Supporters of Charles Bronson are planning a "protest and party" outside Wakefield prison to help "free Charlie", with flyers shared on Facebook urging fans to "show Charlie he is not forgotten" by joining the action on November 2.
"This is his parole day and we need to show the parole board the support he has," one flyer says. "Everyone is welcome. Together we are stronger."
Ninth parole attempt
The two-day hearing could see Bronson, dubbed Britain's most dangerous prisoner, a free man by Christmas. Bronson, 73, has spent more than 50 years behind bars after he was first jailed in 1974 for armed robbery.
Repeated violence, taking hostages and bad behaviour behind bars mean his sentence was extended to life. The upcoming parole board hearing will be Bronson's ninth attempt to seek release.
Appeals for release to see his mother
Supporters have urged the board to let him out so he can spend time with his 95-year-old mum Eira Peterson. One posted in support of the "protest and party" on Facebook: "He has done more than his time, let him go home to see his mam." Another said: "He needs to be home to spend time with his mum."
Bronson, also known as Charles Salvador, will come before parole experts in a two-day oral hearing where he will list all the reasons he believes he should be let out. He will have a full examination for his eligibility for release on November 2 and 3 after spending more than five decades in custody.
Parole process and possible outcomes
Bronson applied for parole when he was eligible and at the start of the year was under consideration "on the papers", where experts assessed the evidence before them, which included reports from prison officials and psychologists. The Parole Board then decided in February this year that the case should progress to an oral hearing, where evidence can be tested in person and witnesses questioned directly.
The hearing will allow the parole board to assess Bronson's current level of risk in greater depth, before deciding whether he can be safely released into the community. As well as hoping for release, Bronson could also be referred after the hearing to be moved from the Category A lock-up Wakefield.
A Parole Board spokesman said: "The parole process is focussed solely on risk and public protection is always our key consideration."
