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Jail chiefs attack film plea from Bronson
Peter Dominiczak11 Mar 2009
Prison officers today called for an investigation into how a recording of notorious prisoner Charles Bronson was allowed to be taken and played at the premiere of a film about his life.
The recording from his high- security jail was played at the London showing of the Lottery-funded film and included a plea for his release.
Last night's broadcast came just hours before Bronson, 56, is due to go before a parole hearing later today.
The prisoner addressed the audience via the recording, saying: "I'm proud of this film, because if I drop dead tonight, then I live on." He then joked: "I'll see you at the Oscar awards."
Originally sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery, Bronson has now spent 34 years behind bars, much of it in solitary confinement.
The former bareknuckle fighter has carried out a string of violent crimes while in prison, including hostage-taking, assaults and rooftop protests.
The Prison Officer's Association immediately called for an investigation into how the recording was made at HMP Wakefield in Yorkshire.
Warder Glyn Travis said: "We've got grave concerns that people have abused the privilege of visiting Charles Bronson while in prison.
"They have managed to secrete or record a telephone call or conversation which has now been played in a public forum."
Lead actor Tom Hardy, who met Bronson in preparation for the title role, said he "would like to see him out".
Director Nicolas Winding Refn said he did not take a stance on whether Bronson should be released but denied making a film that glorified violence.
"I would never do that but violence is part of society and we have to address it," he said.
The film is released on Friday.
Reader views (2)
You must be joking ... this has just got to be the worse case yet of Lottery Money being wasted. Why should we celebrate this man?
- Big Mac, Farnham, Surrey, 11/03/2009 14:25
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Charles Bronson: I believe in some ways the prison system are responsible for the way this man has turned out. We all know he is no saint by his own admissions but alas solitary confinement for such a long time would turn any man insane.
- Ms Bloyce, Royal Borough Of Berkshire, 11/03/2009 12:43
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