24/07/2012
Dear Governor Nigel Smith,
I am writing to you with concern regarding my visit on Monday 23rd July with my son Kevan Thakrar A4907AE. Here are some of my points of concern:
• I had difficulty booking a visit. I sent an email on Monday 16th July to book a visit for Thursday 19th July and received a reply stating that the visit room for HU6 was already in use on that day and I should try another day. I sent another email, this time requesting the afternoon of Sunday 22nd July. I received a reply stating that Kevan had already had his weekend visit for July and the first available day for a visit was Monday 23rd July. There are no visits on Wednesdays or Fridays and Tuesday 17th July was out of the question as booking a visit in HU6 requires 48 hours’ notice. I am extremely unhappy about this situation as it meant that I was unable to visit my son in the week 16th July to the 22nd July. To make matters worse, Kevan informed me during the visit on Monday 23rd July that he was told by officers to get ready on Sunday 22nd as he had a visit, which he did not, and staff were ready to accommodate this visit. A member of staff had also been sent to reception to escort his visitors. According to Kevan the visits room was not used on Sunday yet he was prevented from having a visit on that day. Surely if the ratio of inmates is greater than the numbers of days and times visits are available, then it should be possible to book a visit on a day when the room is not in use regardless of whether an inmate has already had a weekend visit.
• I brought property to hand in to Kevan which included boxer shorts, socks, some stationary i.e. blank notepads, pens and envelopes, and a religious book. Only to be told by the property officer that Kevan was not allowed any property for another 6 months as he was on basic and has already had his full quota. She also said that no property application had been approved. If there was no property application then why did the property officer have Kevan’s property file? I do not understand how Kevan could have reached his ‘quota’ as he has very little property. His property card showed that he had not had any property handed in since April 2012. Although Kevan has submitted applications since then we have been unable to hand any property in the last few months, as we have been told at the property desk that there is no application. Additionally, inmates are normally allowed an unlimited amount of boxers and socks in their property, as well as religious items and material. During the visit on Monday 23rd July, Kevan informed me that on the morning of the same day he had been handed a printed sheet stating that he is only allowed to hold 6 books in his property. My request to you then would be to please quote to me in your reply the section of the PSI which states that an inmate can only have 6 books, and is limited in the amount of religious reading material as well as the number of underwear and socks, because as far as I am aware the PSI and PSO are mandatory instructions and cannot be changed to accommodate ‘local’ rules in any prison.
• On the day of the visit, Monday 23rd July it seems there was a family day, and because of this we were unable to buy food or refreshments from the cafeteria which meant that the only refreshments available were from the vending machines within HU6. In order to buy drinks from the machine, my son had to climb over piles of dirty laundry and large laundry bags which were dumped in front of the machines. I believe this to be a serious health and safety issue. My son also discovered during the visit that the crisps we had bought from the vending machine were out of date. Although one packet was well over a week out of date, the others were only a few days, but this again breaches health and safety regulations.
• The final issue that I would like to bring to your attention is that Kevan came to the visit extremely agitated as officers refused to let him out of his cell and bring him to the visit room, stating that ‘his visitors were still in the cafeteria buying refreshments’. Of course this was not true as the cafeteria was not open and Kevan had seen us arriving at HU6 through his cell window. Kevan was not released from his cell until 2.40pm which meant that even though we were the only social visit on the day, our visit was extremely delayed.
I would be grateful if you would reply in detail to all of the issues raised individually as they are all separate issues.
Yours Sincerely
(PSI 16/2011 – Providing Visits and Services to Prisoners. Paragraphs 3.17 (Refreshments) & 3.25 (Visits Start Time)
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Dep. Head of Security
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery No.: AH 7635 0813 3GB
15th March 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Mr
Thank you for your prompt reply dated 2nd March. I was pleased to note that you have concerns over the delay encountered by Kevan’s outgoing mail.
I welcome your apology and look forward to not having to bring any problems to your attention in the future regarding Kevan’s outgoing mail as you are reviewing the process in place which should eliminate such delays.
However I would also like to bring to your attention the delay in Mail sent in to Kevan.
I have enclosed 2 letters. One from CSC Governor explaining that Kev should receive his recorded delivery mail on the same day as it arrives at the mail room. The other is a copy of a letter sent to CSC Governor regarding the birthday cards sent by recorded delivery which Kev still has not received.
I would be grateful if you could also review the process of incoming mail to eliminate this delay.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours Sincerely
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
Enc.
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HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
14 July 2010
Dear Governor
Today, Wednesday 14th July we visited our son Kevan Thakrar TN8281 and were looking forward to having our photo taken with him as he had already made an application to do so. However, to our disappointment this did not take place.
We asked the officers present at the visit if we could speak to a senior member of staff regarding this matter. A female officer replied in a very rude manner stating that the S.O. would not see us during our domestic visit and we would have to write in for an explanation.
Therefore we would be grateful if you could justify to us on what legal grounds Kevan has been denied having photos taken with his family.
Yours Sincerely
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
2nd April, 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor Smith,
I am writig to you again as I have been made aware of yet another pre-arranged inter- prison phone call which was due to take place on 28 April 2011 has failed to take place between Kevan at HMP Woodhill and his brother Miran at HMP Full Sutton.
I would be grateful if you could look into this matter and please inform me and anyone else who is responsible to arrange these phone calls in order to avoid any more missed inter- prison phone calls between my sons.
I am sure you will agree this problem is causing my sons unnecessary stress and anxiety.
I will be forwarding a similar letter of enquiry to the Governor of HMP Full Sutton in the hope that he too will look into this matter to ensure there are no problems in the future.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours Sincerely,
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
Prisons Ombudsman
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HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
MK4 4DA
30 August 2010
Dear Governor
On Thursday 26 August my son and I attended HMP Woodhill with the purpose of visiting my son Kevan Thakrar TN8281. As we passed through the security checks we were asked to sit in a chair by the DST staff so that the dog could do a search. My son was in the chair in front of me and the dog began the search. The dog put a wet nose on my sons hand and my son lifted his hand up .The DST told him to replace his hand on the chair. The dog climbed up on my son’s leg putting its head under his arm and my son lifted his arm. The DST told him to put his arm down. My son advised the DST that he did not want the dog touching him due to allergies. The DST shouted “the dog has a job to do.” My son said to the DST that he was aware of that but the dog is able to carry out the job without having to touch him to do it, as it never has in the past. To which the DST shouted in an extremely rude and disrespectful manner “You will do exactly as you are told or you will not be allowed to visit!” My son then asked for his number and the DST pulled his shirt forward into my son’s face and shouted, “There’s my number 450, you want to complain to someone about it? Go ahead.”
At this point in time the member of staff in question was not aware that the young man to whom he had just been so rude was my son. As the dog finished the search and we were asked to move on the DST 450 gave my son one of the nastiest looks I have ever seen. I was both horrified and disgusted and said to him “please do not speak to my son in that manner; he is a visitor not an inmate.”
This was a very upsetting and harrowing experience for my son who now feels depressed and unsure whether he will be able to attend future visits .The incident spoiled what should have been a pleasant visit with his brother.
I would be grateful if you would look into this matter to ensure that it does not happen again, not only to my son but any visitor to your establishment.
Yours Sincerely
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery
07th February, 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar, A4907AE
Dear Governor Smith,
I write to you again as I require full clarification of the procedure at HMP Woodhill regarding items sent to prisoners by ROYAL MAIL RECORDED DELIVERY.
I would appreciate if you could give me a step by step guide from the time the mail arrives at your establishment till the time it is in the prisoner’s possession.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours Sincerely,
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery No.:- AH 7635 0811 6GB
23rd March 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor
Thank you for your prompt replies dated 17th March. I am pleased to hear that you have decided to re- consider your decision regarding Kevan having to wear a bib on his visits.
I am also very grateful that you have sorted out Kevan’s dietary requirements, hopefully there will be no more issues regarding this.
Regarding inter prison phone calls if you say you are “confident” that your staff are aware of the correct procedure then I see no reason why there should be any problems providing them in the future.
I would be very much obliged if you could please confirm whether there are any outstanding recorded delivery mails to Kevan and if there are, when will this mail be made available to him?
Thank you once more.
Yours Sincerely
Cc: Cooper Rollason & Co Solicitors
Conninghams Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery
07th February, 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar, A4907AE
Dear Governor
On a recent visit with Kevan it was brought to my attention that he had an adjudication in which the Governor of HMP Wakefield CSC was the chair. As you will know that particualr governor is currently under police investigation for torture at HMP Wakefield, one of her victims being Kevan. In view of this I feel that Kevan did not have a fair and impartial adjudication, which he is entitled to under the Human Rights Act. I am shocked and amazed that of the 27 governors at HMP Woodhill, she was the one given this undertaking. From my point of view as well as a legal point of view I am sure this could be seen as witness intimidation. Kevan is suffering from post-traumatic stress and this certainly did not help.
I would also like to point out that Kevan made it clear before the start of proceedings that that Governor should not be partaking in the hearing due to a conflict of interest. Kevan had no representation and was not allowed to speak at the hearing.
The IMB had asked to be informed of the hearing in order to be present but were not.
The same Governor was on Kevan’s wing the following day and made some unpleasant remarks to him. This is unacceptable behaviour from a senior member of staff and I would be grateful if you would look into this matter personally and inform me of the outcome.
Yours sincerely
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery No.:- AH 7635 0811 6GB
23nd March 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor
Kevan informed me yesterday 22nd March about a conversation he overheard officers discussing. This involved another inmate and I know he has made you aware of it.
I am rather concerned what the outcome could be as he has already been barged, threatened and intimated by one of the officers in question.
I believe you will log his concerns and I trust you will do what is necessary in order to prevent any harm coming to my son Kevan or any other inmates in you care.
Furthermore I had another call today informing me that due to Kevan reporting what he had heard has now been isolated from other inmates with whom he shares his association time.
Is this punishment for doing the right thing, or to prevent him from helping others?
I would appreciate your clarification on this matter.
Thanking you in advance.
Yours Sincerely
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Coninghams Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery No.: AH 7635 0811 6GB
23rd March 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor
Enclosed are copies of enquiries sent to CSC wing Governor for your reference.
Yours Sincerely,
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HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
16 July 2010
Dear Governor
We write to you with deep concern. We have had a disturbing phone call from our son Kevan Thakrar TN8281. He has informed us of an incident which took place in the middle of the night while he was sleeping.
Night Patrol DST staff repeatedly banged on the door of his cell and he was ordered to take down paper which was covering the light. He informed the night patrol staff that the covering had been authorised by the wing Governor and had been put up by the S.O. as the light is permanently on, depriving him of sleep.
DST Officer in the presence of another wing officer threatened Kevan to remove the covering or they would “come into the cell and take him down along with it”
Kevan explained that he was not responsible for the covering and was not able to reach it to remove it.
From experience we take threats such as these very seriously. We have informed local police and MP as well as our legal advisors and are awaiting advice. I am sure you do not tolerate this kind of behaviour from any member of your staff and will investigate accordingly and inform us of the outcome as soon as possible.
Yours Sincerely
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HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
MK4 4DA
19 July 2010
Dear Governor Nigel Smith,
We have been having difficulty booking visits to see our son Kevan Thakrar TN8281. The staff in the CSC unit have given us various reasons such as “Kevan is only allowed 2 visits in a one month period” or, “we are fully booked all this week” or, “ I will have to get the visit authorised by the Governor”.
We would be grateful if you would clarify for us exactly what Kevan’s legal entitlement is for visits as a standard prisoner, whether or not we need a Governors authorisation, and how many visits he has accumulated to date as this is causing both Kevan and ourselves a great amount of stress.
Yours Sincerely
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
28th August, 2010
Re: Kevan Thakrar, A4907AE
Dear Governor Smith,
Thank you for your letter dated 5th August 2010 in which you reply to my enquiry asking the reason I cannot have a photo taken with my son Kevan. You state Kevan Thakrar does not meet the criteria as laid down in the relevant Prison Service Order. You fail to state exactly which requirement laid down in the PSO he does not meet. If you would be kind enough to quote the exact PSO then I would be able to see for myself the reason why you have refused my request to have a photo taken with my son as this has not been an issue in any other establishment Kevan has been.
Has there been a change in the PSO since Kevan arrived at HMP Woodhill?
I am glad you have managed to finally overcome the confusion regarding my son’s entitlement to visits in that you state he is entitled to three visits per month. You state there are no visits outstanding at present but according to my records he has accumulated visits while at HMP Whitemoor and HMP Woodhill during 2008/9. I would be grateful if you could kindly look into this and calculate the number of visits accumulated to date.
As it stands Kevan is a convicted prisoner and as I understand any unused visits should accumulate according to the Ministry of Justice. Can you please clarify this?
Yours Sincerely,
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery
04th March 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor
Today we were disappointed to learn that staff on HU6 had suddenly and unexpectedly placed conditions on Kevan which were degrading and unreasonable. As far as I am aware Kevan must be given notice in writing of any changes to his regime. Why then, on his legal visit, was he told to wear a green bib or his visit would be terminated? The reason given for having to wear the bib was to distinguish him from his barrister who is 30 years his senior and was wearing a suit. Kevan always wears prison issue clothing and is escorted by 3 prison officers at all times. During the morning visit on the same day he did not have to wear the bib.
As you are aware, we have been visiting Kevan at your establishment for one year and go through rigorous security checks.
1. Finger print matrix and passports are checked at the reception followed by double rubber stamp on our hand.
2. Finger print matrix and full body search after going through metal detector.
3. Sniffer dog search and again finger print matrix followed by wrist band applied.
4. Escorted by a member of staff from the visit hall to HU6.
5. We pass through 9 doors and gates after getting clearance from the movement control centre.
6. Usually there is a dog and a handler in the vicinity aware of our move.
7. In the small visit room on HU6 we are watched by no less than 2 officers.
8. There are at least 2 security cameras in the room pointed at the visit table
9. Kevan’s seat is clearly marked and we sit opposite him.
10. Kevan always wears standard prison issue clothing thus identifying him as a prisoner.
11. Prison officers are no further then 2-3 meters away from us.
12. At the end of visit we are again escorted from the visit room back to reception.
13. We go through all the doors and gates again with the permission and clearance by movement control centre.
14. Our wrist bands are removed, rubber stamp on our hands checked and finger print matrix done.
15. We go on to the final building where again finger print matrix is done and rubber stamp check.
Only when all officers concerned are satisfied are we then allowed to leave the prison.
There is a high level of security already imposed and I see no reason to degrade Kevan by imposing more restrictions.
This has been the standard procedure since Kevan arrived at HMP Woodhill and there has never been any cause for security to be concerned. Could you please explain why has it has become necessary to suddenly make changes?
It seems to me that this new procedure has been designed solely to attempt to provoke and unsettle Kevan.
I await your positive response to this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
Prisons Ombudsman
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery No.: AH 7635 0811 6GB
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery:-AH 7635 0809 3GB
28th March 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor
I wrote to the CSC wing Governor advising her of our fears for Kevan’s safety after reporting a conversation he had heard between two officers . A reminder of this letter is enclosed and also a copy of the statement made to the wing S.O. I expected the wing Governor to have taken the necessary steps to prevent any harm coming to Kevan but unfortunately SHE failed in her duty to do so.
Kevan was attacked by the officers for doing the right thing.
He has been told to mind his own business in future or he will suffer the same consequences.
I expect you will conduct a full scale investigation into this matter, including reviewing all the CCTV footage of the incident.
I would also prefer if you involved Milton Keynes Police. I have already made a complaint and will expect you to allow Police Liaison Officer Lewis to visit Kevan. I will not rest until this matter has been fully resolved.
I feel it would be appropriate if Officers Gleeson and Fairy do not have any contact with Kevan until the investigation is complete.
I would be grateful if you would personally monitor the situation to ensure there is no retaliation. Kevan and I will not rest until these officers are brought to justice.
Kevan has been put on BASIC as a punishment for reporting these officers. He has also been advised by staff that another S.O. has said that he is “only allowed one 10 minute call per day, which can either be a domestic call or a legal call as this is the rules”. Why is my son not allowed to call home on a daily basis? Can you please quote the PSI which states that Kevan can only have one 10 minute call per day. Can you also please clarify the rules in regards to legal calls.
Can you justify all of this?
Yours Sincerely
Cc: Cooper Rollason & Co Solicitors
Coninghams Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
Enc.
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
18 February 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor
Today I was pleased to receive a letter from Kevan. I noted that the letter was dated 2nd February 2011 and Kevan had written on the back of the envelop “POSTED ON 03/02/11”. I cannot understand why the post mark from Milton Keynes Post Office was 17/02 and timed 7.45pm. The Royal Mail Leicestershire mail centre received the letter on 18/02/11 and delivered it the same day.
Can you please explain the process of your mailing system so that I may understand why it took 14 days for the mail to reach Milton Keynes sorting office from HMP Woodhill?
I enclose copies of the envelope for you to view.
Yours Sincerely,
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
Prisons Ombudsman
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK4 4DA
Recorded Delivery No.: AH 7635 0813 3GB
15th March 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar A4907AE
Dear Governor
I am very disappointed I still have not had a reply to my letter dated 28th August 2010.
There are also a number of other enquiries which remain unanswered. Copies of all of which are enclosed and I would be grateful if you could find the time to respond.
Also enclosed are copies of enquiries sent to the Governor of the CSC and the Deputy head of Security
Yours Sincerely,
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
Enc.
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Governor
HMP Woodhill
Tattenhoe Street
Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire
Mk4 4DA
Recorded Delivery
07th February, 2011
Re: Kevan Thakrar, A4907AE
Dear Governor
I would like to bring it to your attention that I am still awaiting reply to my enquiries dated 28th August, 2010.
Please find copies enclosed.
Yours Sincerely,
Cc: Cooper Rollason &Co Solicitors
Ministry of Justice
Local Member of Parliament
