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Victims of crime

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What to take to prison

999 replies

drinkswineoutofamug · 18/01/2017 21:38

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.

OP posts:
UnbornMortificado · 19/01/2017 19:57

I think it takes a while to get sorted. Medication, clothes issued paperwork etc.

IIRC when ex-p was remanded straight from court he didn't ring till very late and it was off an office phone not a normal prison one.

I'm going back a few years though.

BonnieBlueButler · 19/01/2017 20:20

Just wanted to say I'm sorry you're going through this.

With regards to what people will think, it'll be fine. My sister was sent to prison a few years ago. My mom was mortified. My parents are very respectable and law-abiding. There was actually a report on the sentencing in the local newspaper. My mom was just devastated by the whole thing. She was convinced she'd never leave the house again.

Anyway, people must have seen the report but not one person mentioned it to us/her. We told the people that mattered personally and no one else was mean enough to bring it up. My sister served her time and a couple of years down the line is doing well. It was a wake up call for her.

My mom still insists on referring to it as 'the time your sister went away for a while'!

FruitCider · 19/01/2017 20:34

It is illegal to take tobacco or cigarettes into prisons from the outside. Hopefully she will find a nice prison officer that will give her a smokers pack.

Even if the prison is only a 30 minute drive away, new receptions do not usually arrive until after 4pm. Everyone is put in a holding cell and processed by prison officers, then healthcare, one at a time. I'm quite frequently scrabbling around trying to medicate new receptions at 20:00. It is unlikely she will get a call tonight. Hopefully she (or a prison officer) will call you tomorrow.

UnbornMortificado · 19/01/2017 20:42

Bonnie last time I was hospitalised (psychiatric not run off the mill) my mam told her friends (and half my family) I was on holiday Hmm

They used to give smokers packs out on arrival a few years ago. I don't know if that's been changed since all the smoking ban stuff.

UnbornMortificado · 19/01/2017 20:46

Fruit are books and toiletries aloud in?

They weren't at my local one a few years ago but not sure if that's changed?

FruitCider · 19/01/2017 20:50

I'm pretty sure they are, as someone had a book posted in the other day! I guess it depends on the category of the prison and local prison policy?

FruitCider · 19/01/2017 20:53

I think there was previously a ban on books, but they are definitely allowed now.

Just checked and it's only prisoners on remand that can have toiletries sent, sorry x

UnbornMortificado · 19/01/2017 20:56

It used to be nothing you could smuggle drugs in with. You could send stamps to Durham till they found out some had been sent in soaked in acid.

Sorry drinkswine my advice was a bit out of date. Hope you get some news soon.

cupsanddogs · 19/01/2017 21:04

Fruitcider what happens if you get prisoners who come in with nothing or have no family to send stuff. I've always wondered.

friskybivalves · 19/01/2017 21:10

http://www.insidetime.org/a-year-for-a-first-timer-in-a-womens-prison-2/

Not good at links OP but second what other posters have been saying. Styal better than many. This article was written by a first-timer for the prison newspaper and it sounds quite positive, considering.

There's a Clink restaurant there where offenders cook and serve up amazing food for paying punters. I think they have some kind of choir thing going as well and even if music isn't your DD's bag at least it shows there's a bit of community spirit going on!

She must must must request an urgent GP appointment re her meds. But maybe no point telling you that as you may not be able to speak to her in person.

Good luck tonight

Smile
drinkswineoutofamug · 19/01/2017 21:15

Heard nothing. Don't know if I should expect to though? I just want to hear her voice. As angry, disappointment, heart broken, numb, relieved , sick, tense, she's my pain in the arse daughter.

OP posts:
Calphurnia · 19/01/2017 21:18

She might not have been able to call yet as women are dropped off last, even if it means driving past Styal to get to Risley, for example. Just because the men's prisons are more strict about Reception times.
She'll be on the First Night Centre after Reception where they will be able to keep a close eye on her.
She won't be allowed to be in possession of her epilepsy meds as they are worth quite a lot to other prisoners.
Does she have enough for this evening? An officer will keep them safe for her.
They will ask her about her health at Reception & do their best to get her what she needs as soon as they can. A copy of her prescription will help.
There is a Healthcare unit she'll need to go to to get her meds for the rest of her stay.

As she's on remand, she'll be able to wear her own clothes, but there is a limit to what she's allowed to have. Anything she can't have will be put in her private property for her to collect when she leaves.

She can't have cash, but when she gets her PIN, you can put cash on it for her so she can get items on her canteen & phone credit. Get her to call you on the landline, as it will be cheaper for her.

She might miss this week as canteen is tomorrow, but staff will make sure she's got toiletries & clothes.

PM me for more when you need it. But that's enough for now after the day(s)/ weeks/ months you've had. Flowers

CondensedMilkSarnies · 19/01/2017 21:20

I hope you do hear from her . I don't know anything about being in prison or how it all works but I'd hope they'd let her call you given its her first night.

SSYMONDS · 19/01/2017 21:24

God that sounds so hard. Just wanted to say that I don't think people will judge you. You sound like a loyal, kind and determined mum. Well done for everything you're doing x

catinbooots · 19/01/2017 21:28

Hi OP. Just came back to see if I could help with info in any way - but it seems all the lovely MNers on this thread have given loads of brill advice.

I hope she has had her reception phonecall by now and you have spoken with her.

If you ring tomorrow morning you should be able to book a visit within the first 24hrs. As she is on remand, she will be eligible to daily visits. I've I'm not sure if Styal have the Emailaprisoner service as mentioned up thread. That service is also linked to an online payment system so you can send money. If not, the best thing is to get a postal order in the post tomorrow. It will be a few days before that 'drops' into her account and she can purchase phone credit. The spending limit is restricted to something like a tenner for the first two weeks - so be prepared for not a lot of communication by phone. After that it goes up to £15.50 a week plus any wages she may earn.

When you go on the initial visit, you should be able to do a hand in of clothes. IIRC HMP prisons allow 7 bottoms and 10 tops. I would advise a mixture of comfy stuff like leggings and tracky bottoms, but also a couple of pairs of jeans and nice tops for visits. Unlimited underwear and socks. Shoes I think is 2 pairs plus shower shoes (which can be flip flops or crocs) Also 2 pyjama sets, slippers and one dressing gown. 1 coat (but not black). No hoods on anything.

Books varies from prison to prison. Some only allow them to be sent in from an approved supplier.

You won't be able to take toiletries in, but photos will be fine.

The most important thing to most prisoners is contact from the outside world. The daily delivery of post is what everyone waits for. You stand there and wait while they call out names. Just a card, or a note or a postcard will mean the world. You can write tonight and she will receive it - even if you haven't got her prisoner number yet.

I'm no lawyer, but from what you've said she may not be away for long at all. Even if she got 9 months, she would only serve half of that, then that time could be shortened even further by release on tag.

She will have seen a GP tonight so hopefully her meds will be sorted.

Whilst away she will have access to education, gym, training courses and employment. She will probably have to do offending behaviour work - to address her offending and any underlying issues. It may just be just what she needs right now.

Sorry if I've repeated lots what others have said. If I think of anything else I will come back.

Good luck OP.

She will be OK

XXX

MadisonAvenue · 19/01/2017 21:30

So sorry that you're going through this, please look after yourself. You sound like an amazing woman and your daughter is so lucky to have you on her side Flowers

UnbornMortificado · 19/01/2017 21:49

Just checked my old account Styal does have the email a prisoner function.

It works out cheaper then stamps.

I think she will just be busy getting checked in. Easier said then done but please try not to worry to much Flowers

drinkswineoutofamug · 19/01/2017 22:48

No contact. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe she contacted fuck wit instead of me? Lots of ifs, buts and maybes.

OP posts:
Manumission · 19/01/2017 22:50

Did you get a cigarette yet?

drinkswineoutofamug · 19/01/2017 22:50

Nope.

OP posts:
Manumission · 19/01/2017 22:59

Do you drive? Does anyone in the house?

Get yourself whatever helps. Fags, patches, chocolate.

You don't need withdrawal on top of everything.

drinkswineoutofamug · 19/01/2017 23:06

Chocolate peanuts

OP posts:
Manumission · 19/01/2017 23:29

Sounds like a plan Smile

UnbornMortificado · 19/01/2017 23:36

I'm sorry drinks hope you hear from her tomorrow.

You could ring the prison and ask if she got there ok. (Dunno the official rules on that but worst they can say is no)

FruitCider · 20/01/2017 05:05

Fruitcider what happens if you get prisoners who come in with nothing or have no family to send stuff. I've always wondered.

I had a guy like this recently. The prison officers found him prison clothes and a pair of shoes, a prisoner who has been with us a long time gave him deodorant, he was supplied with a toothbrush and tooth paste. He got a job after a few weeks and bought his own supplies.