March 25 – Newsletter

Inside this Edition:

Notes from Chair, Visit to the Central Criminal Court By Hon. Treasurer, Bromley Briefing Prison Factfile 2025, Law Commission reviewing the need for CCRC Reform, Koestler Art exhibition Illustrated By AJ, To My Imprisoned Sister By Cora, A change is a good as a rest- so they say By Maria

Notes from the Chair

Dear Ones,

I write this on the day of the Spring Equinox, a gloriously warm, sunny day. The ground is alive with emerging shoots, crocuses, primroses and daffodils. Today also marks the publication of the International Happiness Survey, and the Uk has fallen, by several places, and is now 23rd in the World ranking, just above the USA. Finland is in first place, followed by the other Scandinavian countries. It makes one wonder what these countries do which so benefits their citizens. Maybe they have a strong sense of community, accept that a significant proportion of their income is spent on welfare, and that inequalities in wealth are relatively small, and stable. (and of course, return lost wallets!) I heard in today’s News that the Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ has had millions of views, triggering a national debate about young people accessing Social Media, and the relative lack of regulation in this field.

Some of the content viewed is toxic and may lead to unformed and developing brains committing antisocial acts, with devastating impact on the young person and their families. Last month our charity supported some Trust Board members and Telephone Support Workers to spend a day at the Old Bailey.

There is a report on this visit in this Newsletter, so I will not replicate it, just to say that the most significant learning point
for me was the difficulty that a lay jury must face when weighing up contradictory forensic evidence. This must be particularly true of the Lucy Letby case, currently under a review and Inquiry.

AFFECT has also recruited two new Telephone Support Workers. Welcome, Peter and Caitlin, we hope your stay in the
organisation is productive, and mutually beneficial. Thank-you for choosing AFFECT. As you may already be aware, ours is a small charity, with a tiny annual budget, run by volunteers, but with a wide reach, and an even bigger heart. If you have
any fundraising tips, please contact our Treasurer (Lindley) or CEO (Shannel), who are currently bidding to secure ongoing funding.

This will be my last report as Manager of AFFECT; it has been agreed by the Trust Board and the Annual General Meeting that the roles of Chair and Manager are separated. Shannel has therefore taken on the overall management role as Chief Executive Officer. This has reduced my workload, enabling me to continue as a Telephone Support Worker. It has been an honour and a privilege to have undertaken this work over the past few years, and I wish Shannel well. I know she will be highly successful.
Carol. (Chair)

Visit to the Central Criminal Court 4 February 2025 By Lindley Hon Treasurer

Affect Board members and Telephone Support Workers were invited by Judge Sarah Munro, to attend the
Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey). This invitation, arranged by Brenda, was warmly accepted, and a group of seven attended the Old Bailey last month.

After negotiating security, we were ushered into a Board Room, where Judge Sarah explained the case, she is currently hearing, and which we would be invited to observe from the Jury seats. We were also introduced to the Recorder, the most senior of the team of judges, who holds an office dating back to the Middle Ages.

Judge Sarah expressed a keen interest in the work of AFFECT and described a current project No Knives: Better Lives, which is aimed at reducing knife crime, which disproportionately involves young men, often under the age of majority.

The case which the AFFECT team witnessed concerned an attempted murder, and associated DNA evidence.
All the barristers, judge and usher were female, while the expert witnesses and the defendant were male. The evidence was highly technical and examined in great detail. The visit concluded with a talk covering the history of the Old Bailey and a tour.

Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile 2025 – Pia Sinha Chief Executive Prison Reform Trust, February 2025

It is difficult to overstate the challenges facing our prison system today. Overcrowded and under–resourced,
too many prisons fail both the people within them and the communities they are meant to serve. Self- harm and suicide rates are at a record high, organised crime is being seen as a threat to national security, and people remain trapped in a system that has lost all sense of it primary purpose, which is to create order, predictability
and the opportunity to reset. Yet change is possible. With a new government willing to confront these issues, we have a unique opportunity to push for reforms that prioritise rehabilitation over punishment.

The Prison Reform Trust has already secured major legislative victories, including the removal of indefinite licence conditions for 1,800 people serving IPP sentences in the community. But work is far from over.

For the full Factfile

Law Commission reviewing the need of reform to Criminal Cases Review Commission Insidetime reports 05.03.25

The Law Commission has proposed significant reforms to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) following criticisms of its handling of the Andrew Malkinson case, who spent 17 years in prison wrongfully convicted of rape. It suggests that cases should be referred if there is a possibility of unsafe convictions, rather than requiring new evidence. The charity Appeal supports this change, emphasising its potential to enhance accountability and aid wrongful conviction survivors. Additionally, the Law Commission has initiated reviewing the law on homicide and the sentencing framework for murder following the request from Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The expert body last considered homicide almost 20 years ago, but changes in the law and within society have made a new review necessary. Addressing issues like domestic murder sentences, there have been concerns that sentences for domestic murder have not adequately reflected prior abuse between the victim and perpetrator, in setting minimum terms. The Joint Enterprise doctrine will also be reviewed, which will be examined in light of the Supreme Court’s 2016 decision in the case of R. v Jogee that the law had “taken a wrong turn”, as well as recent controversies over how diminished responsibility should be reflected in any new classification of  homicide offences.

Criminal appeals project

Self-Care is essential

Supporting a loved one during their imprisonment can be emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting. It is
crucial to prioritise your own well-being, as being healthy will benefit both you and your loved one. Above all
remember to be kind to yourself and ensure you are getting plenty of:
• Sleep
• Healthy eating
• Exercise
• Maintaining hygiene
• Taking time out for yourself
• Spending time with family & friends

Navigating the Prison system can be confusing

If you are new to the prison system, the following information may be a good starting point:

• Send money to someone in prison – GOV.UK
• Visit someone in prison – GOV.UK
• Get help with the cost of prison visits – GOV.UK
• Staying in touch with someone in prison: Letters, video and telephone calls – GOV.UK
• Email affectcharity@outlook.com for ‘List of Useful Organisations’

Koestler Art exhibition is Inspiring New Talent

Prior to entering the prison system, AJ had no artistic talent or previous art experience and would never have considered spending her spare time doing any type of art. Due to the nature of her disabilities, AJ was not offered any opportunity to work in prison. However, AJ was keen to keep herself busy whilst serving her time in custody she applied to take part in every course that was offered including art.

Illustrated by A.J

Artistic development: AJ progressed in her artistic skills, eventually submitting five pieces for the 2024 Koestler Arts competition, including an additional piece of the judge Abbas Zahedi. AJ wanted to make her piece stand out, so she decided to use glitter glue to create stars. This was selected for exhibition at the entrance of the main annual exhibition at the Southbank Centre in London.

Recognition and success: In 2023 two pieces of AJ artwork sold during the competition, proName Goes Hereviding her a sense of achievement and she received half of the sales proceeds. Koestler received 25%, with the remaining 25% going to Victim Support. AJ was delighted to learn that someone valued her artwork enough to purchase it and that the profits supported good causes. AJ is already working on her entry for next year’s competition

To My Imprisoned Sister (by Cora)

I took them to our park
And wild-horse-like they ran ahead
So far
A woman stopped, asked
Where their parents were.
And I laughed and saw us
Back when we ran, you
pulling my jumper.
Back when we too
Drowned Mum’s shouts with
our panting breath.
The swings are different now.
Rusty, paint-peeling frames
Reincarnated
Into damp wood.
My youngest, who will start school
Before ever meeting you,
Throws his legs to the sky and flies
Chasing his brother into the air.
We used to laugh, like
You and I.
Once, on my wedding day,
we raced barefoot on space
hoppers.
Now, I gaze at the place
On his back
where your hand should be.
Here, on this swing
That’s new-but-still-ours.
As inevitable as the sea-wave
rhythm of the swings
I add it to the tally of moments
you gave away.
Meanwhile, in my loft
with half-mad rubbery optimism
The space hoppers wait.

A change is as good as a rest- so they say

February 14th 2025, will live in my memory for a while. Like many events since my partner big event punctuate our life like rock in a desert of eternity. I had not seen him since before Christmas. We had some family events and deadlines that made seeing each other in January too hard. So, I booked a double visit and accommodation at a reasonable hotel so I could see him over two days and get a small break as well. Then came the notice he was going to be moved, just a couple of days warning.

You can read more of Jane’s story here – Jane’s Story