"I have spent over 8 years behind bars, all of it in high or maximum security prisons, having had my life destroyed, and being punished further still for protesting my innocence. All this because I was not prepared to allow myself to be killed by a bunch of middle-class louts."

Mark Barnsley

It's been a while since our last bulletin and many of you may be wondering what's been happening with the campaign and Mark since his release from prison last June. Here's a brief rundown of what we've been up to over the past few months.   More > > >

Posted 25th June 2002

Mark Barnsley Released from Whitemoor Prison

Justice for Mark Barnsley Campaign, are overjoyed to announce that miscarriage of justice prisoner Mark Barnsley was finally released from Whitemoor prison on the morning of Monday 24th June 2002.

Mark walked out of maximum securty HMP Whitemoor to loud cheers and applause from waiting supporters. Friends, eager to welcome Mark out of prison had travelled from around the country and included an official delegation from the NUM, complete with their National Union banner.

After having his first decent breakfast in 8 years at a local cafe and thanking everyone for coming, Mark set off back to South Yorkshire where he will be living for the foreseeable future. He was later reunited with his children. Mark's youngest daughter who is now 8 years old, last saw him outside a prison when she was just 6 weeks old.

After spending over 8 years in just about every Maximum security hell- hole the prison system has to offer, Mark is in good spirits and obviously glad to be finally out. Mark and his campaign would like to take ths opportunity to thank everyone who has supported him over his 8 long years of wrongful imprisonment.

Whilst Mark tries to re-build his life and adjust to living in the outside world again the Justice for Mark Barnsley campaign will continue to help him get the justice which is long overdue. Mark has been released after serving two thirds of his 12 year prison sentence but he has yet to clear his name and have his wrongful conviction overturned. Prior to his release Mark refused to sign his licence on the principle that he is an innocent man and freedom is his right.

Before Mark was even released, the Police in South Yorkshire tried to intimidate local supporters. In a very obvious attempt to make things even harder for Mark, the place where he was intending to live upon his release was visited by the local Police Intelligence Unit (Special Branch). This sadly resulted in Mark loosing his new home before he was even out of prison. Thanks to friends and supporters rallying round though, a local alternative was quckly arranged so that Mark's release could go ahead and he at least has a decent place to stay. This action by the Police is obviously of concern to us and we will continue to closely monitor the situation.

The Justice for Mark Barnsley campaign will be producing a more detailed bulletin shortly which will contain updated news about Mark's release and a few words from Mark himself. The bulletin will also contain details of a national meeting we are organising to discuss Mark's release and the campaign. This will be followed by a social get-together and will be in about a months' time.

If you have Mark on your mailing lists (magazines and other publications)please change his details to those below. Also if you'd like to contact Mark you can now write to him at:

Mark Barnsley

C/O JfMB

PO BOX 381

HUDDERSFIELD

HD1 3XX

We will forward any mail addressed to him.

Until Mark gets his own e-mail address you can send e-mails to him at: jfmbsyorks@aol.com

Mark will be also contactable on the campaign mobile phone, hopefully within a few days once he's learnt how to use it. The number is: 07944 522001.

Whilst we know that Mark is glad of your support, please bear in mind that he already has a big backlog of mail he received in prison to answer so there is likely to be a delay in him being able to reply.

The Struggle continues!

Justice for Mark Barnsley

==================================================================

Some good news at long last!

Dear Supporters and friends of Mark Barnsley,

After 8 years of wrongful imprisonment Mark Barnsley is due to be released
(on license) on the morning of MONDAY 24TH OF JUNE 2002. To give him a warm
welcome out of prison and to show our support for his continued struggle for
justice, we are asking supporters to be at the prison for 9am on the day of
Mark's release. Supporters from several parts of the country (West & South
Yorkshire, London, Brighton, Notts etc) are already organising transport but
we don't have any further details as yet. Contact us by e-mail asap if you'd
like to go but need transport and we'll see what we can do.

Due to a slight possibility that the prison may release Mark a few days
earlier, we suggest that you check your e-mail and the campaign website
(freemarkbarnsley.com) for any updates on the 23rd of June. If Mark is
released early we will try our best to let you all know straight away.

MEET 9AM, MONDAY 24TH OF JUNE 2002
AT HMP WHITEMOOR
LONGHILL ROAD, MARCH ,CAMBRIDGESHIRE,PE15 OPR.
March train station is 1.5 miles from prison.
By car- pick up signs for Whitemoor prison in March.
Or look at : http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/
Bring banners, campaign t-shirts etc.
e-mail: barnsleycampaign@hotmail.com
or check: freemarkbarnsley.com
for last minute updates.

'In the Hands of the Enemy'

A New Book Published By: Justice for Mark Barnsley

Justice for Mark Barnsley  are proud to announce that our new 92 page book 'In the Hands of the Enemy' : Mark Barnsley's Struggle for Justice‚ is now available. The book is a fully illustrated collection of writings by Mark, his family and a broad range of his supporters and fellow prisoners. Designed to give the reader a fuller understanding of Mark's case and his long campaign for justice, the many varied articles also give valuable insight into miscarriages of justice, the prison system, Mark's long history of political activism and his connection to the wider struggle for justice. We think this book makes powerful reading!

In The Hands Of The Enemy
Mark Barnsley‚s Struggle for Justice
With an Introduction by former Political Prisoner John Barker

Published by: Justice for Mark Barnsley.
Available Now.
Paperback, 92 pages, Illustrated.
ISBN: 1-873605-89-7
£6 (includes post & packing).
Orders from outside Europe add £1 for post.

When ordering the book, please make cheques/Postal Orders payable to:
Justice for Mark Barnsley

Orders should be sent to:
Justice for Mark Barnsley
PO Box 381
Huddersfield,
HD1 3XX
England

Justice for Mark Barnsley
PO Box 381
Huddersfield
HD1 3XX

MARK JOINS "THE QUEUE OF HOPE" FOR THE CCRC

At long last, Mark's case has finally been submitted to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, though because of the number of miscarriages of justice awaiting investigation, it is unlikely to be looked at for at least 2 years.

It is a strong application, which contains new evidence (including new medical evidence and new witness evidence) and many new arguments.

Because of the danger of forewarning the Police and Prosecution, for the moment, the exact details of the application must remain confidential, but we can say that it includes the following:

A number of lengthy submissions which challenge the very dubious Prosecution medical evidence.

New witness statements relating to 'evidence' which was planted by the Police.

Evidence not seen by the Jury, which shows that at least 4 of the 5 Complainants had been taking drugs prior to the incident, and that the Police, Prosecution, and the Judge conspired to suppress this evidence.

An analysis of the Judge's summing-up, which shows that he systematically misrepresented the case to the Jury.

Evidence of perjury by a number of Prosecution witnesses.

Evidence of misrepresentation and a serious conflict of interest on the part of Mark's lawyers, both at his trial and with regard to his appeal application.

Evidence which clearly establishes the sustained withholding and suppression of evidence by the Police and Prosecution.

In addition to the main parts of the application, a further 12 serious issues are put forward which we believe have potential for investigation. These include perjury by Police and Prosecution witnesses, a Juror who broke the conditions of Jury service, 'The Star's influence on the case, and the 'missing` witnesses the Police say they were unable to find.

While we hope that the CCRC will eventually look upon Mark's application favourably, and that the Appeal Court will subsequently free him, we must remember that every single previously freed miscarriage of justice victim has been freed in spite of the system, not because of it.

Now is not the time for the campaign to start resting on its laurels, but for us to start piling on the pressure so that it will be harder for the State to bury Mark for any longer.

CALL LOUDLY FOR JUSTICE NOW!

Can you imagine what it would be like to have all the rights you normally take for granted stripped away from you: to be viewed with absolute suspicion and contempt by people who control your every movement: to be told when, and what you can eat, what you can wear, where you can and cannot go: to be separated from your family and friends: to be addressed only by your surname, and to even be reduced to nothing more than a number: to have your every action and movement monitored and record, every phone conversation and letter censored: to be held captive against your wishes, and locked inside a bathroom-sized room for u to 24 hours a day? Can you imagine having to exist in such conditions for 2 hours? Even 2 days?