Charles Bronson parole hearing day two as psychologist gives ...
A psychologist believes notorious prisoner Charles Bronson should be moved to an open prison "eventually". The expert was speaking this morning on day two of the inmate's parole hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
She said that the 70-year-old has shown signs of mellowing in his old age. Bronson previously branded himself as "almost an angel" in his bid for his freedom.
That was just one of many bizarre remarks made by Bronson at the hearing opening on Monday, March 6. Bronson is trying to convince a panel that he's ready to be released.
READ MORE : Charles Bronson asks rapper for collaboration ahead of parole hearing
Labelled the country's 'most violent prisoner', the criminal previously told the panel he is a "normal geezer" who is "wanting to get on with his life".
Bronson’s first conviction was in 1974 when he was jailed for seven years for robbery, aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of a firearm.
The prisoner, who spent most of his time in solitary confinement, has remained in jail due to attacks on fellow inmates and prison staff. He held 11 people hostage in nine different sieges, with his victims including governors, doctors, staff and even his own solicitor.
After spending almost half-a-century behind bars, Bronson has argued he's had "more porridge than Goldilocks". He told his parole hearing on Monday: "I'm sick of it".
This is a developing story. Follow our live blog below for latest updates on day two of Bronson's hearing.
'I am anti-drugs' - Bronson 10:35
Hearing underway 10:23
12:04Harry Leach
Bronson has coped "pretty well" under stress at the parole hearing, says the psychologist giving evidence.
The expert added: "We’re expecting too much if we expect Mr Salvador to sit in a situation like this and not become frustrated and not become loud, belligerent and swear."
"In the past, he would not have been able to tolerate this at all without some sort of outburst."
She continued: "Mr Salvador is going to be rude to people on occasion. He is going to swear at people on occasion."
11:52Harry Leach
The panel chair at the hearing says Charles Bronson ignored a written warning about speaking to the media. An independent psychologist, giving evidence, pointed out that it's not violence and Bronson saw the benefits of going against the warning.
Panel chair says Charles Bronson ignored written warning about speaking to the media. Independent psychologist says it was not violence and he saw the benefits as outweighing the rule-breaking.
— Haroon Siddique (@Haroon_Siddique) March 8, 202311:36Harry Leach
The independent expert says Bronson is "incredibly capable of causing absolute mayhem while he's in isolated conditions" - but added that he has "mellowed out" in his old age.
She believes Bronson runs the risk of being "verbally abusive" if provoked in the community. However, suspects he would only be violent if the state of his mental health deteriorated.
Bronson now realises that the consequences to himself are too great in terms of violence, she told the panel. "I can imagine him telling somebody to eff off, but it's whether that equates to serious harm," she said.
When the psychologist referred to Bronson as a "retired prison activist", he agreed. Bronson said: "It's the best thing I've ever heard."
11:27KEY EVENT
When asked for her recommendation on next steps for Bronson, the psychologist said he should stay in closed conditions for now - but that serious thought should be given to moving him to an open prison 'eventually'.
Her view is that he should see a gradual step down in security categorisation. She added that she doesn't believe Bronson would try and escape an open prison.
He manages his risk with his art, breathing and mindfulness techniques, she said.
11:13KEY EVENT
The psychologist, responding to a panel question about Bronson 'losing his cool' at Monday's hearing, doesn't believe he is a 'serious risk' in 'any setting'.
She told the parole board this morning: "I don't think there's imminent risk of serious harm...in any setting."
She added that Bronson's lack of violence in recent years is partly because he has made "internal changes".
Independent psychologist tells parole board panel of Charles Bronson: "I don't think there's imminent risk of serious harm ..in any setting." She says biggest risk would be if his mental health state became paranoid as in the past but it has been stable for some years.
— Haroon Siddique (@Haroon_Siddique) March 8, 202311:01Harry Leach
The expert says that Bronson took art teacher Phil Danielson hostage in 1999 because it was a "cathartic event", reports The Mirror.
She told the hearing: "He's sensitive to slights and feeling humiliated and degraded. He feels the whole system is about humiliating him and degrading him."
10:53Harry Leach
Charles Bronson is "less of a risk in a community environment than a prison environment", says the independent psychologist.
She added that he must have the right support and any move into a community environment should be 'gradual'.
Independent psychologist says she believes Charles Bronson "is less of a risk in a community environment than in a prison environment". She says this is the 1st time she has written this about a prisoner, also stresses that he must the right support and it should be gradual move
— Haroon Siddique (@Haroon_Siddique) March 8, 202310:49Harry Leach
The psychologist, giving evidence, says that Bronson's violent actions were exacerbated by being in prison. He feels he’s locked in a battle with the prison authorities, she said.
The court hears how Bronson underwent a violence reduction programme in 2012. His offending behaviour has reduced dramatically since then, the court is told.
10:43KEY EVENT
An independent psychologist, giving evidence, says Bronson has 'anti-authority feelings' and is suspicious of other people’s motives. The psychologist believes Bronson suffers with mild PTSD.
#CharlesBronson Independent psychologist says Bronson has anti-authority feelings and is naturally suspicious of other people’s motives. Doesn’t think he has a paranoid personality disorder, but suffers mild PTSD.
— Martin Brunt (@skymartinbrunt) March 8, 202310:35KEY EVENT
Bronson has been given a five-minute window to reflect on Monday's hearing. He began by criticising the decision to include details of a letter sent to him in his cell which he suspects was laced with drugs.
Speaking at today's hearing, he said: "I am the most anti-drugs man on the planet. I despise drugs and people who deal in them. The only time I’ve had drugs was being held down and forcibly injected in the asylums."
He added that any evidence about drugs must have come from a letter he was sent that ended up on the prison floor and was picked up by sniffer dogs.
#CharlesBronson Bronson says he was ‘Humiliated and degraded’ by evidence on Monday about drugs. “I am the most anti-drugs man on the planet. I despise drugs and people who deal in them. The only time I’ve had drugs was being held down and forcibly injected in the asylums,’
— Martin Brunt (@skymartinbrunt) March 8, 202310:23KEY EVENT
Day two of Charles Bronson's parole hearing is now underway. The hearing is set to begin with evidence from a psychologist, acting on behalf of Bronson's legal team.
09:54Harry Leach
The parole hearing today is expected to begin with evidence from an independent psychologist on behalf of Bronson's legal team.
Later on, we may hear from a community offender manager and also a friend of Bronson's.
09:45Harry Leach
Charles Bronson has tried to remove himself from his past by saying he "was a horrible person".
On Monday, Bronson revealed that he changed his name to Salvador in 2014 as "Bronson was a nasty b******".
He added: "I was a horrible person and I couldn't stop taking hostages. I went through a phase; I couldn't help taking hostages.
"I wasn’t a nice person and I didn’t like him. Salvador is a man of peace. I feel peaceful."
09:27Harry Leach
Some people online are calling for Bronson to be freed from prison. Twitter account @kev21261 tweeted: "I would 100% free Charles Bronson. He's been locked up 40-odd years. His original crime was robbery - he hasn't killed anyone."
I would 100% 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 & has a few million pounds[though his art] let him out, leave him be & forget him!!
09:20Harry Leach
09:09Harry Leach
Charles Bronson has spent most of the last half-century behind bars. The 70-year-old's first conviction was in 1974 when he was jailed for seven years for robbery, aggravated burglary, assault with intent to rob and possession of a firearm.
The notorious criminal argues that he is now reformed and should be released from prison.
08:58Harry Leach
Charles Bronson's son, George Bamby, believes his father should be released from prison.
He told TalkTV: "He deserves a chance to get out because for the last eight years has not done anything wrong. He's not been violent, he's rehabilitated himself with his artwork, and he deserves a chance to be given freedom.
"If he comes out and does something wrong, he's knows he'll be straight back inside."
CLICK HERE to read more.
08:57KEY EVENT
Good morning.
Day two of Bronson's parole hearing is set to take place today, Wednesday, March 8. The Parole Board will be deciding if one of the UK's longest-serving prisoners should remain behind bars.
