Inmates vote to have their voices heard


While MPs were debating in the Commons the rights and wrongs of allowing prisoners to vote in


Parliamentary elections, inmates at Maidstone Prison were using their


democratic rights at a more local level. Peter Erlam reports.


THE Diversity and Equality Party had just won the first ever election of its type at Maidstone Prison… "The tide has turned," declared Mark Johnson, campaigner and founder of ex-of- fender charity User Voice, as he congratu- lated the winning candidate. He said that the democratically elected


Prison Council, which will meet monthly, starting on March 3, signified a culture change. If a similar exercise in prisoner in- clusion were repeated across the country it would result in a marked reduction in re-of- fending, Mr Johnson told the Downs Mail. For several weeks, candidates and sup-


porters of four different parties had cam- paigned hard and leafleted their fellow inmates. On polling day, there was a 63% turnout at the ballot box, overseen by regis- tration officers from Maidstone Council. Prison staff and external service providers also voted. BeforeMBC chief executive Alison Broom announced the result, the governor Andy Hudson said he believed "proper engage- ment with and between staff and prisoners


Above: UserVoice founderAndy Johnson chats with the election winner. Left: one of the inmates casts his vote.


is the key to a successful prison". In the past, inmates had been consulted


on issues but their place on the Prison Council had been largely based on their popularity on each wing. Now, said Mr Hudson, these new councils would more accurately reflect the views from across the prison community. The scheme has already been a success on


the Isle of Wight, where prison councils were set up at Albany, Parkhurst and Camp Hill in 2009. The councils are made up of elected pris-


oners who voice the views of fellow inmates to management, in order to strengthen rela-


tions and improve the services provided by the prison. Maidstone's community engagement


manager Martin Dacey said: "Isle of Wight had a huge impact, with reduced com- plaints coming in to staff and fewer disci- pline problems." Proportional representation means each


of the four parties has seats on Maidstone’s newly formed Prison Council. The result, with the number of seats in brackets: Diversity and Equality 184 votes (nine); Resettlement 147 (seven); Commu- nity and Environment 52 (two); and Train- ing and Education 49 (two).


Puss ‘n’ Boots Leeds AmateurDramatic Society


Two simply wonderful nights at the panto Aladdin


Hollingbourne Pantomime Group


THIS show produced loads of laughter at Leeds. The Puss, played by Carol Burton, was brilliant; displaying a wonderful fe- line act in a superb feathered hat, (wardrobe by Gallihawk and Steele). Puss was loyal to her master, Jane Steele's lively, adventurous Jack, who mocked the dangerous Ogre and sent the audience into hysterics. The real mystery was how the simple King (Malcolm Galli- hawk) and the ambitious Queen (Lesley Finlay), could have produced the sparkling character of the Princess, played by Harriet Poulter. SeanWallace was the


real panto dame, his excellent performance and his perfect joke timing raising the laughter level.Adrian Louis was the dash- ing yet evil Lord Roger, his sinister per- formance scoring high on the 'boo-ometer'. The two Woodcocks were rather lovable brokers men. Norman Dabbs was an ac- complished narrator and Mervyn Hughes' wonderful legs appeared as the Coach. There were also three dear little rabbits


JOHN


MUNSON SHOW TIME


I BOUGHT five tickets so I could take three grandchil- dren – and it was worth every penny. There is a power of real entertaining skill in Holling- bourne. A companion said it was the best panto that she had seen in recent times including a very good pro- fessional one. There were lots and lots of laughs and even many hoots and guffaws interspersed with peri- ods of smiles of enjoyment. The chief reason for the show's success was in the writing and the direction, both by Glenn Bryan. There were so many funny lines and situations. There was also clever staging. The early laundry scene with the youngsters looked so smooth and effortless. The build-up to Al- addin's Cave, then the opening curtains re- vealed an ordinary B&Q door. The hilarious magic rug scene with its


Battle of Britain fly past sound effect, with clouds. All of these done with great confidence and obvious enjoy- ment by the cast. There were wonderful original songs by David Head.


who danced and smiled and a terrific group of young villagers who answered back and returned their cheeriness. Helen Morley designed the beautiful picture- book set and David Hoxley directed this wonderfully enjoyable pantomime.


Bearsted road closure


A STRETCH of Tower Lane in Bearsted, will be closed for traffic between April 19 and May 3 for BT infrastructure work. The section between Roseacre Lane and Otteridge Road will be af- fected.


30 East


Philip Reed was a veritable virtuoso on the keyboard. Louise Cooke gave us the haute couture of panto cos- tume. We even had a Chinese Dragon fit for The Year of the Rabbit, thanks to Roger Graynoth. James Cooke was the creator of the impressive lighting and special effects. Sorry cast, I'm not singling out anyone special for praise. You were all lovely, all special. Thank you for giving us such a really memorable Hollingbourne evening. Just can't wait for Dracula the panto 2011.


Jumble sale boosts town charity


GRAB a bargain at a jumble sale being held by Maidstone Mencap on Saturday, March 12, at Cob- tree Hall, Mote Park (School Lane entrance offWill- ington Street). Doors open at 3pm and admission is 30p. Contact Cath Handley on 07956 332975.


Choral society’s birthday concert


BEARSTED Choral Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary year with a classical concert at All Saints’ Church, in Mill Street, Maidstone. The society will collaborate


with Upchurch Choral Society, which also celebrates the same landmark. Peter Ashley will conduct more than 90 singers, who will perform Puccini’s Messa di Gloriai. The concert takes place on Saturday, March 26. Tickets are £8 and £4 for students. Info - 01634 245704.


Third time is still unlucky


MAIDSTONE Council has re- mained uncompromising in handling the latest application to build a three-bay garage in Otham. For the third time, the bor-


ough has refused Paul Turn- ham’s application for the garage at Madam Taylor’s Cottage. The planning department has


repeated the advice it gave after the second refusal, saying in the decision notice: “As you have been previously advised, an amended scheme showing a full-hipped, two-bay garage with a lower ridge height is likely to be deemed accept- able.”


Crematorium work WORK is planned to improve disabled access to the Book of Remembrance hall at the Vin- ters Park Crematorium.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48