Family and Friends Forum

Have you got addressed envelopes and stamps. Flip flops for showers. Towel. We thankfully didn't need it in the end but better to be prepared. Thinking about you xx

There are a lot of websites and blog posts which give suggestions for what to pack in the just in case bag. The general advice is;

Clothing – socks, underwear, t-shirts, sweatshirts and trousers/jogger. Nothing black or white, nothing with a hood, no sports team shirts, nothing with derogatory or offensive language on it.

Two pairs of trainers, one for general wear, one for gym.

Slippers

Sliders for wearing in the shower.

Toiletries

Books

A cheap digital watch, nothing internet capable

List of contact addresses and phone numbers

Family photos

Cash to have deposited into his spends account

Prescription medication, an up to date prescription and details of any medical history

Glasses or contact lenses



The contents of the bag will be checked on arrival at reception and anything not permitted will be placed into his stored property, different prisons have different rules about what is permitted at each of the incentive and privilege levels, for example he may be able to wear his on clothes as a new arrival on standard level or he may have to put his clothing into storage and wear prison issue until he moves up to enhanced level.

Food and over the counter medication are likely to be removed so I wouldn’t worry about taking these, they can be purchased from the canteen sheet.

If there is anything he definitely doesn’t want to have go with him to prison such as car keys, phone, wallet etc make sure these are given to someone else before entering the dock, if sent down it will likely be impossible to have these returned once he is down in the holding cells.

Hopefully it wont be needed

I would imagine that would not be allowed. Once inside the only way to get new items or clothing in usually is for him to order from the approved cataloges.

Some prisons allow a package of clothing and property to be sent in during the first few weeks however this is usually only if the person has been remanded to prison straight from police custody and wouldnt have had a chance to prepare their bang up bag.

No, you can't take anything in with you on a visit, not even a piece of paper. Eventually, you might be able to take clothes to the prison to be given to him but that's usually a privilege when a prisoner has been there quite a while. The rules around visits are very strict, even down to what you're allowed and not allowed to wear. X

He won't be allowed to take any medications in and it's unlikely he'll be able to take any food in.
He needs to pack basic clothes (without logos preferably), underwear, a piece of paper with the names and addresses of the people he wants contact with and some cash which will be put on his "canteen" account for him to use. My ex was recently sent to prison for the second time. The ONLY things they allowed him to take in were 2 t shirts, 2 pairs of underwear and a pair of joggers. He took a piece of paper with our details on it and his toiletries were not allowed. These need to be purchased inside. All prisons operate slightly differently. He wasn't allowed to take in a book. He was allowed his glasses. It really is very strict. They are extremely careful about what prisoners try to take in. It can make them vulnerable on the inside if they take in "desireable" or "tradable " goods. Everything in prison has a price on it so your person doesn't want to draw attention to themselves. Plus nice "snacks" etc are simply likely to be nicked. X

Hi mummy to lots

I'm sorry you're having to do this x

My son was sent to prison just over 4 months ago.

He packed

names addresses and telephone numbers

Some cash

Underwear and a spare set of clothes

A pen and note pad

Toiletries (all thrown away by the court unfortunately)

And he said the best thing he packed was a regular watch, because he said there's really no way of knowing what time of day it is at first until you're into a routine.

I'm hoping your son doesn't get sent to prison but unfortunately if he does and as others have said you will not be able to take any thing into him. My son asked for a special request of a parcel of clothes which had to be approved by the governer, which it was. But where he is this is a once a year request, although they will be able to buy things using their money from the prison canteen (shop)



Feel free to private message me for any advice x

Sending all best wishes and lots of love for tomorrow.

Hope all went well today!

Oh that's torture xxx sending love and hope it's done soon. My person is currently waiting outside courtroom reading his PSR.

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