I've served a prison sentence

[NCforAMA]

I've seen a few threads on here recently where the OPs have basically suggested prisoners are the scum of the earth and are all like the likes of Ian Huntley ect.

I've read the comments and seen a few prison officers defending the prisoners and most posters also defending them, but I thought maybe I would answer some questions so people can understand what it's really like to be inside a prison cell.

Ive name changed for obvious reasons.

Il list a few points that I think would be the first questions;

I'm female.

I'm 33 and I was in jail in 2012.

I received a 12 month custodial sentence. I served 13 weeks in jail, 13 weeks on a tag and the remaining 6 months were served on license at home.

I don't want to say exactly what I was in for as I don't want it to be outing. I will clarify though that it was not a violent offence, not a sexual one before I get abuse from posters. To summarise, I was with a boy who wasn't very well behaved and was basically guilty by association. I was young, stupid and naive. And I absolutely paid the price.

I wish I could change the perception of how people see prisoners.

Anyway, ask away.

I would say less than half reoffend and out of the 4 I kept in contact with only 1 went back to crime. although I do follow a few more on Instagram and they have never been sent back to jail. This of course could be very wrong as they might just not have been caught again.

Did you go to Hyndbank?

You want to change the perception of criminals , so I just wanted to add that in my eyes you are not a criminal . You were , you paid the price and then a fresh start and you turned it around .

The food was absolutely awful! You get a menu sheet once a week and pick what you want for the week, you're safest with the basic options like a sandwich or wrap. Anything that sounds good was not at all.

You have to work, if you don't you don't get paid and get put on 'basic' regime so you get less canteen, no association, less visits ect. I was a gardener and earnt £13.50 a week x

Thank you for replying. I think you’ve done amazingly.
Re the drugs, I’ve read that dealers can make money in prison but I don’t understand how as surely 90% of prisoners have no money anyway and even those that do presumably can’t access it in prison?

I'm guessing it was drugs if it's a 'victimless' crime. It's unusual for a female partner to receive jail time so assume you either handled something you shouldn't have or benefitted financially.

If so what did you spend the money on and do you still own anything that you bought with the proceeds of crime.

Also, did you take any illegal drugs before you went to prison, whilst you were in prison or since leaving prison?

Well done on getting your act together.

I'm not sure if it applies to you, but what happens if you are single and have a mortgage? I'm assuming that doesn't get paid so would you lose your home too, even if 'just" 12 months?

I'm so happy that you are on the right track. I'm a firm believer in never judging until you've walked mile etc.

Just for clarification - I've never had a mortgage. Will never have one and hopefully will never be in prison. The autism side of me likes the sound of the routine though.

Can't even poo on me own bog at mo 🤬🤣

Good luck to you.

Well done for starting this thread. I’m assuming at some point you were being interviewed by officers / detectives. We’re you arrested before any questions or did you get questioned before you were arrested? Did you realize straight away you were also heading for a charge/sentence or did you think you were ok because it wasn’t you that carried out the crime? Were you encouraged to turn your boyfriend in in return for a more lenient sentence? Did you feel you had reasonable legal representation during the process?

Thank you, I've got tears reading some replies like yours. Kindness means so much ❤️

That seems to downplay it somewhat...as if you're not really taking responsibility for whaetver you did

But this happens. The justice system isn't always fair either.

But it's not what OP is talking about here, so maybe leave her alone? She paid her debt as they say, have you paid as dearly as that for mistakes you've made in life? I know I haven't.

OP, were you in with women who had children at home they had had to leave, and how did they cope if so?

Really interesting thread, thanks.

Can you remember any prison lingo?

I only know “Screw”

maybe leave her alone?
Sorry, didn't realise one could only post with "you're so brave and brilliant" posts. Probably you should have that as a sticky at the top so people know.

Were you at Newhall , I used to work with certain women in there ?

This

i do wish you the best and am pleased you’re doing well

but there does seem to be a lot of blame elsewhere (your partner, a duty solicitor). Do you feel you deserved prison or do you feel hard done to?

What do you think of transwomen prisoners on women's prisons?

Sorry, didn't realise one could only post with "you're so brave and brilliant" posts. Probably you should have that as a sticky at the top so people know.

I didn't say that. Grow up.

My brother was sentenced to a two year prison sentence in 2020. He was 34 days from finishing his sentence when he was found dead in his cell last month 😢

He wasn’t a bad guy, he just made bad decisions in life and we’ll possibly never know why he died.

As a sibling, I visited him in jail and my ds wrote to him regularly. I was sad he ended up there, but I was never ashamed of him, it is what it is and who am I to judge?

From what he told me, he was treated respectfully by the prison guards and made friendships with his fellow inmates. He worked hard and by all account was liked by inmates and officers alike.

I would like to know what I could do to help prisoners in the future- could I volunteer? What would be helpful or needed?

Well done you for getting out and making a new start at life x

@lionsmane22

you don’t need to do that.
OP has been very open and frank

So the first couple of weeks you are locked up quite a bit, because you're on the ring rather than the houses and you haven't had your work induction or gym induction so you can't go to those. So I was in a cell from 7pm-8am, out for a shower and then locked up again 9am-5pm, out for association and then back in.

Tbh those two weeks went the fastest. I used to read all day and then go to sleep at 7pm. I was STAVING though as you don't get any canteen for a couple of weeks so have to live just off the very small prison portions (the servery staff give eve everyone small portions so they can have more for themselves) and I was freezing cold until my mum sent my dressing gown in. I had to sleep fully clothed haha x

Sorry, I'm not sure what the current experience is like! I don't know anyone in prison anymore x

Thank you!

@NCforAMA that hen do woman sounds awful - good for you for not going.

You sound lovely OP, thanks again for taking the time to write about this.

I have a friend who served a life sentence for something that happened when she was a teenager in an abusive relationship. She's one of the kindest, most trustworthy women I know.

the way I see it is, we all make mistakes, some of us bigger, things that you can't take back. You can't change the past and shouldn't judge people on what was, life is about moving forwards. What matters is if we learn from our mistakes and make better choices in future and try and do a bit of good in the world.

Not strictly about being in prison, but what was the hardest thing upon release? I know for those relatives I’ve had in prison they’ve always struggled not to go back to how it was before even when they’ve done well inside. Also I know it can be hard if you don’t have good family support and a bit of financial help.

Well done on turning things around. It’s hard to go from rock bottom to back into society. And I know how hard it is to extract yourself from bad lifestyles - anyone who does so should feel proud.

Do you think prison life is easier than normal life?

And do you think it does enough to deter re-offenders?

In my hardest times I’ve often fantasised about going to prison for a break but the toilet situation would worry me 😂

If you were in for 12 months did it feel like that or did it go quickly or drag?

I’m so thankful you have done this thread. It’s my best AMA by far.

Ive always wanted to be a prison guard but I don’t think I could work with peados.

I’m really glad that you found work afterwards as I’ve heard that’s a big issue and can cause prisoners to re-offend.