Locations
Queen Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28
Description
A former councillor serving jail time for a child sex offence has described the “the joys of TV and tea on tap” and medical care better than a local GP practice.
William Kirkbride was jailed for 28 months earlier this year after sending explicit messages to an undercover police officer who he thought was a 14-year-old boy.
He had then arranged to meet the teenager at Whitehaven train station, but police were waiting for him.
The 57-year-old, who is incarcerated at HM Prison Durham, has written a letter to a man in West Cumbria, who has shown it to the News and Star, the sister paper of this title.
In the letter, the convicted paedophile gives an insight into daily life behind bars and reveals his release date has been "set for July 2023".
The letter says: “The list of people who have expressed an interest in my welfare is rather sweet but not unexpected.
“Due to the impact of the virus it is a Godsend that each cell has a TV and a kettle. The joys of TV and tea on tap.”
Kirkbride goes on to say that the medical section in prison is better than a local GP practice.
He says: “They have given me a clean bill of health and my feet have benefited from the skills of a foot specialist.”
The ex-Labour councillor who represented the Harbour ward on Copeland Council, refers to the prison cells as “pads”.
The letter says: “The view from the pad is of Durham Cathedral and the music from the recent Durham Miners Gala made the yard exercise time rather good.
“The food is like school or hospital food and is eatable. The library is like a branch library and that is a Godsend.
“Killing time is the main issue I have.”
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Prisoners are able to access a limited number of television channels under incentive schemes that encourage good behaviour. Privileges like this can be removed at any time.”