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Young offenders
I'm 19 nearly 20 and have court in a few weeks and my solicitor reckons I'll be getting a custodial because of the charges. I'll be 20 then so he says I'll probably be going to Young Offenders Prison - is this right. Could be looking at 2 years so do they transfer you after a while? How is Young Offenders compared to full prison and does anybody know what I should expect especially when I first go in. I know I've done stupid stuff but I'm worried about what it will be like
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Hi,
yes you wil partially serve some of your sentence in a Young Offender Institution, and then transfer to an adult prison once you reach 21.
A Young Offenders Prison is similar to an adult prison with an emphasis on rehbilitation through education and sometimes work practices. However, with a short sentence of around two years it's unlikely you will engage in any courses because you will be released before you can embark on them.
When you first enter prison it's daunting. I was subjected to incarceration on remand in Feltham when I was 15. I was driven in a hot prison van or 'sweat box' as they're affectionally known, and placed in a waiting room with other convicted and unconvicted prisoners.
Because of my age I was anxious particularly because some of the others were around 19 - 20. You are fed, stripped searched and returned to the waiting room. When called you are subjected to a short interview regarding your offence, habits (drugs etc), aspirations while in prison, then taken to a designated wing and placed in a prison cell (single or multi-occupencey). It's a very humiliating and clinical operation.
The following day you are shown around your new home.
It will be an anxious and nearvous experience at first, but you will settle in quickly I promise you. And just remember a short sentence of around two years means you will be released after just one year (providing good behaviour).
Hope this helps, keep us informed of what happens.
yes you wil partially serve some of your sentence in a Young Offender Institution, and then transfer to an adult prison once you reach 21.
A Young Offenders Prison is similar to an adult prison with an emphasis on rehbilitation through education and sometimes work practices. However, with a short sentence of around two years it's unlikely you will engage in any courses because you will be released before you can embark on them.
When you first enter prison it's daunting. I was subjected to incarceration on remand in Feltham when I was 15. I was driven in a hot prison van or 'sweat box' as they're affectionally known, and placed in a waiting room with other convicted and unconvicted prisoners.
Because of my age I was anxious particularly because some of the others were around 19 - 20. You are fed, stripped searched and returned to the waiting room. When called you are subjected to a short interview regarding your offence, habits (drugs etc), aspirations while in prison, then taken to a designated wing and placed in a prison cell (single or multi-occupencey). It's a very humiliating and clinical operation.
The following day you are shown around your new home.
It will be an anxious and nearvous experience at first, but you will settle in quickly I promise you. And just remember a short sentence of around two years means you will be released after just one year (providing good behaviour).
Hope this helps, keep us informed of what happens.
Thanks for the info. Good to find somebody whose been there and knows. I'm in court in London so I was told that Feltham is probably where I would go. Must have been bad being there at 15 - I'm 19 now and I know what I feel like don't know what I would be like if I was just 15.
I've got some questions about it
How much time do you be in your cell?
Do you have to do work and what work do you do?
How much time do you get outside or free time for games?
What's the food like?
Do you have to wear a uniform?
Will I be able to smoke?
What are the guards like - do they give you alot of ****?
Is there much fighting and scrapping?
How often can you have visits?
What type of personal stuff are you allowed have?
Don't know if you can answer them but if you can it would be great.
I've got some questions about it
How much time do you be in your cell?
Do you have to do work and what work do you do?
How much time do you get outside or free time for games?
What's the food like?
Do you have to wear a uniform?
Will I be able to smoke?
What are the guards like - do they give you alot of ****?
Is there much fighting and scrapping?
How often can you have visits?
What type of personal stuff are you allowed have?
Don't know if you can answer them but if you can it would be great.
Therein lies the problem with prison.
Prison should be a non smoking, no visitors, no personal belongings, no TV or radio, in cell for 23 out of 24 hours, no contact with other inmates, eating alone in cell, just enough calories to be in line with WHO, bright pink uniforms, no reading or writing materials & firm guards.
But the sentences should be shorter to offset this.
Prisons are ridiculously nice places.
Prison should be a non smoking, no visitors, no personal belongings, no TV or radio, in cell for 23 out of 24 hours, no contact with other inmates, eating alone in cell, just enough calories to be in line with WHO, bright pink uniforms, no reading or writing materials & firm guards.
But the sentences should be shorter to offset this.
Prisons are ridiculously nice places.
Hi again (this is a two-part answer due to Answer Bank space limitation)
during my incarceration the prison was going through turmoil. My first three nights and days I wasn't in contact with anybody else - guards or other prisoners. I was moved from Swallow wing (I think), to Kestrel wing and the hospital ward due to lack of space. I received no time for exercise and was incarcerated for 23 hours per day.
However, the prison has adjusted its policies and advanced considerably since I was there. But please be prepared to exercise some emotional tenacity and physical prowess where necessary.
To answer your questions directly:
- The food varies. Sometimes you are provided with adequate food; sometimes you'll receive poor quality food. I remember fragments of mould on bread for example - but it's certainly edible.
- I was initially provided with a green shirt, brown jeans and brown shoes. However, the prison did allow joggers, t-shirts, trainers of your own when you could acquire them from friends/family etc.
- You will be allowed to smoke, but since the ban in 2007 smoking is normally restricted to inside the cell and not in association space etc.
- Like any other people, the guards are absolutely fine and hospitable providing you reciprocate. Like any institution some are antagonistic, some are caring and some are indifferent to your needs. Speak with other inmates to determine their character traits.
during my incarceration the prison was going through turmoil. My first three nights and days I wasn't in contact with anybody else - guards or other prisoners. I was moved from Swallow wing (I think), to Kestrel wing and the hospital ward due to lack of space. I received no time for exercise and was incarcerated for 23 hours per day.
However, the prison has adjusted its policies and advanced considerably since I was there. But please be prepared to exercise some emotional tenacity and physical prowess where necessary.
To answer your questions directly:
- The food varies. Sometimes you are provided with adequate food; sometimes you'll receive poor quality food. I remember fragments of mould on bread for example - but it's certainly edible.
- I was initially provided with a green shirt, brown jeans and brown shoes. However, the prison did allow joggers, t-shirts, trainers of your own when you could acquire them from friends/family etc.
- You will be allowed to smoke, but since the ban in 2007 smoking is normally restricted to inside the cell and not in association space etc.
- Like any other people, the guards are absolutely fine and hospitable providing you reciprocate. Like any institution some are antagonistic, some are caring and some are indifferent to your needs. Speak with other inmates to determine their character traits.
- You will find because of the age and immaturity of the inmates fighting and low-level scrapping is common. Bravado and arguments often compel teenagers to act 'inappropriately' in such circumstances more than a lower security adult prison.
- In terms of visits I was allocated one visit per week. However, I was unconvicted and of a younger age. I'm unsure if this impacted on the frequency of my visits. But you will be allowed a minimum of one visit per two weeks.
- My personal position meant I didn't have access to a television, radio CD player (before the age of MP3 players) etc. However, you should have access to these items providing you exhibit positive behaviour.
Many things have changed in Feltham since my release - electricity in cells for example. It isn't as negative as it was several years ago. Please don't worry excessively. With a relatively short sentence you will swiftly become used to the burden of prison life and settle quickly.
If you have anymore questions please ask and I'll try my best to answer.
- In terms of visits I was allocated one visit per week. However, I was unconvicted and of a younger age. I'm unsure if this impacted on the frequency of my visits. But you will be allowed a minimum of one visit per two weeks.
- My personal position meant I didn't have access to a television, radio CD player (before the age of MP3 players) etc. However, you should have access to these items providing you exhibit positive behaviour.
Many things have changed in Feltham since my release - electricity in cells for example. It isn't as negative as it was several years ago. Please don't worry excessively. With a relatively short sentence you will swiftly become used to the burden of prison life and settle quickly.
If you have anymore questions please ask and I'll try my best to answer.
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