Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about prison?

160 replies

Peanutbutterjelly1 · 21/04/2018 02:23

Hello everyone.. Just started watching orange is the new black... Me and my husband love it!!!

I've always been pretty fascinated by prison whenever I come into contact with anyone who has been inside I'm immediately interested and always ask what was it like? My own mum was born in Holloway in the 70s as my nan was in there for a string of petty crime.

So my question is have any of you ever been to prison? What did you do? And what was it like?

I know this is a weird question but it's a genuine post. I told my husband the other day that doing time is on my bucket list he thought I was crazy and he is probably right. I think its because prison hasn't changed much in the last 50 years and i am always really interested in anything that has remained the same. I remeber when i started high school it was the same school my dad had attended 25 years before it was the same apart from a few licks of paint he once came to a parents evening and he was pointing to classrooms and certian areas in the corridors and telling stories about his school days i thought it was amazing.

OP posts:
jamoncrumpets · 21/04/2018 12:54

Well, you and your family sound delightful OP

findingmyfeet12 · 21/04/2018 12:58

Books are written and documentaries are made often so people can sit in the comfort of their own homes and point and judge.

It's entertainment. Just look at the Piers Morgan series on women killers. There was no lesson to be learned. It was pure entertainment.

It's the same reason that freak shows used to exist and why public executions attract such large audiences. Don't try to hide behind saying that these people are all humanitarians and would be reformers.

Ansumpasty · 21/04/2018 13:03

I love Orange is the New a Black. I also appreciate how it’s NOTHING like prisons here in the UK (and probably most in the US).

PeapodBurgundy · 21/04/2018 13:05

OP YANBU to ask about prison. YABVVVU to say it's on your buckket list to get incercerated. I thingk you really need to try and get a firmer grip on reality!

Gwenhwyfar · 21/04/2018 13:11

"I have taught in several prisons. They are not happy places and women"s prisons in particular are full of people suffering mental illness, lack of education and awful abuse that put them there. "

Does it also have an effect on the mental health of the people who work there? Do your sort of absorb the sadness and tension or are you able to just be thankful you can walk out.
I've always been terrified of ending up in prison, sometimes imagining how it might happen, but also fascinated by the idea of teaching in one (I'm not even a teacher!).

murasaki · 21/04/2018 13:11

My best friend is currently inside. Visiting is horrible, pat downs, scanning your finger every five minutes, the waiting around, the dreadful coffee Grin , I hate it. He's doing a lot of reading, is in his cell most of the day, but has taken up tapestry making so earns some money that way, and is doing a business diploma. They trade foodstuff (used to be fags, but that is now banned), he currently has 18 cartons of UHT milk, and is doing a roaring trade for nesquik. It is dull, and horrible. You do not even want to be a visitor, it's not a day out to enjoy. The sight of the tiny kids visiting daddy nearly makes me cry every time.

murasaki · 21/04/2018 13:13

Saying that, he's finally had his ADHD diagnosed, and is on meds, so he's doing ok. And they are fixing his teeth. But it's still not worth it.

Original poster
Peanutbutterjelly1 · 21/04/2018 13:18

I dont point or judge anyone who has been to prison you can go to prison for all different things you judge on the crime not whether they have been prison or not.

Also i have already said the bucket list comment was in jest I was trying to get across to you that I am a genuine poster and not a paper or magazine I am curious about it I don't believe the version you see on tv i get it's a weird interest and not to everyone's taste same way some people are interested in murder documentuies and books where as I am not and couldn't think of anything more upsetting that reading about that... doesn't mean im going to hurl abuse at someone who is interested. I'm not even someone who id consider to have a dark sense of humour admittedly what I said was in bad taste but I didn't want you all thinking I was posting on behalf of a newspaper.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 21/04/2018 13:28

I don't see any way you can justify that bucket list comment as jest.

I'd stop digging. The hole is big enough already.

speakout · 21/04/2018 13:33

OP anything else on your bucket list?

Rape? Being widowed? An entertaining bout of Ebola?

findingmyfeet12 · 21/04/2018 13:33

You op talks about visiting a school and finding it amazing that it hasn't changed.

It's the lighthearted way you talk about prison that's so objectionable. The majority of people in prison have numerous issues and challenges so it's not an area to talk about in that way. It comes across as cold, unfeeling and horribly immature.

Flutterbyeee · 21/04/2018 13:47

Do you know what should be on your bucket list OP? A fucking dictionary.

speakout · 21/04/2018 13:53

OP I find your attitude naiive, arrogant, flippant, ignorant, disrespectful- so severely lacking in sensitivity or judgement.

You show a total lack of consideration for others- I hope you crawl back under the stone you came from.

ShutUpBaz · 21/04/2018 14:00

CaraDeanna I accidently used the wrong acronym (oops!). Its meant to be PSCO, Prison Service Custody Officer. Twas early when I was typing!

mildshock · 21/04/2018 14:11

DP is a prison officer for a Cat A prison. The inmates are usually prolific sex offenders/paedophiles, murderers etc. They are known for violence and to be seriously nasty pieces of work. They have long sentences and some will be there until they die.

The Cat A prisons are also generally safer than Cat B/C because the inmates behave better so they don't lose any privileges they may have accrued. Cat B/C inmates have shorter sentences so they're typically less bothered by getting in trouble.

Since the start of the year, on his wing there has been 3 attempted suicides, 2 assaults on officers, lots of drugs, lots of self harm etc etc.

Can you imagine how dangerous it is in Cat B/C prisons??

And you want to go there because you're interested in places that haven't been decorated in a few decades Hmm

mildshock · 21/04/2018 14:27

Also, have you considered how you're going to get yourself incarcerated?

I assume you wouldn't want to be there forever seeing as you just want the tourist experience.

A lot of petty crime, and even GBH/ABH are punished by suspended sentences, so you'll have to do something fairly serious to get yourself locked up.

There's no such thing as a victimless crime.

Sparklingbrook · 21/04/2018 14:28

I think starting this thread is crime enough TBH.

Namethecat · 21/04/2018 14:37

Worked in a b cat prison for 9 years - what do you want to know ?

Pebble21uk · 21/04/2018 14:38

You'd be amazed the number of people who have a complete panic attack when they have to go into a prison in a work capacity (when it's not their regular place of work) and hear a key lock them in. For some the feeling of being trapped is overwhelming... and these are the people who can walk straight out again.

As for prisoners who say it's the best thing that's happened to them... that's the case for some - who are homeless or come from unimaginably awful situations. It doesn't mean that they don't find prison hard, frightening and downright bloody awful. It means it may have helped them in some capacity or may be better than a terrible alternative.

And prisoners have their own justice... I have seen the results and it's nothing anyone would wish to see let alone experience.

Dobbythesockelf · 21/04/2018 14:42

I am amazed at the OP, even if you have a dark sense of humour surely you must see that saying going to prison is on your bucket list is completely tactless. It isn't porridge ffs. People really do amaze me sometimes.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 21/04/2018 14:56

Just don't pay your council tax - almost guarantees a few weeks inside!

Gwenhwyfar · 21/04/2018 16:06

"you'll have to do something fairly serious to get yourself locked up."

Not necessarily, or at least it wasn't the case a while ago. A lot of protesters doing direct action refused to pay the fines to get short prison sentences instead. Petty crimes and short sentences. However, criminal record checks are so much more of a thing these days that I think it could ruin your career prospects for life.

speakout · 21/04/2018 16:17

Gwenhwyfar I agree. And it's much easier for a woman to get into prison than a man.

And yes it will ruin career prospects.

It will also hugely impact the ability to get insurance- car and home, mortgage, affect your credit rating etc

DontDrinkDontSmoke · 21/04/2018 16:34

I have a friend who loves going on prison tours. Peterhead prison is apparently excellent and also Alcatraz. If you’re that way inclined.

There’s also a luxury hotel on trip advisor that’s an ex prison you might fancy.

KnackeredOldWoman01 · 21/04/2018 16:35

OP- you mentioned your mother was born in prison due to your Gran being incarcerated at the time, do you want to discuss how this impacted on you growing up? I'm wondering if this is where your curiosity comes from?

I think some people on here are giving you a hard time time.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.