Animal Rights Prisoner Support

Today 25th October 2010 at Winchester Crown Court, Sarah has been sentenced to 6 years for conspiracy to blackmail HLS and other companies involved with HLS

Sarah has been in prison since 30th June 2008, being sentenced to two years for removing a beagle from a garden where it was kept muzzled in a wooden cage and regularly beaten

Birthday: 12th February

What you can send: Cheques/postal orders made out to ‘The Governor’. Stationery, paperbacks, stamps; an SAE. Write Sarah’s name and number on the back. ‘Email a prisoner’ is in place at this prison. For more details see www.emailaprisoner.com

Letter from Sarah, 12th July 2010

Hi everyone,

Nothing much changes in here – things get madder and more inconsistent by the day, and now we’ve been told to expect doubling up, two prisoners in a single cell, to try and “ease overcrowding”. Not quite sure of the logic there, but it sounds very cosy! I’ve tried digging myself out, but there’s not much point when you’re on the first floor.

Thank you so much to everyone who continues to write so faithfully and for all your kind words about my animals. I miss them every single day. Visits from the wonderful friends caring for them are such a joy. To know how much my beautiful animals are loved and cared for is all I need.

My studies are going well. I keep branching off into philosophy and psychology and reading all sorts of wonderful books – ‘The Philosopher and the Wolf’,’ Psychological Survival’, ‘Justice: What’s the right thing to do?’ and next is ‘A Little History of the World’. The more I read and learn about the human race, the less I forgive! I think humans are obsessed with the pursuit of selfish happiness and animals live in the joy of now. It’s up to us to ensure they get that chance.

Nicole and I continue to spend lots of time together. Someone said to us today “I’m never sure who is who – you are never apart”. Does she mean like Ant and Dec, I wonder?! Anyway, I don’t suppose Nicole gets much pleasure from being seemingly indistinguishable from a woman thirty years older than her, but that’s life – ha ha.

As ever, I hate every second that is wasted in here when I could be out fighting for the animals, but every day is a step nearer to joining you all. In the meantime, if you are able to, please continue to support Tower Hill Stables, Folly Wildlife Rescue, New Life Parrot Rescue, and all the sanctuaries who have endless stress worrying about every penny, as they give refuge and love to abandoned creatures.

Thank you to everyone for all your kindness.
Lots of love,
Sarah xxx

Letter from Sarah, 1st November 2009

“Yo to my Bloods on road – I swear down, Bronzefield is bare gas!”

Okay, enough of prison talk – Hi everyone! Nicole and I feel part of the furniture now. The only excitement we have had recently was being moved lock, stock etc. with our thirty eight fellow wing inhabitants to another houseblock. We all went into exactly the same cell numbers but now we are one hundred feet nearer to the gym and the prison exit! Don’t ask me why this manoeuvre was carried out but at least it gave prisoners the chance to complain (“this cell is dirtier than my old one” – well, clean it then). My photo gallery on my old cell wall was a work of art thanks to all of you sending such beautiful animal cards and photos. I’m really enjoying putting them all up again. Someone came into my cell the other day, looked at the wall and said “you’re weird” and went out again. Could have been worse (if any of you watched Bad Girls!!).

The news is full of the troubles in Afghanistan and, as with all reporting from war zones and disaster areas, my thoughts go to the suffering of the animals there. A former Marine has set up a charity (www.nowzaddogs.co.uk) to rescue dogs in Afghanistan. In a country where dog fighting is legal, this group is doing amazing work. It’s hard to imagine animals standing a chance in countries like this where people are denied any basic rights, although ironically the Taliban banned dog fighting as un-Islamic. I’ve just read Malalai Joya’s book “Raising My Voice”. She is a female Afghan MP fighting corruption in the government and putting her life on the line daily to help her people. She has to stay at a different address every night to avoid assassination, but she will not be silent and never gives up. As I sit in my cell, safe and secure, I think about Malalai and all the brave people who face adversities we could never imagine and I really long to be out there, raising my voice for all the animals who have no-one to fight for them. Prison life may be easy but I never forget how much the animals need us and how hard you are all fighting and I wish I could be with you.

Since I’ve been in prison, six of my dear animals have passed away – my five wonderful bunnies and my darling old cat, Tilly. They were all unwanted and needing shelter when they came to me and I can never repay my friends who have taken my place and loved and cared for those dear souls, and who continue to spoil and adore my remaining animals – thank you a million times.

I’ve become an Oasis expert as every three months I can change my property ration and I’m allowed more Oasis CDs. It will surprise some of you to know I also got a Led Zeppelin CD sent in last time! Nicole has gone downhill I’m afraid and sings along to JLS, word perfect! She also watches The X Factor (sorry Nicole, but I did warn you I’d tell on you!) and we have indignant discussions the morning after someone gets booted off the show. If it wasn’t for the fact that we can’t phone and vote, I’d say she was singlehandedly responsible for John and Edward being there at all! By the way, if anyone out there has any influence, I’m waiting for a visit from Dermot O’Leary (I’m guessing the VO has got lost in the post Dermot??).

Thank you to every single one of you who writes to me. I feel as if I know you all personally now. You are all so kind and thoughtful. I really have everything I need in here (except the keys!) but thank you for all the offers of books etc. If you really want to do anything, maybe you could donate to Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary in Essex (www.towerhillstables.com). It is run by Fiona Oakes, a vegan world class marathon runner and amazing fundraiser and she really deserves our support. Thank you!

Take care and keep raising your voices for animal liberation everywhere.

Lots of love,

Sarah xxx

Letter from Sarah, 18th August 2009

Hi everyone

Everything is fine here at Bronzefield. I have finished my sentence for rescuing the dog Freddie (who is very well and happy) and am now on remand for the SHAC charge (conspiracy to blackmail). I have pleaded guilty and get sentenced after the trial (probably March 2010).

I’m loving the gym still and have become a weight training fanatic! Nicole and I are on the same wing and see each other all the time. She is busy transforming the prison gardens and getting lots of compliments.

To our great joy, we had a visiting fox for a few weeks and saw him day and night! It was so wonderful to see some animal life apart from birds and the occasional mouse. He’s gone now, the food obviously bored him eventually!

Prison life continues to be very easy. We get vegan toiletries and treats on the canteen, making life very good!

Thank you to every single one of you who writes to me. I really appreciate every letter. I especially love photos and stories of your animals. My cell wall is covered with them and I feel very much at home! I miss my own animals more than anything but knowing they are happy fills me with such joy.

Thank you so much to my dear friends. The first year has flown by and I know whatever sentence I get, time will go very quickly.

Best wishes to everyone!
Lots of love
Sarah x