Posted: Tuesday 29 November 2011
One man’s moving experience of British Justice
Lara Gilmour and Lawrie Carlaw of S6 continue with their coverage of the Talking Points programme:
John Bowers talked to 6th year on Friday 18th November about his life, and all the stages he has been through since he was a young child. His tale was emotional and very impressive, and it gripped everyone who was watching.
We learned how his childhood had not been easy at all, and he had built up lots of anger which got to the point where he ran away from home. Then he turned to crime in order to feed himself, and due to his young age could not find any work, so he continued to commit theft until he was caught, and placed in a juvenile facility for 6 months. After he got out he turned back to crime and got another 2 years at the facility. This in itself came as a large shock to the audience as it seems so different from the life stories of the people in our year, and it is difficult to imagine having to fend for ourselves to that extent.
His crime streak continued after he got back from his 2 year spell and he turned to larger robberies. This means that his next sentence was much harsher, and he got 5 years in prison. This was obviously tough and when he got out he was set on finding a partner and getting a job. However the way the system works prove a handicap, employers turned him down due to his record, and similarly, a woman he met found out about his past. This combination led him back to crime, and when he got caught this time he ended up in Dartmoor, an infamously tough prison. His solitary confinement during his time in prison nearly drove him mad, and it was all he could do to keep himself together.
What is amazing about his story is that he now has been able to find a job and a partner, and is able to openly talk about his past, with a mixture of regret and confidence. He feels now that he is able to judge the system fairly as he has experienced it, and he brought up a very thought provoking point: convicts who serve their time are completely ignored once they leave prison, which gives rise to re-offense, and ending up back in prison. He feels that nowhere near enough is being done for ex-prisoners and it could definitely benefit the country if more was done.
We are very grateful to Mr Bowers for coming, and it was certainly a unique experience for 6th year. It opened many eyes to the reality of life, and created thought provoking ideas which I myself am still mulling over.