I was Charles Bronson's prison officer - here's what we'd talk about behind bars... it's not what you'd think

A FORMER prisoner officer who befriended Charles Bronson has revealed what they talked about behind bars.

Phil Currie spent hours chatting with Britain's most violent prisoner and has given the insight into the mind of the notorious maniac.

Mr Currie, who worked at HMP Parkhurst, told podcaster James English that the pair bonded over a shared love of training in the prison's gym.

He said: "I liked him you know. I shouldn't really say that.

"The dealings I had I found him a character and because we had that same love for training because he did he just loved training.

"I got on quite well with him. I talked to him about his artwork and bits and bobs."

During his almost 50 years in custody, Bronson has become known for his love of art and his own, often bizarre, works.

He even changed his name to Charles Salvador as a tribute to surrealist artist Salvador Dali.

On his interaction with Bronson, Mr Currie added: "Charlie, I don’t think anyone really controlled him. He was his own man in that way."

Bronson grew up in the Luton area and became embroiled in gang violence as a youth.

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He was jailed for his role in an armed robbery in the 1970s but had his sentence increased after he attacked another lag.

Bronson had served out a number of long sentences in the 80s and 90s.

He received a life sentence in 1999 after he kidnapped a teacher in the prison system.

In June 2020, a High Court ruled in his favour for the right for his parole board meeting to be held in public.

He is set to attend a public parole hearing next month, which could see him freed within the year.