I was in prison in my early twenties, AMA

[Lexibletheflexible]

I was in prison about 18 years ago, between the ages of 19-22. I now volunteer with charities supporting female prisoners. AMA

OP does seem smart 18 yrs later! That may not have been the case as a 19 yr old though. She admitted to illegality sub letting but she was convicted of possession of a firearm.i understand we dont know what evidence there was of that and i would like to have seen the judges sentencing remarks . I understand you may not be convinced, but is it beyond all reasonable doubt that she knew what her tennant was up to? i'm not sure and i dont see whats to be gained from lying about that aspect now 18 yrs later.

How did your parents react? Were they/are they supportive of you?

Also, did you meet any notorious, hìgh-profile prisoners? Obviously I am not expecting you to name them.

That was extraordinarily tin-eared of your company! They always say the only difference between the CEO and a criminal is upbringing, the personality traits are the same.

Maybe a fine and eviction.

Evicted from flat.

I usually tell people at some point. Definitely new partners. Haven't had one for a while though.

Saw them. I didnt go out of my way to socialise with heinous people.

I dont think they were watching me as such like they were him.

Of course i have a moral code. I'm not a sociopath.

I lived with my boyfriend but there wasn't a great deal of space at his so most of my stuff was at my flat. She knew that would be the case when she moved in. She was paying like £200 a month rent for almost 2 bed flat. There was a little room that didnt count as a bedroom due to size.

Lack of privacy was the most difficult thing for me. I didnt get on with everyone but who does? There is both extreme solidarity and hostility. There is a lot of bullying.

The judge also directed the jury that as the tenant its basically my responsibility and that lack of knowledge isnt a defence. So...

I had clothes and personal papers there. Sometimes id stay over for convenience.

Yeah he's been jail a few times for drug dealing.

Yes, yes and yes

I dodnt pursue appeals and knew id be found guilty from the time I understood they are targeting the women they see as enabling gang members in an attempt to get said gang members to stop or confess to save the lady.

Were the women afraid of the male prison guards? Did that job attract men who wanted easy access to vulnerable women?

Yes. Pretty much this

I really would like to know what charities/interventions you think help female prisoners.

Not particularly male guards. People who want easy access to vulnerable targets are often attracted to that job.

You’re saying you were wrongfully convicted, yet thought appealing would be pointless because the police had their own agenda? It sounds like a conspiracy theory. It’s really common for prisoners to come up with this stuff to “justify” why they’re in prison and it’s always through no fault of their own.

Women in Prison and Not Beyond Redemption are 2 I endorse.

Really interesting thread:

Why did you have a Council Flat at 19? Were you rehoused upon release?

Were you the first person in your family to spend time in jail?

Looking back, how do you feel about your time in jail? What emotions if any does that period bring up?

Feminism is something you discovered. In what way did you connect this to your incarceration?

Did your boyfriend at the time stand by you?

Did the chap with the guns ever get in contact?

You say only a few should go to jail. What deterrent would there be if your model was implemented?

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

I wasnt wrongfully convicted. I was the tenant of the house where the gun was.

Have you spoke to the media about this before?

Were you bullied? Is there a way to avoid it?

With regards to the sexual exploitation that you witnessed, was that by the guards or other prisoners?