Cancelled talk

Published on Saturday 13 June 2009 20:03

I WAS very disappointed to read your article on the cancellation of the Edinburgh event featuring Burl Cain, warden of Angola prison ("US prison warden's talk cancelled after threats", 7 June).

No mention was made of the initial letter sent a few days in advance of the talk to Winning Entrepreneurs' MD Belinda Roberts, signed by a coalition of committed social and criminal justice activists that included Sam Roddick, with the support of John McManus and Paddy Hill of MOJO Scotland.

It sought to highlight some of the injustices at Angola prison, such as the prolonged solitary confinement of inmates, and practices akin to a slave plantation, where officials have "House Boys" who cook for their families and clean their homes and cars.

Ms Roberts replied to our letter saying she had made the decision "as a result of" what she had "discovered" from our e-mail and others. Threats were not on our agenda, as is clear from our letter.

Helen Kinsella, London