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Prison without a vp wing

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HonHart10

Member since
March 2025

13 posts

Just a quick question to any one who has a loved one in prison ? My son spent the first 5 weeks of his sentence in a cat b prison on a vp wing. He had no issues and had started to make "friends" He was then abruptly moved last Thursday to a cat c prison BUT there is no vp wing and he's been told if people ask what he's there for to say possession of drugs as it warrants a similar sentence....

He's going to speak to a key worker to try and find out why he's there? He was hoping to be a sent to Whatton or somewhere similar. He is scared of being with the general population especially as his case hit the media !

Has any one had experience of this ? He's going to ask to be moved but really not sure where he stands on this.

Posted Wed April 9, 2025 6:48pmReport post

EBP

Member since
September 2021

231 posts

Hi to you,so sorry that you have had to join this forum.

My son spent five months in a local B/C prison on a VP wing. No one discussed their offences & they 'protected'each other when off-wing.

He is now atFiveWells with no VP wing. All prisoners mixed & others soon found out his record as his full name was posted outside his cell. All cells have phones & Tablets,so people on the outside we're asked to 'look up' his name. He became very scared for the first time & refused to leave his cell. He has moved cells three times & is now settled.

The abuse does tail off but he did have to ask for help from officers. He was never physically attacked,a lot of verbals.

It will settle down & your son can seek help from the officers & the chaplaincy.

We are fortunate that we can still visit regularly & speak every day.

Feel free to message me. It is horrible but becomes the new normal.

Best wishes

Posted Wed April 9, 2025 7:04pmReport post

HonHart10

Member since
March 2025

13 posts

Thanks EBP. It's just such a worry. Luckily he speaks to us everyday and is bearing up ! He only goes out of his cell in the mornings for an hour to get showered but tbh they only let them out 2hrs a day... hopefully this is just because it's the induction wing. But he feels safer staying in. I hope he's been moved because they offer some good offender programmes but after some googling I'm doubtful !

I've told him to to try and speak to someone this week about his concerns, and he did say the officers were all really approachable. I'm glad your son is OK. And thanks for your reply x

Posted Wed April 9, 2025 7:15pm
Edited Wed April 9, 2025 7:18pmReport post

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2718 posts

I have sent you a message x

Posted Thu April 10, 2025 8:11amReport post

edel2020

Member since
March 2022

516 posts

If you take HMP FiveWells as an example, they have different blocks with different populations, so there is one block where sex offenders are housed, together with older prisoners.

Then you have another block with a mixed population and within the blocks there is a safeguarding landing, which can be used for prisoners who are at risk, because of debts for example.

So even though they do not have a VP wing, they do have ways of seperating prisoners from others who might harm them.

Posted Thu April 10, 2025 10:57amReport post

HonHart10

Member since
March 2025

13 posts

Thank you. This has settled my mind a little x

He's been put in a prison aimed at young people 18 to 25 although he's out of this age bracket the majority of people there are young men. I think you may be right that although there isn't a vp wing as such the location of his cell means he is out first and close to the guards etc.

It's just a worry when he felt so safe before. But I'm sure he'll find his feet and eventually feel safe x

Plus this is only the induction wing. Like I've said to him see how it is when he moves.

Thanks for your reply x

Posted Thu April 10, 2025 12:39pm
Edited Thu April 10, 2025 12:47pmReport post

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2486 posts

Hon x

Feel free to message me x my son is in a SO prison xx

Posted Fri April 11, 2025 7:51pmReport post

Quick exit