Prisoner Caseworker Group

We regularly 'adopt' a prisoner who has been incarcerated in the wrong. One such person was Akram Awan.

Man in jail 

We were very delighted when Akram Awan, the Pakistani prisoner for whom we had been campaigning, was released punctually and safely on 21st October 2005, having served the full term of his sentence. We were told that our campaigning had improved the conditions under which he was held in prison and ensured that his release was on time and safe. Furthermore, our support for Akram undoubtedly helped him to endure the long years in prison. He was in prison for seventeen and a half years, convicted of anti-state activities - spying and the like. But Akram himself told us that he had been framed and always stoutly maintained his complete innocence.  Unusually for an Amnesty prisoner, we had very good contact with him, receiving letters regularly and even phone calls occasionally. 

On a memorable occasion we managed to speak to him during one of our  monthly meetings!  However, since his release we have had limited contact.  He did say that he had a lot of problems.  We are not sure if he has found a job that suits him, although several possibilities have been mentioned by friends of his in Pakistan.  His forwarding address is no longer valid but he knows where we are and no doubt will contact us when he has news.  We send him our best wishes.

Jim Massy (former Caseworker for Akram Awan)