Cannabis prisoner wins awards for poetry

A DAD jailed for 10 years for growing five cannabis plants has won awards for his poetry.

Daniel Holmes was convicted in Malta in 2011, where he was pursuing a career as a chef. After serving four years inside, the prisoner began writing. His parents publish his work online.

“He entered the Koestler awards, which are just for offenders,” dad Mel Holmes said.

“They have 3,000 entries in the poetry section every year and Daniel has won two prizes. One was for an individual poem and the other was for a collection.”

Daniel, from Risca, near Newport, was arrested and charged with cultivating cannabis in July 2006.

“He’s bearing up well,” Mel said.

“His wife and daughter managed to get out to see him a few weeks ago, which perked him up. And having some of his poetry recognised as good enough to be displayed has spurred him on.”

Daniel dictates the poems to his parents over the phone, who then post them on Instagram with images.

“There is no news about transfer; we are still trying to make progress with changing his situation,” Mel said.

Daniel has “always had an interest” in writing.

He was awarded a prize for a poetry collection and for a work called An Ode to Ink.

Daniel is trying to raise £55,000 to help him pay his fines and legal fees. To help visit https://www.gofundme. com/kr2uvack