Erwin James, who has died in an accident aged 66, stood up publicly for those – like him – who wanted to change their lives in prison and on release. As the first serving prisoner in Britain to write a regular newspaper column in a national newspaper (The Guardian) and, once out, as a speaker, campaigner, author and latterly editor of Inside Time, the national newspaper for prisoners, he both made and embodied a compelling case that everyone deserves a second chance.