'Governor violated my human rights'
Charles Bronson to sue over solitary confinement
Notorious Woodhill inmate Charles Bronson is taking a prison governor to Milton Keynes County Court claiming he violated his human rights, the Citizen can exclusively reveal.
Bronson believes he was punished unnecessarily by the authorities after the film about his life hit the cinema screens in March, says his city lawyer Harriett Mather.
He was moved to Woodhill's Close Security Centre recently after spending seven months in solitary confinement at Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire. There, he claims, his treatment was so terrible that it breached Human Rights legislation.
"My cell was a disgrace. I had a dirty cell, disgusting toilet and no access to cleaning facilities. I lost my TV, my art materials and I had basic food and no wooden furniture," he told the Citizen.
"I had done nothing wrong and was given no explanation for these conditions.
"It is termed a progressive move but I don't agree and feel my conditions were inhumane...I am now bringing a court action against the Governor of Long Lartin to explain why I had to suffer this."
Ms Mather, who runs Criminal Defence Milton Keynes, said: "We will be lodging a Human Rights application before Christmas. There will be a full hearing and the judge will agree or disagree with our application.
"If he disagrees then Mr Bronson is determined to go all the way to the European Court of Human Rights.
"There could be compensation, but it's not a question of money, it is a matter of principle. We want to highlight what goes on behind closed doors and to make people aware of what can happen in prisons."
Ms Mather described Bronson, who was once tagged Britain's most violent prisoner, as "amenable, polite and respectful".
Heavily tattooed and sporting his characteristic handlebar moustache and bald head, he lost two stone in weight at Long Lartin because, he claims, his diet was reduced.
Bonson will be 57 on Saturday but still keeps fit by doing 2,000 press-ups in his cell – twice a day.
"I have mixed emotions about Woodhill but I have decided to make a go of it and hope that 2010 will be a better year," he told the
Citizen.
Bronson, born Michael Peterson, was jailed originally for an armed robbery in 1974, during which he stole 26.
Since then a string of serious offences committed in prison, including kidnap and threatening to kill, have caused him to spend most of the next 34 years in solitary confinement.
In March a recording of his voice joking "See you at the Oscars" rumbled out to viewers at the West End premiere of the film 'Bronson'.
An immediate investigation was launched by prison bosses into how the secret recording was made. At the same time, Bronson was refused parole and moved from Wakefield prison to Long Lartin.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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