UK’s most notorious prisoner says he has been in jail for ‘far too long’

He's spent half a century behind bars

Bronson has been behind bars for 52 years, after first being jailed in 1974 for armed robbery.

His sentence was originally just seven years, but his repeated violent behaviour and hostage taking in prison led to his time being increased to life.

Now, Bronson is trying to get parole, after 12 years without a violent conviction.

In a letter seen by Sky News, Bronson wrote: "I am 23 years over my tariff. I am forever denied progress. I am forever kept in solitary. They won't even take me off Cat A."

He continued: "I have to expose this unlawful sentence and treatment. It's now gone on for far to long [sic] its become a total joke."

His most recent review had been "on the papers", meaning it consisted of reviewing written evidence from prison officials, psychologists and probation staff, but the parole board has since said that the hearing should progress to an oral examination.

This means witnesses and evidence can be examined in-person, and the board can assess the 73-year-old's risk in greater detail. Bronson will be expected to attend the hearing.

He previously called for the hearing to take place in public, which was reportedly denied. However, as it is now moving forward to an oral hearing, he could renew this request.

One of the decisions that the board could take is that Bronson is ready to move to an open prison, which would see him go onto a normal wing alongside other prisoners.

Bronson, who is also known as Charles Salvador, has been in and out of solitary confinement for 37 years.

Gurdeep Singh, who is a solicitor acting for Bronson, said: "Mr Salvador is delighted with the fact he has been progressed to a full hearing but he is under no illusions; this is just the start of the fight for his release," he said.

"He wants to show the world he is not the person he was, he hopes to convince the panel that he is a changed man intent on living a simple life in the outside world. He has high hopes he can see his 95-year-old mother this year."

At his last oral hearing in 2023, Bronson told the board:  "It's no secret I have had more porridge than Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and I'm sick of it. I've had enough of it. I want to go home."

Charles Bronson – Crimes & Punishments

1974 – Armed Robbery

• Stole £26 from a post office in Cheshire.
• Sentence: 7 years in prison.

1970s–1980s – Prison Violence

• Multiple assaults on inmates and prison officers.
• Hostage-taking incidents.
• Punishment: Repeated sentence extensions and high-security confinement.

Late 1980s–1990s – Broadmoor & Further Hostages

• Violent incidents at Broadmoor Hospital.
• 1996: Held a teacher hostage at HM Prison Hull for 44 hours.
• Sentence: Life imprisonment (2000).

2000s–2010s – Continued Prison Offences

• Further assaults and property damage.
• Punishment: Ongoing segregation and maximum-security conditions.