A Day In The Life Of A Prisoner…
Today started with the now familiar clanging noise of our cell door being unlocked and opened briefly. 07:15. It’s what I call the daily “Are They Still Alive” check. I raised my arm up with a 'thumbs up' gesture...
prisonblog.co.uk/project/a-da...
Reporting Rape In Prison
Dear sir/ madam,
I am writing to register my concern that a distressed inmate was given no care/ protection last night.
Between 11:15pm and 11:45pm I heard almost constant shouting from another inmate who was clearly highly distressed...
prisonblog.co.uk/project/repo...
Inmate Cameraderie
Are people friendly in prison?
Had my usual run outside this afternoon on the Astroturf pitch. The five of us had a fun and lively bit of banter out in the wind and drizzle. There was a lot of laughter and it felt good to feel the cameraderie...
prisonblog.co.uk/project/inma...
Are there drugs in prison?
NOTICE TO PRISONERS
Over recent months, there has been an increase in reports of the use of psychoactive substances (also referred to as Spice) and this has resulted in a number of prisoners and staff requiring medical treatment...
prisonblog.co.uk/project/drug...
A Dream
At dinner today, I was chatting to an inmate about his current situation, including difficulties in his family relationships. These difficulties stem from the abuse that he experienced in childhood...
prisonblog.co.uk/project/dream/
Is prison punishment?
I used to think that when a person commits a crime, the justice system provides a punishment. But that’s not how it is.
My punishment began the day the witness statements were read out to me, a full 18 months before I was sentenced....
prisonblog.co.uk/project/is-p...
What is it like in prison?
I’ve been here for 5 days so far, and, very surprisingly, am enjoying every day. Here are some answers to questions that friends and family have been asking me via emails, which are printed off and slipped under my door each morning...
prisonblog.co.uk/project/what...
Thinking of all the people in prison today, on Christmas Day.
That would be great
Quick question.... Is there an option for remote working? (I live in Scotland)
Thanks Joe. I decided to put the whole blog online recently, and hope to develop the survival guide more, in time. I have to pace it to avoid retraumatising myself, but I would like to help others to cope with prison. If any suggestions come to mind I'd love to hear from you.
As a former inmate, your statement is very powerful and moving. My experience of prison wardens was that many enjoyed degrading prisoners to make themselves feel more powerful.... But there were others who made a real effort to be respectful and helpful.
In some Scandinavian countries, Prison Officers need a specialist degree. In the UK they have virtually no training. In the prison where I was incarcerated the workers didn't even have really basic training such as Mental Health First Aid. The way some of them treated prisoners was disgusting.
As a former prisoner, I'm so grateful that you're covering this important issue of sentence inflation
Cheers man. If you have any suggestions to make more useful to the people you represent, just let me know. The are some pretty harrowing descriptions in my blog, but I found I was able to have a productive time in prison. I kept away from trouble, whilst keeping myself open to human connection.
As a former prisoner, it's great to see that this work is going on. Thank you!
Having spent time in a UK prison, this statistic doesn't surprise me at all.
The first day of prison. Picture of a prison wing, with tables and many doors leading prison cells.
The First Day of Prison
At the prison, I was strip searched with a great deal of respect. I was asked to remove my clothes from only one half of my body at a time – first the top half, then the bottom.
prisonblog.co.uk/project/firs...
The Journey To Prison
After sentencing I was handcuffed to a man and led from the courtroom, downstairs to the cells. There I had a few hours to think and to process what was happening to me before being transported to prison. My cell was walled on three sides... prisonblog.co.uk/project/jour...
How to survive prison
If it would help you to get some advice from me directly, please feel free to get in contact.
If you’re preparing for prison, I hope that this advice will he[p you to feel calmer. Here are my seven top tips for surviving prison… prisonblog.co.uk/how-to-survi...
Prison cell drawing, showing prison cell window with bars, bunk bed, kettle, tv and other items
Welcome to my prison blog, an account of daily life in a UK prison.
If you are preparing to go to prison yourself, you may like to start with my prison survival guide. Watch this space...
prisonblog.co.uk