Prison
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Anyone who's person is in custody, can you possibly help answer some questions?
My person doesn't sound like there being treated very fairly at all. I fully appreciate its not a holiday but he is being given little to no information about anything!
He's two weeks into a 14 month sentence and was moved from the induction wing to the "proper" wing the second day of being in so was given no induction at all really.
He still doesn't know what his restrictions are so is unsure if he's allowed to speak to our son. Someone came around with a piece of paper and was speaking him to about it, when half way through he had to go and deal with someone else so just made my person sign the paper and then left?!
He also doesn't know what his monetary/visit entitlements, earliest release date and just things like that which seems like basic information that two weeks in I would've thought he should know?
Is this normal or should I be trying to speak to someone on his behalf from outside?
Thanks!
My person doesn't sound like there being treated very fairly at all. I fully appreciate its not a holiday but he is being given little to no information about anything!
He's two weeks into a 14 month sentence and was moved from the induction wing to the "proper" wing the second day of being in so was given no induction at all really.
He still doesn't know what his restrictions are so is unsure if he's allowed to speak to our son. Someone came around with a piece of paper and was speaking him to about it, when half way through he had to go and deal with someone else so just made my person sign the paper and then left?!
He also doesn't know what his monetary/visit entitlements, earliest release date and just things like that which seems like basic information that two weeks in I would've thought he should know?
Is this normal or should I be trying to speak to someone on his behalf from outside?
Thanks!
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Evening Help
So sorry your OH is in prison, my son is in a SO prison, things are so so slow,
You can call the visitors centre at his prison they are really helpful, Google where he is and the website will give you the contract number,
You can sign up to email a prisoner, send money in via the pay a prisoner on the gov website, find out if they have video calls usually its 2 a month,
Please try not to worry to much, he will be looked after and if you have any concerns of his welfare there is also a number you can call safer custody, he will be able to call you once your number is approved and that is the same for visits
If you need any more details please message me or post on here xx
So sorry your OH is in prison, my son is in a SO prison, things are so so slow,
You can call the visitors centre at his prison they are really helpful, Google where he is and the website will give you the contract number,
You can sign up to email a prisoner, send money in via the pay a prisoner on the gov website, find out if they have video calls usually its 2 a month,
Please try not to worry to much, he will be looked after and if you have any concerns of his welfare there is also a number you can call safer custody, he will be able to call you once your number is approved and that is the same for visits
If you need any more details please message me or post on here xx
Things are slow in prision and it does seem it's often down to them to navigate they system and find out information. The prison system is shockingly understaffed and under trained.
In theory he should have a key worker who he can talk to, but from what I've seen /heard this is rare in practice.
I have an email address I contact when things are moving slowly, this generally helps get things going. I found this email address on the prison Gov website - Not all have this listed though, but you maybe be able to get an email if you call.
As mentioned you could also reach out to the charity that runs the prision visitor centre, you can find this in the Gov website.
In theory he should have a key worker who he can talk to, but from what I've seen /heard this is rare in practice.
I have an email address I contact when things are moving slowly, this generally helps get things going. I found this email address on the prison Gov website - Not all have this listed though, but you maybe be able to get an email if you call.
As mentioned you could also reach out to the charity that runs the prision visitor centre, you can find this in the Gov website.
Yes - it's very slow in prisons - they are all different though. Your person must continue to put in apps and press them to sort stuff out - it's his 'right'. Since being in prison my son has had minuscule communication with any one in authority (the guards just organise the routine and look after you).
I find this quite unacceptable but the system is understaffed and they just seem to spend their times with the difficult inmates........ while the ones that 'behave' seem to go to the back of the queue.
The ladies give good advice, mine is to carry on pressing them...... hope he gets sorted out soon xxx
I find this quite unacceptable but the system is understaffed and they just seem to spend their times with the difficult inmates........ while the ones that 'behave' seem to go to the back of the queue.
The ladies give good advice, mine is to carry on pressing them...... hope he gets sorted out soon xxx
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Hi, and I totally feel your pain. It is hell - and a hell entirely not of our doing (perhaps take a look at my 'Planet Knock' post pinned at the top of the forum - seems to strike a chord with others...).
In my experience, prison is ludicrously and unnecessarily hard to fathom, both for those on the inside and for those of us trying to pick up the pieces on the outside.
Regarding contact with your son, if my experience is anything to go by, your person will be out before contact is agreed! it's important to understand that all in prison for these offences start out categorised at the highest level of risk, and on that basis the default is that they are NOT allowed any contact at all with under 18s until applications are processed. If your person contacts your son in any way without that, there will be serious fall out (just to add to the pile!). The process of application is to consider which of four levels of contact is appropriate: letter/email; phone; video calls; in person. The prison, SS and police are all involved in making that decision.
It SHOULD take a max of three months to process applications. We are now seven months from making the application and no progress has been made at all.
So despite making noises about understanding the importance of maintaining family ties, the authorities have created a situation wherein my poor, innocent, confused, shell-shocked and traumatised children haven't heard their dad's voice, seen his face, or been able to send or receive letters from him.
I would also add that I have NEVER been told any of the above by anyone in authority - all just through my own research. It's as if the aim is to make everything as difficult and convoluted as possible.
(Being the uber organsied person I am, I made him write two years' worth of birthday cards from him to the kids before sentencing. He wasn't happy about doing it, but I'm very glad I did as it means the kids have received cards from dad on their birthdays - which lit up their faces!)
My person has met his offender manager once, for less than 30 mins. He has a named key worker but they've never met and don't offer any input at all.
Our prison offers a single one-hour visiting slot on Saturdays, and a single, one-hour slot on Tuesday afternoons, so it's almost impossible to arrange an in-person visit. And when you do get a slot, it means taking up the day with tons of travel (and taking time off work etc) for less than an hour together. Not sure how that helps maintain family relationships.
The earliest these offenders can be released (which will be on licence, which comes with its own restrictions and challenges) it is no less than halfway through the sentence.
It's all horrible, but it really does get 'better' - and every day is a step away from the 'badness' and towards the future - whatever that looks like! We will get there. This is one stage on this horrific journey - there will be another side.
In my experience, prison is ludicrously and unnecessarily hard to fathom, both for those on the inside and for those of us trying to pick up the pieces on the outside.
Regarding contact with your son, if my experience is anything to go by, your person will be out before contact is agreed! it's important to understand that all in prison for these offences start out categorised at the highest level of risk, and on that basis the default is that they are NOT allowed any contact at all with under 18s until applications are processed. If your person contacts your son in any way without that, there will be serious fall out (just to add to the pile!). The process of application is to consider which of four levels of contact is appropriate: letter/email; phone; video calls; in person. The prison, SS and police are all involved in making that decision.
It SHOULD take a max of three months to process applications. We are now seven months from making the application and no progress has been made at all.
So despite making noises about understanding the importance of maintaining family ties, the authorities have created a situation wherein my poor, innocent, confused, shell-shocked and traumatised children haven't heard their dad's voice, seen his face, or been able to send or receive letters from him.
I would also add that I have NEVER been told any of the above by anyone in authority - all just through my own research. It's as if the aim is to make everything as difficult and convoluted as possible.
(Being the uber organsied person I am, I made him write two years' worth of birthday cards from him to the kids before sentencing. He wasn't happy about doing it, but I'm very glad I did as it means the kids have received cards from dad on their birthdays - which lit up their faces!)
My person has met his offender manager once, for less than 30 mins. He has a named key worker but they've never met and don't offer any input at all.
Our prison offers a single one-hour visiting slot on Saturdays, and a single, one-hour slot on Tuesday afternoons, so it's almost impossible to arrange an in-person visit. And when you do get a slot, it means taking up the day with tons of travel (and taking time off work etc) for less than an hour together. Not sure how that helps maintain family relationships.
The earliest these offenders can be released (which will be on licence, which comes with its own restrictions and challenges) it is no less than halfway through the sentence.
It's all horrible, but it really does get 'better' - and every day is a step away from the 'badness' and towards the future - whatever that looks like! We will get there. This is one stage on this horrific journey - there will be another side.