H.M. Prison service - Prison Officers who worked in PWU

5.0 H.M. PRISON SERVICE

The Investigation Team made strenuous attempts to locate and secure records of NICHOLLS' detention in prison custody. Their enquiries revealed the following:

5.1 H.M. PRISON SERVICE HEADQUARTERS - LONDON

A number of records were found at Prison Service Headquarters, which included a number of records within NICHOLLS 'general file'. These were of little help in relation to any visits NICHOLLS may have had whilst he was in custody, but they did contain some of the original correspondence between Essex Police and HM prison service in relation to NICHOLLS' status as a Protected Witness.

These documents and additional computerised records also provided exact details of the periods of time_that NICHOLLS spentin custody at Her Majesty's Prisons "BLACKED OUT" 'ALPHA' and "BLACKED OUT" 'BETA'. The Investigation Team were also able to ascertain the names of other Protected Witnesses who were detained with NICHOLLS whilst he was in custody at both prisons.

[For the benefit of the reader, prisoners within the Protected Witness Units are known as 'Bloggs' Prisoners. Although they are known within the actual units by a first name chosen by themselves, they are officially known by their Bloggs number e.g. Darren NICHOLLS was known as 'Bloggs 19' but he also chose to retain his first name 'Darren'.]

5.2 H.M. PRISON "BLACKED OUT" 'ALPHA'
24TH OCTOBER 1996 - 22nd NOVEMBER 1996
(22nd NOVEMBER TO 2nd DECEMBER IN POLICE CUSTODY AT HARLOW POLICE STATION)

Within H.M.P "BLACKED OUT" 'ALPHA' there was no documentation whatsoever that provided details of NICHOLLS' time in custody within their Protected Witness Unit. In fact there were no such records for any prisoners held in this unit. There were also no records of the names of any of the prison officers who worked within the unit at the material time.

However, following extensive enquiries a number of prisoner officers who were thought to have worked in the Protected Witness Unit at the material time were traced and were interviewed. The witnesses shown below are the only prison officers who were located and could give any details of NICHOLLS' time in custody at "BLACKED OUT" 'ALPHA'.

Although none of the officers have any recollection of a member of the media visiting NICHOLLS, the details proved below are intended to give background details of NICHOLLS himself, his associates, the visiting/searching arrangements in place at the time and any access he may have had to a video camera or mobile phone.

[Other officers interviewed who could not provide any useful information are shown within Annex at the rear of this report].

5.2a OFFICER A

It is felt that, because of the lack of information gained from staff at H.M.PB "BLACKED OUT" 'ALPHA' it is necessary to include the whole of Officer A's statement. It gives full details of visiting arrangements, searching, and access to the media from the prospective of the person actually in charge of the Protected Witness Unit. OFFICER A states: "Between 1994 and 1999 I was"BLACKED OUT" at "BLACKED OUT" 'Alpha'.

This particular wing contained the Protected Witness Unit. There were normally about eight or nine prisoners in the unit at any one time. In relation to the visits to the prisoners the visitor would be vetted by the prisoners police handlers before they were allowed to make the visit. "BLACKED OUT" Sometimes the police used to take 28 days or more with this vetting process.

"BLACKED OUT" When the visitor used to come to the prison "BLACKED OUT" The visit took place either in the Communal area of the unit or in the television room, so other prisoners could see their fellow prisoner's visitors. I remember one of the prisoners on the unit called Darren NICHOLLS, known as Bloggs 19. Darren I would describe as a big fat cry-baby who always was asking to see me about different things. Darren was a white man, aged in his late 30's to early 40's, around 5 feet 10 to 11 inches tall of an overweight build.

I would not want to hazard a guess as to when Darren served time as a prisoner on the unit, or for how long. I did not actually go into the unit a lot so I did not know who Darren used to associate with. I have no memory of any visitors to Darren, indeed I never had anything to do with any of the visitors. I did speak to Darren on occasions but he never discussed his case with me.

I did not know any of the details of the cases in relation to the unit's prisoners. I used to leave all the responsibility of knowing the relevant personal details of the unit's prisoners to the Senior Officers. The Senior Officers were the ones who liaised with the police handlers about the units prisoners and their visitors. People from the media or journalists were not allowed to visit or have contact with the unit's prisoners.

Any such visit would have been brought to my attention should an officer have known about it. I do not remember any instances of any such person trying to make contact in any way, shape or form with the unit's prisoners. I have no recollection of a black man called Tony THOMPSON in relation to the unit. The prisoners were searched thoroughly on first being put on the unit, and indeed after coming back after being out with police handlers.

I used to insist upon thorough searching as prisoners used to arrive with extra cigarettes above their allowed quota which used to be seized from them. Randomly timed cell searching also took place and was a very thorough process. Prisoners being [in] possession of video cameras was not allowed for any reason. I have no recollection of any prisoner on the unit being found in such possession. "BLACKED OUT"

5.2b OFFICER B

Again, because of the lack of information gained from the staff at H.M.P "BLACKED OUT" ALPHA', Officer B's statement is shown in its entirety. It gives full details of visiting arrangements, NICHOLLS and his associates, the media etc

Officer B states the following: "I [am] employed by the prison service as a Senior Officer at HMP "BLACKED OUT" Alpha'. Between January 1996 and November 1996 I worked as an officer (prior to my promotion) on the witness protection unit at HMP "BLACKED OUT" 'Alpha'. There were normally about ten prisoners in the unit. The reason the unit closed in November 1996 was because the unit was transferred in its entirety to HMP "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta'.

"BLACKED OUT" the visits actually took place in rooms within the unit so other prisoners would actually see these visitors on occasions. The visitors were "BLACKED OUT" not recorded by name due to the needs for anonymity in relation to the inmates. I have been asked by the police if I remember a prisoner in the unit called Bloggs 19 or "Darren".

I do remember Darren, who did not like being in the witness protection unit. When Darren first arrived he tried to give the impression that he was a "big shark" so to speak. Darren didn't have much to do with the staff. Darren as far as I knew had something to do with some shootings in Essex, but he never discussed his case with myself. I really cannot remember Darren's associates within the unit.

I cannot remember who used to visit Darren neither. I do not remember any members of the media or journalist visiting or trying to visit any person on the unit. I have no recollection of any journalist called Tony THOMPSON, who I have been told is black, trying to visit or visiting any of the unit prisoners.

Journalists or members of the media would not have been allowed in the prison without the permission of the governor anyway. I do remember black visitors but do not remember the prisoner who received these visits. I do not remember Darren or any other prisoner on the unit being found in possession of a video camera. Obviously video cameras would not be permitted for prisoners under any circumstances for security reasons."

5.2c OFFICER C

Officer C states: "In relation to visitors to the units prisoners this was down to security and managers of the unit. I did not really know what went on but I guessed that the police had something to do with this process "BLACKED OUT" the visit would take place in the television room which is next to the 'core', a room from where an officer would monitor the visit.

Other inmates could see the visit through the TV rooms large glass window. I do have vague memories of incidents where prisoners would walk into the TV room and interrupt visits. Sometimes the inmates were in their cells when visits took place, sometimes not".

She also confirms: "I cannot remember who Darren associated with in the unit or what prison officers he confided in and I do not remember any of his visitors. In relation to media people or journalists I do not remember any of this type of person visiting the unit. I do not remember any black male persons visiting the unit and the name of Tony THOMPSON means nothing to me. I do not remember any of the prisoners ever being in possession of a video camera on the unit.

I would not totally discount this from happening as the prisoners were allowed more than other regular inmates on occasions. Items such as ghetto blasters, better toiletries, better food, better clothing and sweets used to be allowed. The management kept changing the rules which was quite frustrating. The prison rules in relation to video cameras were that they were not allowed.

In relation to journalists I am not sure of the rules, but I would guess they were not allowed. I was not involved in the strip searching of the prisoners on return to the unit because of my sex".

5.2d OFFICER D

Officer D confirms: "I have no knowledge or memory of a prison known as 'Bloggs 19' or 'Darren'". He also states: "I have no knowledge of media people or journalists visiting prisoners on the unit during my time there. This would not have been allowed, unless of course the journalist were to be introduced as a relative or a friend in which case we would not know the nature of the visit.

I cannot remember either way whether any black men visited any of the inmates and the name Tony THOMPSON means nothing to me. I cannot remember any prisoner being caught with a video camera. The prisoners of the unit would have been searched either way of leaving or entering the unit. Cells were searched as well on a regular basis. Cameras would not be allowed in the prison".

5.2e OFFICER E

Officer E gives details of the visiting arrangements at | 'Alpha': "In relation to the visitors who came to see the prisoners on the unit, as an officer I would have been told by supervisors who was visiting what prisoner, had I have needed to know "BLACKED OUT" At the unit the visit would be logged but as I remember the visitors name would more often than not nor be recorded.

The visitors would then be taken to the wing where the unit was and be given the freedom of the wing to make the visit. The [visit] would on occasions take place in the television room which could be seen into from outside. Therefore all visits were not private from other prisoners.

In relation to NICHOLLS he states: "I have no memory of any visitors to Darren and no memory of any media people or journalists making contact with him. I do not remember a black journalist called Tony THOMPSON in relation to the witness protection unit. Media contact with prisoners is not allowed, I have no memory of any such contact with prisoners in the unit but having said that the prisoners were free to telephone who they wanted.

The prisoners on the unit also wrote to who they wanted without the mail being checked. I never saw any members of the press or media on the unit. Video cameras were not allowed to be in the prisoners' possession. The occasional search of the cells in the unit took place and I have no memories of any such equipment being recovered. I would never like to say that this type of incidence would be impossible, though".

5.2f OFFICER F

Officer F states: "In relation to visitors to the unit's prisoners these were vetted prior to coming to the unit "BLACKED OUT" I as an officer I had nothing to do with this process...."BLACKED OUT" AII the visits would take place on the unit in full view of the other prisoners. On occasions due to the lack of staff the visits were not supervised completely properly [and] we all thought the procedures were not good in relation to visits.

It seemed wrong that other prisoners could see families of prisoners whose lives were potentially under threat I have no memory of the media or any journalists making or trying to make contact with any of the unit's prisoners. This type of contact with prisoners would have to be authorised by a Governor at the prison. I do not remember a black journalist called Tony THOMPSON coming to the unit, indeed I do not remember any black men visiting the unit I have no memories of video cameras being found in possession of any of the prisoners in the unit.

This obviously would not be allowed When the prisoners left the unit to spend time assisting the police, they were strip-searched. Upon return the prisoner was searched thoroughly, although I cannot remember if he was strip-searched or not. The cells were searched on a periodic basis very thoroughly by search teams "

5.3 H.M.P. "BLACKED OUT" 'BETA'
BETWEEN 2nd DECEMBER 1996 AND 14th FEBRUARY 1997
(WITH VARIOUS TIMES OUT IN POLICE CUSTODY)

The records originally kept and then retained by H.M.P 'BETA' were considerably more comprehensive than those kept by H.M.P. "BLACKED OUT" 'ALPHA'. As a result of this, all the prison officers who worked within the Protected Witness Unit at the material time were traced and interviewed.

Although none of the officers have any recollection of a member of the media visiting NICHOLLS, the details proved below are intended to give background details of NICHOLLS himself, his associates, the visiting/searching arrangements in place at the time and any access he may have had to a video camera or mobile phone.

[Other officers interviewed who could not provide any useful information are shown within Annex at the rear of this report

5.3a OFFICER G

"BLACKED OUT" In late 1995/96 he was a Governor at H.M.P. "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta' and his responsibilities at that time included heading the Protected Witness Unit. He states that the unit was set up following liaison with "BLACKED OUT" the department at Scotland Yard that deals with Witness Protection] and a protocol was agreed on how the unit would be run and how the visiting policy would be carried out.

His recollection is that visitors were vetted by the police and that only vetted visitors were allowed to visit prisoners. "BLACKED OUT" Officer G has a vague memory of NICHOLLS but he cannot remember who his associates were. He has no knowledge of any visitors to NICHOLLS but confirms that any visitors to the unit would only be allowed into the visiting area and not the actual unit itself.

He confirms that no members of the media would be allowed to visit a prisoner, and he has "no knowledge of any video camera being on the unit but I do know that they would definitely not be allowed in there".

5.3b OFFICER H

Officer H states: "Around 1996 I was employed as acting Principal Officer at HMP "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta "BLACKED OUT" I was responsible for the commission of the Protected Witness Unit which started up sometime in 1996 to the best of my recollection.

I was responsible for transferring the protected witness unit from "BLACKED OUT" 'Alpha' Prison "BLACKED OUT" to "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta'. One of the early prisoners on the P.W.U. was a man I know to be Darren NICHOLLS, referred to as 'Darren' and also known as 'Bloggs 19'. Whilst on the unit Darren was no problem with regards to discipline and seemed close to another prisoner with a chosen name of Troy'.

With regards to visitors to Darren, I cannot recall him ever having any visits whilst on the unit. I do remember vaguely his visits folder prepared by the Police and I can only recall his wife being included in this file. Darren did on occasions discuss his case with me, the Range Rover killings in Essex and I particularly recall he was petrified of the people involved in the killing.

Throughout his time on the unit he was absolutely paranoid concerning the welfare of his wife. I am certain that Troy would have known the full ins and outs of Darren's case. I also formed the impression from Darren that he and his wife were very close and that there would have been few secrets between them. I have no recollection of Darren ever discussing writing a book about his case, or contacting any people from the media.

I am certain that whilst Darren was in "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta' he would not have had in his possession either a mobile telephone or a video camera. Darren fairly frequently was taken out of the prison by his handlers (Police) for several days at a time. Upon his return, he often returned with 'goodies' which I believe were supplied by the Police.

The Police were also allowed to put money into prisoners' accounts. Darren as with other prisoners had use of the landline phone in the office, generally for legal or Police contact. In my time on the P.W.U at "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta' there was never a visitor on the unit from the media as far as I am aware".

5.3c OFFICER I

Officer I was one of the officers who set up the new Protected Witness Unit at H.M.P "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta' in 1995."BLACKED OUT" He confirms that he does not remember NICHOLLS having any visitors whilst he was on the unit at "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta'.

As a Principal Officer his duties would have included liaising "BLACKED OUT" He also confirms that he does not have " any knowledge of any members of the media visiting Darren and members of the media would definitely not be allowed on the unit". And "I also have no knowledge of Darren having access to a video camera....he certainly would not have been allowed to have one on the unit and searching procedures were strict". "BLACKED OUT"

5.3d OFFICER J

Officer J worked as a prison officer at H.M.P. "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta' from August 1995 until "BLACKED OUT" 2002. He served on the Protected Witness Unit from the day it opened for a period of approximately one year. He states that the searches of the cells were " done on a weekly and also random basis....things were kept very strict when the unit was first set up.

Access for prisoners officers [sic] was very strict and if a prisoner was taken away from the unit he was searched on his return." In relation to visitors to the unit he states: "All visitors to the unit were strictly controlled and accredited by the Police "BLACKED OUT" remember visitors ringing the unit to see if they could come and visit "BLACKED OUT" I do not remember anything about the visit apart from the fact that the visitor was a black male I would say that he was in his early thirties about 6' 0" / 6' 01" tall. I don't remember his hair or anything more about his description apart from I think he may have had gold rimmed glasses.

I cannot remember exactly what he was wearing but remember that he was smartly dressed. "BLACKED OUT" I do not remember any conversation I had with this black male. I spent about five minutes with this male. I do not remember which protected witness he had come to visit. I do remember that Darren NICHOLLS the protected witness was staying at the unit at the time. He was in the first half a dozen that arrived when it opened... I believe that the black male visitor visited the unit no more than five months after it had opened."

[It should be noted that although Tony THOMPSON previously wore gold rimmed glasses he does not match the description in terms of height -THOMPSON is very short. In addition to this THOMPSON denies ever visiting NICHOLLS whilst he was detained at H.M.P. "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta'.]

Officer J also states: "I would have said that after about nine or ten months into the unit being run things as I have said were not run as strict as when it was first set up. What I mean by this is that search procedures were not as strict i.e. cells would not have been searched every week and access by prison officers would not be as strictly controlled.

All visitors would always have been searched though as a matter of course before they were allowed on the unit In relation to a video camera I do not remember ever seeing a video camera on the unit and a prisoner would never have been allowed to have one on the unit I have no knowledge of any members of the media ever visiting the unit."

5.3e OFFICER K

Officer K was employed as a Senior Officer on the Protected Witness Unit. He confirms that when visitors attended the unit they "BLACKED OUT" the visit would only take place in one of a pair of visiting rooms adjacent to the unit. There are clear windows through which staff can monitor the visits".

"BLACKED OUT" He remembers Bloggs 19 or Darren as a man who used to "whinge and moan more than the other prisoners" who seemed to find it "hard to cope". He has a recollection that Darren " used to associate with another inmate called Damien".

He has no recollection of Darren ever having any contact with " any people from the media or with a black journalist called Tony THOMPSON prisoners are only allowed contact with journalists under exceptional circumstances where authorised by a governing officer. He also confirms that he does "not remember having any knowledge of any of the inmates being found in possession of a video camera. This obviously would be against all prison rules"

5.3f OFFICER L

Officer L was a Senior Officer on the Protected Witness Unit at the time NICHOLLS was in custody there. She gives details of the visiting arrangements within the unit - "BLACKED OUT" There are two adjacent visiting room[s] which could possibly have resulted in prisoners seeing other prisoners visitors. I do not remember visitors ever going onto the unit to make a visit".

She also confirms that she has no recollection of NICHOLLS ever having any visitors or any media representatives or journalists ever visiting him.

5.3g OFFICER M

Officer M describes NICHOLLS as being a "reasonable man but moaned a lot". She also states that he "discussed his case with [me] on occasions, his problems with drug running and his involvement with the Range Rover murders in Essex. He was not at all reserved in discussing these issues with me". Officer M confirmed that she has no recollection of NICHOLLS ever having visitors other than his police 'handlers'.

She also has a recollection of his police handlers taking him out of prison the purpose of which, she believes, was to visit his family. When asked about visits from a member of the media she reiterated that she had no recollection of NICHOLLS having any visitors "and in any case members of the media would certainly not be allowed to visit". She confirms that NICHOLLS "never discussed with me any involvement he was engaging with members of the media [sic]."

She states that NICHOLLS "was not particularly well liked by other prisoners on the unit and tended to keep himself to himself. I certainly cannot remember Darren being close to anyone in particular". She also confirms that NICHOLLS had the use of the unit's land-line telephone "which was very much an extra privilege for Bloggs prisoners". She goes on to say "Darren would come to us to say for example he wanted to speak to his handlers and give us a number.

We would check the number, phone his handlers and then ask them to phone back Darren on the phone in the unit. Conversations on this office phone were not recorded". She also confirmed that she never saw NICHOLLS in possession of a mobile phone or video camera

5.3h OFFICER N

Officer N states: "I cannot recall ever supervising one of Darren's visits and I am not aware if Darren ever had visits from the media Darren would have not been allowed to have his own mobile but would have had extensive use of the normal telephone and would have had virtually unlimited access to incoming calls.

This was very much a privilege to Bloggs prisoners although prisoners were not allowed mobile phones - clearly there is always the possibility that items could have been smuggled in. At this time searches etc. were not as tight as they could have been on this unit. I never saw Darren with a video camera and cannot recall him being visited by any media person.

With regards to visitors, each prisoner on the Bloggs Unit would have had a file with approved visitors and their photographs (and relationship to prisoner). This file was approved by the police and the [prison] senior officer."

5.3i OFFICER O

Officer O states that NICHOLLS "was not particularly close to any of the other Bloggs prisoner". He states that he "cannot remember ever supervising any of Darren's visits or indeed whether or not he had any visitors".

He confirms that he is not aware of any visits from the media but had one occurred "it would have been most unusual" and he did not believe that Darren could have had a video camera in his possession "as searches were quite thorough on the unit".

5.3j OFFICER P

Officer P has no recollection of NICHOLLS ever having any visitors whilst at H.M.P. "BLACKED OUT" 'Beta'. She believes that any visitors that did visit the unit would have been vetted by the police but she was not aware of the exact vetting procedures. Visitors would never be allowed into the actual unit itself as they would only be allowed into the [adjacent] visiting area.

She also has no knowledge of any members of the media visiting NICHOLLS and confirms "members of the media would definitely not be allowed into the unit". She confirms that video cameras "would also definitely not be allowed into the unit", "all visitors to prisoners would be supervised and also searched" and "any prisoner coming into or returning to the unit would be searched".

5.3k OFFICER Q

Officer Q remembers that NICHOLLS "was not a liked person on the unit and kept himself to himself. He states that he cannot remember NICHOLLS ever having any visitors (and specifically does not recall him being visited by a black male).

He confirms that he is not aware of any media visitors ever coming to visit NICHOLLS and "this would not have been allowed anyway". He also does not "recall Darren ever having access to a video recorder and wish to state that this would never have been allowed anyway".

5.3 1 OFFICER R

Officer R remembers a prisoner called Darren who was known as Bloggs 19. He remembers that he often spoke to other inmates about his involvement in the Land Rover killings. He states that Darren was "never a problem" and he recalls that he was "fairly close to a Bloggs prisoner called Mick "BLACKED OUT"

He states that he doesn't know "if Darren was ever visited by members of the media. No prisoners on [the] unit were allowed mobile phones, but were allowed to use normal telephones more or less when they wanted. This was a privilege to Bloggs prisoners. I never saw Darren with a video camera on the unit".

5.3 m OFFICER S

Officer S confirms that prisoners visitors "BLACKED OUT" He also states that he cannot remember any members of the media or journalists ever visiting any prisoners in the unit and "I would have remembered this type of visit as it is not allowed for any prisoner I certainly do not remember any members of the media or a black journalist called Tony THOMPSON visiting Darren".

He also confirms that he does not "remember Darren or any other prisoner in the unit having camera equipment in their possession. Possession of this type of equipment by prisoners is not allowed".

5.3n OFFICER T

Officer T gives details of visiting arrangements on the unit:"BLACKED OUT" She also states that she cannot remember any close associates of Darren other than a prisoner called "Troy" who was a bit of a "jack the lad" and was "friendly with everybody".

5.3o OFFICER U

In relation to the media, Officer U states: "I have no recall of any such visitors to the unit but do have vague memories of a member of the media trying to make contact with the unit by telephone. I have no idea who this person was or what inmate he was trying to contact.

I believe another, I don't know who, took the call I have no recall of any media contact with Darren I do not ever remember a black journalist called Tony THOMPSON visiting".

5.3p OFFICER V

Officer V remembers NICHOLLS as "a whinger" and "we were always phoning his handlers on his behalf because of his demands to see them". He states that he can "remember Darren saying he was going to write a book, but he never discussed his case with me". He also states: "I remember that Darren used to associate with a couple of the other prisoners in particular.

These prisoners were known as 'Damien' and Troy'. He also confirms that he never saw any media people or journalists in the unit and "I don't remember a black journalist called Tony THOMPSON ever visiting Darren or other prisoners...indeed I don't remember any black male visiting any prisoners on the unit".

5.3q OFFICER W

Officer W describes a visit to the prison by NICHOLLS' wife . During the visit she was accompanied by a white male "who looked like Darren". He confirms that he does "not remember any media people or a black journalist called Tony THOMPSON visiting any prisoners on the unit or indeed Darren. I do not remember any black male visitors to the unit".

5.3r OFFICER X

"BLACKED OUT" Statement dated 26th June 2003 Officer X describes NICHOLLS as "quite an immature man who was inclined to be boastful. He was quite confrontational with staff or other prisoners. I do remember Darren was quite close to 'Mike' and 'Troy'. He also spent some time with 'Ali'." Statement dated 8th July 2003 In his second statement Officer X states:

"Darren said that he was being questioned for routine matters and had said nothing whatsoever about those Range Rover killings. Darren said that he had no intention of talking to the police about the murders until somehow he received a threat either directly or indirectly from the actual killers themselves who were by then convinced that Darren had already told the police about the killings and who was responsible.

Darren said that he hadn't told the police anything at that stage but didn't know what to do now, as the killers believed he had spoken to police, and that they would get their revenge somehow.

Darren said that he took the threats very seriously and that the killers or their associates were very capable of carrying out the threats to him or his family... Darren said that because he now knew that he would be blamed anyway, that his only way forward was to roll over and tell the police about the killings.