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

I assumed they assumed I couldn't have completed a DBS to do what I do. But again, to clarify, of course I needed one for volunteering.

Why because I'd choose to do lucrative crime if any crime at all?

It's more likely that she wonders why she hasn't got a good life despite doing things as prescribed.

Yes, there are PIP statements. It’s the letter you get every year which tells you about your entitlement, how long it lasts and how much the benefits have been uprated. The statement can be used as proof of entitlement for access to concessions and is needed for things like the blue badge scheme and motability.

Yes there is. There are currently 160 postcodes across the country which are trialling a new DWP initiative which allows new claimants to apply for PIP for the first time online. Once they are in receipt of benefit, they can request copies of their entitlement statement online. It’s gradually being rolled out across the country. The poster you are arguing with is clearly in one of the trial areas.

DLA is only paid to children up to the age of 16. After that it’s PIP. And I’ve outlined upthread why you were wrong about PIP online.

Thank you for continuing to update this thread, it's very interesting and congratulations on turning your life around.

I wondered is there any food you can't eat now because it reminds you of your time in prison? For example I remember someone talking on YouTube who said then could never buy or eat a KitKat ever again, because you always got one of them inside with lunch.

Also about a DBS check, even my cat sitter has a clean one, but thinking about it I've never checked proof that those providing services have passed it - you just rely on what they tell you!

No food I can't eat but I did get horrendous food.poisoning and ever since then, I have IBS and if I get a tummy bug, it seems to last longer than other people with the same illness.

Yeah a few of people. One pretty close. She only came out three years ago.

Some people really don't want to keep contact though as they want to put that part of their life behind them.

This was replying to a question that has now disappeared...

Yes. I still cry with laughter at some memories from jail.

They are very supportive of our business. If my job didn't have that wider context, they'd likely want more for me.

How did you have the conversation with your kids when you told them this @Lexibletheflexible ? How old were they?
Have they told their friends?

The first interesting AMA I have read!

@Lexibletheflexible are you still around to answer questions?

I haven't really spoken to the younger ones about it. There's a decent gap between my eldest and the younger ones and it was a lot "fresher" when he was young so he knew from about 6. It was spoken about around him from birth so it was slightly different.

To be clear, it has been spoken about in front of the younger ones, too, but they've never asked as of yet for more details.

Yes.

How did your raise it when you do tell your kids? Is it a sit around the table for a family meeting kind of thing?

Do you know if your kids share with their friends?

Your younger kids have heard about mum going to prison for 3 years but didn’t ask questions??? How old are they?

It isnt a secret so they hear about it. Yeah my son has told some friends.