Have you ever been in prison?

[mybigteninchrecord]

What was it like? Just that really, curious!

A school mum told me that she had been imprisoned in two different countries as a refugee making it here from Sri Lanka. I'm not sure whether that was simply because she was illegal as she was an exemplary character raising her kids brilliantly so I found it hard to believe.

you can look on the MOJ website for your local prison and it should tell you who provides the family/visiting services. Then you can contact them
About volunteering prisons. PACT are at a lot or prisons now (prison advice care trust)

Yes being interviewed for a jog in the on-site pharmacy. I got the role but decided it wasn’t for me.

very run down, paint peeling of the walls cold institutional vibes with a hint of bleach.

Many years ago to sing carols ! Oh yes and I've been to Alcatraz too !

Yes - also worked in a women's prison (in the education not an officer) really enjoyed it

Interesting, thanks for replies so far. Just idle curiosity really, more from a prisoner perspective but also interesting to hear from a work role perspective. I was wondering if life was like the documentaries portrayed, so thank you to pp for that.

I guess, to be more specific, if you were a prisoner, what are your daily routines? Were you frightened? How much opportunity is there for bullying/harrassment? What were served as your meals? Were you treated with respect by prison officers? What were your cell mates like? Was it as you expected it to be? That kind of thing.

To the PP who asked if the reason I was asking was because I was going to prison, the answer is no, though you did make me smile - im pretty much as straight-laced as you can get :)

Thanks also for the AMA link - -thats my bedtime reading for tonight sorted.

@spidereggs
I got locked into a court interview room with my client when the lock broke and they couldn't get us out.
That was fun.
The statistics for lawyers assaulted while working in police stations and courts used to he shocking.
Not sure what they're like now

Not as a prisoner but a prison by me closed and before it was demolished they opened it to the public. They had this interactive bit where some of the cells were equipped how they would have been and they would lock you in and have sound affects playing of doors clanging, people shouting etc. Also smells. I managed 5 minutes. It honestly made me never want to break the law.

As a visitor, yes. The saddest thing was the kids in the waiting area, although they did have a tiny playground outside. It took so long to get in with all the valid checks, and the queue for the snack counter was crazy. I hated going, and eventually when I realised my friend was never going to answer my questions, I stopped. I still feel bad about that, but just couldn't continue in good faith.

Been inside Long Lartin ( cat a) and Lancaster ( cat c) as a visitor. Lots of locks and doors. Inmates we met were all very pleasant. Didn't feel unsafe but imagine it could all get out of hand very quickly.

For work yes, every day! 🙂

I've been in several. Not to stay More than one country as well. As a volunteer, housing person, paid teacher (specific content), over many decades.

They vary wildly. From lovely ones with actual houses where the prisoners learn to be rehabilitated to the shitty, looming British Victorian hellholes. I've seen educational programs with wonderful people to places I felt very vulnerable. Also the sexes are really different. Women's feels like hospital with vulnerable women suffering with various MH and PH issues. Men's doesn't. Although it still is underneath the aggro.

I had to take a group of BTEC students to a prison. They were astounded at the proportions of prisoners who can't read or write above 8 years olds level.

I did 6 weeks in Peterborough womens for non payment of council tax.

Just curious like you, as you are a 1st time poster.

I've done a parkrun in prison.

Was really depressing. All grey. The lads there 16-18 were clearly failed by society, mental health problems. Probably undiagnosed SEN.

It felt pretty hopeless.

The volunteers are brilliant BTW and there is a link between engaging in parkruns and decreased reoffending so it's a good thing but yeah don't go to jail.

There’s a good Mumsnet ask me anything on this OP

Yes as a visitor. Close relative was on remand for a crime for which he was acquitted. Won't go into details but luckily had a sensible jury. He kept his head down, did everything right, highly respected by screws and inmates alike, became a listener, read letters for illiterate inmates and wrote replies for them.
I always felt safe in the visitors hall, staff always friendly and welcoming, but always maintained watchful control.

'A Bit of a Stretch' by Chris Atkinson is a good read if you'd like to know more about life in HMP Wandsworth.

I used to work in prisons and visited loads. I was once waiting outside a prison to go in for a legal visit and ended up queuing with the friends and family.

I remember one little boy asking his mum really loudly: "is this where daddy works, mummy? and the woman replying "yes" and no one in the queue said a word.

So sad.

Spent a night in a cell, not something I want to repeat. Was on ‘suicide’ watch so had someone shouting at me to look at the camera every ten minutes all night, was awful!

There's a lady on tiktok who talks about prison I'll just grab y her user name one sec

em_fromprisontopurpose

She's a really lovely reformed lady and I've seen at least 3 videos of her talking about prison life routines etc

As a visitor back in the 80s. Reading prison was a grey, horrible place, the only bonus being it was quite close to the train station.

I agree with this. It's a far bigger punishment to be on the outside and worrying about everything than it is to be inside. For certain people anyway.