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

155 replies

jojojoeyjojo · 05/07/2025 22:17

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..

OP posts:

TheCurious0range · 07/07/2025 20:05

Wimwims · 07/07/2025 19:58

You stated "Most people don't commit crime because they can't stand the thought of the consequences to others and themselves.... Incarceration included" implying that the way to avoid the situation OP is describing is not to commit crime.

When asked about innocent people, you said "You mean like 70% of the prison population?" which I assumed to be you expressing scepticism about the person's innocence.

Of course I do not think the police should decide or treat people differently. I think they should treat everyone as if they're innocent because they haven't been found guilty yet.

As part of being arrested, of course procedures need to be followed.. However, this thread is full of people referring to anyone who has been arrested as 'criminals', stories of ill-treatment, and advice to 'not get arrested'. In response to OPs concerns, people are saying that the unpleasantness is deserved because the person in this situation has committed a crime.

Surely if we're innocent until proven guilty, we should all agree that unpleasantness should be avoided besides what is necessary for the correct procedures to be followed? Incarceration as a deterrent is not relevant to those who have not yet been found guilty.

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The question I responded to I felt was unnecessary, "what about innocent people?" Implies that the guilty deserve lesser treatment.

Also most people don't commit crime because of consequences! Those to themselves, their families, their communities, on top of shame, emotional and psychological consequences it's nature's way of keeping us in check and in some ways sets us apart from other animals. It's what shapes our values. It's also why some offending behaviour psychotherapeutic programmes, especially those around general impulsive or non-instrumental violent behaviours look to build skills around consequential thinking, pro social problem solving and one in particular explores the development of moral reasoning. I'm not plucking things from the air.

ThePieceHall · 07/07/2025 21:08

whitewineandsun · 07/07/2025 20:03

I'm really sorry, that's horrible on so many levels.

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Thanks for your empathy. I wasn’t playing my teeny-tiny violin here but I do feel compelled to point out that innocent people are arrested, often in the say-so of another human being.

sashh · 07/07/2025 21:22

ThePieceHall · 07/07/2025 08:56

Was this anything to do with gender wars, by any chance? When I was being released, the custody sergeant ‘made a mistake’ and told me I was being cautioned. I said I would not accept a caution and they were welcome to rearrest me. I had done nothing wrong but I was also aware that police cautions will show up on DBS checks and prevent travel to certain countries. The custody sergeant then corrected his ‘mistake’ and told me I was being released on short bail pending further inquiries.

Interestingly, I had a visit yesterday from two fellow adopter parents, one of whom was recently arrested on a false allegation of intent to kill one of their very troubled and wayward teens.

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No, mot at all.

whitewineandsun · 07/07/2025 22:33

ThePieceHall · 07/07/2025 21:08

Thanks for your empathy. I wasn’t playing my teeny-tiny violin here but I do feel compelled to point out that innocent people are arrested, often in the say-so of another human being.

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I didn't think you were playing any violin, although that would be understandable. I hope you find healing personally and, in one way or another, as a family.

Original poster

jojojoeyjojo · 08/07/2025 05:07

@Wimwims great post!

OP posts:

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