Persecution in HMP Whitemoor

SOURCE : Anonymous

I was transferred to HMP Whitemoor from HMP Belmarsh on 11th July 2007. On arrival I was held in the normal association. I had no problems in whilst in normal location. I had never been in trouble with the officers or other prisoners, and I believe my wing reports will show this. I pretty much kept to myself. I was attending workshop classes during the day and had enrolled to attend education classes also.

On 16th October 2007 at 12: 30pm it was lock up time and I was in my cell. Until this time I was not involved or aware on any incident relating to me which warranted me to be in trouble of any sort. The DST Team (the Dedicated Search Team) came in to my cell. They were accompanied by Governor X. One of the officers told me I was being moved to the segregation. I was shocked by this as I did not understand the reason why I was taken to segregation.

From my time as a remanded in prison at both HMP Belmarsh and HMP Whitemoor I am aware that prisoners I are taken into segregation if they have either done something wrong, are a danger to themselves or others or for their own protection. I knew therefore there was no reason why I should be taken into segregation. I asked the officers “Why am I being moved to segregation, I have not been nicked (i. e charged) for anything, there must be a reason for you to take me to segregation.’’ The officers said “We do not need to give you a reason you will find out later.’’

I recall there were about 8 officers from the DST team and the Governor X was standing next to them but he did not say anything. I recall one of the officers was filming me when the officers stripped searched and handcuffed me. I asked him why he was filming me and he replied “It is for your own safety.’’ I did not understand what he meant by this. There is CCTV outside my cell which would have captured the DST officers arresting and filming me.

I was bought to the segregation wing at 12: 35pm on 16th October 2007. As the sheet stated I was due to remain segregated until 19th October 2007 when I was due to have the next segregation review hearing, I was desperate to speak to the Duty Governor about this as I did not agree why I was placed in segregation and why I was going to remain in segregation for three days without reason. This sheet is incorrectly dated and timed as 16th October 2007 at 14:20pm to show that I was placed in segregation at 14:20pm, when in fact I was definitely bought into the segregation unit at 12: 35pm and definatley no later.

For the rest of the day on 16th October 2007 from 12:35pm onwards I was kept in the segregation cell and was not allowed out. My cell was smaller than the average cells in the normal wing. I would say the cell measures 10ft by 5ft. The conditions in the cell was appalling. The bed had no covering and the mattress was dirty and covered with blood stains and smelt of urine. The cell was empty with the exception of a metal toilet and metal sink in the corner with a small table in the middle of the room. The was one window measuring about 3 foot each way, however the window was barred with metal rods and even behind the bars the window had an outside cage at least a foot long. My bed had no pillows nor any bed coverings or blanket. The cell was extremely cold especially as the heating was deliberately turned off and it was naturally cold this time of year. I was not given any kettle to heat water for myself. As a result I developed a very high temperature and fever throughout the time I was in segregation.

Throughout this time I kept requesting to speak to the Duty Governor, but was told I was not allowed to speak to anyone. The first contact I had with anyone was around 5:00pm when an officer brought me something to eat in a plastic tray. I again requested to speak to the Duty Governor but was informed that there was no duty governor available to speak to me.

I requested to make a call to my solicitors but was told I had to make an application first. I was not given any induction or told throughout this time why I was placed in segregation. Prior to this I have never been placed in segregation either in Whitemoor or whilst I was on remand at HMP Belmarsh.

However I am aware that every prisoner is given an induction in relation to any regime when they are moved to a different wing whether it is a normal or segregation wing. I believed I was deliberately not given an induction, as even the officers where not aware as to why I was bought to the segregation unit in the first place. I recall a nurse came to see me shortly after 5:00pm and simply asked if I was suicidal, and I responded no. I had no further contact with anyone else. On 17th October 2007 I again requested to see the Duty Governor, but was told I could not. I again asked the reason why I was being kept in segregation and but was told by the Officer that the reason is already stated in my charge sheet.

I then made an application to make a call to my solicitors, which I was allowed to do. I spoke to my solicitors and explained to them the situation. My solicitors advised me of my right to be present at the segregation review hearing and informed me they will write to the Prison confirming this and requesting why I was held in segregation. My solicitors also advised me that the Prison could not authorise initial segregation for more than 72 hours from the time I was initially placed in segregation namely 12:35 Friday 19th October 2007, and that my segregation cannot be authorised longer than 12:35am 19th October 2007. A letter was sent to HMP Whitemoor requesting that I be allowed to attend a segregation review board and the reasons for my segregation, including a copy of the segregation charge sheet.

On 18th October 2007 I was not allowed out of my cell except for half an hour to walk around the exercise yard. I made a request to have all my personal belongings returned to me from my cell in the normal wing, including my toothbrush and legal papers. I lodged a general application form to have these returned to me as soon as possible, but to date I have still not received my legal papers or my personal property back.

On the 19th October 2007 I was in the exercise yard at around 10:00am. A female officer called X informed me that I had segregation review hearing that day. I recall the Imam came to see me as I had put in request to see him. I asked the Imam if he could be present at the review hearing. The Imam said he could be present if the meeting did not clash with Friday Muslim service times which are between 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

When I was taken back to my cell I recall asking SO X whether the review can take place before the Muslim Friday service because both I and the Imam wanted to be at the review hearing. The SO X said he will do what he can. I recall telling him that they cannot have the review hearing later than 12:35pm that day otherwise it would mean I had been in segregation for more than 72 hours and this was unlawful. I also stressed to him that whenever the review was to take place I wanted to be present.

However it was by this time 2:00pm and I was taken out of my cells to attend Muslim Friday prayer service. I again asked SO X that if I go to Friday prayers would I miss my Segregation Review Hearing. SO X assured me I would not. That is why I agreed to go. I was taken out of my cell at 2pm and taken into the normal location for Friday prayers which start at 2.45 although the Imam givens a sermon for 30 minutes beforehand. I was then taken to the Chapel as is the normal procedure after Friday prayers to have brief association time with other prisoners. At around 4pm I was taken back to my cell in the segregation unit.

It was only when I returned to my cell that I found a copy of the result of the segregation review placed on the table in my cell. I was shocked that the segregation review took place in my absence and authorised a further 7 days for me to be segregated. When I asked the Officer outside my cell why I was not allowed to attend the Review hearing I was told it was because I chose to go to Friday prayers.

As my segregation was extended till 23rd October 2007, between 19th -23rd October 2007 I would always ask the Duty Governor, including Mr X and Mr X why I was being kept in segregation but I was always told that “the reasons are there in the sheet’’ and if I had anything to say I should raise it at the next review hearing. I again complained about the condition of the cell, the fact it was so cold, why the radiator was deliberately switched off, why I did not have nay blankets and why I still had not received my legal papers. I was told I had to fill in the complaint forms.

I attended the segregation review hearing before Governor X. I recall members of IMB and the Chaplaincy were present, but not the Imam. Governor X read out the reason why I being held in segregation exactly as it was contained on the sheet.

I was asked if I had anything to say and I told the Governor I had plenty to say. I asked the Governor on what evidence can they say that “intelligence’’ suggests I was disruptive and upon which they are keeping me segregated. The Governor replied it was confidential and therefore he could not say anything further. I stated how can say anything in my defence to help me out of the segregation unit if I do not even know the very reason why I was placed in segregation in the first place.

I explained I could understand if an incidence happened for which I was charged or nicked but nothing of the sort had happened. I stated it was unfair to keep me segregated like this for more than 2 weeks. I informed the Governor that if I have done something wrong then let me have the opportunity to challenge it or even charge me formally and we then we can challenge the evidence. I recall a member of the panel, perhaps an IBM member was nodding their head in agreement, however, no one said anything in support as it would seem that the Governor was not interested as he looked agitated with me, as he asked if I had said “enough?’’

I then asked why I was not present at his review on the 19th October 2007. Governor X again retorted that this was a “tricky situation’’ and it was up to me to decide whether I wanted to attend my segregation review hearing or to attend Friday prayers and it was not the Prison’s fault. I again tried to explain that I had specifically asked Officer X to ensure I wanted to be present, but Governor X made it clear it was my own fault for missing the segregation review as I chose to attend Friday prayers.

I then challenged why my initial segregation was authorised for more then 72 hours, as I was initially taken into segregation at 12:30pm on 16th October 2007 and therefore segregation should not have continued any later than
12:30pm on 19th October 2007, but I was still in the segregation cell until 2:00pm before I was taken to Friday Prayer service. Governor X did not have an answer for this and brushed it off by saying “These things happen sometimes’’ and quickly dismissed my complaint. It was obvious Governor X did not have an explanation for this gross procedural abuse. When I pressed him on it further, he cut me short by saying “Have you had enough to say?’’ and automatically authorised a further segregation for 14 days.

I noticed some of the panel members looked surprised, but did not say anything. I again requested to know how it was fair to place me in segregation in the first place and then extend it for a further 14 days without reason. That is when Governor X threatened me that I would be “shipped out’’ to another prison. When I again asked why was I being threatened with a transfer and why could I not go back to normal location in the prison, the Governor refused to answer my questions. I feared being transferred to another prison, especially somewhere like Full Sutton or Frankland as these prisons are so far away from my family to visit me.

I again asked the Governor that it would not be fair to transfer me without reason and they should check my wing reports both whilst I have been in HMP Whitemoor and previous records in Belmarsh Prison and he will note that I have never had any problems with officers and I have never behaved in any way to suggest I cannot be housed in the normal wing. Again the Governor refused to answer my questions.

I believe the whole review lasted no more then 10 minutes as it was obvious that Governor X has already made up his mind to extend segregation for a further 14 days. My next segregation review was then to take place on 6th November
2007. It should be noted that despite Governor X’s threat to have me “shipped out’’ the review sheet does not indicate that I was at the time being considered for transfer to another establishment.

This review took place and I was present. The procedure was the same as the last review. I again challenged the unfairness of why I was not allowed back to the normal wing citing the same reasons I highlighted at the last review. Again Governor X reiterated what he said before and just authorised further segregation for another 14 days and did not give ANY reason for this whatsoever! Again, I was given no opportunity to put make representations. This review seemed to last no more than 2 minutes and was obviously an exercise in formality. No one in the room on the panel seemed interested and the whole review was over and done with so quickly. However at this review hearing I recall asking the Governor why I could not attend Friday Prayers. I was getting extremely depressed as I had no association with any other prisoners and was being denied the right to practice my religion. The Prison service knows that Friday prayers are obligatory on Muslims. Also, throughout this time I was not given my property from my cell in the normal location, especially my legal papers which have never been returned to me. Again none of these complaints were noted down by the Governor and he simply told me to make application through the “normal procedures.’’

Throughout my time in segregation I was not allowed to wear my own clothes and a change of the segregation uniform was given every 2 days. This consists of a jumper and tracksuit bottoms and bed covering. Changing of these clothing are given every Tuesday and Friday and most of the time the clothes did not fit. I was allowed a shower every other day in cold water.

Throughout my time in segregation I was only given £2.50 a week allowance to spend on canteen or the phone. Most of my money was spent on making legal phone calls which would cost me £1.00 every 4 minutes to call in the peak hours and it is only possible for me to calll after 6pm when the calls are cheaper but by that time my solicitor’s offices are closed. I was only given pre-packed meals which are of very small portions and a flask before 6pm with four tea bags and four sachets of sugar.

Between the period of 11th November 2007 and 20th November 2007 I went on a hunger strike as a protest against my unfair segregation as I found detention in segregation depressing and unbearable.

It was whilst I was on hunger strike on 15th November 2007, 2 officers entered my cell and then falsely accused me of trying to attack one of the officers, for which I was charged contrary to Rule 51 of the Prison Rules. I categorically deny this charge.

I recall that Officer X came into my cell and said I needed to get out of bed. I told the officers I could not get out of bed as I felt very weak as I had been on hunger strike for the past few days and felt very dizzy and weak. Officer X asked me if I wanted assistance to be helped out of bed and I said to him “OK.’’ The two officers concerned came to my bed and helped me out of the bed. Then all of a sudden Officer X said he was restraining me, and he and the other Officer started to bend my arms behind my back. I was in agony and shouted to the Officers “What are you doing, why are you restraining me?’’

At no point did I attempt to punch the officer with my left arm as he alleges, as firstly I was too weak to even stand on my feet and secondly I am right handed, I would never use my left hand if I was to hit someone. In fact the nurse who came to see me before after breakfast will confirm that that having inspected me it was clear that I was not in a physically fit state to get out of bed. I also informed the nurse that I was feeling dizzy and had a headache. The nurse informed me that he should attempt to have something to eat first before I tried to get out of bed. I was in no way in a fit state to have swing a punch at Officer X and this will be confirmed from the medical records. The two officers then dragged me out of the cell. This was all captured on the CCTV outside the cells, however the officer accused me of assaulting him and had me charged contrary to paragraph 51 of the Prison Rules. I believe this was a deliberate attempt to have me silenced so my segregation can be legitimised.

Later on that day I complained to the Duty Governor X of what happened. Governor X retorted that he did not believe me and instead believed his officers. I also complained that the two blankets which I needed for my change of bed clothing had been defiled by the search dog and I was till not given a change of bed sheets. He said he will tell the officers to change the bed sheets, however the officers refused to change my bed sheets. I was without bed coverings or bed sheets for four days.

On the 20th November 2007, I had another segregation review. Again the procedure was the same as before. Again I complained about why I was not allowed to attend Friday prayers and why the Imam was not present at the hearing as I had requested he be there to make submissions on my behalf as to why it was so fundamentally important for me to attend Friday congregational prayers. I also wanted the Imam to confirm that there was no reason to suggest that me attending Friday Muslim service would be a security issue as was being alleged by the Prison for refusing me the right to attend Friday prayer service. However Governor X responded that I did not need the Imam there and that any member of the Chaplaincy can attend the review depending which member was available at the time. I queried why the Imam has yet to attend any of my Review hearings despite the fact I had already asked several times before for the Iman to attend each review hearing.

This time I did ask when I can return to normal location. I felt the Whitemoor had “made their point’’ by showing me that they can do what they pleased with me by placing me in segregation without good reason as a way of punishing me. However Governor X said that I could not return to the normal wing as intelligence suggests I was disruptive to the GOOD. When I again tried to challenge the segregation (I was aware that my solicitors were writing letters before action about this) Governor Bunitt again threatened me that he would transfer me out and that they were just waiting for permission to have me transferred. Again this review lasted no more than 5 minutes.

On 3rd December 2007 a further segregation review hearing took place and I was punished with the following punishment which included 21 days in solitary confinement 35 days of stoppage of earnings and 35 days loss of privileges. I again recall adjudication took no more then 2 minutes and it was obvious that the Governor Greenace had already made up his mind as to what punishment he was to give. I again tried to request more time for legal representation and requested that witnesses be present however the Governor was not interested. I believe this is a deliberate attempt to punish me so my segregation could be justified.

As a result of the punishment I had no private cash with which to contact my solicitors with because I had no money to make calls and due to the UN Sanctions I could not rely on family and friends to send me money because they needed a licence first to do so. The punishment of 80% loss of earning meant I survived on 10p a day. The prison is also aware that as I am on a UN sanctions I am not allowed to have any monies sent to me by anyone who does not have a licence in their name.

The adjudication decision meant that I was unable to make any telephone calls to my solicitors for at least two weeks. I was only able to inform them of my adjudication decision when they came to see me on Wednesday 19th December
2007 to take my instructions in reference to this application.

I wished to challenge the finding of guilt on my adjudication as I believe the evidence against me was a setup in order to have me formally charged for breach of the prison rules so my segregation can be legitimised. My segregation was therefore extended till the 23rd December 2007.

On the morning of 20th December I was waiting to be taken to Eid Prayers. It is obligatory for all Muslims to attend congregational Eid prayers. The Prison was well aware how important this was for me because I made several applications to attend Eid prayers weeks beforehand and even the Imam intervened on my behalf to the extent that the Security Governor informed me on 19th December 2007 that I had been security cleared to attend Eid prayers with all the other prisoners the following day.

However on the morning of the 20TH December 2007 I was transferred out of HMP Whitemoor to HMP Full Sutton. I was not told the reasons for my transfer. I was really upset by this sudden decision which I believe was a deliberate act on behalf of the prison to punish me further. When I informed the officers that I had had to attend Eid prayers and had been security cleared specifically for this therefore it was very wrong of them to transfer me now and under such circumstances. I also informed the SO I had a legal visit booked the following day of 21st December 2007 they said they were not interested and the transport was ready to have me transferred as soon as possible and the Prison service was not there to ensure prisoners have the right to practice their religion or to have unhindered access to their legal representatives.

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