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Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 9:37pmReport post

Did anyone see the reports today of prisons being crammed to breaking point and judges apparently being asked to try to avoid custodial sentences where suspended sentencs or community orders could be given.

We can live in hope a little when our time comes ???? xx

hpl111

Member since
November 2022

392 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 10:00pmReport post

Gosh, I really hope this works in our favour when the time comes xx

Lonely & Bewildered

Member since
October 2023

53 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 10:12pmReport post

Please can I ask where this was report?

Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 10:26pmReport post

I pray to God it helps most of us on this appallingly long journey xx

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

766 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 10:43pmReport post

The judge actually referred to the fact that they had been asked to suspend sentences whenever possible in my persons case. He then gave him a 2 year suspended sentence. I really hope other judges also take the request on board.

Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 10:52pmReport post

Hi Ocean,

It would be amazing if this happened to my person, he's totally not the person he was when the knock happened and has changed so much, he's dealing with past trauma and family tragedies in a calmer and accepting way and fully acknowledging his actions at that time were wrong, he's just a totally changed person for the better so whilst we're grateful he's now in weekly therapy and learning to get through this we're also dreading these final stages xx

Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 10:56pmReport post

If you don't mind me asking ocean when was your sentencing and what for? xx

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

766 posts

Posted Thu October 12, 2023 11:08pmReport post

Sentacing was last month. The charges all related to sexual communication and all from the same event. He received 2 years suspended sentence, 300 hours community payback, a fine, attendance on the Horizon course and 10 years SOR and SHPO.

Edited Fri October 13, 2023 12:13pm

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 4:04amReport post

Sadly this doesn't help those in prison that the judge didn't like at the time going on to hand out a custodial.

Yes, my son deserved a punishment, and I'll never condone what he did - but not such a heavy prison sentence. There must be thousands of people in prison that should be handled in a different way, not just locked up and the key thrown away.


Mentioned it numerously - Little is said how many prisons are changing over to house Cat C sex offenders only....... it's ridiculous! Instead of popping up a 'full house' sign they ought to investigate why this is happening...... must cost the taxpayers an absolute fortune....

Edited Fri October 13, 2023 4:07am

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 4:04amReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Fri October 13, 2023 4:05am

Daffodil

Member since
March 2022

965 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 6:24amReport post

Post deleted


Edited Tue October 24, 2023 9:12am

Louise49

Member since
January 2021

494 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 7:31amReport post

Yea I saw this on the news yesterday and I've read various articles. The prisons are at breaking point, seriously overcrowded and not fit for purpose!. My partner has his sentencing in a few weeks so I'm hoping this news is in his favour and he gets a suspended sentence.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 7:46amReport post

Very true Daffodil.

My son said most disputes break out through sheer frustration of not having the 'basics'. Activities not going ahead at the last minute due to staff shortages, meetings etc. This includes work and education .Medical issues not being took seriously. Waiting so long for post & parcels etc. shit food.... like you say they are people!

My son has been in prison for nearly three years now - seen hardly any professionals and not a dot of a treatment programme to address why he's in there. I presume that comes later, but it should be ongoing in my opinion.

Its only when there's a riot or someone escapes then the system is merely glanced at and nothing more.....

Edited Fri October 13, 2023 9:58am

hpl111

Member since
November 2022

392 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 10:24amReport post

@Daffodil, I agree with you.

I read somewhere or watched a video (can't remember now, as it was a while ago) that Norway has low percentage of reoffending, because their prisons are very much focused on rehabilitation and they have a high standard of living in prison.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 10:41amReport post

Yes I watched that. Was it rated the top luxurious prison?

interesting results on the low reoffending.

Louise49

Member since
January 2021

494 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 10:42amReport post

Yes I've read about Norway's prison system too. Supposed to be one of the best in the world and it's very much based on rehabilitation. Our justice and prison systems are terrible, outdated and rundown. In fact the whole justice system is a mess. I've never understood why one judge can decide that he can suspend an offender one day and then another send them to prison for the exact same crime! There's no consistency! It shouldn't be based on what mood the judge is in!. I've seen one chap in the paper recently get 45 month's custody for possession of iioc yet another article another chap gets suspended sentence for over 100,000 images!

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 12:16pmReport post

It's crazy Louise. I felt angry when a cruel rapist actually got a lesser sentence than my son....

it's wrong to think a judge can ruin your life, depending on his mood that day.......

you described this country perfectly terrible, outdated and rundown! One big mess.....

Edited Fri October 13, 2023 12:18pm

Ocean

Member since
September 2023

766 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 12:27pmReport post

I agree that it's such a shame this has come too late for those already in prison. They can only give a suspended sentence though it it falls within the sentencing guidelines. For example the prosecution said that my person was in the 3 B category with sentences ranging from 1-4 years with a starting point of 2 years. Anything of 2 years and under can be given a suspended sentence if that it what the judge decides.

Louise49

Member since
January 2021

494 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 12:29pmReport post

Exactly Smile!. I don't condone what my partner has done but since the knock over 2 and a half years ago hes worked hard. He has a good job, family that love him and I'm fully supporting him. His sentencing is the end of October and im crossing everything he'll get suspended sentence. What I don't get aswell is the judge can just ignore character references and pre sentence reports! They have too much power, they don't look at the person as a whole and why they ended up offending. I'd say judges need to be dragged into this century and do some retraining!

Edited Fri October 13, 2023 12:29pm

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 1:47pmReport post

Agree Louise. The fact that my son never had any involvement with police or broke the law, he worked hard, working overtime with an excellent work record. Had awards for his attendance and friendly helpful attitude etc. didn't mean a dot I'm afraid.

Yes they have to follow sentencing guidelines but I still think if the judge doesn't like the look of you, it's a 'go to jail card' for you sadly.

I don't want to frighten my friends on here, I'm just voicing my personal views....

Edited Fri October 13, 2023 1:49pm

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2401 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 2:35pmReport post

Totally agree with you all on your views

My son was paying privately for a specialist therapist following the knock, weekly sessions and they really did help him, (it's a shame it took the knock to seek help) however since on remand and now in prison he has had nothing, no programmes, Daff as you mentioned I dont expect prison to be a hotel but my god! they reckon it costs tax payers £40,000 a year for each prisoner, yes they have to be punished but give them some human dignity, I would rather my son be tagged, have strict guidelines to follow, at least he could be getting therapy , it costs me around £200 a month to support him in prison with phone, canteen etc its never ending, I know it's to late for us that our loved ones are inside but I hope they do something as locking them up isn't the help they need x

Daffodil

Member since
March 2022

965 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 3:05pmReport post

Post deleted


Edited Tue October 24, 2023 9:12am

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 5:42pmReport post

Son told today - no one will be moved anywhere at the moment as all the prisons are full up - much like we've been discussing.

Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 5:46pmReport post

I'm so sorry for everyone who already has a person in prison, I can't begin to imagine that devastation.

In one way I feel happy, as does my person, that this is nearing an end but on the other hand absolutely petrified of the coming weeks, thinking only of today and getting through it xx

Louise49

Member since
January 2021

494 posts

Posted Fri October 13, 2023 6:07pmReport post

The whole system needs a massive shake up!. They need to look at preventative measures especially in these crimes. They need to come down heavy and hard on websites that allow IIOC. My partner was looking at legal porn, he became addicted and then iioc would just pop up on links so bam! Off down that rabbit hole. Probation and SS need massively educating in these crimes. I think much the way drug and gambling addiction is managed then they should be tackling porn addiction, it's massively out of control as all of us here know. And don't get me started on the media narrative in these crimes. If I was to choose my partner going to prison and no media and no one ever finding out then I'd choose that and that's just awful isn't it. I think the media have too much power too!. They can print the P word about an offender without actually knowing the true definition of someone who's a p word. Sorry went in abit of a rant there but I just get so frustrated with it all and we've been waiting 2 years 10 months!

Louise49

Member since
January 2021

494 posts

Posted Sat October 14, 2023 8:09amReport post

I've been checking the court listings the last few days. More and more cases are being relisted. Most of them that should of been heard this week relisted for December

Bettyboo65

Member since
June 2022

339 posts

Posted Sat October 14, 2023 10:03amReport post

Louise, that is so wrong too isn't it, we've all gone through such emotional turmoil only for it to carry on longer, it's absolutely disgusting, our people rebuild and then get knocked down in a second:( xx