We’ve not heard from John since his recent court appearance on the September 22, but members of Glasgow FRFI were outside the court with placards to support him. They’ve said his next court appearance is on the October 27 and his trial date has been set for November 17. This trial relates to a ridiculous “assault” charge on a prison officer at Greenock jail, which was clearly a set up to prevent him from being progressed onto the semi-open part of the prison.
John had been transferred across the Scottish border back to England and has been transferred frequently around the prison system since – eight moves in the last two months.

He is suffering the psychological abuse of a “High-Supervision” regime; awoken every hour throughout the night, supposedly to make sure he hasn’t departed from his cell overnight, and forced to wear a bright yellow jumpsuit as he’s been reclassified as an Extreme Escape Risk because he absconded from prison in 1992. Over 20 years ago!
The intention is to have him moved to England and then back to Scotland in between his next court appearance, which will prevent him having contact with his lawyer in Glasgow and hinders his ability to build a proper defence.
He would be very grateful if people could distribute information about his current situation and to complain to prison service HQ in London about it:
HM Prison Service
Clive House
70 Petty France
London
SW1H 9EX
Letters of support can be sent to John at:
John Bowden
6729
HMP Barlinnie
81 Lee Avenue
Riddrie
Glasgow
G33 2QX