Prison cellmates

[DuesToTheDirt]

Anyone know how they're assigned?

I was wondering this after someone made a comment about transwomen in women's prisons, but my question is broader than that. Is there some kind of matching going on? By crimes, age, taste in wall-posters or music (are they allowed wall-posters and music?) Or is it just random? Do the prisoners get any choice?

I googled but couldn't really see an answer - most info was from the US and contained some rather horrible reports (don't go away and google this!)

@MoggyP yeah, the female estate is a whole different kettle of fish. Those women are vulnerable, they've generally been let down, abused and ignored.

Go into any YO, Cat B or C male and you'll find them fist bumping each other in reception and shouting out to their mates before you've even got them on the wing. I do know one young lad who reoffended intentionally to escape his home life but it's not as common in the male estate.

And in decades of this work I never escorted one to an outside dentist. Hospitals obviously, the dentist, never. Nor would we ever ever chain someone to a chair. Wtf?!

"I would often go through someone's licence and point out they can't have contact with Mr X who they caused an affray with (or whatever) and they tell me they've just spent 8 months sharing a cell with him!"

Well yes but their risk changes when they are released hence the licence conditions. There's no risk of them encouraging each other to reoffend whilst in custody.

The minute they are released that risk increases and therefore the licence condition not to associate is actioned.

Without wanting to be petty I wouldn't say there's "no risk" of them encouraging each other to reoffend in custody. Lots of offending goes on from behind bars - drugs, phones, contacting people on behalf of other people, one person's visitor bringing in something for someone else, money transfers. Friendships made and rekindled. There are many reasons why co-defendents should be housed separately (not in all cases of course).

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Sorry, of course there is a risk of reoffending whilst in custody.

What I mean is the licence conditions are there to protect the public in the main and are a protective factor upon release.

It's a different story completely whilst they are in custody. As I say, we didn't often put them together but it's a logistical nightmare at times in certain jails.

It's similar to any other risk assessment, like an OASys. The risk to the public is almost always "low" until they are due to be released at which point we would review that accordingly.

It sounds scary to us, yes. But to hardened criminals? Perhaps not as scary.

It sounds like many inmates would be likely to form strong bonds with cellmates, particularly if they are in for a while.