Prison life

[SunshineRae]

I prefer watching prison documentaries in the UK rather than dramas based on prisons but that’s just my preference

I mentioned it to you on the SB thread but Sam Walker (who has got me so interested in prison life) said channel 4 has got a doc coming out about him and his prison life, but can’t be shown until he’s out.
He would have you think it is how it is on TV. Prisoners rule the roost. He said he guards the door so his call mate can shag the guard. He’s always on Instagram. Drug use seems prevalent. How easy is it for guards to get bent?
Would love for you to follow one of his Q&A and argue (to us) his answers.

Only references him because he’s the only person I follow (surprisingly) who is in prison yet very present on social media.

 

[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.

 

[Penguinfeet]

Everything I know about prisons comes from books I’ve read, which are most likely embellished, but one sticks in my mind - The Governor by Vanessa Frake. She’s a hell of a woman! What struck me though was that she truly thought that prisons need more money to rehabilitate, provide more education etc. So the conundrum I find is that prison is supposed to be a deterrent and a punishment - if we are treating it as a sort of grown-up-school-come-rehab, is there any deterrent or punishment? I’m not saying I agree with one way more than the other, I don’t actually think I know enough about prisons and what goes on to have an opinion but it’s definitely something I’ve thought about a lot. It seems that along with all these different prisoners comes a massive host of problems - drugs, mental health, alcohol dependency, emotional and behavioural problems, the list goes on. How do you have a blanket rule for all those different people? You can’t, it will never work. Might work for some and scare them off ever setting foot outside the line again but others it will intensify into monsters.how on earth can it be done though? It seems an absolutely insurmountable task.

Prisons were punishment initially and that was that but as the years have gone on and we have evolved, it’s just no longer that simple.

Apologies if none of that makes sense, it’s been a really long day!

 

[stunrw]

Haha, right gotcha.

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




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.

If anything federal in Europe rocks up you are having a really bad day

Bier is an but could be a number of countries

You should apply. Be better than some of my colleagues who struggle to work the coffee machine
---

Everything I know about prisons comes from books I’ve read, which are most likely embellished, but one sticks in my mind - The Governor by Vanessa Frake. She’s a hell of a woman! What struck me though was that she truly thought that prisons need more money to rehabilitate, provide more education etc. So the conundrum I find is that prison is supposed to be a deterrent and a punishment - if we are treating it as a sort of grown-up-school-come-rehab, is there any deterrent or punishment? I’m not saying I agree with one way more than the other, I don’t actually think I know enough about prisons and what goes on to have an opinion but it’s definitely something I’ve thought about a lot. It seems that along with all these different prisoners comes a massive host of problems - drugs, mental health, alcohol dependency, emotional and behavioural problems, the list goes on. How do you have a blanket rule for all those different people? You can’t, it will never work. Might work for some and scare them off ever setting foot outside the line again but others it will intensify into monsters.how on earth can it be done though? It seems an absolutely insurmountable task.

Prisons were punishment initially and that was that but as the years have gone on and we have evolved, it’s just no longer that simple.

Apologies if none of that makes sense, it’s been a really long day!

A lady, who I have endless respect for is now the boss at a particularly nasty jail in the UK. She lists that book as one of the reasons she still goes to work in the morning because she wants to make a difference to those peoples lives

 

[Penguinfeet]

A lady, who I have endless respect for is now the boss at a particularly nasty jail in the UK. She lists that book as one of the reasons she still goes to work in the morning because she wants to make a difference to those peoples lives

I can understand why, it’s a fantastic book and you can really tell that she truly cared about her prisons and she really wanted to make life better in there yet she also took no tit. I’m not sure I’d want to be on her bad side

 

[Ravenstown]

That's the thing. Broad spectrum skills. I'm good at finding out stuff. I've got a wiley mind in that regard but I;m a natural born hot head so it would take a lot of self containment to ask the right questions and remain pokerfaced.

 

[stunrw]

I can understand why, it’s a fantastic book and you can really tell that she truly cared about her prisons and she really wanted to make life better in there yet she also took no tit. I’m not sure I’d want to be on her bad side

Said lady is tiny, she genuinely cares about the men in her care. But Jesus, Mary and Joseph and wee donkey, the prisoners respect her.

And she drinks gin faster than anyone else I've ever seen

 

[TikToc]

@TikToc you are so lovely...you all are ...and thank you @eggfriedrice for such an informative reply . And you're all right, I should believe in myself more. What I'm about to say is related to prisons so I'm honestly not trying to drop a sob story!

Although I'm alot better than I was, I still lack confidence due to the people that have come through my life. 2 abusive relationships...the 1st was in 2003 and he went to prison for GBH with intent. the second relationship in 2019-2020 was more mental and emotional and I didn't have the courage to press charges and I dropped them (so angry with myself) . I found out after i finally left him for good in October 2020 and the Police used Clares Law to try and help me come to terms with none of it being my fault. I blamed myself for letting him do and say the things he did, and I found out through Clares Law that he'd been in and out of prison for violence, coercive control etc. I dropped the charges because I 100% beleieved (and still believe) he will come for me. Even for the police going to his door because of me. He hasn't found me yet and hopefully never will, although the anti-molestation order has now come to an end.

It's not the place for me to drop anchor any further on all of that, but they're my experiences with the law and prisons (and why I am the way I am).

It was the ex from 2003 I visited in prison (Sutton in Surrey, and then Winchester). However he was just a friend at that point and as far as anyone knew he went down for ABH on a night out when it was actually ABH on his ex. It's a very long story how he kept it covered up and the timeline it all happened so I'll spare you, but I went into the relationship with him after he was released....after I had visited him in Sutton and Winchester. He then went back to Winchester on the GBH with intent charge against me. I remember the prison in Sutton seemed much better and well run and cleaner where as Winchester was an absolute tit hole

Just wondering why two prisons, both in the South of England and not a million miles apart, can be so different ?

Lovey, always reach out here. We got you babe

 

[Betina]

I know I've mentioned him a few times on the SB thread but I found some of Ricky Killeens videos really insightful. I first heard of him on Channel 5 documentary about HMP Frankland, which is a cat A prison.

https://youtube.com/@BehindTheBarsTv-RickyKilleen

 

[curiousbean88]

Hey.. I applied to the prison officer relocation scheme . I passed the online tests and have the assessment centre . What I’m wondering though is that I use to visit my ex partner in jail for years .. he’s now on a recall to prison ( but on the run ) would I still be able to work in a prison .. I don’t want to waste my time doing the assessment centre if not . Thanks for any help .

Hi Ex Probation Officer here!
when they do your vetting they will want all the details of your current close family and partner. They are looking for anything that might lead you to be vulnerable to bribery.
If you are concerned they might pick up on the fact you have been on prison visits before (by searching the system or whatever) there is a box for any additional info and you could mention you have an ex partner whom you used to visit in prison but you no longer have contact with and just play completely dumb about knowledge of him being on the run or wanted on a recall.
their main concern would be that you were or could be coerced into bringing things into the prison.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, I take my hat off to you BIG time. I visited someone in prison once and that was bad enough. Confrontation is one of my biggest fears, and I was even scared being in the waiting room with the males prisoners wife's/girlfriends. Absolutely terrified me.

I'd also like to say that anyone that works in or to do with law, I have huge respect...and I know we have a two or three here It would have been my dream job to be a barrister or CID Police, but to put it simply, I'm not that intelligent! I'm not an idiot, but I believe being able to do a job involving the law, criminals etc etc, requires talent. Especially prosecution and defence lawyers

Do YOU face much confrontation from the prisoners?

“ As a probation officer going into a male prison you get swarmed by men shouting Miss Miss Where you from, can you tell my PO this etc” I always worked in the community but would visit offenders in prison often. I worked with 100s of offenders over the years and I probably only had 4 or 5 threatening confrontations. I really liked a lot of the people I worked with. However it is a gruelling and thankless job full of paperwork and unrealistic workloads and expectations. It’s a one way ticket to an early grave due to stress and it’s really not worth it. I quit in the end.

 

[Aemee00]

In my experience (I was a law clerk for many years) most lawyers are not that intelligent; just good at passing exams.

I second this! I'm a solicitor and have come across so many bad solicitors who have absolutely zero talent or clue what they're doing. Or they are just lazy. Some get by using bullying tactics. Follow your dreams. You're smart and determined, I think you'd be an amazing advocate, Kaz!

 

[Lucycarmella]

Hi Ex Probation Officer here!
when they do your vetting they will want all the details of your current close family and partner. They are looking for anything that might lead you to be vulnerable to bribery.
If you are concerned they might pick up on the fact you have been on prison visits before (by searching the system or whatever) there is a box for any additional info and you could mention you have an ex partner whom you used to visit in prison but you no longer have contact with and just play completely dumb about knowledge of him being on the run or wanted on a recall.
their main concern would be that you were or could be coerced into bringing things into the prison.
---

Thanks so much for this . I actually wanted to be a probation officer /probation services officer and thought this would be a good way of getting into it . I think I may be have been a bit nieve though after reading this thread … being with an offender for years and knowing his friends and being on visits I thought it may be rewarding to try and rehabilitate people but I actually don’t know if I could cope with the confrontation.
I have a few more questions for you if you don’t mind me asking ! When there’s a recall warrant for breaking bail conditions and then additional charges from the police and you miss the court date as you’ve fled the country .. what happens then ? Can you just stay out the country forever and not come back ? Also do you normally go back to the Jail you were last in ? Trying to work out what will happen to my ex partner . There’s no love lost there as he was stupid enough to mess up quite badly when he had all the chances but curious to know what will happen to him .
Thanks for any help !x

 

[Proof8]

I have some really boring questions haha.
Clothes - who washes them and does it cost. How do you get new ones?
Hair cuts - is it like a care home where a hairdresser comes in and does everyones in one go?
And this £20 canteen money is that earned or is that just given? Can relatives give money etc.
Sorry for all the questions it just fascinates me. I've never been near a prison and never known anyone been in either.

 

[curiousbean88]

Thanks so much for this . I actually wanted to be a probation officer /probation services officer and thought this would be a good way of getting into it . I think I may be have been a bit nieve though after reading this thread … being with an offender for years and knowing his friends and being on visits I thought it may be rewarding to try and rehabilitate people but I actually don’t know if I could cope with the confrontation.
I have a few more questions for you if you don’t mind me asking ! When there’s a recall warrant for breaking bail conditions and then additional charges from the police and you miss the court date as you’ve fled the country .. what happens then ? Can you just stay out the country forever and not come back ? Also do you normally go back to the Jail you were last in ? Trying to work out what will happen to my ex partner . There’s no love lost there as he was stupid enough to mess up quite badly when he had all the chances but curious to know what will happen to him .
Thanks for any help !x

No problem! The reasons I left the job was never because of the offenders, although sometimes you had to work with difficult people or people who had done the most awful things, I always felt privileged when people would open up about their life experiences and wanted to work with you. The thing is that the service is overstretched and can’t keep hold of staff who are leaving because the conditions are awful. The caseloads and paperwork are too much you don’t get time to do any meaningful rehabilitative work with offenders and so you just lay awake at night wondering if one of the 70 offenders you are supervising might go out and kill or rape someone, and then your name will be dragged through the mud. The pay is also shocking for the level of responsibility on your shoulders!

so the recall …
Technically you could stay on the run forever, if you’re out of the country I think the police would only spend time and resources trying to get someone who was very high profile or highly dangerous back. When you do disappear on a recall the time you are unlawfully at large gets added on to your sentence (usually)
If you are unlawfully at large for longer than a year (or maybe 6 months, I can’t remember) that is a new offence in itself which holds a sentence of up to 5 years.
Prison wise, he will be taken to whichever the nearest holding/remand prison to where he gets picked up. He may then transfer out but not necessarily to the same prison as before.
Hope that helps!

 

[al255]

I’ve got some questions too (boring but I’m interested in Prison life, seen the Parole programme on bbc and it’s so interesting)

1. Why is there a £20 limit or so per week? Surely it’s up to them if you wanna stay on the phone all day..

2. Do they have a proper single mattress and pillow like we do at home? Who washes these sheets?

3. Who cleans their cell? Do they get access to a dustpan and brush?

 

[Kas01980]

They hate me when I’m in a mood and do AFC’s/LBB and they’ve got multiple kettles on their side. Only supposed to have one prison issue kettle and they can have one they’ve brought themselves. However, if I see loads of “smelly kettles” (with laundry conditioner in to mask the smell of weed) or “cooking kettles” (self explanatory) I swiftly remove them or give them a warning to get rid we all know they cook in kettles but it trips the electric and then next thing you know you’ve got multiple prisoners complaining they’ve got no power!! Pain in the ass lol

A very naive question....what do they cook in kettles?

 

[Tifastrife]

I’ve got some questions too (boring but I’m interested in Prison life, seen the Parole programme on bbc and it’s so interesting)

1. Why is there a £20 limit or so per week? Surely it’s up to them if you wanna stay on the phone all day..

2. Do they have a proper single mattress and pillow like we do at home? Who washes these sheets?

3. Who cleans their cell? Do they get access to a dustpan and brush?

I guess it wouldn’t be much of a punishment if they could just sit on the phone all day chatting to their friends and family.

 

[SunshineRae]

A very naive question....what do they cook in kettles?

There was a guy last year on TikTok who was doing pretty much a full on cooking show from his cell He was making curry, stews, bolognaise…pretty impressive really.

 

[eggfriedrice]

Guys I just wanted to say I’m not being rude not answering your questions and I will get round to it, but I’ve been at work this morning & im just getting ready now for an afternoon of day drinking with my team I work with so I promise I’ll answer them tomorrow!
But quickly:
Clothes - they get issued prison issue clothing (grey trackie & jumper) and can also have clothes sent in but have restrictions (no black/navy tracksuits, no hoods, no football tops, no slogans etc)
Laundry - we have a laundry orderly, most wings have washing machines and dryers on wing so for example Monday will be the 1s landing washing day, Tuesday the 2s landing, Wednesday the 3s landing and so on.. the laundry orderly gets paid £2.50 a day by the prison to do his job
Cell cleans - they have dustpan and brush in cell and can have access to mops/cleaning equipment in their domestic times
Cooking in kettle - they make anything and everything! Usually mackerel curry or some kind of rice/pasta dish, but they’re so clever and cook all sorts of things!
Money wise - it depends what IEP level (basic, standard, enhanced) as to how much you get each week to order canteen. You can have money sent in and it goes in your savings account then every Thursday (in my prison) the money drops down to your spends and goes on your canteen sheet. So basic I think it’s like £7/8, standard £12/£13 and enhanced upto £20, sometimes more depending on the establishment
You can also receive loss of canteen as an adjudication award (say for example someone has a fight, they will get put on report and have a mini court like hearing infront of a governor where the governor finds the charge guilty or not guilty and can issue punishments) and one of them punishments could be loss of canteen for 7-28 days depending on how severe the charge
Other punishments are loss of gym, loss of association (pool), loss of earnings (if they’re employed)

 

[SunshineRae]

Guys I just wanted to say I’m not being rude not answering your questions and I will get round to it, but I’ve been at work this morning & im just getting ready now for an afternoon of day drinking with my team I work with so I promise I’ll answer them tomorrow!
But quickly:
Clothes - they get issued prison issue clothing (grey trackie & jumper) and can also have clothes sent in but have restrictions (no black/navy tracksuits, no hoods, no football tops, no slogans etc)
Laundry - we have a laundry orderly, most wings have washing machines and dryers on wing so for example Monday will be the 1s landing washing day, Tuesday the 2s landing, Wednesday the 3s landing and so on.. the laundry orderly gets paid £2.50 a day by the prison to do his job
Cell cleans - they have dustpan and brush in cell and can have access to mops/cleaning equipment in their domestic times
Cooking in kettle - they make anything and everything! Usually mackerel curry or some kind of rice/pasta dish, but they’re so clever and cook all sorts of things!
Money wise - it depends what IEP level (basic, standard, enhanced) as to how much you get each week to order canteen. You can have money sent in and it goes in your savings account then every Thursday (in my prison) the money drops down to your spends and goes on your canteen sheet. So basic I think it’s like £7/8, standard £12/£13 and enhanced upto £20, sometimes more depending on the establishment
You can also receive loss of canteen as an adjudication award (say for example someone has a fight, they will get put on report and have a mini court like hearing infront of a governor where the governor finds the charge guilty or not guilty and can issue punishments) and one of them punishments could be loss of canteen for 7-28 days depending on how severe the charge
Other punishments are loss of gym, loss of association (pool), loss of earnings (if they’re employed)

Enjoy your day out @eggfriedrice You definitely deserve it