What to take to prison

[drinkswineoutofamug]

Will be brief, daughter due to be sent down. Any one have a clue what to pack? Do we pack a bag? I've looked on line and it's a bit vague . Any help greatly appreciated.

Hope you feel a bit better now you've heard from her .

It's a relief . Just to hear hiya mum! Suppose she can't call me mummy from prison
For the first time in 3 years I know where the little sod is.
I'm looking forward to Tuesday but it will be hard walking away

How would you get it to her? Postal order in the morning?

You've done brilliant so far, but having been a dick at that age myself, you should keep telling her you love her. Yes, you're angry and disappointed, and you expect her to wise up, but if she really tries, you'll be happy to support her. Because you love her, and want her to be truly happy . Not still running about like an eejit in two years time, being attacked but maybe afraid to defend herself next time in case she goes to jail again, trying all sorts of drugs, getting herself into dangerous and daft situations. That's no life for anybody, especially a 19 year old with everything ahead of them still.

Has she maybe felt too ashamed, embarrassed or scared to ring you? She sounds imature, so she might get defensive if she feels threatened or like you're going to shout at her. I would tread lightly for a while.

I hope she's settling in okay, did you find out any more about the e-mail thing?

Good news drinks. I was worrying you would be tearing your hair out all weekend.

I hope Tuesday goes well for both of you xx

You sound like a great mum, I'm sorry you're going through this. I just wanted to try and give you some reassurance, my DM worked at Styal until she took early retirement a few years ago, it's supposed to be a good women's prison with lots of support and the staff are great with vulnerable women. She will be okay

Please don't be worried about what other people think, most families have their own issues and problems, very few are perfect, and anyone who does judge can fuck off tbh

She's given me her prison number and there's a way on the gov.uk site that you can use a debit card to transfer money. I asked her about email , trying to be quick they gave her 3 minutes. She quickly told me what she wanted and she was ok. Gave her the advice that a pp said. Head down, don't borrow, don't lend and keep your stuff to yourself.

Anyone know a reasonable amount of spends? £15 a week? More ? Less?

She should be able to get sanpro for free inside.

I second make sure she has all the phone numbers she wants written down, addresses wouldn't go amiss either, plus stamps and envelopes, Apart from the first night phone call it might take a few days for phone access to get sorted out, it shouldn't but it does sometimes. She'll get a PIN number and the phone numbers she wants to use need to be added to it. Some prisons do this quicker than others.

She won't be able to take food in or have it sent it, but she will get a chance weekly to order a few snacks. Books, magazines, puzzle books, photos.

Don't take security restrictions personally, some people will do anything to get drugs into prison and the restrictions are there to keep everyone safer.

Also second whoever said tell her not to borrow or lend anything, not so much as a draw on someone else's cigarette.

I worked in prisons for 16 years. A lot of the staff and indeed many prisoners are decent people and will look out for her.

In the prison I worked in there was a weekly maximum that family could give. I think it was £15 or £20

It's a tenner a week for the first two weeks then 15.50 after that. It can go up to 25.50 is she becomes an "enhanced" prisoner but that takes a minimum of 12 weeks. x

Careful with stamps there banned in some prisons now.

If I write her a letter an out a sae in it that should be ok?

Made loads of sense,
If I include a sae should that be ok?

Having either app problems or phone problems here.

Mine got sent back but that was low newton.

Durham accepted them a few years back so it might be worth a shot. Worst they can do is post it back.

They used to give out paper and stamps in the welcome packs not sure if that's still the case.

Have you tried emailing?
Here

I think each prison has separate guidelines drinks. I had to muddle through when ex-p was in, it was exhausting.

It will just become part of your routine eventually. I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing.

I really hope you both get through it ok

Keep strong you'll all get through this, keep us all posted how's she's doing 🌺🌺🌺🌺 and we're always here if you need a chat xx

I feel stupid asking all these questions. I have had some fantastic replies . I've registered for the email a prisoner . Thanks for that .

Non of your questions are stupid , you haven't been in this situation before , I'd have no idea either x

drinks - don't be silly, it's not something anyone would ever need to know anything about - until it happens to them and their family

Forgot to say re the money - it doesn't matter how much you put in, she will still only get the allotted allowance each week. So if you pay £60 online or in cash at the prison, it was last her a few weeks. Just saves you having to remember doing it every week.

Postal orders are expensive.
If you send a card, put a book of stamps inside & mark on the envelope 'stamps enclosed'.
Phone calls are expensive from prison.
Inmates are allowed a parcel of clothing/books/pens/writing paper etc within 28 days. You can post it or take it to reception - mark it 28 day parcel.
Any cash she had would have been placed in her account for 'spends' and she can draw down a certain amount each week. Hopefully she took some in with her.
Research phone calls.
Books can be sent via Amazon but will take a while.
Magazines can usually be posted in.

If you send a card, put a book of stamps inside & mark on the envelope 'stamps enclosed'.

Stamps are banned, they can be used as currency/people spray drugs on them.

Saying that I've never worked in female estates, maybe the rules are different.

Stamps used to be allowed but were banned at some point last year.

Don't feel stupid. No one expects to be put in such a situation. I didn't have a clue what to do the first time.

Fruit they're banned in low newton now so not sure if it's a blanket ban.

Morning. It's a shame that this thread will disappear. There's so much good advice . And there's hundreds of families who get put in the same situation that also don't know where to start. I've nothing to be ashamed off, I was worried what people may think at first but fuck it.
We need a prisoners family support thread? I couldn't find anything hence I'm here.