Sir Terry Waite pays tribute to Inside Justice expert and campaigner
(Posted on 14/11/24)
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The human rights activist and former hostage Sir Terry Waite paid tribute to Inside Justice Advisory panel member His Honour John Samuels KC at the launch of his newly published memoir.
‘Mentor and Monitor – A Role for the Judge’ (Whitefox Publishing) describes not only his remarkable, impactful career but his abiding vision for the role of the judge in actively supporting and rehabilitating prisoners. What is the role of the judge, he asks - to simply mete out justice, moving on to the next case, or something more profound and productive? What role can (and should) a judge play in the repair of a dysfunctional life?
Speaking at a reception at Lincoln’s Inn attended by many leading figures in the legal profession, Sir Terry cited the case of a man who, under John Samuels' mentorship, gained degree qualifications in prison and continues advance his education on day release from his open prison.
Sir Terry added: “There are so many examples I can give. If one is going to monitor there is tremendous value, as John has proved in his own experience, of the judge taking that interest. But it’s a matter of time and resource.”
John Samuels sat in the Crown Court for 27 years and was later a judicial member of the Parole Board for his maximum tenure of 10 years. After a long career at the Bar and on the Bench, he discovered that the mentoring role he undertook for his pupils could also apply to those sentenced by a judge. At a time when prison populations are soaring, the retired judge maintains mentoring and monitoring by the judiciary is vital for preventing reoffending.
Inside Justice is indebted to His Honour John Samuels KC for his continuing support for prisoners who claim they have been wrongly convicted and for our campaigning work towards a fair justice system for all.
