'Ask me anything — I'm a murderer'
It was just after Christmas when a man high on crack-cocaine trawled the streets armed with a double-barrel shotgun with the intent of ending a life.
That man is now serving a life sentence for the cold-blooded murder of an innocent young father whom he had never previously met.
Fourteen years on from that horrific act, the self-proclaimed reformed killer has earned two university degrees whilst at HMP Lowdham Grange, and, at the beginning of an exclusive interview told reporter Abigail Hunt — "ask me anything I'm a murderer."
When Jamie* left his house on a cold and snowy December night he was furious with his girlfriend — with whom he had a violent relationship — and his friends who had been mocking him.
Not knowing how to deal with his rage, he turned to the familiar comfort of alcohol and crack-cocaine to drown out his sense of worthlessness.
But consumed with anger Jamie found himself walking the streets in the early hours of the morning clutching a double-barrel shotgun, telling himself “anyone will do.”
He set his eyes upon a blurred silhouette in the distance and followed the victim to a garden where the man began building a snowman.
In an indiscriminate and reckless attack, Jamie shot the man twice at close range with total conviction before cowardly running away.
The victim, a husband and father, was left lifeless, his blood soaking the white ground red next to the unfinished snowman that was meant to be a surprise his two-year-old daughter the next day.
Now, as Jamie sits in front of me — ready to receive his MA in philosophy — he admits to the unforgivable crime he for years denied responsibility for. And, staring me directly in the eyes, says: “Ask me anything — I’m a murderer.”
As prisoner visitors entered the room at HMP Lowdham Grange emotions were high as a murderer serving life celebrated his graduation after achieving a master’s degree.
Philosophy graduate Jamie received his certificate knowing he would not be able to make use of it in the wider world for another 14 years, but stood proud as three family members and prison staff shed tears.
Guests were given graduation gowns in an effort to create a normal environment, which almost reflected the real-thing, followed by a laid-out spread of finger food and a sincere speech from his tutor.
Jamie began explaining how he had now completed 14 years of a 28-year life sentence, brought on by poor life choices and severe misjudgement.
“Being in jail has totally changed my perspective,” he said. “But before I was getting involved in lots of crime which landed me 28-years for murder," he said.
“I shot him (the victim) in the legs because I was an unbalanced person due to drinking and taking lots of drugs.”
Jamie, a father to one, said he had had a difficult childhood, but was not using this as justification for the crime committed and the lives ruined — including the victim’s and his own.
He said: “As soon as I recognised my life on the outside was over, I began a new one in prison — and it is kind of sad to say that I do not mind the environment anymore.”
Imagining a new life for himself Jamie knew education would be a good start as he had not achieved any GCSEs and, having not studied for over 12 years, realised it would not be easy.
As a prisoner, Jamie was not alone in questioning his academic ability as around 50% of offenders do not have essential literacy skills, according to the Ministry of Justice.
The 2016 Unlocking Potential report suggests education should be at the heart of the prison system to give inmates the chance to re-enter society successfully; to find work and to live fulfilling lives.
And Jamie swears by this outlook, saying studying at the Open University has been a major component in his reform that has not only educated him academically, but emotionally as well.
He said: “I did not think studying my GCSEs would be possible because of how little I knew when starting off, but it set me in the right direction.
“Studying changes you in a way that nothing else does. It helps you understand other people’s views, which is something I never had the skills to do before.”
The Open University has a long history of helping those from unfortunate backgrounds achieve their potential through a Students in Secure Environments (SiSE) scheme, on offer to 150 prisons and secure units across the UK.
Since the scheme started in 1972 it has seen 16,000 prisoners graduate with those achieving an undergraduate degree or higher — never re-offending after their release.
Responding to Jamie getting his degree, senior manager of the SiSE scheme, Ruth McFarlane, said an imperative part of the Open University’s mission is opening-up higher education to everyone, regardless of background.
She said: “As part of this, we have been delivering courses and qualifications to students in prisons since the 1970s.
"We know that education has the power to transform lives and has been recognised as one of the pillars of effective rehabilitation.
“With the right support, people who may enter prison with minimal educational experience can leave with qualifications and aspirations that change their lives and help them make valuable contributions to society upon release.”
Jamie praises the Open University’s approach towards prisoners, saying the education he received gave him and his family the second chance he would not have had on the outside.
He said: “Since I have achieved my undergraduate and masters, it has inspired both my daughter and sister to get degrees themselves.
“So, in a way, me coming to prison has not been a total waste because my family and I would not have achieved what we have without it.”
There is no doubt that prison life is gruelling, and not just for those serving time, but for families subjected to the chaotic consequences whether emotional or financial.
As highlighted in a Forward Together report from the Ella Baker Centre for Human Rights, the costs of incarceration exceeds far beyond the person convicted, with more than 66% of prisoner families saying they were financially unstable since the conviction.
The 2015 report involving 712 former prisoners and 368 family members revealed half struggle to afford food, with more than a third going into debt to afford phone calls and visits.
And while it took Jamie’s sister five years to visit him after turning to drugs herself, the mother of his daughter was directly impacted by financial difficulties and died of an overdose in 2017.
He said his daughter — who was nine at the time of the murder — could have gone off the rails when losing another parent but said she is still doing well.
Despite Jamie’s achievements and the barriers his family have overcome, he acknowledged the victim’s loved ones are still suffering every day, saying he would take back the murder if he could.
“I do not think you can make up for that — taking someone’s life,” he said.
Now, to turn his back on the violence and the drug problem that landed him behind bars, Jamie spends most of his time helping others get into education — albeit a difficult task — because he knows the benefits.
“I want to make sure some of the guys here get their GCSEs, I want them to think there is a chance and see the bigger picture.”
Turn2Us, a charity committed to fighting poverty across the UK, recognise anyone can struggle with finances at some point in their life and offer advice to prisoners and their families.
Campaign manager Matthew Geer said: “If you are a prisoner, on remand or on release, there may be benefits, grants or other financial support available to you and your family… the Grants Search tool can provide access to a number of charitable grants that ex-offenders could be eligible for.”
If you or your family have felt the financial and/or emotional costs of a family member in prison, or are an ex-offender yourself, contact Turn2Us on 0808 802 2000.
*The prisoner is referred to as Jamie to protect his identity and reduce any harm to the victim’s family.
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