Jailhouse Lawyers: Prisoners Defending Prisoners vs the USA
A new book by death row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal was launched to great acclaim at an event in the House of Lords last week. It was hosted by Lord Ramsbotham, former Chief Inspector of Prisons, who has backed votes for prisoners and other reforms supportive of those inside. This path-breaking book describes the work of prisoners who litigate against their jailers to win justice for themselves and other prisoners. “This is the story of law learned not in the ivory towers . . . [but] in the hidden, dank dungeons of America.”
Selma James (Global Women’s Strike), who edited and introduced the book, paid tribute to Mumia (as he is known to millions) who was falsely convicted of killing a policeman in 1982 after a trial drenched in racism. Her introduction presents the parallel universe of UK jailhouse lawyers who, like their US counterparts, are leading a justice movement inside. She commented that the book strengthens the case for urgent prison reform, gives hope, and is an effective tool against the death penalty everywhere.
 Selma James (left) |
 Lord Ramsbotham |
 Alf Dubbs (left), Niki Adams (right) |
 Emmanuel De Silva II |
Two prisoners spoke powerfully from the panel. John Hirst won the European ruling establishing prisoners’ right to vote. Emmanuel De Silva II, who against the advice of his lawyers appealed and got his sentence reduced, gave an account of overcoming illiteracy inside and winning justice, including against racism by the authorities.
Flo Krause, a barrister who represented John Hirst in the European Court, condemned the six-year delay in implementing the Court’s decision, and paid tribute to jailhouse lawyers’ work against “daily humiliations and abuses of power”. Ian Macdonald QC, who had gathered over 100 signatures from UK lawyers to a letter to the US court protesting the racism of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s case, credited jailhouse lawyers for their expertise and gave a glowing tribute to the book as a must-read. Niki Adams (Legal Action for Women) reported progress in Mumia’s legal case, and Claude Guillaumaud brought greetings from the weekly Paris vigil for Mumia. Alexandra Slade read a statement from Ben Gunn, a serving prisoner and jailhouse lawyer.
 Alexandra Slade and Tom Brake MP |
 Flo Krause |
 Ian Macdonald QC |
 Claude Guillaumaud |
Prisoners’ mothers and other family and supporters filled the committee room, along with prison reform groups. Pauline and Andy Day spoke of their battle for justice for their son Paul who died in prison and Patricia Brown (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association) highlighted the unjust laws which disproportionately target young people of colour, often convicting and condemning them to long prison sentences though they had no involvement in the crime. CLINKS charity, Free Mumia UK, Friends of Bradley Manning, London SlutWalk, Prison Reform Trust and filmmaker Wil Francombe (‘In Prison My Whole Life’), among others, filled the room. A moving recorded statement praising the book by poet Benjamin Zephaniah, based on his experience as a prisoner, was warmly welcomed.
Lord Ramsbotham declared the meeting was one of the most memorable he had been to. He and later Lord Dubbs, who took over the chair when Lord Ramsbotham had to leave for an important vote, pledged to continue promoting the issues among policymakers and the media.More about Jailhouse Lawyers
|
 John Hirst (centre) |
 Patricia Brown (speaking) |
Photo credits: Crossroads Photo Collective and Will Francome, Reel Nice
Click here to
order copies
Crossroads Books, PO Box 287, London NW6 5QU. Tel: 020 7482 2496
crossroadsbooks@allwomencount.net