The Parole Board has confirmed Charles Bronson’s latest bid for release will progress to an oral hearing in the coming months, where Bronson could be invited to make his plea for freedom.
The decision is a hopeful development for one of Britain’s longest-serving and most notorious prisoners, and means a fuller examination of his eligibility for release will now take place.
Bronson, 73, has spent more than five decades in custody. First jailed in 1974 for armed robbery, repeated violence and hostage-taking resulted in his sentence being increased to life.
But after 12 years without a violent conviction, this is now his ninth attempt to seek parole.
In a letter to Sky News, Bronson wrote: “I am 23 years over my tariff. I am forever denied progress. I am forever kept in solitary. They won’t even take me off Cat A.”
He went on: “I have to expose this unlawful sentence and treatment. It’s now gone on for far to long [sic] its become a total joke.”
His most recent review had been under consideration “on the papers”, where written evidence is assessed by the parole board, including reports from prison officials, psychologists and probation staff.
However, the board has this week concluded that the case should progress to an oral hearing, where evidence can be tested in person and witnesses questioned directly. The hearing will allow the parole board to assess Bronson’s current level of risk in greater depth, before deciding whether they can be safely released into the community.
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Gurdeep Singh, a solicitor acting for Bronson – also known as Charles Salvador – said the move was an important step.
“My hopes for the hearing are that Mr Salvador can finally have some progression,” he said.
“He has been languishing in solitary confinement for years now without any future plans for him. With the right support in place, there is no reason why he should not be released into the community, allowing Mr Salvador to continue focusing on his charity work with the Born Art Foundation.”
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Bronson is expected to be invited to attend the hearing in person, giving him the opportunity to address the panel directly and respond to concerns about his behaviour and future plans if he were to be released.
The parole board granted Bronson a public oral hearing in 2023, where he said: “It’s no secret I have had more porridge than Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and I’m sick of it. I’ve had enough of it. I want to go home.”
He had applied for this year’s parole proceedings to be heard in public, a request we understand was rejected. But with the case now moving to an oral stage, he could seek to renew that request.
No date has yet been set for the hearing.
