No it wasn't as bad as I thought, on two levels. I write the next paragraphs for the benefit of future lurkers:
It's a category B men's prison where DB is on remand.
Waited in a visitors centre. Full of women and children mainly, presumably off to see their Dads. Little girls in their best party dresses.
The worst bit is definitely security - seeing signs about babies being searched, aggressive pat downs - similar to the airport but more suspicious. This is the first time since this whole debacle kicked off that I felt like I had committed a crime too. There's a lot of agitation from the women - there was no properties officer so they couldn't leave their fellas their suits for upcoming court appearances and they are struggling with their kids with so much waiting around. It was really eye opening in terms of the emotional and physical Labour this involves. Once we got to one of the gates to be let in the canteen type room, the mood lightened.
When we got in there, we sat down and the time flew just talking with my DB. I wish we were seeing him under any other circumstance but I'll take this over not seeing him at all. The mood was lighter than I had imagined. I don't think any of the families or inmates notice anyone else in the room - they're all just focused on their own visitor. We had a cuppa and my DB inhaled crisps, fizzy pop and a cake. 10 minutes before the end, they come and tell you to wrap it up. It's strict but I guess it has to be. We hugged him and we left. On the way out, we heard another family on about the football - they told us the score and said a guard had updated them having been asked by the family for an update - just to give you an idea of the relative light heartedness.
We got a taxi to the city centre and went y watch the end of the England game and a much needed stiff drink.
It was good to see and give my brother a hug. I hadn't seen him for a month. Am booking my next visit ASAP.