Charles Bronson has written an extraordinary letter from behind bars, claiming he is Britain’s Number 1 ‘forgotten prisoner.’
Variously known as Britain's most dangerous and most violent prisoner, Bronson, now 62, says his human rights are being breached by his continued imprisonment in HMP Wakefield, West Yorks.
Now known as Charles Salvador, he is serving a life sentence for robbery and kidnap, but says he is 13 years over his tariff for possible release.
Bronson, known for attacking people in jail, has spent 40 years behind bars - 36 years of that in solitary confinement.
MORE: Charles Bronson launched 'horrendous' attack on guard after going berserk in prison gym
He has enjoyed just four months and nine days out of prison since being first convicted in 1974.
But he says he shouldn’t be caged in a solitary unit, or in a Category A jail.
He wrote: “I am one of the forgotten IPP (indeterminate sentence for public protection) prisoners, left behind after IPP was deemed unlawful in 2012.
“Everyone in jail, are allowed certain rights. Especially progress. How can I ever progress whilst I am on CAT A?
“I was sentenced to life with a tariff of three years. I am 13 years over that tariff.
MORE: Charles Bronson's brother reveals he was threatened with decapitation by Islamic extremists
“I have spent decades, unlawfully held in solitary. I have unlawfully been denied progress. Even the Kray twins were de-categorised to CAT B after 15 years. I have been on it 40 years, this alone stops my progress.
“CAT A prisoners are deemed a danger to the state and a danger to the public. My crimes outside, are actually very low grade, they do not warrant or justify a CAT A status.
“I am constantly denied my basic human rights... no form of rehabilitation whatsoever.”
Close friend Rod Harrison says he speaks to Bronson twice a week on the phone after meeting the criminal through his art exhibition charities.
He told the Mirror: “Forty-two years in jail is a long while form a crime that attracts a seven year sentence.”
In 1996, Bronson, whose family is from Aberystwyth, took a lawyer hostage, and three years later took a civilian education worker prisoner during a 40-hour siege.
In 2013, he was moved to HMP Woodhill, but the following year, repeatedly hit governor Alan Parkins several times on the head - receiving an extra two years to add to his life sentence.
The same summer, he attacked 12 prison guards after hearing that Arsenal, who he hates, had won the FA Cup, covering himself in Lurpak butter to stop them grabbing hold of him.
But he has also used art to consume his time inside and recently sent a 'get well soon' message to Leah Washington, a teenager who lost one of her legs after an accident on a rollercoaster in Alton Towers.
He drew a smiling dragon with the words: “It’s nice to be nice.”
Then he sent the teen, whose leg was amputated, another letter, which featured a drawing of a cat stood upright on its hind legs clutching flowers.
It is stood next to a sign which reads: “Leah all very proud of you… stay focused.”
In recent years he has sold some of his paintings for up to £1,000 to galleries across London.
