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

Yes there was a mother and baby unit but many more pregnant women who wouldn't be keeping their babies with them. The antenatal care was horrendous but apparently better than a lot of other prisons.

Can I just say OP what an interesting discussion this is - thank you for starting it…

I've always wondered what happens if you go to prison and have a home but have no one to look after your finances/house/garden?

Also if you want to study, say a degree, I've seen somewhere that they won't allow internet access for this and it all has to be done by paper/books/post?

Is there anything you liked or miss? Sometimes I imagine that it would be nice to have female company around all the time or perhaps not having to make any decisions because you’re stuck there. Forgive me if that sounds insulting but I imagine there must of been at least one good thing

The dark humour. Even with the staff sometimes.

I think I stopped myself missing it through the charity work possibly.

I can’t see if you replied. Did you get another council property afterwards?

There are some schemes where they help you keep your property while you are in prison by legally subletting it to someone who needs temporary accommodation.

Obviously I was not eligible for that particular one but it seemed pretty accessible at the time for people from London.

Otherwise I guess family would help you out with that.

No Internet access.

No, I rented privately.

Do you get any housing offers when you leave prison? It’s just I know people who have left prison and gone into council housing before.

For most of us going to prison is perhaps one of our number 1 fears. You’ve been there and done that, does that give a certain sense of fearlessness about life?

Did you ever try to date your prison staff?

Was it cold at night? Did you have blankets to keep warm?

What was the food like? What's a typical day's menu?

What was Christmas day like?

Fascinating thread OP, thanks for your candour.

I read an amazing account of a prison that had a yogurt making trend- prisoners using heating pipes to grow the culture. And I’ve heard about prisoners getting creative to make booze (using bread for example). Were there similar activities at your prison? If so what?

I didnt pursue any social housing but you can get assistance.

Definitely. You now know exactly when you would be prepared to take risks that could send you back.

Like school dinners (bad ones). Christmas could be quite depressing as people have very low mood. Otherwise it's just a slightly different day than others.

The most we made were lighters. We weren't that creative!

Absolutely not. It went on though.

It's clear the Krays were mentioned to illustrate a family who committed crime to the extent they became well known rather than mental illness. You implied that your visitors (family) were sufficiently well known to screws to be recognised by screws and for that recognition to afford you some sort of protection.

I'm not and never have been a screw. I have no love for screws, just less for the inmates.

Some of the responses on this thread are baffling compared to what seems to be a general overall feeling on many other threads. When crime involving guns happens, we are shocked, horrified, calling for stricter controls, harsher punishments. Except on your thread, you're a hero. Well done you, you've played a blinder.

I think you've been reading too many crime novels.

I'm sure if I'd shot someone, people would be suitably horrified.

She didn't know the gun was there, ffs. It was two steps removed from her.

We HAVE strict gun control after Dunblane.

@Lexibletheflexible

in what way are you not average?

although I guess as a teen wanting to make money form drug dealing as opposed to becoming a doctor or lawyer or teacher or hairdresser or whatever isn’t that average. Most loving and protective families would be mortified by the prospect of their son/ daughter dealing drugs cos of the risks attached…one being prison on course…

I'm not and never have been a screw. I have no love for screws, just less for the inmates.

You described yourself as ex-prison service. Pretty meaningless if you were actually an administrator.