Prison life

[bamboo98]

To be fair, if the prison officer and prisoner are having sexual relations, that’s usually how they get their phones/sim cards and also how the SIM cards are kept topped up. Same as the drugs really, family and visitors get the blame for them but a pretty high % also comes from the officers themselves.
In the US, some prisons trailed copying mail and visiting was closed due to covid yet more and more phones and/or drugs were found. It’s a vicious cycle that won’t ever end unfortunately.
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I just wanted to add too, it looks like I’m blaming prison officers and that is not the case, just in case someone suggests it. It’s a mix of family and friends smuggling it in and the officers.

 

[stunrw]

There was one on HMP Belmarsh that was doing the rounds on YouTube that was worth a watch. Just bear in mind that one is a Cat A so at the more extreme end of the estate. Still shows the day to day fun and games. I think one of the actors from Coronation Farm or some similar soap opera did one too (cant think of his name)

The other option is Inside Prison: Britain Behind Bars. Again, mooch on YouTube and you should find all the episodes.

 

[queenamber]

Hi all
I’m the same as a previous poster, the only person inside I’ve been exposed to is Sam Walker. Absolute misogynistic bell end from Liverpool. He is openly on his phone in jail.How is this allowed?
Also…why do female prison officers fall for inmates, are they just so manipulative? Or are the officers naive?

I've noticed loads of them on TikTok. I assume they get the phones smuggled in but how are they uploading them to TikTok?!

 

[merlot]

You can drink tea to your hearts content, but I used to buy teabags, sugar, milk powder & hot chocolate on canteen as i didn't like the teabags in the tea/breakfast packs.
Which was a small bag of tbags. About 5 sachets if sugar, whitener, carton of milk , cereal, bread, marj, jam & a hot chocolate.
When you first go in & have nothing you appreciate it though.
We used to give the new girls, or those with no outside help our packs.
You get a kettle in your cell, too. Although son jails still have flasks. .

I was going to ask about kettles in cells. But thought it was a dick question.. Seems it wasn't. I didn't think kettles in cells would be allowed, do people not end up getting boiling water thrown over them in fights? Is "prison napalm" an actual thing??

 

[Loppylou89]

They were asked to behave how they would when they were in prison.

Ahh I think I must of missed it. I clearly wasn’t paying attention. So are the prisoners not actually in prison now? This is all just for the show?
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I’m sure even if you’re reformed those experiences don’t leave you. I can imagine just being back in a prison, even if you’re not actually locked up and it’s all for show, would take you back there pretty quickly. I know it’s not real but it’s still pretty uncomfortable to watch!

I definitely wasn’t paying attention and thought it was real and they were just moved to Shrewsbury for the show it’s been a long day

 

[Ravenstown]

The Uk womens prison i was in I was escorted by someone called Darren

Haha, right gotcha.

As @eggfriedrice has shared its only fair I do. I am a federal officer in a European country. I am Team Leader on a unit that deals with cross border stuff hence Im all over the place.

I did wonder with your bier - not trying to watermelon you - sounds very interesting!

I know how we deal with trans in the custody environment in the office but in our prison system I have no idea. I shall ask and report back

Thank you. I'm interested to hear.

I'm not in any kind of law, professionally, but in another life I'd love to be some kind of detective. Not necessarily police but I'm a nosy bugger and quite good at finding out stuff.

 

[Sunlifeover50]

This is really interesting thanks for starting. I’ve never been to prison but my friend has. An ex boyfriend at uni worked in the prison service. It’s quite strange to think about both sides of the coin. Will look forward to reading

 

[Elle Woods]

Your friend needs to get the fuck out of this "relationship"
And also.... I need more information about a hen do in centreparcs ?! Is this a thing

I’ve known loads of people to have their hen do at centre parcs it’s a nice way of doing it for people who aren’t big drinkers, just have a weekend away with friends with loads of activities. Didn’t realise it was weird

Also just to clarify- my friend is not being abused. I am 100% sure of that. She’s just ensuring she’s available to speak to him as much as possible. When I say he calls one of us if he can’t get hold of her, it’s not after one missed call.. if there was any sign of abuse I’d be telling her to get out. It’s the way they’ve adapted their relationship to their situation, to remain in contact as much as possible. He has a phone in his cell so probably the easiest way to pass time when you’re locked in there and it’s not time to be out on the wing is to call your loved ones. He’s phoned me twice a day regularly too. I think people would be surprised at how often prisoners do call out to and have contact with friends and family. He’s on a remand wing so I think once he gets sentenced he won’t be allowed to call out as much and visits will get reduced too.

 

[justonemorepage]

@eggfriedrice you should be really careful about what you’re divulging on here you know. Basic prison questions yeah not really an issue answering. But when you’re talking about specific prisoners and their troubles you should really be more careful. I work in a prison and have done for 12 years but I know better than to talk about it on tattle. It isn’t hard to work out from what you’ve said, what prison you work at: I would be careful about what you write as your digital footprint is watched and governors will not take kindly to this

I second this. The ramifications for sharing confidential information would be huge. Not worth the risk imo.

 

[SunshineRae]

He said he guards the door so his call mate can shag the guard.

Jeeeez….I guess he wasn’t lying

 

[stunrw]

The pool/snooker question - lads come in with no idea how to play, few weeks/months they’re amazing at it! I also don’t know the rules or the difference but I know you have to call what pocket you’re potting the black into otherwise all hell breaks lose

Well theres fuck all else to do

 

[stunrw]

In the pub again? Sure you're not Irish?

Ah, have to take advantage when I can. Only thing is, I think Guiness is the work of satan, so not sure I could be

 

[eggfriedrice]

We've missed you @eggfriedrice especially over on the SB thread.

Can you not edit your previous posts on this thread? X

omg I’ve only just realised a new SB thread and I’ve got 30 pages to catch up on the old one I’m a rest day tomorrow so I’ll have a catch up and read/comment!
No they’ve been posted too long so I can only report them..
I’ll also catch up on this thread/other threads tomorrow when I’m off work & just answer generic questions

Bank question - you wouldn’t be able to call your bank as the number wouldn’t be on your approved numbers. Unsure if their POM/Offender manager/legal team could contact their bank on behalf of them?

 

[al255]

You’d only be allowed a certain amount of things to keep.what they didn’t give you would be held for you until you are released.
I can’t remember the amounts now, but when you first arrive on “basic” you’re allowed about five tops, five bottoms. If you behave and become “enhanced” -takes eight weeks - then you can have eight of each. I might have those numbers a bit wrong. One pair of slippers, one coat etc.
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Someone with me had a bank account, then I impersonated someone else with a fake card (but genuine person with a real account, same details as the card). Person with me linked their card to the person I played and then just spent the money, using the genuine card. Far more was taken than I was told. I know I’m a twat for it.

My incompetent solicitor assured me I wouldn’t be sentenced as first offence, but I knew he was crap so I had it in my head I’d be sentenced so was prepared. Yes it’s impacted jobs massively. I’ve only had one crap fixed term job in a call centre since I left Sept 2021. No one wants a fraudster, they assume you’ll steal from them.

Oh my word! Interesting you managed to do that though, I wouldn’t know where to begin!

can you not get a job that doesn’t require a DBS check and just don’t declare your past? Does this impact you getting tourist visas for abroad etc x
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On the subject of prison - I watched episode 3 of the parole programme on bbc and wow -

Spoiler: Episode 3 ending

I was shocked the guy who had been in prison for armed robbery etc got let out - I was really rooting for him to turn his life around on the outside but within 4 months he was back inside. It’s hard cos they’ve known nothing but inside prison for 15-20 years since they were young.

How can they be expected to try and cope with the outside world, it’s a shame and it makes me wonder how much support is really out there for prisoners who have been let out on licence / got parole (not sure of the right terms?) they’ve got to convince the parole board they are ready to cope with life outside prison and I can’t imagine how hard it must be leaving prison to go to a hostel almost and starting again. I completely get why alot of those who have been in prison for 10+ years get in trouble again and recalled back. It’s probably easier for them to have that network of support and not having to cope with the mental load of life outside prison.

 

[SunshineRae]

not sure if anyone's interested about drugs in prison , but thought I'd tell you all about a recent (last few years) 'trend' in ways of getting high.....
BUSCOPAN!
it's smoked & proper smashes you. (I've never taken it but have seen women do it) .
Heroin is the main drug of choice, but spice has been flooding jails for a good while now.
tobacco & lighters are sought after too, since the smoking ban.
the amount of you can make from selling a bit of burn is crazy! 2 skinny rolls can go for around £10 worth of canteen items! .

Yes! This is the stuff I want to know. But also the logistics. How does it get in. From what people say - the guards, the dogs etc, I do not understand how visitors smuggle stuff in? Is it mainly corrupt staff?

 

[SunshineRae]

My ex got 33 years in prison he managed to make around 30K in jail before he was stopped due to bent screws he was in the papers and all sorts. He’s in an a cat and will be around 50ish when he’s due for release. He’s done around 11 already. Hes fully gone mad now and is unwell but still has 22 to go.

Ohhh shit How did he make that kinda money? Do you mind me asking what he did to get 33 years?

 

[bamboo98]

U.S prisons seem crazy! I've seen a few documentaries about them & they look scary, tbh! ..... & inhumane!
100's of men / women share a dorm , up at about 5am for breakfast! Have to wear uniform, women get about 5 pads a month! No medication for addiction, 2 or 3 microwaves shared between 100+, the food looks like it's inedible, plus the racism! .
how is your husband doing? Is he in a dorm?

He’s getting by, it’s rough especially this time of year cos it gets hot hot and they only have small fans. We just take each day as it comes and it’s also 1 day closer to his release. He isn’t in a dorm thankfully. His prison used to be double cells but they changed it all to single cells a few years ago.
Other prisons in his state do have dorms though, usually the lower security ones for the people going home within a few years. One of his friends is in a dorm as he’s home next year and he hates it, he went from single room for 9 years to sharing with 9 other men

 

[panini]

I've recently been watching that 60 Days In Jail (Only the first 4 though as I think after that there's no way anyone wouldn't know)

Has anything like this been tried in Britain? Or is it just too small of an Island for people to just be dropped in. I suppose as we don't have jails it makes it a bit harder as well, you'd really have to know your stuff with the charges.

I can’t imagine a government would ever agree to it in the U.K. as it would just lead to awful press about the state of the prison system

 

[JulieScoobyDoo]

Catching up on this thread as it was mentioned in another thread. I’m fascinated by all things prison life, anywhere, so I’m looking forward to all your insights. Thanks in advance for sharing them. I’m going to catch up on all of the posts now

 

[Lucyxxxx]

Not just me then can't believe the drama over it

Oooo wheres the drama? Can you point me to it please? Love abit of drama!