What's life really like in prison?
Discussion
I know a few people who have spent time behind bars, mainly for relatively petty crime (theft etc)
All of them think of it as a holiday and quite good. I was talking to one last week after being released on tag for hitting a Police Officer (5 months into a 18 month sentence) He is 19. I asked if it has out him off being a criminal. his reply :- "No it was a doss, quite enjoyed it etc.."
I also know a prison officer. That is a job I would not want to do. His opinion is that prisons are now more life holiday camps than places of correction. He recently had to change his boots as they were too offensive for the inmates.
Our liberal approach has changed prisons to the huge benefit of the guest.
When I asked the officer what he would do to toughen things up and stop the decline his reply was simple, bring back slop buckets.
All of them think of it as a holiday and quite good. I was talking to one last week after being released on tag for hitting a Police Officer (5 months into a 18 month sentence) He is 19. I asked if it has out him off being a criminal. his reply :- "No it was a doss, quite enjoyed it etc.."
I also know a prison officer. That is a job I would not want to do. His opinion is that prisons are now more life holiday camps than places of correction. He recently had to change his boots as they were too offensive for the inmates.
Our liberal approach has changed prisons to the huge benefit of the guest.
When I asked the officer what he would do to toughen things up and stop the decline his reply was simple, bring back slop buckets.
I know a couple of people who've done stints inside, one was around 8 months i think, he got an 18month sentence though.
Said it wasn't nice but it wasn't exactly difficult, he had his own room, TV, play station etc.
Other person said it's more of an inconvenience, but it's not really hard, apparently the first 2 weeks are the hardest as you start with nothing & get categorised, then it's pretty plain sailing, they said they spend most of their time in the gym, or watching TV/playing pool.
Said it wasn't nice but it wasn't exactly difficult, he had his own room, TV, play station etc.
Other person said it's more of an inconvenience, but it's not really hard, apparently the first 2 weeks are the hardest as you start with nothing & get categorised, then it's pretty plain sailing, they said they spend most of their time in the gym, or watching TV/playing pool.
I've been to prison. Without going into too much detail I was young and stupid (10 years ago, early twenties) and was in for a very serious driving offence.
I was sentenced to two and a half years and had to do half of that which was 15 months.
Due to the nature of the offence the prison part was a walk in the park compared to the regret and remorse I was going through and am still going through today.
Prison is routine, routine and more routine. I never saw any bullying or fighting but the more experienced timers do use it and their contacts as an advantage which was expected.
I used my time there to better myself through education and now I have made a career as a design engineer through what I learnt. Not only that but I came out in a good shape through all the hours I spent in the gym.
There are, and I met, a lot of good people inside who were there for silly mistakes and accidents which we all make every day without thinking about. I'm still in touch with two of them regularly and we do often meet up for a beer or two.
In all, its a walk in the park. So much so that it makes you sick to see how easy the murderers, rapists and paedophiles have it. The worst part of it for me was having to breathe the same air as these low life's.
You get groups of people that stick together. The nonces, the druggies and the decent(ish) people. If your a decent person you associate with decent people and just get on with it.
I used my time to better myself and to learn from my mistakes and there are plenty of opportunities inside to do that. Unfortunately most people in there don't.
I deeply regret what I did and I wish could turn back the clock and change it. There isn't a day goes by where I don't think about it and that has ruined my life somewhat. Its taken away a lot of the joy out of life. I didn't see the prison part as much of a punishment but having to deal with my actions is the punishment.
It hasn't affected my career at all and I simply don't mention it as I've never been asked during interview, Unless an employer does a CRB check then there is no way of them knowing. I have told my current boss/employer and he dismissed it as a mistake I made a long time ago when I was young and stupid.
In all I turned someting extremely bad into a positive and its a shame that the majority of people inside don't do the same.
Jon
I was sentenced to two and a half years and had to do half of that which was 15 months.
Due to the nature of the offence the prison part was a walk in the park compared to the regret and remorse I was going through and am still going through today.
Prison is routine, routine and more routine. I never saw any bullying or fighting but the more experienced timers do use it and their contacts as an advantage which was expected.
I used my time there to better myself through education and now I have made a career as a design engineer through what I learnt. Not only that but I came out in a good shape through all the hours I spent in the gym.
There are, and I met, a lot of good people inside who were there for silly mistakes and accidents which we all make every day without thinking about. I'm still in touch with two of them regularly and we do often meet up for a beer or two.
In all, its a walk in the park. So much so that it makes you sick to see how easy the murderers, rapists and paedophiles have it. The worst part of it for me was having to breathe the same air as these low life's.
You get groups of people that stick together. The nonces, the druggies and the decent(ish) people. If your a decent person you associate with decent people and just get on with it.
I used my time to better myself and to learn from my mistakes and there are plenty of opportunities inside to do that. Unfortunately most people in there don't.
I deeply regret what I did and I wish could turn back the clock and change it. There isn't a day goes by where I don't think about it and that has ruined my life somewhat. Its taken away a lot of the joy out of life. I didn't see the prison part as much of a punishment but having to deal with my actions is the punishment.
It hasn't affected my career at all and I simply don't mention it as I've never been asked during interview, Unless an employer does a CRB check then there is no way of them knowing. I have told my current boss/employer and he dismissed it as a mistake I made a long time ago when I was young and stupid.
In all I turned someting extremely bad into a positive and its a shame that the majority of people inside don't do the same.
Jon
lukefreeman said:
So if you want a career I should go to jail and get on a course?
Sorry but it's bulls
t that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment.
What about inmates trying to better themselves and breakout of the cycle of offending and going back into jail? The cost of the education is minimal compared to the cost of putting someone in jail. Sorry but it's bulls
t that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment. Challo said:
lukefreeman said:
So if you want a career I should go to jail and get on a course?
Sorry but it's bullst that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment.
What about inmates trying to better themselves and breakout of the cycle of offending and going back into jail? The cost of the education is minimal compared to the cost of putting someone in jail. Sorry but it's bulls
t that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment. Don't educate them and they will then come out and are more likely to re-offend again as they have no other option, educate them and there is a far higher chance that they will come out and be in a far better position of securing a job and a better life.
welshjon81 said:
It hasn't affected my career at all and I simply don't mention it as I've never been asked during interview, Unless an employer does a CRB check then there is no way of them knowing. I have told my current boss/employer and he dismissed it as a mistake I made a long time ago when I was young and stupid.
Very interesting reading and good for you for turning it around to a positive.Out of curiosity, whilst it was still a "current" conviction (ie, within the last 5 years) did you / would you tell your employers? Are you not asked on the application form?
Whats to stop people just ticking the "No" box for criminal record? Are there any repercussions?
Only asking as we recruit very regularly here, but i guess we accept if people tick the "No" box.
Edited by daemon on Monday 8th September 12:53
Edited by daemon on Monday 8th September 12:58
HTP99 said:
Challo said:
lukefreeman said:
So if you want a career I should go to jail and get on a course?
Sorry but it's bullst that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment.
What about inmates trying to better themselves and breakout of the cycle of offending and going back into jail? The cost of the education is minimal compared to the cost of putting someone in jail. Sorry but it's bulls
t that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment. Don't educate them and they will then come out and are more likely to re-offend again as they have no other option, educate them and there is a far higher chance that they will come out and be in a far better position of securing a job and a better life.
What I'm trying to say is that, once they're out, they should get charged a student loan once they're earning an a certain ammount, just like regular students who don't commit crimes.
Challo said:
lukefreeman said:
So if you want a career I should go to jail and get on a course?
Sorry but it's bullst that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment.
What about inmates trying to better themselves and breakout of the cycle of offending and going back into jail? The cost of the education is minimal compared to the cost of putting someone in jail. Sorry but it's bulls
t that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment. The cost of the police force would be more than the actual contents stolen.........
lukefreeman said:
HTP99 said:
Challo said:
lukefreeman said:
So if you want a career I should go to jail and get on a course?
Sorry but it's bullst that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment.
What about inmates trying to better themselves and breakout of the cycle of offending and going back into jail? The cost of the education is minimal compared to the cost of putting someone in jail. Sorry but it's bulls
t that inmates get free education. If they want education inside, it should be like on the outside.......student loan to payback once they're outside and in employment. Don't educate them and they will then come out and are more likely to re-offend again as they have no other option, educate them and there is a far higher chance that they will come out and be in a far better position of securing a job and a better life.
What I'm trying to say is that, once they're out, they should get charged a student loan once they're earning an a certain ammount, just like regular students who don't commit crimes.
I would always be in favour of providing free education to inmates (although I do draw the line at Chemistry degrees for those convicted of terrorist offences 
Prison should (IMO) be about dissuading people from leading a life of crime and part of that is to prepare them for the day when they are back in the real world. As such I do not believe that prison time should be 'easy' for anyone, but I do believe in targeted resources, even if sometimes the provision of those resources might seem a little 'unfair' (as with free tuition fees) to the casual observer.
Prison should (IMO) be about dissuading people from leading a life of crime and part of that is to prepare them for the day when they are back in the real world. As such I do not believe that prison time should be 'easy' for anyone, but I do believe in targeted resources, even if sometimes the provision of those resources might seem a little 'unfair' (as with free tuition fees) to the casual observer.
It's a long time ago now, but my memories of it are not good. Locked up 23 hours a day alone in a cell with nothing to do. No tv, PS3, etc. Not even a book or magazine to read. Need a crap or a piss? Chamber pot in the corner.
Food virtually inedible.
The lack of freedom is the worst part, along with worry about how your family is coping. You have to get into the mindset that the only way you are leaving before your release date is in a wooden box.
That was Barlinnie. I also spent time in Low Moss. Plenty of company there - you were housed in wooden huts with 29 other guys. Drugs were rife. Bubba in the showers? I never saw any signs of any homosexual behaviour.
I won't be back, unlike many inmates who were poorly educated and well advanced on a life of crime. No future at all for them. Depressing.
Food virtually inedible.
The lack of freedom is the worst part, along with worry about how your family is coping. You have to get into the mindset that the only way you are leaving before your release date is in a wooden box.
That was Barlinnie. I also spent time in Low Moss. Plenty of company there - you were housed in wooden huts with 29 other guys. Drugs were rife. Bubba in the showers? I never saw any signs of any homosexual behaviour.
I won't be back, unlike many inmates who were poorly educated and well advanced on a life of crime. No future at all for them. Depressing.
lukefreeman said:
No no no I'm not trying to say that.
What I'm trying to say is that, once they're out, they should get charged a student loan once they're earning an a certain ammount, just like regular students who don't commit crimes.
'Regular students' are committing all sorts of crimes, most of them just don't get caught.What I'm trying to say is that, once they're out, they should get charged a student loan once they're earning an a certain ammount, just like regular students who don't commit crimes.
If the law didn't discriminate and every person who bent the rule of law was somehow arrested they would need to build a lot more prisons.
GTIR said:
Ari said:
Thankyou4calling said:
Are drugs freely available?
This is the bit that gets me - drugs available in prison. It's a fecking prison for fecks sake! If you can't keep drugs out of (what should be) a completely secure building something somewhere is very wrong. At visiting time the friend/family member brings in a package small enough to swallow and then later the inmate poos it out in his cell.
Or a dodgy screw brings it in. Possibly.
No first hand experience but looking back it might have happened due to my almost unbelievable stupidity in my early 20's.
I know 2 people who've gone inside.
The first was a lad from school, he went in at 19 for a catalogue of petty crap, an assault, some minor drug stuff and finally fraud - ironically he'd changed his ways a lot since earlier brushes with the law which ended up getting him a suspended sentence - the story goes that he's walking though the back alleys of the town centre with firends and they find a purse - no cash in it but there's a bank card - so they decide that whilst it's a million in one shot they'd had a go each at guessing the PIN at the ATM, 3 unsuccessful attempts and the card is swallowed - no harm, no foul. A few days later the BIB arrest him at home and he's charged with a mugging - seems the purse was stolen with threats, the cash taken and the purse dropped where they found it - the ATM has recorded their imagines when they got the PIN wrong. I won't put money on him not being involved in the mugging though.
His sentence plus the suspended sentence meant 3 years -I don't know where he served it, but his behaviour meant he didn't get a day off nor was moved to a less secure prison - I bumped into him a few months later - I didn't even know he'd gone in - he was very quiet and frail looking and spoke very softly - prior he'd always been very physical and over-bearing, even if he liked you he'd usually shove you and you'd never get a word in.
His brother told us he'd gone in too cocky and tried pushing people about like he did outside, but had mixed in with some real criminals who'd initially beaten him and finally he was raped - he'd spent the rest of his time fighting, sometimes because he had no option, but mostly to try to prove he wasn't " a poof". Last I heard he had been sectioned.
Fast forward 10 years:
The other guy was a pretty nasty person, although I didn't think it at the time - he was a mid-level dealer who got caught with 1000 pills walking into a friends house pretty much as the Police were searching it. He got 14 months, did about a week in 'real' prison before being transferred to Park Prison in Bridgend, he arrived just as they were doing the place up after a disastrous few early years - I asked him what it was like, he just said "boring" they weren't locked up all day, they had TVs and such but it was pretty mundane, in 'real' prisons there was a lot more drama - prison gossip is like school yard gossip everyone is so bored they embellish anything they hear so you hear about all these rapes, boilings and beatings etc but the truth is perhaps less exciting.
I know 2 people who've gone inside.
The first was a lad from school, he went in at 19 for a catalogue of petty crap, an assault, some minor drug stuff and finally fraud - ironically he'd changed his ways a lot since earlier brushes with the law which ended up getting him a suspended sentence - the story goes that he's walking though the back alleys of the town centre with firends and they find a purse - no cash in it but there's a bank card - so they decide that whilst it's a million in one shot they'd had a go each at guessing the PIN at the ATM, 3 unsuccessful attempts and the card is swallowed - no harm, no foul. A few days later the BIB arrest him at home and he's charged with a mugging - seems the purse was stolen with threats, the cash taken and the purse dropped where they found it - the ATM has recorded their imagines when they got the PIN wrong. I won't put money on him not being involved in the mugging though.
His sentence plus the suspended sentence meant 3 years -I don't know where he served it, but his behaviour meant he didn't get a day off nor was moved to a less secure prison - I bumped into him a few months later - I didn't even know he'd gone in - he was very quiet and frail looking and spoke very softly - prior he'd always been very physical and over-bearing, even if he liked you he'd usually shove you and you'd never get a word in.
His brother told us he'd gone in too cocky and tried pushing people about like he did outside, but had mixed in with some real criminals who'd initially beaten him and finally he was raped - he'd spent the rest of his time fighting, sometimes because he had no option, but mostly to try to prove he wasn't " a poof". Last I heard he had been sectioned.
Fast forward 10 years:
The other guy was a pretty nasty person, although I didn't think it at the time - he was a mid-level dealer who got caught with 1000 pills walking into a friends house pretty much as the Police were searching it. He got 14 months, did about a week in 'real' prison before being transferred to Park Prison in Bridgend, he arrived just as they were doing the place up after a disastrous few early years - I asked him what it was like, he just said "boring" they weren't locked up all day, they had TVs and such but it was pretty mundane, in 'real' prisons there was a lot more drama - prison gossip is like school yard gossip everyone is so bored they embellish anything they hear so you hear about all these rapes, boilings and beatings etc but the truth is perhaps less exciting.
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