Charles Bronson can 'taste freedom' ahead of public parole meeting
Audiences are learning a whole lot more about Charles Bronson - the man dubbed the 'UK's most notorious prisoner' - from a new Channel 4 documentary.
And with his public parole date revealed - Bronson has explained just how close he feels to a life outside of a cell after being kept in custody for nearly half a century.
A brand-new new documentary on Channel 4, Bronson: Fit to be Freed?, follows the infamous prisoner who has been locked up for a whole 48 years.
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Set to be due a parole hearing on 6th March, the series explores whether or not Bronson - born Michael Peterson - is safe to be released.
With just two episodes out so far, the first episode shows Bronson on a video call with his son, George Bamby, from his maximum security prison cell.
Bronson - who has spent nearly the last five decades in solitary confinement or specialist units - opened up a little bit to his son when asked how he was faring in prison.
Bamby - taking no time to cut to the chase - asked his father: "So, are you behaving yourself?"
"Listen," Bronson begins, "they're treating me well here. Few bits of silly nonsense here and then."
Bamby continues asking: "So, when the parole board eventually say to you, 'Why should we let you out?', how do they know you're not going to attack anyone?"
He adds: "Because, you haven't got the best past - be honest."
This past in question includes 17 convictions, 11 hostage takings, nine rooftop protests and seven failed parole attempts all of which lead to his long stint in custody.
"I've got a horrible, nasty, vicious, violent past," Bronson admits before highlighting certain morals that he has been able to stick to even within a life of crime.
He explained to Bamby: "I've never killed anyone. I've never harmed a woman child, I've never harmed a child.
"I'm focussed, I'm settled, I can actually smell and taste freedom like I've never done in my life," he revealed.
At another point in the docuseries, Bronson highlighted just how much of a changed man he now is following his many years in custody.
"The system have labelled me for so many years untameable, untreatable, unpredictable, dangerous, blah, blah, blah. I’ve had every label you can think of," he explained.
"But," Bronson continued, "at the end of the day what people don’t realise, since George, my son, has come into my life, I’ve changed.
"George has got me the best legal team in the world… I’m coming home, I’m definitely coming home," he claimed.
Bronson added: "Cards on the table, do I sound like Britain’s most dangerous man? Come on. I’m 68-years-old and all I wanna do is get out there and enjoy my f**king life, what’s left of it."
Bronson: Fit to be Free? is now available to watch on Channel 4.
Topics: TV and Film, Crime, UK News, Channel 4, Documentaries
Rhiannon Ingle