14 April 201015 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Strangeways riot led to prison reform, ex-inmate says

originally published by: The BBC
1st April 2010

The riot at Strangeways was a catalyst for prison reform, an ex-inmate said on the 20th anniversary of the uprising. Paul Taylor, who helped to spark the riot on 1 April 1990, said the 25-day struggle persuaded the government to improve conditions for all prisoners.

He claimed inmates resentment at “decades” of brutality turned a planned peaceful sit-in into a full-scale riot. Governor at the time Brendan O’Friel said major improvements had been made in the three years before the riot.

Prisoner David White, 46, died as a result of injuries sustained during the rioting. Prison officer Walter Scott died after suffering a heart attack.

17 February 201015 December 2022 4WardEverUK

The life of a death penalty lawyer

originally published by: New York Times
11th February 2010

Toward the beginning of “The Autobiography of an Execution,” David Dow relaxes after a speech with the celebrated death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean. “It was the first time I went drinking with a nun.”

Prejean tells Dow, who has represented more than 100 death row inmates over 20 years, that “support for the death penalty is a mile wide, but just an inch deep.” Dow responds: “Well, Sister, I believe you can drown in an inch of water.” This book is Dow’s effort to drain the puddle.

19 January 201015 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Family hope inquest will end prison murders

originally published by: The Independent
17th January 2010

Just one day after Michael Clegg was discharged from a psychiatric hospital, he found himself in Leeds prison. Mr Clegg, 48, a mechanical engineer with no previous criminal record, was remanded in custody for an alleged assault on his wife because no place was available in a suitable probation hostel.

The vulnerable father-of-three was shocked but thought he would have to wait only a few days to be reunited with his family. Less than two weeks later, he was dead.