We are asking again for people to write letters, your efforts on his behalf will at least let the prison authorities know that he's not completely alone and unsupported, and that there are people on the outside who recognise the injustice of his situation. Ronnie, whilst trying everything in his power to get his case back into court, has been treated as an “awkward” and “difficult” prisoner . However his actual risk to the community outside has been absolutely negligible for many, many years. As a consequence, instead of at least trying to prepare him for release, they've shunted an ageing and sick man around the high-security prison system for many years, frequently holding him in conditions that would be detrimental to the mental and physical health of even the strongest and most youthful of prisoners.

A recent letter to us from the Director General's Briefing & Casework Unit at the Ministry of Justice said:

"There is no rule or policy which automatically prevents a life sentence prisoner who maintains his innocence from progressing through the prison system, or from being released. However, the Parole Board has to be satisfied that it is safe to release an individual on licence having examined the offender's risk factors. Age is one factor that may be considered when assessing an offender's risk of re-conviction and the risk of serious harm to the public. It is not the only factor as age alone does not prevent an individual from committing an offence."

The letter clearly indicates that Ronnie's release could be allowed tomorrow, based as such a decision is on the perceived level of risk to the public. Even if Ronnie has refused to apply for parole, since he has served a sentence well over his tariff, the parole board should still have been reviewing his case on a regular basis. So the paper work should be readily available and should not constitute a hindrance to the swift expedition of any parole-led release. Considering Ronnie's age and state of health then at the very least an immediate transfer to an open jail would be wholly appropriate and humane, and it's actually scandalous that he remains in maximum-security conditions still. Please keep writing letters on his behalf because it's important that those responsible for his treatment are confronted with their cruelty and inhumanity, and reminded that the man being treated so inhumanly by them never actually killed, raped or seriously hurt anyone.

What you can do:

Send a postcard or letter of support to Ronnie, this will also let the prison authorities know he is not isolated and people are aware of his situation:

Ronnie Easterbrook (B58459)
HMP Gartree
Gallow Field Road
Market Harborough
Leicestershire
LE16 7RP

Write to the Governor at HMP Gartree, Susan Howard, expressing your concern over Ronnie's condition:

Susan Howard, Governor
HMP Gartree
Gallow Field Road
Market Harborough
Leicestershire
LE16 7RP
Tel: 01858 426 600
Fax: 01858 426 601

Also to the local MP for Market Harborough:

Edward Garnier QC MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
e-mail:  garniere@parliament.uk

Write to the people below to say that Ronnie has now spent enough time in prison. He is currently held in a category B prison, as it seems that there is no possibility of him getting a re-trial, at the age of 78 he should at least be moved to an open prison on humanitarian grounds and started on the parole process:

The Parole Board for England and Wales
Grenadier House
99-105 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 2DX
Phone: 0845 251 2220
Fax: 0845 251 2221

Rt Hon David Hanson MP
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3334 3555
Fax: +44 (0)20 3334 4455
 general.queries@justice.gsi.gov.uk

Lord Corbett,
Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Penal Affairs Group
House of Lords,
London
SW1A OPW.
Tel: 020 7219 3420

Send a letter to Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, urging her to initiate a review of his case:

Jacqui Smith, MP
Secretary of State for the Home Office
3rd Floor, Peel Buildings
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Fax: 020 8760 3132
e-mail:  smithjj@parliament.uk