tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post5814775882706109225..comments2024-03-19T08:48:37.047+00:00Comments on Prison UK: An Insider's View: Prison Pests (3): The Wing BullyPrisonUKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-56842011282479162422017-08-29T00:06:27.293+01:002017-08-29T00:06:27.293+01:00Hi, thanks for your enquiry. It is a very common s...Hi, thanks for your enquiry. It is a very common situation. <br /><br />If you receive a standard determinate (fixed term sentence), which is inevitable if you are a first time offender, then you WILL be released at the halfway point and will then serve the rest of the sentence on licence in the community. On fixed term sentences they cannot refuse to release you due to accommodation issues. <br /><br />It is possible that your supervising probation officer will require you to live in approved premises (basically a probation approved hostel) and your rent etc should be covered by benefits which you will have to claim afresh. Ensure that the DWP is aware of your current situation and sentencing date as you don't want overpayment to occur with all the problems that can bring.<br /><br />It might be worth contacting organisations such as NACRO and the St Giles Trust as they can sometimes help with accommodation for ex-prisoners on licence. It might be worth contacting them ahead of sentencing and then making sure you have contact details for them in your address book with you in court in case it is a custodial sentence.<br /><br />Hope that information helps.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-30262477841631358692017-08-28T15:55:36.184+01:002017-08-28T15:55:36.184+01:00Hi
I'm due to be sentenced for possession of ...Hi<br /><br />I'm due to be sentenced for possession of indecent images and the Judge has already said I'm "going down" and it's just a case of waiting for a Probation Report to determine length of sentence. I think I'll get 2 years. I fully accept my guilt and that I need to be punished, so no bleeding heart from me!! I just have to take the sentence on the chin and use my detention to reflect on what I've done and how I can change my future behaviour.<br /><br />I am currently in receipt of ESA, PIP and HB, due to ill health, which of course will all stop when I'm sentenced. I'll therefore lose my flat when I go into prison and as my family and friends have all "disowned" me due to my offence, I will effectively be homeless when I leave prison.<br /><br />Do you know what I can do in order to try and find accommodation for when I leave prison?<br /><br />I've also been told that I will NOT be released on licence halfway through my sentence, if I do not have an address to be discharged to, as the Probation Services wont agree to my licence if I'm of no fixed abode.<br /><br />My legal aid solicitor is frankly not much help so I'm struggling to find any informationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-87577643067830495672017-04-30T18:29:13.569+01:002017-04-30T18:29:13.569+01:00Hi Alex. Great blog! You mention you can go up ran...Hi Alex. Great blog! You mention you can go up ranks in terms of good behaviour and getting more treats and money to spend. What constitutes as good behaviour, and who judges it? I'm assuming it like a gold star system? Also do you see any reason why a kindle would not be a permitted item for an inmate? It doesn't have a USB drive. Thanks, Sarah Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10122320136322737299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-7150465438071054242015-08-24T20:39:04.525+01:002015-08-24T20:39:04.525+01:00Thanks for the fast reply, certainly makes me feel...Thanks for the fast reply, certainly makes me feel calmer. Your blog is something I am very happy I came across, wish I didn't have to but very glad I did. Once again thanks for your information it makes a huge difference. Have you written a book yet ? If so what's the name, if not I think it would be something invaluable to people facing such situations. Cheers. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-45986602712888642702015-08-24T14:59:45.492+01:002015-08-24T14:59:45.492+01:00Thanks for your questions. There is a good deal le...Thanks for your questions. There is a good deal less bullying in prisons than most people might imagine. However, it can happen. Bullies are often very insecure blokes who seem to feel the need to control and dominate others - probably because they have been victims themselves in the past or currently feel that they have no control over their own lives. <br /><br />The general advice I give is not to allow yourself to be 'mugged off' - that is exploited or taken for a ride. Prison culture tends to see anyone who is a bit weaker or softer as a target, so don't allow others to take liberties. Don't lend stuff to (or borrow anything from) people you don't really know well. Once you've made a few good mates, that's another story, but keep clear of debt (including gambling or borrowing tobacco etc).<br /><br />Most serious violence in the nick occurs for a reason... usually related to debt, disrespect or being a suspected 'grass' (informer). Keeping clear of these things is probably better than doing a self-defence course! I'm ex-Army, a big lad and I do know how to defend myself, but I was never in a position where I ever felt the need to use any physical force while I was inside.<br /><br />Adult prisons (i.e. not YOIs) tend to be a bit quieter and more stable. There is a lot of kicking off among younger lads - mainly because of boredom, but if you are in an adult establishment that shouldn't be too much a problem. Just stand your ground and don't let people make a mug of you if anyone does try it on, but it's worth remembering that if a fight does occur all participants are likely to get 'nicked' (charged) and that can had an adverse impact throughout a custodial sentence - including transfer to open conditions (Cat-D), so avoiding conflict is definitely the best way to go. PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-74036519403775759562015-08-24T12:38:59.269+01:002015-08-24T12:38:59.269+01:00Some very informative and reassuring information t...Some very informative and reassuring information there, thanks to everyone who has contributed. I have one major concern, what to do if someone is going to try and target you and attempt to bully you? Do you stand your ground and fight back with full force ? Obviously you don't give in, as then you'll be a target all the time. What if your fighting skills are zero, been thinking about going to gym and get some sort of fighting/self defense lessons before the possible happens. Obviously keeping low profile and doing your best to stay away from trouble is the way to go, but if someone trys it on what would your advice be ? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-61689609961361001902014-10-03T01:55:08.193+01:002014-10-03T01:55:08.193+01:00A superb response, as always. My experiences of en...A superb response, as always. My experiences of entering prison are over 3 years ago now and so, of course, things have changed, I can't accurately comment on how things are (have degraded) now under Mr G's influence.<br /><br />I did smoke roll ups occasionally before I went to prison, but not often for convenience. I used a rolling machine to make them but that was confiscated on reception - I quickly learned how to hand roll through necessity. It's just another prison anomaly that you can't take a rolling machine in but you can purchase one if you need to.<br /><br />Absolutely nobody smokes real cigarettes inside (or 'straights'). They are just too expensive. On enhanced, with wages (£25.50 private spends + £9.50 prison wages a week), you can't fund a 20 a day habit. They were only ever bought as a ten pack for a birthday or Christmas treat.<br /><br />As for other cons - I totally considered myself not to be 'one of those'. There were many like me, some much more educated and intelligent, some less so. We were all cons together from absolutely every walk of life and background. No matter what you expect a con to be like you'll find one, or many more, who are exactly the same as you are, and you'll probably make some life-long friends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-34979457973143903522014-10-03T00:05:09.625+01:002014-10-03T00:05:09.625+01:00Hi Paul, hopefully the other replies I've post...Hi Paul, hopefully the other replies I've posted have been useful and informative.<br /><br />The main thing is not to work yourself up over a spell in the slammer. Honestly, it's not the worst situation in the world. While I wouldn't have chosen to go to jail, I actually gained a hell of a lot from the experience and met some really decent lads, a few of whom I'm still in touch with. If you can find a small number of good mates, that will make the whole thing seem less of a bore.<br /><br />As you write above, it's amazing how your own attitude towards prisoners changes when you (or someone you care about) ends up inside. That's because it's always easier to hate and fear the abstract, but when it's real people you know, things are very different. I experienced and witnessed enormous acts of kindness inside the nick (as well as some less pleasant incidents, of course).<br /><br />You can take in more cash than £200 if you want to. It just depends how long you reckon you'll be in. It will take you a minimum of 3.5 months to get to Enhanced level these days, so the maximum you'll be able to spend will be £10.50 per week for the first two weeks and £15.50 per week for the following 12 or 13, so that will be around £222.50 (obviously you can spend much less, if you want to). If you are going to be in for a while, then more cash would be sensible as it is quite expensive for your family to buy postal orders to send more in for you and cheques can take weeks or even months to clear.<br /><br />I really doubt that you'll be allowed to bring in tobacco products through Reception. You can try, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is all binned these days. Practice making roll-ups before you go in... thin ones are called 'skinny burn'! <br /><br />If they do take you ciggies away you should get offered a 'smoker's pack' to keep you going. These cost around £4.50 and get repaid from your 'spends' account at the rate of 50p a week, usually.<br /><br />Also, be aware that if you are looking at a longer sentence, there are plans in the pipeline to ban all smoking during 2015. Whether this will actually happen or not remains to be seen, but I have written about the issue in an earlier blog post: Burn: Going up in Smoke? (July)<br /><br />Feel free to ask anything else you like. One or other of us ex-cons on here will usually know the answer!PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-56720172794097069022014-10-02T22:11:45.919+01:002014-10-02T22:11:45.919+01:00Thanks for the replies I do appreciate it.
Like t...Thanks for the replies I do appreciate it.<br /><br />Like the other anon said I’m shitting myself about it but you are both pretty reassuring. Having the blog with all the info is great. It really does give an insight as to what to expect. Very different to what people say and what the papers say.<br /><br />Having this hanging over me for the past while has been bad enough and not knowing what to expect has made it worse. I don’t know anybody in the real world who has been to prison before and never thought it would be happening to me. I just wish I could go back and change what happened but I know I can’t and just have to deal with it the best I can now.<br />Before all this I would have thought that most prisoners were scum and deserved things to be bad for them in prison but when you are expecting to be going to prison I think very different now. I never realised that so many people were in prison – 80,000 is like everybody in a town. It’s good to be able to hear from ‘normal’ people who’ve gone through this. Makes it better feeling that I am not the only one.<br /><br />Appreciate the advice about going in. I will be able to have a decent bit of cash with me – suppose having that makes things easier in there. Is £200 the limit? I do smoke – more than I used to – so hopefully will be allowed them in. Maybe a few sealed packs? I’ve not even smoked a rollie before but will probably have to get used to that. The stuff about underwear and names and addresses make sense. Didn’t realise you could end up wearing other people’s underwear.<br /><br />Hearing what you have said definitely makes thing seem better. I do have some other questions you might answer for me. <br /> <br />PaulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-74345240621769931732014-10-02T19:56:11.769+01:002014-10-02T19:56:11.769+01:00I guess this highlights the differences between di...I guess this highlights the differences between different prison receptions. I mentioned taking tobacco to court - I was sent to a local Cat-B straight from court, I was not allowed the tobacco or underwear I had in my possession.<br /><br />A month later I was transferred to a different Cat-B local, upon reception the staff seemed bemused as to why I hadn't been allowed these items at the last nick. They were duly handed to me and off I went.<br /><br />I can fully appreciate security concerns over open packets of tobacco contaminated with other substances. Mine were new and sealed, however I was allowed a half full open packet of cigarettes in the second prison. I really wasn't expecting that.<br /><br />What you are allowed or not depends on the security regime of an individual prison and, sometimes, the mood of the individual reception screw who is processing you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-88072104982182976422014-10-02T13:43:20.059+01:002014-10-02T13:43:20.059+01:00Thanks for these comments. I've just put up a ...Thanks for these comments. I've just put up a new blog post with some more detailed advice for people who may be going to prison.<br /><br />I'm not sure about your advice on the tobacco (burn). My understanding is that any tobacco brought into Reception from outside will be confiscated and destroyed. This is presumably to stop people mixing in legal or illegal highs with ordinary tobacco. <br /><br />All smokers do get offered the chance to purchase a 'smoker's pack' (which contains a pouch of cheap burn, a packet of roll-up papers and a disposable lighter). The cost of this is deducted from any cash that has been deposited in your prison account at the time of your arrival, sometimes at the rate of 50p per week until it's been repaid. <br /><br />Non-smokers usually get offered a parallel 'welcome' pack that contains basic canteen items like sweets, biscuits, teabags, a bottle of squash etc. I think these packs cost around £4.50 these days, but there is no obligation to buy them.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-20535605779020385902014-10-02T01:11:08.540+01:002014-10-02T01:11:08.540+01:00Paul, I spent a while in prison - I didn't hav...Paul, I spent a while in prison - I didn't have the luxury of a blog such as this to find out what it is really like before I went in - to say I was scared is something of an understatement.<br /><br />To add to the comments Alex made I can only stress that you shouldn't worry. Awful things do happen in prisons but there are over 80,000 in the UK banged up tonight, very few will have had a bad day. I'm not suggesting it's a holiday camp it's just not as awful as you might imagine.<br /><br />It's a weird alien environment. Much the same as a school or workplace isn't like home. It's not particularly pleasant but not intolerable.<br /><br />From a practical point of view, if you're heading to court expecting a spell inside I can recommend a few things for when you go to court.<br /><br />Most importantly, if you smoke, take enough tobacco (burn) to last you two weeks. If you don't smoke, take tobacco - it's the most valuable currency inside if you need absolutely anything.<br /><br />If you can, take to court about £200. That will be added to your prison funds for you to spend as it becomes available.<br /><br />Take underwear - you really don't want to be wearing the prison issue heavily stained prison boxers. You are usually allowed 7 pairs of undies and socks. Some nicks allow personal underwear even if you're not allowed personal 'external' clothing.<br /><br />Write all your friends/family contact numbers on a piece of paper, keep it in your pocket. You should be allowed to keep that through the whole reception process.<br /><br />Every prison has different rules so some of the above might not apply. I've had items removed from me at one prison only for them to be returned at the next.<br /><br />Above all. Don't worry, it won't be a pleasant experience but if you keep your head together it can be a very, very interesting experience and you'll meet the most bizarre array of characters (good and bad) that you've ever met in your life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-44654284301645541132014-10-02T00:09:36.959+01:002014-10-02T00:09:36.959+01:00Thanks for your comments, Paul. I'm glad you&#...Thanks for your comments, Paul. I'm glad you've found the blog posts helpful. One of my main aims in writing this blog is to raise public awareness of what prisons are really like (or at least the Cat-B, Cat-C and Cat-D ones) and what goes on inside. I think that many people are genuinely interested in our prisons, but a lot of the media coverage is wildly inaccurate or simply untrue. <br /><br />In general, prisons in England are neither hell holes, nor are they paradise for prisoners as the Daily Mail would have everyone believe. There can be a lot of unhappiness, loneliness and poor health (mental and physical). On the other hand, you can also meet some really decent people who will prove to be loyal, trustworthy mates, so it's important to keep a sense of proportion, especially if you may be joining our ranks as a con!<br /><br />Let me know if you need any specific advice on any aspect of going to prison. I'd be happy to share information that you might find useful as preparation.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-50608059166603409972014-10-02T00:01:27.515+01:002014-10-02T00:01:27.515+01:00Thanks for your comment. I'm not sure to what ...Thanks for your comment. I'm not sure to what extent the conditions in Russian labour camps for criminals (and political rivals of Mr Putin) have improved much since Stalin's era. I still think that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's account in 'One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich' is likely to be pretty accurate, even today.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-48367544582123209572014-10-01T23:58:09.951+01:002014-10-01T23:58:09.951+01:00Thanks for your question. Almost everything I know...Thanks for your question. Almost everything I know about modern Russian prisons I've learned from documentaries or from books. <br /><br />I have been to Russia (or the Soviet Union as it then was) when I was a student and I did have a run-in with the political police (KGB) back in 1980 when I was arrested on suspicion of meeting up with anti-Soviet dissidents (quite true, in fact). I was questioned roughly, given a right beating up and then deported by train to Finland! Not a nice experience at all and I still have a few faint scars from being belted and a small round mark on the side of my knee where a cigarette was stubbed out on my bare skin by a KGB goon. Funnily enough I never fancied going back there - and so I never have.<br /><br />From what I understand of modern Russian prisons they have various levels of security and are heavily controlled by internal gangs, often coming from different parts of the Russian Federation. The criminal tattoo system is used by gang members (and police/prison authorities) to identify fellow gangsters or rivals (as well as grasses, homosexuals etc). <br /><br />As in many prisons around the world, people who are well connected, or who have money, can survive reasonably well. However, the poor or vulnerable are seen as fair game for exploitation. Food is supposed to be very bad and ill health, including TB, is widespread as medical care for prisoners is very limited. I believe that foreign prisoners are sometimes held in separate units where conditions may be a bit better since they do tend to get visited by consular officials. PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-91028066986599011352014-10-01T20:40:43.415+01:002014-10-01T20:40:43.415+01:00I have spent the last few hours reading through ju...I have spent the last few hours reading through just some of your posts on your blog and think it's brilliant that you have put so much time into giving an idea about what prison is really like. I never would have thought about it before but now that I am expecting to be dong time inside myself being able to hear what to expect from someone who's been through it does help. I know all prisons are different but just reading about the reality of it all makes me think how different it will be from the real world. <br /><br />PaulAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-36149649679725829412014-10-01T17:57:55.791+01:002014-10-01T17:57:55.791+01:00Ive read something about the Gulag camps within fi...Ive read something about the Gulag camps within fictional novels, I may be 60 years out of date tho.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-12892432168608985182014-10-01T16:15:32.960+01:002014-10-01T16:15:32.960+01:00>>The UK prison system doesn’t have the same...>>The UK prison system doesn’t have the same level of security intelligence when it comes to prison gang culture as the USA or Russia have developed..<br /><br />We don't hear much about Russian prisons. Could you tell us more? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-90039141599758915452014-09-30T13:05:38.099+01:002014-09-30T13:05:38.099+01:00Sorry, I omitted to answer your first question! Oc...Sorry, I omitted to answer your first question! Occasionally screws do get involved in situations where they can be blackmailed or pressured to smuggle in contraband. Sometimes this can result from inappropriate relationships (not always sexual) or arising from personal contacts outside the prison, for example back in the community where they live.<br /><br />Another risk is when screws break prison rules and are known to have done so by certain cons. For example, I know that a screw at one Cat-D (open prison) made the serious professional error of accepting hospitality - a meal - from a con who was on escorted ROTL (town leave). Although this sort of thing isn't unknown, it was a potential security issue and the screw concerned was very fortunate that it was never used to apply pressure later. <br />PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-60270632436651428082014-09-30T12:54:43.493+01:002014-09-30T12:54:43.493+01:00Thanks for your questions. Well, I suppose not all...Thanks for your questions. Well, I suppose not all police carry guns (yet) and screws can't have tasers or guns inside the nick. Wing screws do have small telescopic batons, although the Tornardo Team - specially trained screws who deal with riots and cell-extractions - do have proper batons and riot shields, as well as protective equipment such as anti-stab vests and helmets. <br /><br />Your average wing screw doesn't have much at his or her disposal. On the other hand, although there are some very nasty improvised weapons available in many nicks, the police often have to deal with firearms, bigger knives etc. The reason ordinary wing screws aren't very well armed is that in a riot situation, it could be very dangerous if cons got hold of guns etc.<br /><br />Funnily enough, I've not actually had much personal experience with the police, beyond two interviews. Police cells are pretty basic (I only experienced one night in a police station) - a concrete slab bed, thin mattress, a very grubby blanket and a sink/WC. I was actually treated very politely and they offered me loads of hot drinks, food etc. Even the Chief Super on duty popped in for a chat. So I've no complaints at all!PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-16273531819357996492014-09-30T12:00:43.430+01:002014-09-30T12:00:43.430+01:00What kind of compromising situations?
I guess wo...What kind of compromising situations? <br /><br />I guess working as a copper is better than working as a prison officer cos a copper can threaten a troublemaker with a gun, taser or truncheon. <br /><br />Write something about the Police or Police CustodyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-19523811709666862542014-09-30T08:46:14.213+01:002014-09-30T08:46:14.213+01:00Thanks for your question, Peter. Yes, although I t...Thanks for your question, Peter. Yes, although I think there is probably much more attempted manipulation of staff than actual bullying. Some cons are very intelligent and manipulative, so it's only to be expected and screws do get trained in how to spot it and deal with it. Of course, sometimes they get caught up in compromising situations.<br /><br />I think that some prisoners do try to bully screws, especially if they perceive that the target has some weakness or other. However, straightforward verbal and physical abuse happens. Most screws will have their own horror stories of being showered in human excrement or attacked, or at least of witnessing such behaviour. It's not a job I would really want to do myself!PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-59120399114225527152014-09-30T08:38:20.484+01:002014-09-30T08:38:20.484+01:00Do prisoners bully and manipulate screws?
Peter.Do prisoners bully and manipulate screws?<br /><br />Peter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com