Justice for Mark Barnsley

Campaign Bulletin August/September 2000 

For most people Thursday 8th June, 2000 was just another day. for wrongfully imprisoned Sheffield man, Mark Barnsley, and the ever growing number of people who support his struggle for justice, it has special significance. It marked the 6th anniversary of what has become known as 'the Pomona Incident'. as in the previous years on June 8th, Marks supporters highlighted this gross miscarriage of justice and the campaign to get Mark's conviction overturned and his name cleared.

In Sheffield the day started off with a lively picket outside Sheffield Crown Court to protest the farce of a trial which Mark received there and the fact that the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) are STILL illegally refusing to hand over vital evidence to Mark and his solicitor after all these years. The offices of the Sheffield Star were picketed next, in protest at the downright lies and distortion which this gutter rag have printed about the case. Strangely this year The Star were unusually silent about Mark. Leaflets about Mark's case were handed out throughout the day to people in the city centre streets attracting support. In the evening there was a small but enthusiastic gathering to discuss the campaign and future activities. Meanwhile, in Bradford, there was a benefit gig at the 1 in 12 club for the campaign.

It has to be said that the turn out in Sheffield was poor. The day should have been advertised better and we knew that several supporters would be unable to attend. A lot of people however, just didn't bother at all, leading us to conclude that there are contacts on our mailing list who are not really interested in supporting the campaign. If you are one of these, perhaps you could let us know, so that we don't waste time and resources in future. To those who helped on the day, especially those who travelled from out of town we give our sincere thanks.

In the coming months we are making a big effort to push the campaign forward in the Sheffield area and urge all supporters, particularly those of you who live locally to get involved. There will be regular info, stalls and other activities in the coming weeks, leading to a public meeting in Sheffield in early September. Let's make it a huge success!

In countries such as Sweden and Ireland activities to highlight Mark's situation took the form of leafletting, protests to British embassies and press releases to British media. In Malta, for example, supporters handed out leaflets about mark's case at the city Gate of Valleta (Malta's capital city). The activity achieved very good media coverage, prominently featured in "L-Orizzont", the daily newspaper of the General workers Union, Malta's largest trade union. Previously 100's of postcards signed by students and academic staff were sent from Malta and many more from concerned people across the world to British home secretary Jack Straw, urging him to investigate the illegal withholding of evidence by the CPS, a crucial part in mark's case. Mark is now into his 7th year of wrongful imprisonment. The myth that Britain's legal system is the "fairest in the world" is certainly wearing very thin. Jack Straw and company, you have a lot of explaining to do!

Justicia Para Mark Barnsley

In Barcelona, Spain, monthly meetings are held at the Kan Mireia' social centre where there is also an exhibition about Mark's case. Campaign T shirts will soon be available in Castilian & Catalan. In principle these can be produced in any language if there is sufficinet demand. there are exciting plans to produce a video which would consist of contributions in several languages from supporters around the world. anyone with access to a video camera can participate in this international project For more detailed information please contact the campaign in england or: APDO 38084, 08080, Barcelona, spain.

Ireland Report

At present the Ireland support Group is still working on a booklet about Mark's campaign for justice. It will consist of a number of personal contributions from friends and supporters and will complement the other new pamphlet, Beaten Up, Fitted Up, Locked Up. We still need contributions so please send these or questions about this project to: JFMB (Ireland), - PO BOX 1290, Belfast, BT12 7BW. We have recently produced a new leaflet about Mark. In August we will have a display about mark's case and the campaign at the annual West Belfast Festival. Please see local press for details.

Beaten Up, Fitted Up, Locked up - this booklet is available now. Please send £2 to: JFMB, PO BOX 381 Huddersfield, HD1 3XX. Cheques/postal orders should be made payable to: 'Justice for Mark Barnsley')

On July 22nd Mark was transferred from Woodhill to Parkhurst. As usual the transfer was under high security conditions. On arriving at reception the first thing said to him was "who have you upset to get sent to parkhurst?" He was later put in The Block (segregation) for a week, where he is only allowed 1 hour of exercise or a shower per day; has access to one short phone call per day and no 'privileges'. It is difficult to imagine a more blatant punishment move.

This prison is situated on a small island off the south coast of England. this is Marks 4th transfer this year and is a clear attempt to further isolate him from his family, supporters and solicitor. Mark's solicitor has been trying to get him moved closer to his family and friends in the north of England, however, the prison service obviously have other plans for him. The decision to send Mark to parkhurst was made by an indiviual at the Directorates of High Security Prisons called John Golds.

The Justice for Mark Barnsley Campaign is demanding that Mark is relocated immediately to a prison in the north of England. we request that supporters write protest letters and faxes amd make phone calls to the British government and prison officials listed below. letters to your local MP may also be of help. We have a sample letter to give you a few ideas. Pickets, publicity stunts and other constructive actions are also welcomed. Please send us news of any solidarity actions. Letters of support can be sent to Mark at:

Note: Mark replies to all letters he receives. If you've written to him and not got a reply please inform the campaign.

Please send all letters/emails/faxes of protest to the following:

• Peter Atherton, Director of High Security Prisons, FAX: 0207 2176664 
• Martin Narey, Director General of Prisons, Prison Service HQ, Cleland House, Page St., London Swt 4LN 
• John Goulds, directorate of High Security Prisons, Prison Service HQ, Cleland House, Page St., London SWT 4LN 
• Max Morrison, Governer, HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5NX tel: 01983 523855 fax: 01983 524861 
• Paul Boateng MP, Minister of State, email: boatengp@parliament.uk 
• Jack straw MP, Home secretary, email: strawj@parliament.uk 

Dear,

I am writing to express my concern that Mark Barnsley has been the victim of yet another punishment transfer. This transfer, to HMP Parkhurst on the isle of Wight, tmakes visits from his children, family and friends in the north of England and from his Sheffield based solicitor, extremely difficul, if not impossible. I believe that Mark's transfer to Parkhurst is part of a prison service campaign to isolate and punsih him and as such it deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I hope that you will do everything in your power to arrange a transfer for Mark to a prison within reasonable travelling distance of Sheffield.

Yours faithfully

NOTE: If you have a website you could add info about Mark's campaign to it, or a link to Marks pages at freepeople or appleonline. You can also get the bulletin by email - just contact the campaign at the above email address.