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

What was your daily ‘timetable’ in prison?

Was going to ask if you feel rehabilitated by prison ?

Any positives of your prison experience?

I think most of the answer lies in eradicating inequality in society. If you think most women in prison are women from a unstable background, history of abuse, dependency, survival sex work and then crime when that becomes less of an option, then social interventions could change their course.

Then you have people who are a danger to others and should be isolated for that reason. They probably need something closer to a hospital and should never have "free reign" in society again. I don't just mean murderers either. Some people are just cruel and/or violent.

I heard someone on a podcast say that the current prison overcrowding crisis coild be solved by abolishing prison for women. Most dont need or deserve to be there unlike men’s prisons, where the overcrowding pressure is causing rapists and violent criminals to be released early, who are a danger to society.

does your experience cause you to agree or disagree with that?

No sense of rehab.

There were positives. I met good people and volunteering with prisoners is a big part of my life. It also sparked my identity as a feminist.

I agree most don't need to be there. Same with men, though. I think they come out worse for going and more of a danger to Joe Public.

Some definitely need to be kept away from society for longer. Forever, even. So i wouldn't abolish the idea of locking up women altogether. Some need to be locked up.

What was an average day like, did you get into any trouble in jail, or see others get into trouble?

Close family. Lots of shared, strong values. I think the polite way of saying it would be that we are a hustling family but many of us have legit businesses at this point and that's our only income.

Usually wake up about 600. Have breakfast and then you might have a class, or do chores or do your job.

Lunch is about 1130 and then afternoons you either have free time, a meeting or a visit. You might be doing your job or a class of some kind.

After dinner, you have free time or your locked back in your cells, depends what's going on, how many staff are around or how the wing has been.

Lights out by 10.

If you are the tenant, you are responsible.

No, it was for what was found at the property. OP was the legal tenant, and as such, was responsible what went on there.

https://www.martinloraine.com/home/met-police-gun-crime

This is an example of what they were trying to do. They thought it was a good way of getting girls and women to "snitch" on their boyfriends. And to be fair, it was, but then they'd offer the women very little protection from backlash. It's hard to qualify for witness protection and is a big change to your life.

How did you get a council flat as a single, childless teenager in the first place?

Do you have any regrets about your actions now? What do you say to your children (or what would you say, if they're still very young) about living within the law? I.e. would you be happy for them to do what you did in your youth?

Yeah i got in trouble and saw others get in trouble. Often just for protesting against unfair treatment.

I regret subletting to her.

My children know about me going to prison. I tell them before anyone else can.

I don't preach to my kids about living within the law so much as making ethical, compassionate decisions. Most of the time you do that, you'll also be sticking within the law.

That poster is quite racist. Also it offers no reassurance that you will be protected for speaking up

do you still know your tenant?

so were you made an example of would you say?

This is a very interesting thread. Thank you for your frankness.

Did you have to share a cell? I think that would be difficult. How big are the cells in the prison you were in?

OP did you know of any inmates who entered the justice system as a direct result of mental health problems ? In my professional capacity l came across many cases where such problems weren’t picked up until the person had committed a crime - usually because of failings in mental health services. I wondered whether those people managed to access the help they needed within the prison setting.

That seems a very harsh sentence,what was the actual offence you were convicted of and what were the sentencing guidelines and judges sentencing remarks?
I can understand that vulnerability is a reason why many people end up in prison.

Possession of a firearm

Oh the judge made it clear they need to make an example of those who assist offenders by keeping their guns and drugs in their homes.

Wow, that poster is racist - two black hands around the gun. Having followed the link, l can’t quite believe it was produced in 2024.

Oh, I'd go as far too say the majority of women in prison fit this bill. Especially those who are in and out.