The free magazine for law-abiding people facing discrimination and inequality as a result of a criminal record

theRecord Issue 14August 2012

original image © Krappweis on sxc.hu

In this issue... 2. Editors Welcome

2. Music in Prisons Concert Review

3. Overseas Convictions

4. Window of Opportunity

6. Writing with Conviction

7. Poems

9. Tell, Don’t Tell Film Review

11. Unlock Media / Unlock Vocal

This month poetry, oh! Sweet poetry! theRecord embraces ye olde literary essence, with words spun from cells, and lines made from experience.

This month we bring to you a wealth of features and news, plus a healthy dose of well-carved verse as well as you own views.

This month we have the usual contributors, plus a new breed of writers. Who deal with the caviar of their craft, and, we hope, make the journey that much lighter!

Welcome...Erica Crompton

Simon Williams

2

Platform 7 came to the stage next and Sara summarised the history of how these musicians came and col-laborated their respective talents, and really bought the house down with the tracks they performed. They sung in unison alongside the sounds of the cello, bass and 2 guitarists, 3 on vocals and a percussionist. The song ‘Apology’ packed with se-rious lyrics, that if you’re honest to yourself you’ll recognise some words of this song and identify with life and its tribulations. Get this song released like now!! The playlist of this group was truly amazing and Simon Cowell best get an invite to the next show. Then came the Neil Cowley Trio, a jazz fusion group who compli-mented what ended up to be a great evening with musically talented ex-offenders proving that transition for the better is possible with guidance of Sara Lee, mark-Anthony Turnage and the MiP project team. However, current cutbacks make life difficult for us all, but with music I have my sanctuary and I hope you have yours in the same light.

The concert was at St Marylebone Parish Church on 5th July 2012. I ar-rived at this beautiful old church and upon entering saw the ornate stuc-coed ceiling, elaborately decorated with gold detailing.

The musicians and their respec-tive friends and families were arriv-ing thick and fast, I was introduced to Sara Lee, the Artistic Director of Music in prisons and it was evident she was very passionate about her work and the musicians who were all ex-offenders just as keen. The playlist went as follows: Mark-Anthony Tur-nage, a composer of music with in-ternational renown. Then followed the stars of the show ‘Platform 7’. These 7 talented people came together af-ter leaving prison and were brought

together through Sara and the Music in Prisons project team.

The group kept in touch with MiP af-ter their original project inside, showing positive tenacity and the ex-offenders do have a big say in how the music was arranged. Mr Turnage went to HMP Lowdham Grange and worked for a week with serving prisoners and after a week had laid down some very poign-ant music. We saw a film of how the group produced ‘Beyond This’. I can only describe it as hauntingly bliss and had elements of rap running through it. Of course, all of this done under the watchful eye of Mr Turnage. At times they reminded me of UB40 circa late 1970s when they burst on to the pop scene. The applause received was tes-tament to the fact there are so many tal-ented people incarcerated throughout the UK.

Music in Prisons Concert Review

MB

3

The issue of overseas convictions is extremely complicated, with practices relating to those convictions received in a European Union member state not finding any corresponding equivalent practices in relation to convictions re-ceived in non-EU countries.

The procedures for recording con-victions received overseas onto the Police National Computer are devel-oping unevenly.

Overseas Convictions

ECRIS, the European Criminal Re-cords Information System, was due to be adopted by all 27 EU countries by 7 April 2012, this regulating the shar-ing of any convictions received in an EU country from this date.

Information regarding convictions received in non-EU countries is gath-ered from most Interpol countries, but this procedure, however, is not spe-cifically defined or regulated, and is more informal and piecemeal than the EU system.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offend-ers Act 1974, convictions received overseas are treated in the same way as those given by British courts. That said, some other EU member coun-tries operate different practices in re-cording convictions; for example, in countries such as Belgium and Ger-many, records of convictions resulting in prison sentences of less than six months or fines of less than 500 Euros are destroyed after three years.

While it is probable that even a sen-tence of this nature will be shared fol-lowing the implementation of ECRIS, for an accurate record of all informa-tion stored about you, it is advisable to contact the relevant authority in the country concerned.

My full piece related to overseas convictions can be viewed here. Whilst

I have been unable to provide con-crete information on all elements of this complex subject, this informa-tion is as comprehensive and wide in scope as was possible, and I hope that the information I have

collected from a number of different sources will assist those interested in

this issue.

User Voice exists to reduce reoffend-ing by presenting the voice of offenders and ex-offenders to decision makers in the criminal justice system. We establish and support Prison, Probation, Youth and Community Councils; undertake projects which enable agencies to access and act upon the insights of offenders; and pre-sent the case for service user engage-ment to a wide range of key audiences.

We are seeking to appoint a Pro-gramme Manager to be primarily based and work in Essex but also support pro-jects in the South East.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in an innovative and growing charity. The

primary role of the Programme Manager is to manage the development and de-livery of a peer mentoring project with Essex Probation. The successful candi-date will have responsibility for engag-ing staff and service users, delivering training and overseeing the delivery of this project.

User Voice particularly welcomes ap-

plications from ex-offenders and from all sections of the community regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability.

For the full job description, person specification and application details: Amie-Rose Long at amierose@user-voice.org

Applicants for either post should send a CV and a statement of their suitability for the role to Daniel Hutt, User Voice, 20 Newburn Street, London, SE11 5PJ or daniel@uservoice.org. The statement should set out the applicant’s experience and suitability in relation to each point of the Person Specification.

Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 24 August Interview date: week commencing 10 September

Chris Syrus is a young man on a mission. Raised in south London, he has spent time in prison, convicted at the age of 24. During his time in an open prison, Chris used every opportunity he could lay his hands on to turn his life around, securing employment before release. This role was in personal development and has resulted in Chris undertaking many projects, having a poetry book published, looking after his family and concentrating on an area that needs people like him - motivated, driven and dedicated.

Chris highlights the point very clearly that he wants to make to young people. While his mission is to reduce youth offending, he concentrates on tackling an increasing problem in today’s society. What do we do

with the current youth offending population? Where do these people go, after conviction? Who takes care of them? Who mentors them on to a path of leading a normal life?

Chris has cornered a market that looks at this. That finds a chink in the armour where people who have little or no insight, into what is an increasing problem, and facilitates programmes on a section of society that is rife, yet huddled away in the eyes of the public. He gives them what he found beneficial to him, serving as a prisoner. We hear often, “If I could bottle this and give it to you, I would”. Well, Chris has bottled his own experiences and is handing those bottles over to young offenders, to young people and handing them a brighter future.

Second Chance

A window of opportunity

Interview with Christopher Syrus

4

During his time in prison, Chris centred his thoughts on utilising all that was on offer. During his time he studied Psychology with the Open University, he completed an NVQ in Advice and Guidance, 7303 Teacher Training and Goals for Young People facilitation. In 2008 he was awarded the Learning Skills Council “Achieving Against the Odds” award. He is the author of the book of poetry, titled LoveLife6958, his allocated prisoner number, which transcribes his progression from his negative past towards a positive future.

On release in 2009, Chris used his acquired skills and training to start his own business, delivering workshops, which are based around arts, music and creative writing. Chris also delivers personal development skills, creative writing skills, movie making skills and the opportunity for young people to accompany him on musical tours.

In the pipeline, he’s currently looking to be a Job Centre Provider. He also works in forensic units throughout the country offering his workshops to young offenders. He works actively to secure job apprenticeships for young offenders on their release from prison and young offenders institutions. As if that wasn’t enough, he continues

to offer guidance and mentoring to young people for them to go on and become mentors.

In all of the above, Chris’s primary purpose is to offer young people what he benefited from and used to turn his life around. During our interview, Chris wants to make absolutely clear that there is light at the end of the tunnel for young people in the Criminal Justice System. But also, any adult cannot fail to be inspired by his achievements while in prison and his ongoing achievements since then.

This is more than just offering a service to a disadvantaged section of society. It is giving young people the opportunity, under his guidance to move forward from the dark days of prison to life on the outside and to discourage re-offending. Chris also reaches out to young people, to discourage offending. Any person can attend any of his workshops. They are available to all. Chris also points out that if given a custodial sentence, young people should approach all areas of education, which was ultimately what kept Chris going through his sentence. He opens a window of opportunity for young people to go through, and move their live on from, offending, re-offending

and getting off the hamster wheel of offending behaviour. He points out that offending is behavioural: change the behaviour and the risk of offending and re-offending is reduced.

His hope for the future is to show young people that there is opportunity after a conviction. Nobody can fail to see that Chris has overcome immense obstacles, in a society that discriminates against reforming offenders at whatever age. An open, willing mind and approach to how to move a life on the wrong path, to a good, solid, positive path. Achievement and growth can only come with a willing mind, a positive approach to one’s own life.

In a society where reforming offenders are often denied access routes to employment, education and a right to lead a life without offending behaviour, Chris proves, shows, and continues to offer a service that is priceless.

For more information or to purchase the book,

spoken word CD, short film or documentary DVD visit

www.syrusconsultancy.com

5

6

The recent television series, ‘Gordon Behind Bars’ was fascinating and yet disheartening. I watched with interest as it brought back lots of memories for me. Firstly because I worked as a chef for many years after leaving pris-on with no skills or qualifications and secondly, because I worked in the Savoy and Ritz Hotels in London too.

Gordon Ramsay notched up al-most six months working with inmates at Brixton Prison but his aim was to leave a viable business behind to keep them working and earning. He persuaded Caffe Nero to stock the Bad Boys Bakery’s lemon curd trea-cle slice for a make-or-break event and asked Justice Secretary Ken Clarke for vital financial backing.

To prepare for the occasion a branding expert and the prisoners packaged the slices to appeal to socially-conscious consumers. Then as Ramsay said goodbye to Anthony Kelly, one of his most trusted work-ers, who was released, another, ex-drug addict Paul Wyatt, was given a chance to work at Ramsay’s restau-rant in London’s Savoy Hotel.

Sadly, Paul didn’t last long as he also learned – as I did - that the down-side to this work, was the immense stress. And I could certainly empa-thise with Paul for slipping back into his old ways. Even Gordon said that perhaps it was too much of a stress-ful environment for him – straight from prison. On the other hand, another inmate has thrived off working in his new found employment which is very encouraging.

This was the perfect job for me in the 80s and 90s in some respects after leaving prison, as they didn’t delve into your past. But like Paul, I went down that slippery slope too and for me, it was alcohol that was my nemesis. After 12 hour straight shifts, I headed for the clubs for the rest of the night and was in the pubs all day on my day off. When I worked split shifts, I consumed as much alco-hol as possible during the four hour break before the evening shift – kid-ding myself it helped me work better.

In Gordon’s interview with Channel 4, he said: “This isn’t just a ‘let’s go and cook along with Gordon in pris-

on’ thing. The idea came from the fact that there are approximately 80,000 inmates across the country now, which is a hell of a lot. It was about getting them doing something with their time, giving something back, and also getting job-ready. The big-gest problem is the re-offending per-centages, people just go round and round in the system.”

I felt that although learning new skills in prison is essential, there were some real bigoted screws working there - hell-bent on seeing Gordon’s project fail. It seems the old school screw hasn’t become extinct after all. And the Prison Service’s ‘caged men-tality’ amongst some of the screws is still very much alive.

Catering is a respectable industry which offers a way in for ex cons be-cause there’s no CRBs unless you’re working in schools, or nursing homes. But I still believe that honesty is the best policy and many places would give you a chance.

Writing with convictionDavid Honeywell

7

POEMTouching Hand

Carlos Gutierrez

When I was little a hand used to touch meAnd I couldn’t run

I grew up afraid of the darkScared of being aloneBut I was fragile and littleAnd I couldn’t run

My uncle used to visit usHe hugged me and took me away from mumHe cut dry banana leaves and asked me to lie downAnd I couldn’t run

I was afraid of my uncleI didn’t want to sleep with himAnd I never spoke to anyoneAnd I couldn’t run

At school, I was a shy and lonely childI was afraid of the teachersAnd bigger boys in my classAnd I couldn’t run

I never saw my uncle againThen I started to runI ran free in my dreamsAnd I learnt to run away from my life

At last I knew how to runBut I couldn’t run away from my past

I am now again afraid, alone and frag-ile like a childI am now inside a cell where it is for-bidden to runI am now paying the price for losing a raceTrying to get away from the touching hand.

One step at a time aloneOut of this rage into a calmOut of the dark into the lightOut of this box into the airOut of my dream into your heartOut of the gate into your armsOne step at a time together.

POEM Stepping Stones

Alun Rogers

8

“Let’s listen to Zappa and ignore the banging drums”

For we are the retinue of the futurePurpose now set and not oursBut to prepare the fields of glory upon whichOur feet shall never tread.

And that matters not,For I have seen such beautyThat does not require assentBut stead fast moves and dartsIn mind and bonesGrowing and flexing its new born soulTo claim the lands bequeathed.

And I have seen such beautyThat does not insist desireBut stead fast moves and dartsIn mind and bonesGrowing and flexing its new born soul.

For though we allMarch wisely towards life’s shadeOur hearts retain some majestyThat replays the scenes of much lovedInnocenceAgain, repeat untilNo more for it swells too muchAnd presses the presentUgly fool from necessary graspsTo maintain our future plansFor he and she who trustAnd depend upon our fortitude and notOur folly.

I once dressed as the King you knowWith sceptred hands and glorious en-trancesProud like the dumb showPosturing in pleasantries and portentsUntil only they remained.

Now I strut for the gutter’s edgeWho applaud my hopeful slip and fallWhile secretly praying each stepPreserves by proxy their terrible souls.

For no man is wholly bad -Nor good.Or no man can truly be,For in our iniquities and darkness we hideThe rough edges of our soulsThat must, by force of will be rounded orAt lesser force repelled till morning comes againAnd we againCan breathe.

Let me explain.I once knew a man who forced melted powders through his skinTo fill his blood with delicious poisonsThe kind that only peril possessesAnd curiosity beguiles.He said to me “What is this fascina-tion withLength, Time, Age?”Coughing and sighing he added, “We live and die is allThe time between is ours to do with as we will and I...”

The blanket against the window glass grew darker as the sunIn poor winter receded apologisingAnd fires burnt strong across the landAs a candle was lit in the here and nowTo provide dual purpose, so the smoke curled, “And I...Have little now to prove or say more than has been saidMuch finer and purer than ever I could”

POEMFor Luther (28th June 2012)

Martin Favager

9

A video produced by London training organisation, Red Kite Learning, has been produced, working with Inside Job Productions. Red Kite Learning describe the film as: “An innovative, interactive drama which aims to follow through the consequences of choices made by ex-offenders when looking for employment. The film is based on the engaging story of one man’s journey and the impact on his family, where the viewer can decide which course of action they want the main character to take at a number of critical points.”

Here’s what you thought...

“I would say that it does achieve what it says it wants to - thinking about options and their consequences. As such it could be useful to people in thinking about the situation they are in and the potential impact of relevant

choices. I found it easy to watch and thought provoking.” - by Sententia

“It highlights the difficulties anyone with convictions has. It’s a complete no hope situation and very depressing to watch but clearly demonstrates to the public how frustrating it all is, and proves you’re doomed if you do and doomed if you don’t! No one is going to employ this bloke with just one con-viction so what chance does a bloke have with 4 pages of convictions over the past 25 years? How would you be able to go through each one at a job interview! I’m thinking on the lines of a riot van with a load of coppers outside waiting in anticipation? Having said that if they knew your past you would not even get the interview. ” - by Peter

“I don’t really know what to make of it. Like Peter said, you’re doomed

if you do and doomed if you don’t. I started my new job 2 days before I was convicted, so strictly speaking I didn’t lie about convictions in the ap-plication. I suppose you could say I mislead my current employer though, but where do you draw the line?” - by Jono-gt6

“The video brings out a sad state of affairs. Once you get a criminal re-cord you become a class two human being. Disclose upfront and pray and hope somebody has a heart and gives you a chance. This chance is not based on what you can do in terms of skills. It is based on the pity or phil-anthropic mind of anybody that holds the key to the door. It touches a raw nerve, it gives you a reality check, it tells you - ‘Dear ex-criminal, you are at the mercy of not only the elements but every other human you will encounter

UNLOCK members

Film Review

SecondChance!1 in 5 people are routinely refused

insurance

AWARD WINNING COVER FORMOTOR – HOME

PUBLIC LIABILITYContact a member of our friendly team

SIS Insurance13 Northenden Road Sale Cheshire M33 2DH

0161 969 6040enquiries@saleinsurance.co.uk

www.saleinsurance.co.ukSIS is authorised and regulated by the FSA10

going forward.’ It also highlights how your personal life can be destroyed for ever. Even your own wife and kids will not want you if you cannot bring home vitamin M. It’s a tragic story played over different scenarios.” by RG

“I’m not an ex-offender, but the wife of one. I did watch with interest as I was caught on the other side of dis-closing that my husband was inside - long and short, I lost my job. I’ve been in new job now for nearly one year and only just the other day decided to tell colleagues that my husband was in-side. Now, interesting video. But what I thought was strange was his tone that totally changed when he decided not to disclose until the interview. He became defensive, dismissive about his crime, I almost felt that was the reason for his non-employment. That aside, it was very thought provoking - for ex-offender AND potential em-ployer. It does demonstrate that it’s going to be tough, but I suppose the big voice in the background is shout-ing - ‘admit your crime, disclose and all will be well’. The sad fact is that you will probably take double, treble the time to find employment if you do. If ex-offenders were given meaningful training in how to find work when they come out (and I don’t just mean how to fill out a form). This, in conjunction with the video, would be a huge help. To re-frame your offence into an ex-perience you learned from, to be able to discuss what you did, how you’ve changed, would be really helpful. But, big but, only if you managed to get to the interview stage. It’s a knotty issue presented in a rather black and white version. Be good, tell the truth and all will be well, Hmmmm, if only society was that forgiving.” - by Ottomummy

“No offence to Red Kite (who in-terestingly have just lost the contract where I am as a provider of employ-ment advice to those on Probation) but this video’s message is crap. The cynic in me has to ask the question ‘qui bono’ (who benefits) as far as

this video is concerned? Not the ex-offender that’s for sure. As has been intimated, it’s bad enough for those with a single conviction for shoplifting that happened years ago. If you dis-close (especially in this climate where employers have lots of ‘law-abiding’ people to choose from) then 999 times out of 1000 you’re not going to get an-ywhere. As an employer, you’d have to have had a pretty dubious batch of candidates to be considering an ex-offender! So who does benefit? Well, the moment the offender gets a job, providers like Red Kite have one less client. One less reason for the state to

pay taxpayers money to them. Yeah well, maybe I’m being too cynical. Never attribute to malice, that which can be attributed to incompetence. Have to say, that video made me pretty angry. It just looked like propaganda, not useful advice. One thing I should say is that I have no evidence for the above other than my own view of the film and a bit of (maybe overly cynical) logic. It is just a opinion and may well not reflect reality.” - by SouthernChap

To view the film, click here

UNLOCK Media

11

The Guardian Naseem Hamed and me click here

The Guardian Erwin James: why are so many former soldiers in prison? click here

The Guardian - Sports book created by prisoners to be part of 2012 Cul-tural Olympiad click here

The Guardian High court rejects prisoner’s chal-lenge over victims levy – click here

The Guardian Welfare cuts: housing benefit claim-ants not welcome here – click here

General Information > Latest news & current affairs> ROA strikes again... SouthernChap flags up an interesting BBC article titled ‘Fijian-born soldier Isimeli Baleiwai fights to stay in UK’ click here

Information & Advice Online > Ask the forum a question > Changes in Rehab of Offenders Act .. need ad-vise – New member Ish discusses changes in the ROA with others click here

Public Forums > Employment > Voluntary work – GasGasGas and other members interested in doing volunteering in their communities click here

Public Forums > Finance (e.g. insurance, banking, mortgages etc) > Opinions please- Declar-ing insurance cancellation di-rectly due to conviction. - Member fifi brings UNLOCK’s “insurance guide for consumers” to the table click here

Public Forums > Housing > Rob-ert Greens - Protests in Scotland to get him moved out of the village Chris Bath poses the question “is the community really a victim in crime?” as well as raising other concerns related to UNLOCK’s work and the Robert Green case click here

Public Forums > Other areas of life > Physically Disabled Ex-Offenders – Release2Succeed ponders physical disability in relation to a criminal record click here

A round-up of relevant news and views in the media this month

UNLOCK VocalYou have your say at forum.unlock.org.uk

Writing, pictures and contributionsThat’s what we need!Your opinions matter,

and readers they feed.

We’re looking for all your thoughts,your artwork and literary designs!

What gets you going and what you love.

We promise we won’t leave anyone behind.

So put pen to paper, don’t hesitate, write into us now

on the usual address newsletter@unlock.org.uk

A warm welcome awaits youIt’ll keep theRecord a-okay!

Con-tributejingle

12

Unlock on the web

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

• theRecord’s content may be repro-duced providing UNLOCK is referenced as the source

• Views expressed in theRecord are that of contributors and not necessarily those of UNLOCK or the publishers• We welcome submissions to theRecord

sent to newsletter@unlock.org.uk , how-ever publication is not guaranteed.

Subscriptions • theRecord is distributed to all subscribers at the beginning of every month by email • To receive theRecord, you can subscribe here • To unsubscribe, click the unsubscribe link in the email that you received.

Advertising• To find out more about advertising in

theRecord, please contact Debbie Young at enquiries@unlock.org.uk

Facebook Twitter Youtube Delicious