tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post8919347656177964062..comments2024-03-19T08:48:37.047+00:00Comments on Prison UK: An Insider's View: Christmas Day in the Jailhouse (1)PrisonUKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-81016713121340635642016-12-20T13:58:14.558+00:002016-12-20T13:58:14.558+00:00Excellent Alex.KimExcellent Alex.KimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11028864517016236095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-29991344908595459822016-12-20T13:57:59.759+00:002016-12-20T13:57:59.759+00:00Excellent Alex.KimExcellent Alex.KimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11028864517016236095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-41529446821950037532015-10-04T08:02:55.794+01:002015-10-04T08:02:55.794+01:00its awesome to present a gift on this eve have a l...its awesome to present a gift on this eve have a look at following gifts if your are still in a dilemma that <a href="http://watchitnowz.blogspot.in/2015/10/what-should-i-get-for-christmas.html" rel="nofollow">what should i get for Christmas</a> thanks for sharingrajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17330195273922242409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-86811713810791017682014-12-24T10:04:52.825+00:002014-12-24T10:04:52.825+00:00Thanks for your message. That would be great. I...Thanks for your message. That would be great. I'm always up for guest contributions and any other information about prison life. My e-mail is: aleckocavendish@gmail.com. Cheers, AlexPrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-17198110383947070232014-12-23T20:54:38.093+00:002014-12-23T20:54:38.093+00:00If there's anything I can help with Alex, from...If there's anything I can help with Alex, from a females outlook of life inside, let me have an email addy and I will contact you via that.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-19249677027975361302014-12-23T11:37:35.850+00:002014-12-23T11:37:35.850+00:00Thanks so much for sharing with us your personal e...Thanks so much for sharing with us your personal experiences of Christmas inside. We really could do with more contributions from women who have served time as I'm very much aware that I can only contribute from a male con's perspective.<br /><br />I think the long queues for the wing pay-phones during Christmas association are among my clearest memories. I think we had four (working) pay-phones between around 100 of us, although I know in some nicks the ratio is much worse. In those prisons where there are serious staff shortages - a majority now - I fear that waiting to phone home could prove a flashpoint, especially if association is effectively cancelled or reduced to an hour or so.<br /><br />You are also spot on in your description of having to return to prison at the end of the home leave. Knowing that you've got to travel back and report in is really difficult. Thanks for letting readers know how it affected you. Enjoy Christmas at home with your family this year.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-1227001846754869312014-12-23T08:40:57.597+00:002014-12-23T08:40:57.597+00:00I have experienced christmas in prison and from a ...I have experienced christmas in prison and from a womans perspective it was extremly grim, I spent the day either waiting to use the phone, when we were allowed association, so I could speak to my husband and kids (who were also having an awful time) or crying in my cell, knowing I had'nt chosen or wrapped their presents. The following year I was Rotl'd, still difficult to leave them and go back, I cried all the way back on the train.<br />I was in a fairly decent prison in Sutton, now no longer a womens prison, and now on my second xmas after release, my heart still goes out to all the girls banged up, I'll never forget what it was like.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-47117004440287079882014-12-21T14:43:52.265+00:002014-12-21T14:43:52.265+00:00Really? I'm not sure I've ever had a '...Really? I'm not sure I've ever had a 'shouty' voice! I do like to try to get my facts straight and I don't have much time for politicians and pundits who babble nonsense or perpetuate myths, but I like to think I'm well-balanced and weight up all the arguments...PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-45132308610733301392014-12-21T14:40:51.651+00:002014-12-21T14:40:51.651+00:00Thanks for your comments. Of course, in many cases...Thanks for your comments. Of course, in many cases that is a fair point and our prisons house a large number of people who have been extremely selfish - both towards others, as well as their own families.<br /><br />However, I think it is always worth remembering that at any time between 10-15 percent of prisoners are being held on remand awaiting trial (or in some cases waiting for charges being dropped), as yet unconvicted of any offence. Even if they are eventually convicted, around 75 percent will walk out of the courtroom having been given non-custodial sentences.<br /><br />I've also sometimes reflected on the fact than pretty much anyone who drives a vehicle on the road is potentially only a momentary lapse of concentration away from a serious accident that could result in criminal charges. In such cases, there may not be an intention to commit an offence, even if that is the outcome. While I was in prison I met a significant number of people who would never have seen themselves as criminals prior to whatever accident, momentary loss of temper or other error of judgement put them in the dock. Sometimes these situations aren't about making rational choices, even if the person still has to face up to the consequences. PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-79777669569188067012014-12-21T14:35:15.299+00:002014-12-21T14:35:15.299+00:00I expected to hear a shouty voice when you made yo...I expected to hear a shouty voice when you made your comments on Newsnight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-14563147711677830682014-12-21T13:57:16.200+00:002014-12-21T13:57:16.200+00:00Maybe those who are parents should consider their ...Maybe those who are parents should consider their children before commiting acts that could see them imprisoned. <br /><br />I know their are many reasons people end up in prison but personal responsibility should be an issue that is at the forefront. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-343857736298049492014-12-21T13:50:46.375+00:002014-12-21T13:50:46.375+00:00Vas, you seem to want violence to occur. Violence ...Vas, you seem to want violence to occur. Violence very rarely solves anything, if you can't contribute positive suggestions then I for one am glad that prisoners serving time currently can't get riled up by your poisonous suggestions. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-88361825980418290032014-12-21T11:11:27.157+00:002014-12-21T11:11:27.157+00:00Thank you for your kind comments. I'm delighte...Thank you for your kind comments. I'm delighted that you are finding the blog interesting. <br /><br />I am convinced that it is important for first-hand information about our prisons - positive and negative - to be as widely available as possible. There often seems to be a self-imposed blackout in much of the national media about prison issues (other than the lies and misrepresentations published in some of the tabloids), so social media and blog at least give us a fighting chance to contribute to the wider debate about the criminal justice system! I am definitely planning to blog on during 2015.<br /><br />Have a great Christmas and a happy New Year!<br /><br />PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-8586113360933677232014-12-21T00:35:54.313+00:002014-12-21T00:35:54.313+00:00Alex, thank you for a wonderful blog this year - i...Alex, thank you for a wonderful blog this year - it's been so informative and interesting. Thank you for your posts I hope you and your family have a very happy ChristmasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-6366182281297835922014-12-21T00:01:22.946+00:002014-12-21T00:01:22.946+00:00Thanks for sharing your own experiences of prison....Thanks for sharing your own experiences of prison. You are quite right. The tabloid misrepresentation is sometimes really shocking. When I hear the old lie about Sky TV being rolled out again and again it makes me want to shout!<br /><br />I'll be blogging next on my own experiences of Christmas in prison, but your description of the 'special' meal sounds spot on... turkey roll and spuds! The canny lads ordered the chicken option. It was better. I really doubt that any of the overpaid hacks who churn out the lies about conditions in the nick would be able to stomach the sort of food cons survive on. On the other hand, quite a few of them have been banged up recently, so maybe they have learned the truth the hard way!<br /><br />Your description of the atmosphere on the wings is also very accurate - "a grim day" all round. I got the impression that most cons just wanted to get it over and done with so the regime got back to normal, including work and education. At least having something to do took our minds off missing family and friends.<br /><br />And of course, as you so rightly highlight, it is the families of prisoners, especially their kids, who suffer throughout the sentence. Missing the person who is in prison, as well as many facing poverty at home and bullying at school. Sadly, the statistics also suggest that having a parent or carer in prison means that the child left behind is much more likely to end up in the criminal justice system themselves, thus risking perpetuating the whole miserable cycle. As a country we really deserve better than this.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-9912992343324722172014-12-20T23:49:27.368+00:002014-12-20T23:49:27.368+00:00Thanks for your comments, Vas. My main hope is tha...Thanks for your comments, Vas. My main hope is that we get through the present crisis without anyone getting hurt or killed! Unfortunately, the situation isn't getting any better.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-82658746991083042772014-12-20T23:48:10.124+00:002014-12-20T23:48:10.124+00:00Thanks for your kind comments, Richard. I'm gl...Thanks for your kind comments, Richard. I'm glad that the blog is proving to be informative. I certainly aim to continue blogging (assuming Mr Grayling doesn't order me banged up again!) <br /><br />Have a great holiday season and a happy New Year.PrisonUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05060870139110580938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-23880432475122557982014-12-20T21:50:27.418+00:002014-12-20T21:50:27.418+00:00The media lies over prison conditions is infuriati...The media lies over prison conditions is infuriation. Every Daily Mail reader would believe that every inmate has Sky TV and a lavish banquet on Christmas Day. Anybody who's seen the inside of a prison knows that so isn't true.<br /><br />I only spent one Christmas in prison, it was far from pleasant. Management did lay on a 'special' dinner. The worst Christmas dinner I've had in my life - reconstituted 'turkey' I think they called it, with some of the trimmings. No more special than the usual fare but of an equally low quality and standard - just different to the norm.<br /><br />The whole wing was downbeat. Guys missing their children, partners and parents, it was a grim day. I did manage to call my mother on Christmas day. Nice to have a chat but devastating for me to hear her crying on the phone because I was elsewhere.<br /><br />Maybe spare a thought for the estimated 200,000 children who will spend this Christmas with a parent banged up. Criminals need punishing, of course, but imprisonment extends so much further. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-19756868290077869782014-12-20T21:03:51.182+00:002014-12-20T21:03:51.182+00:00Let's hope it sparks some action finally. B...Let's hope it sparks some action finally. Being coupe up like a sardine ain't fun. Strangeways ere we come. Vas Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8623255227619374869.post-69149711504880671672014-12-20T18:25:41.826+00:002014-12-20T18:25:41.826+00:00I'm sure I speak for all the readers of this b...I'm sure I speak for all the readers of this blog in wanting to say thank you to you, Alex, for giving us some of the year's most interesting reading matter. <br /><br />Best wishes for the festive season, and please keep blogging through 2015. <br /><br />Richard<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com