AIBU to expect the police not to lock me up because I have severe claustrophobia.

[jojojoeyjojo]

I haven’t actually committed any crimes ..but just watching one of my favourite TV shows …’24 hours in Police Custody’ and idly musing about what would happen if I ever did get arrested. I am severely claustrophobic and if I was locked in a police cell…or ..shudder…the back of a police van I would be a hyperventilating, hysterical wreck. I am normally very calm in a crisis but my irrational phobia of enclosed spaces or being locked in would be my undoing. What would the police do
in this situation. I guess they would still have to lock you up? Or would they be able to make reasonable adjustments..I’m genuinely curious..

Is it on your GP files that you suffer with claustrophobia?

unless it’s a severe condition associated with ocd/anxiety with complex medical record to back up - such as diagnosis from a mental health doctor or therapist. If there’s none of that, who’s to say any criminal can use that to get it easier on them or a way to help aid them to continue to commit more crimes by getting free.

I’m physically disabled (ambulatory wheelchair user) and I was thinking similar the other day, how are physically disabled people arrested? Not that I’m ever planning of doing crimes but curiosity is there

A woke society is one that let's serious criminals walk free. Don't see how this is the same

I've seen the TV programme OP referred to. When booking suspects in they do ask how they are feeling to see if there is any risk to leaving them in a cell unattended. There was an episode where the prisoner was considered to be a risk so the cell door was left open and two officers sat outside and watched him.

Some people are wrongly arrested. That'd be an extra layer of panic.

My sister's next door neighbour died in police custody. He was obviously going through a mental break down. Throwing all his stuff out on the balcony. Calling out her name Mary Mary why have you done this to me. She'd done nothing. It had been going on for weeks. My sister had two young kids at the time, one of whom was still in a buggy. She couldn't get to her front door without climbing over his stuff as she lived at the end. Eventually police had to be called because my sister was scared shitless. Even though they had tried to talk to him. They being her partner and herself. They'd got on normally as neighbours would prior to this bad episode this poor man was going through. We think he was dying of loneliness. Anyway, the police came, had use some force to take him in. Next thing we know, he was dead. Someone please tell me what he done so bad that he had to die in custody? He was a middle aged black man btw. So for those of you that think institutional racism doesn't exist please think again. I have many more stories of obvious institutional racism. This was not an isolated incident

Ive seen people flying headbutts inside police vans, they still get taken in. Someone getting upset is their bread and butter!
I guess like the rest of us, if we had done something we have to accept the consequences. Nobody likes being locked in a cell

Innocent until proven guilty.

Read other people's posts too!

Made me laugh 😂 but then I remembered I have a specific mini not quite phobia but feelings of panic when I have anything even slightly too tight on my arms
cuffs would be ok if they fit like a bangle and slipped on and off 😜
good job I didn’t get arrested when I was slightly naughty as a young teen

(I had to cut a top off myself once because the sleeves were too tight)

Ive read the posts, and I agree innocent until proven guilty. Not sure why you quoted my comment, if I've missed something I apologise!

😆

Probably have a laugh about you but still lock you up.

You Can still be arrested and locked up even if you are innocent

They would still lock you up.

I’m claustrophobic after a traumatic incident as a child. I don’t have invasive thoughts like this.

Could you be OCD by any chance?

They will still lock you in the back of a police van if you start kicking off like they do with everyone. Once at the station there will be a medic to assess you and maybe give you some diazapam to calm you down before being interviewed.
Every criminal would be playing the mental health card if they thought they'd get special treatment!

The best way not to be locked up by the police is not to commit a crime that would lead to being locked up In the first place. You'll never be dragged kicking and screaming to break the law.

its senseless catastrophising and upsetting yourself about a phobia you suffer from, by thinking of the worst case scenario and making yourself suffer even more. Especially as you have the power to ensure it never happens.

Yes and pigs fly through the sky and unicorns reign supreme,

the chances of getting locked up when you are going about your daily business is infinitesimally small,

probably best not to deliberately feed the OPs anxiety levels further....

They do but some are genuine. It's up to the police to have a duty of care.

I know this is a fairly lighthearted thread but please may I point out that you don’t actually have to commit a crime in order to be arrested and then detained in custody. Eighteen months ago, I was arrested on a false allegation of asssult by my teenage adopted daughter, who has multiple mental health complexities. Yes, I am claustrophobic; I’ve not travelled in a lift since I was a child, for example. Having been very mentally robust person previously, I had a complete breakdown as soon as the heavy cell door was slammed. I did get to see the on-duty nurse who was the least caring health care professional I have ever encountered (maybe it takes a certain type of person to be attracted to this job?) In total, for complicated reasons related to children’s social care, I was detained in a cell for 21 hours. My mental and physical health will never recover, nor will my relationship with my adopted daughter who still regards the saga as a bit of a jolly jape. By the way, I did nothing wrong and the police decided no further action after my daughter ‘admitted’ lying about her accusations.

I guess the question is if you’ve just stabbed someone to death why do you think you shouldn’t be locked up because of a right to a reasonable adjustments over there right to live a peaceful life free from harm?

Plus I’m not sure they’d believe you - I’m sure many have tried it on!!!!

I always think that ambulances are v claustrophobic too. But I guess your time spent in one is relatively short and you may be too unwell to notice …

My experience (consult/working role not detainee) is based on 15 years back but You could then be put in a cell with the door open and an officer on constant watch, its done for detainees who are considered high risk of self harm. Outside of that, doubt they would do anything else. You are allowed to request to go out accompanied by an officer in to the pen for a few minutes fresh air, they dont have to say yes but they generally do allow it once every couple of hours.

I have nightmares about going to prison. I am claustrophobic too, to the point that even thinking about it now is making me really anxious, and I've had to open the back door.

I've never broken the law,so it's unlikely to happen but it still.plays on my mind and I don't understand how anyone can deal with being locked up.

Well done for ruining a funny, light hearted thread with your toxic culture wars shite. Why don’t you have a day off?

I’m so sorry this happened to you. It must have been so awful to be forced into a system and a cell in those circumstances.

I am genuinely curious as to why you think your physical and mental health will never recover? I know it must have been awful but surely 21 hours in a whole lifetime of hours can be gotten over? I really do hope you can move on from this.