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I remember with innocent people in jail. I did not know at the time, but sometimes there are clues

Seeing photos of Sam Hallam enjoying their first steps into freedom after being acquitted of murder in 2004 Essayas Kassahun has vivid memories of my own experience prison. Hallam served for seven years before evidence emerged irrefutable proof of his innocence. But I can not imagine what it must have been for him as he walked on stage, first at Feltham young offender institution and later in the adult prison system. His case was in the forefront of his thoughts, of his waking hours to a few seconds before sleep. I doubt they ever slept.

During the seven years he has served as the center of most of his conversations with other inmates, staff, friends and relatives of visits and letters that had been his innocence. His supporters - and Hallam had many, including actor Ray Winstone - thought. But in landings in the court and in the workshops would have been different. During the risk assessment of a variety of correctional professionals, all his protestations and rationalizations that have been interpreted as "cognitive distortions." His record would be sealed, IDOM. In Denial of Murder. As IDOM, their risk was considered too high to allow progress in the system. If it had not been approved, future prison would have seemed darker than actually guilty.

His sentence has a beginning but no middle or end.

I remember being with innocent people. I did not know at the time, but sometimes there are clues. In a high security prison, I lived next to a number of IRA prisoners, one of whom was the highest official of the IRA in British custody at the time. The same prison held three of the Birmingham Six. I saw the IRA men uncomfortable when they met one of the three, in the gym or on the playground. It was obvious to all observers Birmingham men had no connection with terrorists.

In other cases, the truth is not so obvious. If someone in a neighboring cell wants to proclaim his innocence, well, that's their business. The interior is every man for himself. Who is someone to judge anyway? But when someone who has served for years together eventually allowed, the impact is shattering.

When Stephen Downing was released after 27 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, I was the last prisoner spoke. I worked in the reception area prison. The discomfort of prison staff who have to manage their release was palpable. Stephen, who had been sentenced to 15 years was naturally wearer. A few months earlier had shown me a report of the prison psychologist he described as "very dangerous". We shook hands and I wished him luck, just before the great door opened and he walked on. By the way, I remember my heart was probably almost as hard as his.

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