Association for Prisoners Maintaining Innocence (APMI) Meeting, London, March 2026

‘When you’ve been convicted you’re not a citizen any more’ - Dr Michael Naughton

Formerly of Progressing Prisoners Maintaining Innocence (PPMI), and star of Dr Lucy Welsh’s recent CCRC ‘users report’ launch at the House of Commons, Danny Barrs hosted the APMI meeting in Vauxhall, London in March 2026. ‘Promulgators’ from Inside Time, Dreamcatcher Radio, and Empowering The Innocent (ETI), Margaret Gardener of the Falsely Accused Support Organisation (FASO) and others were all present and correct, and the keynote speech by ETI’s Dr Michael Naughton enthralled the gathered throng.

Now formally the Association of Prisoners Maintaining Innocence (APMI) the organisation operates within the broader context of prison reform and innocence projects in the UK, such as the Innocence Network UK (INUK) set up at the University of Bristol, established by Dr Naughton in 2004 to help prisoners maintaining innocence. The association was originally headed by Bruce Kent, the sadly-missed peace campaigner. Its original aim was to highlight the problems facing ‘lifers’ trying to progress through the prison system without being obliged to admit guilt for crimes they hadn’t committed. 

Dr Naughton’s talk took in the ‘Groundhog Day’ nature of the Parole Deal, in which prisoners must accept guilt for something they haven’t done in order to be released when their sentence tariff is up, and having the same repeated experience of rejection each time, simply for sticking to their truth. Head of Prisons and Probation Lord James Timpson has stated that maintaining innocence should be no obstacle to progression, as long as the prisoner takes course to ‘address other aspects of life’ that may have contributed to their convictions. Tell that to Andy Malkinson, Peter Sullivan, Lucy Letby or the Postmasters! It’s unclear as to what sorts of behaviours these either totally innocent or highly controversially convicted are supposed to ‘look at’.

The obstreperousness of the judicial establishment, from police to Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) were all discussed, those in the room well aware that there appeared to be a system-wide stitch-up to protect each other and scratch each others’ backs, for promotions, incentives, pensions and honours. Innocence or otherwise do not come into it.

The British justice system does not like to admit that miscarriages of justice occur, as that suggests fallibility, lack of public confidence and hence compensation. Its imperviousness to any scrutiny gives the impression the plebs should be grateful they even get a Court of Appeal, let alone the CCRC.

Following the release and exoneration of Peter Sullivan, Jeremy Bamber and Clive Freeman likely hold the joint crown for Britain’s longest-serving PMIs, being inside for murder since the late 1980s. Freeman has, however, had his most recent application to the CCRC referred to the Court of Appeal at the 6th time of asking, if on somewhat problematic, begrudging grounds. TV doctor Richard Shepherd, whose evidence helped convict Freeman, has said: ‘You never admit you might be wrong’, an attitude apparently shared by many to whom looking to be correct is more important than justice.

Everyone attendant at the APMI meeting knew exactly what was meant, and when Naughton was once told by a roomful of worthies: ‘We’ve done our homework on you Naughton, you’re an enemy of the state’, the sound of badges of honour being burnished was deafening - though we were reminded that eventually, the Groundhog Day does stop repeating itself and transformation occurs. But when?

By Sean Bw Parker