Family and Friends Forum

When my person was sentenced he was sent to a cat B prison. I think this was mainly because it was the closest prison to us with space. Once he'd been assigned an offender manager and assessed by her, he was recategorised and sent to a cat C and won't be sent to a cat D before release.

The prison system is so broken and aren't really acting as rehabilitation for so many people. My person will receive no rehabilitation work whilst in prison as they don't offer anything of any relevance. I've learnt that what's supposed to happen vs what does happen are very, very different.

Hi, I don't know the answer to your question but think they tend to get sent to a prison near to where they live in the first instance. My son was told that if he was sent to prison it would either be the one nearest to where we live or the one nearest after that.

At first my son was sent to our local cat b prison (he wasn't there for long). From then on he's been in three cat c (which are classed as training prisons) holding only sex offenders. With each move he's further away from home.

To my alarm he's been offered NO 'behaviour treatment' programmes due to demand (and no doubt cost) I've heard from a good source they can be moved to other prisons to be put on relevant courses. At the mo he's applied for two course a/ resettlement on release and b/ support with mental health/anxiety. These things take forever to be processed as with everything in prison.

im not sure about the open prison question but feel sure I did read someone on the forum say their person was sent to a cat d at the end of his sentence.

My person was sent to a prison hours away - it housed sex offenders and prisoners who need to be kept separate from the wider prison population. No idea what category it is.

Bettyboo65 x

My son was held on remand in a cat b mixed prison not far from me, he was there for 9 months on a VP wing, after sentancing he was moved to a cat c SO prison just over 2 hours away , no programmes, no therapy ( he was having weekly therapy sessions) before remand, the visits are very relaxed, he has a routine, his MH is in a much better place and we have adjusted to our new normal, our relationship is now completely different we are incredibly close, and he actually has opened up so much, I am incredibly proud of him, x

Remember this journey is so different for each of us as is the outcome is not the same

But no matter of the outcome the one thing we all share is we do manage to get through this

Always here to support you xx

What hurts me most is my son is so desperate to get over this and strives so hard to get his life back on track. He's going to have a mountain to climb when released, he's ready to face up to what he's done and change his life, he needs support to mend.

It's frustrating and wrong - to be just met with blanks.

My husband initially went to Cat C and then after sometime was moved to another Cat C. They can be moved at the drop of a hat which offers absolutely no stability. The Prison system is broken beyond belief and what should happen doesn't. 23 hours in a cell isn't rehabilitation in any sense of the word but for the majority of prisoners this is reality. Cat D is a possibility but that is down to the Offender Manager and Probation. In my husbands case he is now in Open Conditions.

What is open prison like Life feels over?

@Smile I think one of the most valuable things has been him regaining some sense of autonomy. The term 'open prison' alludes to there being no perimeter fencing and prisoners being able to come and go as they choose. It's not like that at all but they are given autonomy. It took time for him to become accustomed to being able to open his own door with a key and not having to be 'opened up' and 'get banged up', he has been able to see trees and walk around in nature rather than a concrete yard. They have roll call to make sure everyone is where they should be but on the whole he has a semblance of freedom. The way this particular prison works is outstanding. He has a job, there is training and things happen when they say they are happening. There is absolutely zero tolerance to anything innapropriate and people are and have been shipped back out. Prisoners are able to obtain ROTL ( Release on Temporary Licence) dependent on circumstances and time served. It's made such a difference. I hope this is something that is achievable in your case too x

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