I spent years being ‘tortured’ in solitary & was pals with Charles Bronson… my life story is being turned into £30m film
A MAN who spend five years in solitary and was pals with Charles Bronson is having is life story turned into a £30m film.
Stephen Gillen was once an East End gangster but turned his life around after being locked for 18 years.
The 52-years-old, who spend five years in solitary confinement, exposed the grim reality of Christmas behind bars.
Stephen said hell would freeze over before the heating was put on.
He said: “Whatever the weather they won’t be cranking the heating up. There’s only so much goodwill inside
“It’s all part of the torture and making you reflect on what you’ve done.”
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Gillen's own journey started with a 17-year sentence in 1991 for a crime operation busted by the Met Police.
He was then thrown behind bars aged 22 at HMP Woodhill, in Bucks.
When inside, Gillen was a category A prisoner and shared a prison with notorious criminal Charles Bronson, who he befriended whilst inside.
He was moved 25 times from different cells before eventually being released in 2003.
Despite the difficult days, Gillen said lads get treated to a festive feast on Christmas - including turkey, pigs in blankets, roasties and pudding.
He said: “There’s a bit of a truce when it comes to the festive season.
“On the day itself, you get a Christmas dinner. You get a bit of chicken or turkey, pigs in blankets, and roast potatoes.
“You get treated to Christmas pudding too. You get extra visits if you’ve been on good behaviour.
“Some may have the TVs in their cells so are able to watch the festive stuff like the King’s speech and old re-runs."
But spending Christmas and New Year behind bars was more challenging than any other day, he said.
He added: “There’s a sort of realisation of what you’ve lost – your liberty. There’s less staff about so good cheer does spread.
“I remember there being a chocolate or a sweet for me on Christmas Day. But they don’t go to town and give you big presents.
"The radio is on in the background. You’re very aware of what time of year it is but again you’re reminded about what you’ve lost.”
Since leaving prison, he went on to become an International Peace Prize Nominee, philanthropist and entrepreneur and even visited the United Nations.
He later became CEO of Roar Media Creative, a media and marketing firm and now helps others reform against gang life.
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The TV personality is now releasing a film based on his life - with a £30million budget.
The screenplay of Stephen's life is being written by Kieran Suchet, nephew of David who played Poirot in the Agatha Christie TV adaptation.
