MONTHLY NEWS LETTER FROM BANG KWANG
By Steve Willcox
Message to all potential Bang Kwang visitors!!!
There is now a “new guard” at the main gate of the prison. He is insisting all visitors must be family of the prisoner. This is real bad news for the prisoners who so badly need these visits. If you are planning a visit, just say that you are a Cousin or whatever as proof is not needed.
Who would you trust to get you out of jail?
Something is badly wrong with the Foreign Office when George Clooney is more likely than Margaret Beckett to have innocent Britons abroad freed
Mariella Frostrup
Sunday November 19, 2006
The Observer
STEVE’S SENTENCE REDUCED!!!!!
At long last I have some good news to report to all my web site readers. A new warrant of imprisonment has only just been received by me.
This is a actual document handed out by the Prison – Authorities after each Amnesty, confirming a prisoners reduction in sentence, if he or she has been fortunate enough to receive an amnesty at all.
Everything here in Bangkwang works at a snails pace, if it works at all.
It is only now, over 6 months after June 2006 amnesty was announced, is confirmation given to a prisoner of their sentence.
You will all know from our monthly news letters around the months of June 2006 that the hopes of many prisoners here were shattered in June’s announcement of such a tiny fraction of a amnesty that the Prison Authoritarians had had us believe.
I was told I received no amnesty at all in what was billed before hand as the biggest amnesty in
You aint gonna believe the compassion and humanitarian generosity they’ve gave me!
“2 WEEKS” reduction in my sentence of 33 ½ years with my new release date of: October 3rd 2036 compared to my original release date of: 17/10/2036 I will sure sleep a lot more soundly at nights, but I will now have to revise my plans for my future with 2 whole weeks of extra freedom on my hands!
It seems there’s no bounds to their compassion and Humanitarian Generosity to me.
On a less sarcastic note readers!
The cause of so many sleepless nights to me over the past 3 years 9 months of my imprisonment to date, my fine of £11.000 (sterling), which I had no means to pay and therefore prevented my transfer to a Prison back home in England to serve out my sentence.
My fine has totally been cancelled in June’s amnesty now this is cause for celebration and a enormous worry lifted, no sarcasm on that!
I’m coming home readers, this year!!
Well not really home, but at least to a Prison in England!
There are also messages that have been posted by Steve and his friends for other people. Please be patient, Steve and his friends WILL post a reply to you
WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
Steven has served almost 4 years of a 33.5 year sentence in Thailand after he pleaded guilty for having in possession for distribution 24.060 grams in pure substance of heroin hydrochloride, 1.339 grams of pure substance of ecstasy (14 pills) and for having 0.263 grams in pure substance of methamphetamine hydrochloride (11 pills) and 20.410 grams of marijuana in possession. All the drugs were for his personal use.
Section 15 of the Thai Narcotics Act states that possession of any amphetamine or derivatives of amphetamines (ecstasy) of 1.5grams net weight or above is possession for distribution. Similarly, possession of narcotics within category 1 (heroin) of 3grams of pure substance or above is possession for distribution. Steven had to admit possession for distribution in relation to his possession of the heroin and ecstasy despite the reality. To dispute the charges would have resulted in him being found guilty and being sentenced more severally. Technically under Thai law he was guilty of the possession for distribution charges.
This is not a petition to say Steven shouldn't be punished. What he did was wrong, but almost four years in Bangkwang prison is enough punishment for anyone.
Steven will hopefully transfer to the
Please help to bring Steve home by signing this petition
A typical cell in Bangkwang though for the purposes of this photograph it has been given a fresh coat of paint.
These are death row inmates and have been instructed to conceal their shackles under their folded legs. Also some inmates have been removed from the centre of the cell to give the impression of more space. Usually there would be two or more rows of inmates side by side lengthwise in this gap. The clothes on the end of the bed mats are to prevent rusty shackles from soiling the men’s bed covers. Personal items and food are carried in bags seen here hanging above each mans head on the wall. The toilet hole is on the right at the far end of the cell in the corner with painted blue wall. A quick count of the bed mats reveals at least 22 men in this cell at the time of the photograph. Another 8 – 10 men will sleep down the centre aisle once the camera is gone
bravenet.com
