Getting Inside

TWO MONTHS ago I asked the governor of a prison for permission to visit a well-known solicitor jailed in a fascinating case, after the man said he had no objection but did not want to upset authorities.

I rang the prison and my request was noted. A week ago a letter from the press office of the Prison Service refused my request, citing the reasons in the main story.

Usually, when prisoners request a visit from a journalist, we get a member of the family to take us in. Posing as friend cuts through the ridiculous bureaucracy.