As Charles Bronson’s public parole hearing continues, some are arguing that he should be released after almost 50 years in prison.
Bronson himself - who now goes by Charles Salvador - has been making the case for his release from the high-security prison that he has been in for many years, but it seems as if he has a lot of supporters on the outside as well.
Many seem to argue that he’s never killed anyone, and never committed a crime against a woman or child, which is an argument that Bronson himself has out forward in recent times too.
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In a recent Channel 4 documentary, Bronson said: “I’ve got a horrible, nasty, vicious, violent past [but] I’ve never killed anyone, I’ve never harmed a woman, never harmed a child.
“I’m focused, I’m settled, I can actually smell and taste freedom like I’ve never, ever done in [my] life."
Speaking to the panel, he added: “I am terrified of the consequences of my actions because I know if I do anything serious ever again I will die in prison.”
“I am anti-crime, I am anti-violent, I just want to go out and do my art,” he added.
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However, it is that ‘horrible, nasty, vicious, violet’ past is something that can’t be overlooked during this parole hearing, and they’ll take their time – including a day behind closed doors – to decide whether, after 48 years, Bronson is fit for the outside world.
Whilst inside prison – where he has been pretty much constantly since a 1974 armed robbery conviction – Bronson has been involved in some really serious incidents.
None more so than taking art teacher Phil Danielson hostage for 44-hours back in 1999, threatening him at knifepoint and with a broken glass bottle.
Mr Danielson has suffered post-traumatic stress since then, as well as having a nervous breakdown. He was awarded £65,000 in compensation and Bronson was given an indeterminate life sentence.
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Bronson has also had confrontations with prison guards, thrown his own faeces at other prisoners – that incident took place as recently as 2015 – and made further threats against prison staff.
Still, there are many who are of the opinion that he should be deemed fit for release.
One person tweeted: “I would 100 percent free Charles Bronson, he's been locked up 40 odd years.
“His original crime was robbery, he hasn't killed anyone. He's 70 years old and has a few million pounds [through his art] let him out, leave him be & forget him!!”
Another said: “Charles Bronson has served 43 [years] mainly in solitary confinement and moved 120 times to different prisons.
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“He is the only person to have served so long without killing anybody.
“His parole hearing in March 2023 will be the first one open to the public in English history.”
A third said: “Gary Glitter was fit for release THIS YEAR after only spending 8 years in prison.
“After 50 years in prison, most of it in solitary confinement despite not committing murder, rape or pedophilia - this is a DISGRACE and has everything to do with class. FREE CHARLES BRONSON.”
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During the hearing, Bronson’s prison offender manager said that whilst he has made progress, she feared he would struggle if moved from his current close supervision centre into the community, or even onto a larger prison wing.
A psychologist agreed with her.
The hearing takes places over three days this week, after which a decision will be made.
Topics: UK News, Crime, Charles Bronson
Tom Wood