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Anger over Bronson's jail plea for freedom at film premiere
Louise Jury, Martin Bentham and Justin Davenport6 Mar 2009
Britain's most notorious prisoner is to broadcast a plea for his freedom at the premiere of a film about his life.
A recording of Charles Bronson from his high-security prison will be played at the London showing of the Lottery-funded film next week.
Today the extraordinary message was condemned by prison officers.
Bronson was first jailed in 1974 for a Post Office robbery and has spent all but 86 days since in prison. A series of attacks on staff have kept him in jail and earned him the reputation of Britain's most violent inmate.
Phil Danielson, an art teacher Bronson held hostage for nearly two days, was so traumatised he was forced to retire before the age of 40.
But from the cell where he has been held in solitary confinement for a decade in Wakefield Prison, Bronson, 56, claimed he was no longer a danger.
In the telephone recording, Bronson admitted: "I really was a nasty bastard, a horrible, violent, nasty man...I deserved everything I got."
But he insisted he has changed. "I've grown up, I've matured, I'm a different man. I'm now anti-violent. I'm anti-drugs, anti-crime, but I'm still held in a cage in solitary. I'm not a murderer, I'm not a rapist, I'm not a paedophile. I'm a hostage of my own past."
He said he was a "political prisoner" in an "evil, corrupt penal system".
The audience at the Cineworld, Haymarket, launch on Tuesday will learn how pleased he is with the film. "I'm proud of this film because if I drop dead tonight, then I live on."
Actor Tom Hardy plays Bronson in the film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. Under prison rules, inmates can only give interviews with permission from their jail's governor. It is understood no authorisation was given to Bronson.
The production received Lottery funding via the UK Film Council. Tory MP David Davies said: "I think it is very worrying and quite wrong that money is going to be made out of what this man has done."
Colin Moses, national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, said it was "disgraceful".
Sasha Callaghan, president of the University and College Union, which represents educators in prison, said: "Whether Mr Bronson has been paid or not financially, he's receiving a huge amount of attention and our members, particularly Mr Danielson, have been treated absolutely abysmally."
The film's release next Friday coincides with Bronson's parole hearing. Sources say he has no chance of being freed.
Neither Bronson, his friends nor family were paid for the film, a spokesman said.
Reader views (8)
He's done a lot wrong yes but needs at least a chance in prison too see how he gets on then if good to be freed.
imagine sitting in a room with not even a tv for that long!!
and prison workers know there going into a rough environment when they apply forthe job. Plus the guy who retired early he still alive worse has been done to people who have bin let out and he probly never thinks about it! FREE THE MAN.
- Anton Jackson, Chester UK, 07/10/2009 18:10
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Leave him to rot away, and as for his human rights, what rubbish, he has proved many times to be no better than an animal.
- P I Staker, London, 07/10/2009 17:10
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Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't at least a part of the idea of prison meant to be punishment? Punishment is supposed to stop because the guy being punished says he's been punished enough? The man says that the penal system is evil and corrupt for not trusting a man with a well documented violent, criminal past, and insisting that he serve out his deserved sentence?
This smacks of a smart guy playing to the many liberals in the UK who just love to jump on bandwagons of self-proclaimed "down-trodden and oppressed" low-lifes. Next he'll be demanding compensation for "unlawful" detention.
- Rogan, Irving, 07/10/2009 17:10
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i think it is wrong to keep him locked up, he should be given a chance. lets see how the british justice system works ?.
- Neil Shepherd, gloucester england, 07/10/2009 17:10
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Michael Peterson has been behind bars for to long. Yes he had a violent past, which he himself admits but for he has been behaving for the last eight years. Its time he was given a chance to rebuild his life. The justice system is proving itself the farse that it is. Letting out murders and paedaophiles out on early release while this man stays locked up.
- Sara Meredith, walsall, west midlands, 07/10/2009 17:10
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No doubt Straw will let him out as seems his want with criminals recently
- Mike, London England, 07/10/2009 17:10
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I think we have 2 types of prisoner in custody. Normal and political. Bronson is a political prisoner. Where are all his human rights that see other prisoners released or given thousands in compensation for their treatment ? Like Biggs he is kept in prison for political reasons. Sadly NOBODY cares!
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Thailand, 07/10/2009 17:10
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This man has spent Long enough locked up and caged like an animal. Remember if you punish someone constantly then they will react like a savage dog, give the man a break he committed his crime in 74 we are now in 09. When you consider the sentences handed out nowdays, it is appalling. Respect goes out to Dave Courtney and Jason Mariner too for all the hard work and benefit events that they have arranged for Charlie.
- Nick Johnson, Gold Coast ,Australia, 07/10/2009 17:10
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