NOTORIOUS prisoner Charles Bronson has post-traumatic stress disorder after facing some "brutal and unacceptable" treatment behind bars, a parole hearing heard.

The second day of Bronson’s parole review resumed today (Wednesday, March 8) and they heard that one of the UK’s longest-serving prisoners holds "anti-authoritarian views” and is "suspicious" of the motives of others.

Three parole judges – who have not been publicly named – are considering his case at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, while members of the press and public watch the proceedings on a live stream from the Royal Courts of Justice in central London.

Dubbed one of Britain’s most violent offenders, Bronson, who changed his surname to Salvador in 2014 after the artist Salvador Dali, has spent nearly 50 years in prison.

Bronson was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, in December 1952 as Michael Peterson. His family moved to Ellesmere Port when he was a teenager.

'I believe that Mr Salvador poses less of a risk in a community environment than in a prison environment'

An independent psychologist employed by Bronson’s legal team told the hearing: "He feels like the whole system is about humiliating and degrading him."

She said the 70-year-old has mild symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, partly due to some "brutal and unacceptable treatment" while in the prison system.

"He found violence cathartic in the past," the psychologist said. "I think now what he does is he tends to weigh up the pros and cons of violence to himself, that is an effective strategy."

Bronson now realises that the consequences to himself are too great in terms of violence, she told the panel.

"I can imagine him telling somebody to eff off quite frankly… but it’s whether that equates to serious harm", she said.

The psychologist said: "I believe that Mr Salvador poses less of a risk in a community environment than in a prison environment, and I stand by that assessment.

"Of course, I’m talking about a highly supportive community environment and I’m talking about a gradual move into a community environment."

She told the hearing that his violence towards prison staff has been fuelled by a dislike of authority figures, but this does not extend to members of the public.

"His use of violence towards staff members has been almost a matter of survival,” she said.

"He’s got that real level of dislike for authority figures.

"I don’t think he has that for members of the public."

Member of prison staff

A member of prison staff described as Charles Bronson’s personal officer told the hearing he had never felt threatened by the 70-year-old.

He said they have a good rapport, adding: "With Charlie, we just naturally got on."

Bronson has been at Woodhill for four years, in the close supervision centre.

The officer said staff are aware that the veteran inmate is ready to move on to another prison.

He told the hearing: "I think everyone knows he’s ready to progress, and it’s just not happening for whatever reason."

The prison officer said Charles Bronson is aware that if he were to be released and then reoffend, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

He told the panel: "Just from talking to Charlie I know how much he wants to get out.

"He knows that if he does something wrong he’ll be back inside and that will be the final nail in the coffin."

He said Bronson is one of the easiest prisoners to deal with at Woodhill, and has "too much to lose" to break the rules if he were moved to open prison.

"I just think he’s relatively easy to deal with. He’s happy doing his own thing," the officer said.

The third and final day of the proceedings will take place behind closed doors on Friday so confidential details can be discussed.

The Parole Board will consider whether he should remain behind bars after the hearing, with a decision due at a later date.

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