Paul Blackburn - Miscarriage of Justice

Paul Blackburn was falsely imprisoned for 25 years, he grew up as a prisoner when his life was stolen from the state at only age 15. Blackburn was convicted for attempted murder and sexual assault of a 9-year old boy, he was sentenced to life in prison. Blackburn was told he would die in jail for a crime he didn't commit. As only a young juvenile, Blackburn was manipulated, there was pressure from the police and the media to find someone responsible for the crime, and unjustly they pinpointed Paul Blackburn. Police interrogated Blackburn, who had no lawyer present to protect him; as a naive young boy he didn't know who to turn to, and the Police forced him in to signing a confession to admit guilt against his free will. Blackburn who forever protested his innocence was targeted as a young yob fitting the description of the convict, but there was never a single piece of evidence that linked him to the crime.

When Blackburn came down to the University of Winchester, he told us his touching story, a hard hitting case of injustice. The real criminal has walked free and he has had to serve someone else's sentence. Blackburn was unaware of his fate when he was sat at home watching telly the night of the crime.

Blackburn told us how he had to live behind bars, he described it as"the loneliest place you could be", and as you can imagine he couldn't trust anyone, after all he has "no reason to have any faith in anyone". He told us the "prison system is set out to kill you", there is no one guarding you, or watching out for you, you are left alone amongst the worst people in society. Jail became Blackburn's normal everyday life, he knew no other way, he lost the opportunity to be a young boy, have his liberty, go to school, enjoy celebrations, have an understand of the outside world, and most importantly be apart of a healthy, supportive family lifestyle. Blackburn told us how he had a "violent, abusive upbringing", when he went to prison and needed his family most, they abandoned him. If he was walking down the street he wouldn't recognise them. Not only did the system destroy his life they stole his right to a normal family life.

Blackburn shared with us that "prisons never quite" it is full of tension, anger and stress, a life constantly "on edge". He was fearful and frightened "every single waking moment of every single day", he would have to live on "constant threat 24 hours a day". Decade after decade the innocent man would cry in the dark, but continued to "fight the system". He described his fight against the system like "banging your head against a brick wall", there is no escape- "even when your asleep you don't get away from it".

At the age of 40, Blackburn was released, after his second appeal. His conviction was overturned, and the innocent man was finally free; 25 years too late. His strength is truly admirable, he considers himself as "one of the luckiest guys alive"; the power in that statement gives me great gratitude for the life I lead. Still to this day, 10 years at liberty he continues to try to pick up the life he left as a teenager, and fill the hole and bridge the gap that he has missed. Blackburn received no real support post prison, or an apology at the least, no amount of compensation can ever make up for this tragedy. His determination and drive is extremely inspiring, he got a job down in Cornwall, and is learning to accept that "what is gone is gone", and this must be the hardest thing of all. The Innocence Network UK has been, in his words, his "life saver". 

Exclusive Interview with Paul Blackburn - By Tom Morgan

For a detailed, account of Paul Blackburn'a false imprisonment, read The Guardian's article here