Charles Bronson Becomes First Prisoner To Ask For Public Parole Hearing

He has claimed to have made significant progress since first being imprisoned in 1974 with a seven year-sentence, which kept getting extended as he attacked prison staff.

The Parole Board will have the final decision on whether Bronson's hearing will be public, with their decision taking into consideration the welfare and interest of victims and the ‘interests of justice’.

Discussing the changes in June, Dominic Raab MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said: "This is the first step in our reforms to the parole process.

"We are making proceedings more transparent, so victims and the public can see justice being done. I am also making sure there is one, crystal clear, recommendation from the Justice Secretary when it comes to the risk of release of the most serious offenders. We are overhauling the system, to make sure public protection is the overriding the priority."

News of Bronson's request comes after he begged the justice secretary for a pardon, arguing that for the last five years he has not added to the series of attacks that kept him in prison for so long.

"It's an absolute liberty. I'm 70 years old now, 70 years old. I've never murdered anyone; I've never raped anyone. What am I in jail for? People don't believe it. They think I'm a serial killer."

In a letter written to Raab, Bronson's solicitor, Dean Kingham, wrote: "The evidence in excess of the last five years is clear that his risk of violence has significantly reduced."

Kingham went on to argue that while Bronson may pose some risk to the public, 'The Parole Board regularly releases people that have been convicted of murder'.

Bronson was initially jailed for armed robbery.