A Letter from HMP Armley

Yesterday, I was passed a letter from a man in Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Armley in Leeds.  I was simply shocked by the manner of his incarceration by Leeds Magistrates court.  Below is the actual description from Jamie, as to why he was imprisoned at massive costs to the public expense.  And worse a young man’s inclusion into the British penal system.

Right the reason I have been locked up is because of fines (non-payment). They’ve been taking £5 a week from my benefits, for some reason it has not registered with the fines office. I got arrested Friday 11am for missing an appointment.  I was then processed and went into court which was adjourned for 5 days. On my way to being released, the warrant issued for the fine I had just been to court about. They arrested me and sent me to Armley for 27 days!

Jamie will be out next week.  He has being sent to prison because of a bureaucratic error.