entirety. Each partner
your cash flow - you must appreciate
is ‘jointly and severally’ liable for the
that in becoming self-employed you
partnership debts, so that if certain
will not enjoy the comfort of having
partners are unable to pay their share
a regular income. There will be times
then the other partners will be expect-
As a qualified Chartered Accountant, I
when you will have very positive cash
ed to pay the shortfall. Be careful how
set up my own Practice, and within 6
flow but also times when money is
you choose your partners!
years had built it to generate £1 million
short. Managing your cash flow is
of fees per annum. I then sold the busi-
the key to success. Do consider your
ness to one of the biggest firms in the
business structure. Choosing the
UK and stayed on as Managing Partner
right structure from day one is vital to
words, you must treat it like a person in
in charge of 75 staff. An ill-judged
the success of any venture and it will
its own right, separate from the people
involvement with a property company
determine how you’re taxed.
who operate it. An individual can own
Eric Armstrong
caused me to be sentenced to 2 years
The possible options you have for
The third option is a Limited Com-
pany. A limited company is a separate legal entity from its owners, in other
shares in the company, and can also
for fraudulent trading. Initially, after
the business structures you can use
work for the company. As a share-
release from prison, I struggled to
are as follows.
holder, they own the company, and as
come to terms with my fall from grace
10
basis of how you pay your tax and na-
Sole trader. This is the simplest
a director, they are an employee of that
and struggled to find work. Eventually,
way of trading. There are only a few
I realised that despite the past I was
formalities involved in trading this way,
still the person I had been before going
the most important of which is inform-
relatively cheaply in a ready-made
to prison and I decided to start a new
ing the Inland Revenue. However, it’s
form usually referred to as ‘off the
accountancy practice - Armstrong &
relatively simple to do this, and can
shelf’ companies. There are additional
Company. My clients are mainly in the
be done online by going to www.
administrative factors in running a
North East but I have carried out work
hmrc.gov.uk You are required to keep
company, such as statutory accounts
for clients all over the UK. Here’s my
business records in order to calculate
preparation. A big advantage of own-
advice on starting up on your own...
profits each year and they will form the
ing a limited company is that your per-
company. New companies can be purchased
sonal liability is limited to the nominal
produce the ac-
share capital you have invested.
counts. If the re-
When starting in business most
cords are well kept it
people are confused by the taxation
will be easier to put together the
system. The basics are as follows:
accounts. Accounts must be prepared
Sole Trader or Partnership. Instead
for the Inland Revenue and if a limited
of being taxed on your earnings under
company is formed there are strict
PAYE you will be taxed on the profit
legal requirements as to their layout.
that is made by the business. Ac-
The worst conversation I have with
counts are drawn up annually to deter-
new clients is “I have been in busi-
mine the level of profit and you will be
ness a year so I thought it was time to
expected to submit a Tax Return every
find an accountant.” Believe me, the
year to the Inland Revenue. Be aware
best time to choose an accountant is
that taxation in business differs from
before you start in business. They
being an employee as it is not taken
can advise on the correct struc-
every week or month. Always ensure
ture for your business, the best
that you have retained sufficient of your
form of book keeping to use,
profits to cover the tax bill at the end
and should also be able to
of the year. A Limited Company pays
give some good general
Corporation Tax on its profits. If as a
business advice on
shareholder, you receive dividends (a
matters you may
you but you
share of the profits) then these will be
not have thought
have to pay your
liable to Income Tax. Any salary paid to
about such as
the owner as a director (employee) will
insurance, funding
be subject to the rules of PAYE.
and marketing.
Correctly accounting for VAT is an
tomers take 90 days to pay
staff and suppliers every 30 days the business could fail even though it is making
By getting an
a profit.
essential part of any business and ne-
accountant involved
glect may result in fines and penalties.
at the early stages
When starting a business you should
of the business you
consider the need to register for VAT.
are giving yourself the best chance of
many accountants will give some free
If the value of your taxable sales or
succeeding. Putting together a ba-
time to assist with a start up and may
services exceeds the registration limit
sic business plan is one of the most
agree an annual fee which is paid in
of £77k you will be obliged to register.
important steps in starting a business.
monthly installments. Remember: a
No one would dream of driving a car
good accountant will want your busi-
fied by the prospect of keeping books
with a blindfold on but it amazes me
ness no matter how small, so shop
and dealing with the Inland Revenue.
how many people go into business
around and find someone whom you
This should not put you off from going
without a business plan and spend
feel you can work with.
into business as there is plenty of ad-
their time driving in the dark. It is worth
vice available to overcome this prob-
while getting your accountant involved
business is one of the best feelings in
lem. Remember books of account can
at this stage to assist in the plan-
the world. If you have a skill or an idea
be as simple or as complicated as you
ning. This can be a very simple or a
that you think will sell then don’t hesi-
want them to be. A list of payments
complicated document but it is vitally
tate: it’s your best chance of putting
made and payments received in a sim-
important that you prepare some form
the past behind you, and moving on
ple book is a good starting point. A file
of plan.
with your life.
Most people in business are terri-
Of course professional advice has to be paid for but initially
Setting up and running your own
This exercise will also assist in
If you would like to discuss your
a file of paid and unpaid sales invoices
identifying and controlling your cash
business idea with me, please contact
issued could be all that your business
flow. Most business failures are down
me via email at armstrongandco@
needs in the early days.
to bad cash flow management rather
gmail.com
of paid and unpaid bills together with
The books and records are used to
than lack of profitability. If your cus-
11
Second Chance
From Bars to Stars “Reformed offencer Paul Brannigan
slashed, stabbed and shot at. I’m not
has won a part in forthcoming block-
venson he said “As a child my prior-
innocent but I’ve taken the choice to
buster Under The Skin,” reports the
ity in life was getting money to buy
do something about it. To change my
Scottish Sun. But twenty four year old
clothes and put food on the table. I
life. I saw some really nasty things in
Paul was once a young offender, hav-
tried to commit suicide a couple of
prison, I saw people getting stabbed
ing never acted in his life.
times. First time, I was ten and I slit
for a piece of bread.”
By a stroke of luck he was plucked
my wrists. I just remember think-
Paul told the newspaper about
from obscurity to play the lead role in
ing, ‘What’s the point?’ I didn’t care
how today he mingles with co-star
the film, which is in cinemas on June
if I lived or died because I just didn’t
Scarlett Johansson: “I was really nerv-
1. A father of one, Paul once served
think there was anything out there for
ous during the first few scenes with
three years in a young offenders’ jail -
me, nothing to live for. Everything just
her, but she was so down-to-earth
less than a decade ago.
seemed to get to me and there was
and we got on really well. I remember
no way out. The constant abuse I got
I was drinking in a nightclub scene
upbringing is almost a mirror image
for my mum and dad being drug ad-
and, to be honest, I was pretty ham-
of his character Robbie, as he also
dicts, having to constantly try to get
mered. She asked me if I was drink-
battled to escape a life of drugs and
money — it was hard for a kid.”
ing alcohol and I said, ‘Aye’, so she
The Scottish Sun reports that: “His
violence. Growing up, Paul was forced
It was a stint in prison that made
to care for his younger brother as both
Paul change and commit to a crime
and got fired right in. She was really
parents were junkies.”
free life.
interested in me and my life, my son
When he was ten he even tried to
12
Speaking to reporter Mark Ste-
Involved in gang warfare, Paul was
ordered herself a vodka on the rocks
and all that. We talked away about the
commit suicide because his future
sent to Polmont Young Offenders at
Avengers movie — she was just chat-
looked so bleak, Paul, who now lives
just 16 years of age for discharge of
ting like anybody else. It was crazy. I
with three-year-old son Leon and
a firearm. He tells the paper “I was
have to admit I tried to chat her up a
girlfriend Sheree Coutts, 26, confides
involved in a gang feud. I won’t sit
couple of times when I was steaming,
in the Scottish tabloid. “I was left to
here and make out I’m innocent. I’ve
I gave her a couple of wee one-liners
bring myself up, fend for myself, feed
been involved in gang fights, I’ve
— I enjoyed that.”
myself and my brother.”
been involved in assaults, I’ve been
Unlock Media A round-up of relevant news in the media this month The Daily Telegraph
Prisoners launch High Court challenge to keep more of their wages
The Daily Mail
Click here
Woman fired because a background
Radio 4 Moneybox
found a shoplifting charge from 40
Disclosure of convictions to insurance
years ago
companies
Click here
Click here
Our Kingdom
Transact
Prison should mean loss of liberty, not
Credit union and prisoners saving
loss of identity
scheme launched
Click here
Click here The Independent
BBC Wiltshire
Should Luke McCormick be able to
Detectives ran criminal record checks
play professional football once he’s
on Labour politicians
release from prison?
Click here
Click here
Unlock Vocal
The Daily Telegraph
Ken Clarke: popular press to blame for thousands of criminals being in jail needlessly Click here The Guardian
Inside Halden, the most humane prison in the world Click here Channel 4
Is there a limit to forgiveness? Click here
General Information >
Latest news at UNLOCK > About the ‘Latest news at UNLOCK’ section Christopher Stacey introduces a new section to the forum, for all UNLOCK news
General Information >
Feedback and help on the Forum > All
You have your say at forum.unlock.org.uk
Click here Public Forums >
forums public regardless of login?
Employment > Got a job!!! Permanent
Member Hipster69 asks about privacy
Member AT has some positive news
surrounding the UNLOCK forum
to share
Click here
Click here
General Information >
Public Forums >
The Record > Rules governing the use
Support, encouragement and success
of the Forum
stories > A small and simple way to
AndyH lays down the law in terms of
help focus on good things
the forum.unlock.org.uk. It’s worth a
Member Release2succeed has an
read before posting
inspirational story to share
Click here
Click here
13
See Your Work Here Budding photographers, painters and artists - contribute your
Unlock on the web
work to The Record today! We’re always on the look out for success stories. But how about submitting a photograph or piece of art work
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 • The Record’s content may be reproduced providing UNLOCK is referenced as the source
•W e welcome submissions to The
Record sent to newsletter@unlock. org.uk , however publication is not guaranteed.
Subscriptions
• The Record is distributed to all UN-
about what it means to you to be reformed, or express the barriers you’ve faced having a criminal record through imagery. To take part simply email a hi-resolution version of your image to newsletter@ unlock.org.uk and you can look forward to seeing your work in print in an upcoming issue. We look forward to hearing from you.
Donations to Unlock Erica Crompton This month forum members have been enthusiastic about helping
UNLOCK with donations. As the only charity dedicated to supporting reformed offenders, UNLOCK does
LOCK Members who subscribe with
not deliver government contracts. Its
an email address and are happy to
beneficiaries are often unemployed
be contacted by UNLOCK via email
and in poverty. It relies on charitable
• To subscribe to receive The Record
grants and donations to survive. No
complete a donation form, print and
return to UNLOCK, 35a High Street, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5AG. If you
you can register, free of charge, as
matter how small, all donations are
an UNLOCK Member, here
very important to us. Just £10 can pay
other way such as a standing order,
for a serving prisoner from a local re-
please email enquiries@unlock.org.uk.
ject line “Unsubscribe The Record”
settlement prison to travel to the office
You can also donate through sponsor-
to chris.bath@unlock.org.uk
to volunteer and work on our Informa-
ship. A great example of sponsorship
tion & Advice Service, thereby helping
is the money that Christopher Stacey
both their own resettlement and those
raised in 2010 by running the London
of others. You can donate on our ‘Big
Marathon. You can read more about
The Record, please contact
Give’ page, here. To donate by post
this here . Join in the conversation
Debbie Young at
simply download (link will download
about donating and raising money in
enquiries@unlock.org.uk
a word doc file to your computer) and
the forum, here .
• To unsubscribe, email with the sub-
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for our back page? Have your say
would would like to donate in any