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Articles by Omar Mentesh
Update on the Independent Sentencing Review
As this newspaper demonstrates, information can be powerful. But so can misinformation and disinformation. And as I have visited prisons over the past few months, I have been struck by the amount of bad information – perhaps unintentional, possibly deliberate – circulating about changes to sentencing. A few weeks ago, I was asked to confirm the introduction of ‘SDS10’ and only yesterday was asked whether it was true that ‘prisons minister David Gauke’ had decided to cut the length of EDS sentences.
Bright Futures: Prison education turned my life around
Being released from prison brings the chance of a fresh start. From finding a home to seeking work, there are plenty of challenges ahead – but also openings. Readers have told us they want to read more positive stories of people making a success of life after jail. Here we present the stories of three men who are preparing for a brighter future The point where it all went wrong for me was when I was five years old.
Bright Futures: Apprentice bike mechanic
Being released from prison brings the chance of a fresh start. From finding a home to seeking work, there are plenty of challenges ahead – but also openings. Readers have told us they want to read more positive stories of people making a success of life after jail. Here we present the stories of three men who are preparing for a brighter future Jack works four days a week as an apprentice in a cycle shop, learning to repair and refurbish bikes.
Bright Futures: Beginner brickie
Being released from prison brings the chance of a fresh start. From finding a home to seeking work, there are plentyof challenges ahead – but also openings. Readers have told us they want to read more positive stories of peoplemaking a success of life after jail. Here we present the stories of three men who are preparing for a brighter future A prison leaver has landed a job as a bricklayer after learning the craft in a workshop at his jail.
I got IPP … at first I was glad
Gareth Evans was sentenced in 2011to a three-and-a-half year IPP sentence. At last his licence has been terminated. He reflects on the experience. I received a three-and-a-half year IPP sentence in November 2011. As with my first prison sentence, I had violently attacked two sex offenders. This was essentially a third strike, so I was deemed a dangerous person and given an IPP. Having served one sentence beforehand, I had heard of IPP, or Imprisonment for Public Protection.
Recording men’s raps
Lyrics written in cells are set to music and burned onto CDs in a scheme at HMP Guys Marsh It is always interesting what one individual can achieve, even in a prison setting. Or perhaps, particularly in a prison setting. Toby Langton-Gilks started going into HMP Guys Marsh in 2009. Fifteen years later he’s still there every afternoon, five days a week.
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