He is Britain’s most notorious prison inmate. Since 1974 he has been incarcerated countless times. We’re talking regarding Charles Bronson (69). The Brit knows prison like no other. In 43 years he was transferred to other prisons more than 120 times.
But now the long-term prisoner has apparently had enough of everyday prison life. In a voice memo that «Sky News» is available, Bronson makes it clear how sick he is of life behind bars.
“Why am I actually still in prison?” can be heard clearly on the recording. «I am 70 years old. I have never murdered or raped anyone. Everyone thinks I’m a serial killer,” Bronson said.
Hostage-taking, attacks and devastation
But he is by no means the innocent lamb that Bronson claims to be in the recordings. In his countless years in prison, Bronson has taken hostages in ten prison sieges, attacked at least 20 prison officers and caused £500,000 in damage during protests on prison rooftops.
Charles Bronson, whose original name is Michael Gordon Peterson, was born in 1952 in Bredfordshire, UK. He got into trouble with the law when he was a teenager. After a series of suspended sentences and reprimands, Bronson received his first long prison sentence in 1974 at the age of 22. He spent seven years behind bars.
Back in jail following 69 days of freedom
However, because Bronson kept attacking other inmates, his sentence was extended by several months each time. In 1987 he was released once more into the wild.
But he didn’t stay out for long. After only 69 days, he went to jail once more for seven years, where he drew attention to himself with strange actions. So he made himself a spear and rioted around naked in prison with it.
Bronson spent the following years alternately in freedom and in captivity. In 1999 this back and forth finally ended. After another hostage situation and a prison siege, during which he devastated the prison, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
“The truth will shock the world”
So now Bronson wants to go back to freedom. And indeed: his wish is not that far-fetched. For the first time in a long while he might actually walk through the prison gates.
His parole board hearing is coming up soon. He regularly releases people who have been convicted of murder. Bronson’s lawyer therefore tries everything to put his client in a good light.
But to be on the safe side, Bronson has also asked the British government for a pardon. His lawyer even sent a letter directly to British Minister of Justice Dominic Raab (48). Whether Bronson will actually be released remains to be seen. He himself is firmly convinced of his innocence: “Everything will come to light, my side of the story. The truth will shock the world.” (ced)
